Sermons

When I looked at the scripture readings for this week I was reminded of a game from Sesame Street. Four objects would be shown on the screen while one of the characters sang these words: “One of these things is not like the other. One of these things just doesn’t...

"Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." This is the prayer that begins the season of Advent, the beginning of a new church year, and time of preparation for the coming birth of the Messiah. Advent could well be...

Today is the last Sunday of the liturgical year. It is known as Christ the King Sunday, a theme that is reflected in our readings. This image of Jesus as king has never really resonated with me. Maybe that's because the founders of this country deliberately chose not...

Do you trust the Bible? That's what a sign in front of a church I passed recently asked.  Do I trust the Bible? It's an interesting question; one that leads me to other questions. Do I trust the Bible for what? To teach me about science? For medical advice? As a...

By the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept,when we remembered you, O Zion.As for our harps, we hung them upon the trees in the midst of that land.For those who led us away captive asked us for a song,and our oppressors called for mirth;"Sing us one of the songs of...

Today is All Saints' Sunday, one of the major feast days of the Church, and one of my favorite Sundays of the year. This first Sunday in November is the day we recognize the saints of the Church -- all of them, those who are of historical importance and have their own...

"If the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?" These words were uttered by Gideon at a time when Israel had been overtaken and ruled by the Midianites. It is a dark chapter in Israel's history. After seven years of brutal occupation, an angel appears...

Two weeks from Tuesday we will elect the next president of our country. Some of you have already voted; others like to wait until election day to cast their vote.s As November 5th draws nearer I can feel my anxiety levels rising. From conversations with many of you,...

Jesus said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” St. Anthony of Thebes, brought up in a wealthy Christian family, but orphaned at age 18, heard these words one day in...

We have reached that point in the political season where we are constantly bombarded with ads and requests for money. You can't turn on the TV without seeing ads for one or both of the presidential candidates. Our emails are flooded with requests for donations. And...

This week I spent a couple of days at our annual clergy conference, a gathering of all the active priests and deacons in the diocese. These gatherings serve two purposes. It's a chance for us to spend time with our colleagues -- to worship together, eat together,...

There is an old joke about a person who dies and goes to heaven, where she is met by St. Peter, who welcomes her and gives her a tour of the place. They walk by beautiful vista after vista with happy people engaging with one another. Peter gave a commentary as they...

It has been quite a week, hasn't it? It's one of those weeks when I could not bear to turn on the TV news and could only glance at the headlines. Today's scripture readings could certainly be applied to our current state. From Jeremiah we have the prophet's warning of...

Well, I had a sermon all prepared for this morning. I was feeling pretty smug that I had finished it on Thursday, clearing my weekend.  And then about 11:30 last night I looked at the news before going to bed, and immediately realized that the sermon I had...

In today's gospel we meet two people who believe in Jesus' power to perform miracles. One is influential and wealthy, the other a social outcast living in poverty. One is male, the other female. In ordinary circumstances they would never come in contact with each...