We are still at the beginning of our Lenten journey—only a week and a half in—but, as you heard in today’s gospel, from Mark, the difficult words are coming already. They came today in a surprising form, however. In much of the gospel of Mark, Jesus is depicted as being somewhat enigmatic in his interactions […]
Sermon Topic: Lent
The Heart of the Problem
A short reading from the Old Testament today, a mere four verses, yet verses widely regarded as about the most sublime of the entire Bible. The Lord speaks through the prophet to say that in the coming days he, the Lord, will make a new covenant—not like the old covenant, the one the people broke. […]
Our life...should cry the Gospel.
As I was waking up one morning I heard disturbing news on the radio…In the early hours of Friday chaos reigned…6000 people had turned into a frenzied mob…22 people suffered from heat exhaustion and five people were so badly crushed they were taken to hospital. One man was stabbed. I waited to hear where in […]
From Adam to the Altar Rail
In the Name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. Amen. What did the fall of the human race consist of? What constitutes our fallenness today? In this morning’s reading from Genesis, the fall consists of willfulness, the misuse of freedom, by which Adam and Eve chose to step out […]
A Leg Up on Lent
In the Name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. Amen. Lent is over three weeks away. The pre-Lent countdown which begins next Sunday, also called Septuagesima, is not yet – and yet today’s appointed lessons seem Lenten. Isaiah speaks to the question of fasting. Jesus in Saint Matthew speaks […]
Finally Glad
Ash Wednesday seems so long ago, although it was really just a bit over six weeks. At the beginning of Lent people take up “Lenten disciplines,” which come in various forms but traditionally are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In his sermon that day, our rector professed his affection for his disciplines. He also used an […]
Lent: The Gift of Time
In the Name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. Amen. The older I get, the more I look forward to the first day of Lent as an old friend coming round again for a helpful visit. For decades I have abstained from alcohol and other dietary items for the […]
After the Disclosure
I have something to say to you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. There comes a moment in every relationship when something must be said. “Before we go any further,” you might say, “you need to know this about me.” It is a moment of self-disclosure, […]
Self Discovery
Turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter, and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God but of men.” St. Mark 8:31-38 In the Name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. Amen. Last Sunday, the first Sunday in Lent, the Gospel contained […]
