Previously on Sermons: last week, we looked at the dynamic of encountering “the other,” and how, through the person of Jesus and his encounter with the ostracized, bleeding woman, we see that, in God’s own vision, there is, essentially, no “other.” We are all connected through the Spirit of Christ...
Thank you for returning for the next installment in the series of family systems sermons, based on the Royal family of Israel. Last week we talked about the almost inexplicable phenomenon of thinking about someone every day when for one or another reason we know it is unlikely we will ever see...
I want to wish a very happy Father’s Day to all of you fathers. I have nothing but praise for what you do. Especially at this time in our world as we see firsthand the great risks that many parents take in order to protect and preserve the lives of...
When Laura Masterson was here last week, offering her powerful sermon on breaking down our tendency to categorize each other, she mentioned to me that she was beginning her Summer session of Clinical Pastoral Education at a local hospital there in Austin. It made me think back to my time...
You know how when you sit down to write a sermon, you get up for a break to feed peacocks? Yeah, I thought so. My friend, Lauren, had asked me if I wanted to go to this state park that had free range peacocks. She was going to bring raisins...
Hearing the passage from the prophet Isaiah about his vision of being in the presence of God, a presence so magnificent, makes the interior of Windsor Chapel for the Royal Wedding last week look like an abandoned warehouse by comparison. This Isaiah passage is a common one used at ordinations...
I rearranged my office again. I’m editing chapters for an upcoming book, and I got writer’s block—a big case of it—so I started dragging things again. Will helped me move my desk, and I took time moving chairs and files, the rug Lisa bought me when I first moved into...
It seems hard to believe but supposedly phone usage spikes by 37% on this day, more than on Christmas! Anna Jarvis suggested the day be commemorated in 1904 in honor of all the sacrifices that mothers make. She apparently was not interested in making any such sacrifices herself and never...
These past few weeks have challenged me to reflect more deeply. In my times of silence, I have reflected on our life together as this parish community. I have thought about our common life here, in this town, this area of the state. Challenges we face. Opportunities we are given. ...
Gregory of Nazianzus might not be a household name for you! You may have never heard of him until this evening, but now you have heard of him, and I hope you will see how his name and life are an example of the importance of knowing the full spectrum...