14 Pentecost Psalm 84; I Kings 8:1, 6, 10–11, 22–20, 41–43; Ephesians 6:10–20; John 6:56–69 The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63b A recent alumni magazine of my alma mater featured an interview with a freshly graduated young man who spoke about the power of words.  That did …

13 Pentecost Psalm 111; I Kings 2:10–12, 3:3–14; Ephesians 5:15–20; John 6:51–58 Giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:20 Our lectionary over these last four plus weeks has been unrelenting. Eating and drinking have held center stage, from the feeding …

3 Pentecost Psalm 138; I Samuel 8:4–11; 2 Corinthians 4:13–5:1; Mark 3:20–35 Sometimes, when reflecting on the lessons appointed for our hearing at Eucharist, the non-religious, non-liturgical world intrudes.  And so it was this week that I thought of Kermit the Frog of Sesame Street fame, who used to sing, as perhaps you may recall, …

6 Easter Psalm 98; Acts 10: 44–48; 1 John 5: 1–6; John 15: 9–17 Currently, the news, on television, in print, and on social media has focused our attention on the demonstrations and encampments on our university and college campuses in protest against war in Gaza.  You will surely recall the name Gaza from our …