Christmas Eve Homily Psalm 96; Isaiah 9:2–7; Titus 2:11–14; Luke 2:1–14 (15–20) In those days a degree went out from Emperor August that all the world should be registered. Luke 2:1 So here we are. We have come, some as people of faith, some as seekers of faith, some as occasional doubters, and some perhaps …
2 Advent Canticle 4; Baruch 5:1–9; Philippians 1:3–11; Luke 3:1–6 For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low and the valleys filled up, to make level ground, so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God. Baruch 5:7 Whether as driver or passenger, anyone who has …
1 Advent Psalm 25:1–9; Jeremiah 33:14–16; 1Thessalonians 3:9–13; Luke 21:25–36 You will recall that I spent several weeks this past summer in Germany. In preparation for that visit, I had billed that time as personal, no clerical or academic responsibilities. Rather, the purpose of my visit was to relax and reminisce with old friends and …
26 Pentecost Canticle: (I Sam. 2: 1–10); I Samuel 1: 4–20; Hebrews 10: 11–25; Mark 13: 1–8 As Jesus came out of the Temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!’ Mark 13:1 Good People of St. James, these last weeks have been submerged in rhetoric, …
20 Pentecost Psalm 8; Genesis 2:18–24; Hebrew 1:1; 2:5–12; Mark 10:2–16 I begin my meditation this morning with an exclamation: What an odd question! I am referring to the question which the Pharisees (who were the intelligentsia, the scholars, the learned men of the community) put to Jesus. And the question was, “Can a man …
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 …
Easter Day Acts 10:34–43; Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24; 1 Cor. 15:1–11; John 20:1–18 Tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. John 20:15c In the 1980’s there was this great board game called “CLUE,” which was later produced as a hilarious full-length film. It was this board game and film that …