I remember very clearly the time I told a young man in a town park that I was the new vicar of the church down the street, because his answer was classic: “Oh…is that still a church?” I was stunned, and let out a short burst of nervous laughter. “Uh, yep! Still a church!”
The following is a reflection on Luke 9:28-36, the Gospel lesson for the Last Sunday in Epiphany, year C, according to the revised common lectionary. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the Israelites were freed from Pharaoh’s hand, and they were wandering […]
The following is a reflection on the thirteenth chapter of Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians. Wouldn’t you like to speak “in the tongues of mortals and of angels?” Wouldn’t it be such great fun to bowl people over with divine eloquence every time you open your mouth!?
So, I put together a little book… As many of you probably know my wife and I have two girls, and like many young parents these days we spend the last moments of the day with them reading—either us reading to them, or vice versa. Some years ago I put together a small book on Holy Communion, which I had made up for my own kids and the children of the parish that I serve. […]
The following is a reflection on Luke 4:14-21, the Gospel lesson for the Epiphany 3C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. There is no shortage of commentary on this passage, oftentimes known as the “Nazareth Inaugural.” In some ways it’s become the manifesto of mainline Christianity. I remember my days in seminary hearing this passage almost monthly. Personally, I love the drama of the scene.
The following is a reflection on John 2:1-11, the Gospel lesson appointed for Epiphany 2C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. In the 25th chapter of Isaiah we find a beautiful vision of what happens when God’s victory is made manifest: On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoplesa feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. A feast. Rich […]
The following is a reflection on Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, the Gospel lesson for the first Sunday after the Epiphany Year C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ Of course this incredible Divine statement is made in the context of Jesus being baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. But, it’s also important to keep reading on for a verse or two. For […]
The following is a reflection on the Feast of the Epiphany, and Matthew 2:1-12 in particular. My wife and I saw the new James Bond movie the other day. It was a wonderful little distraction before entering into the maelstrom of Christmas Eve. We’ve always loved the James Bond movies—in fact one of our first “dates” was watching a Bond marathon. The villain in the new movie, Skyfall, is quite a man to behold. He’s […]