Posts

mirror my malady

Image
transform my tragedy A sermon on Jesus' inexplicable baptism Today is the Baptism of Our Lord . It marks the completion of the season that began in Advent. If Lent is 40 days leading to Easter , Advent and Christmas are roughly the same thing leading up to today , the Baptism of Our Lord . Nevertheless, or perhaps because of this, we are unsure of what to do with this day. The strange thing, though, is the biblical witness is unequivocal . Jesus was baptized by John . This is something all four Gospels report. And I know that may seem obvious. But when you set each Gospel side by side, you realize it’s an anomaly when something turns up in all four Gospels, not just two or three of them.   However , when you compare how Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John report Jesus’ baptism, you begin to suspect they, too , are a little uneasy with Jesus ’ baptism. In today’s Gospel, for instance, you get the distinct impression Luke is trying to rush you along. Luke, who has a penchant for st...
Post a Comment
Read more

it takes the end of time

Image
(it takes a long, long time) A sermon on Isaiah's prophecy that came to pass in its speaking Try to remember when you were young . I know! That’s a long time ago for some of you . Isn’t it?!? But try anyway. Ok? Now, do you recall how long it took for Christmas to come? Growing up, we would make those paper chains to count down the days until Christmas. But when you’re little , a day can be an awfully long time! Can’t it? Honestly, I remember going to the same link of the chain multiple times a day ! When you’re a child , the days to Christmas seem to go on and on . It doesn’t stay that way for long, though. Does it? When you’re young, you can’t grow up fast enough. However, you don’t even have to grow up all that much to realize how quickly it passes ! It doesn’t take long to realize it’s really a gift when time lingers . Well, I don’t make paper chains to count down the days until Christmas anymore. But we do light candles. Don’t we? And today , Gaudete Sunday, we m...
Post a Comment
Read more

i let it take me over

Image
from the toenails to the crown A sermon on J oel's hard-boiled prophecy Unless you’re here to worship , and I mean really worship, you might as well save yourself the hassle and just go home . If you’re only here because “that’s what you do,” well, don’t . And if you turned up today because you think a little religion will do you or your family some good , the prophet Joel bids an unceremonious good riddance to all that bad business. No, the stakes today are much too high for any of that folderol . While we’re on it, you can take a hike if you’re not here to worship the God who really is God, too. If you’re here looking for a little help to manage your little middle-class life, you’ve come to the wrong place. And if all you want is some moral guidance , go somewhere else . Sorry, but the prophet Joel won’t have any truck with all that false religion. How’s that for throwing down the gauntlet ? Have I got your attention? I hope so. I hope I’ve got your attention because we’r...
Post a Comment
Read more