September 24, 2017 - Proper 20A

Lectionary Readings

In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

            Today’s collect is a beautiful prayer, asking that God enable us not to be anxious about earthly things but to hold fast to that which shall endure. It’s something that we all struggle with – not sweating the small stuff and focusing on what truly matters. But as we know from psychology, this is easier said than done. Someone tells you all the great things that you’ve done, and then they offer a bit of constructive criticism by saying “but,” and it’s as if everything said before “but” was just a lie to soften the blow.

September 17, 2017 - Proper 19A

Lectionary Readings

In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

            In today’s passage from Romans, St. Paul writes to a fractured Christian community. There were fights about the proper style of worship and who was right about issues of faith. People were casting judgment upon one another, calling each other names, threatening to leave their congregations or kick others out of the congregation. They quarreled over little things that didn’t matter so much while ignoring the more important issues like unity, taking care of the needy, and being humble. And I’m just so thankful that in the 2,000 years since then, that we’ve figured out how to live together in harmony and concord. Isn’t it so wonderful that Christians all get along with each other, that no one in the church is ever passive-aggressive, that forgiveness and forbearance is a hallmark virtue of all Christians, and that we never judge each other?

September 10, 2017 - Proper 18A

Lectionary Readings

In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

            You’ve probably heard the advice “dress for success” or “dress for the job you want.” And that’s generally good advice. While clothes don’t make the man, or woman, they do have an impact. I remember when I was a kid, when I would wear my Ken Griffey, Jr. baseball jersey, it seemed as if I was more confident as I stepped up to the plate than when I wore a regular t-shirt. What we wear does send a message – it sends a message to the world about how we present ourselves and it sends a message to ourselves, as clothing is an extension of ours self-image and priorities.

September 3, 2017 - Proper 17A

Lectionary Readings

In the name of God ☩ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

            It’s a joy to gather each Sunday to worship the Lord. He, of course, was born of a virgin under a bright shining star. He brings salvation to all his people and peace to the whole earth, and this Good News is for all. Praise to our Messiah, Caesar Augustus, for all he does for us!