May 25, 2014 - Easter 6A

Lectionary Readings

In the name of the Risen Lord. Amen.

            “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you.” That line comes from today’s reading from 1 Peter, and is, in my opinion, one of the most important verses in the Bible. Another translation puts it slightly differently- “Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to give an answer.”  If, when you walk out of church today, someone stopped you and asked “what gives you hope” or “why do you believe,” how would you respond? This is one of the most important questions that we can consider in our faith. This Easter season, as we celebrate the power of the Resurrection in our lives and in our world, how would we describe that Easter hope to others?

May 11, 2014 - Easter 4A

Lectionary Readings

In the name of the Risen Lord. Amen.

            “What difference does the Resurrection make in your life?” That was a question that I heard asked at a gathering recently. It’s a good question for us all to consider this Eastertide- what difference does the Resurrection make in your life? Notice that the question isn’t “what difference does the Resurrection make in your death?” This isn’t about the Final Judgment or some philosophical pondering on what happens to us once we cross the horizon of death. No, this is a question about your life; a question about this very moment. What difference does the Resurrection make in your life?

May 4, 2014 - Easter 3A

Lectionary Readings

In the name of the Risen Lord. Amen.

            This passage from Luke is my favorite of the Resurrection appearances of Jesus and is one of the longest of the Resurrection appearances and provides no shortage of material for the preacher, and it is found only in Luke. If you read the verses immediately before and after this passage, it reads as a cohesive unit- “But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened… while they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’”

April 27, 2014 - Easter 2A

Lectionary Readings

In the name of the Risen Lord. Amen.

            Have you ever wondered why there is no St. Judas Episcopal Church? Now, perhaps, you think the reasoning for that is rather obvious. After all, Judas betrayed Jesus and handed him over to the authorities. And he even did it with a kiss, a cruel perversion of a usually loving act. But you can find plenty of churches founded on the namesake of Thomas, Peter, and Mary. And so, in light of the transformation of the Resurrection, with all things being redeemed, why is it that there is no St. Judas?

April 18, 2014 - Good Friday

Lectionary Readings

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

            Good Friday is, perhaps, one of the most challenging days on which to preach. As that opening prayer suggests, Jesus’ glory comes through his cross. St. Paul writes in the opening of his letter to the Church in Corinth- “When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” Later, in Galatians, he will write “May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And the enigma that we’re stuck with is- how do we boast in the cross of Jesus? How is it that this horrific, bloody, humiliating public execution is to be the bedrock of our hope and salvation?

Palms and the Passion

                         
As I mentioned in yesterday's sermon, I don't like the conflation of Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. After church, several people remarked that they, too, thought it makes for a disjointed and confusing liturgical day. The practice of joining these two foci does date back to the Middle Ages, so it is not without historical warrant. 

April 13, 2014 - Palm Sunday

Lectionary Readings

Almighty God, as we enter this most holy week, we ask that you fill us with expectation as we remember Jesus’ humble entry into Jerusalem. May our journey towards the cross and tomb bring us closer to you. Amen.

            Easter is my favorite Sunday in the Church Year. Palm Sunday is my absolute least favorite; I hate it. Actually, it’s not so much Palm Sunday that I can’t stand- I rather like Palm Sunday. It’s Passion Sunday that I detest. Blending the Palm Sunday narrative with the Passion makes no theological or logical sense. It’s confusing, distracting, and assumes the worst of laity: namely that you’re just going to skip Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Whenever I preach on Palm Sunday, I mention this. And with the exception of the year that I was coming back from Israel the day before Palm Sunday, I’ve preached every Palm Sunday since I’ve been at St. Francis. So I’m going to take that as a sign that, by consistently assigning me to preach on this day, Michael agrees with me. If you’re interested in a sermon on the Passion and Crucifixion, I suggest that you come back on Friday at noon. Today, we’ll focus on Palm Sunday.