Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Virtually every shampoo bottle that has ever existed contains these three directions. It is simple, clear and states exactly what you are supposed to do. And, for best results, this process is meant to be repeated. Humans, we are programmed to follow patterns, we learn through repetition. If only being Christian were […]
Prophecies are interesting, and I want to talk about prophecy and reality. Some 700 years before Jesus, Isaiah wrote: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” Today Matthew tells us “… a voice […]
Earlier this evening, I read the lyrics to The Little Drummer Boy to the children. We usually sing the song almost like a dirge—“Come they told me parumpa papum. A newborn king to see, parumpa papum.” I was in my car a few weeks ago and the song came on the radio. The words “Come […]
In today’s Gospel we have an overview of what was happening before Jesus was born. Mary and Joseph were set to be married, but it comes to light that Mary is with child. In that time there was an absolute three-step process to getting married: the family agrees to a union, there is a public […]
Usually, when you celebrate a coronation there is an awesome party, and excitement fills the air, and just about everyone is in a good mood. Weddings, Ordinations, Installations, Grand Openings usually feel that way. There is hope and anticipation that something new and good is coming, bringing with it new ways of being in relationship […]
I am so grateful to have all of you here, gathered together to thank God for all of our gifts, especially the gift of each other. Today, following our tradition, through the waters of Baptism and by the power of the Holy Spirit, two more souls will join us as our sisters in Christ. Last […]
Who am I in the story? This is the question that haunted me from the Gospel today. Am I Lazarus, suffering from lack of resources, pained, hungry, humbled by my need to beg, lost, self-conscious. Am I the rich man in the story, ignoring Lazarus at my gate? Feeding my dogs, and enjoying my life […]
Happy Holy Cross day! What does Holy Cross day mean to you? Of what significance is this day? We celebrate this day together as a parish family with a picnic, and remember what it took to take The Church of the Holy Cross from a dream, to this church, this congregation. We celebrate the service […]
The last time I preached, I had lamented that while Denise got the “Fear not little flock” Gospel, I had the father against son, mother against daughter and so on, or the Family Feud Gospel as I referred to it. I joked that I thought Denise did this on purpose. Well, I did the preaching […]
Fire! It is necessary for humans to thrive, and at the same time more frightening than almost any element. Fire is to be respected—not to respect it means you may find yourself burned. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us He has come to bring fire, and He adds that he only wishes that the fire […]