“Ahead of them went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him […]
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 […]
Wars and insurrections. Nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom. Great earthquakes. Famines. Plagues. Dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. The law that’s helping fuel Delhi’s deadly air pollution. [1] Vast brush fires rip across Australia. [2] The battle against one of the worst Ebola epidemics ever is in trouble. [3] Civilians rush to escape […]
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 […]
I don’t know if many of you have met my brother Brian. Brian and I are quite similar in that we’re both slowly but surely turning into our father, but we’re also quite different. Yes, I’m older; Brian’s taller. Yes, he can grow a decent beard while I must shave. But I think the real […]
Good morning. I’m Clare Beam, and I’m the chair of the stewardship committee. I thank you for the honor of welcoming me to this podium. In turn, I would like to welcome you into the excitement of stewardship, and specifically the annual pledge campaign, at Holy Cross. This is the second year I have overseen […]
Good morning. Today I want to talk about two topics raised by this morning’s Gospel reading. The first topic is the question, “How can I find the strength to do all the things God has called on me to do?” And the second question flows from the first, “Can I actually make a difference?” You […]
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 […]