12th Sunday after Pentecost

Readings for today.

Preached for Church of the Good Shepherd, Federal Way, WA.

Watch the service here.

“Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks his disciples.  Peter, whose faith frequently falters, gets the right answer, “You’re the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Peter’s answer, even if he might not know what it means, even if it’s an answer of faith rather than evidence (yet), has me thinking it’s probably important for us to be able to name who Jesus is as well.  As his disciples in the 21st century.  As followers of a living God, whose story is still unfolding.

4th Sunday after Pentecost

Readings for Today.

Listen to the Sermon.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it…  Is to go where Jesus would go, to every town and place where people yearn for healing and wholeness.  Go in pairs, take nothing with you except your faith and compassion. Proclaim peace. Cure the sick. Live hope.  Share joy. And, by the way, not everyone will be glad to hear your message of love and dignity for every human being.  That’s OK. Your message to everyone is the same: The kingdom of God has come near.

This message will NOT self-destruct.

2nd Sunday after Pentecost

Preaching at Trinity Episcopal Parish, Seattle.

Readings for today.

Listen to the Sermon.

As a preacher, there are weeks when it seems like the lectionary was selected to highlight the news of the week.  This past Thursday, June 20, was World Refugee Day - a day set aside by the United Nations for international recognition of refugees and displaced persons around the world.  71 million of them in the last year, according to the U.N.[1] 

Trinity Sunday / Last Sunday at St. Hilda St. Patrick

Readings for today.

Listen to the sermon.

Hello, St. Hilda St. Patrick.  It is both wonderful and difficult to stand here with you this morning.  My heart is very full, and it is a good fullness of grace and gratitude.

Pentecost

Readings for Today.

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I love a good after-dinner conversation.  Gathered around the table with friends. Relaxed, with clean feet and full bellies.  When the conversation turns to bigger thoughts about life and the future. Even on a full stomach, we can hear the anxiety and fear in Philip’s voice when he asks Jesus, again, about seeing the Father.  

We know that kind of anxiety and fear – in our every day personal lives, in our uncertain and chaotic world, and in our life as a community of faith.  So much in life brings mixed feelings and unknowns - a new health diagnosis, children moving toward adulthood and independence, the impending big earthquake, and even the arrival of a new vicar.  Things we can prepare for, but not things we can control. And that makes us anxious and fearful, even in anticipation of hopeful outcomes.

Like the disciples, what we really want to know is if we will be OK.  

6th Sunday of Easter

Readings for Today.

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Mr. Michael Rader, Licensed Preacher and U.S. Navy veteran, preached at Morning Prayer today.

5th Sunday of Easter

Readings for Today

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It’s spring!  Flowers are blooming.  Trees that were bare just weeks ago are filling with new leaves.  Fuzzy ducklings toddle behind their parents. The sun feels warmer.  If colors had scents, I imagine green would smell like sweet spring air and fresh cut grass.  

The renewal of life that happens in spring reminds us that we are still in the Easter season.  Our “Alleluia” refrain, which was so jubilant just five weeks ago, has already gotten a little less exuberant.  Resurrection and new life have gotten to be old news. Reveling in spring this week is a good reminder that new life isn’t old news – it is THE news.