Rotten Apple Seeds

Here is today’s sermon, July 6, 2025, Proper 9, Year C. It is based on Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, the Sending of the 70 Apostles. In it I discuss how Naaman had a physical mark (leprosy) which alienated him from the community, Paul in the Letter to the Galatians discussed circumcision (physical mark alienating from the community), and the apostles healed those they preached to in the Gospel. I indicated...

Here is today’s sermon, June 29, 2025, Proper 8, Year C. It is based on Luke 9:51-62, the Cost of Discipleship. In it I explain that ministry may be difficult, or awkward, but that means that it reflects the Cross. But the willingness to let go of habits which no longer are applicable in 2025, or may no longer serve us in Denton, means that the transition in faith will lead us to new life and resu...

Here is today’s sermon, June 22, 2025, Proper VII, Year C. It is based on i Kings 19: 1-15a, Elijahs Flees into the Desert. I asked the congregation if they wished to hear me preach on this passage or on the Gospel, Luke 8: 26- 39. They chose the first lesson. I preached on the Divine Grandeur of God and Prayer as Silent Listening and Waiting.

Here is today’s sermon, June 15, 2025, Trinity Sunday, Year C. It is based on the doctrine of the Trinity. I begin with arguing for Jesus’ Divinity. If we then have two Divine persons, and possibly three with the Holy Spirit , Christianity would be radically different as a polytheistic faith. In fact, it would collapse all together.

Here is today’s sermon, June 8, 2025, Whitsunday, Year C. It is based on the readings of Pentecost, Acts 2:1-21. In it, I explain the mission of the Church and what we are called to proclaim today.

Here is today’s sermon, June 1, 2025, VII Easter, Year C. It is based on John 17:20-26, the Priestly Prayer of Jesus. In it I explain that our unity is not based on common belief, but rather, communion in Spiritual Gifts. I identified the spiritual gifts that I saw in the congregation.

Here is today’s sermon, May 25, 2025, VI Easter, Year C. It is based on John 14:23-29, part of Jesus’ Final Discourse. In it I discuss whether we who rely on the inspiration of the Spirit for our relationship with Jesus are somehow less than those who know Jesus in Person. I explain that we are not People of the Book, but rather a Community of the Spirit and what that means.

Here is today’s sermon, May 11, 2025, IV Easter, Year C. It is based on Acts 9: 36- 43, the Raising of Tabitha (Dorcas). In it I observe that death is not a part of life the is experienced individually, but that the community experiences loss, grief, or saying goodbye. Nevertheless, we may console each other with the knowledge that we may find deeper life and renewed purpose even despite grief.

Here is today’s sermon, May 4, 2025, III Easter, Year C. It is based on John 21:1-19, Jesus’ Resurrection Appearance on the Shore of Galilee. In it I discuss How, through Jesus’ redemption, we are able to rewrite the history of our conflicts through forgiveness and reconciliation.

Here is today’s sermon, April 27, 2025, II Easter, Year C. It is based on John 19: 20-31, Doubting Thomas. In it I explain that faith is a relationship, not a set of beliefs. It is based on trusting a person, rather than knowing a bunch of facts about her or him. In the Anglican tradition, we are a communion not of common belief, but rather common worship.

Here is today’s sermon on, April 20, 2025, Easter Sunday, Year C. I show explain that the greatest proof of the Resurrection is not the Empty Tomb, but rather, the behavior of the disciples after the Resurrection Appearances. In that vein, I suggest that we show our Resurrection faith through joy and love.

Here is today’s sermon, April 17, 2025, Maundy Thursday, Year C. It is based on John 13:1-17, 31b-35, The Footwashing at the Last Supper. In it I suggest that Washing Feet was a rite of hospitality and welcome. Jesus used the footwashing to welcome the disciples into the Kingdom of God. Perhaps we could incorporate footwashing to welcome new parishioners, at the moment of death, at a wedding, and...

Here is today’s sermon, April 13, 2025, Palm Sunday, Year c. It is based on Philippians 2: 5-11. I show how Jesus emptied Himself through this Holy Week and how we accompany Him. We empty ourselves, as well in order to prepare for the good news of the Open Tomb.

Here is today’s sermon, April 5, 2025, V Lent, Year C. It is based on John 12: 1-8, The Anointing of Jesus at Bethany. In it is draw parallels between the story of Martha and Mary in the gospel of John and the story of Ruth and Naomi. I show how the anointing of the feet with perfume is involved in both stories, in preparation for the wedding feast: of Ruth and Boaz, and Jesus the bridegroom.

Here is today’s sermon, March 30, 2025, IV Lent, Year C. It is based on 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, “In Christ there is a new creation”. In it, I share the spirituality of Catherine of Siena, in which our truthful and humble reflection on our own lives leads us to embrace and be subsumed into the Love of God. In this Mystical Union, our will and desires completely align with God’s and we love others as...

Here is today’s sermon, March 23, 2025, III Lent, Year C. It is based on Luke 13: 1-9, in which Jesus challenges the assumption that bad things happen only to bad people, or sinners deserve to have evil befall them. I discuss the reality of our fallen world needing redemption and how Jesus invites us to solidarity with all who are grieving.

Here is today’s sermon, March 16, 2024, II Lent, Year C. It is based on Genesis 15:1-12,17-18, the Covenant with Abraham. In it I discuss how the account prefigures the Passion of Christ, from Gethsemane through to the Empty Tomb. I discuss how we may find the answers to our concerns for generativity with Abraham’s faith on God’s Covenant.

Here is today’s sermon, March 9, 2025, I Lent, Year C. It is based on Luke 4: 1-13, the Temptation in the Wilderness. In it I discuss that, after Jesus’ Baptism, where His Divinity was acknowledged, the Temptations show His choice not to embrace Divine Power, but Human Solidarity. We encounter the Divine on our wilderness, as well. We are given The Spirit, Scripture, and Time in order to endure.

Here is today’s sermon, March 5, 2025, Ash Wednesday, Year C. It is based on faith as seeing. I invite the congregation to remove what cloud or obscures our sight or faith.

Here is today’s sermon, March 2, 2025, Last Epiphany, Year C. It is based on Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a], the Transfiguration. In it, I explain some components of Dominican Spirituality, including delivering the fruits of contemplation to others, and the Spiritual Path of Catherine of Siena.

Here is today’s sermon, February 23, 2025, VII Epiphany, Year C. It is based on Luke 6: 27- 38, the Hard Sayings. In it I explain that, while we may not receive reciprocation for our acts os self-sacrificing love, and will likely be rejected and harmed, it allows us to participate more authentically in Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. Thus, we are certain to inherit a share in His Resurrection.

Here is today’s sermon, February 16, 2025, VI Epiphany, Year C. It is based on Luke 6: 17-26, the Beatitudes and the Woes. In it I discuss that, instead of seeing this as a division and good vs. evil, the grace of Almighty God is able to bring fulfillment and solitary through both the Blessings and the Woes. There is a mix of darkness and light in each of these situations, indeed, all our existent...

Here is today’s sermon, February 9, 2025, V Epiphany, Year C. It is based on Luke 5:1-11, the Miraculous Catch of Fish. In it I put the teaching of Jesus in the context of the Sabbatical or Jubilee. I discuss how the Sabbatical calls us to rest, to allow God to give us abundance and meet our needs while we take the time for discernment. I give an example in our congregation how we may draw from ou...

Here is today’s sermon, February 2, 2025, The Presentation, Year C. It is based on Luke 2: 22-40, the Presentation in the Temple. In it I discuss how, in a divided world, the Gospel proclaims the unity of male and female, the generations, the Hebrew and Christian Covenants, and Worship and Witness. This message of unity we see lived out in the Eucharist.

Here is today’s sermon, January 26, 2025, III Epiphany, Year C. It is based on Luke 4:14-21, the Inaugural Sermon of Jesus in Nazareth. In it, I explain the Hebrew practice of the Jubilee. The Jubilee involves the forgiveness of debts, the freedom of slaves, and the redistribution of land. I explain how we practice Jubilee in our congregation.