Rotten Apple Seeds

Here is today’s sermon, January 19, 2025, II Epiphany, Year C. It is based on John 2: 1-11, the Wedding Feast at Cana. In it I explain how the miracle of the wine prefigures the Giving of the Spirit from the Cross or at Pentecost.

Here is today’s sermon, January 12, 2025, The Baptism of Jesus, Year C. It is based on Luke 3:15-17, 21-22. Observing that John’s Baptism was a Baptism of Repentance, I reflect on whether Jesus, the Son of God, needed to be forgiven.

Here is today’s sermon, January 5, 2025, The Epiphany, Year C. It is based on Matthew 2: 1-12, the Visit of the Magi. In it I describe how we are, like the magi, on a spiritual journey, coming to know the Lord, and then returning to our lives changed and enlightened.

Here is today’s sermon, December 24, 2024, Christmas Eve, Year C. It is based on Luke 2: 1-14, the Birth of Jesus. In it I explain that this is a night which calls for hope, as we are beginning a journey of discipleship.

Here is today’s sermon, December 22, 2024, IV Advent, Year C. It is based on Luke 1: 39-55, The Visitation. In it I show how this is the fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptural stories as well as the forerunner of the Gospel stories.

Here is today’s sermon, December 15, 2024, III Advent, Gaudete Sunday, Year C. It is based on Luke 3: 7- 18, the Preaching of the Baptizer. In it I explain that John was less of a “fire and brimstone” preacher and rather was instructing his followers how to live faithfully under Empire. I suggest how we may live faithfully as disciples in an inhospitable society.

A listener has communicated that I have been posting the same sermon over and over. I regret the error. I am now keeping a closer eye on the file that I am posting and this is the correct sermon for this week. It is based on Luke 3: 1-6, the Proclamation of John the Baptizer. I describe how we are setting the cast of characters for our story and that it is the story which unites us and redeems us.

Here is today’s sermon, December 1, 2024, 1 Advent, Year C. It is based on Luke 21:25-36, the Little Apocalypse. In it I describe that the violence outside of us is based on our own internal conflicts. We need to cultivate peace and silence in this busy Advent season.

Here is today’ sermon, November 24, 2024, Christ the King, Year B. It is based on the Kingship of Christ and the end of the Church liturgical year. In it I make the point that a Kin g, like Christ, embodies the people, and defines the era. Christ took on our personhood in the incarnation and was the Lord of the Sabbath.

Here is today’s sermon, November 17, 2024, Proper 28, Year B. It is based on Mark 13: 1-8, the Little Apocalypse of Mark. In it I discuss how the institutions and structures we live with are losing their legitimation. This is an opportunity for the Church, in that we are able to refine and redefine our message of resurrection hope.

Here is today’s sermon, November 10, 2024, Proper 27, Year B. It is based on Mark 12: 38- 44, the Widow’s Mite. In it I make the connection to the story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarapheth, 1 Kings 17. I also show how this offering prefigures Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

Here is today’s sermon, November 3, 2024, All Saints (Transferred), Year B. It is based on John 11: 32- 44, the Raising of Lazarus. In it I provide a short overview of the history of making saints, from the Age of Martyrdom through today. I explain the reforms of Anglicanism, including not praying directly to saints, and the term, Blessed ______, rather that Saint _____. I show how the title, “Ble...

Here is today’s sermon, October 27, 2024, Proper 25, Year B. It is based on Mark 10: 46-52, the Healing of Bartimaeus. In it I connect the cloak that he cast aside to be healed with the naked fugitive in Mark 14: 51- 52 and the young man clothed with white garments at the open tomb in Mark 16: 5. I make the connection to the Eucharistic Prayer C, “Open our eyes to see Your hand at work in the worl...

Here is today’s sermon, October 20, 2024, Proper 24, Year B. It is based on Mark 10: 35-45, James and John Call Shotgun. In it I explain how service is cruciform. I discuss how we who are caring for a spouse, child, or parent are fulfilling this Divine mandate.

Here is today’s sermon, October 13, 2024, Proper 23, Year B. It is based on Mark 10: 17- 31, the Rich Young Man. In it I explain that the mission of Jesus was to proclaim the Jubilee in which debts are forgiven, slaves are freed, and the land is redistributed. I make a connection to today’s web of debt.

Here is today’s sermon, October 6, 2024, Proper 22, Year B. It is based on Mark 10: 2- 16, Jesus’ teaching on divorce. In it I offer a theological and pastoral reflection on broken relationships. I observe that the end of a relationship often involves anger, falsehoods, and grieving. Certainly in relationships which include abuse or addiction, there is a pastoral urgency for safety. I also acknowl...

Here is today’s sermon, September 29, 2024, Proper 21, Year B. It is based on Mark 9: 38- 50. It tells of the conflict in the early Church and the struggles to manage differing viewpoints. I explain how Anglicanism, as a communion of Common Worship, rather than Common Belief, was conceived in conflict. The polity of Anglicanism is ideally matched to the management of conflict and maintenance of co...

Here is today’ sermon, September 22, 2024, Proper 20, Year A. It is based on Mark 9: 30-37, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom?” In it I explain that Jesus’ prediction of His death and resurrection shows a vulnerable God, willing to accept and absorb rejection and death. His disciples were looking for a Messiah to rescue them, while Jesus wanted disciples who will take up their own crosses. I sho...

Here is today's sermon, September 15, 2024, Proper 19, Year B. It is based on Mark 8: 27- 38, "Who do you say that I AM?". In it I explain that Jesus rejects the title, Messiah, and insists that God is not to rescue you from your situations. Instead, you are empowered by Jesus' life to model your response to your challenges to overcome them and find the abundance of God's lif...

Here is today’s sermon, September 1, 2024, Proper 17, Year B. It is based on Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23. Jesus explains why His disciples do not wash their hands before they eat. He explains that it is not what goes into a person, but rather what comes out of the person that makes the individual unclean. I discuss the meaning of hand washing and our mutual interdependence.

Here is today’s sermon, August 25, 2024, Proper 16, Year B. It is based on John 6: 56-69, the Bread of Life. In it I discuss the nature of sacrifice in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Seder meal, and the Eucharist.

Here is today’s sermon, August 11, 2024, Proper 14, Year B. It is based on John 6: 35, 41-51. It has s based on “I AM the Bread of Life”. In it I explain how we find abundant life in sharing a meal.

Here is today’s sermon., August 4, 2024, Proper 13, Year A. It is based on John 6: 24- 35, “Do not labor for bread that perishes, but labor for that bread which endures. “

Here is today’s sermon, July 14, 2024, Proper 10, Year B. It is based on Mark 6: 14-29, the Beheading of John the Baptiser. Instead of assuming that Herodias, the daughter of Herod who danced before him, was a temptress and Herod was a perv, I suggest that she reminded Herod of the innocence of children. We all grieve our lost innocence as jaded adults.

Here is today’s sermon, July 28, 2024, Proper 12, Year B. It is based on John 6: 1-21, the Feeding of the Five Thousand. In it I explain the connections to the Last Supper as well as the Holy Eucharist.