When did you last hear, or preach, a sermon on a story from the Acts of the Apostles? Other than on Pentecost? We don’t know what to do with these stories. Maybe the wildness of the Spirit and the confidence of the apostles trouble us.
The younger son says, “Father, I can’t wait for you to die!” That’s not exactly what Jesus says he said, but that’s what people hear!
The Ash Wednesday gospel is worth re-reading throughout the season. Maybe the gospel for us is, “Practice your piety before others in order to be seen by them.”
Don’t get me wrong. Luther’s an interesting character. I found the immersion in the myth and cult of Luther fascinating.
The walls of the city are rebuilt. The gates are open. The temple is restored. Society is reorganized. Leadership is established. Markets are open. People have homes. Now what?
Who will lead us to Bethlehem? Luke offers us some wonderful possibilities. Characters whose saintliness and ordinariness are so tightly braided we can’t turn away from them.
It’s Remembrance Day. A lot of preachers are uncomfortable today. They don’t know what to say.
Today, or tomorrow, when we bow our heads and say our nervous thanks over the turkey and squash, will we know for sure just who it is we’re thanking, and why?
One day I saw an old car illegally parked in downtown Halifax. A bumper sticker demanded to know: “If yer so darn smart, why ain’t ya rich?” Well, why ain’t I rich? I’m pretty smart after all.
The church as we have known it is probably on the way out but, Bass suggests, all is not lost. Bass sees a future for an awakened church.
Lying in the church? Exaggeration is a kind of lying. Blaming is usually at least half lying.
Why we should be wearing crash helmets and life preservers in church.
Jesus says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” But can one person order another person to love him?
The best manuscripts of Mark’s gospel end abruptly. The tomb is empty and the disciples are afraid. We should be, too.
Jeremiah imagines God tattooing us with the word. Inking the law under our skin. Onto our hearts.
Mark’s gospel is a breathless, momentum-driven story. Can we catch the gospel’s energy?
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