In Isaiah we hear that God’s house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Running for his life, Elijah found the reassuring presence of God not in earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the gentle sound of silence. Traveling through a storm, the disciples and Peter called out to Jesus in fear. Jesus said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” In the midst of storms and […]
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
In Isaiah, God invites all who are hungry or thirsty to receive without cost. In Jesus, all are invited into the eternal covenant with Israel, and Jesus feeds all who come to him with the bread of life. There was more than enough for all to eat when Jesus fed the crowds. At the eucharistic […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Like King Solomon who prayed to discern between good and evil, we are also to seek the treasures of faith. Jesus’ parables reveal the kingdom of heaven to be like a tree providing sanctuary, yeast that transforms, a pearl of great value, and a net gathering fish of every kind. The Holy Spirit helps us […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest. To overlook suffering is to overlook Christ who suffers with us in this world. Having both wheat and weeds in the world frees us with […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
God’s word is like the rain that waters the earth and brings forth vegetation. It is also like the sower who scatters seed indiscriminately. Our lives are like seeds sown in the earth. Even from what appears to be little, dormant, or dead, God promises we will bear fruit. At the Lord’s table we are […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
The mystery of God’s ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent, yet made known through faith. Jesus lives to welcome all who are carrying heavy burdens. In Paul, we see the struggle of faith against our own selfish desires. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you that are weary” and “learn from me.” […]
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
The welcome of baptism is for all God’s children. This baptismal gift sets us free from the power of sin and death. In today’s gospel, Christ promises that the disciple who gives a cup of cold water to the little ones serves Christ himself. From worship we are sent on our baptismal mission: to serve […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
The path of the disciple is not easy. Jesus and the prophets tell us as much. To be a Christian is to become evermore like the teacher, Jesus; it is to take up the cross and follow him in compassionate service. Jesus openly reminds us that the gospel also brings division in the world because […]
View the Sermon (PDF)Third Sunday after Pentecost
In Romans Paul writes that we have peace with God through Christ in whom we have obtained access to God’s grace. “Through Christ” means we share in his earthly ministry of cross and compassion, of suffering love which gives endurance, character and hope. Jesus needs each of us as laborers in the harvest. From the […]
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