The jumping off point for this sermon was a piece in an article about sermons (Celebrating the Incarnation, C. Morse) which asked the question: "To what extent is the sermon saying to the world what the world is already capable of saying to itself?"  And then it went in an odd direction.
( Did anyone other than me think there were a lot of zombies on tv this weekend? )

Although I think it is customary to always read the passion narrative in John, I didn't have the energy to deal with his particular brand of anti-Semitism this year, and so read Mark instead: chapter 14, verse26 through to chapter 15, verse 47. Sections of the following reflection are direct quotes or paraphrases from Rebecca Parker/Rita Nakashima- ( Read more... )

At our Maundy Thurday service, we handed out a smallish piece of paper and coloured marker as well as the order of service. The scripture reading was selected verses from John 13, including verses 34, 35 "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I hve loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will  know ( Read more... )

( Jesus comes to us... )

Imagine it.

You live in Jerusalem, or maybe in one of the neighbouring villages. People have been talking for the last few months about the new prophet who has set himself at the Jordan river, baptizing people in the water for forgiveness of sins. A few of your neighbours went, and when they came back they seemed different. More compassionate, maybe ( Read more... )

I've been struggling with my Epiphany sermon all week - reading about light imagery, and how our image of three wise kings is influenced more by Christmas carols than scripture... and all of it not going anywhere at all in my head.

But finally (and none too soon, really) it flipped around and fit together. Rather like turning around that one jigsaw ( Read more... )