This land belongs to…
This land is your land, this land is our land; this land was made for you and me. When Woodie Guthry wrote this iconic song in 1944 it had a different slant. There were two verses that don’t appear in this version. In one, Guthrie challenges private property ; There was a big high wall there that tried to stop me; Sign was painted, it said private property; But on the back side it didn’t say nothing; This land was…
Forests
Today we start our annual celebration of Creation. From today through the first Sunday in October we will be focusing on God’s work and God’s presence in the created world. If I were to ask you what is the biggest living creature, some of you would say the blue whale, and some would debate what actually we mean by living. But I doubt that many of us would immediately say Pando. Pando is a forest, but all of its 47,000…
Living Sacrifice
When Paul wrote to the churches he had founded, he typically spent part of the letter talking about theology and then turned to its practical application. In this morning’s reading from Romans we heard the beginning of his practical section. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed…
White Privilege
This morning I want to talk about white privilege. White privilege is a short phrase which encapsulates an enormous amount of social meaning. So let’s unpack it briefly. Privilege is anything that you have and take for granted that others don’t have. This may include finance, education, access to legal help, being able to vote, having a voice, being respected, being valued, freedom to move and to develop a career. If you are enjoying privilege, as we all are to…
Joseph and That Sinking Feeling
“Joseph and That Sinking Feeling” – from Genesis 37.12-28, – Rev. Mike Eggleston My car’s music system mostly plays Broadway musicals when I’m driving. When it’s short trips in the electric car, I usually hear short clips from the musical “Hamilton.” But for longer drives in my wife’s car, the music I’ve sung along to for the last two months has been “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” I hope some of you are familiar with Joseph. It was…
Wrestling with God
Jacob’s story: Jacob’s story takes up 25 chapters in Genesis. (It’s a family saga, and it’s also a Biblical soap opera.) Today’s reading: Jacob is still traveling, and preparing to meet his brother Esau again; even after many years, he‟s still afraid of what Esau may do to him and his family. (Whatever Esau chooses to do, Jacob knows he deserves it.) Wrestling with fear: Jacob doesn’t sleep, but wrestles all night with the unknown that waits for him in…
Love in the Kindom
There is a similar focus in the Old Testament when God persistently calls those who are younger or in some way less important to lead the people. Israel itself was a small nation in comparison with its neighbors. St Benedict’s is a small church. The reign of God is here. The reign of God is very small; it is the mustard seed as well as the zillions of mustard plants that grow from that seed. It is also hidden. We…
Surely the Lord is in this Place
A sermon by Rob and Donna Ross Jacob’s Story This Sunday and next, Jesus tells parables about seeds – seeds that land on barren pathways; seeds thrown among rocks and brambles; seeds crowded out by weeds. Some seeds fall into good soil, becoming great trees that support the growing kingdom of God. This Sunday and next, the lessons begin with Jacob’s story – which I think we can hear as one of the “good seeds”. Jacob’s story has it…
Abundance in a world of scarcity
The parable of the sower is so familiar to us and yet also so problematic. Not only does Matthew tell us what the parable means, thus leaving little to our imaginations but he divides us, the ground upon which the seed lands, into the good, the bad and the ugly. Today I am continuing the sermon series on Slow Church. To be a Slow Church is to be a local manifestation of Christ, alert both to the diversity of gifts…