Sermons on Teaching of Jesus
The Destitute Widow and the Destruction of the Temple
Mark 12:38-44 Year B Proper 27 – 25th Sunday after Pentecost Based heavily (and quoting some passages) from commentary by Sung Soo Hong, www.workingpreacher.org. Today’s passage from Mark’s gospel tells a story—one familiar to many—of the window who comes to the temple and gives all that she has, a pittance, in contrast to the wealthy who are giving from their abundance. In this understanding the widow is the “model of discipleship”, in contrast to the scribes who are the opposite.…
Sit in the question
In seminary, I took a class on Leadership Practices. It was a truly formative course for me as it not only gave me some new ways of understanding my own leadership style within a church context but also helped me dive deeper into my own spiritual practices. One important exercise we engaged in, in this class, was sitting with questions. Questions like “Says who,” “Why,” “Where is God in this,” or “What is being asked of me here”? These…
Transformed
Mark 10:35-45 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,”…
How About a Smaller Camel?
Last century I had the privilege of growing up surrounded by four generations of mymother’s family. My great grandmother lived with my grandparents across the streetfrom our house. I still have a vivid memory of my great grandmother Zura, short for herfull name Missouri, seated in a bentwood rocker, attired in her Church of the Brethrenblack dress, talking to her pet parakeets. I spent many summer weeks in the 1960’s with my mother’s father on a Christmas Treefarm he had…
Bread of Life
In today’s Gospel, we begin John’s Bread of Life discourse and are called to sit with the confusion of those who have gathered as Jesus begins to teach them what it means to be a people of faith, yet realize they are not ready to hear the full message so leaves them and us to wonder what might come next. Asking us to sit with the question, have we come only for the bread or to follow Jesus?
Travel Light
In our text for today, we find Jesus being rejected in his hometown, resulting in the authorization of his disciples to go on to continue their work in his place.
Into the Unknown
In our text for today, we hear Jesus’ intersession for the disciples before his ascension. After this time, the disciples must continue their work without Jesus’ physical presence. Entering into an unknown period of waiting until the time when Jesus returns again.
The Good Shepherd
On this Good Shepherd Sunday, we engage familiar texts with new eyes, hearts, and spirits as we ask ourselves how we welcome those who may not already be a part of our fold into the flock.
Peace be with you
In our text for today, we encounter Jesus appearing to the disciples in an effort to assuage their fear. Jesus greets them with Peace be with you and asks for something to eat. As the encounter continues, we see the path of development for the disciples from fear to faith
Easter
Alleluia, Christ has risen. Let the light of Christ illuminate your path for us, Creator, redeemer, and sustainer. Amen As a part of my ordination process, I interned as a hospital Chaplain. It was an intense experience, to say the least, yet taught me a great deal about pastoral care, myself, grief, and caring for the dead and dying. One of the many moments of learning that will always stay with me from that time came from an interaction I…