“And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.” – Luke 9:29, NRSV What did the Transfiguration mean to Jesus? Often, when we approach Bible stories like this we ask what the event being portrayed means to us, and for us. We would do well to rememberContinue reading “What Did the Transfiguration Mean to Jesus?”
Category Archives: Sunday’s Gospel
Love Passes By the “Righteous”
You see, it really is all Jesus’ fault – he goes and does the one thing you’re never supposed to do, even to strangers, let alone to friends and neighbors: He tells them the truth, the truth about their pettiness and prejudice, their fear and shame, their willingness, even eagerness, to get ahead at anyContinue reading “Love Passes By the “Righteous””
We Are Far Too Easily Pleased
Second Sunday after Epiphany John 2:1-11 I used to not like weddings very much. They seemed like a lot of trouble, and people tended to overdo them. When we had children at home and lots of things on our plate, it seems that weddings always interrupted other plans and caused upheaval in our routine. Plus,Continue reading “We Are Far Too Easily Pleased”
Sermon: Three Unwise Kings
NOTE: Sometimes during and after preaching a sermon, even when it has been written out beforehand, you realize connections and nuances you had not noticed when writing it. That happened this morning as I preached this message. So I have done a bit of editing to reflect that, including a change in the title. •Continue reading “Sermon: Three Unwise Kings”
Discussing the Sheep and the Goats
It is time for us to consider another parable and teach one another as we study and meditate on its meaning. This week’s Gospel text from Matthew contains one of Jesus’ most familiar parables: The Sheep and the Goats (Matt. 25:31-46). I’m sure most of you have heard this parable many times, and perhaps haveContinue reading “Discussing the Sheep and the Goats”
Sermon: Serving a Generous Master (Matt. 25:14-30)
Today’s Gospel text speaks of a man going on a long journey. The journey that has brought me to this place where I stand today has likewise been long. Picture in your mind a young boy growing up in the Midwest. His family took him to the Methodist church. He loved being in the sanctuary,Continue reading “Sermon: Serving a Generous Master (Matt. 25:14-30)”
Do We Really Want God to Intervene?
photo © 2006 Jenny Bauman | more info (via: Wylio)By Chaplain Mike In today’s worship, we heard the Gospel parable from Matthew 13 about the wheat and the weeds. Jesus told them another parable: The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man sowed good seed in his field. One night, when everyone was asleep,Continue reading “Do We Really Want God to Intervene?”
Trinity Sunday
By Chaplain Mike Today’s Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20 in this bed, two lovers fumbled as they found their way and it was holy when they knelt beside this bed to pray it kept them warm through many nights of cold, elusive fear when tender sweet caresses answered softly falling tears some secrets whispered in this bedContinue reading “Trinity Sunday”
Pentecost
By Chaplain Mike Today’s Gospel: John 20:19-23 enclosed in a dark house alone with my own fear reluctant to go out, to deal with life to exert the energy it takes to listen to my tiresome neighbor complain about his cable service and the jerks who let their dogs crap on his lawn too spentContinue reading “Pentecost”
Ascension
By Chaplain Mike Today’s Gospel: Luke 24:44-53 On a Facebook status update today, John Michael Talbot wrote: “The Ascension is not really a departure. It is entering into a new more dynamic manner of presence beyond the bounds of ordinary space and time. It is the assurance that Jesus is with us always during theContinue reading “Ascension”
The Internet Monk Archives 