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What comes to mind when you think of the word Genocide? (2 Christmas Year A)
Jer 31:7-14; Psalm 84; Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a; Matthew 2:13-15,19-23 Genocide. The deaths of the Holy Innocents at the hands of Herod definitely fall under the definition of genocide. The 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide provides the only formal definition of genocide agreed upon by nation states today.
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“And the Word became flesh and lived among us,” (1 Christmas Year A)
Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 147; Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7; John 1:1-18 So here we are. The first Sunday after Christmas. A new king is born, but what now? Where did this new king come from? What is his heritage? What is this new King here to do? I consider our Gospel reading from John today, usually referred
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“But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” (Christmas Proper II Year A)
Isaiah 62:6-12, 16; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:1-20 “But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” I would love to hear Mary’s pondering as she watched the shepherds and others in the crowd stare with wondering eyes at her firstborn child. Was she aware of just how unique this child
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What is God asking me to do today and in the coming year? (4 Advent Year A)
Isaiah 7:10-17; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 In my final semester of seminary I took a course called, “Experiencing the Gospel Narrative Through Art.” This was the first course I had ever taken that used imagery to study scripture. We looked at paintings and drawings, sculptures in wood and stone, mosaics in tile,
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“Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” (3 Advent Year A)
Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” It starts with a simple enough question. “Is it you?” “Are you the one?” “Are you the one who will actually make a difference?” “Are you the one who actually knows me…
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Do we have the courage and the faith to help bring balance to creation? (2 Advent Year A)
Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7,18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 If there’s one word that knits together all the scripture readings for today, it’s Balance. Balance is good thing. Car tires need to be balanced if a car is to drive safely. Scales need to be balanced if you want to receive your fair share. Checkbooks need
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Will we ever find Peace, Justice, Hope, Joy, and Salvation? (Advent 1 Year A)
Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 Today we begin a new church year, and despite the many strides we have made over the past year, will we ever find Peace, Justice, Hope, Joy, and Salvation? Peace is coming. We don’t hear that very often, do we? The end is near! Repent! We’re a
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“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (29 Proper Year C – Christ The King)
Jeremiah 23:1-6; Luke 1:68-79; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43 Redemption. If there is any one word that describes what we celebrate today, Christ the King Sunday, that word is definitely Redemption. My favorite movies, my favorite songs, and my favorite books and stories have always been the ones about redemption. Stories about struggle and sacrifice and
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“You will be hated by all because of my name.” (28 Proper Year C)
Isaiah 65:17-25; Isaiah 12, 17-21; 2 Thess 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19 “17You will be hated by all because of my name.” Unfortunately, that’s a very long list of names. Starting with Jesus himself. Then his original apostles and his disciples. His mother and the women who supported him. Then scores of Saints with a capitol “S”.
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“In Heaven, Who’s Wife Will She Be?” (27 Proper Year C)
Hag 1:15b-2:9; Ps 145:1-5, 18-22; 2 Th 2:1-5, 13-17; Luke 20:27-38 So many physical, emotional, and spiritual transitions in a human life for those who are lucky enough to live a full life. But none is greater than that final transition, the one that takes us through the valley of the shadow of death and