Matthew 14:13-21 We might want to rush to the ending of the story, proclaiming bread for the poor. Jesus the compassionate, Jesus the wonder-worker, creates an abundance where people felt scarcity. Like Moses, who showed people manna in the wilderness, here is a new Moses who will provide bread and justice. It’s a great text … Continue reading From Grief to Justice
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 (The Mustard Seed and Pearl of Great Price) I have preached on this passage many times and I realized this week that I have often missed the real point. This is a great passage to run out to the Indian grocer, buy some mustard seed for the children’s sermon, and talk about what … Continue reading Parables for a Liminal Space
Psalm 23 I don’t know much about shepherds. Even though I grew up in farm country, everyone had cows and pigs. I know more about cowboys. Cowboys seem rough and ready for a challenge, strong and independent. I learned to rope calves from my uncle, but I’ve never held a shepherd’s crook, or carried a lamb. Just piglets. Shepherds herd sheep, … Continue reading What’s In Your Cup?
Luke 11:20, Mark 15:21 - First Sunday after Easter A reflection on Simon of Cyrene, cross-bearer Easter is over, now what? Here we are in a pandemic and maybe that Lenten feel hasn’t quite worn off. But that is not unlike the early church, where both the crucifixion and the resurrection were near their heart and soul. This … Continue reading Easter in a Time of Pandemic
Matthew 21:1-17 Palm Sunday I love a good parade – always have. As a child my mother loaded me in a red wagon and took me to the humongous parades at Iowa State University. Students put all their Springtime yearnings and creativity into the floats. It was Spring 1968, and I remember marching bands and one group of … Continue reading Some Parades Aren’t Meant to Be
Ezekiel 37: 1-14 Can you still remember what you gave up for Lent? We have given up a lot in the past few weeks – handshakes, warm embraces, shopping, haircuts and a cup of coffee with a friend. Worse, things have been taken away from us – Sunday gatherings, security, health, 3 million jobs. In the midst of … Continue reading Can These Dry Bones Live?
Exodus 17:1-7 Preached on the first Sunday of the COVID-19 suspension of public worship. I was taken aback when I walked into the conference room at my first church. The faded institutional yellow paint was peeling. A beat up wooden table was surrounded by metal folding chairs. A decades old stretcher in the corner on battered wooden poles, … Continue reading Faith in a Time of Fear
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 We know the story. Adam and Eve. The snake and the apple. The Fall and the end of paradise. Despite all we know about the Garden of Eden, this may be the most misunderstood, poorly interpreted, and politicized story in our Bible. On close reading, you might notice that there is no apple in the story, just … Continue reading Was Eve Wrong?
http://www.firstchurches.org/tired-of-living-on-the-edge-of-apocalypse/ Luke 21: 5-19 Do you ever feel tired because you been walking at the edge of the apocalypse for too long? Every week it’s either blackouts to stifle more wild fires in California, or Venice is going the way of Atlantis. Much of Latin America and Hong Kong have been protesting in the streets … Continue reading Tired of Living on the Edge?
Luke 18:9-15 The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Let me say for the record, “I am a sinner.” There, it’s out in the open now. Let’s talk about this. You may have a number of different reactions: Pastor Todd, what you done now? -or- That’s a relief! Maybe I belong here. … Continue reading How to Be a Good Sinner
With all my soul 