First Sunday after Pentecost – Trinity Sunday – June 16, 2019 Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 What are we to say about the Trinity? We might invoke the Celtic St. Patrick’s use of the shamrock to describe the Trinity but the relationship between two parents and their only child. But still we are left with the “so what” when it comes to the practical implications of the Trinity. Functionally speaking, most mainline, liberal, and progressive Christians... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – Pentecost Sunday – June 9, 2019 Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Romans 8:14-17 John 14:8-17 (25-27) A mighty wind has blown, fires descend, voices cry out, and ears hear the gospel for the first time. Barriers broken down, all creation embraced, and social, gender, and economic divisions overcome. In many ways, Pentecost resembles Easter and Christmas as challenge for homiletical creativity. The Pentecost preacher is presented with a scripture and theme – on this birthday of... Read more
As a child of the 60’s, I remember a generation protesting the war rather than honoring the lives of soldiers, who fought in Vietnam often against their will, following the orders of our nation’s leaders. Memorial Day was a non-event for most of my generation. But, over the years, I have come to appreciate the men and women who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our nation. Once known as Decoration Day, because tombstones were decorated with flags and... Read more
INVOCATION Loving God of all nations, From sea to shining sea, you have blessed us with a land of beauty, a place of possibility, and a hope for tomorrow, Let our prayers become actions. Let our celebration of this Memorial Day challenge us To reach out to veterans and their families in gratitude, love, and support. Let us live in gratitude, working for the values for which our soldiers Have sacrificed: liberty and justice for all, freedom from fear, the... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – The Seventh Sunday of Easter – June 2, 2019 Acts 16:16-34 Psalm 97 Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 John 17:20-26 Christian spirituality is, in its essence, surprising and countercultural. It defies our expectations and challenges any orthodoxy or behaviorial expectation in its quest to be faithful to the “sacrament of the present moment.” (Pierre de Caussade) Authentic faith breaks down barriers, goes beyond polarization, and expands the circle of concern to embrace enemies as well as friends.... Read more
“Process Theology and the Folly of the Closed Canon” Every person needs to discover their identity, unique gifts and perspectives. The same is true of institutions and religions that provide myths to live by and values to shape our policies, priorities, and ethical decision-making. Identity is essential for healthy emotional development, but a healthy identity is never static and always grows in relationship to new insights and experiences. Scripture proclaims that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature. Jesus’ own theology,... Read more
Process Theology, de Caussade, and the Sacrament of the Present Moment Recently, I have been reflecting on the work of Jean-Pierre Caussade (1675-1751), French Jesuit spiritual guide and author of the “Abandonment to Divine Providence,” often referred to as “The Sacrament of the Present Moment.” While steeped in the Catholic theology of his day, de Caussade provides valuable guidance for today’s spiritual seekers. His work can enliven and enlighten those who want to experience God’s presence in the joys and... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – The Sixth Sunday of Easter – May 26, 2019 Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10; 21:22-22:5; John 5:1-9 Many people today are in search of the miraculous. We want to experience faith rather than hear about it. We want the living word of God’s presence and not just doctrinal words and ethical rules. We want the Spirit to well up within us as a living reality, not just a story from the past. We want the... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – The Fifth Sunday of Easter – May 19, 2019 Acts 11:1-18 Psalm 148 Revelation 21:1-6 John 13:31-35 Today’s readings describe the scope of grace and salvation. Is salvation restricted to a small group or are the gates of salvation wide open? Is salvation restricted to humankind or does it include the non-human world? Often, our faith has been parochial, xenophobic, and anthropocentric. We privilege our brand of spirituality and ecclesiology, our culture, ethnicity, or species, assuming... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – The Fourth Sunday of Easter – May 12, 2019 Acts 9:36-43, Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 Today’s readings address mortality, miracles, and the scope of salvation. Movie-going congregants may be reminded of the Easter-released film, “Breakthrough” and its portray of a teenager’s miraculous recovery from a comatose state, apparently due to God’s response to the intercessions of his family and friends. The readings raise many questions and raise many challenges for today’s Christians. How can... Read more
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