In the response to criticism about who he’s spending time with, [Jesus] begins by telling stories about people who deeply value that which is in their care. He begins with relationship that has nothing to do with the achievement the thing that gets found. Lent 4C (Luke 15:11b-32) I read a… Continue reading
A sermon for Salem Lutheran Church, Pass Lake, ON on the occasion of their 100th Anniversary. John 15:1-16 Feel deeply at home in me, Jesus is saying, just as I feel deeply at home in my Father. It’s the difference between being in a house where rules and regulations keep everyone on… Continue reading
Sermon prepared for the ELCIC 2024 Summer Sermon Series–July 21, 2024 Sometimes we can get so caught up in doing the work we think Jesus has tasked us with, that we miss the invitation to step away, take a break, and witness the new thing that God is up to… Continue reading
If the renewing story of Christ is going to be given the clothing of its context, the values of accompaniment need to take the place of values like power, privilege and survival. The values of accompaniment look like mutuality, vulnerability, inclusivity, empowerment and sustainability. Sermon for ELCIC Global Mission Sunday, Feb…. Continue reading
The question about how to “love your neighbour” is not about itemizing and classifying who qualifies as worthy of love. Loving our neighbour is as much about reflecting on our own biases, prejudices and priorities that show up when we are faced with someone who is suffering. Sermon preached during the… Continue reading
I am coming to a different kind of appreciation about the importance of identifying the ground on which you live and work. It’s about identity. It’s about tradition. It’s about community. It’s about justice and reconciliation. It’s about holding the past and the present together. This reflection was shared at the 2023 Florida/Bahamas Synod Synodical… Continue reading
But Jesus still calls. Jesus still heals. Jesus still teaches. Jesus still restores people to wholeness and community. Our human limitations do not limit God and the impact of the Gospel. Pentecost 17a–Matthew 20:1-6 (The Church of St. Stephen & St. Bede, Winnipeg, on the last worship service in their location) Grace and… Continue reading
Whether the miracle in this story is that the loaves and fish from the disciples somehow fed more than 5000 people, or whether the miracle is that the generosity of the disciples inspired the generosity of others…in that deserted place, both the disciples and the crowd are faced with the… Continue reading
When we tell stories, using the mundane stuff of our daily lives, like the seeds of faith being planted through singing songs in the car or being impacted by the love of God in Jesus through creation, the kingdom of God comes in us. When we recognize that God makes God’s… Continue reading
There are all sorts of questions Jesus doesn’t answer through his explanation of this parable. But one conclusion he does seem to want his audience to draw is that it is not the servants’ job to pull up the weeds. That will happen at some point. But it’s the servants’ job to nurture… Continue reading