In Christ Jesus, the Walls Come Down, Proper 11 (B) – 2012

We humans are great builders – towns and turbines, subways and satellites, farms and factories. We can take justifiable pride in these accomplishments, but too often we tend to do […]

It Sounds So Simple…, Epiphany 4 (A) – 2011

It sounds so simple: do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God. But on closer inspection, are these instructions really so simple after all? How can we be sure […]

Ding, Ding, Ding!, Proper 21 (A) – 2011

Ding, ding, ding! Round one goes to Jesus of Nazareth. That’s how we’re tempted to see exchanges between Jesus and the religious champions of his day – as theological boxing […]

It’s Not Easy…, Easter 4 (A) – 2011

It’s not easy being called sheep. Sheep have become the symbol, in our culture, of mindless compliance with societal norms. Many an Internet commentator has delivered a withering, independent-minded diatribe […]

What Are We To Do…, Proper 27 (A) – 2008

What are we to do with Jesus’ parable of wise and foolish bridesmaids? It’s not easy to be sympathetic with any of the characters here. The bridegroom sends out invitations, […]

The Lion Shall Eat Straw…, Advent 2 (A) – 2007

There’s a T-Shirt…, Proper 20 (C) – 2007

There’s a T-shirt that perhaps you’ve seen. It reads simply: “Love is for losers.” Now probably to the wearer, the phrase is only a humorous expression of teenage angst or […]

Today’s Gospel Reading Doesn’t…, Proper 8 (C) – 2007

Today’s gospel reading doesn’t make Jesus look like a very good recruiter. He’s turning away willing volunteers! What’s more, at first he seems to be discounting the value of home […]