Who do you think the author of Isaiah is referring to when he talks about “the servant” in today’s stunningly beautiful song? This is an honest question: I don’t have the correct answer any more than you do, and there are lots of smart and learned and faithful people who disagree about these so-called “servant … READ MORE…
This sermon from Dec 22 is a little late in posting, but we think you’ll agree it’s a keeper. Yesterday, December 21, was the winter solstice. What does that mean to you, if anything? Although we commonly think of the solstice as a single day, shortest or longest, the word originally reflected changes in the … READ MORE…
Welcome. Welcome to St. Paul’s Cathedral. We are delighted you are here with us on this holy night. But you’ve been here before. Well, maybe not this place, or if you have been to the Cathedral, maybe it’s been a while. Or maybe you’ve sat on another church’s wooden pews (or folding chairs, as the … READ MORE…
Happy New Year! That doesn’t sound quite right, does it? We’re still digesting our third round of leftover turkey sandwiches, maybe putting up Christmas lights. It’s not New Year’s resolutions time yet. But the Church marches to a different beat. Its year begins today with the First Sunday of Advent. Situating ourselves in the Church … READ MORE…
Our Old Testament reading for today reminds us of the LORD’s promise to turn all the nations upside down . . . and shake all the silver and gold out of their pockets. I think that’s a welcome image for stewardship season, right? As we continue our discernment about what we can offer as gifts to the … READ MORE…
The Rev. Canon Allisyn Thomas preaching her last sermon as SubDean27 Oct 2013 Sirach 35:12-17 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14 I am already being poured out as a libation,and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. A … READ MORE…
Jeremiah 31:27-34 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 Part of the life of anyone who preaches on a regular basis is we will have the opportunity, if one is being positive, or the curse, if one is being a tad melodramatic, of preaching from texts we don’t particularly like. So I will make the same confession … READ MORE…
October 13, 2013 St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego Year C: Proper 23 (Jeremiah 29:1, 2-7 and Luke 17:11-19 Jeremiah’s words, at first hearing, have a pleasing ring to them. The little snippet we hear sounds pretty, and comforting: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat from them; expand the family clan and … READ MORE…
Jeremiah 18:1-11 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14:25-33 A couple of years ago my husband Skip and I were having dinner at the restaurant in South Park with some friends. And after dinner as we were leaving, we looked across the street and lo and behold there was our own Deedra Hardman working in the pottery studio … READ MORE…
Proper 15/Year C Jeremiah 23:23-29 Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Luke 12:49-56 Over the last week I listened to a podcast from professors at Luther Seminary about the readings this week aimed at preachers, and one of them somewhat facetiously said if the preacher had not already scheduled his or her summer vacation, this might be a good … READ MORE…