The owl Once upon a time, when I was a teenager, my older sister gave me a little stone owl, just big enough for me to close my fist around. At the time I was all about the classics, and the little owl reminded me of Athene, the Greek goddess of wisdom, who is often … READ MORE…
Okay. I know this is early in the morning, but we’re in Lent and the Gospel demands it so we’re going to talk about the cross. Ready? Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel that if we want to be his followers — and we do — then we need to deny ourselves, take up our … READ MORE…
We are doing a little time travel this morning. The Gospel passage we just heard takes us back to the beginning, almost the very beginning of Mark’s Gospel story. We are offered three distinct events in Jesus’s life here, each one related in Mark’s typically terse style, just a couple of sentences each. Jesus is … READ MORE…
What brings you here today? Why, on your lunch break, do you find yourself in church so that you can be reminded that “you are dust, and to dust you shall return”? Oh, there is much death in this world! What is so appealing about such a personal reminder of our own? Last year I … READ MORE…
“Jesus said to the twelve, ‘They will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me.’” Happy Cathedral Day! The Gospel for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul isn’t exactly filled with sweetness and light. It speaks of persecution, … READ MORE…
I’m conducting an informal poll this morning and am wondering if anyone has recently woken up, rubbed their eyes, and looked into the mirror and thought, “Wow, I am marvelously made!” Hmm. Not many. There probably will be more folks at the 10:30 service… Today’s psalm does push the bounds of hyperbole for our 21st-century … READ MORE…
Some years ago, the Washington Post ran an article about the Washington Auto Show, which takes place annually just before Christmas. A star of the show was the Mercedes G-Class sport utility vehicle. Someone in the admiring crowd was quoted as follows: “Jesus would love to drive one of these … if he’s Jesus here-and-now … READ MORE…
Alleluia, unto us a child is born. O come let us adore him, Alleluia. What did you get for Christmas? Did you get what you wanted? Was it what you really wanted? It’s a question that evolves through our lives, from the colorful toy of early childhood, to the electronic gadgets and gift cards of … READ MORE…
Alleluia, unto us a child is born. Come let us adore him, Alleluia. “Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning.” The long wait is over, and Christmas Day is here at last. If you have young children in the house I am sure you have already today been through a frenzy of stocking-emptying … READ MORE…
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. … READ MORE…