The Sunday Sermon: letting go of explanations

Seminarian Colin Mathewson delivered this sermon on Aug 5th:Tonight the NASA lander named Curiosity will make a daring landing on Mars. After $2.5 billion dollars and eight months of space flight, Curiosity’s mission will now hang on a mere seven minutes of intricately sequenced activity to slow the 5000 pound craft from its blistering 13,000 … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: Vaya Con Dios

Vaya Con Dios (Bi-Lingual Service) Saint Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego Proper 7B (RCL); June 24, 2012 Scott Richardson + Gracious God, Let these words be more than words and give us the spirit of Jesus. Amen. I don’t speak much Spanish but I know what the words “Vaya con Dios” mean – go with God. … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: Some things are better not understood

Trinity Sunday/Year B   Isaiah 6:1-8   Romans 8:12-17   John 3:1-17   Today is Trinity Sunday, that blessed day in which we are asked to contemplate the meaning and reality of the Trinity, while praying at the same time the preacher will not go on about it indefinitely.  Rest assured, I feel the same way—I don’t want to … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: In the Power of the Spirit (Pentecost)

Sermon – Pentecost – May 27, 2012  St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego, Ca. The Rev. Canon Richard Lief Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:25-25, 37; Romans 8:22-27; John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 Come Holy Spirit, our souls inspire, and lighten with celestial fire. Your blessed unction from above is comfort, life, and fire of love. Amen We are here … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: Ascension Sunday

We are a little late posting this as your blogmaster was on holiday. However, given the major news of Scott’s and Mary’s departure, we thought you’d like to be able to read his recent sermon–better late than never. VII Easter; the Sunday after the Ascension Saint Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego 20 May 2012 Scott Richardson … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: Love

Saint Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego  VI Easter B;  May 13, 2012  Scott Richardson +  In the Name of God: the Lover, the Beloved, and Love Itself. Amen. A friend of mine climbs into the pulpit to deliver the world’s briefest sermon. “Love,” he says, before stepping down to begin the Creed. That’s not bad. That’s a … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: The Essence of who we are

Easter 5 Acts 8:26-40 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 Columnist and blogger Andrew Sullivan recently wrote an article which appeared in the April 9 edition of Newsweek entitled, “The Forgotten Jesus.” The subtext was “Christianity has been destroyed by politics, priests, and get-rich evangelists. Ignore them.” As one of those people he suggests you ignore, … READ MORE…

Easter Vigil Sermon

The Easter vigil Saint Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego April 7, 2012 Scott Richardson + Gracious God, Let these words be more than words and give us the spirit of Jesus. Amen. One of the most memorable events in my ministry occurred in the basement of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco in the early 90’s. Trinity … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: God imprinted upon us

Lent 5 RCL B Jeremiah 31:31-34 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-33 There are few times during the year when the lectionary, the schedule of readings appointed for any given Sunday, give us such a full glimpse into what a life of faith entails as today. And, it is appropriate on this 5th Sunday of Lent, we … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: Choosing to Heal

Epiphany 6/year B 2 Kings 5:1-14 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Mark 1:40-45 Some of you who have been here awhile may recall my talking about my dear friend Alan from a previous sermon. Alan was the brother of a boyfriend and we remained close even after my relationship with his brother, “transitioned” to a new phase. … READ MORE…