Richard Hogue Jr. I want to paint the scene for today’s gospel: everything from last week’s gospel reading and this week’s comes after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, what we associate with Palm Sunday. The crowds adore him, and the authorities fear him. Jesus has ransacked the marketplace of the Temple, it being the … READ MORE…
Rev. Cn. Richard Hogue When I started my writing process with the passages of Scripture that we’ve heard this morning, I was saddened by the content. I thought to myself: “Not only do I have to kick off a pledge campaign where we are asking people to give their money, but now we get a … READ MORE…
Penelope Bridges Today we celebrate the life and legacy of one of our most beloved saints, Francis of Assisi. Even though he lived over 800 years ago, we know quite a lot about his life. He lived from c.1181-1215 in central Italy. His family was wealthy, middle-class, merchants of fine textiles. As a teenager Francis … READ MORE…
By guest preacher Lindsey Seegers at St. Paul’s Cathedral on September 24, 2023 There were more days than not this past week when I woke up in a funk. Everything felt harder and heavier than it needed to be. And even though those are the mornings when it’s hardest to get out of bed, it’s … READ MORE…
The Very Rev. Penny Bridges Today’s Scripture readings seem to come full circle, from the violent, vengeful God who drowns the Egyptian army, to Paul’s exhortation to refrain from judging others on their preferences, to a call for unconditional forgiveness, and finally back to the God who threatens the unrepentant sinner with eternal torture. There’s … READ MORE…
Rev. Cn. Richard Hogue Jr. Happy homecoming Sunday, St. Paul’s! It’s so good to see so many of our ministries and priorities represented here today as we celebrate the beginning of another program year. When I began discerning what the Spirit might ask me to say today, I felt a little confused. Our Gospel … READ MORE…
September 3, 2023Penelope Bridges In our reading from the Hebrew Scriptures today we continue the story of the Exodus. To recap: Pharaoh had ordered that all the baby boys born to the enslaved Israelites were to be murdered. Moses’ mother tried to save him by setting him afloat in the Nile. The baby was rescued … READ MORE…
A Sermon by Peter Bolland Good morning St. Paul’s. I’m very grateful to be here before you today, as one of you. And a very special thank you to our Cathedral Dean, the Very Reverend Penny Bridges for her invitation to speak with you this morning. Yes, Penny invited me here, but if I say … READ MORE…
Penelope Bridges The sons of Jacob turn on their annoying little brother Joseph and sell him into slavery. The disciples fail to recognize Jesus, and Peter fails the test of faith. Two stories today that reflect humanity’s failure to fully embrace the dream of God. Today’s Gospel story comes immediately after the disciples have participated … READ MORE…
Rev.Cn.Richard Hogue One could be forgiven for confusing today’s Gospel for a vignette of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. A couple of spirits show up, a person is briefly but profoundly transformed, confusing the daylights out of everyone present, and then life goes on. If anything of this sort happened to me, I would wonder, … READ MORE…