Mark 6:14-29
It’s hard to have much respect for Herod, isn’t it? Not only does he call for the death of John the Baptist, but he does it in such weasel-y, passive way that he can almost say to himself that he wasn’t really to blame for what happened…
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, Psalm 48, 2 Corinthians12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13
Today’s readings touch on two areas of life that I’m sure we’ve all experienced, power and rejection…
Many of you know that I’m from New York. Not that you couldn’t figure that out from my accent. I was born and raised just outside of New York City and my parents are still living there today. Growing up, I became a great fan of the New York Yankees. Many of you know that as well from past stories I’ve told…
In addition to being the third Sunday after Pentecost in the church’s calendar, today has several other distinctions, all of which are worthy of some attention and perhaps of celebration…
In 2005 the Africa Hope Center opened its doors to five children, each of whom had lost both parents to HIV/AIDs…
Once I was asked by a newcomer to our parish, “Do you ever use incense?” And I said, “Yes we do; at least once a year. It’s kind of a hotdog-hamburger incense.” It’s a special kind of incense…
There was a time when death was only known as the loss of all things. A darkness without an end. But not any more. There was a time when those who insulted God or failed God could be punished, even in public. But not now. At least not in this country. There was a time when the dry bones of an expired life meant nothing more than dry bones. But that time is past…
Here’s the short version of our reading from Acts of the Apostles: Judas gets replaced, and the apostles move on. Peter points out the importance of having 12 eyewitnesses to the resurrection and the need for Judas’ seat at the table to be filled, and two understudies (Barsabbas and Matthias) are identified. Praying for God’s help in their choice, they said, “Lord, show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry.” They then cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias…
Have you ever had the opportunity to meet somebody through someone you already know, and you want to meet this person because they have respect for him? I recently had an experience through one of my favorite spiritual writers, Richard Rohr. You have heard me probably mention him in homilies several times. He has quoted quite a bit, someone else that I recently discovered through writing and through talks he gave, and his name is Parker Palmer…
Who is Jesus, exactly? And if we follow Jesus, who then, are we? The disciples must have been asking this question over and over again as their relationship with Jesus grew. I imagine that with each new teaching, with every miracle that they witnessed for the first time, they had to ask themselves, “What’s going on here? Who is Jesus, anyway?…