Sermon for June 9th, “The Adventure of Pentecost” “And suddenly you just know….it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings!” Those words from the 14th C. German theologian and mystic Meister Eckhart speaks true to this day, both to Pentecost and transition. I suppose you could sum up the entire celebration of Pentecost using that quote. As the disciples were instructed by Jesus to stay in Jerusalem until the Father sends them the gift of the Holy Spirit, they were in a time of waiting. They had been through so much change. The disciples followed … Continue reading Sermon for Pentecost “The Adventure of Pentecost”

For nearly a year, I have spent time with Sister Norma who is a Sister of Saint Francis of Oldenburg. Together we have talked about the history of the order, Franciscan spirituality, and how we live out our faith. Our time together has been priceless to me, as she was so attentive, gentle, and full of wisdom as she shared. All of this was a part of the formation process to become an Associate of the Franciscan Community of Oldenburg. This association is similar to become an Oblate in Benedictine communities. Since college I have felt an affinity toward the … Continue reading It’s Official: I’m Franciscan!

The Scripture reading is from Philippians 1: 2-11 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming … Continue reading Sermon: “Sharing In God’s Grace”

Holy Thursday Homily, “I’m Still Hungry”   Jesus said early in John, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” If that’s true, why am I still hungry? Maybe he’s not talking about what’s in my cupboard, but I still get hungry every day and I’ll be honest with you, even after I receive Holy Communion I am still hungry. Plus, the Gospel of John, the same Gospel that records Jesus saying “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never go … Continue reading Holy Thursday Homily: “I’m Still Hungry”

SCRIPTURE READING Gospel of John 12: 12-19 12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” 16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these … Continue reading Sermon for Palm Sunday, “Do You Desire ‘Hosanna’?”

SCRIPTURE READING Gospel of John 15: 1-8 15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will … Continue reading Lenten Sermon: “Success vs Fruit”

A reading from the Gospel of John 1: 1-5, 14 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Sermon, “Flesh Become Word”                                                              … Continue reading Sermon for Lent: “Flesh Become Word”