The following is a reflection on the thirteenth chapter of Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians. Wouldn’t you like to speak “in the tongues of mortals and of angels?” Wouldn’t it be such great fun to bowl people over with divine eloquence every time you open your mouth!?
The following is a reflection on Luke 4:14-21, the Gospel lesson for the Epiphany 3C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. There is no shortage of commentary on this passage, oftentimes known as the “Nazareth Inaugural.” In some ways it’s become the manifesto of mainline Christianity. I remember my days in seminary hearing this passage almost monthly. Personally, I love the drama of the scene.
The following is a reflection on John 2:1-11, the Gospel lesson appointed for Epiphany 2C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. In the 25th chapter of Isaiah we find a beautiful vision of what happens when God’s victory is made manifest: On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoplesa feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. A feast. Rich […]
The following is a reflection on Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, the Gospel lesson for the first Sunday after the Epiphany Year C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ Of course this incredible Divine statement is made in the context of Jesus being baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. But, it’s also important to keep reading on for a verse or two. For […]
The following is a reflection on the Feast of the Epiphany, and Matthew 2:1-12 in particular. My wife and I saw the new James Bond movie the other day. It was a wonderful little distraction before entering into the maelstrom of Christmas Eve. We’ve always loved the James Bond movies—in fact one of our first “dates” was watching a Bond marathon. The villain in the new movie, Skyfall, is quite a man to behold. He’s […]
The following prayers are based on the Song of Mary (The Magnificat), Luke 1:46-55. Officiant Our souls proclaim the greatness of you, O Lord, and we rejoice; for you have looked with favor on us, your servants; and you hear our prayers.
The following is a reflection on Luke 3:7-18, the Gospel lesson for Advent 3C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. This reflection is a selection from my book Going to Hell, Getting Saved. There’s a fantastic scene in the third chapter of the Gospel of Luke where we’re introduced to the wild-eyed prophet John the Baptist.
The following is a reflection on Luke 1: 68-79 and Luke 3:1-6, the canticle and the Gospel lesson properly appointed for Advent 2C according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Most people don’t ever want to talk about “sins.” At least not their own. (Other people’s sins are always fair game for in-depth discussion, but that’s another story entirely.) The only things that might be able to drive the repulsion of “sin talk” even further out-of-bounds are […]
The following is a reflection on the First Sunday of Advent, Year C. The Day of the Lord. The end. The Second Coming. The Parousia. In our day such things are wholly owned subsidiaries of Hollywood and people so far off their rockers that they are the very definition of “laughingstock.”
A reflection on Christ the King Sunday, especially for year B of the Revised Common Lectionary. Pope Pius XI inaugurated Christ the King Sunday in 1925, when the authority of the church was evidently waning in the world. Of course nearly ninety years later, the “authority” of the church—or even just the “place” of the church—in the world is almost laughable. We are all but irrelevant in the power structures of the community of nations. […]