Well, by now, most of the poinsettias have found a new home, and presents have been unwrapped and the Christmas feasts are either gone or finding new life as leftovers. The radio has stopped the Christmas music, and I for one will be happy not to happen upon “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” … read
Thank you all so much for being here this evening, for leaving a cozy home, for arriving with a full stomach and the sleepiness that follows a big meal and a glass of wine, making your way through one of our dark and rainy Portland nights, to come to church, of all places, on Christmas … read
Many years ago a friend of mine gave me a T-shirt that read “Jesus is coming. Look busy.” We are about to enter the strange world of Matthew 25, in which Jesus tells three different stories about the end times. The first is today’s parable; next week Lindsey will preach on the parable of the … read
In Japanese culture there is a term called mono no aware, which might be translated “the bittersweet transience of life.” It captures the idea that things are more meaningful, more beautiful because they will not last forever. The Japanese person might point to the trees adorned with cherry blossoms and acknowledge their fleeting beauty, more … read
I thought I’d begin with a poem this morning because the world has been in a heavy, scary, grievous place and sometimes the poets have the most to say. This comes from Aurora Levins Morales and is part of a longer poem. It’s called “V’ahavta” which means “you shall love” in Hebrew. Say these words … read
On the social media site Tik Tok right now, there’s a burning question going around: how often do you think about the Roman Empire? Men are asked the question by their partners, who are amused to learn that their man thinks about the Roman Empire several times a week, if not every day. When I … read