If we were sitting down to a study on the Gospel of Mark, a theme that we’d be returning to, over and over, is that of holiness. In first-century Judaism, the definition of “holiness” was to be set apart. The emphasis was upon the “otherness” of God. To be right with God, there was a … read
The way a crowShook down on meThe dust of snowFrom a Hemlock treeHas given my heartA change of mood,And saved some partOf a day I had rued.—Robert Frost Poet John Ciardi once wrote that we shouldn’t ask “What does a poem mean?” but “How does a poem mean?” The concern is not to arrive at … read
When Benjamin Franklin emerged from Independence Hall, he was recognized by a woman who asked him, “What kind of government are you giving us?” “A republic, Madam, if you can keep it.” A republic is a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected … read
Simeon: I have been waiting a long time to be able to tell you my story. But I am so glad I’m here now. My name is Simeon. I share a name with Simeon from our Bible story. But I am obviously not from Biblican times, I am just a guy named Simeon from 2020 … read
Well, we are back to the season of waiting. In the life of the church, the four Sundays before Christmas Day are known as Advent, in which we are waiting for the birth of Emmanuel: God with Us. The scripture this morning calls us to prepare, to ready ourselves to receive God. Writer Michelle Blake … read
In preparation for this sermon, I was in a Zoom meeting with some other clergy from around the United States. The Reverend Angie Shannon is a Lutheran pastor, an African-American woman, who serves a congregation in Maryland. Her grandmother lived to age 100. As Angie said, “She seen some stuff. She saw how you hold … read