Sermons

December 13, 2020

The Third Sunday of Advent

Here we are, three-quarters of the way through advent already. It’s still the dark season as we wait with hope for the return of the light and for the birth of the baby Jesus, symbol of light and hope.

We know what’s coming. We can picture the waiting manger, the shepherds, the cows, the sheep and the goats. Yes, the goats—in those days the shepherds herded sheep and goats together. I love goats.

December 6, 2020

The Second Sunday of Advent

Since no prepared text was available, what follows is a transcript of Larry’s sermon.

I entitled my sermon today “Remain Available for Miracles.” If your past is dirty, you know, make your future spotless. This past Monday, November 30th, was National Stay-At-Home Because You’re Well Day and National Personal Space Day. Those two national days need to be every day until life returns back to the way we’ve known it for the past decades. And I offer a prayer for putting on a face mask to everyone:

Today, God, as I prepare to go into the world, help me see the sacramental nature of wearing this cloth. Let it be a tangible and visible way of living love for my neighbors and friends as I love myself. Christ Jesus, since my lips will be covered uncover my heart that people would see my smile in the crinkles around my eyes. Since my voice may be muted, help me to speak clearly not only with my words but with my actions. Holy Spirit, as the elastic touches my ears remind me to listen carefully to all those I meet. Make this simple piece be a shield and a banner, and may each breath that it holds be filled with your love, in your name and in that love I pray, amen.

November 29, 2020

The First Sunday of Advent

On the surface, this text describes the end of time and a final glorious return of the Promised One. It’s known as the Little Apocalypse, predicting Jesus as a triumphal figure — quite opposite the message which Jesus conveyed with his earthly life. Apparently, Jesus’ followers couldn’t quite give up their dream of a warrior king who would, in the end, save them from all distress.

But others see this text as an inner journey, where Christ comes through the turmoil of our lives, not in some external triumphant way. That’s the path I want to explore with you today.

November 25, 2020

So, I’ve kept a gratitude journal off and on for years.  I’m sure you’re aware of what a gratitude journal is, but if you’re not or you need a refresher, a gratitude journal is a book in which you write at least three things every night that you’re grateful for.  I think Oprah recommended it at some point, and I’ve seen lots of articles from the various mindfulness and Buddhisty type email newsletters that I subscribe to about the benefits of keeping such a journal.  There’s a whole non-profit devoted to promoting gratitude practice that I also follow, and I’m pretty sure it’s not the only organization devoted to promoting the benefits of gratitude.  A daily gratitude practice is a very basic, very healthy habit that benefits one emotionally and spiritually.  And this year, it has absolutely not worked for me. 

November 22, 2020

Reign of Christ Sunday

May the eyes of your heart be enlightened! This is an opening prayer of the letter to the community in Ephesus. The latter part of this verse – knowing the hope to which God has called you – I will address in a few moments. My own heart leapt for joy when I discovered that this passage, one of my favorites, was one of the lectionary readings for this Sunday, a day I chose (or it chose me) before I knew what the lectionary was going to be. Verse 18, the focus of this sermon, was the scripture upon which I printed cards for the Christian youth as a blessing for their journey when they graduated from the program with Interfaith Youth for Climate Justice, where I served as a mentor. It expressed my fervent prayer that their eyes would be enlightened to know the hope they are called to heal God’s Creation.

The “eyes of your heart”….  What does that mean?!

At the outset, please forgive this sermon being less exegetical in the traditional academic sense than I am accustomed to being.  Suffice it to say this passage is known variously as a “thanksgiving prayer” was addressed to a community that has been tossed about by many conflicts internally and externally.  I enter this scripture as a portal or as a window into a way of being in these turbulent times in which we find ourselves.