Clik here to view.
A New Chance
In Luke 21:25-36, we get a vision of the end which usually trips our fears, but Jesus reminds us that he’ll be with us, standing against the fear. Photo by The Lazy Artist Gallery from Pexels In...
View ArticleClik here to view.
This Wednesday of Holy Week 2019
The chief priests and scribes conspire to kill Jesus. Not because they don’t like him. But precisely because they feel justified in wanting to kill him. Photo by Lukas Hartmann from Pexels for they...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Freedom From Fear
When Jesus joins the disciples in John 20:19-31, we shouldn’t put Thomas on trial. It is their fear that reveals a greater doubt. The reconciling hope after the resurrectionEaster 2C | John 20:19-31...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Wrapped up in love
The Holy Spirit isn’t a fixer – like we’re gangsters who need someone to clean up our mess. She’s our advocate, compelling us to be in this together. The radical advocacy of the Holy Spirit Pentecost...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Story of Incarnate Grace
In the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt, we see God’s grace appearing in the midst of human tyranny. A story for God’s grace in our tyranny. Fear, love, and the saving of JesusChristmas 2A | Matthew...
View ArticleFear
This weekend, our plumbing backed up. It was gross. And as new homeowners, it was also scary. The solution, in the end, was quite simple and easily fixed. The plumbers came out, opened a pipe in the...
View ArticleFear
Leaning in, not overcoming “Do not be afraid.” Jesus says this constantly. Often when the proverbial horse has left the barn. Telling us to not be afraid when we already are seems a bit…harsh. And...
View ArticleTo Love Bravely
We avoid the truth to protect each other. What we’re actually protecting is dishonesty and the enemies of love. drewdowns · To Love Bravely (Epiphany 4C) Jesus defies our fear to share the...
View ArticleAccept
The real problem is not that we dislike change. It is that we often choose to refuse to accept that change is necessary. Episode 19 of the Make Saints podcast: “Accept” Who doesn’t love a new...
View ArticleAfraid — fear of change is still fear
There are few things Jesus said more often than “fear not” and “don’t be afraid.” This was his calling card. Walking on water, freaking people out, doing miraculous things, coming back from the dead!...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Beyond a Temple
Photo by Arno Smit on Unsplash We hear Jesus talk about division and the destruction of the Temple with a sense of fear while he offers hope. For SundayProper 28C Collect Blessed Lord, who caused all...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Way Through
Photo by Scott Evans on Unsplash When we hear Jesus’s apocalyptic talk, we often shut down. Which means we avoid hearing the good news itself. And Fear as Avoidance MechanismProper 28C | Luke...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Showing Up
Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash (cropped by me) Living through tough timesGreat Vigil of Easter | Matthew 28:1-10 drewdowns · Showing Up (The Great Vigil of Easter Vigil) Now that is an...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Actual Love
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash The work we already know to doProper 23A | Matthew 22:1-14, Exodus 32:1-14 Jesus is at the Temple in Jerusalem. He had only, the day before, entered the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Between Proper 25 + 27 (Year A)
A look at the gaps in the lectionary. This week: the gap between Proper 25A and 27AThe text: Matthew 23-24 After several weeks of gospel readings proceeding directlty from the previous reading, we now...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Light—and how much we fear the dark
Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash [cropped to fit] This week’s gospel invites us into a time of waiting in the dark. Waiting without knowing when we will be brought out. Feeling left. Alone....
View ArticleClik here to view.
When everything changes
Photo by Sandra Seitamaa on Unsplash The apocalyptic heart of AdventAdvent 1B | Mark 13:24-37 Happy Apocalypse, everybody! Yeah! Nothing says “ring in the new year” quite like “But in those days,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Light in darkening times
Photo by Jenny Huang on Unsplash [cropped to fit] The images captured by scripture, of light and dark, certainly ring true with the season. As days shorten and nights lengthen in the northern...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Always the Innocents
Photo by Mohammed Ibrahim on Unsplash On the fourth day of Christmas, we remember the consequence of the incarnation. When we gather to sing praise that the Christ child is born, the usurper king on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Between Easter 1 and 2 (Year B)
A look at the gaps in the lectionary. This week: the gap between Easter Day and Easter 2BThe text: none The lectionary proceeds straight from the resurrection story to the first post-resurrection...
View Article