All Throughout Scripture…, Proper 20 (C) – 1998
All throughout scripture there is attention paid, and tension within, the relationship between money and piety. Money and possessions signal God’s blessing in many stories. God’s blessing follows those who live an upright and righteous life. There almost seems to be a quid pro quo equation between having money and possessions and the assumed goodness […]
A Father Knocks…, Proper 28 (B) – 1997
A father knocks on his son’s door. “Jaime,” he says, “Wake up!” Jaime answers, “I don’t want to get up, Papa.” The father shouts, “Get up, you have to go to school.” Jaime says, “I don’t want to go to school.” “Why not?” asks the father. “Three reasons,” says Jaime. “First, because it’s so dull; […]
Have You Ever Thought…, Proper 8 (B) – 1997
Have you ever thought about holy temples? A temple is usually understood to be a place where religious services are held. The Bible is full of references to the temple in Jerusalem. Most of us know of synagogues today that are called temples. Some Protestant churches are occasionally called temples. The Mormons use the term […]
Bible Study Is Something…, Proper 23 (A) – 1996
Collect: “Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works ….” Isaiah 25: 1: – 9 “For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the […]