Karen M. Ward
Sermons and Bible Studies
The Cost of Discipleship…, Proper 8 (C) – 1998
The cost of discipleship is the central theme of the Gospel text from Luke, chapter 9. In the text Jesus has “set his face towards Jerusalem.” He was journeying toward Jerusalem in order to fulfill God’s plan for his life, a plan that involves a cross and crucifixion on Calvary. As Jesus travels towards Jerusalem, […]
The Gospel for Today Is…, Epiphany 5 (C) – 1998
The gospel for today is the story of Jesus taking some of his disciples on a fishing expedition on Lake Gennesaret. We are told that Jesus was standing by the lake and saw the crowds fast approaching him. He saw Simon the fisherman and asked to be taken out onto the lake in one of […]
Comfort and Affliction, Advent 3 (C) – 1997
“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come!…. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire,” proclaims John the Baptist in today’s gospel. And “Rejoice in the Lord […]
Feast of the Holy Cross Selected Sermon
“Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people unto myself,” says Jesus in our Gospel reading for Holy Cross day. In the verses just before today’s Gospel text, Jesus told his followers […]
This Sunday the Church Celebrates…, The Transfiguration – 1997
This Sunday the Church celebrates the feast of the Transfiguration. The Gospel for today is the story of the Transfiguration according to Luke’s Gospel. In the text, Jesus takes his “inner circle” of disciples “Peter, James and John” up on a mountain top by themselves. The text says “the appearance of his face changed and […]
The Gospel Reading Today…, Lent 4 (B) – 1997
The gospel reading today, the fourth Sunday in Lent, is the “feeding of the multitude.” It is a familiar biblical story, the almost everyone has heard before. It is precisely because this story is so overly familiar that we should really take the time to listen to what it has to say. A version of […]
A Little Bit of Joseph, Christmas 2 – 1996
The gospel reading for this Sunday is the story of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt, trying to avoid the evil clutches of King Herod. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph as he was sleeping, and warned him in a dream that King Herod would stop at nothing to get his hands on […]
On this Second Sunday…, Advent 2 (B) – 1996
On this second Sunday of the Advent journey, the Word of God is announced to us as it was written in the book of Isaiah and fulfilled in the ministry of John the Baptist. Long ago God declared: “I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one […]
Now Concerning the Times…, Proper 28 (A) – 1996
“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brother and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night….So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be […]
The Gospel Reading for the Third…, Easter 3 (A) – 1996
The gospel reading for the third Sunday of Easter is the story of Jesus encounter with two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus. In the text the two disciples are walking down the Emmaus road after the crucifixion. As far as the disciples were concerned Jesus was dead and had left them alone […]
On Palm Sunday a Dual Theme…, Palm Sunday (A) – 1996
On Palm Sunday a dual theme runs through the readings, the themes of servanthood and glory. One might wonder what one has to do with the other! Yet if these dual themes of servanthood and glory are separated or pitted against one another, the entire mystery of the passion, and in turn the mystery of […]
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