[RCL] 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Galatians 6:(1-6)7-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 In the movie, “Miss Congeniality,” there is a scene during the beauty pageant in which contestants are asked what society needs most, and each contestant responds predictably, “World peace.” And then Sandra Bullock’s character is asked the same question, but she responds, “That would…

[RCL]: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Galatians 6:(1-6)7-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 There are many stories in the Old Testament which may make little sense to us – stories which are difficult to understand, or confusing, or maybe even offensive. So, when we have a story like the one this morning, full of interesting characters and…

Many of us learned to sing these words at summer camp. I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy Down in my heart (Where?) Down in my heart (Where?) Down in my heart I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy Down in my heart Down in my heart to stay Is this merely a child’s song,…

We are good at placing burdens on our clergy. One of the most severe is to expect them to be the chief, perhaps the only agents of parish growth. We await a new rector, ready to give a list of lapsed people, former parishioners who have strayed, or perhaps even the names of people we…

Today’s reading from the Second Book of Kings presents us with a strange and complex story. The main characters are the Aramean warrior Naaman, who has what our ancestors called “leprosy”; and the prophet Elisha of Israel, chosen successor to Elijah, who eventually heals Naaman. The King of Aram and the King of Israel both…

“Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her,” it says in Isaiah 66:10. Shortly after the American Revolution, the newly constituted Episcopal Church of the United States devised a special set of prayers and lessons, called “propers,” to commemorate the Fourth of July and the newly won American independence from…

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters.” These words, written by St. Paul to the Christians in Galatia, come coursing down the centuries this morning, a benediction on us from this man of God. And then, being the teacher that he is, Paul gives us some instruction,…

Once Pentecost and Trinity Sunday have passed, the church comes into “Ordinary Time.” For many months now, we will have ample opportunity to explore concretely what the effects are of God’s mighty acts of salvation in our lives together. On this July 4 Sunday, as we celebrate this country’s Independence Day, the Ordinary Time lectionary—in…

Our Lectionary does not include Luke 9: 1-6, which depicts Jesus sending out the twelve disciples, empowering them with authority over demons, the ability to heal the sick, all as they proclaim the good news of the nearness of God’s kingdom. They are to accept hospitality where it is offered, and to move on where…