SERMONS
The languages of Pentecost
Guten morgen. Buenos dias. It was many decades ago that I studied Spanish and later German for a few years. Some words and basic dialogues come back to me. But I am far from fluent!
The peace of Pentecost
This week I’ve heard over and over again that people are worried. There is unchecked power running rampant, abducting innocent people from their homes and jobs. Leaving children abandoned, and communities broken. The facade of safety has fallen for many Americans.
Lifequakes
Change and transition are always happening. Especially when you are a teenager. You are not really a child anymore. But not quite an adult. The teen years can be challenging for kids, parents, siblings, teachers, and yes, even for pastors teaching confirmation!
What is the world coming to?
What is the world coming to? It’s easy to be discouraged when listening to the news. When thinking about the political, social, technological, and climate realities of these days.
Love is a verb
Recently I just finished binge watching the hot new show, The Pitt. In one of the first episodes, Dr. Robby slows down for a moment to be with a patient who is about to die. He encourages the adult children to talk to their dad, and he gives them something to talk about. He said, “Some people find it helpful when saying goodbye to focus on four things: Please forgive me. I forgive you. Thank you. And I love you.”
Come and Have Breakfast
! I remember when I was younger Easter was a little bit confusing. As Lent would progress, it seemed like we were waiting for something big to happen, something that would change the way we live our lives forever. It almost felt like we were little caterpillars in our cocoons, waiting to transform. And Easter was always this big turning point, a huge celebration, the culmination of even more than we ever could have hoped for.
What can fill the void?
What can fill the void when we face a crisis of faith or when loss overwhelms us?
Many of us love Thomas because he is honest. Maybe this isn’t real. Maybe it isn’t true. Give me proof, he insists.
Stony the Road We Trod
Rocks usually don’t speak. Though Jesus suggests they may shout. Stones can be beautiful — or they can be impediments.
Objection
When was the last time you were in a courtroom? If ever? Maybe, like me, most of your court experience comes from scenes in movies and on television. Perry Mason. To Kill a Mockingbird. Law and Order. And so many more. Court dramas make good entertainment, it seems. And one word we know from all these court scenes is this: objection!
Grumbling and Conniving
I’m the older son with a younger brother. I don’t know if my parents had a favorite child. They certainly tried to make sure if one of us got some financial help, the other got an equal sum. One thing I do know is that I was sometimes a handful for my family to deal with when I was a kid. If you find that hard to believe, I’ll give you my brother’s phone number!
Can you believe it?
Can you believe it? I find myself asking this a lot lately. Can you believe what they did today? I turn on the news or read something on social media and I can’t believe what’s happening. Each day a new shocker. In conversation with friends I find myself saying, “Can you even believe what’s happening?,” and we share in the shock, the sense of urgency for change, and we support each other in our quest to do something to help turn things around.
Our Freedom is Intertwined
Have you ever heard the phrase, “skinfolk ain't always kinfolk,”? The first time I heard this phrase I was in college trying to create a Campus Ministry that would feel comfortable and safe for Black students. I had a few informal conversations with leaders from other student organizations like our Black Student Union and United Women of Color to ask for their guidance. They told me to be careful - “not all skinfolk are kinfolk.” They warned me that some of our administrators might choose their paycheck or their reputation with the school over the wellbeing of students of color even if they are people of color themselves.
Lent as a Resistance Movement
Think of Lent as a resistance movement. Jesus resists the devil and says, “get lost, buddy.” In baptism we renounce the powers of evil, and tell them, in essence, to get away from us. For some, not only in Lent—but always—we try to resist the lure of our personal addictions.
Lent is also a journey, a lifetime one at that. And an arduous journey is a trek. Which brings me to Star Trek. And to the well-known catchphrase that Star Trek fans, and maybe others, will know. Resistance is futile.
Nothing to Prove
I never understood the point of tests or exams. I remember arguing about this with my mum, who was the principal of a school for children with special needs. Feeling the pressure to do well on a test or exam, I’d ask why kids even needed to take tests.
“Help me”
It was about a year ago when I walked into her room at Belmont Village down in Lincoln Park. Her children had gotten a hold of us at church, letting us know things had taken a turn. Dementia had transformed May’s mind in the handful of years leading up to that day and the beloved child of God lying there looked very different than most of us might remember her. In that bed was a woman with sunken cheeks and disheveled hair, wearing a simple nightgown.
Transformation
My heart has been aching for many reasons recently, but especially so for my colleague, my brother’s children, and many friends who identify as “trans.” And then, we come to “Transfiguration Sunday” and I can’t help but make the connection.
Trans comes from the Greek word metemorpho, as in metamorphosis, meaning change. Jesus was transformed on that mountain—changed somehow—though it’s not exactly clear what was changed, besides his dazzling white clothing,
The Unimaginable
Hamilton, the musical, opened ten years ago this month. What a different world that was! I have seen Hamilton live twice but have wanted to see the movie version. The movie is a recording of a live performance from 2020, with Lin-Manuel Miranda playing Hamilton. Since it is only on Disney Plus, waited until I was in staying in someone’s home who had the Disney subscription. That happened last month.
Access
Today's gospel is about access. Access to Jesus. Who has it, and who doesn’t have it. Access is a currency we deal in all the time, consciously or unconsciously. Consciously is when we pay extra at an Airbnb to get beach access. Unconscious examples include things like a zip code, an education level, or a network of friends. These types of things give us access to all sorts of things we take for granted: libraries, parks, social stability, and information.