Wholehearted Sacrifice

Proper 27
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The stakes were high in Jerusalem: Jesus was within a few days of his betrayal and death, and—as Mark records it, his teaching in the Temple had become very succinct. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your … Read the rest

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The Look of Love

Proper 23B

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Several decades ago, at a time when I was thinking very deeply about God and money, I went to my then Presbyterian pastor and asked her what to do. “What’s the right amount to give to the church?” I wanted to know. Should it be a tithe, a tenth of my income? That seemed like … Read the rest

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Love Thy Neighborhood

Proper 18B

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For almost 20 years, my husband John and I lived in a CoHousing community in the San Francisco Bay Area. There are several CoHousing communities in the Portland metro area, so perhaps you have heard of them or even lived in one yourself. But in case the CoHousing concept is new to you, let me … Read the rest

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Awkward Episcopalian

Proper 11B

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As some of you may know, I recently spent two weeks with about 10,000 of my closest Episcopal friends—including our own Alan Murray—in Austin Texas at the 79th triennial General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Alan was an alternate deputy for our diocese, so he had a legislatively official reason for being there. I … Read the rest

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Loving, Liberating, Life-Giving

Proper 10B
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I bring you greetings from the nearly 10,000 Episcopalians who have gathered in Austin Texas for the past two weeks, for the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church has an historic relationship with the Anglican Church of Mexico, as we were partners in its birth in the 1860’s. And now … Read the rest

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The Crossing and the Storm

Proper 7B

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“Come, let us go across to the other side,” said Jesus. And they did. With no apparent purpose. Even though it was evening, and a storm was afoot, Mark didn’t bother to report any objections from the disciples. As far as we know, they were eager to embark on a dangerous boat trip to the … Read the rest

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Staying with the Source

Easter 5B

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Before I begin, I need to preface my remarks by saying that I don’t like raisins. In fact, I think of oatmeal raisin cookies as a kind of mean-spirited bait and switch. They look like chocolate chip cookies but then turn out to be something that more like a healthy breakfast than a decadent dessert. … Read the rest

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Body of Hurt and Hope

Easter 2B

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“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Ah… our dear friend Thomas, the icon of outspoken doubt. Since Easter fell on April Fool’s Day this year, I find myself particularly grateful … Read the rest

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The Lent of Our Discontent

Lent 1B

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No. No more of this.

Lately I’ve been finding myself in a something like a state of chronic lament. Waking up, as I do, to a news feed filled with very public cases of domestic abuse and #metoo harassment , cruel deportations that divide families… and now yet another massacre of school children. I fear Read the rest

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Fever & Faith

feverEpiphany 5B

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Someone in this house has just recovered from a fever, has been lifted up, and is serving God. I don’t necessarily know who it is. Although… you may. The person recovered from the fever may even be you.

I know that it has been me. Lord knows I’ve had some debilitating fevers in my life: … Read the rest

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