“Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”  Jesus accuses the scribes and Pharisees of seeking to appear righteous while neglecting their spirit.  He compares them to a whitewashed tomb.  No …

I was once asked what we, as Episcopalians, believe regarding the afterlife.  Being Episcopalian, it is a difficult question to answer, since we don’t on a great deal. Our church …

Deuteronomy 34:1-12                                       Psalm 66: 1-8                                                  Matthew 18:15-20 When I studied Family Systems Theory I learned about healthy and unhealthy forms of communication.  Kids naturally try to divert responsibility for …

Upon seeing Jesus walking on the water, Peter says, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  Jesus tells him to come and so …

Isaiah 51:1-6                            Psalm 138                                       Romans 12:1-8                            Matthew 16:13-20 When I was in grade school my father took a trip to the Holy Lands.  After I was older, my …

Ezekiel 33:7-11                   Psalm 119:33-40                                Romans 13:8-14                Matthew 18:15-20 A couple of weeks ago I was looking for something in the office and found a box of the St. Paul’s Pewter …

Acts 2:1-21                          Psalm 104: 25-35, 37                       1 Corinthians 12:3b-13                   John 20:19-23 Before the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, the disciples would sometimes argue among themselves as to which one …

“What I say to you in the dark,” Jesus says, “tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.” When I read this verse in today’s …

Isaiah 56:1, 6-8                  Psalm 67 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32                   Matthew 15:21-28 Many like today’s gospel because the Canaanite woman wins the argument with Jesus.  She does indeed force his hand by …

1 Kings 19:9-18                  Psalm 85:8-13 Romans 10:5-15                                Matthew 14L22-13 I love the story we heard this morning from 1 Kings.  There is a great deal included in it, but …