"Get the Man Right"

First Sunday of Lent, Yr. B; February 26, 2012

Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-9; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

Sermon Preached at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

                        At the last meeting of families with young children, we spent some time with the Noah story.  We actually told the story of Noah building the ark and gathering the animals.  We used the Beulah Land felt board and all the animals from the creation story.  As we talked about Noah putting them on two by two, the kids helped me pick up the felt pieces and put them on the felt ark.  There were three large water droplets for the rain, and we talked about how very long it rained, and how the waters filled the earth and how the animals were likely as sea sick as the humans on the ark.  Then we found the little white dove that Noah sent out, and the little green sprig that the dove finally brought back as the waters receded.  At the end, in toddler chaos the animals came out of the ark and the big rainbow went up on the top of the felt board. 

Becoming Blinding Light

Last Sunday after the Epiphany, Yr. B; February 19, 2012

2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9

Sermon Preached at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

Last night I watched the movie Pete’s Dragon for the first time.  It’s a story about a little boy and his pet dragon.  Elliot, isn’t a pet, exactly.  He doesn’t depend on Pete to care for him.  In fact, it’s more like Elliot takes care of Pete.  Most people think that Elliot is Pete’s “imaginary friend”, something Pete has concocted to cope with a difficult and loveless life.  Pete says, “Elliot comes to those who need him.”  Pete really needs him.  But as it turns out, Elliot is a REAL dragon.  When people see him for the first time, they are terrified … even though he is quite a nice, helpful dragon.  Seeing a real live dragon is just a little too much to take in.   The few who do manage to see Elliot, run off screaming in fright.

So we don’t have to wonder why the disciples with Jesus are a bit confused when they witness the transfiguration.  It’s a little more than they can wrap their minds around.  And it’s not surprising to hear Jesus tell them not to tell anyone. I’m sure it’s something he has to spend a little time processing too.

A History of Healing

 6^th Sunday after the Epiphany/Absalom Jones, Yr. B; February 12, 2012

2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Galatians ?:??-??; Mark 1:40-45
Sermon Preached at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
Annual Meeting Sunday

            Over the last year or so I’ve been diagnosed with arthritis in various joints.  At first it was just bothersome on occasion, but when it became a constant nag, I decided it was time to go to the doctor.  She sent me to a Physical Therapist.  I would have preferred a pill to make it all go away … but the therapist was pretty sure that regular stretching would do the trick.  I’ve been pretty active all my life … pretty athletic.  I’m used to making my body work and expecting to sweat a little.  I actually enjoy physical work, so I was ready to tackle this stretching with a vengeance.  She handed me a skinny little book about posture and the back, and then she taught me two simple stretches.  “You should do these several times a day.  Don’t sit for more than an hour at a time.  Then get up and move around, and do your stretches.  Come back in a week.”  Really?  I thought.  Stretch?  “Oh, and read the book”, she said.

Healing and Wholeness

5^th Sunday after the Epiphany, Yr. B; January 22, 2012

Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-12, 21c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

Sermon preached at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

In the gospel story we just heard, Jesus and his new found disciples enter the house of Simon .  Imagine yourself a woman in this household with your grown son-in-law, his brother and three of his friends showing up on your doorstep, one a rising gang leader.  The men in your family are fishermen, and work hard to eek out a meager existence.  Your son-in-law, his brother and two of their friends have dropped out of the family business to run off with this young radical named Jesus, leaving their fathers holding the nets that feed their family.  If I were part of that family, I’d be feeling a little sick myself, really sick!