Sermon: Falling Scales– Ananias and the Boston Bombing

Photo by Heidi Carrington Heath

“Falling Scales”

(April 21, 2013) In the wake of the bombing in Boston this past week, we reflect on what it means to forgive, and to reach out to those we might call enemy, drawing on Jesus and the lesser known Ananias of Damascus as examples. (Acts 9:1-20)

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Before the sermon, I played this video from MLB.com

During the sermon, I read this letter by Rev. Michael Rogers, S.J.

Sermon: Confining Comfort

“Confining Comfort”

(April 14, 2013) A few days after the resurrection, the disciples return to doing what is familiar to them. Often we find ourselves stuck in familiar habits and routines, even when we want to make a change. Is there a small change you can make today to live into transformed life? (John 21:1-14)

From Heartbreak Hill to Heartbreak

My family and I have a spot from which we like to watch the Boston Marathon.

It’s just at the top of a tiny hill, that by the time the runners climb it, 26 miles in, must feel like a mountain. The barely perceptible rise in Hereford Street seems insignificant to me as a spectator, but from the sidewalk, packed ten or twenty people deep, it’s clear how hard the runners are struggling.

But when they reach the top of the street, just outside the Hynes Convention Center, just a couple blocks from the sites of Monday’s blasts, the runners turn the corner and see, arching over Boylston Street, the banner marking the finish line. At that moment, for many their very first glimpse of a Boston Marathon finish line ever, for many the first glimpse after serval tries at completing the race, anything is possible.

Some runners burst into tears. Some literally stop and turn cartwheels. Some collapse in relief. Some who seemed on the brink of collapse find a new burst of speed. Some cry out in celebration. Some pull a loved one from the crowd and run the last few blocks together.

Whatever happens, the reactions of those who have suffered and struggled and wanted to give up a million times, turning and seeing their goal for the first time, always move me to tears of hope and pride and love and joy.

And they always, always will.

Sermon: Now I get it!

“Now I get it!”

(April 7, 2013) It takes the disciples who encounter the risen Jesus a little while to realize who he is, and that gets me thinking: why is it so hard to recognize the risen Christ in our midst? And when do we finally understand? (Luke 24:13-35)

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sadly, the survey I referenced is now closed, so you can’t share in the fun…

Sermon: Rising from Ashes

Redwood “family circle,” photographed by me in Muir Woods.

“Rising From Ashes”

(March 31, 2013, Easter Sunday) Redwood trees grow to towering, mind-boggling size, with incredible resistance to fire, and the ability to grow new trees out of old root systems. In a world of such miraculous abundance, are we ready to hear the incredible, mind-boggling story of life that rises from the ashes? (John 20:1-18)

Sermon: Powerless Palms

“Powerless Palms”

(March 24, 2013 – Palm Sunday, anniversary of the death of Oscar Romero) We have a choice, as individuals and as a society, in how we respond to violence. The expectation for that choice for people who follow Christ has been set by Jesus himself, and those faithful followers who’ve lived out the radical non violence he demonstrated in the events we celebrate on Palm Sunday. Do you choose the soldiers and their spears, or the peasants and their palms? (Luke 19:28b-40)

Sermon: Looking Ahead

“Looking Ahead”

(March 17, 2013) Paul writes of having rejected the world’s definition of spirituality, pressing onward instead to follow Jesus. How do we view what it means to be faithful? (John 12:1-8; Philippians 3:4b-14)