Another Monday has come, O Lord, and we are unprepared for another week. We’re still feeling the echoes of yesterday’s worship words and feeling the exhaustion of navigating Zoom, or prerecording, or negotiating in person in these lingering days of pandemic. The sighs are deep, our bodies are tired. And, yet, you call us into… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Heart and Soul
Here is my heart, O Holy Life: ancient with the dust of stars, new as the day I was born. Read More
Wednesday Prayer
Bright, surprising God, we are still rejoicing in the glory of Easter. the mystery of Jesus walking and talking and eating among us again, showing us his scars like a familiar friend, reminding us not to hold on to him. We never can, of course, and yet we would love to keep him fresh and… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Emmaus Praise
This day, too, is a resurrection, therefore we praise the Most Holy Miracle. This breath, and this one, is a promise fulfilled. Praise and thanks to Life Eternal. These tears are a baptism that make holy our dusty humanity; And this crusty loaf of bread, broken and shared again, is an ongoing revelation until we… Read More
RCL: The Road Home
The gospel of Luke continues the story of Easter Sunday with a resurrection appearance unique to this gospel. Following the events of early morning that first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples decide to go home. I wonder why? Is it just because this was their plan all along—to go home after the… Read More
Sunday Prayer (In the Spirit of Thomas)
We do not see! We do not understand! We do not know which signs are true! Peace be with you. We cannot believe! We cannot find our grounding! We cannot discern the path forward! Peace be with you. Information is lacking! Too many liars claim expertise! Conspiracy theories confuse our spirits! Peace be with you.… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Resurrection Encounters and Easter People
What gorgeous texts the Revised Common Lectionary offers us for this coming Sunday! A passage from Revelation that is perhaps known best to most of us from its myriad musical settings, from Handel’s “Messiah” to “This is the Feast of Victory”… A psalm whose text outlines God’s power to transform, as Working Preacher commentator Bobby… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Over to you edition
I use the “Pray as you go” app on my morning commute. I’ve particularly enjoyed, this week that, each morning, the prayers have been firmly located within the Octave of Easter – each day has been named as Easter Monday, Easter Tuesday etc… As pastors, it’s tempting to rush on with the seasons. Indeed, towards… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Good Shepherd Edition
My home congregation is Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. For as long as I can remember, their logo has included a silhouette of Jesus as shepherd, holding a long staff. They have a beautiful metal (iron?) sculpture of a shepherd carrying a sheep. Their columbarium, which I have yet to see in person,… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Would You Believe? Edition (John 20:19-31)
You leave for just a little while and miss the best thing to happen ever! How is that fair?!? As we continue deeper into the Easter Season we hear more stories of how the first disciples experienced the Risen Christ. This week we have two appearances, one on the evening of Easter Day and one… Read More
