Our relationships of all kinds can be the training ground for awakening to God’s presence with us.

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This episode is a sermon based on the following scripture:

John 12:1-8

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

When we blame people for their suffering, we are using blame to shield ourselves from the possibility that we could suffer in the exact same way.

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A homily based on the following scripture:

Luke 13:1-9

At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them--do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did."

Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

God longs to be our Mother.

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A sermon based on the following lectionary reading:

Luke 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

A homily based on Luke 9: 28-36

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This homily is based on the following text from Luke chapter 2 (The Inclusive Bible translation):

22 When the day came for them to be purified, as laid down by the Law of Moses, the couple took Jesus up to Jerusalem and presented him to God. 23 For it’s written in the Law of our God, “Every firstborn heir is to be consecrated to God.” 24 They likewise came to offer in sacrifice “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accord with the dictate of the Law of our God. 25 Now there lived in Jerusalem a man named Simeon. He was devout and just, anticipating the consolation of Israel, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. 26 She had revealed to Simeon that he wouldn’t see death until he had seen the Messiah of God. 27 Prompted by her, Simeon came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child to perform the customary rituals of the Law, 28 he took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Now, O God, you can dismiss your servant in peace,

just as you promised; 30 because my eyes have seen the salvation 31 which you have prepared for all the peoples to see— 32 a light of revelation to the Gentiles

and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 As the child’s mother and father stood there marveling at the things that were being said, 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, the mother, “This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that is rejected, 35 so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare. And a sword will pierce your heart as well.” 36 There was a woman named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was also a prophet. She had lived a long life, seven years with her husband, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple, worshiping day and night, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up at that moment, she gave thanks to God and talked about the child to all who anticipated the deliverance of Jerusalem. 39 When the couple had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the Law of God, they returned to Galilee and their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew in size and strength. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was with him.

Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible (pp. 2223-2224). Sheed & Ward. Kindle Edition.