Rotten Apple Seeds

Here is today’s sermon, December 21, 2025, IV Advent, Year A. It is based on Matthew 1:18-25, the Dream of Joseph, the Father of Jesus. In it is make the connection to Joseph, son of Jacob in Genesis as the interpreter of dreams. I also discuss how the cycle of allowing our expectations to die leads to new and abundant life.

Here is today’s sermon, December 14, 2025, III Advent, Year A. It is based on Matthew 11:2-11, the Baptizer’s question, “Are You the One Who is to come?” In it I discuss how Jesus’ mission was not to destroy the prisons that John was held in, but rather to accompany him in his prison. In doing so, Jesus transforms the situation. He comes to us in our need and accompany us as He transforms our situations as well.

Here is today’s sermon, December 7, 2025, II Advent, Year A. It is based on Matthew 3: 1-12, John the Baptizer. In it I explain that all the details about John, though offputting, represent important resonances from the Hebrew Scriptures and the prophets. We inherit these resonances as we inherit the Covenant.

Here is today’s sermon, November 30, 2025, I Advent, Year A. It is based on Matthew 24:36-44, the Little Apocalypse. In it I explain that, while it is commonly seen as a description of how we are called to be vigilant for Jesus’ return, perhaps it rather describes the oppression under Empire into which Jesus, the Incarnate Word, came. I describe the hope in Isaiah 2 under similar oppression.

Here is today’s sermon, November 23, 2025, Christ the King, Year C. It is based on Luke 23:33-43, the Crucifixion. In it I describe how a king represents the realm he rules. Christ on the Cross demonstrated the suffering of Israel under Roman occupation and the hope of deliverance through Resurrection.

Here is today’s sermon, November 16, 2025, Proper 28, Year C. It is based on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, those who do not should not eat. In it I discuss how Episcopalians read the portions of the scriptures within the overall story of salvation found in the Holy Bible. I give the context of work as a punishment for sin In Genesis 3 and the Lilies of the Field from the Sermon on the Mount.

Here is today’s sermon, October 25, Proper 25, Year C. It is based on Luke 18: 9:14, the Righteous Pharisee and the Tax Collector. In it I suggest that each of us has a component of both in our spirituality. I also make the point that the Tax Collector redeemed the Pharisee as a Christ figure.

Here is today’s sermon, October 19, 2025, Proper 24, Year C. It is based on the Parable of the Persistent Widow and Unjust Judge. In it I discuss how, as a congregation, we can oppose those imperial forces which look to rob us of our humanity and control us.

Here is today’s sermon, October 12, 2025, Proper 23, Year C. It is based on Luke 17:11-19, the Grateful Samaritan Leper. In it, I discuss that it is only as a matter of the Samaritan’s outsider status that he saw Jesus as the Great High Priest. We see who we are as disciples when we reach out in non-judgmental love to those who are outsiders in our nation, our communion, and our congregation.

Here is today’s sermon, October 5, 2025, proper 22, Year C. Since it was the Blessing of the Animals, I spoke on the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi.