Note: Low level, sketchy quality

This is a love story.

The scripture reading this morning, the 25th Sunday after Pentecost, comes from the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 24: 36-43.

I’ve got babies on the brain today! If you’re not aware, we had not one, not two, but THREE babies born this week from First Church Somerville. Some card noticed what was happening exactly 9 months ago: the All Church Retreat. If any of you were still on the fence about going to the next one: you should make an informed decision.

The lectionary gospel reading this morning, the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, comes from the Book of Luke chapter 18, verses 9 – 14.

Church, say amen if you feel the Spirit.

I want to talk about loneliness.

The lectionary reading this morning, the twentieth Sunday after Pentecost comes from the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 17, verses 7 – 10.

This is a story that cut deeply across the grain of traditional religious thought, when Jesus told it. His audience is the Pharisees. The Pharisees were the religious nobility of the day—I’m not sure there’s any equivalent left in our society, but maybe: people who write the books on popular religion that sell pretty well to white-knuckled flyers at airport bookstores.