In the Gospel reading today, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee who thanks God that he’s better than other people. In contrast, we heard St. Paul writing to Timothy and sharing his desire that those who persecute him are forgiven. The Phar

Holding on to hope (Annunciation)

Oct 20th, 2019 14m 49s

When faced with repeated injustices in the world, we can lose hope. The Scriptures remind us that we must not fall into despair. Let’s explore why and how we can cling to hope even on our worst days. This sermon was preached at Free Church of t

The purpose of Scripture (Mt. Olivet)

Oct 20th, 2019 17m 13s

Today, St. Paul writes to Timothy about the purpose of Scripture. Many people have tried to use Scripture for various purposes, but Paul is clear about its central focus: salvation. Let’s dive in and explore more. This sermon was preached at Mt

Passing the faith

Oct 6th, 2019 22m 39s

Paul remind Timothy that the faith of Jesus has been passed down to him from this mother, grandmother, and from Paul. Today we look at the Benedictine monastic tradition and it’s influence on the Episcopal/Anglican tradition. What perspective o

When we just don’t get it

Oct 1st, 2019 10m 3s

Jesus tells the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus is taken up in the arms of Abraham when he dies, but the rich man descends to Hades. The rich man and Abraham have an exchange back and forth. Let’s explore their conversation and see

Praising a dishonest manager...wait what?

Sep 22nd, 2019 13m 23s

Today’s Gospel is difficult to completely understand without some background information. On the surface it seems like Jesus is praising a dishonest manager. But that can’t be right...or could it? Let’s dive into Luke 16:1-13 and 1 Timothy 2:1-

Challenging stereotypes

Sep 15th, 2019 14m 52s

Today’s readings seem to be what we expect. The Old Testament has judgment. Paul is flogging himself over his past. And Jesus is talking about grace and mercy. But let’s look how these stereotypes and boxes we place parts of Scripture in aren’t

Room for everyone

Sep 8th, 2019 14m 56s

On Friday, my son’s school unexpectedly lost a much-loved man, Mr. Nolan, who worked for many years in the cafeteria. But he did so much more than simply serve mashed potatoes and pasta. He brought joy and grace to the lives of the students and

Mercy or a fool

Aug 26th, 2019 13m 22s

In high school, I was almost arrested. Luckily for me, I wasn’t thanks to the police officers showing me and my friends mercy. In the Gospel today, Jesus challenges those who want the law to be black and white and instead calls for mercy and g

Jesus came to bring discord?

Aug 18th, 2019 11m 20s

This Sunday, Jesus talks about turning family members against one another and that he won't bring peace. But isn't he the Prince of Peace? Maybe he's describing what will naturally happen if we follow the way of God's love and peace - that is,

A people full of fear

Aug 11th, 2019 12m 21s

Time away is generally a good thing. Recently, I vacationed in Newfoundland. It was wonderful to see God's beautiful creation so far north. The people are also so warm and inviting. But time and time again, I was posed with the question, "What'

Mercy to our neighbors

Jul 16th, 2019 9m 13s

In the first grade, I was ready to quit. I hated school. I thought the teacher was stupid. I was struggling to get the basics of reading. I didn’t need to learn where Spot was running, I thought. But of course, I did. Those basics were necessar

Jesus sticks around and so should we

Jun 23rd, 2019 8m 19s

In the lesson from Luke's Gospel today, Jesus seems to return to a man struggling with mental illness. It appears this may not be the first time he heals him. It's an important lesson for us. Jesus doesn't promise us perfection in this life, bu

The Trinity: I’m kinda confused.

Jun 17th, 2019 13m

Let’s be real. The Trinity can be a complex and difficult theological concept: God is one in unity, three in persons. On one hand, I get it. But on the other hand, just when I think I’ve got it, I don’t. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe the di

That we all may be one

Jun 2nd, 2019 11m 57s

Jesus makes it clear in the Gospel reading and John’s Revelation that the church is to be one. He also says the Holy Spirit and the church are to say “Come.” But what does “oneness” mean and how might we all be connected as followers of Christ?

Everything is redeemed by the Lamb

May 26th, 2019 7m 24s

The Revelation to John is clear: everything is in the process of being redeemed and will be redeemed by the Lamb of God, that is Jesus Christ. But does he really mean everything? Certainly there must be exceptions...or are there any? Today’s se

It’s about love, stupid

May 20th, 2019 5m 53s

When I was growing up, I remember one presidential candidate in 1992 repeating the line, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Today’s reading where Jesus commands (mandates) that we love one another could be summed up, “it’s about love, stupid.” It’s no

The Good Shepherd

May 13th, 2019 9m 11s

If Jesus lived in New Orleans in 2019, I think he may have used restaurant imagery instead of shepherding. “A good head chef or owner of a restaurant cares for their staff...” We can certainly relate to well-run restaurants with happy staff bet

Grace and the Church

May 6th, 2019 5m 32s

In the Acts of the Apostles, Saul is visited by Jesus on the road to the Damascus. Scales form over his eyes. Saul is then directed to the very people he has been persecuting, the early followers of Jesus. It is the church that heals him of his

Tending and feeding

May 6th, 2019 13m 14s

When we hear Jesus tell Peter to feed and tend Jesus’ sheep in today’s Gospel, he’s also speaking to us today. On the 5th anniversary of my ordination to the diaconate, we are reminded that feeding and tending isn’t just the business of the min

Reasonable Thomas

Apr 28th, 2019 14m 43s

Often known as “Doubting Thomas,” we explore whether this is an accurate depiction of Thomas, the disciple of Jesus. What does Thomas have to teach us about doubting, being honest, and God’s grace? The sermon is based on John 20:19-31.

A God who can

Apr 22nd, 2019 14m 51s

“I can’t believe in a god who can’t do anything about the sin and death I literally meet every day of the week on the front steps of my church. A god who leaves people damned to homelessness, mental illness, hunger, loneliness, and nakedness is

Powerful sin. Powerful resurrection.

Apr 7th, 2019 15m 2s

Especially in American, we like to reduce sin to a very individual act. As such, we also reduce Jesus to a very personal saviour. But today, Paul challenges our small thinking on sin and Jesus. He calls for us to look to “the power of his resur

Reconciliation

Mar 31st, 2019 13m 55s

St. Paul wrote that Jesus Christ calls us to a ministry of reconciliation. On this same Sunday, we hear the story of the Prodigal Son’s reconciliation with his father. In what ways are we living into a ministry of reconciliation? How are we bot