The Bible’s Invitation to Argue with God

Listen to sermon here: The Bible’s Invitation to Argue with God Readings for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 14 – Year C) Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 Psalm 50:1-8, 23-24 Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Luke 12:32-40 This sermon was preached at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Crockett CA on August 7, 2016. One way that I’ve tried to […]

Gutsy Compassion

Readings for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10 – Year C) Deuteronomy 30:9-14 Psalm 25:1-9 Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37 This sermon was preached at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Danville CA on July 10, 2016. A crowd gathered on the streets, forcing major roads to be shut down. Among the people gathered was an 80-year-old man named Tim, […]

We Plan, God Laughs

Listen to sermon here: We Plan, God Laughs Readings for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 9 – Year C) 2 Kings 5:1-14 Psalm 30 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Sausalito CA on July 3, 2016. According to the Jewish ‘sage’ Woody Allen, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” It’s […]

A Son of Thunder Reversed

Listen to sermon here: A Son of Thunder Reversed Readings of the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 8 – Year C) 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Luke 9:51-62 This sermon was preached at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Crockett CA on June 26, 2016. One of my favorite poets is the seventeenth century Anglican […]

Breathing the Eternal Breath

Listen to sermon here: Breathing the Eternal Breath Readings for the Third Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 5 – Year C) 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24) Psalm 146 Luke 7:11-17 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Sausalito CA on June 5, 2016. Two Fridays ago, as most of you know, I got married at Grace cathedral on […]

Prayer Labyrinth Wedding at Grace Cathedral

The Arc of the Spiritual Universe Bends Towards Inclusion

Listen to sermon here: The Arc of the Spiritual Universe Bends Towards Inclusion Readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year C) Acts 11:1-8 Psalm 148 Revelation 21:1-6 John 13:31-35 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Sausalito CA on April 24, 2016. This morning I want to preach about a man who’s not afraid […]

Beholding the Lamb, Being Held by the Shepherd

Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year C) Revelation 7:9-17 Psalm 23 John 10:22-30 This sermon was preached at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Crockett CA on Good Shepherd Sunday (April 17), 2016 How do we reconcile an all-powerful and all-loving God with a world of suffering? For millennia, this question has haunted Jewish and Christian […]

Method in the ‘Madness’ of Forgiveness

Readings for the Second Sunday of Easter (Year C) Acts 5:27-32 Psalm 118:14-29 Revelation 1:4-8 John 20:19-31 This sermon was preached at Grace Episcopal Church in Martinez CA on April 3, 2016. Happy Easter! The Lord is Risen! (He is Risen indeed!) I trust you all had an inspiring Holy Week and a glorious Easter Sunday. I […]

Joining the Banquet: A Palestinian Perspective on the Prodigal Son

Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Year C) Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b – 32 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Sausalito CA on March 6, 2016. About six years ago, I had the privilege of attending an international conference in Jerusalem, where I befriended several Palestinian Christians, shared Eucharist […]