Wise Men Still Seek Him: Magi as Descendants of Daniel

This article was written for the January 2025 Chronicle newsletter for Christ Church Eureka. Wise Men Still Seek Him: The Magi as Descendants of My Namesake A couple years ago, parishioner Marty Vega gave me a sweatshirt that her late husband, Daniel, used to wear during this time of year, near Epiphany, when we celebrate the visit […]

Abide in Abba (honoring John Cobb and St. John)

Readings for the First Sunday after Christmas Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 John 1:1-18 Psalm 147 or 147:13-21 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday December 29, 2024. Three days ago, on December 26th, the Eve of the Feast Day of St. John the Theologian, we lost another theologian named John: John Boswell […]

Putting it all Together in our hearts

Readings for the Feast of the Christ Mass Isaiah 62:6-12 Titus 3:4-7 Luke 2:1-20 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka for the Christmas Eve service on Saturday December 24, 2024. “Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” Mary treasured the words of the angels, the words of the shepherds, and […]

“Look at all the Trees”

Readings for the First Sunday of Advent (Year C) Jeremiah 33:14-16 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 Psalm 25:1-9 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Sunday December 1, 2024. Today marks the beginning of a new liturgical year and the first day of the Advent season when we eagerly await and silently […]

the Reign of the Divine voice of Love and Gratitude

Readings for Thanksgiving Day Joel 2:21-27Psalm 1261 Timothy 2:1-7Matthew 6:25-33 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Thanksgiving Eve on November 27, 2024. Today’s Gospel passage is my favorite biblical passage of all; and I’m grateful that the liturgical “powers that be” have assigned this passage for the Feast of […]

Renewing our Vows with Ruth

Readings for the Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Year B – Track 1 – Proper 27) Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17Psalm 127Hebrews 9:24-28Mark 12:38-44 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Sunday November 10, 2024. May the words of my mouth and music of all our hearts be pleasing to you, O Lord, our […]

Gustavo Gutiérrez and the Book of Job

Readings for the Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost (Year B – Track 1 – Proper 25) Job 42:1-6, 10-17Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22)Hebrews 7:23-28Mark 10:46-52 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Sunday October 27, 2024. May the words of my mouth and music of all our hearts be pleasing to you, O Lord, our […]

“Married to Amazement”

Readings for the Wedding of Joanna Lyn Walling and David Michael Odorisio “from what are you running, my brother?” poem by Jonathan Montaldo “Love and Need” by Thomas Merton “Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another. We do not discover the […]

Forearmed against Trumpery

Readings for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost (Year B – Track 1 – Proper 24) Job 38:1-7, (34-41)Psalm 104:1-9, 25, 37bHebrews 5:1-10Mark 10:35-45 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Sunday October 20, 2024. Over the last several weeks, I’ve been teaching a course online entitled “Early and Medieval Christian Spirituality” in […]

The Force of Humble Love

Readings for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Year B – Track 1 – Proper 22) Job 38:1-7, (34-41)Psalm 104:1-9, 25, 37bHebrews 5:1-10Mark 10:35-45 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Sunday October 6, 2024. Happy St. Francis weekend! The saint’s feast day was Friday October 4th, but we Episcopalians like to celebrate […]