The Devil can Cite Scripture for his Purpose

Readings for the First Sunday in Lent (Year C) This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on March 9, 2025. So, our Lenten journey has begun once again; our Lenten fast in preparation for the great Feast of the Resurrection; our 40 days of delayed gratification. And here at Christ Church, we will […]

“Francis of Assisi” by Hermann Hesse – Prologue

I discovered that one of my favorite authors, Hermann Hesse, wrote a novella about one of my favorite saints, Francis of Assisi, and it’s never been translated into English. Using the original German version and an Italian translation, I have been slowly translating the novella Franz von Assisi (1904), with the help of AI. This […]

The Interior Castle Distilled: “Caterpillar Soup”

Readings for the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany – Year C This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday February 23, 2025. Over the last seven weeks, several of us have been gathering in the Pierson Room to discuss our reading of The Interior Castle, a spiritual classic written by 16th century Spanish mystic, Teresa […]

Another Sermon on Trees

Readings for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany – Year C This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday February 16, 2025. According to Jeremiah and the first Psalm, whose who trust in the Lord and those who delight in the Torah are like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots and bearing […]

Pray for our Prophets

Readings for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany – Year C This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday January 26, 2025. So, a preacher delivered a sermon that was rooted in Scripture, emphasizing God’s love and care for the poor, the oppressed, the vulnerable, and the scared. Many praised this preacher for their grace […]

We Are All Just Walking Each Other Home

Readings for the Feast of the Epiphany This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday January 5, 2025. Our Scriptures so often fill me with wonder and bewilderment; and I must say that, apart from Jesus himself, very few characters in the Scriptures fill me with more wonder than the mysterious visitors referred […]

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 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 Cobb Jr., who died a couple months shy of his 100th […]

Dies Irae

Readings for the Second Sunday of Advent (Year C) This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Sunday December 8, 2024. This week, I was reading and reflecting on today’s Gospel, especially Luke’s words from the prophet Isaiah who says, “Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill made low” (Luke […]

“Look at all the Trees”

Readings for the First Sunday of Advent (Year C) 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 anticipate the coming, the Adventus, of the Christ. Tis […]