The Devil can Cite Scripture for his Purpose

Readings for the First Sunday in Lent (Year C) Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Romans 10:8b-13 Luke 4:1-13 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 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 […]

“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 […]

Compassion, ash, and DAsh

Readings for Ash Wednesday Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 103 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 This homily was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. “For he himself knows whereof we are made; he remembers that we are but dust.” Ash Wednesday often falls around my birthday. During my first year here, […]

The Interior Castle Distilled: “Caterpillar Soup”

Readings for the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany – Year C Genesis 45:3-11, 15 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50 Luke 6:27-38 Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42 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 […]

Another Sermon on Trees

Readings for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany – Year C Jeremiah 17:5-10 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 Luke 6:17-26 Psalm 1 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 […]

“Peace and Plenteousness within these Walls”: Rector’s Report on 2024

Readings for the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple Malachi 3:1-4 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40 Psalm 84 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday February 2, 2025. Today we celebrate one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, also known as Candlemas, […]

Pray for our Prophets

Readings for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany – Year C Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21 Psalm 19 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 […]

Jesus’s Commentary on Marriage and Friendship

Readings for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany – Year C Isaiah 62:1-5 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 John 2:1-11 Psalm 36:5-10 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday January 19, 2025. I love that our readings today are all about weddings since today we are sandwiched between the fifth wedding anniversary of Jim Hendry and […]

Friendship through the Fire

Readings for the First Sunday after the Epiphany – The Baptism of Our Lord (Year C) Isaiah 43:1-7 Acts 8:14-17 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Psalm 29 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday January 12, 2025. Eleven years ago, I was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. John in the […]

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 […]