November 20, 2016 Sunday of the Fulfillment Jeremiah 23:1-6, Psalm 46, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33, 34b-43 Because Psalm 46 frames my reflections I invite you to listen to it again with the ear of your heart: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of …
Heidi Haverkamp’s Homily November 13, 2016
The Rev. Heidi Haverkamp Holy Wisdom Monastery – Sunday Assembly November 13, 2016; Proper 28C Luke 21:5-19 It is good to worship God with you this morning, my friends of Sunday Assembly. My name is Heidi Haverkamp and I am an oblate here. I am also an Episcopal priest, currently serving a church in downtown Chicago. It has been my privilege to lead the oblate retreat this weekend and I am honored to Bring the Word this morning with you. I don’t know about you, but I feel as though the world I know came to an …
Witnessing to light and hope
Homily and reflections before and after the 2016 national elections “The human race is facing a darkness that is pervasive and frightening…endless wars, climate change, rampant disease, corporate power, increasing poverty and natural disaster.” Edwina Gateley shared these thoughts in an essay for All Saints Day in 2014.* She went on to say that it seemed to her that “we are…in the midst of a global dark night.” Like Daniel in his day (see Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18), many people today see visions of disaster based on the coming election, climate change, the spread of ISIS, violence in our cities. It …
Lynne Smith’s Homily, November 6, 2016
All Saints/All Souls Sunday November 6, 2016 In an essay for All Saints Day in 2014, Edwina Gateley wrote: “The human race is facing a darkness that is pervasive and frightening…endless wars, climate change, rampant disease, corporate power, increasing poverty and natural disaster.” (http://www.journeywithjesus.net/Essays/20141027JJ.shtml) She said that it seemed to her that “we are…in the midst of a global ‘dark night.’” Many people see visions of disaster based on the coming election, climate change, the spread of ISIS, violence in our cities. It is difficult to keep our spirits from being deeply troubled or our visions of the future from …
Paul Knitter’s Homily, October 23, 2016
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Oct 23, 2016 A LECTIO DIVINA HOMILY Paul Knitter Introduction: Today we’re going to try a little experiment. “Lectio divina” is an integral part of Benedictine spirituality. So I’d like to explore with you whether we can occasionally integrate lectio divina into our homilies. Today I’m going to attempt a “lectio-divina-homily.” — I, and the Liturgy Committee, will be eager to hear what you think. Lectio divina (literally: divine reading), as many of you know, is a contemplative way to read Scripture. Basically, it consists of two steps: you first read …
Leora Weitzman’s Homily, October 9, 2016
Oct 9, 2016 • Solidarity Sunday • By Leora Weitzman 2 Kings 5:1-15c, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 I’ve always liked Naaman. He’s so human. When Elisha sends word to him to wash in the Jordan, he reacts just as I react to advice to stretch or go for a walk. Surely I wouldn’t feel so miserable if that’s all I need! Surely I need someone to cure me, or at least I need to undertake some great and glamorous quest. But no. When I actually follow the advice, presto—I feel much better. And so it is, writ large, with …
Steve Zwettler’s Homily, October 2, 2016
HOMILY OCTOBER 2, 2016 FROM: STEVE ZWETTLER READINGS: Habbakuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Luke 17:5-10 “FAITH: A WAY OF THE HEART” As I begin my reflection this morning, I first of all want to ask a question. I wonder how your faith is doing right now? How is your relationship with the God that you believe in doing right now? It is so important to keep this relationship alive in our hearts if we are to be loving believers. There is an old Yiddish Proverb that says: “Be careful of words-for they beget either Demons or Angels. It is …
Jerry Folk’s Homily, September 25, 2016
September 25, 2016 Ordinary Time 26, Pentecost 10 Holy Wisdom, Madison WI All three of today’s readings warn of the dangers that accompany wealth. In the first reading Amos denounces the self-indulgence to which wealth led the Israelite elite. But what troubles the Prophet more than their self-indulgence is their indifference to the suffering of the workers whom they exploit to maintain their luxurious lifestyle. The author of I Timothy reflects on the dangers to which those who want to be wealthy expose themselves. The love of money, he writes, is a root of every kind of evil and …
Roberta Felker’s Homily, September 18, 2016
Holy Wisdom Monastery Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16: 1-13 September 18, 2016 The Crafty Manager All parables have an element of strangeness; that’s sort of the point. Jesus used parables to teach about the reign of God – but he often had a strange way of making sense. It doesn’t make sense to turn the other cheek, to throw a party for folks who can’t invite you to theirs, to leave behind an entire flock because one wandered off. The parables are intended to be counter-cultural… but strange is the least of it today. …
Patti La Cross’ Homily, August 28, 2016
When I was turning 21—and broke—my parents thoughtfully asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and—though surprised—they honored my request for three 1 x 12s. Those boards were an essential element for staging the musical Godspell. The youth group I worked with was preparing to present that exuberant contemporary portrayal of Jesus as the parish’s central liturgy of Holy Week in 1976. Godspell was written by another 21 year old, John-Michael Tebelak, and is based largely on the Gospel of Matthew, though it includes 3 parables from, and I like to think, the implicit staging of Luke. Luke’s Gospel gives …