Many of you know how much I like to offer context for the scripture proclaimed on Sundays. Bear with me as I offer one minute of context today. The Liturgy of the Word nourishes us with passages from each of the Gospel accounts on a 3-year rotation. Year A is set aside for us to feast on Matthew’s account. Year B is set aside for Mark’s account (which is where we are this year). Year C is set aside for Luke’s account. But what about John’s account? We do hear a lot from John’s Gospel during Lent and the Easter …
Patti La Cross’s Homily, July 21, 2024
Sunday July 21, 2024 Holy Wisdom Monastery Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34,53-56 Patti La Cross As I just tended to the sheep in a reflection 3 months ago, I am giving them rest today, in this fullness of summer. These verses from Mark may be easier to relate to because it’s summer; when many people are moving around more. Humans seem always to have traveled, if not to secure food and water, then to explore what lies beyond. We may travel to renew relationships with family and friends; to find respite in creation’s wonders, or be thrilled by new …
Winton Boyd’s Homily from July 14, 2024
July 14, 2024 Homily Holy Wisdom Monastery Rev. Winton Boyd Even before yesterday’s assassination attempt, today’s gospel text from the lectionary can be disturbing because of its violence. We pray that the love of God in Christ will shine through the violence. The text picks up after stories of Jesus sending disciples out in pairs to minister throughout the villages of Galilee. It’s a delight to acknowledge that Nancy Enderle, director of the Clergy Renewal Center here at Holy Wisdom, celebrates the 39th anniversary of her ordination today. And that we have these 18 sweet clergy souls who are coming …
Terry Larson’s Homily from June 30, 2024
The Sixth Sunday After Pentecost, Terry Larson June 30, 2024, Holy Wisdom Sunday Assembly Mark 5: 21-43 In Mark’s Gospel, we have a story about two daughters. One was the daughter of a leader of the synagogue. His standing was indicated by the fact he was named by Mark. His name was Jairus. His daughter was deathly ill. He came to Jesus because he’d probably heard of the amazing healing Jesus had done on the Gentile-side of the Sea of Galilee. When Jesus crossed over the lake to the Jewish-side Jairus boldly sought him out on behalf of his …
Steve Zwettler’s Homily from Scott Shimanski’s Memorial Service, June 21, 2024
“Never To Judge-Always To Love” Once again, welcome to all of you and thank you for your presence today. Words seem so shallow when we face the mystery of a tragic death like Scott’s. We are a people of Broken Hearts this morning—to be sure. How do we make sense out of Scott taking his own life? It’s a Darkness that needs to be Named. It was only a year ago this month that we gathered here at the Monastery for Scott and Sherri’s wedding– and who would have thought that today—a year later—we would be burying Scott. Life is …
Terry Larson’s Homily from June 16, 2024
Mark 4: 26-34: Jesus also said, “The reign of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, without knowing how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once goes in with the sickle, because the harvest has come.” He also said, “With what can we compare the reign of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard …
James Penczykowski’s Homily for June 23, 2024
As my mind wandered over the image of Jesus, asleep in the stern of the boat while his followers panicked, a lyric and melody came to mind from my younger days, Rescue Me, sung by Fontella Bass, recorded in 1965.[quote]“Rescue meCome on and take my heartTake your love and conquer every part‘Cause I’m lonelyAnd I’m blueI need youAnd your love tooCome on and rescue me” [end quote] While the singer longs for romantic human love, the lyrics do easily fit and echo the disciples’ shout — Master, do you not care? We are going to drown! And Jesus performs his …
Leora Weitzman’s Homily from June 2, 2024
Body & Blood of Christ • Exodus 24:3–8 • Hebrews 9:11–15 • Mark 14:12–16, 22–26 • 6/2/24 Welcome to the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. There are many layers of meaning to savor here: the meanings of blood familiar to original hearers of the texts… the challenge of reading Hebrews… the Gospel… and the Eucharist. I’ll start with the meanings of blood. Some are covenant-related – beginning with the ancient history of covenants, when people made ceremonial cuts and mingled their blood to declare themselves blood relatives, pledging to support and protect each other with their very …
Manato Jansen’s Homily from May 26, 2024
This past Tuesday around greater Madison, and throughout the Midwest, we were reminded of the power of the earth, and our smallness in comparison. While our monastery grounds and some of our neighborhoods had trees and power lines toppled, other neighboring regions witnessed tornadoes and floods. As we felt the thunder shake our homes on Tuesday, perhaps we can more easily channel some of the intensity of today’s reading from Isaiah: The Most High sits on the throne, and just the hem of God’s robe fills the entirety of the temple. The temple fills with smoke, the structure shakes with …
Pam Shellberg’s Homily from Pentecost, May 19, 2024
Pentecost 2024/May 19 Holy Wisdom Monastery Pam Shellberg Acts 2:1-21; Romans 8:22-27; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 Before the days of smart TV’s and Netflix, Hulu, and Roku, before the days of being able to watch just about any TV show at any time day or night, of being able to binge watch seasons of any particular show in a weekend – back in the days when we followed a series one episode a week, some of you might remember how each new episode would begin with, “Previously on _______” and then there’d be minute or two of clips of …