Alleluia! Christ is risen! Have any of you ever – either in work or a school environment – had to do one of those retreats where they do team building exercises? You know, trust falls, and the like? When I …
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Well, fortunately, after all of that, I’ve managed to get the need to relate everything to Star Wars out of my system for today. After all, a reading from Acts involving a person who has ruthlessly …
Alleluia! Christ is risen! So… now what? The truth is, the disciples themselves weren’t sure what to do after they had received the news that Christ was alive again. Mary Magdalene, after seeing Jesus alive in the garden in John’s …
This parable in scripture we hear in Luke’s gospel today is often given a name. It’s often called the parable of…. What…? The Prodigal Son. The Prodigal Son. But how many of us know what the word “prodigal” really means? …
Most of you in this room have been in this world long enough that when you hear certain words, you get certain ideas or feelings in your head right away. One of the ways to describe this is in terms …
I think it could be argued that last Sunday – when we celebrated thirty-five years as a congregation here at Esperanza – would be a mountaintop experience, right? We celebrated wonderful memories, ministries that made a difference in the lives …
When we wait, we usually aren’t happy about it. I remember when I was a kid growing up, waiting was the hardest thing – especially when I was stuck at church with my parents, and I was ready to go …
I have a theory about our gospel reading today. Because sometimes I think the hosts of the wedding at Cana get a little bit of a bad rap, I thought maybe somebody should come to their defense. After all, whenever …
Throughout scripture, there are certain moments that I call “goosebump moments.” They’re those places where the imagery used is so powerful – the language so descriptive – that when recited well, the listener can almost find themselves witnessing these events …
I have to be honest, at first I think it’s hard to see the “good news” that is being proclaimed by John in our gospel today. And I think it’s partly because John is so direct about how he addresses …
I usually don’t start my sermons with a disclaimer, but every now and again it’s worth it. This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday. It’s where as a community and as leaders in the church we’re challenged to examine our …
Sometimes I think it’s important to remind ourselves that when we read scripture, we’re reading it not just as if Jesus were speaking to those present in those moments that are being recorded, but he’s also speaking to those first …