“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides still waters. He restores me soul.” Water is a fundamental part of of life. According to the USGS, the earth is 71% covered in water, and the oceans contain over 96% of all of the earth’s water. The rest is in the air as vapor, underground is aquifers, in
November 8th, 2020
When the Lord is my Shepherd
This country is in the midst of a revolution. I don’t have to tell you that, really. You watch the news or perhaps read the news on the internet. Maybe you still read the newspaper. You know that the conservative values we have held here in the heartland are under assault. I’m not talking about politics, but I am talking about the erosion of traditional values that has slowly taken
November 6th, 2020
Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
A sermon for the Requiem Mass for Deacon Melody Crabb. The story of the Bible is a love story. It is a story of how our LORD has created this world for us to live in, and how he desires to have a relationship with us. This is the Good News, that God wants us to live in a covenant relationship with us, in faithfulness. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke
November 1st, 2020
The Communion of Saints – All Saints Day
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!” From The Revelation to St. John the
October 25th, 2020
On these two commandments…
Matthew 22:34-46, Jesus said, “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Love is at the same time the most discussed topic in history, and the most misunderstood topic in history. Some of you may remember the movie, “Love Story” starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal. It’s a tale of love between two young people who fall in love, get married, and then have to face the
October 18th, 2020
Tithing and generosity
Matthew 22:15-22 Jesus said, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” In our Gospel reading today, there was some controversy over some of the teaching of Jesus. The Pharisees were trying to trap him saying something that would get him in hot water. His answer is simple; “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the
October 11th, 2020
For Many are Called, but Few are Chosen
For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:1-14 This is a ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ parable, which is the sort that Jesus told when he wanted to make a very important point about life and death. If you have an interest in the afterlife, it’s important to take note. Jesus told many parables that involved the marriage customs of his day. This was something that was familiar to his
September 27th, 2020
The Last shall be First, and First shall be Last
Matthew 21:28-32 Last Sunday we heard a parable from our Lord about the landowner and his workers. Remember the last line? “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Today we heard a parable about a man who had two sons. Which son did the will of his father? Those who were listening to him said, “The first.” Then Jesus lets them have it! He says,
September 20th, 2020
The Kingdom of Heaven is like…
Today we heard a parable about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus was fond of using parables to communicate with his disciples. Some listened and understood what he was getting at, but most of his hearers must have thought he was a little kooky. This is one of those that made no sense to those with a mind for business. The land owner was hiring laborers all day long to work
September 13th, 2020
No Forgiveness, No Peace
These readings about forgiveness resonated with me today. So many stories I read have something to do with anger and the lack forgiveness. Why is it so hard to forgive? I understand that there are some resentments that have piled up over generations of people. People with power have abused the powerless. This is nothing new of course. Since Cain killed Abel there have been those who have abused others
