Greetings favored one
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. One of the blessings of this time of […]
Just Between Us, Good News!
A sermon preached by Lee Cheek, Licensed Lay Preacher Grace Episcopal Church, Great Barrington, MA, @Crissey Farm Advent 2A, […]
O That You Would Tear Open the Heavens and Come Down
In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, * stir up your strength and come to help us. Restore us, O God of hosts; * show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. (Isaiah 64:1-3) On Friday, 12 Christians entered the Hart Senate Building in Washington DC. Armed with clergy stoles, symbolizing […]
Taking Risks for the Sake of the Gospel
He was getting ready for this third birthday party. He had watched with excitement the frosting being put on the birthday cake. He had greeted each person as they arrived with a toothy grin and a big hug. But he had not yet seen the pile of birthday presents accumulating from his grandparents and parents […]
Blessed are you
Taste and see that the Lord is good; * happy are they who trust in him! (Psalm 34:8) I have fallen hard for a TV show called This is Us. I love the characters that consist of two parents, three children, and a growing assortment of spouses and grandchildren. They are taking me deeply, but gently, into […]
What belongs to God?
“O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; * you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.” (Psalm 99:4) Standing on the steps of the downtown Amherst church he now calls home, Lucio Perez on Thursday afternoon asked the community to provide him strength as he continues to face the possibility that he […]
Christ has made us his own
For us he prayed; for us he taught; for us his daily works he wrought; by words and signs and actions thus still seeking not himself but us. (O love, how deep, how broad how high Hymnal 448) In his book, The Road to Character[1], New York Times columnist, David Brooks begins by asking […]
Authority in humility
4 We will recount to generations to come the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the Lord, * and the wonderful works he has done. (Psalm 78) Today we hear readings that open ideas around authority and humility. Jesus has been welcomed joyfully into Jerusalem. But now he has entered the temple turning out the moneychangers […]
Journey to Forgiveness
4 The mountains skipped like rams, * and the little hills like young sheep. 7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, * at the presence of the God of Jacob. (Psalm 114) In her new biography of her famous grandmother Dorothy Day, founder with Peter Maurin of the Catholic Workers Movement, Kate […]
Love One Another
1 Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song; * sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful. 2 Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; * let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise his Name in the dance; * let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. 4 […]