Rebuild My Church

17th Sunday after PentecostProper 22Oct. 5, 2025 The story is told of Saint Francis of Assisi going down to a village with one his monks. Their purpose was to preach the Gospel. When they arrived at the village they quickly engaged the local folk in conversation and passed their time helping the villagers with their … Continue reading Rebuild My Church

The Pivot

15th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 20, Year CLuke 16:1-13Sept. 21, 2025 If this morning’s Gospel reading left you scratching your head, you can take comfort in the head scratching of many a preacher and scholar throughout history. Rather than take you through a class on Greek, ancient culture, and Roman social structure, let’s just say … Continue reading The Pivot

Grumblers and Rejoicers

14th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C Proper 19 Sept. 14, 2025 Luke 15:1-10 Today is what we might call “grumbling and rejoicing” Sunday  or “Lost and Found” Sunday. Kind of like the way Marty hides a Yeti in our weekly newsletter–prompting us to look for the lost! I will say that some among us clearly … Continue reading Grumblers and Rejoicers

What Is Prayer?

7th Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 12 July 27, 2025 Luke 11:1-13 How many of you like Dr. Pepper? I mean, we’re Texans. It’s a requirement to like Dr. Pepper and HEB, isn’t it? So suppose you really want a Dr. Pepper. You’ve been out in the Texas heat and you want, you may be tempted … Continue reading What Is Prayer?

The Good Part

6th Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 11 Jul 20, 2025 Colossians 1:15-28Luke 10:38-42 This may date me, I can’t help but read today’s Gospel without hearing Martha, Martha, Martha. And, how do we solve a problem like Maria? I just want to say, as an oldest daughter, I get Martha. And to be fair, Jesus was … Continue reading The Good Part

Go and Do Likewise

5th Sunday after Pentecost Jul 13, 2025 Luke 10: 25-37 We all love a good story, don’t we? And today’s Gospel contains a story most of us have heard many times. So popular that even non-Christians have heard of it. Google Good Samaritan and you might find a reference to the Bible verse, but also … Continue reading Go and Do Likewise

Instruments of Peace

4th Sunday after Pentecost Jul 6, 2025 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 When I worked for Compassion International, God turned my understanding of mission and hospitality upside down. Shook the “white savior” notions out of me in profound ways. Everywhere I went, in the world and in the US, many of the poor had a dependence on … Continue reading Instruments of Peace