Embodying the Word

First Sunday after Christmas

John 1.1-18

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

In this Christmas season, while we still (hopefully) are basking in the joy of standing at the foot of the manger with shepherds and animals alike, gazing with adoration upon a precious child who has just been born, wrapped in strips of cloth, watched over by Mary and Joseph bursting with love, it can be a little jarring to shift gears and to try to take in John’s version of what happened in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. The Prologue to John’s Gospel bears little resemblance—actually, no resemblance—to Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth. But while John’s account may lack a sense of the warm and fuzzy that we so like this time of year, he makes up for by getting at the true heart of what Christmas is all about.

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Word-Made-Flesh-mas

Christmas Day

Hebrews 1.1-4; John 1.1-14

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Merry Word-Made-Flesh-mas!

Okay, so that just doesn’t seem to have the same ring to it as “Merry Christmas.” But then again, our Gospel for Christmas Day, with “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn 1.1), followed by “And the Word became flesh and lived among us” (Jn 1.14), while poetic, just doesn’t seem to have the same ring as the angelic proclamation we heard on Christmas Eve. “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Lk 2.10-11). That’s always the cognitive disconnect we experience on this day.

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God WITH Us

Christmas Eve

Isaiah 9.2-7; Titus 2.11-14; Luke 2.1-20

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

“I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Lk 2.10-11).

Wait a minute! There’s got to be some mistake! Something just doesn’t add up. The angels are proclaiming the birth of the Messiah. The Son of God. The King of Kings. But instead of being born in Rome, the most powerful city at the time, or even in Jerusalem, the capital of Judea, we are told that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. A small, backwater town. Is this a fitting place for the birth of a King? I think not.

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"Rejoice in the Lord Always"

Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)

Zephaniah 3.14-20; Canticle 9 (Isaiah 12.2-6); Philippians 4.4-7; Luke 3.7-18

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Today, the third Sunday of Advent, is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, which derives its name from the Latin word Gaudete, meaning “Rejoice,” the first word of the traditional introit for this day's mass. The words that we hear in our Epistle reading: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” (Phil 4.4). A call to rejoice in the Lord because he is near. Expressing the joy that we derive from being in the presence of Christ. And the accompanying “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,” which guards our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4.7). Paul writes these words as a reminder to the Church in Philippi that Christ will soon come again, bringing a renewed joy when he returns to usher in the end of the ages. A reminder that, for Paul, joy supports and upholds those whose lives even now belong to Christ. Words of hope that encompass our own understanding of the meaning of Advent.

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Called to “Prepare the Way of the Lord”

Second Sunday of Advent (Year C)

Luke 3.1-6

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

In our readings for today, we see how salvation history builds from the ancient past to the present. Malachi foretells the coming a messenger to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. That messenger is John the Baptist, who himself points to the coming of Jesus. We then move on in time to Paul’s words of encouragement to the Church in Philippi, urging the early followers of Jesus in that place to continually move in faith into the future. We are that future. In so doing, these readings set us firmly in the arc of salvation history.

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"Be Alert at All Times"

First Sunday of Advent (Year C)

1 Thessalonians 3.9-13; Luke 21.25-36

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

“Be alert at all times.” As we begin our journey into Advent, these words of Jesus in today’s Gospel serve as a watchword for how we are to enter into this holy season. This command to “be alert at all times” carries with it a sense of expectation and anticipation that something is definitely going to happen. Maybe even something that calls for preparation on our part. But the question is, how to prepare?

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Christ, the King of Truth

Christ the King (Year B)

Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14; Revelation 1.4b-8; John 18.33-38

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Yes, Pilate, what IS truth? More on that in a few moments.

Today, the last Sunday of the liturgical year, we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. The commemoration of Christ the King is a relatively new celebration in the Church calendar. It was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 in response to the increasingly secular world and the growing number of non-Christian empires. This was an attempt by the Church to reinforce the fact that there was a true king who reigns over all Creation—even the secular, non-Christian governments of the world. That this world is indeed not theirs but Christ’s. Following the Second Vatican Council, the feast of Christ the King was moved to the last Sunday of the liturgical year, emphasizing the eschatological majesty of Christ as we head into Advent, with its themes of the coming of Christ, both at his birth and at the end of the ages. Some Protestant denominations, including our own Anglican tradition, have adopted the feast of Christ the King as a reminder that our allegiance is to our spiritual ruler in heaven as opposed to earthly powers.

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Birthpangs

26^th Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 28 (Year B)

Hebrews 10.11-14, 19-25; Mark 13.1-8

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs” (Mk 13.7-8).

Why, then, do we even bother to come to church? We don’t come here for the foretelling of wars and rumors of wars, be they real wars or trade wars. We don’t come here to hear of conflict between nations or even within nations. We don’t come here for news of earthquakes and famines, not to mention mass shootings, uncontrollable wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, refugees fleeing their homes for a better life, acts of terrorism, racial conflict, and allegations of sexual harassment and abuse, to name just some of our social ills. If we want that, we can open the Long Beach Press-Telegram or the Los Angeles Times, or we can watch CNN or MSNBC or Fox News. Don’t we come to church to hear good news? After all, the term “Gospel” does literally mean “good news.” So where’s the good news in Jesus’ Gospel predictions of the end of the world? Then again, given the state of the world, maybe having it all come to an end might be considered good news by some.

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Soul Sisters in Faith

25^th Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 27 (Year B)

1 Kings 17.8-16; Mark 12.38-44

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

In our lectionary readings for today, we have the tale of two widows. Two women, separated by 900 years, 120 miles, and by cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs. The only similarities are that they are both widowed with extremely limited resources. Yet, despite all that separates these two woman, they are soul sisters.

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Saints Unbound

All Saints’ Sunday (Year B)

Isaiah 25.6-9; Revelation 21.1-6a; John 11.32-44

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

On this day we specifically gather to remember all those who have gone before us in the faith. But in actuality, this is just one of three days dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints, martyrs, and all faithful departed believers. These three days, Halloween, All Saints Day (November 1), and All Souls Day (November 2), are collectively known as Hallowmas. The major feast day of this period is All Saints Day (which we transfer to today). In the ancient Christian custom, the celebration of major feast days often began with a vigil the night before, on the eve of, the feast day. Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, was originally the vigil celebration for All Hallows or All Saints Day. It has since taken on a life of its own, evolving into our secular celebration of ghouls and goblins and things that go bump in the night. Then we have the main event on All Saints Day, followed by All Souls Day, also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.

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Called Not To Be Served, But To Serve

22^nd Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 24 (Year B)

Mark 10.35-45

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

When I was a kid, my father was sent overseas twice. When I was in first grade, he was sent to Vietnam, and when I was in fifth grade, he was sent to Okinawa. Whenever he was transferred overseas, my mother, sister, and I would move back to my parents’ home town in Kansas, where the grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins all lived. This way, we had an extensive support system during my father’s absence. What I particularly remember and cherish about this time were big family gatherings for Sunday dinners, as well as for holidays. At such events, like in many larger families, the adults had their own table in the dining room, with the nice dishes and silverware. And then there was the “kiddie table” – card tables in the kitchen or living room, generally set-up with the everyday dishes and silverware. When I was in first grade, this was fine. It was fun to hang out with my cousins at the kiddie table. But when I was in the fifth grade, I really didn’t want to be at the kiddie table. I was among the older of the cousins and didn’t want to be with the “little kids.” I wanted to be at the table with the grown-ups. I wanted to feel special. I just knew that when I finally made it to the grown-up table, it would be glorious!

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Transforming Relationships

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 22 (Year B)

Genesis 2.18-24; Mark 10.2-16

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

In today’s Gospel, Jesus comes out hitting pretty heavy on the subject of divorce. What he says may seem a little harsh from the perspective of 21^st century Americans. After all, in our time, divorce is pretty common. If not divorced ourselves, we all certainly know someone who has been divorced—family, friends, co-workers. While statistics vary, it is commonly cited that 50 percent of marriages in America end in divorce. And some say the rate in California could be even higher. Thank you, Kardashians.

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"Playing Nice" in Ministry

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 21 (Year B)

Numbers 11.4-6, 10-16, 24-29; Mark 9.38-50

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

I’m going to let you in on a little of the private life of your Rector. A key part of my morning routine is reading the Long Beach Press-Telegram on my tablet while I’m eating breakfast. I read all the headlines of the daily news, occasionally reading parts or all of articles that might interest me. And I finish up with the most important part of the paper—the comics. That is the part of the paper that I enjoy most. Some days, the only part I really enjoy. And the part that is most critical to my morning routine, other than my morning prayers. One of my favorite comics is “Baby Blues.” For those not familiar with this little gem, it is the story of the MacPherson family—parents Wanda and Darryl, and their three kids, Zoe, Hammie, and Wren. Zoe is the oldest girl, aged nine. Followed by the only boy, Hammie, aged six. And then there’s the baby girl, Wren, about a year and a half old. One of the ongoing themes of the comic is the interaction between Zoe and Hammie. Hammie is a typical boy for his age, always trying to find the perfect way to annoy his big sister. And Zoe is at that age where she tattles on virtually everything that Hammie does. Typical siblings. Not unlike the way my sister Lisa and I were when we were younger (and sometimes still are). Only I’m older than Lisa. But when we were younger, I would try to annoy her and she would tattle on me. Anyway, the parents, usually Wanda, has to deal with Hammie’s antics and Zoe’s tattling. Ah, family.

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Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 19 (Year B)

Mark 8.27-38

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

We’ve got a lot going on in today’s Gospel reading. Before we jump in, it’s important to note that of Mark’s 16 chapters, this passage today falls at the end of the 8th chapter, putting it at the exact midpoint, the center, of Mark’s Gospel. This is not accidental. In writings of the day, the author often placed the most important information—the central theme of the document—at the midpoint of the document to indicate its significance. Critical analysis of Mark confirms that today’s reading is indeed the central theme or argument of Mark’s Gospel.

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Ephphatha! Be Opened!

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 18 (Year B)

Mark 7.24-37

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Maybe it’s because we are now into September and the time for vacations is essentially over, but I found myself wondering, “did Jesus ever took a vacation?” What we hear in today’s Gospel is actually, for all intents and purposes, Jesus’ attempt at a vacation.

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Body and Blood of Christ

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 15 (Year B)

John 6.51-58

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

“Ooo, gross!” That is what the original audience was actually saying when they heard today’s portion of the Bread of Life Discourse. “The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’” (Jn 6.52). To which Jesus replies, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (Jn 6.53). In their minds, what Jesus has been saying goes from difficult to understand to impossible. He started off with “I am the bread of life.” Then he moved on to “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” Which then became “the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

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Bread of Life: God's Gift

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 14 (Year B)

Ephesians 4.25—5.2; John 6.35, 41-51

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

How quickly things change. The day before at the feeding of the 5,000, those present were full of praise, saying, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world” (Jn 6.14). Because they were enamored with him and what he accomplished, “Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king” (Jn 6.15). But now, when he tries to get them to see what he is really about—being the bread of life that came down from heaven—they become offended, a little indignant, maybe even a little combative.

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Bread of Life: Choosing The Eternal

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 13 (Year B)

Exodus 16.2-4, 9-15; Ephesians 4.1-16; John 6.24-35

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Have you ever had one of those conversations where you and the person you are talking with just seem to be talking past each other? What each of you is saying is reasonable, and at least for a while, the conversation seems to make sense. Yet, at some point, it begins to seem that you are each on your own wavelength. And it becomes increasingly clear that at least one of you just is not getting what the other is saying. (It’s usually the other person.)

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God's Generosity and Abundance

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 12 (Year B)

John 6.1-21

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Our Gospel readings for the next five weeks are the “Bread of Life Discourse,” found in the sixth chapter of the Gospel according to John. In this discourse, Jesus repeatedly refers to himself as the “bread of life” and provides some explanation as to what this means. This discourse begins with the famous feeding of the 5,000 with a mere five loaves of bread and two fish. While Jesus does not use the term “bread of life” in today’s reading, bread does feature prominently, setting the stage for the discourse that is to follow. So important is this particular story that it is the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels. But while “the Synoptic Gospels call attention to Jesus’ compassion for the crowd, John’s emphasis is on leading the disciples to deeper belief and recognition of the power of Jesus as the one who brings life to the world” (Synthesis, Proper 12, July 29, 2018). As the one who provides and indeed is the “bread of life.” This is particularly emphasized in that John does not call this a miracle, but a “sign.” An event that reveals something significant about who Jesus is, and in turn, about who God is.

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Where's the Good News?

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 10 (Year B)

Amos 7.7-15; Ephesians 1.3-14; Mark 6.14-29

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Really? REALLY? This is what we’ve got to work with today? As if it weren’t bad enough that last week we had to tackle the story of Jesus’ being rejected and rendered powerless while visiting Nazareth, today we have two story that are, to say the least, real downers. The impending destruction of Israel, and the beheading of John the Baptist.

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Instructions for Ministry

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 9 (Year B)

Ezekiel 2.1-5; 2 Corinthians 12.2-10; Mark 6.1-13

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Well, that was awkward! Fairly early in his public ministry, Jesus takes his newly called disciples with him to his home town of Nazareth. He undoubtedly wants to show them where he came from. And he has some sense of pride in his hometown, wanting to share it with the disciples. He visits the local synagogue, where the hometown boy-turned-rabbi is invited to speak. The townsfolk have heard about all he has done and want to experience Jesus for themselves. At first there is enthusiasm. “Wow! Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands!” And then things start to head south. What they are hearing is a new message. He’s challenging them in ways that might be a little uncomfortable for them to hear. They start rationalizing. “Wait! Who does he think he is? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?” The initial sense of pride in the hometown boy-made-good turns to discomfort and then to offense when they realize that he is not the same little boy they remembered. “How could that little boy be up there now, spouting this new, radical interpretation of the Torah?” In their “we knew him when” mentality, the people of Nazareth are convinced of Jesus’ ordinariness and are therefore unable to believe in what he is teaching, in what he has accomplished . They knew too much about him to take seriously his wisdom and his gifts.

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Lesson from a "Nobody"

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 8 (Year B)

Mark 5.21-43

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

When it rains, it pours! At least sometimes it seems that way when you are engaged in ministry. Jesus goes across the Sea of Galilee on a pastoral mission to heal the Gerasene demoniac and no sooner does he return when he is hit with not one, but two, major pastoral emergencies. As we heard in today’s Gospel, Jesus is confronted with two appeals for healing—one direct and one a little more surreptitious. Two stories of healing that are woven together into one—indicating that the two accounts, while very different, together paint a picture of a greater truth.

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Peace! Be Still!

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 7 (Year B)

Job 38.1-11; 2 Corinthians 6.1-13; Mark 4.35-41

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

At this point in Mark’s Gospel, the disciples have not been with Jesus for very long. They’ve seen him cast out a demon or two, heal a few people, and heard him tell a few parables. They are really still getting to know him. But they are about to learn that life and ministry with Jesus is anything but predictable.

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What is the Kingdom of God Like, Here and Now?

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 6 (Year B)

Mark 4.26-34

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Today in our Gospel reading, we hear Jesus give two parables that are designed to answer a simple question – “What is the kingdom of God like?” Piece of cake. Jesus seeks to explain the kingdom of God using agricultural imagery. Imagery that would have been well-known to the people of his day. The first is the parable of the growing seed and the second is the parable of the mustard seed.

As an aside, it should be noted that neither of these short images are really parables. Parables are simple stories, with some sort of developed plot, that are designed to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. They are designed to challenge us to think about our lives, spiritual or otherwise, in new and transformative ways. Neither of today’s images really fit the bill. There is no plot. Neither address a moral or spiritual lesson. Neither seek to challenge us to new ways of living, at least on the surface. Rather, today’s images are actually similitudes – streamlined similes describing a key truth with no developed plot. They are meant to convey an image to help us understand a truth about our life in God. There is no challenge involved, except possibly the challenge of translating and understanding what is being conveyed. It may be splitting hairs, but, you know me – once and engineer, always an engineer. And we engineers want to make sure things are put in the right box.

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Is Blood Really Thicker Than Water?

Third Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 5 (Year B)

Mark 3.20-35

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

There’s an old saying. “Blood is thicker than water.” The idea that relationships and loyalties within a family are stronger and more important than all others. But listening to today’s Gospel reading, one might get the idea that Jesus would not have agreed with this idea.

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The Voice of the Lord

Trinity Sunday (Year B)

Isaiah 6.1-8; Psalm 29; Romans 8.12-17; John 3.1-17

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

For a number of years now, in the week between Pentecost and Trinity Sunday, as I attempt to come up with a sermon on the Trinity, I watch a YouTube video that is part of the Lutheran Satire series. The video is called “St. Patrick’s Bad Analogies.” 

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"Pentecost is God in Us"

Day of Pentecost (Year B)

Acts 2.1-21; Romans 8.22-27

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

If you could pick one Biblical event to personally witness, what would it be?

Of course, there’s no right answer. There are so many to choose from. As a Christian, I would have to narrow my choice to the New Testament. But even then, there are just so many significant events.

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So, Let's Get On With It

Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year B)

Acts 1.15-17, 21-26; John 17.6-19

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Just one week before Pentecost, as we near the end of Eastertide, our Gospel selection loops back around to the last few hours of Jesus’ earthly life. The events of today’s Gospel reading actually take place on Maundy Thursday, mere hours before Jesus is arrested and eventually put to death by crucifixion. Why on earth, in the season celebrating Jesus’ Resurrection and our life post-Resurrection, would our lectionary seek to revisit the time before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion? We’ve been there and done that. So has Jesus. We’ve all moved on, haven’t we?

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Abiding in the Gifts of Joy and Friendship

Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

1 John 5.1-6; John 15.9-17

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Last week, we talked about the symbolism of Jesus as the vine and us as the branches. We focused on the themes of abiding in Jesus and bearing fruit, and how these are demonstrated by and accomplished through our commitment to live more fully into his commandment: “love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13.34; Jn 15.12). Both today’s Gospel reading from John and the Epistle reading from the First Letter of John are continuations of their corresponding readings from last week. They further elaborate on the themes of abiding in Jesus, what it means to bear fruit, and the commandment to love one another. So what more can or needs to be said?

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Abiding and Bearing Fruit

Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

Acts 8.26-40; 1 John 4.7-21; John 15.1-8

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

I have a confession to make. Today’s Gospel reading always makes me feel a little inadequate. But not for the reason you might think.

You see, I come from a long line of “green thumbs.” All my grandparent had wonderful gardens. They all had beautiful beds of flowers and lush green plants in front of their homes. And in the summer, they always had vegetable gardens with delicious tomatoes and other assorted veggies. My mother inherited their abilities. She has roses in her back yard, flowers in the front yard, and lots of potted plants throughout her house. She likes plants so much that for years I have sent her some sort of plant for Mother’s Day. A number of years ago I sent her a Ficus benjamina, no more than six inches tall. Now, years later, that ficus is taller than I am and fills a corner in Mom’s family room. Such is her gift with plants. And my sister is the same. Every summer she plants all sorts of vegetables in her back yard and has fresh herbs pretty much all year round.

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Called to be Good Shepherds

Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

Acts 4.5-12; 1 John 3.16-24; John 10.11-18

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Here at the mid-point of Eastertide, we shift our attention, although not our primary focus. In the first half of the Easter season, we heard accounts of several of Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances. We examined what these direct experiences of the Risen Lord meant for the disciples, and what they continue to mean for us as Easter people. Now we are done with those accounts. For the remainder of this season we look at various well-known images that Jesus uses to describe himself. Images that he offered prior to his death. Images in which he attempted to give the disciples, and us, a foretaste of how we are to live in light of what was to – or for us, has already – come. Images that provide more depth to what it means to live the resurrected life than can be gleaned from the post-Resurrection appearances themselves. Images that, in hindsight, we see are lessons for our lives of faith.

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Seeking to be in Relationship

Third Sunday of Easter (Year B)

Luke 24.36b-48

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

On Easter, we celebrate the glorious mystery that is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Throughout the remainder of Eastertide – the great 50 days of Easter – we, along with the disciples, struggle with sorting out exactly what this means for those of us who follow the Risen Lord. For the first couple of weeks of Eastertide, we take a look at various post-resurrection appearances of Jesus in an attempt to answer this question. The disciples struggle with determining how their relationship with Jesus has changed in light of the Resurrection. And with them, we seek to discern how we faithfully live into the resurrected life that we have inherited.

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Moving Forward in Faith

Second Sunday of Easter (Year B)

John 20.19-31

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

During the Great 50 Days of Easter, our scripture readings focus on the meaning of the Resurrection that we witnessed on Easter Day. They focus on what it means to live into new relationship with the resurrected Lord. They focus on what it means for us to live into the resurrected life as followers of Jesus Christ. So what does it mean, then, that on this second Sunday of Easter, the icon for our relationship with and life in the Resurrected Lord is none other than Doubting Thomas?

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God's April Fools' Joke

Easter Sunday (Year B)

Acts 10.34-43; 1 Corinthians 15.1-11; John 20.1-18

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

For the past year, there has been excited conversations among clergy, both in real life and on-line, about the fact that, this year, Easter falls on April 1^st – on April Fools’ Day. Obviously, Easter does not come on April 1^st every year. It is just a chance convergence of our solar-based secular calendar and the intricate formula for calculating the date of Easter using the ancient lunar-based Jewish calendar. But clergy have been giddy with anticipation of the opportunity to peach about this confluence of Easter and April Fools’ Day. Because, from a theological perspective, nothing could be more appropriate.

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Culmination of Salvation History

Great Vigil of Easter

Genesis 7.1-5, 11-18, 8.6-8, 9.8-17; Exodus 14.10-31, 15.20-21;

Ezekiel 37.1-14; Romans 6.3-11; Mark 16.1-8

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

“This is the night!” As we heard in the Exsultet, “This is the night, when [God] brought . . . the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt, and led them through the Red Sea . . . This is the night, when [we] are delivered from . . . sin, and are restored to grace and holiness of life. This is the night, when Christ broke the bonds of death and hell, and rose victorious from the grave.” Just as this is the night when our Jewish sisters and brothers celebrate Passover, this is the night we celebrate our Passover.

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Being Vulnerable for Servant Ministry

Maundy Thursday

John 13.1-17, 31b-35

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

On this holy night, we come to the end of our Lenten journey and begin a new journey. The beginning of what is known as the Triduum – the Three Days – that begins with sundown on this day and extends through sundown on Easter Day. From the beginning of Jesus’ Passion, to in his death on Good Friday, culminating in the glory of his Resurrection on Easter. It was on this first day of the Triduum that Jesus’ had his last meal with his disciples. What we know and now commemorate as the Last Supper. As we hear in scripture, this period coincides with the Jewish festival of Passover, which Jesus and his disciples were in Jerusalem to celebrate when he was arrested, taken to trial, and executed.

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Christ's Passion, Our Passion

Palm/Passion Sunday (Year B)

Mark 11.1-11; Philippians 2.5-11; Mark 14.1—15.47

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

On this day that begins as Palm Sunday and then abruptly takes a turn, becoming Passion Sunday, how often do we sit back and merely observe the events that unfold before us, taking the part of dispassionate observers? Maybe dispassionate is not quite the right term to use. After all, as faithful Christians, we cannot help but be moved by what we witness on this day. By the exultation of witnessing Jesus making his triumphal entry into Jerusalem with shouts of “Hosanna!” which we willingly and joyfully participate in. And before the high of that experience can wear off, we are brought to the depths of sorrow and despair as we witness Jesus’ Passion. Again, an event we enter into and engage in a unique way, albeit reluctantly. As we seek to enter into the most tragic, yet the most important, period in the life of our Lord. The most important period in our lives of faith.

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On to Jerusalem

Fifth Sunday in Lent (Year B)

Jeremiah 31.31-34; Hebrews 5.5-10; John 12.20-33

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

We often talk about the Lenten journey being one of traveling with Jesus toward Jerusalem. With each week, we get closer and closer. The tone of the readings become more and more explicit, more and more urgent, revealing more and more about what we can expect. Well, today, just one week out from Palm Sunday and Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, our readings – the Gospel in particular – stomp on the accelerator, barrel headlong toward Jerusalem, and then take a sharp turn right into the gates of Jerusalem, coming to a screeching halt just shy of the venue for the Last Supper.

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For God Soooo Loved the World

Fourth Sunday in Lent (Year B)

Numbers 21.4-9; John 3.14-21

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

As we draw closer to Holy Week, our readings seek to prepare us for what will happen in Jerusalem – Christ’s Passion. Today’s reading from the Gospel according to John is part of a meeting Jesus has with Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who comes to Jesus under cover of night to discuss some of Jesus’ intriguing teachings. In the course of their discussion about “being born from above” and other spiritual matters, Jesus gives his first prediction regarding his Passion – “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (Jn 3.14). Jesus then talks about what it means for the Son of Man – his term for himself – to be lifted up. What he reveals is not just about the predicted event, but what it will mean for all humanity. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (Jn 3.16).

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Clearing Away What Distracts Us from Our Relationship with God

Third Sunday in Lent (Year B)

Exodus 20.1-17; John 2.13-22

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Thus far during this Lenten season, the lectionary has incorporated scripture readings that focus on our covenant with God. Readings that focus on providing parameters for relationship with God. That makes sense as Lent is a time when we intentionally focus on our relationship with God.

Our Old Testament reading is one of the major covenants between God and his people – the giving of the Ten Commandments. The laws that would be foundational to the Jewish religion, the nation of Israel, and indeed, would come to be considered a bedrock of western society. Comprising a mere 10 of the 613 laws God actually gave to his people, these are considered the “biggies.” They are significant in terms of the scope and magnitude of the issues covered, but also in terms of how they are presented.

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Radical Faith in God's Promises

Second Sunday in Lent (Year B)

Genesis 17.1-7, 15-16; Romans 4.13-25; Mark 8.31-38

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

During the season of Lent, we make promises to ourselves – and to God – that we are going to do certain things as Lenten devotions. That we are going to pray more. That we are going to give some additional money, maybe even some of our time, to a worthwhile cause. That we might even fast on occasion. Or we promise that we are not going to do certain things. Maybe we’re not going to eat meat. Or maybe we’re not going to drink alcohol or caffeine. Or maybe we’re not going to eat chocolate (heresy!). Or maybe we’re not going to engage in social media. Those acts we take on, those things that we are determined to give up, are promises to God. They are meant to be signs of our devotion to God. But what about God’s promises to us? Even as we are making promises to God, does God make promises to us in return? And if so, how do we respond to those promises?

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Doing Ash Wednesday and Lent as Acts of Love

Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6.1-6, 16-21

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

What are we to make of the fact that this year, Ash Wednesday coincides with Valentine’s Day? Two holidays that are, in many ways, complete opposites. Ash Wednesday, a sacred and holy day; and Valentine’s Day, while based on commemoration of the life of a saint (or maybe multiple saints), is in our time a decidedly secular celebration. Ash Wednesday, emphasizing sin and death; and Valentine’s Day, emphasizing love and life. Ash Wednesday, emphasizing fasting and penance; and Valentine’s Day, emphasizing feasting and merriment. To be sure, there is no connection between the two. Occurring on the same day is purely coincidence. Valentine’s Day is a fixed date – February 14^th. Ash Wednesday, on the other hand, is determined based on a formula involving phases of the moon. Easter is determined as being the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the Vernal Equinox. The beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday, is then determined by backing up 46 days – 40 days not counting Sundays (which incidentally are not part of Lent). So the fact that these two days occur today is merely a chance convergence of our solar calendar and the ancient Jewish lunar calendar. Something that last occurred 73 years ago, and will occur again in a mere six years.

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Liberated to Serve

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany (Year B)

Isaiah 40.21-31; Psalm 147.1-12, 21c; 1 Corinthians 9.16-23; Mark 1.29-39

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Our icon for this fifth Sunday after the Epiphany is a nameless woman who is the subject of a mere two verses in Mark’s Gospel. “Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told [Jesus] about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them” (Mk 1.30-31).

Whenever I hear this passage, I can’t help but feel sorry for Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Sure, she is healed of what is presumably some life-threatening illness. But no sooner is she healed than she is up on her feet, cooking meals and serving guests. For Christ’s sake, give the poor woman a break! Let her get a little more rest before having to return to the household chores. And shame on you Jesus, Peter, Andrew, James, John, and whoever else is in the house, for letting her jump out of bed and getting right back to her household duties. For maybe even expecting her to play the dutiful hostess. Men! But maybe that’s what mom’s do. Simon’s mother-in-law reminds me of those very few times during my childhood when my mother was sick. As soon as she was well – sometimes even before she was well – she was back doing the mom thing. Cooking, cleaning, taking care of the family.

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God's Authority Conferred

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (Year B)

Deuteronomy 18.15-20; 1 Corinthians 8.1-13; Mark 1.21-28

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

The primary question we ask in the season after the Epiphany is: how God is revealed to us? How is God revealed to us specifically in the person of Jesus Christ? But thanks to the wisdom of the framers of our lectionary, we also gain insight into how God is revealed in a broader sense. How does God, throughout time, reveal himself? How does God – how will God – reveal himself to us?

Today, all of our readings look at a particular aspect of God’s revelation throughout time and to us. Specifically, how God reveals – and confers – God’s authority.

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Being Called . . . Down Through the Ages

Third Sunday after the Epiphany (Year B)

Jonah 3.1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7.29-31; Mark 1.14-20

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Okay. So let’s get this straight. Jesus is in Galilee, proclaiming the Good News. The gist of his message is “the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news.” As he’s walking along the Sea of Galilee, he comes across two brothers – Simon Peter and Andrew. They’re hard at work, fishing. By all indications, these men have never met. Jesus doesn’t know them from Adam. (And if anyone would know Adam, it would be Jesus.) And out of the blue, he calls out to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people” (Mk 1.17). Not even knowing who this is, these brothers immediately drop what they are doing and follow him. And then it happens a second time. Jesus comes across another set of brothers – James and John. Again, no indication that they knew each other or had ever met. Jesus does the same thing. He calls out to them to follow him. And again, these brothers leave their nets, their boat, and their father, to follow Jesus.

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Call and Response

Second Sunday after the Epiphany (Year B)

1 Samuel 3.1-20; Psalm 139.1-5, 12-17; 1 Corinthians 6.12-20; John 1.43-51

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

The season of Epiphany is particularly focused on exploring the ways that Jesus is revealed as the Son of God. Last week we saw this revealed in a very direct way. Where at his baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, and the voice of God proclaimed, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Mk 1.11). You can’t get a much more obvious revelation than that. Today we move to a far less dramatic revelation. And to a far more personal one. Today’s Gospel, and even our Old Testament reading and Psalm, point to the fact that God – and Jesus as the Son of God – is indeed revealed to us. But even more so, that God through Christ seeks us out and calls us into relationship.

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Resolution for New Life

First Sunday after the Epiphany – Baptism of Our Lord (Year B)

Genesis 1.1-5; Acts 19.1-7; Mark 1.4-11

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Show of hands. How many of you made some sort of New Year’s resolution this year?

So, what kind of resolutions did you make? I seriously doubt any of you resolved in this new year to work even more hours per week. Or that any of you resolved to eat less vegetables and more desserts. Or that any of you resolved to create more stress in your life.

No, our resolutions typically are designed to help in our quest to live a better life.

• To eat better or to exercise more, as a way to better and healthier physical life.
• To save more money or to pay off debts, as a way to better financial life, and more peace of mind.
• To spend more time with family or friends, as a way to better relational life.
• To have a more positive attitude, to be more compassionate, as a way to better emotional life.
• To pray more, read the Bible more, go to church more, as a way to better spiritual life.

As we think about those ways that we can improve our lives, those ways that will help us live better lives, those ways that will lead to a new sense of life, it seems quite appropriate that today – the first Sunday in the new year – we are presented with scripture readings that all deal with new life.

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