Speaking the Word into Being

First Sunday after Christmas (Year C)

John 1.1-18

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 17:00)

 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being” (Jn 1.1-3a).

 

These words are the beginning of what is known as the Prologue to the Gospel According to John, and is one of the traditional readings during the Christmas season. In fact, it is so important that it is designated for reading twice during the Christmas season—on Christmas Day and on the first Sunday after Christmas. While beautifully poetic, at first glance we may wonder how this could possibly be a Christmas story. It hardly compares with the dramatic, even romantic, imagery of the birth story recorded in Luke that we heard on Christmas Eve. There is no decree for an imperial census, resulting in Mary and Joseph leaving their home in Nazareth to make the long journey to Bethlehem. There is no mention of Bethlehem being so crowded that there was no room available in any inn, so that Mary and Joseph had to seek refuge for the night in a stable. There is certainly no description of the birth of the baby Jesus, wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. There are no shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their sheep. There is no angelic visitor telling the shepherds “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). There is no accompanying multitude of the heavenly host “praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’” (Lk 2.13-14). So where is Christmas in John’s message of “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”?

Read more!

Being Vulnerable

Christmas Eve

Isaiah 9.2-7; Luke 2.1-20

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook page (due to technical difficulties, video begins part way through sermon)

 

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined” (Is 9.2). These words which begin our first reading for today were originally part of an oracle to the people of the Southern Kingdom of Judah who were vulnerable to threats by the Assyrian Empire, which had already taken control of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the eight century BC. Actions which took a dramatic toll on the social, economic, and political fabric of the day. And while referencing conditions and providing an oracle in response to conditions 2,700 years ago, these words seem remarkably applicable today.

Read more!

My Soul Magnifies the Lord

Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C)

Luke 1.39-55

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook page (beginning at 20:50)

 

Our Gospel readings for the last two weeks have centered on John the Baptist as the one who points the way to, who prepares the way for, the coming of the Lord. We have heard about John the Baptist out in the wilderness proclaiming a baptism of repentance. We have heard some classic John the Baptist quotes: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Lk 3.7-8a). And, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming: I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Lk 3.16). Through his words and actions, John points the way to a 30-year-old man who one day shows up at the River Jordan seeking to be baptized. The baptism that will mark the official beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. The baptism in which God will declare, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Lk 3.22b).

Read more!

You Are a Prophet of the Most High

Second Sunday of Advent (Year C)

Malachi 3.1-4; Luke 1.68-79; Luke 3.1-6

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 18:30)

 

This time of year, we talk about John the Baptist as pointing the way to Jesus. But what we don’t often consider is that there are accounts in scripture that also point the way to the coming of John the Baptist. Our Old Testament reading from the prophet Malachi talks about God sending a messenger to the Temple who will purify the priests, restoring the priesthood to its rightful role and dignity. All part of the process of setting things back in order upon Israel’s return from Exile. Part of God’s ongoing process of setting things right for the eventual coming of God’s Kingdom. In the Christian tradition, this passage is interpreted from a messianic perspective, with God sending a messenger to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. Of course, we now recognize, at least from this Christian interpretation of an ancient Jewish text, that messenger as being John the Baptist.

Read more!

Advent as a Way of Life

First Sunday of Advent (Year C)

1 Thessalonians 3.9-13; Luke 21.25-36

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 17:40)

 

Today we begin a new liturgical year with the start of our four-week journey through Advent. Our preparation for the coming of Christ. Since Advent ends with the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child at Christmas, we naturally tend to view Advent as the season of preparation for Christmas. Which it is. But Advent is about so much more than just preparing for Christmas. As we discuss every year, Advent is about preparing for the coming of Christ in multiple contexts. As we’ve already established, the coming of Christ at his birth in Bethlehem on Christmas. The other context is the coming of Christ at the end of the ages. What we refer to as the Second Coming. When it comes to our scripture readings for this season, it is actually not Christmas, but the anticipated Second Coming of Christ, which gets the most airtime during Advent. Out of the Gospel readings for each of the Sundays of Advent, only one actually deals with the anticipated birth of Jesus. Coming on the fourth Sunday of Advent, this year with the story of Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth, and the unborn John the Baptist leaping for joy in Elizabeth’s womb at the presence of the coming Lord.

Read more!

Being Subjects of Christ the King

Christ the King (Year B)

Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14; Revelation 1.4b-8; John 18.33-37

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 17:45)

 

The last Sunday of the liturgical year—that would be today—is designated as the Feast of Christ the King. We are accustomed to hearing Jesus Christ referred to in royal language. We hear him referred to as “Lord” on numerous occasions in Scripture. Shortly after his birth, the Magi referred to Jesus as “King of the Jews.” This same title is used mockingly at his trial before Pontius Pilate, as we heard in today’s Gospel. And then again at his crucifixion. We often refer to him as the Prince of Peace, particularly around Christmas time—a reference made by the prophet Isaiah to a future messianic king. And we sometimes refer to Jesus as the “King of Kings.” But what does such royal language mean, particularly in our own lives? Particularly in our own context that is decidedly non-, even anti-, monarchical.

Read more!

Birth Pangs

Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 28 (Year B)

Mark 13.1-8

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 21:25)

 

Some people think that the Bible is irrelevant. That it has nothing to say about where we are today. But truth be told, much of today’s Gospel reading could be ripped straight out the pages of the Long Beach Press-Telegram, the LA Times, or the headlines on the nightly news:

 

Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 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 birth pangs.” (Mk 13.5-8)

Read more!

Unbound

All Saints Sunday (Year B)

John 11.32-44

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 26:15)

 

Today’s Gospel reading, as we just heard, is about the raising of Lazarus. This is one of the significant stories in the Gospel according to John, containing some important teachings. Before we take a deep dive into this story, it would help to understand something about how John’s Gospel approaches Jesus’ teachings. When we think of Jesus teaching, we naturally think of parables. That was the primary means that Jesus used for instruction. But the parables are virtually all contained in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Not John. John uses a different approach to convey Jesus’ key teachings. As one commentator notes, “In John it’s as though Jesus shapes events around him into living, breathing parables, ‘signs’ through which larger realities can be glimpsed.”[1] Rather than call them miracles, John refers to these events as “signs.” John’s Gospel is organized around seven such “signs.” Events and encounters that reveal Jesus’ identity and mission in profound and striking ways. Think of these as road signs, pointing to bigger and deeper realities about who Jesus is. The first sign is the well-known story of Jesus changing water into wine at the wedding at Cana, serving as the introduction to his public ministry. And we go through until we hit number seven: the raising of Lazarus. The final sign before Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Read more!

Hear, O People of God

Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 26 (Year B)

Mark 12.28-34

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 11:35)

 

“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” These words, known is the Shema Yisrael, or simply the Shema, is one of the two most important prayers in all of Judaism. Jews are to say the Shema twice day, at morning and evening prayers. In fact, it is viewed as the most important part of the Jewish prayer service. So profound is this simple statement to the lives of Jews, that it is traditional for Jews to say the Shema as their last words before they die. More than a prayer, it is a credal statement of their belief in the nature of the one true God. Not unlike our use of the Nicene Creed at Eucharist or the Apostles’ Creed during our services of Morning and Evening Prayer. Only a little more succinct.

Read more!

What Do You Want Me to Do for You?

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost – 

Proper 25 (Year B)

Mark 10.46-52

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 21:55)

 

On the surface, today’s Gospel reading seems to be a bit ho-hum. Nothing particularly exciting. Just Jesus healing a blind beggar. And while that was certainly a spectacular event for those who witnessed it and certainly for the one healed, to those of us who know Jesus, this is nothing unusual. As recorded in the Gospels, he’s healed numerous people throughout his ministry. In fact, this is a pretty straightforward account of a routine healing. Maybe the only thing that is out of the ordinary about this story is the fact that such stories do not generally tell the name of the person healed. But here, we are told his name. Bartimaeus. Which might indicate that there is something different, something special, about this particular story. So, what does this account of a routine healing have to say to us?

Read more!

Receive the Kingdom of God as a Little Child

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 22 (Year B)

Mark 10.2-16

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 21:15)

 

Sometimes, the Gospel isn’t really about what it initially seems to be about. Sometimes, you have to dig for the real gem buried in the story. As we just heard, the majority of our Gospel reading for today talks about divorce. But is that the real take-away from today’s Gospel? As we are told, “Some Pharisees came, and to test Jesus they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (Mk 10.2). What ensues is Jesus’ response. Now to be sure, while Jesus gave a well-reasoned response based on Jewish Scripture, there was no chance Jesus could have answered the question in a way that would have satisfied all those present. Remember, the Pharisees asked the question about divorce to test Jesus. It was likely that the issue was so divisive that no matter what he said, someone would have taken exception with his response.

Read more!

Have Salt in Yourselves

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 21 (Year B)

Mark 9.38-50

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 21:35)

 

The disciples really don’t get it. They can’t seem to help obsessing about how great they are, how special they are being Jesus’ disciples. As you recall from last week, the disciples were arguing among themselves about who was the greatest. Seeking to disabuse them of their petty, self-centered perspective, Jesus tells them that “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all” (Mk 9.35). To illustrate the point, “he took a child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me” (Mk 9.36-37).

Read more!

Opportunity for Greatness

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 20 (Year B)

Mark 9.30-37

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 20:45)

 

In last week’s Gospel reading, Jesus predicted his suffering, death, and resurrection. The disciples did not get what Jesus was talking about and so misinterpreted what he is saying. Which led to Jesus providing a teaching about discipleship—what it means to truly follow him. Well, we have this same pattern today. And we will have the same pattern again in a few more weeks (October 17).

 

Essentially, what this pattern reveals is that the disciples are so wrapped up in their own stuff that they aren’t fully paying attention to what Jesus is telling them. I mean, both last week and today, Jesus plainly tells them “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again” (Mk 9.31). Last week, they didn’t seem to get it for good reason. That was the first time Jesus had dropped this bombshell on them. So, they are naturally distraught at the news and taken aback by what Jesus had revealed about his future. As evidenced by the fact that Peter pulled Jesus aside and rebuked him. But today? Come on, guys. You’ve had a chance to absorb what Jesus told you. But they are distracted. Not distracted by the shocking news. They are distracted by their own petty arguments. Because they are arguing with one another about who is the greatest.

Read more!

Who Do You Say That You Are?

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 19 (Year B)

Mark 8.27-38

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 22:20)

 

There is no denying that there are those events in our lives which define who we are. Sometimes in big ways and sometimes in small ways. Our experiences shape who we are, one moment at a time. Many of those moments, many of those experiences, are pretty mundane, having little impact on defining who we are. Whether we had cereal or bacon and eggs for breakfast probably will not make a difference on who we are, on how we define yourselves. But some things have a profound impact on who we are, on how we define ourselves. The choice of job or profession. The choice of who to marry. The choice of whether to even marry or not. Having children or not. All those major decisions that we have control over add up to define who we are.

Read more!

The Spirit of Ephphatha

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 18 (Year B)

Mark 7.24-37

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 20:20)

 

In our Gospel reading for today, we find ourselves at a crossroad. Or rather, we find Jesus at a crossroads. At a decision point that will change the trajectory of his mission and ministry. And one that challenges us as we consider our own mission and ministry. This crossroads is not just a theological or a metaphorical one, but is also a physical one. Physical in the sense that Jesus has left his home territory, Jewish territory, and has entered the province of Phoenicia—the Gentile territory to the north of Galilee. Venturing into a different cultural and religious milieu than his own.

 

Today’s reading contains two stories that illustrate this crossroads. One in practice and the other in metaphor. Before I tackle the more challenging first story, which deals with matters of practice, I will touch on the second story, which provides a metaphorical image for what this crossroads is all about. One that can be summed up in one word: “Ephphatha.” Or two words in English: “be opened.”

Read more!

You Are What You Eat

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 15 (Year B)

John 6.51-58

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 20:55)

 

They say, “you are what you eat.” This phrase, or at least the concept, has been around in secular culture for quite a while. It has its origins in a French gastronomic essay published in 1826. While the actual phrase wasn’t used, the theme of the essay was that the food one eats has a bearing on one’s physical health and state of mind. The actual phrase did not enter English usage until the 1930s. There was then a resurgence with the hippy era of the 1960s, and it has been in popular usage ever since.[1]

 

Now this primarily relates to what we eat as influencing our physical and mental wellbeing. But what about our spiritual wellbeing? In a way, the original espouser of the concept of “you are what you eat” was not the author of a gastronomic essay in 19^th century France, but Jesus Christ in first century Judea. This concept is really the essence of today’s Gospel reading. Particularly Jesus’ statement, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them” (Jn 6.56). While quite familiar to us today, even comforting, Jesus’ words would have been strange to the original hearers. In fact, they would have been downright disgusted by what they heard.

Read more!

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 14 (Year B)

Psalm 34.1-8; John 6.35, 41-51

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 20:20)

 

Our Psalm for today ends with the verse: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are they who trust in him” (Ps 34.8). I have always found this to be an interesting image, albeit a little cryptic. I mean, we can see that the Lord is good based on God’s actions throughout salvation history, some parts of the Old Testament notwithstanding. The overarching message of the Bible is that God is loving, compassionate, and merciful. That God provides for the needs of his people. This view of God being good is far easier to see in the New Testament, with God coming to live among us in the form of his Son Jesus. With the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of eternal life made possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection. As the Psalmist points out, we can plainly see that God is indeed good through God’s actions as recorded in Scripture. But what about the “taste” part? How can one taste that the Lord is good? I wonder that every time I read this portion of Psalm 34. Yet, I’ve never taken the time to ponder that. Until now.

Read more!

Give Us This Bread Always

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 13 (Year B)

John 6.24-35

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 19:00)

 

Today’s Gospel reading is reminiscent of the old “Who’s on First” comedy routine popularized by Abbott and Costello in the 1930s. The premise of the sketch is that the two comedians are discussing a baseball team and trying to determine which team members are playing which positions. Because the players have names such as “Who,” “What,” and “I Don’t Know,” answers to questioning about players and their positions come off as non-responsive. The humor is due to each member of the conversation using the same terms, but having differing understandings of the meaning of the terms used, naturally leading to talking in circles as they try to communicate. A humorous demonstration of how different frames of reference can lead to miscommunications and misunderstanding.

 

The same thing is happening in today’s reading from the Bread of Life discourse in the Gospel according to John. But instead of “Who,” “What,” and “I Don’t Know,” the differing frames of reference revolve around “bread,” “eternal life,” and “the work of God.” Both parties—Jesus and the crowd—are talking about being fed. Only they have different ideas about what that means. Rather than being a source of humor, this is a source of frustration for all involved as they seek to define their terms and establish a common ground for communications. (But then again, this is an ongoing challenge in John’s Gospel.) In so doing, the interaction really does serve to highlight the miscommunications and misunderstanding in a way that actually serves to underscore Jesus’ message.

Read more!

Eucharist

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 12 (Year B)

2 Kings 4.42-44; John 6.1-21

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 18:10)

 

We just heard the well-known story of the feeding of the 5,000 as reported in the Gospel according to John. This is the only miracle contained in all four Gospels. Which tells us that this event is particularly important in the life and ministry of Jesus. While all four Gospels report what happened, each contains slightly different details. So, let’s look at what makes this particularly important from John’s perspective. And, depending on who you talk to, John’s version of the feeding of the 5,000 carries greater significance than do the accounts in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).

Read more!

Come Away to a Deserted Place

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 11 (Year B)

Mark 6.30-34, 53-56

The Rev. Michael K. Fincher

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 23:40)

 

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Clergy are notoriously bad at self-care. We spend a lot of time talking about self-care at clergy gatherings. About the importance of taking care of ourselves; because if we don’t care for ourselves, we will not have what is needed to care for our parishioners. Discussions about self-care include the full spectrum of health and wholeness: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. A lot of these discussions invariably come around to the need for boundaries; the need for maintaining a balance between our work lives and our personal lives (yes, clergy do have personal lives outside of the parish). And despite all the talk, very little changes.

Read more!

Plumb Lines

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 10 (Year B)

Amos 7.7-15

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 23:20)

 

My heart is heavy, my mind is muddled, and my spirit is weeping. A general sense of dis-ease that is, at times, visceral. I imagine some of you—many of you—can relate. I’ve been feeling this way for the last year or more, although it just seems to have become more acute as time goes on. Certainly, the pandemic is a cause for part of this. But if anything, the pandemic—or rather the changes and restrictions the pandemic brought about—provided space for what is going on around us to be made felt in a way that might not have happened in normal times.

Read more!

Ministry Pointers

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 9 (Year B)

Mark 6.1-13

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 23:00)

 

Our Gospel reading for today is comprised of two stories. While each have their own theme, they share a common focus on the nature of ministry. Providing some pointers for us as we engage in our own ministries.

 

In the first part of the Gospel reading, we hear that Jesus is in his hometown of Nazareth, where he is teaching in the synagogue. Those who heard him teach and preach were absolutely astounded. “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him?” (Mk 6.2). Sounds like they were pretty amazed at what they were hearing. Jesus was making quite the impression. Until you get to the rest of the commentary. “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” (Mk 6.3a). We are then told “And they took offense at him” (Mk 6.3b). They were impressed with what they were hearing until they stopped to realize, “Hey wait! This is ‘little Jesus.’ He’s one of us. We know his family. We knew him when he was knee-high to a grasshopper.” And that’s when things started to go south.

Read more!

Life-Changing Encounters

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 8 (Year B)

Mark 5.21-43

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 24:25)

 

When I saw what the Gospel for today was, my first thought was, “Great! We are having our first baptism in over a year and a half, and this is the Gospel I have to work with: the story of a hemorrhaging woman sandwiched between the story of a young girl who dies. What am I going to do with that?” And then it hit me.

 

On the last full day I was in Israel in 2019, our group visited, among other places, the ancient village of Magdala. Home of Mary Magdalene. The original village, now ruins, has been extensively excavated, revealing some exquisite finds. Near the fantastic ruins that have been unearthed, there is also a starkly modern building, Duc in Altum. In addition to an altar shaped like a boat in front of a wall of glass looking out over the Sea of Galilee, Duc in Altum has what’s called the Women’s Atrium, containing seven pillars dedicated to women in the Bible who followed Jesus, and an eighth pillar dedicated to women of all faiths across time. But for me, the most outstanding feature of Duc in Altum is a chapel on the lower level called the Encounter Chapel.

Read more!

We’re All in the Same Boat . . . with Jesus

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 7 (Year B)

Mark 4.35-41

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 18:45)

 

The event in today’s Gospel reading is often described as a nature miracle, in which Jesus demonstrates an ability to control such natural elements as the weather. Clearly an indication that he is not just any mere mortal, but highlighting his divinity as the Son of God. And to reveal these attributes to the disciples, as evidenced by their awe and exclamation, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mk 4.41).

 

The context of the story is that Jesus has had a very long and busy day teaching the crowds along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. At the end of the day, he and the disciples decide to set out in a boat for the other side of the lake. Jesus is wiped out, so immediately falls asleep in the back of the boat. Then a violent storm whips up threatening to capsize the boat and endangering the lives of all on board. And Jesus manages to sleep through it. Until the disciples, naturally panicked, awaken Jesus, who, seemingly a little irritated, rebukes the wind and the sea, resulting in the storm abating.

Read more!

We are the Mustard Seed Plant

Third Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 6 (Year B)

Mark 4.26-34

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 18:30)

 

Our Gospel reading for today ends with Mark commenting that “with many such parables [Jesus] spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables” (Mk 4.33-34). Why parables? Why not just come out with the message, plain and simple? This is a bit of a mystery. Particularly when you consider what Jesus himself has to say to the Twelve about parables: “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven” (Mk 4.11-12). There is so much debate among scholars as to what Jesus meant by this statement. Why would Jesus try to intentionally keep the secrets of the kingdom of God from people? His whole mission was about revealing God to humanity, not keeping God hidden. It just doesn’t make sense. And to be honest, I have never come across a particularly satisfying explanation. Not that I’ve really looked all that hard, truth be told.

Read more!

Invitation to Deeper Relationship

 Second Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 5 (Year B)

Genesis 3.8-15; Mark 3.20-35

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 17:05)

 

It’s early in Jesus’ public ministry and he’s already going 90 miles a minute. It is obvious from scriptural accounts that he was keeping a fast-paced schedule just to keep up with the demands on his time. He’s barely started and has already outwitted Satan in the wilderness, cast out a couple of demons, healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, gone on a preaching and teaching tour throughout Galilee, cleansed a leper, healed a paralytic and a man with a withered hand, and healed countless others with all sorts of diseases and infirmities. And he even found time for administrative details like appointing the Twelve as his inner circle and righthand men. And all this activity has not gone unnoticed. In the short time he has been at it, Jesus has attracted quite a bit of attention. Wherever Jesus went, people flocked to see him. Some coming from great distances. The crowds were such that “he could no longer go into a town openly” (Mk 1.45). Not only had he attracted the attention of the people of Galilee, but also from the temple authorities in Jerusalem, who come to Galilee to check out for themselves what this Jesus is all about.

Read more!

Living into the Mystery of the Trinity

Trinity Sunday (Year B)

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

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 22:25)

 

Prepare to be baffled! Because, yes, it is Trinity Sunday. That one day a year when we have the opportunity to take a deep dive—or at least attempt to—into one of Christianity’s most important, yet most baffling, doctrines: the Trinity. So, what is the Trinity? First, I will give the obligatory overview, and then attempt to find some way to explore it in hopefully a more understandable way.

 

According to the doctrine of the Trinity, we believe in one God who is comprised of what theologians rather unfortunately refer to as three “persons.” “Persons” is really a misleading label, as we are not dealing with corporeal humans, Jesus notwithstanding. In actuality, the Greek term that we have translated as “person” is more aptly translated as “being” or “substantive reality.” Or, as applied to the Trinity, “individual reality.” Of course, we know that these three “persons” are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three “persons” are distinct, but at the same time are of one substance or essence or nature. Despite being distinct, each “person” is wholly God. One God in three distinct “persons.” Three “persons,” all the same essence and nature, all the same God.

Read more!

Our Potential in the Holy Spirit

Day of Pentecost (Year B)

Acts 2.1-21; Romans 8.22-27

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 24:30)

 

The event we celebrate today—the coming of the Holy Spirit—hardly needs any explanation. It’s all laid out there in the second chapter of Acts. Well, maybe a little backstory is needed as to why the disciples were all gathered in one spot. They were gathered to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Weeks, or Shavuot—the ancient harvest festival that happens fifty days after the Passover. Hence the other name for this day—the name that we know—Pentecost, which means fiftieth day. A celebration that had, over time also taken on additional meaning: the commemoration of God giving the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. So, while we are not specifically told as such, the day would have already been filled with celebration, even if nothing else, nothing extraordinary, happened. There is that humorous little quip that “they are filled with new wine” (Acts 2.13). Being a harvest festival, which apparently could get pretty lively, it is entirely possible.

Read more!

Re-Boot

Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year B)

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

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 23:55)

 

Once again, the lectionary for today provides a wonderful backdrop for what is going on in the life of the contemporary church. Specifically, what is going on here at St. Gregory’s. Today our parish makes the shift from solely doing online worship as we have been for the last 14 months, to reopening to in-person worship. To be more accurate, we are shifting to hybrid worship—combining elements of in-person worship with online worship to provide a broader, more accessible worship experience for all. In short, we are in transition.

 

At its core, this is what we see going on in our readings for today—in our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles and in the selection from the Gospel according to John. Both readings deal with a shift, or an impending shift, in the way the early church would function. And even though the nature of the transition was very different from what we are dealing with, both these readings have something to offer us, to help as we move forward.

Read more!

Abide in My Love

Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

John 15.9-17

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 9:10)

 

Earlier this week, I had a conversation with a parishioner about the confusing nature of some of our Gospel readings this time of year. Specifically, the fact that we are in Eastertide, but the Gospel readings in the last half of the Easter season—after we exhaust the post-resurrection appearances about three weeks in—are actually from Holy Week. In some ways, this sets up a bit of a disconnect. Seven weeks ago, we did Holy Week, with Jesus’ Passion. Then we celebrated Easter. And now we are back to Holy Week, at least in our readings, with selections from Jesus’ Farewell Discourse—his final words to his disciples before his crucifixion.

Read more!

Living Resurrected Lives as Good Shepherds

Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

1 John 3.16-24; John 10.11-18

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook page (beginning at 17:55)

 

As of today, we are done with Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. Through the remainder of Eastertide we focus instead on delving into just what it means to be a post-resurrection people. To be a people who follow the Risen Christ and seek to live resurrected lives. And, of course, as we do every Eastertide, we begin with one of the most well-known and most beloved images of that life. The image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. This image tells us a lot about who Jesus is, but it also provides a model for how we are to live as those who follow Jesus—to live our own resurrected lives.

Read more!

You Are Witnesses to These Things

Third Sunday of Easter (Year B)

Luke 24.36b-48

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 18:45)

 

The disciples “were startled and terrified, and thought they were seeing a ghost” (Lk 24.37). It’s no wonder. I mean, Jesus had just died. And it had been a long day and the disciples were still trying to process what had happened the last few days. They were still trying to process what happen today. They had only just found his tomb empty that morning. In Luke’s telling, this is the first encounter the disciples have with the Risen Lord—occurring on the evening of the Day of Resurrection. The women at the tomb do not see the Risen Jesus—they are told by a couple of angels that he has risen. Then on the road to Emmaus, Cleopas and his companion have an encounter with a stranger. But they only realize after the fact that the stranger they had been traveling with was none other than the Risen Christ. When Cleopas and his companion rush back to Jerusalem to inform the other disciples what has happened, they are told “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” (Lk 24.34). Even though we have no details of how Jesus appeared to Simon Peter. So, while the Risen Christ appeared to several people, this was the first time that he had appeared to all the disciples at once. And, naturally, they are a little freaked. Even though they knew he had been raised. Even though some of their number had already experienced the Risen Christ. But then again, grief will do that to you. Your whole world is turned upside down, to the point that you can’t think straight. And in this case, how could they think straight? They were devastated by the brutal death of their friend and teacher. And now, he’s appearing to select individuals? That completely defies the understanding of death. No wonder they are freaked.

Read more!

A New Reality

Easter Sunday (Year B)

John 20.1-18

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 22:10)

 

We generally think of Easter as the end of Lent, the end of Holy Week. But the reality is, Easter is not the end of anything. If anything, it is the beginning of something completely new and unknown. We see this starkly represented by the principal characters in today’s resurrection narrative. But I’m not talking about Jesus. I’m talking about Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, and the disciple Jesus loved—that would be John. The principal characters who represent us. The characters who each react in very different ways, representing the range of ways in which we can respond to the mystery that is the Resurrection.

Read more!