Commitment and Resolve

Third Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 8 (Year C)

1 Kings 19.15-16, 19, 21; Galatians 5.1, 13-25; Luke 9.51-62

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

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

 

Our Gospel reading for today opens by telling us that Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem.” This is a transition point for Jesus. Thus far, he has been traveling throughout Galilee preaching, teaching, and healing. That he “set his face to go to Jerusalem” is a term that is often used to describe a shift in focus to his ultimate destiny—to his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—which will occur in Jerusalem. This change in focus does not mean that he ceases to preach, teach, and heal. That will continue until his dying day, and beyond. But this is the point where the trajectory of Jesus’ ministry begins to take turns that will be necessary to accomplish his mission. Setting his face to go to Jerusalem entails multiple turns. A geographic turn, as he begins to slowly work his way south toward Jerusalem. A theological turn, as he slowly, sometimes subtly, seeks to expand the circle of those whom he ministers to, of those who are included in God’s kingdom—expanding beyond his initial Jewish-centered audience to include Gentiles as well. And a programmatic turn, as he begins to focus more on the education and formation of his disciples, preparing them for the time when they will be called upon to take up his mantle. It is this latter turn that is of particular concern to us, not only today, but throughout the remainder of this season after Pentecost, where we walk alongside Jesus, learning from him as he makes his way to Jerusalem. As he prepares his disciples—and us—for what is to come.

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Casting Out Demons

 Second Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 7 (Year C)

Luke 8.26-39

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 22:35)

 

At first glance, our Gospel reading for today may seem to be a bit archaic. A bit irrelevant to life in the 21^st century. I mean, demons? Really? We don’t generally think of people as being possessed by demons in our own day and age. Other than in “The Exorcist” and similar movies. Indicating that, in our time, demons have been relegated to the realm of pure entertainment. But is that really a fair assessment? If we really look around, aren’t there people in our own time who could be considered demon-possessed? Aren’t there conditions or situations which could be considered demonic? And no, I am not talking about your inconsiderate neighbor who plays loud music at two in the morning or that political figure you love to hate. I’m talking demonic in the true sense of the word. As implied in our Gospel account of the Gerasene demoniac.

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Invited Into the Work of the Trinity

Trinity Sunday (Year C)

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 17:30)

 

Early in my life as a priest, when Trinity Sunday inevitably rolled around, I felt that I had to provide some sort of explanation of the Trinity. What it is and how it operates. Which, inevitably proves to be an exercise in futility, as we just cannot understand the “new math” involved when it comes to the Trinity: Three in One and One in Three. That our one and only God is comprised of three “persons”: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And that, despite being manifest as three “persons,” as three unique entities, they are each comprised of the same substance and nature, making each “person” fully and completely God. All three “persons” being our One God. Three in One and One in Three. It’s enough to make your head hurt. And if your head hurts trying to sort all that out, just imagine how much my head hurts trying to come up with new ways to explain the doctrine of the Trinity every year.

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