Readings: Acts 5: 12-26; Revelation 1: 9-11a, 12-13, 17-19; John 20: 19-31 Preacher: Sr. Joan Sobala It was almost a mantra. All the years I worked with newbies as they prepared to become Catholic at the Easter Vigil, I reminded them endlessly that they were entering a complex church. Today, the Second Sunday of Easter, I invite us to linger over… read more →
Readings: Acts 10: 34a, 37-43; Colossians 3: 1-4; John 20: 1-9 Preacher: Irene Goodwin This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Yes, Easter has arrived. Do we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus with hope and joy? The Gospel we hear this Easter morning is a curious choice. There is no mention of… read more →
Readings: Luke 19-28-40; Isaiah 50: 4-7; Philippians 2: 6-11; Luke 22: 14-23:56 Preacher: Sr. Karen Dietz Today we enter into Jesus’ final days. The scripture stories are familiar and the moods of the week palpable. I invite you to pray with your imagination. At the start of Passion Sunday we hear the first Gospel reading, the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3: 8-14; John 8: 1-11 Preacher: Brigit Hurley Yesterday I held my 5-day-old grandson Levi for the first time. As I marveled at the miracle of his dark eyes and tiny fingers, I couldn’t help but think of Frederick Buechner’s words: “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” Little Levi was born into… read more →
Readings: Joshua 5: 9a, 10-12; 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21, Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32Preacher: Cathy Glisson I remember being on a Lenten retreat when the director asked us to choose one of the figures we most relate to from the Gospel of the Prodigal Son/Forgiving Father. Several of us chose the older son, perhaps it being human nature that we tend… read more →
Readings: Exodus 3: 1-8a, 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10: 1-6, 10-12; Luke 13: 1-9 Preacher: Deni Mack Picture that Samaritan woman at the well. Imagine you’re at that well.You and your family have lugged water from this well for years. Jesus approaches and asks you for a drink. I watched that scene last Friday night. Our watering hole was a local hospital… read more →
Readings: Genesis 15:5-12 17-18; Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 9:28b-36 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Happy Lent! What? Whoa! Whoever puts “happy” in the same breath with Lent? Growing up, the emphasis seemed so negative. Yes, we are sinners, and repentance is an essential part of our Lenten journey. But… What if we thought of Lent as a time of courtship? A chance to know more… read more →
Readings: Deuteronomy 26: 4-10; Romans 10: 8-13; Luke 4: 1-13 Preacher: Margot Van Etten I recently saw a clip on You Tube from the musical Les Miserables. (Back story — Jean Valjean is an escaped prisoner—condemned for stealing a loaf of bread. From a saintly bishop, he receives wealth, a new identity, and home. He starts a business and becomes mayor.… read more →
Readings: Sirach 27: 4-7; 1 Corinthians 15: 54-58; Luke 6: 39-45 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino Are you ready? Am I? Lent is almost here! We begin this coming week, on Ash Wednesday: our season of self-examination… of preparation for Eastertime joy. So, are you ready? This weekend’s readings point the way, ready or not. In fact, today’s Gospel, which I recall from… read more →
Readings: 1 Samuel 26: 2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 15: 45-49; Luke 6: 27-38 Preacher: Marilyn Catherine “Love your enemy!” I have enough trouble loving the one who is good to me. Little irritations push my buttons and send me off. Insignificant disparities offend my sensibilities. Too often I sit and stew, licking my scratches, silently scripting a drama where I… read more →