Readings: Acts 1: 12-14; 1 Peter 4: 13-16; John 17: 1-11a Preacher: Patrick Fox While I realize that in some parts of our country today is the celebration of the Ascension, here in our area it is the Seventh Sunday of Easter. We hear an account in our first reading of Jesus having been taken into heaven and the disciples devoting… read more →
Readings: Acts 8: 5-8, 14-17; 1 Peter 3: 15-18; John 14: 15-21 Preacher: Susan Howard “If you love me you will keep my commandments…” What does this love look like? The great commandment to love one another and your neighbor (stranger or in this case a neighboring country) as yourself is a difficult and arduous undertaking if you try it on… read more →
Readings: Acts 6: 1-7; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14: 1-12 Preacher: Nancy DeRycke Many Scripture scholars now believe that Jesus was an Apocalyptic preacher, assuming that the end was coming soon. God would come and S/he would gather all people together to call the just. Perhaps if that Jesus were physically around now, he would presume, with all the violence and… read more →
Readings: Acts 2: 14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 2:20b-25; John 10:1-10 Preacher: Ruth Marchetti As we see played out in the first reading today, regret is a painful emotion. When Jesus lived, his very presence drew crowds. The power of his words and his astonishing healings created a throng of followers who were willing to go hungry just to hear him speak.… read more →
Readings: Acts 2: 14,22-33; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Over Easter weekend, a friend lost everything in a house fire. I mean everything! Precious childhood mementos. Passport. Every bit of clothing. Furniture. “It’s only things,” he was quick to say. “No one was hurt.” Perspective is important, isn’t it? Cleopas and companion (possibly his wife —cf John… read more →
Readings: Acts 2: 42-47; 1 Peter 1: 3-9; John 20: 19-31 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino As I write this, the sun is out. A miracle in itself in Rochester! And yet, we constantly hear about death of every kind. War in Ukraine. Hunger. Sickness. Struggles over paying bills. You know the stories. Isn’t there a temptation, every now and again, to ask:… read more →
Readings 1:Acts 10:34a, 37-43; 1 Corinthians 5: 6b-8; John 20: 1-9 Preacher: Marlene Bessette As with many young adults, when I went to college, I drifted from the practice of my faith, eager to start fresh and honestly, to leave my prior life, including faith traditions, behind. I had a rough upbringing, and this was my chance to break away. I… read more →
Readings: Matthew 21: 1-11; 89;Isaiah 50: 4-7; Philippians 2: 6-11; Matthew 26: 14-27: 66 Preacher: Brigit Hurley Today’s first reading presents the happy image of Jesus being welcomed into Jerusalem by crowds calling out exclamations of praise and honor. Yet within days the same crowds call for his execution. What happened? Why did he fall out of favor so quickly? Perhaps… read more →
Readings: Ezekiel 37:12-14; Romans 8: 8-11; John 11: 1-45 Preacher: Susan K. Roll It may have happened to you, or to someone you know. You miss your last chance to be present to someone you love before they die. When it happened to relatives of mine, they had just left their husband and father in the hospital after an unremarkable visit,… read more →
Readings: 1 Samuel 16: 1B, 6-7,10-13A; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9: 1-41 Preacher: Sr. Karen Dietz The Gospel given to us today is very familiar—the healing of the man born blind. I approached this reading in the Ignatian manner of using my imagination and placing myself in the story. Perhaps you can appreciate my surprise when I found myself taking the role… read more →