Readings: Daniel 12: 1-3; Hebrews 10: 11-14, 18; Mark 13: 24-32Preacher: Cathy Kamp In October, my daughter Laura and I were blessed to travel to Cape Cod to visit with my cousin Beth. Growing up on Long Island, Beth and I spent a lot of time together making treasured memories. As new moms, we spent many weekends with my daughters… read more →
Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9: 24-28; Mark 12: 38-44 Preacher: Nancy DeRycke No one is a justa! We’ve probably heard the story of the kiddo who, because of the prayer, thought God’s name was: “Our father who art in heaven, HAROLD be thy name!?”There are many kinds of names, but the one name God doesn’t like is “justa.” (That… read more →
Readings: Deuteronomy 6: 2-6; Hebrews 7: 23-28; Mark 12: 28B-34Preacher: Sr. Joan Sobala From long hearing, most of us are familiar with Jesus’ saying, “I have come not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it.” Jesus identifies the meaning of his life with the full flowering of the Law. And yet, in the Gospel of Mark, in the short… read more →
Readings: Jeremiah 31: 7-9; Hebrews 5: 1-6; Mark 10: 46-52 Preacher: Brigit Hurley In today’s Gospel we see a model for seeking justice and change in the world. As the Rochester community marks the 2021 Children’s Sabbath this month with prayer and advocacy for children struggling with mental and social-emotional needs, we would do well to follow Bartimaeus’ example: Be persistent. Be loud. … read more →
Readings: Isaiah 53: 10-11; Hebrews 4: 14-16; Mark 10: 35-45Preacher: Lourdes Perez-Albuerne “But it is not so among you; whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave to all.” For two years Jesus has walked Galilee, preaching, curing the sick and forgiving sinners. Yet, those who… read more →
Readings: Wisdom 7: 7-11; Hebrews 4: 12-13; Mark 10: 17-30Preacher: Evelio Perez-Albuerne Today’s readings remind us of the power of the Word of God, the “two-edged sword” that penetrates to the most intimate of our being and, if we allow it, changes us profoundly. The Book of Wisdom highlights the paradoxical consequences of choosing the “spirit of wisdom” over power… read more →
Readings: Genesis 2: 18-24; Hebrews 2: 9-11; Mark 10: 2-16Preacher: Sr. Barbara Moore The section on children in Mark’s Gospel is one that delights the reader. It speaks of the innocence and awareness of children. The marriage section of this Gospel is what we might call a “difficult text.” I am always very careful when preaching about marriage, a life… read more →
Readings: Numbers 11: 25-29; James 5: 1-6; Mark: 9: 38-43, 47-48 Preacher: Carol May God’s Word, Many Voices is the title of this website and also a very apt title for today’s readings. The Spirit of God, as rested on Moses, is shared with his 70 elders, but this message is challenged by Joshua and others as they complain about… read more →
Readings: Wisdom2: 12,17-20; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler In the Gospel, Mark often portrays the disciples as slow. And dense. Today, Jesus is speaking about his upcoming death. For the second time. And they’re arguing about who among them is the greatest! When asked later about it, they are too embarrassed to say. Yet, if we’re honest,… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 50:5-9A; James 2: 14-18; Mark 8: 27-35 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino We live in a broken world. A bruised world, where some deliberately prey on the weaknesses of others. (Consider all those daily “robo” calls.) At the same time, it’s a beautiful world, where goodness and heroism can emerge, and even triumph. Thus it has always been. So, then,… read more →