Readings: Genesis 9: 8-15; 1 Peter 3: 18-22; Mark 1: 12-15 Preacher: Patrick Fox As I began to think about our readings for this First Sunday of Lent in the midst of our present moment in time I found myself re-reading a poem from John O’Donohue. For Presence Awaken to the mystery of being here And enter the quiet immensity of… read more →
Readings: Leviticus 13: 1-2, 44-46; 1 Corinthians 10: 31-11:1; Mark 1: 40-45 Preacher: Deni Mack “I turn to you God in times of trouble.” That’s the beginning of the Psalm we just sang. We turn to God when we’re in need and when anyone is in trouble. At a seminary conference in 1977, Yolanda, a 79-year-old Mexican woman, told me she… read more →
Readings: Job 7: 1-4, 6-7; 1 Corinthians 9: 16-19, 22-23; Mark 1: 29-39 Preacher: Sr. Karen Dietz I know a woman in her mid-fifties who has been surrounded by demons and was just recently able to drive them away. Years ago, she was married and together they have two children. During their marriage, they struggled to make ends meet. There were… read more →
Readings: Deuteronomy 18: 15-20; 1 Corinthians 7: 32-35; Mark 1: 21-28 Preacher: Sr. Joan Sobala In the readings of the previous two Sundays, we heard stories of God calling people to follow, to listen, to act in certain ways. Samuel brought his innocence to God. “Speak, Lord, for your servant listens.” John the Baptist pointed out Jesus to his young disciples… read more →
Readings: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31; Mark 1: 14-20 Preacher: Ruth Marchetti Today’s readings present us with perfect examples of the prophetic voice and a quick, affirmative response to God’s call. God calls Jonah and he immediately gets to work saving the people of Nineveh, who immediately shed their sinful ways. Similarly, Jesus proclaims the gospel and calls for… read more →
Readings: 1 Samuel 3: 3b-10, 19; 1 Corinthians 6: 13c-15a, 17-20; John: 1: 35-42 Preacher: Irene Goodwin Christmas is over, the trees have been taken down, lights turned off, and the kids are back to school. Back to the ordinary. In church we are also entering Ordinary Time. As we go through Ordinary Time, we find that it really is not… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 60: 1-6; Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2: 1-12 Preacher: Sonja Livingston Last year, my husband convinced me to go to Mendon Ponds to see the Geminids, the strongest meteor shower of the year. To see the stars, we’d need to drive out late at night, in the cold and dark of mid-December. I’m fairly certain I grumbled while… read more →
Readings: Sirach 3: 2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3: 12-21; Luke 2: 22-40 Preacher: Sr. Barbara Moore In Jesus’ day, the concept of family was in many ways more expansive than it is today. Often families lived close to or with each other; loyalty and roots were deep. Betrothals (engagements) and wedding feasts were carefully planned and joined families together. John’s Gospel shares… read more →
Readings: 2 Samuel 7: 1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Romans 16: 25-27; Luke 1: 26-38 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino To what do we say Yes? Now, that’s a challenging question, isn’t it? It certainly must have been, for Mary, as well. Here she was, a young teenager. From a tiny, backwater town, of little account. She lived in a home that looked like… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 61:1-2a,10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,19-28 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler What incredible joy Isaiah’s announcements must have brought to the ancient Israelites! After decades in captivity in Babylon. First, as we heard last week, God says “Comfort, oh comfort my people! Tell them their bondage is at an end!” And now, he brings news that one is coming to… read more →