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 →
Readings: Isaiah 35: 4-7a; James 2: 1-5; Mark 7:31-37 Preacher: Sr. Barbara Moore One can easily see how the early church made a connection between our first reading from Isaiah and Jesus’ actions in Mark’s Gospel. Isaiah writes that God will, “open the eyes of the blind…the ears of the deaf will be cleared… (and) the tongue of the mute… read more →
Readings: Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-8; James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27; Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Click here to download a PDF of this homily. Preacher: Sr. Barbara Staropoli The words of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) describe for me what it feels like to live in our world at the present time: I am praying again, Awesome One. … read more →
Readings: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Ephesians 5: 21-32; John 6: 60-69Click here to download a PDF of this homily.Preacher: Deni Mack Remember when your children were little? Many of us could have said with Joshua, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Now, some of our grown children no longer attend church but we know our… read more →