Readings: 1 Kings 17: 10-16; Hebrews 9: 24-28; Mark 12: 38-44 Preacher: Margot Van Etten The Temple is busy as people bring their offerings. The thirteen large, horn-shaped metal offering boxes resound as coins are put or poured into them. Wealthy people open their bags, pour the coins in, and as they cascade around the metal spiral the sound resembles a… read more →
Readings: Deuteronomy 6: 2-6; Hebrews 7: 23-28; Mark 12: 28b-34 Preacher: Sister Karen Dietz The readings given to us by the Church this weekend are relatively short, but packed with age old wisdom that crosses all boundaries of religious expression, race, gender, and nationality. What we read from the Book of Deuteronomy is that we are called to love God, to… read more →
Readings: Jeremiah 31: 7-9; Hebrews 5: 1-6; Mark 10: 46-52 Preacher: Cathy Kamp When I moved to Rochester from Long Island close to 30 years ago, I was astounded at how common it is here to run into people you know and how friendly people are. In the congested New Your City area, bumping into someone you know is quite unusual.… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 53:10-11; Hebrews 4: 14-16; Mark 10: 35-45 Preacher: Brigit Hurley The Gospel reading poses a question very much alive today–who is most important in the kingdom of God? What can we do to help build the kingdom in the here and now? Responding to James’ and John’s request for positions of status, Jesus dismisses established notions of power. He… read more →
Readings: Wisdom 7: 7-11; Hebrews 4: 12-13; Mark 10: 17-30 Preacher: Deni Mack A man I know well exemplifies today’s Wisdom reading and Psalm 90! He now awaits God’s eternal embrace. Today’s first reading from Wisdom describes Dick’s life. He prayed and prudence was given him and the spirit of Wisdom came to him. All good things together came to him in… read more →
Readings: Genesis 2: 18-24; Hebrews 2: 9-11; Mark 10:2-16 Preacher: Sr. Barbara Moore As a member of a religious community and a woman who has not chosen marriage, I am always reluctant to offer advice about this powerful vocation of marriage. And certainly, Jesus’ context is far removed from our current reality. Yet some scholars believe Jesus was well aware of… read more →
Readings: Numbers 11: 25-29; James 5: 1-6; Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48 Preacher: Marilyn Catherine How appropriate that these Scripture passages are proclaimed on the last Sunday of the Season of Creation, whose theme this year is To Hope and Act With Creation. Thomas Aquinas stated: “Sacred writings are bound in two volumes—that of creation and that of Holy Scripture…“Creation is the… read more →
Readings: Wisdom 2: 12, 17-20; James 3: 16-4:3; Mark 9: 30-37 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino Today we’re on a journey, with Jesus. Learning, along with other disciples, what it means to follow him. In particular, learning about the courage it takes to follow him. So, how do we learn the ways of Jesus? I’m reminded of the time when our oldest child,… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 50:5-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks the disciples. And us! “Who do you say that I am?” That question has always touched my heart. When I think of the unconditional love of our God. A love for each and every person. A love for our world. Demonstrated… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 35: 4-7a; James 2: 1-5; Mark 7: 31-37 Preacher: Susan Howard Video Reflection: click here There are many people who are curious and maybe even skeptical about the teachings and parables of Jesus. The first disciples were, too. It took more than three years for them to grasp what Jesus was all about. So if you are among the doubters… read more →