Lent II March 8, 2020 Genesis 12:1-4 Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 John 3:1-17 How many of us here this morning were born in New York City? Being a community of migrants presents us with special challenges and a unique perspective. Even if you have moved to New York City from somewhere else in the United States,…
Lent 1 March 1st, 2020 Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11 If you have ever found yourself contemplating the beauty of the natural world or of human relationships and asked yourself “How can there be so much sadness and violence in such a beautiful world?”, you are in very good company. Every civilization in…
Last Sunday of the Epiphany February 23, 2020 Exodus 24:12-18 II Peter 1:16-21 Matthew 17:1-9 It comes as a bit of a surprise to find that there are very few direct manifestations of God’s appearance or voice in the Bible. God does not let himself be seen directly or his voice be heard by human…
Sixième dimanche après l’Épiphanie 16 février 2020 Au sommet de l’Arc de Triomphe à Paris se trouve une sculpture monumentale en bronze doré représentant la Paix installée sur un char triomphal tiré par quatre chevaux de front. C’est parfaitement conforme au style classique qui s’harmonise avec l’Arc lui-même. Dans la mythologie classique –…
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany February 9,2020 Isaiah 58:I-12 I Corinthians 2:I-16 Matthew 5:13-20 In the early 1600’s, the Puritan colonists of New England thought very highly of themselves indeed. One of their leading lights was the preacher John Winthrop, who preached a sermon in 1630 entitled “A Model of Christian Charity.” He warned his congregation…
Candlemas February 2, 2020 Malachi 3:1,-4 Hebrews 2:1,4-18 Luke 2:22-40 Major feasts of the church calendar have a far more ancient history than we might suppose. They are based on the holy days – or the sacred days – of the pagan calendars that pre-dated Christianity. Christmas takes place near the winter solstice.…
Third Sunday of Epiphany Sunday, January 26 2020 Isaiah 9:1-4 I Corinthians l:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23 There was a time – and not so long ago – when most people who described themselves as Christians also identified themselves as belonging to a particular denomination. They were first and foremost Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Congregationalists etc, and…
Second Sunday of Epiphany January 19, 2020 Isaiah 49:1-7 I Corinthians 1:1-9 John 1:29-42 It is strangely comforting to know that we are not the first generation to find the apostle Paul difficult. Many people today accuse him of being dogmatic, authoritarian, sexist, racist (in his letter to Titus he calls all Cretans imbeciles) and…
Epiphany I January 12, 2020 Isaiah 42:1-9 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17 After all the excitement and color of the Christmas season, the season of Epiphany (which lasts from January 6 until the first day of Lent) can seem a bit dull in comparison. In Greek, Epiphany means ‘to shine upon’, and it refers to Jesus’…
Epiphany Sunday January 5, 2020 Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12 There is something that has always troubled me about these so-called “Wise Men” or Magi. If they were so wise, why did they go to Jerusalem first instead of Bethlehem? In their defense it may be said that Bethlehem is only nine miles away…