Innerdriving

Easter, Year C Luke 24:1-12 April 21, 2019 St. Matthias             Each year when I read the Easter story – there is always something new.   Some part of whichever Gospel we read from - that I have never realized before.   The women go to the tomb at dawn.   The stone has been rolled away.   An angel appears and tells the women that he is not there – that Christ has risen.   And I don’t know that I had ever noticed this next part.   The women run to tell the disciples who make the mistake – as we men tend to do – of thinking this was just an idle tale.   Even after the disciples actually see the Resurrected Christ – some still do not believe.   It was impossible. My brother once told me that the sun never actually rises.   Now I have never claimed much scientific knowledge – I was not a member of the science club and have never ever received any ribbon of any kind at a science fair.   ...

Good Friday, Year C John 18:1-19:42 April 19, 2019 St. Matthias It has always struck me as odd to call this Good Friday.   We begin in silence.   Everything in the liturgy points to the crucifixion of Christ.   Gone are the COLORS of the CHURCH .   The CROSS is veiled in black.   A CROWN of thorns reminds us that this day was a day of suffering.   WHY was it necessary for Jesus to die on the cross?   Where is the GOOD ? I grew up with the old hymn – Were You There When They Crucified my Lord .   I have known the words and the music for as long as I can remember.   The images and pictures it brings to mind - of Jesus on the cross - are vivid and disturbing.   It IS - a Good Friday hymn.   In just a few short verses, we are told the story of how Jesus was crucified, suffered, and died.   The people who yelled Hosanna on Palm Sunday, now scream Crucify Him, Crucify Him.   Sometimes it causes me to tr...

Palm Sunday, Year C Luke 19:28-40 St. Matthias April 14, 2019 Today is the only Sunday of the year when I tend to put the sermon before the Gospel reading.  This is because the Passion Gospel is uniquely its own sermon.  I also think this is ONE of only 2 times when there are 2 Gospel readings in the same worship service.  You get extra points if you can remember the other time.  Both Gospels today come from Luke and they are parts of the same story.  This morning we begin the most sacred time in Christianity – Holy Week.  For the next 6 days, we will walk the path of Jesus through the last days leading up to the crucifixion.  On Maundy Thursday we will join Jesus and his disciples in the upper room as we remember the Last Supper.  On Good Friday, we will stand at the foot of the cross.  Then we will wait 3 days and on Sunday morning – Christians throughout the world will once again celebrate the Resurrection when life ov...

Lent 5C John 12:1-8 April 7, 2019 St. Matthias If Oscars were given for Bible stories, then this morning’s Gospel reading would almost certainly be nominated.  The scene is set in the town of Bethany at the home of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha.  It was here – just weeks before – that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead.  Mary and Martha had argued during an earlier visit over who should clean the kitchen.  And now Jesus is preparing for his triumphant entry into Jerusalem - when the crowds will cover the streets with Palm Branches and shout Hosanna to the King!  Jesus has come to the home of his friends for dinner before he faces Jerusalem and a cross on Golgotha.            The scene opens with Martha, our Best Supporting Actress, once again in the kitchen preparing the meal.  But it is Mary in this story who is clearly our leading lady because the plot centers on her anoin...

Lent 4C Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 March 31, 2019 St. Matthias            This morning we hear once again the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  I would guess I’ve probably read it at least a hundred times. I’ve probably preached on it at least a dozen Sundays through the years.  But this time something new happened.   A new thought popped in my mind as I read the Gospel – Chocolate Cake!  We all know that if you have a Chocolate Cake in the refrigerator – that it speaks – it calls to me telling me that I want some.  The moment the thought of that cake enters my mind – suddenly that is all I can think about.  I want some.  Doesn’t matter if I have just eaten.  Doesn’t matter if I’m about to eat.  I want cake.  And the more I try not to think about it – the more I do and the louder the voice inside my head tells me that I want chocolate cake.  And strangely enough – I foun...