When I sat down to write the first draft of my sermon this week, Trump supporters had just stormed the Capitol. They had been incited by Donald Trump in a speech minutes earlier, perpetuating the lie that the election had been stolen. They came to stop the certification of the President-elect’s victory, with Biden two … Continue reading We Look to Understand Instead of Judge
Many years ago, on a trip to Rome, I was able to stand in the Sistine Chapel and study the masterpiece of Michelangelo. His fresco on the ceiling was painted in the early 1500s, and is arguably the most famous attempt to depict God in the western world. In the Sistine chapel, God appears in … Continue reading Where we come closest to seeing God
This morning, on the second Sunday of Advent, we hear from John the Baptist, who is one of my favourite characters in the gospel. John is brash, in-your-face and rough around the edges. His version of preparing the way for Jesus is to basically make a scene everywhere he goes. He eats locusts and wild … Continue reading Our Advent Gifts from John the Baptist
In my house, the first Sunday of Advent signals the beginning of certain holiday rituals. I imagine it is the same in all our homes. The big box of decorations come up from the basement to be dusted off. The outdoor Christmas lights are unwrapped, which usually results in a trip to Canadian Tire for … Continue reading Love, share, give, heal. Do it all.
Earlier this year, for his English course, my younger son, Samson, came home with a copy of Lord of the Flies. Apparently, even in 2020, they are still reading this classic in school. Of course, many of you will know the plot: a group of boys are stranded on an island, and at first, they try … Continue reading We don’t look up, we look out!
St. John Lutheran Church 