September 2015 Archives

A body sometimes needs to break apart in order to be put back together correctly.  The body of Christ is not fixed, but fluid, and we need not fear dismemberment if it means a better life. 

 Please listen to the sermon rather than read it.  The text is included for your convenience, but it is not entirely like the delivered version, which includes nuances that can't be read.  

Sermon delivered at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Berkeley. 

September 27, 2015  - Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost.  

"Dismemberment & Re-memberment".  Text is from Mark 9:38-50

Click here for sermon audio   

Greetings to you, my sister and brothers, saints and sinners, children of God.  Wow, what a smorgasbord of things are going on.  Not the least of which is not the caution Jesus says about what causes people to stumble. 

Now having read this passage when I was but a young child, I found it quite a bit troubling, but not quite insurmountable. I actually had a pretty strong faith as a twelve year old, even if my understanding of scripture was somewhat lacking, and I found that while I was prepared to do everything I could do for God, the thought that we might have to start removing parts of my body in order to be sure that I had a place in heaven was daunting, but nevertheless seemed to be something insurmountable. I mean, people can live without hands or feet or eyes, right? 

When we are less concerned with being the best at things, and more concerned with being kind and loving, we are fulfilling our Christ-given mission. Be as a a child, and remember children are people too. 

 Please listen to the sermon rather than read it.  The text is included for your convenience, but it is not entirely like the delivered version, which includes nuances that can't be read.  

Sermon delivered at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Berkeley. 

September 20, 2015  - Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost.  

"One Such as This".  Text is from Mark 9:30-37

Click here for sermon audio   

Greetings to you, my sister and brothers, saints and sinners, children of God. 

Another day in the life of Mark's gospel, and another passing through Galilee.  Another time when Jesus does not want to be seen, and another prediction of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. Another encounter when the disciples just don't know what's going on, and another leading question by Jesus.  

"What are you talking about?"

Who do you say that Jesus is?  Watch out, while the answer may be what you expect, the expectations for that answer may be something else and new entirely.  Who do you say that Jesus is? 

 Please listen to the sermon rather than read it.  The text is included for your convenience, but it is not entirely like the delivered version, which includes nuances that can't be read.  

Sermon delivered at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Berkeley. 

September 13, 2015  - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost.  

" 'He Looks Like a Terrorist' ".  Text is from Mark 8:27-38

The words we use can harm or heal. It is by his spirit that we know when it is time to speak up and when it is time to be silent. 

 Please listen to the sermon rather than read it.  The text is included for your convenience, but it is not entirely like the delivered version, which includes nuances that can't be read.  

Sermon delivered at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Berkeley. 

September 6, 2015  - Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost.  

"Speaking up and Shutting Up".  Text is from Mark 7:24-37