Pentecost B, May 27, 2012

O Holy Source of inspiration, grant us the strength, the wisdom and the courage to seek always and everywhere after truth, come when it may, and cost what it will.

There’s something about the communal Pentecost reading from Acts that surprises me every year, even when I’m part of the planning. There’s something shocking and dramatic and wild about a bunch of people reading in different languages at once. It’s exciting and a little crazy – just the opposite of our customary buttoned down and somber liturgical presentations of scripture readings. I feel hopeful for the worship of the Church whenever when we can experience something of the Spirit and not just talk about the Spirit. We do it well in music here at Emmanuel Church, and I suspect there is so much more that is possible in readings, in prayer, in silence, while still remaining Episcopalians of course! The best news in this regard is found in our second lesson for today, from Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome. Paul writes: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” I think that Spirit is regularly praying that we might have more fun in church (although I might be projecting). Continue reading →

Easter 6B, May 13, 2012

O God of love, grant us the strength, the wisdom and the courage to seek always and everywhere after truth, come when it may, and cost what it will.

This morning we are celebrating the baptism of Emma Parker Fry. She surely won’t remember this day so I hope that her family takes lots of pictures, not just of Emma, but of the congregation too, so that as she grows up she can see evidence of the day that so many people, some relatives and friends but mostly a crowd of complete strangers, promised to support her in her life in the redeeming love of God – also known as the Christ. This is the day that a church full of people at 15 Newbury Street in Boston will assert our belief in Emma’s inherent dignity and in our own inherent dignity and renew our vows to take loving actions in response to that dignity. Emma will need evidence of this day, because she won’t always be in touch with her own inherent dignity or the dignity of every other human being. There will be days when she does not feel like the marvelously made child of God that she is, loved through and through by the Author of Life itself. Continue reading →

Easter 5B, May 6, 2012

O God of Love, grant us the strength, the wisdom and the courage to seek always and everywhere after truth, come when it may, and cost what it will.

Judging by my experience at Emmanuel Church, I’m guessing that some of you had strong negative reactions to the Gospel reading just now about the pruning and the non-fruit bearing branches being thrown into the fire and burned. I’m guessing that others among you avoided the discomfort by going somewhere else in your imaginations. I hope, if you’ve heard me preach before, you know that I think it’s all going to be okay. Just stay with me and we’ll get to that! Continue reading →