Holy Communion and Jesus’ Message of Hope

“I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Are there any words from Jesus that make most Episcopalians nervous? “I will show you how to fish, for people.” Maybe you remember the old King James, “I will make you fishers of men.” Same idea, more antique more gendered language. Still made Episcopalians nervous. Why? Why,Continue reading “Holy Communion and Jesus’ Message of Hope”

Overcoming Bad Theology: The Good Shepherd

The story of the lost sheep is a story about equity, a story about a God who embraces those who have been called sinners. It is the story of a God who chases down the ones who are left behind, and brings them to the table. This is a God who does not respect human boundaries. This is a God who loves those who have been told they don’t count. This is a God who pursues you, whatever you’ve done, wherever you’ve been, whoever you love, whatever your back story. This God chases you down.

We don’t worship small gods here.

Let me say clearly, if your god is the god of one race, your god is an idol. If your god is the god that blesses one nation at the expense of others, that god is an idol. If your god blesses one gender identity, one orientation, one political party at the expense of all others, that god is not the God Jesus preached, that Hosea prophesied, that Paul theologized. We don’t worship that kind of small god in this church.