You have probably heard the old joke: How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb? Just one — but the light bulb has to want to change. Change, conversion, repentance was the theme of the preaching of John the Baptist. John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying,… Read More »

Isaiah paints an idealized portrait of what it will be like when God’s kingdom comes. He uses images from the agricultural world that he knows: abundant rain for the crops, wheat ready for harvest, livestock pasturing in the field, draft animals at work. What do you imagine Isaiah would use as images for God’s kingdom… Read More »

One of the themes of contemporary movies, TV, books and video games is the superhero. Whatever problem is happening the superhero intervenes and makes it all better. The Bible makes it clear that Jesus was not a superhero in that sense. Though others tried to make him one, he consistently shifted the focus of attention.… Read More »

My family likes to take beach vacations. My nephews enjoy building sand castles right at the high tide line. They are very elaborate with moats and walls and towers, decorated with shells, feathers and stones. When the tide comes in they study how things fall apart and try to improve the design the next time.… Read More »

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me.” St. Matthew begins his account of the public ministry of Jesus with the call of two sets… Read More »

A contemporary theme in both books and movies is dystopia — that the future is going to be a disaster.  The prophet Isaiah has a different vision, a utopia where God’s reign of peace and justice will triumph. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be… Read More »

The readings in Advent are geared toward the meaning of the season. We begin with a message of inclusivity. “I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jaco at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.” The “coming” of Jesus we celebrate in… Read More »

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. In the US this is not something much noticed. The media is focused on the fact that there are only twenty-seven shopping days until Christmas. Even among believers, Advent gets swallowed up in celebrating Christmas. Exhibit A, here at St. James we are going to have our Christmas… Read More »

“Behold, I am coming soon.” Because of the Resurrection, the earliest Christians came to understand that Jesus had triumphed over sin and death. There was nothing to fear. However, they still lived in a scary world so they anticipated the ultimate triumph of Christ in what we call today “the second coming.” At that point… Read More »

When you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. As we are approaching the season of Advent the messages to “keep alert” becomes more urgent. What do we see happening today? What are the signs of our times? On the one hand things seem to be going to hell in… Read More »