The prodigal who knows the way home

Lent 4 (March 27, 2022)

When things fall apart, the ‘prodigal son’ knows that his ‘father’ is good and ‘they way home.’  Spiritually, this means that the prodigal knows that God is merciful and the prodigal knows that God’s mercy can be found at “home.”  In our world today, so many people don’t know this — they don’t know that God is merciful; they do not know of a “home” a place where they can go and receive God’s mercy.

Pastor Rob reflects on the call of St. Paul to be a church that will reach out to those who do not ‘know the way home.’

PS  The artwork is “The Prodigal Son” by Rembrandt.  We have a print of this at St. Paul.  It was found online here:  http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/prodigal_son_large.html

PPS  We took a break from the sermon series on Abraham.  The reading from Genesis was about Hagar fleeing Sarah’s abuse. Given the adult nature  of this story, it was covered in bible study, but not the sermon.

What Abraham learned

 

Lent 3 (March 20, 2022)

We all learned a lot during the pandemic — for example, how to mute ourselves in zoom!  Pastor Rob offers we likely learned something deeper:  What is really important to us and what really matters!

Three temptations of Abraham

 

March 13, 2022

Lent 2

We continue with Abraham on the journey of faith.  This week Abraham really makes a big mistake.  One of those moments where “It seemed like a good idea at the time” just doesn’t cut it. 

A reflection from Pastor Rob on the “Three temptations of Abraham.” These are really “Three temptations of every man and woman”, ways in which we are led off the path God intends for us.

Apparently there was a mid 1970s movie with this title!

Peace in our times

 

The images of the destruction in Ukraine have shattered our illusions of peace.  They have produced in many of us a profound sense of hopelessness — what can I do in the face of such violence?

A reflection on how God responds to the violence in this world by calling individuals — including you — to tasks.  These tasks may not produce “peace in our times”, but they produce goodness and peace in ways we cannot see.  Our call is not “to seek to make a difference” but to respond to God’s calling in our lives, trusting that God will make the true difference for goodness and peace.

The preaching text is Genesis 12:1-8

The image comes from an NBC site.

Love your enemies

 

February 20, 2022

“Love your enemies.”  It remains one of Jesus’ most difficult teachings.  Pastor Rob reflects on how our hearts can grow hard, making it impossible to love our enemies!  Then Pastor Rob reflects on how we (really God!) can cultivate a heart of mercy, out of which love can flow again.