What happened on this day? We gather today under a huge cross. We mark a cross on our bodies. We wear crosses. We decorate with crosses. At the core of our life together is the shape of an ancient execution device, one specifically used to humiliate and isolate its victim from any decent member of…
Rev. Jonathan R Thomas March 24, 2016 (Maundy Thursday) John 13:1-17; 31b-35 The Full Extent of Love Maundy Thursday is the day on which we commemorate the institution of the Eucharist, by re-enacting Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. That is why it is called Maundy Thursday; it comes…
The Rev. Jonathan R Thomas March 12, 2016 (Lent 5C) Isaiah 43:16-21 & John 12:1-8 An Extravagant Gift We are coming towards the end of our Lenten journey. A week from now, on Palm Sunday, we will hear of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem followed by the passion narrative, the story of Jesus’ suffering…
The Rev. Jonathan R Thomas March 6, 2016 (Lent 4C) Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 The Father’s Story The prodigal son story is such a familiar story in the Christian tradition. It is one of the rare parables whose meaning seems relatively clear even to the one who is only casually acquainted with the faith.…
The Rev. Jonathan R Thomas February 21, 2016 (Lent 2C) Genesis 15:1-12,17-18 Learning to Trust An old friend of mine named Shayne recently published his first book called The Briarpatch Gospel in which he talks about meeting God in the wildernesses of life. Shayne is a pastor in Atlanta, actually he was my…
The Rev. Jonathan R Thomas January 31, 2016 (Epiphany 4C) 1 Cor. 13:1-13 & Lk 4:21-30 The Primacy of Love It’s hard to even hear this famous passage from 1 Corinthians 13 and not think of a wedding, or picture it beautifully cross-stitched in a silver frame. It’s the most common wedding reading…