The Fox in the Henhouse

Second Sunday in Lent (March 16, 2025)The United Church of Santa FeSanta Fe, NM Luke 13.31-35 31 Ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ προσῆλθάν τινες Φαρισαῖοι λέγοντες αὐτῷ, Ἔξελθε καὶ πορεύου ἐντεῦθεν, ὅτι Ἡρῴδης θέλει σε ἀποκτεῖναι.32 καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, Πορευθέντες εἴπατε τῇ ἀλώπεκι ταύτῃ, Ἰδοὺ ἐκβάλλω δαιμόνια καὶ ἰάσεις ἀποτελῶ σήμερον καὶ αὔριον, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ … Continue reading The Fox in the Henhouse

The Sermon on the Plain: Part Two (Jesus’ State of the Union Address)

Sunday, February 23, 2025The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany (Sexagesima)Bethlehem Lutheran ChurchLos Alamos, NM [NOTE: appointed readings follow the Sermon] EXCURSUS Once again, I begin with an Excursus. If last Sunday was Septuagesima (i.e. 70 days before Easter), then this Sunday is Sexagesima (60 days before Easter). And that means next Sunday will be Quinquagesima … Continue reading The Sermon on the Plain: Part Two (Jesus’ State of the Union Address)

The Sermon on the Plain: Part One: Jesus’ State of the Union Address

February 16, 2025Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany (Septuagesima)Bethlehem Lutheran ChurchLos Alamos, NM [NOTE: Reading for this Sunday follows the Sermon] + In nomine Domini. Amen. I begin with an Excursus this morning. Today is the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany; but, it is also (for those of us who have been around for the Common … Continue reading The Sermon on the Plain: Part One: Jesus’ State of the Union Address

Jesus, Mary and Joseph!*

Sunday, February 2, 2025Bethlehem Lutheran Church; Los Alamos, NM(* The phrase “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!” is one with which I grew up, given the Irish Catholic Heritage of my sainted Great Grandmother. It is not a curse. It is an “exclamation” much like Mon Dieu! In French or perhaps Dunnerweder! in PA Deutsch.) NOTE: Greek … Continue reading Jesus, Mary and Joseph!*

Opening Our Eyes

Third Sunday after the EpiphanyJanuary 26, 2025United Church of Santa Fe; Santa Fe, NM Luke 4.14-18 14 Καὶ ὑπέστρεψεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐν τῇ δυνάμει τοῦ πνεύματος εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν. καὶ φήμη ἐξῆλθεν καθ' ὅλης τῆς περιχώρου περὶ αὐτοῦ.15 καὶ αὐτὸς ἐδίδασκεν ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν, δοξαζόμενος ὑπὸ πάντων.16 Καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς Ναζαρά, οὗ ἦν τεθραμμένος, … Continue reading Opening Our Eyes

What Does a Wedding and a BaptismHave in Common? (For Ada)*

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY19 January 2025Bethlehem Lutheran Church; Los Alamos, NM*Ada Violet Bergren, daughter of Matt & Heather Bergren, on this day received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. 1 Καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ γάμος ἐγένετο ἐν Κανὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ ἦν ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐκεῖ·2 ἐκλήθη δὲ καὶ ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ οἱ … Continue reading What Does a Wedding and a BaptismHave in Common? (For Ada)*

The Light Shines in the Darkness

And the Darkness did not overcome it Christmas Day (December 25, 2024)Bethlehem Lutheran Church; Los Alamos, NM John 1.1-14 1 Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος.2 οὗτος ἦν ἐν ἀρχῇ πρὸς τὸν θεόν.3 πάντα δι' αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο, καὶ χωρὶς αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο οὐδὲ ἕν. ὃ … Continue reading The Light Shines in the Darkness

Magnificat anima mea Dominum

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of AdventBethlehem Lutheran Church; Los Alamos, NM [NOTE: Texts in Greek, Latin and English follow the Sermon] + In nomine Domini. Amen. It is a sweet and beautiful and lovely story. We only find it in the Gospel according to Luke — that grand account of the Story of Jesus … Continue reading Magnificat anima mea Dominum

Reflection upon Lessons and Carols for Advent III

Sunday, December 15, 2024Bethlehem Lutheran ChurchLos Alamos, New Mexico From the Bulletin for this Sunday: Welcome to our annual service of “Lessons and Carols”. The author of Nine Lessons and Carols was The Rev. Eric Milner-White, a graduate of King’s College who was appointed chaplain at the college in 1912, four years after his ordination … Continue reading Reflection upon Lessons and Carols for Advent III

Christ the King

November 24, 2024St. Luke Lutheran ChurchAlbuquerque, NM John 18.33 Εἰσῆλθεν οὖν πάλιν εἰς τὸ πραιτώριον ὁ Πιλᾶτος καὶ ἐφώνησεν τὸν Ἰησοῦν καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, Σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων;34 ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς, Ἀπὸ σεαυτοῦ σὺ τοῦτο λέγεις ἢ ἄλλοι εἶπόν σοι περὶ ἐμοῦ;35 ἀπεκρίθη ὁ Πιλᾶτος, Μήτι ἐγὼ Ἰουδαῖός εἰμι; τὸ ἔθνος τὸ σὸν καὶ … Continue reading Christ the King