It’s God’s party. We need to respond
20th Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 32.1-14; Psalm 106.1-6, 19-23; Philippians 4.1-9; Matthew 22.1-14 Church of Scotland, Geneva, Auditoire de Calvin, October 15 2023 Jennifer’s party Jennifer had a birthday: she was nine years old. Her mum and dad organized a birthday party. Tom, Dick, and Harry all came. Tom gave her a present of a …
Blessed are the poor in spirit
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 24; 1 Corinthians 1:20-25; Matthew 5:1-12 Church of Scotland, Geneva, Auditoire de Calvin, January 29 2023 The Black Knight King Arthur is on a quest. He comes to a bridge. The bridge is guarded by the Black Knight. “None shall pass,” says the Black Knight, in a tone …
The church, the world, and the Spirit
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Galatians 6:2-5, 7-10; Luke 10.1-11, 16-20 Church of Scotland, Geneva, Auditoire de Calvin, July 3 2022 Two daughters What do you think? There was a woman who had two daughters. She was busy making lunch on a hot July day, so she found her first daughter and asked, “Can you help …
But their minds were hardened
Transfiguration of the Lord Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4.2; Luke 9:28-36 Church of Scotland, Geneva, Auditoire de Calvin, February 27 2022 We are the church Long, long ago, before the pandemic turned all our lives upside down, if I had asked you where is the church, you’d probably have looked at me a …
Sometimes two things. Or even three
21st Sunday after Pentecost Job 38.1-7; Psalm 8; Hebrews 5.1-10; Mark 10.35-45 Church of Scotland, Geneva, Auditoire de Calvin, Geneva, October 17 2021 God asks Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” And Job replies, “I was at home, watching it on television.” * When I was trying to study …
God with us
18th Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 20.1-4, 13, 15-17; Matthew 21.33-42 Church of Scotland, Geneva, October 4 2020 We come from God and we return to God. This is the story of our lives and the story of our world. In between God comes to us in many and various ways. Which, when we consider the …
But I tell you…
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Deuteronomy 30.11-20; 1 Corinthians 3.5-7; Matthew 5.21-48 Church of Scotland, Costa del Sol, Fuengirola, February 2020 Half a century ago, Irish students looked across the sea with envy at their peers in the United Kingdom. We paid university fees; they didn’t. They received student grants; we relied on our parents to …
Break the chains of injustice
Fifth Sunday after EpiphanyIsaiah 58.1-12; 1 Corinthians 2.12-16; Matthew 5.13-20Church of Scotland, Costa del Sol, Fuengirola, February 9 2020 Perhaps the best way to think of Matthew’s original audience is as Jewish Protestants. I say “audience” advisedly. Some of the community for whom Matthew wrote may have read his Gospel, but most of them would …
Blessed are the cheesemakers
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 9.1-4; Psalm 27.1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1.10-18; Matthew 4.12-23 Church of Scotland, Costa del Sol, Fuengirola, February 2 2020 “What was that?” asks Gregory. On a mountain top in the distance, Jesus of Nazareth is speaking. Gregory and his group find it hard to hear him, partly because they are …
Walk humbly
Third Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 9.1-4; Psalm 27.1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1.10-18; Matthew 4.12-23 Church of Scotland, Geneva, Auditoire de Calvin, January 26 2020 “What does the LORD require of you,” asks the prophet Micah, “but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” And here comes Jesus, asking …