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 …
How have things come to this?
Address to the Presbytery of Lothian, April 28 2018 Rev Páraic Rèamonn I left St Andrew’s Scots Memorial Church in Jerusalem on Easter Monday, April 2 2018, but then spent some weeks on deputation in Scotland Moderator, It’s a pleasure and a privilege to speak here tonight. I am a son of this Presbytery, ordained …
Where can I find you?
Easter Sunday April 1 2018 Isaiah 25.6-9; Psalm 118; Acts 10.34-43; Luke 24.13-49 St Andrew’s Scots Memorial Church, Jerusalem Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. Last Sunday, I said God loves us so much that he gives his only Son to suffer and die for us …