A Reflection for the Second Week of Advent – Year A Monday, December 8, 2025 Psalm 21 | Isaiah 24:1–16a | 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12 We have just celebrated the second Sunday of Advent, and we are getting closer to Christmas Day. But we are not there yet. We are still in the waiting, still making … In-the-Meantime Praise
A Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent – Year A Sunday, December 7, 2025 Isaiah 11:1–10 | Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19 | Romans 15:4–13 | Matthew 3:1–12 Advent asks us to wait with open hands, making room for the One who comes. Today, on this Second Sunday of Advent, the Scriptures paint a portrait of … Spirit Rests
A Reflection for the Second Week of Advent Saturday, December 6, 2025 Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19 | Isaiah 40:1–11 | John 1:19–28 We are deep enough into Advent now that the waiting has become familiar. The candles multiply on the wreath, and the world around us accelerates toward its own frantic celebrations. Yet the lectionary invites … The Word That Stands
A Reflection for Friday of the First Week of Advent – Year A Friday, December 5, 2025 Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19 | Isaiah 30:19–26 | Acts 13:16–25 We continue with Psalm 72 this week, praying for the king who defends the afflicted and crushes the oppressor. But today Isaiah gives us an image that invites us … Seeing the Teacher
A Reflection for Thursday of the First Week of Advent – Year A Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19 | Isaiah 4:2–6 | Acts 1:12–17, 21–26 In Advent we wait for a king. But what kind of king? Today’s readings answer that question, and the answer has everything to do with the poor. Psalm 72 is a prayer … Making Room
A Reflection for the 3rd Day of Advent – Year A Psalm 124 | Isaiah 54:1–10 | Matthew 24:23–35 God is preparing to do something that will require more room than we have. This is Isaiah’s word to a people who have known barrenness and abandonment, and it is a fitting word for Advent, when … Steadfast Love
A Reflection for the Second Day of Advent – Year A Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Psalm 124 | Genesis 9:1–17 | Hebrews 11:32–40 We are in the season of sacred waiting. Advent asks us to slow down, to watch, to prepare room. And in this waiting, the Scripture readings press a word upon us that … The Ministry of Care
The Christian year does not begin with fireworks and champagne. It begins with waiting, one of the most difficult undertakings given to humanity. While the world rushes from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, from one holiday obligation to the next, we are invited to slow down. Maybe even required to. This is countercultural in the … Advent: Making Room
I preached my initial sermon 40 years ago this month (I think it was the 4th Sunday) at Saint Philip AME Church under the leadership of “master” Pastor George Moore, Sr. The text was Luke 4 and the sermon was titled “Release to the Captives.” God is faithful. In those 40 years God has used … 40 Years of Ministry
When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. – Genesis 22:9-10 … SPEAKING THE UNSPEAKABLE – a sermon preached in 2008