For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. This morning we are celebrating Holy Cross Day. Transferred from September 14th , Holy Cross Day commemorates the dedication, in 335, of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem – but it is the cross inside the ancient basilica that is the focus of our attention. Tradition holds that the church was built by direction of Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine … [Read more...]
The Rev'd Canon Beth Benson
A Sermon for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost
This morning we come back to the story Mark is telling about Jesus. It seems like strange place to land in the Gospel: right in the middle of a heated argument Jesus is having with religious leaders, the Pharisees and scribes. Questioning adherence to the purity laws, they ask Jesus “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders but eat with defiled hands?” But on the other hand it gives us insights into what it means to follow Jesus. Jesus calls the crowd to … [Read more...]
Worthy of the Calling
‘‘...lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” If, like me, you sometimes wonder what difference faith ought to make in daily life, then this morning’s passage from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians is just what we need. Paul is urging us to live a life that is worthy of a calling to which you have already been … [Read more...]