Sermon: Easter To Go – 8 May 2011, Rev. Dr. Katherine M. Lehman
Did not our hearts burn as he opened the scriptures to us along the road? There are times when life presents extreme challenges, that put us and our loved ones at risk, when all seems lost in an upended world. The road of life has bumps and potholes and takes unforeseen turns. When we’re making headway, we don’t think we need a good dose of reinterpretation, because we seem to be going in the right direction. But when we run into trouble, there are parts of scripture that leap out at us. Such pertinent passages are like emergency road service, when we’re stalled in the middle of nowhere. Such is the experience of the two disciples, making their way to the village of Emmaus.
Their world has been upended. They have lost a beloved and inspiring teacher. They had hopes for their future with him and for the future of their people through him. For we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Then a stranger draws near and falls into step and into conversation. As they walk along and talk, he gives them another way of looking at things, one that begins to speak to their distress. Do you remember this prophecy? And what about that one? And then another and another are offered. Taken altogether, don’t they make some sense of your loss and longing? What if they did? What might it mean for you? Read more »
Sermon: Seeing is Believing – Not (1 May, Dr. Irene Lawrence)
Doubting Thomas, Abbey Church of St. Nectaire, France, early 12th c. Photo from Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
I have always had mixed feelings about the story of “doubting Thomas.” On the one hand, how presumptuous of him to demand proof of Jesus’s resurrection. “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my fingers in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” On the other hand, I admire his chutzpah. And on the third hand, I’m a little envious that he actually got his proof in the form he demanded, even if accompanied by a rebuke: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
That’s us. In fact that’s probably all of us except that first generation—including of course Thomas. Perhaps there have been others over the years who have been granted resurrection appearances. But certainly most of us fall into the category of those who have not seen, yet have come to believe. In a way, that shows God’s confidence in us—God has required a little more of us than was required of Thomas; maybe we have been put in first grade rather than kindergarten, even if not by our own choice. Read more »
Saturday, May 7, 7:30pm
The Revelations of Divine Love: Metaphors from Sea and Sky
by Carson Cooman
An oratorio for soprano, baritone, chorus & chamber orchestra, based on the writings of Julian of Norwich.
Performed by the Choir of St. Bede’s
Soprano soloist : Amy Rufe Baritone soloist : Daniel Pickens-Jones
Director: Rev. Jane McDougle, DMA
Tickets: $20/$15 (free to subscribers of the Arts at St. Bede’s concert series)
