Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Today the cross stands before us in all it's terrible glory. Bad theology has made it a "cross to bear" for the church long enough. In the words of Jesus, "It is Finished!" God's love wins, even on Good Friday.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 42:13-53:12, Psalm 40:1-14, and Hebrews 10:16-25. The Gospel is The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to John, John 19:1-37.

We have heard the Passion hundreds of times; so many times, in fact, that often we stop listening. And we shouldn't! Here are a number of things to ponder as we enter the darkness of Holy Week, and remember two things. God does some of his best work in the dark, and the light will come!


The Scripture references are Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 118:19-26, and Philippians 2:5-11. The Gospel references are Luke 19:28-40 and the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Jesus returns to the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus for a little R & R, but Judas whines about expenses. With a vintage comeback, Jesus both puts him in his place and reminds him, and us, of the importance of the poor. If we are paying attention!


The Scripture references are Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, and Philippians 3:4b-14. The Gospel reference is John 12:1-8

We know this parable more commonly as the Parable of the Prodigal Son, but if you read and pay attention to the story, both sons are in need of redemption. The focus of the story is really the Father, and his irrational irrepressible love for both of his self-absorbed sons. Gee, I wonder who the Father represents?!?

The Scripture references are Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32:1-7, and 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. The Gospel reference is Luke 15:1-3,11b-32.

Moses was a special person in the life of the Jewish people. He was special to God as well. At least, God spoke to him. What if God speaks to people all the time, and the problem is that we don't listen. An imaginary look at Moses through the lens of the life of Enmegahbowh, the first Native American ordained to the priesthood.

The Scripture references are Exodus 3:1-15, Psalm 63:1-8, and 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. The Gospel reference is Luke 13:1-9.

Of all the metaphors of spread wings to be found in the Bible, perhaps Jesus' use of the sheltering wings of a mother hen protecting her chicks best describes God's love for us. There's a lesson there for us all to look at the Scriptures with new eyes from time to time, putting aside our belief that we already know the lessons to be learned.

The Scripture references are Genesis 15:1-12,17-18, Psalm 27:1-7, and Philippians 3:17-4:1. The Gospel reference is Luke 13:31-35.

Tempted three times by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus stayed true to His nature as the Son of God. He resisted the urge to use His power to alleviate the suffering inherent in His humanity, to put anyone or anything above God, and kept His faith and trust in God. As Jesus well knew, and as we should remember this Lent, God is with us in every aspect of our lives. We are never alone, and Jesus is proof of that.

The Scripture references are Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 91:9-16, and Romans 10:8b-13. The Gospel reference is Luke 4:1-13.

The ashes we wear each Ash Wednesday are the ashes of our misplaced confidence in our own wishes, the ashes of our choices that take us away from the will of God, and the ashes of our own egos. They are also the ashes of new hope, of rebirth and rejuvenation, of the saving spirit of Jesus Christ, and of the redeeming life God has for us.

The Scripture references are Joel 2:1-2,12-17, Psalm 103:8-14, and 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10. The Gospel reference is Mathew6:1-6,16-21.

At the Transfiguration Peter, James, and John see the Law and the Prophets - Moses and Elijah - with Jesus on the mountaintop. This melding of the old traditions in a new Word, the Living Word in Christ, changed the disciples forever. Their glimpse of the road ahead, the work yet to be done, was their own transfiguration. When we embrace our baptismal vows and live the life to which we are called we too are transfigured, becoming more and more like the body of Christ.

The Scripture references are Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, and 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2. The Gospel reference is Luke 9:28-36.

How could Joseph ever forgive his brothers for selling him into slavery and telling his father that he was dead? How powerful must that love be to break through the walls of hatred we can build around our hearts? Jesus tells us that we must love, do good to, bless, and pray for those that hate us. It is that love called agapao, the love that is wholly unmotivated by any hope of return, that we are expected to show for those that despise us. That's the point of it all: We are loving not to save their souls, but ours. Once we love like that, fully and wholly with the love God has for us, there is no turning back.

The Scripture references are Genesis 45:3-11, 15, Psalm 37:1-9, and 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50. The Gospel reference is Luke6:27-38.

In the Beatitudes found in the Gospel of Luke, the blessings and the warnings given by Jesus are meant to be considered in the moment, and equally in the future. How then are the poor to be blessed, and rich to be woeful? Our duty as Christians is to trust in God's goodness, and our goal is to be ready to share His love with all who may come into our lives. It is to be ready to listen for God's word, and to be ready to act, for God's grace is enough today and will always be enough.

The Scripture references are Jeremiah 17:5-10, Psalm 1, and 1 Corinthians 15:12-20. The Gospel reference is Luke 6:17-26.

We are too often too willing to be skeptical of miracles. We explain them away, discount their importance, or don't even take the time to acknowledge them at all. But we live in an age of miracles. Faith is taking the time to see the miracles around us, and to reclaim the wonder at the world we had as children. God is there, waiting for us. Are you ready for a chance to wonder?

The Scripture references are Isaiah 6:1-8, Psalm 138, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. The Gospel reference is Luke 5:1-11.

In Luke's Gospel lesson, who best describes us? The people of Capernaum who readily accept Jesus and His works, or the people of Nazareth who have known Him since he was a child but reject His teachings that threaten the comfortable predictability of their lives? Or will be like Jesus, trusting in God to give us the strength to speak truth to power and the courage to see our duty done no matter the risk. Even Jesus had to wait on God in prayer; certainly we can take comfort in being in His good company.

The Scripture references are Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. The Gospel reference is Luke 4:21-30.

The Scripture references are Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. The Gospel reference is Luke 4:21-30.

As Emmanuel enters its 170th year and we prepare for our annual meeting and the calling of an interim rector, Father Tom Rosa reminds us of the role we all play in our community and the world. The acts of love and charity the church performs are the result of all the members working together. We live out the word of the Great Commission in our daily lives, and our power is in the redeeming love of God. When we are at our weakest, the strength of Christ sustains us and supports us so that we may continue in His good works.

The Scripture references are Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10, Psalm 19, and 1 Corinthians 12-1231a. The Gospel reference is Luke 4:14-21.

Jesus' first miracle at the wedding at Cana - His first sign, as John called it - came not as an announcement of power, but at a moment of need. The new, better wine is God's gift of His Son Jesus. Just as the wedding party needed the wine to continue the celebration, we need Jesus as the purest symbol of God's love for us. Jesus intimately concerns Himself not with our wants, but with our needs.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, and 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. The Gospel reference is John 2:1-11.

The Magi were the first to see the star announcing the newborn Christ, and the first Gentiles to seek him out and offer homage. This hiddenness of Christ is so typical of God's relationship with us; so seldom does he appear to kings in palaces, and so often to the lowly and the poor, the powerless and unprepared. When we follow the light of our individual epiphanies we are led smack into God, and we can see clearly God's vision for us. Guided by the star of Christ's presence, we experience a life of light and love.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7,10-14, and Ephesians 3:1-12. The Gospel reference is Matthew 2:1-12.

Through the Word, "Abba" - God the Father - made all of Creation, and through the Word made incarnate - Jesus the Christ - He brought and still brings life, light, love, and hope to those in darkness. This living Word is the source of our physical, spiritual, and eternal life and is the greatest gift from our loving God.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm 147:13-21, and Galatians 3:23-25,4:4-7. The Gospel reference is John 1:1-18.

Isn't wonderful and fitting that the shepherds tending their flocks as the lambs were born were the first to see the Lamb of God? His lowly birth shows us just how much God loves us and all His creation, and willingly came into the world to bring us to Himself.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 9:2-7 and Titus 2:11-14. The Gospel reference is Luke 2:1-20.

Mary the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist, kept each other company as they shared the miracle of motherhood. One a woman well past childbearing age and the other a virgin, they could each appreciate the hand of God on them and could acknowledge the truth of His handiwork in their lives. We too can support each other as a church family, and to reach out in support of those around us who need proof of God's love and healing help in times of trouble. It is at Christmas that we celebrate the birth of our Savior who came to us so that we can welcome him into our lives every day.

The Scripture references are Micah 5:2-5a, Psalm 80:1-7, and Hebrews 10:5-10. The Gospel reference is Luke 1:39-45(46-55).