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Veterans Day

One of the towns I drive through is Manchester, KY. Manchester is a town that supports its military citizens in a big way. Several weeks ago, a deployed group returned. Two miles out of Manchester, the posters and yellow ribbons welcoming them home were blowing in a gentle wind. You could feel the joy of the entire town at their return. East of Manchester, there is a marker with a rifle forming part of a cross. At the base is a pair of boots, and the helmet rests on the butt of the rifle. This week, flowers were added and today a large 4X6 flag flew low to the ground as part of this memorial. I think this particular remembrance might be for Sgt. Stanfill, who died in an accident on the Hal Rogers Parkway just east of Manchester a couple of years ago. Even though Sgt. Stanfill perished on the road I drive several times a week instead of on a far away battle field, I am glad the citizens of Manchester --or perhaps his family-- honor his service in such a way. We observed the tradition...
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 With grateful thanks to two wonderful colleagues (cited) who may never know how much they helped me today! Sermon for the 5th Sunday in Lent April 3, 2022 Our Saviour + You are the love of each living creature, O God. You are the warmth of the rising sun You are the whiteness of the moon at night You are the life of the growing earth You are the strength of the waves at sea. Speak to me this night, O God Speak to me your truth. Dwell with me this night, O God Dwell with me in love. (J. Philip Newell, Celtic Prayers of Iona, 42) These words of J. Philip Newell remind us that all that we are, and all that we have is of God.   It is all too easy for us to dismiss that at times. But on this night, Mary could not dismiss it.   Jesus had come for dinner.   Those gathered were still trembling because Lazarus had joined them at the table, and were also likely aware of the dangerous currents sweeping them along.   My friend Marshall writes, “Just offstage, John...
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                                        Homily for the Second Sunday in Lent March 13, 2022 ECOOS + My Beloved Sisters and Brothers:   It is beyond time for us to get this straight. We want to control, but then we fail.   We try to trust, and things get better. We believe that they are better because we are just that good.   Then, we want to control, and once again, we fail.   Are you seeing the cycle?   I know that I am. The readings for this Second Sunday in Lent, invite us once again to trust, and maybe even to stay there.   These are covenant promises that God has made, to Abram and to us.   While we have plenty of examples to discourage us from continuing this cycle, we also have plenty of evidence that Jesus will continue to reach for us.   We have all of the negative—and positive—reinforcement needed to change.   And, Lent in 2022 i...
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