December 9, 2018/Advent 2/Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Malachi 3:1-4 /Second Reading: Philippians 1:3-11/Gospel: Luke 3:1-6 To See Salvation Recently Susan has been asking me for further insight into understanding Advent.  Beyond being a season of the church year that we faithfully observe at this time, she wants to have a better grasp of its meaning, its purpose; what is it about Advent that really matters, that can make a difference in our lives?  Her inquiries have caused me to take a fresh look at this season, and to ponder

December 2, 2018/Advent I/Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Jeremiah 33:14-16 /Second Reading: I Thessalonians 3:9-13 /Gospel: Luke 21:25-36 Already & Not Yet Nothing lasts forever.  When the weather turns cold, I love to pull on a pair of Smartwool® socks.  I can’t imagine going through winter without these warm and comfortable companions.  Eventually, however, they wear thin.  Holes appear in the heels and the toes.  Sadly, the time comes when socks are done and must be tossed.  When you bring out the Christmas lights from their long hibernation in storage,

November 25, 2018/Christ the King Sunday/Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 /Second Reading: Revelation 1:4-8 /Gospel: John 18:33-37 Truth: A Two-Edged Sword Do you want to know the truth?  That’s a loaded question if ever there was one.  When we’re asked such a question instead of responding with an eager, unqualified “yes!”, we are perhaps more inclined to reply: “well, that depends….” Do you want to know the truth about the financial condition of the State of Illinois? We may have a vague idea that it’s not good. 

November 18, 2018/26th Sunday after Pentecost /Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Daniel 12:1-3/Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-18/Gospel: Mark 13:1-8 Holy is as Holy Does What’s holy about the Holy Land?  This relatively small piece of geography is sacred to three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Thousands of years of history have transpired in this region.  The ground has absorbed the blood of thousands upon thousands who have died there for the sake of their faith.  Put a shovel into the ground and you are more than likely to run into

November 11, 2018/25th Sunday after Pentecost /Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: 1 Kings 17:8-16/Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28/Gospel: Mark 12:38-44 Teach Us to Care and Not to Care While I was in seminary I was part of a group that presented a dramatic reading of T. S. Eliot’s long poem titled, “Ash Wednesday.”  Like much of Eliot’s poetry, it is full of rich imagery and symbolism.  The language is deep and often abstract – and I must confess that much of the poem is beyond my capacity to fully understand.  Perhaps

October 28, 2018/Reformation Sunday /Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:31-34/Second Reading: Romans 3:19-28/Gospel: John 8:31-36   Truth Matters The freedom we enjoy as Americans is founded on a shared understanding of what’s true.  The Declaration of Independence, which is the historic assertion of our freedom as a nation, makes some explicit truth claims:  “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…”  Believing these claims to

October 14, 2018/21st Sunday After Pentecost /Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 /Second Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16/Gospel: Mark 10:17-31 Seek the Lord and Live Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.  – Psalm 90:12 How many days do you have to live?  Over time, life expectancy has increased substantially, thanks to improved medical care, nutrition and sanitation.  Actuarial tables project the average life expectancy for American women and men at any given age: Age Men Women Birth 76 81 30 78 82

October 7, 2018/20th Sunday After Pentecost /Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Genesis 2:18-24 /Second Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4/Gospel: Mark 10:2-17 Faith Leaps Faith is not something we have – it’s like faith has us.  In his letter to the Corinthians St. Paul speaks of how faith is not a rational decision: “the love of Christ COMPELS us.”  (2 Cor 5:14)  Theologian Frederick Buechner observes that: “Faith is better understood as a verb than as a noun, as a process rather than as a possession.  Faith is not being sure where you’re

September 23, 2018/Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost/Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Jeremiah 11:18-20 /Second Reading: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a/Gospel: Mark 9:30-37 Selfless Ambition When you hear the word AMBITION, what individuals come to mind?  Maybe Steve Jobs, who started out building devices in his garage and came to be the head of one of the largest, most successful corporations in the world.  Or J.K. Rowling, who was living on welfare as a single mom when she wrote her first book.  It was rejected by 12 publishers.  However, her Harry Potter series made

September 16, 2018/Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost/Richard E. Holmer First Lesson: Isaiah 50:4-9a/Second Reading: James 3:1-12/Gospel: Mark 8:27-38 Uncommon Sense I like to be practical. As much as possible, I try to use common sense. So, we live within our means and set aside some for the future. I always pay the full balance on the credit card bill. I floss faithfully every day. I mow the grass myself and shovel the snow. I remember to get the oil changed on our cars. I get all the regular check-ups: medical, dental,