To Sacrifice or Not?

Proper 8.A.2017
Genesis 22:1-14
The Rev. Melanie L. McCarley

I confess. The first thought that sprang to mind upon encountering the Old Testament lesson appointed for today was rather less than commendable. It was simply an overwhelming sense of relief that this reading didn’t land a few weeks earlier on Father’s Day.”

My Yoke is Easy & My Burden is Light

Proper 9.A.2017
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
The Rev. Melanie L. McCarley

I don’t know about you, but the image of oxen, yoked together and plodding through the fields doesn’t necessarily generate an image of comfort—particularly if you are asked to identify with the ox. Instead, it looks like work…hard work. Picture the oxen, their heads bowed, slowly pulling a great weight as they plod along. Row upon row they go….their toil, a rather uninspiring image of what our lives can become. I ask you. How can any of this possibly be good news?

Reconciliation: The Work of the Church

6 Epiphany.A.17
Matthew 5:13-20
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

There’s a great Calvin and Hobbes cartoon where Calvin says to his tiger friend Hobbes, “I feel bad that I called Susie names and hurt her feelings. I’m sorry I did it.”

“Maybe you should apologize to her,” Hobbes suggests. Calvin ponders this for a moment and replies “I keep hoping there’s a less obvious solution.”

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