Breathe, by Laura Alary My friend Laura Alary has a lovely new book coming out: Breathe: A Child’s Guide to Ascension, Pentecost and the Growing Time (Paraclete Press, 2021). It is designed as a children’s book, but it would be so good for grown-ups too. Don’t miss out just because you don’t have kids around […]
Pentecost: A Children’s Sermon on Acts 2:1-21
The story of the first Christian Pentecost is full of evocative details, just waiting for a storyteller to draw them out. If you want the children to hear only what is explicitly on the page, better than a Children’s Sermon on Acts 2:1-21, you might want to read the text to them. I think, however, it […]
Monday Meditation: RCL Year A, Pentecost, John 7:37-39
On the day of Pentecost in Year A, the alternate Gospel reading is John 7:37-39. John 7:37-39 I’ve previously written on the primary Gospel reading for the day, John 20:19-23, when it was paired with the story of Jesus’ kind revelation to “doubting Thomas” (once in 2020, and once in 2019). This year, Pentecost happens […]
Monday Meditation: RCL Year C, Pentecost, John 14:8-17
John 14:8-17 is a slightly odd text for Pentecost — until the end it says very little about the coming of the Spirit. But as with all of John 13-17, it is theologically rich. John 14:8-17 It’s a great text on the Trinity and on the purpose of the Incarnation — plus, if you sneak […]
Monday Meditation: RCL Year B, Pentecost, John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15
John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 As with almost any text in John, the Gospel text for Pentecost (John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15) is evocative, fascinating, and confusing by turns. Don’t expect me to clear it all up and tie it with a bow for you. These Monday Meditations are just my journey into next Sunday’s Gospel. I hope you’ll […]