“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he […]
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Collaborators and sex-workers Read More »
So, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16) Greetings, Fighter. I’m introducing this week’s Gospel reading with the last verse rather than the first. That seems appropriate in this case, of course, but my reason for doing so is solely because I feared losing your interest if I began
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
The Kingdom of God is Full of Surprises Read More »
“Then Peter came and said to [Jesus], “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18:21-22) Greetings, Fighter. One of my favourite people in the world is Dr Hassoun – until recently, the Grand Mufti
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Forgiveness is Serious Business Read More »
“Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Love does
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Love is all you need Read More »
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it,
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Get Behind me, Satan Read More »
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
The Paradox of Power Read More »
“Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But [Jesus] did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered,
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Coping with Confusion Read More »
“They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal devoured him, and we shall see
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Everything happens for a reason… NOT Read More »
“The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.” (Genesis 32:22-24) It’s
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Wrestling with God Read More »
“He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field” (Matthew 13:31) Thus begins the Parable of the Mustard Seed, which is one of a series of short stories featured in this week’s Gospel reading from Matthew 13. In sermons past I’ve
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
The Kingdom of Heaven is a Mess Read More »
