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 …
The Kingdom of God is Full of Surprises Read More »
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
“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 …
Forgiveness is Serious Business Read More »
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
“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 …
Love is all you need Read More »
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
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, …
Get Behind me, Satan Read More »
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
“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 …
The Paradox of Power Read More »
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
“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, …
Coping with Confusion Read More »
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
“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 …
Everything happens for a reason… NOT Read More »
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
“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 …
Wrestling with God Read More »
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
“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 …
The Kingdom of Heaven is a Mess Read More »
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
“[Jesus] put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So, when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.”(Matthew …
Sorting the wheat from the weeds Read More »
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
