Sacred Words and Art

Glimpses of the Kingdom A Sermon for the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost October 31, 2021 The Rev. Robin Teasley   One of the scribes came near and heard the Sadducees disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’ —this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answe...

A Kind of Resurrection A Sermon for the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost October 24, 2021      The Rev. Robin Teasley   Job answered the Lord: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”   [After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you, ...

God Is In Whirlwinds Not Boxes A Sermon for the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost October 17, 2021 The Rev. Robin Teasley   The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me.   "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?   “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, so that a flood of waters may cover you?  Can you send forth lightnings, so that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’?  Who has put wisdom in the inward parts, or given understanding to the mind?  Who has the wisdom to number the clouds? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heav...

Lamenting Allowed A Sermon for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost October 10, 2021 The Rev. Robin Teasley   Job said: "Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning.  Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling! I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.  I would learn what he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to me.  There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted forever by my judge.  "If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him;  on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.  God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me;  If only I could vanish in darkness, and thick darkness would cover my face!" Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Job, William Orpen   "Today a...

Questions for God A Sermon for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost      October 3, 2021 The Rev. Robin Teasley   There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. He still persists in his integrity, although you incited me against him, to destroy him for no reason.” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Skin for skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives. But stretch out your hand now and touch his bone a...