Sermons by Rev. Jason S. Glombicki (Page 26)

Today’s gospel reading was a long one. It was 42 verses long to be exact. And, because I’m worried that you might be scrolling on Facebook or that you fell asleep. I’ve got a pop quiz that’s fancier than your nodding or raising hands. On your screen, answer this question: How many times did the words sight, see/seen/sees/saw, or blind appear in today’s gospel – the options are 4, 11, 14, 23, 29, or 34? Correct answer: 29. And, these 29 times helped to communicate to us that this reading, this story, this encounter with Jesus was all about sight. But, it was more than just sight, in John’s gospel, to see is to believe, and to believe in John’s gospel is to have abundant life. And in today’s story, abundant life meant that a man’s existence was utterly transformed…

Well, that was some gospel reading. Good thing we all have no place to go right now, and, frankly, you all could have walked away if Dr. Jordan being Jesus was more than you could handle. But, really, sharing that story with you via Livestream is probably one of the better ways to experience the story in the 21st century…

Every Ash Wednesday, we hear the same readings. While they’ve become familiar to me, this year, the readings from Isaiah and Matthew struck me more than ever before. You see, earlier today, Vicar Paisley and I stood outside in the cold and snow smearing ashes on people’s foreheads at the Damen blue line stop while others watched. Tonight, we gathered and heard Jesus say, “Beware of practicing your piety before others…” Well, crap. What were we doing out there? Should you all really come forward in a few moments to have ashes placed on your forehead? And, who picked this darn reading for tonight anyway?