Sermons by Rev. Jason S. Glombicki (Page 28)
Epiphany of Our Lord
Today’s gospel reading is complex. At the surface, we heard that multiple magi brought three gifts from afar to honor Jesus. If we look at the context, we find that these magi were probably educated, foreign, astrologists who were religious leaders in Zoroastrianism and came from present-day countries like Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and India. The magi had political ties to Jerusalem’s enemy, influence another country’s leadership by providing information and finances (you know, gold, frankincense, and myrrh) so that the Holy Family could seek asylum in Egypt. This led to Herod’s decision to commit infanticide when he was fooled by the magi. And no, this wasn’t a movie I watched last night or a news article I read this morning; instead, it was today’s gospel reading. And, if we look just a wee-bit deeper at Herod and the scribes, we will find a few more details that make today’s gospel even more complex.
Christmas Eve
A few days after the year’s longest night, we gather here. We sing. We read. We light candles. And, we do it every year. Even with the familiar story, something different always grabs my attention. This year, it is the phrase, “there was no place for them in the inn.” Now, if you talked to a room of Lukean scholars (yes, there is such a thing), you’d probably get at least two interpretations of the word “inn.” Some say that the word “inn” means public accommodations, like a 21st century hotel, while others say it means a relative’s guest room. Now, here’s the rub, either way–whether they’re at a relative’s home or at a public inn–who would let this pre-teen give birth like that…
Sixth Sunday of Advent
In last week’s gospel, we meet John the Baptist. We heard him crying out on the margins wanting us to embrace God’s way of just living. We heard that John was the first century equivalent to a hype man or a hype gal–that is, the one who is responsible for increasing an audience’s excitement. Then, after all that hype, John the Baptist asks the silliest of questions, namely “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another…”