Preaching the Scriptures

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Matthew 18:21-35 Forgiveness Peter could really use a win. Like many students, he just wants to impress his teacher. And if we're being honest here, some of his previous attempts have not gone terribly well – especially that time Jesus called him Satan, in front of the entire class. That stung. But you have to give him credit, he is persistent. Once again today, he musters up his courage and goes for it. I imagine he studied late into the night, scrutinized the exact wording he would use, practiced in the mirror. He probably played out the scenario in his head dozens of times – just to be absolutely sure that this comment would not again earn him a satanic nickname, but would instead, garner that most precious prize: a gold star from his rabbi, from his teacher. It's a good question and goes off without a hitch: How often should I forgive someone who sins against me? As many as seven times? Now, a lot of people strug...

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Romans 13:8-14 Love Your Neighbor Tomorrow will be the sixteenth anniversary of Welles Crowther's death. He was twenty-four years old the day he died; this year he would have celebrated his fortieth birthday. But instead he made a decision, a decision that froze him in time. Crowther worked in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He was an equities trader, a graduate of Boston College. Even folks who did not know his name, recognized him as the guy who always carried a red bandanna in his back pocket. He always carried it – ever since the day his dad gave it to him, when he was just six years old. After United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower, Welles called his mom – just to let her know that he was OK. And then from the 78 th floor, he started his dissent – but not alone. In the midst of the smoke and chaos, with his red bandanna tied around his face, trying to protect his nose and mo...