Preaching the Scriptures

  The Rt. Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18   Abram’s Doubt Trinity, Plattsburgh   This is not the first time Abram has heard this promise – the one we find in today’s Genesis reading.   He left his country and kindred to follow this very promise – a promise that he chased like a distant horizon.   Once upon a time, his life was normal, stable.   And then this mesmerizing, strange God changed his life – stole him away from his birthright, his plans, from the moon gods of his youth and his people.   This new God saw into his heart, spoke to his deepest longings.   And so, like the disciples on the beach, Abram left everything.   Through deserts and danger, he pursued the promise and yet still, beneath the big, starry sky, he seemed no closer to its fulfillment.   The visions kept happening.   But still there was no evidence.   Every month, with the moon, came a reminder that Sarai was again not preg...

  The Rt. Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Luke 4:1-13   Choose Good St. Paul’s, Troy   The devil in Luke’s Gospel is not the familiar cartoon caricature.   He is not a red-faced goon in sulfur-scented cologne.   This devil is not the twisted star of campy horror movies.   He is not a demented poker with a pitchfork and a hideous scowl.   The devil in today’s Gospel passage is trying to book Jesus as a client; he wants to be Jesus’ agent.   This devil sees the career path to which Jesus has committed – one with an objectively rough ending – and is convinced he can find Jesus something better.   The devil shows up in the wilderness ready for business.   He walks into the meeting prepared to pitch; he has some tempting offers, some ideas, some strategies that will help Jesus really unlock his full potential. Not entirely unlike some of the more saintly characters in this Gospel, Simeon, Anna, John the Baptist, the devil recognizes ...

The Rt. Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Luke 9:28-43a   Where the miracles happen Christ Church, Gilbertsville   On this day, eleven years ago, I skipped church.   I just didn’t show up.   That wasn’t the plan.   I went to bed fully expecting to preach and celebrate at both 8 and 10am.   But I didn’t.   Because, unexpectedly, something else came up.   Or perhaps, I should say, came out.   At 9:58am, on Sunday, March 2, the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, in the year 2014, I met Isaiah Williamson.   And the first thing he did was scream at me.   And the first thing I did was fall in love with him.   Every year, on his birthday, we celebrate the special person Isaiah is becoming.   And also every year, in my mind and in my heart, I am transported back to our first meeting.   It is a day forever preserved in the amber of aching joy.   And something in me wants to build a dwelling in that perfect day. ...