Preaching the Scriptures

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Loving Judas As far as dinner parties go: this one was kind of a mess. Although in fairness, really any party in which one of the guests leaves early to plot the host's murder could fairly, I think, be considered something of a disaster. It is difficult to know exactly on whom to place the blame. I mean, Judas is the obvious choice. His evil scheming not only ruined the Passover meal Jesus shared with his disciples, but also brought an end to Jesus' life. He is clearly the villain in this passion story. But it is also important to remember that it was Jesus who invited him to the party. It is impossible to know how their relationship began, but we know Jesus chose Judas to be one of his closest followers, one of his inner circle. Which I think reminds us that no one is all bad or pure evil. Life is complex and so are people. And until things fell to pieces, Judas followed Jesus as one of his twelve disciples. He witnesse...

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson John 13 Love until it hurts This night is defined by ritual action, by those things we do.   We do things during this liturgy that happen only once in the entire Church year.   Foot-washing is reserved for Maundy Thursday.   The stripping of the altar is reserved for Maundy Thursday.   The exit of the Reserved Sacrament to its temporary home on the Altar of Repose in the Chapel of the Consoling Christ is reserved for Maundy Thursday. And then there is the Institution of the Lord's Supper, which we remember on this night as well.   And so placed amid all of these unique liturgical events is the one we practice most of all: the Holy Eucharist.   At least weekly, sometimes, like this week, with even greater frequency, we gather together and we remember the night in which Jesus instituted this Sacrament.   And as a community of Christians, we eat his body and drink his blood – week after week after week. ...