Preaching the Scriptures

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Psalm 137 Hatreds and Hope There are parts of the Bible that are difficult to read.   There are scriptures that are difficult to read because they are confusing or obscure.   There are passages that are difficult to read because they are nothing more than a long list of unfamiliar, difficult-to-pronounce names.   And then there is Psalm 137 – a chapter of the Bible that is difficult to read because the writer says things in this psalm that most of us would never otherwise utter.   The writer paints a picture that is simply too gut-wrenching to imagine, to disturbing to envision. And it is a prayer.   A prayer that feels wrong; a prayer that causes one’s tongue to retreat from the poetry.   But not one’s mind and not one’s soul.   The soul, it seems, cannot help but puzzle over that disturbing final verse, forcing us to wrestle with the haunting question of why: why is this verse found in our sacred, holy scr...

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 The Holy Innocents This shouldn't be a part of the Christmas season, but it is.   It always is.   One of the twelve days of Christmas is a memorial day – a day to remember the innocent children who died – those who were killed by King Herod, and those who have died since.   It shouldn't be, but it always is. Christmas reminds us how magical childhood can be.   When we think of Christmas, we think of little ones tucked in their beds, or opening gifts, or leaving milk and cookies out for Santa.   We think of their sweet voices singing Christmas carols.   Often we, ourselves, feel a childlike joy as we revisit those special places and memories of Christmases past.   And for this one Church season, we even think about Jesus as a child – lying in a manger, being held by his parents, receiving gifts from his mysterious visitors.   But hidden in the joy of the season, hidden, by o...