Bach’s Oratorio on a Sunday Morning
Should we fear that high art, like the music of Bach, might die within the church?
Reformation Day • Matthew 11:12–19 • October 30, 2011
By Kent Burreson What have you come here to see? (Mt 11:7–9). This is one of the questions Jesus puts to the crowds at this turning point in Matthew’s Gospel as opposition to Jesus grows. Perhaps more appropriately, on Reformation Sunday the question should be: “What did you come here to do?” This alternate Gospel reading ..
All Saints’ Day • Revelation 7:(2–8) 9–17 • November 7, 2010
by Kent Burreson Getting to Know the White-Clad Relatives The central question of chapter 7 in John’s vision, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” reminds me of the family gatherings of my youth. Even with the name Burreson—a small Norwegian clan, few in number—at the bi-annual reunion in ..
Epiphany 5 · Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) · February 7, 2010
By Kent Burreson The Theophany of God, Cleansing, and Call of Isaiah The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany offers the opportunity to preach on a liturgical text: the Sanctus. Since the biblical narrative informs the liturgical text and action, it would be appropriate to preach from within the purpose and movement of the Sanctus (and Benedictus) ..
Ascension · Luke 24:44-53 · May 21, 2009
By Kent Burreson A Journey for the Ages This homiletical help provides reflections on central themes for the Ascension in light of the liturgical context and hymnography for the feast. The Gospel reading for the Ascension of Our Lord is the Lukan account of Jesus’ final teaching and his return to his Father. It is ..