Break Open the Word

Saint Mary the Virgin, 15 August2013 Isaiah 61:10-11 Psalm 34 Galatians 4:4-7 St. Luke 1:46-56                                                                                     Background:  The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Reformation The honor that was accorded the Virgin Mary even after the Reformation seemed to prevail in some countries (Germany and England in particular) but did not survive in others.  England had a strong tradition to fall back on, namely the visitation of Joseph of Arimathea, and the dedication of a Celtic Chr...

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Proper 15, 18 August 2013 Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:1-2, 8-18    Or Jeremiah 23:23-29 Psalm 8s Hebrews 11:29- 12:2 St. Luke 12:49-56                                                                                     Background: Jeremiah’s time Jeremiah was active during the reign of Josiah (626 BCE) and continued until the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BCE.  His work was supposedly given to his secretary Baruch ben Neriah, who then published Jeremiah’s oracles and sayings.  Other king...