Author Archives: tmrichmond3

“Sanctify them in your truth….”  John 17:17   In the summer of 1982 I managed to get a summer job working in a tobacco warehouse in Durham, North Carolina. Argentina had invaded the Falkland Islands, and apparently they grew a … Continue reading →

In both the Old and New Testament lessons, we hear the word “Servant.” In the Isaiah passage, the prophet is describing the servant of God, and in the Luke passage Mary says she is the servant of the Lord.   … Continue reading →

            In 1517 a renegade monk named Martin Luther let loose his frustrations with the Church, at that time the ONLY church, and nailed a piece of paper that had 95 different statements that showed … Continue reading →

A rabbi was asked if it bothered him that Christians had taken the Ten Commandments from the Jews. “I don’t mind that they took them,” he said, “I just hope they can keep them.”   We can try to understand … Continue reading →

While I was visiting a parishioner in the hospital, her daughter’s pastor, a prominent African-American pastor, also made a visit. We were making small talk, the kind pastors generally make during a hospital visit, and I asked Pastor McCormick how … Continue reading →

  When I was in the seventh grade I attended a lily-white high school. We had, as far as I knew, three minorities—two Roman Catholics and a Jewish girl. The next year that same school was around 45 percent African-American. … Continue reading →

For the last few weeks the Gospel lessons have all come from the Sermon on the Mount. These three chapters embody more than almost any other passages of Scripture the teachings of Jesus Christ. And for many people these teachings … Continue reading →

I have spent the better part of this day wondering how to respond to the Election. (This was not just any election. This was The Election.) Here are a few take aways I have. Republicans finally put a nail in … Continue reading →

There was once a minister who was traveling in the country side, and found himself talking to an illiterate farmer. He asked the farmer if he ever prayed. “Of course I do,” said the farmer. “Every morning I wake up … Continue reading →