Archives for February 2022

Jesus told his disciples a parable, “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?” (Luke 6:39) In New Orleans we give directions differently than some other cities.  We don’t use “east, west, north and south” because it doesn’t make sense to tell people that the way to the West Bank is actually due east because of the curve the Mississippi makes at New Orleans.  We might describe somewhere as “across the lake,” or “downtown,” or in Lakeview.”  Those of us who live uptown might describe the exact location of our church as being on the riverside, downtown corner of Camp and Napoleon.  It’s a little different in Rome.  When my friends and I were walking in Rome and asked someone for directions, most Italians would just point in the direction we should go, and say … [Read more...]

Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. …  Do to others as you would have them do to you.  For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.” (Luke 6:27-28, 30-33) The Gospel passage today is a continuation of the Sermon on the Plain we heard in last week’s Gospel.  And just as He did last week, he’s basically turning the law of the Old Covenant on its head in terms of understanding.  When someone did wrong to a Jewish person, the wronged person was told in the law: “if injury ensues, you shall give life for … [Read more...]

Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. (Lk 6:21) It’s hard to argue with the joy that we experienced in 2010 when the Saints won the Super Bowl.  And it’s hard to argue with the sadness we felt when we lost Drew Brees and Sean Peyton. It seems that after Katrina, we needed a symbol for the “renaissance” of our city.  It could have come from the outpouring of support we received from people living outside of the state, or even from the revamping of our own city government. It could have come from the outside businessmen, artists, musicians, actors, and celebrities who have taken an interest in our home.  But it is fitting that the symbol of our renaissance was one of our own. It was the team that was never supposed to win. It was the team that lost its home to the … [Read more...]

After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets were tearing.  They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them.  They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking.  When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”  Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.  (Lk 5:4-8, 9b-11) You have to … [Read more...]