How is the Vineyard?
The Parable of the Tenants provides us with easy targets to point our fingers at. Whether it be the Chief Priests or the elders from the temple or perhaps even the Israelite's themselves. The targets are easy in light of the ending we know is in store for Jesus. This...
Challenged by God
The question regarding the authority of Jesus has as much to do with the answer as it does with the reasons to ask the question. His authority comes from heaven, this is clear to us as modern readers and it was clear to the chief priests and elders even if they didn't...
A Highland Prayer
In my devotionals this week I came across the following reading: In Highland tradition God is regarded both in Himself and in His Three Persons as a Chief and Ard Righ, with personal tied to His people. It is after the manner of a chieftain, of a hero, or of a prince...
God’s Grace for All
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard is one that is often difficult to swallow. There is an inherent sense of unfairness to the parable that we have difficulty dealing with. North American society and culture is one which prides itself on hard work to earn a...
A Prayer on Grieving
Into my grieving I weave the strength of the Father. Into my grieving I weave the compassion of the Son. Into my grieving I weave the comfort of the Spirit. Into my grieving I receive the presence of the Three in One. Into my anger I invite the patience of the Father....
Forgiveness is Second Nature for Christians
In his memorable sermon “The Gospel as Hyperbole,” Fred Craddock points out that Jesus most assuredly had a way with words and with exaggeration as a way to get his points across. When it comes to conveying the sheer size of the gospel and of faith, Jesus refused to...
A Pub Blessing
Prayer comes in many forms. When we look at traditional prayers that have been offered in the past we might shake our heads about the sensibilities. One such prayer is 'A Pub Blessing' attributed to St. Brigid. Here the prayer tends to illicit thoughts of drunkenness...
Bind and Loose
Text: Matthew 18: 15-20 Growing up I was a fan of the TV show Law & Order. I enjoyed the format of the show, spending the first half with the detectives who investigate crimes and then the second half with the lawyers who prosecute the criminals. As I...
St. Patrick’s Breastplate a Prayer for Protection
We sit in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, of severe monsoon flooding in SouthEast Asia and with Hurricane Irma having devastated many small Caribbean nations, with its course now set for Florida. We acknowledge that these are only some of the calamities which face...
Let Love be Genuine
Let love be genuine is how Paul opens this section of Romans. Hold fast to what is good. He completes this section by encouraging us to overcome evil with good. In a culture that is enthralled with violence who do we accomplish this? How do we demonstrate love...
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Cobourg is part of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The congregation was established in 1833 and continues to serve the community.