For only kindness can win the world for kindness, only generosity can win the world for generosity, and only love like lightning can win the world for love.

The Rev. Brandon C. Ashcraft Good Friday, Year B / John 18:1—19:42. April 18, 2025 Trinity Church in the City

Palm Sunday Michael Battle Trinity Church Boston April 13, 2025 Lectionary: Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 19:28-40; and Luke 22:14-23:56 When my

During these waning days of Lent, with only scattered palms ahead of us, we can deny the accusation of our insignificance: by pouring out our love. No matter how much the world tells us that we are wasting our energy and our resources and our God-given potential. But we pour it out, over each imperfect human. Towards our savior, Jesus. Abundantly offered to God not as a sacrifice, friends, but as revolutionary declaration.

See what the eldest son fails to recognize: we always tend the fatted calf for our brother’s return. We receive strengths of spirit and nurture them in order that they might benefit all people.

Although fear of divine punishment may no longer motivate us today, to turn around, to repent, to say “I’m sorry”, to make amends, to reorient ourselves toward loving God and loving our neighbor… Scriptural memory can encourage us and nourish us.

How remarkable that the almighty Son of God eschews the regal image of the lion, or the mighty image of the ox, and chooses instead the nurturing image of a mother hen. To anyone who complains that maternal imagery for the divine is a new-fangled innovation, I present the ancient words of today’s Gospel.

By Jesus’ model, when the world turns to selfishness and judgment, we do not overcome those trials by returning aggression for aggression; we do not give cruelty for cruelty.