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By Rev. Tracey Leslie
Scripture: John 9: 24-34 One afternoon, as a freshman at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, I lost my temper. The music department had offered me a scholarship my freshman year. Because the university had also offered an academic scholarship that would carry across my four years, I assumed my music scholarship would also continue. However, one afternoon, near the end of the year, I was told that was not the case. My piano professor, Mr. Burky – or Mr. B, as we called him – was still in his office. I was so angry when the dean’s office informed me my scholarship would not be renewed. I went straight to Mr. B’s office. I was crying and yelling at the same time. I’m embarrassed to say, I was so angry, I even threw something… although not at Mr. B. I wasn’t that out of control. Still, when I threw whatever it was, my purse I think, with tears streaming down my face, I remember poor Mr. B flinching. In hindsight, it’s very embarrassing that I behaved so badly. I snapped in a way that was quite out of character and, until years later, wasn’t self-aware enough to know why.
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By Rev. Tracey Leslie
Scripture: Luke 13: 1-5 If you are anything like me, you have found it heartbreaking and gut-wrenching to view interviews with Ukrainians on the news these past couple of weeks. They are remarkable people. Despite the fact that they have been bombed and shot at; had their electricity and water shut-off; and are running out of food and medicine, they remain committed to defending their homeland; maintaining democracy and resisting Putin’s dictatorship. One of the things I have noticed is how frequently news shows transition from an interview with a Ukrainian who pronounces they will win and push the Russians out to a military expert who declares that – despite Ukrainian grit and bravery – they are no match for Putin’s military and his brutal, “damn the torpedoes” tactics. And the military experts are very likely correct. But, in their minds, the Ukrainians will not go there; they cannot go there. The death and loss of their homes and their homeland is more than they are able to emotionally and spiritually accept. They are in denial. By Rev. Tracey Leslie
Scripture: Luke 4: 1-13 I realize that I have shared before the story of my retreat more than 20 years ago at a Catholic Retreat Center in Sarita, Texas, less than two hours north of Mexico. The retreat center had once been a ranch. It’s situated within the 4,000 square mile Wild Horse desert. For me, nature is a big part of my spirituality and when I am in a brand new setting, like my first time in a desert, it just kind of awakens my senses. My first morning there I decided to go on a hike. After passing a couple hermitages, there were no other signs of civilization. The only thing I heard were some birds overhead. It was so peaceful. I breathed deeply as I walked; sun on my face (I’d been in the Chicago snow the day before). Among the scrub were Juniper trees and, as I rounded a turn in the trail, there under a Juniper was an animal skull picked clean. |
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Pastor Tracey
On a lifelong journey of seeking to live out God's call on my life and to reflect His grace. 10 Minute SermonsCategories
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