Thomas is, and always has been, one of us. I feel he belongs at St Mary’s.
He is much loved though much derided by his nickname - Thomas the doubter.
Thomas is the one who stands there for the rest of us - in the middle of the hysteria of the disciples and says. “No, give me […]

We split the preaching of the cross up between the cathedral clergy this year. Each of us took one of the words that Jesus spoke on the cross. Mine was “Mother behold your son, son behold your mother” - the exchange referring to Mary and beloved John.
Here’s what I said:
Every year I encounter these words […]

The gospel reading that we have just heard is an important one. Like the reading from the book of Genesis that we heard earlier in the service, it takes us straight into a deep strange place.
For these readings take us into the strange world of myth and mystery.
And if you doubt that, can I ask […]

We think of time in a different way to the way that the Jewish people thought of it. For them, as sure as night follows day, you can be sure that if you have a big religious festival, then forty days later, you will have another one.
And so, here we are, just about 40 […]

Preached in the Chapel of the University of Glasgow
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Dove.
Coming to read the gospel story here in a University Chapel today has reminded me of an incident which occurred when I was a student.
Sadly, I never studied here in Glasgow. However I […]

Today is the Epiphany - the day we remember visitors from the East coming to worship Jesus, and bringing with them their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The temptation, when preaching in the West of Scotland is to dwell on the idea of people coming from the East and tell jokes about people from Edinburgh. […]

The gospel reading for this morning finished with a statement that we were to be ready for the unexpected hour was almost upon us. For me, the unexpected hour came at 0900 this morning when I heard that our preacher for this morning was taken sick and unable to be with us. So, you will […]

Christine. Just over 10 year’s ago, I sat where you are sitting, waiting to make my own response to the same questions which in a few moment’s time will be put to you.
As I think back to that time, I remember an incident which happened to me in my training before I was ordained. It […]

Here is the sermon that I croaked this morning. Not having much voice, I’ve no idea whether people could hear it or not. The snuffling of the mancold which I’ve been afflicted with prompted me to dip into the file of “old sermons about the rich man and lazarus” and pull this one out. Last […]

Not long ago, I took a walk with a friend along the riverside path from close to where we’re worshipping now, down the river Kelvin. We walked, we talked and suddenly, he said, “Look, what’s that?” It was a flash of blue darting over the water. We stared intently for a few moments. The river […]