Love Your Enemies

Luke 6:27-38

Father Mark’s sermon focuses on Jesus’ teachings from the Gospel of Luke, particularly on loving and doing good to one’s enemies. He emphasizes that these teachings are not about passivity but about embodying the love and mercy of God. Jesus’ instructions to turn the other cheek, give to those who beg, and not retaliate are seen as invitations to live within the Kingdom of God, where actions are determined by God’s love rather than by external circumstances. Father Mark highlights that true strength comes from responding with love and mercy, even in the face of hatred and abuse, and that this is the essence of the Christian faith. He encourages listeners to act from their true selves, which are rooted in God’s love, rather than reacting from the ego’s mindset of competition and judgment.

Father Mark also addresses the misconception that Jesus’ teachings are naive or impractical. He argues that these teachings are not about being a doormat but about embodying the love and mercy of God, even in difficult situations. He uses the example of Jesus’ own life and death to illustrate true strength and courage. Father Mark emphasizes that living out these teachings is the calling of every Christian and that it requires a mindset shift from the world’s values to God’s values.

Father Mark concludes by emphasizing the importance of responding to negative circumstances from a place of inner freedom and love, rather than reacting from a place of ego and worldly values. He encourages listeners to allow God’s will to be done in their lives and to embody the loved and loving identity that is their core.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Steeped in God

Luke 6:17-26

Jesus’ time spent in prayer is transformative. Luke’s Gospel emphasizes Jesus’ deep prayer life, showing that being steeped in God’s presence shapes one’s vision of the world. Just as dye saturates an Easter egg, prayer changes a person’s heart, aligning it with God’s values. Jesus, after spending a night in prayer, descends to the people, full of divine power, ready to heal and teach. His beatitudes and woes challenge worldly values, declaring that the poor, the hungry, and the grieving are blessed in God's kingdom, while the rich and the satisfied must be wary.

This teaching follows the prophetic tradition, where Jesus, like the prophets before Him, calls out the discrepancy between God's vision and the world’s reality. Society values power, wealth, and status, but Jesus flips these priorities, lifting up the lowly and cautioning those who seek greatness. Even in Mary’s Magnificat and Paul’s writings, we see this same theme: true life is not found in riches or self-exaltation but in humility, generosity, and a Christ-like mindset. Seeking God's kingdom means letting go of worldly attachments and living by God’s standards of love, justice, and service.

Ultimately, Jesus’ words challenge us to reevaluate what we truly seek. Do we chase after worldly success, or do we empty ourselves to be filled with Christ? Spiritual author Henri Nouwen reminds us that we need the poor, not just to help them, but to receive the blessing they offer—the presence of God's kingdom in their lives. Jesus calls us to steep ourselves in God’s reality, letting go of pride and possessions to embrace a life of true abundance in Him.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Called By Grace

Luke 5:1-11

The sermon highlights a common theme across the stories of Isaiah, Paul, and Peter: an overwhelming encounter with God’s presence, a deep sense of personal inadequacy, and ultimately, transformation through God’s grace. Isaiah, struck by awe in the temple, first felt unworthy but was then called to be God’s prophet. Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, was blinded by Christ’s light, transformed, and became a bold apostle to the Gentiles. Peter, after witnessing Jesus’ miraculous catch of fish, recognized his own shortcomings, yet was chosen to be a fisher of people.

The sermon connects these biblical encounters to our modern-day calling. Many people today feel restless, anxious, and uncertain about the future. However, just as God called and equipped Isaiah, Paul, and Peter, He calls us—despite our imperfections—to share His love with others. The sermon reminds us that we don’t have to be perfect or preach like Paul to proclaim Christ’s love; rather, we are called to be ourselves and to live out our faith through love, service, and presence in the world.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Inclusive Love

Luke 4:21-30

Father Mark's sermon focuses on Jesus' visit to the synagogue in Nazareth. Initially, the townspeople are amazed by Jesus' words but quickly turn against him when he reminds them that prophets are not accepted in their hometowns. Jesus cites examples from the Old Testament where God's prophets helped foreigners, enraging the Nazarenes who feel entitled to special treatment.

The sermon explores how human nature tends to favor one's own group, a tendency that can lead to the belief that God favors certain groups over others. This mindset contradicts Jesus' teachings of love and inclusivity, as seen in his interactions with diverse people. Father Mark emphasizes the importance of recognizing and overcoming these instincts to live a life modeled after Jesus' example.

Father Mark concludes by encouraging listeners to choose love and keep their hearts open, even in the face of challenges. He quotes Paul's hymn on love and shares a poem that inspires courageous love and staying open to the world.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Kingdom of Love

John 18:33-37

On this Feast of Christ the King, Father Mark reflects on the unique nature of Christ’s kingship, contrasting it with earthly kingdoms. In John’s Gospel, Jesus tells Pilate, “My kingdom is not from this world,” emphasizing that his reign is not about dominance but about love, service, and truth. Unlike earthly rulers, who use power for control, Jesus models leadership through servanthood, exemplified when he washes his disciples’ feet. Christ is not a king in the worldly sense but a shepherd and servant, guiding his people with compassion and humility.

Father Mark highlights how Christ’s kingdom, described as a “kingdom of love,” exists amidst human systems but operates differently. It is a realm where truth and love reign supreme, and everyone is invited to participate. In a world where falsehoods often prevail, followers of Jesus are called to embrace truth, reject deceit, and live according to the principles of Christ’s kingdom. By doing so, they help answer the prayer, “Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.”

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Faith in Midair

Mark 13:1-8

In today’s sermon, Father Mark reflects on the transience of worldly things and the importance of a firm spiritual foundation, especially in uncertain times. He draws from Jesus’ prediction of the Temple’s destruction and the tumultuous historical context of Mark’s gospel, written during a period of chaos for early Christians. Just as the Temple’s destruction left a physical void, personal and collective crises shake our foundations today, such as wars, natural disasters, and events like 9/11 and COVID. Yet, amid this instability, we are called to ground ourselves in God’s enduring love and eternal truths, which transcend the temporary, worldly upheavals around us.

Father Mark encourages the congregation to consider times when they felt in “midair,” like a trapeze artist between handholds—a state theologian John Shea describes as an opportunity to find meaning beyond immediate circumstances. Even as our identities and roles shift, our deeper identity as part of God’s eternal kingdom remains constant. He emphasizes that at Christ Church, this “midair” moment is met with hope in God’s promises, symbolized in Jeremiah’s words: “I know the plans I have for you… plans for good… to give you a future with hope.”

As this sermon is given on Stewardship Sunday, Father Mark invites everyone to reflect on how they can continue or deepen their support for Christ Church’s ministries, highlighting the unique and compassionate role this church community plays in their lives and the world. Through acts of generosity, friendship, and service, Christ Church stands as a “lantern of light” in a world filled with division and darkness, reminding everyone that their contributions foster a beloved community that embodies God’s steadfast love.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Center in God

Mark 12:38-44

Father Mark’s sermon reflects on the recent presidential election and the role of Christians in times of political upheaval. Drawing from the teachings of Jesus, particularly the story of the widow’s offering, he emphasizes the importance of centering one’s heart in God rather than in worldly leaders or institutions. Jesus called his followers to resist hypocrisy and ego-driven actions, reminding us that the most meaningful contributions come from a place of humility and dedication to God, like the widow’s small but sincere offering. Father Mark urges the congregation to ground themselves in prayer and God’s presence, allowing the Spirit to guide their responses to current events and to center their hearts in the Kingdom of God.

He reminds the congregation that the true body of Christ—the Church—is called to address injustice and act with love and compassion. By evaluating leaders and events through the values embodied by Jesus, Christians can avoid partisanship and divisiveness. Instead, they should act from a place of equanimity and love, striving for justice, peace, and the dignity of all people as they live out their baptismal vows. Father Mark stresses that the Church must remain true to its mission, serving as the hands and heart of Christ in the world. In a time of division, he prays that the congregation will embody the love and voice of Christ for a world in need.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Fully Human Love

Mark 12:28-34

Father Mark’s sermon on the story of Lazarus emphasizes the compassionate, incarnational nature of Jesus, who does not remain distant from human suffering but fully embraces it. In his encounter with Mary and Martha, Jesus is deeply moved, disturbed, and even weeps for Lazarus—showing that God does not stay on the sidelines but enters fully into human grief and loss. This image of Christ as deeply embedded in human life, not detached or above it, challenges believers to remember that Jesus embodies empathy, humility, and love, not the divisive or power-seeking tendencies so common today.

Father Mark warns against “cultural Christianity,” where faith becomes captive to political and cultural ideologies instead of being shaped by the transformative love and grace of Christ. Rather than seeing Jesus as a figure who endorses our biases or conflicts, he encourages us to recognize the kingdom of God as something within us—a call to live according to the radical love of Jesus, which includes forgiveness, humility, and unity. As All Saints Sunday reminds us of our unity in the body of Christ, we are challenged to transcend the divisions and animosities of our culture, moving instead toward a shared identity as children of God, called to live in communion with one another.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

To See

Mark 10:46-52

In today’s Gospel, Father Mark reflects on the story of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, who calls out to Jesus, asking for mercy and the ability to see. Bartimaeus's plea is met initially with scorn by the crowd, who view him only as a sinner and an unworthy presence. However, Jesus, who looks beyond labels and sees Bartimaeus as a person of value, calls him forward. The Gospel invites us to consider the depth of Bartimaeus’s request, which may not only be for physical sight but also for spiritual vision—a desire to see life and others through the lens of divine love. Father Mark challenges us to embrace this spiritual perspective, reminding us of John Newton’s hymn "Amazing Grace," where newfound sight represents an awakening to compassion and love for others.

Father Mark highlights the difference between the disciples, who ask Jesus for personal glory, and Bartimaeus, who humbly asks for sight. This contrast illustrates the Gospel’s call to seek spiritual wholeness rather than self-promotion. Bartimaeus’s story also prompts us to examine our own tendencies to label others in dismissive ways, reducing them to stereotypes and stripping away their humanity. Jesus shows us that true discipleship requires seeing each person as a fellow child of God, deserving of dignity and respect.

The transformation of the crowd, who move from silencing Bartimaeus to encouraging him at Jesus’s prompting, serves as an example of the power of compassion to change our hearts. Following Jesus means overcoming our biases and striving to see others not as mere labels but as unique, beloved individuals. Father Mark urges us to heed Jesus’s question, “What do you want me to do for you?” and to answer by seeking the grace to see others with compassion and open-heartedness.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Journey of Love

Mark 12:28-34

In this Gospel reading from Mark, Jesus emphasizes the two greatest commandments: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. A scribe agrees with Jesus, affirming that love is more important than offerings or sacrifices. Jesus praises the scribe’s wisdom, telling him he is close to the kingdom of God.

Following the Gospel, Dan and Debi Blackwell share the emotional journey they experienced after discovering their son, Opie, was gay. Initially, they struggled with grief, denial, and societal fears, but eventually, they accepted their son for who he is. Their story highlights the transformation they underwent, realizing that their prayers to change Opie were answered by God changing them instead.

The Blackwells reflect on the importance of loving and accepting all people as children of God, regardless of their differences. They urge the church community to welcome those who feel marginalized, including LGBTQ+ individuals, reminding everyone that Jesus calls us to love without judgment. Their story is a powerful testament to family, faith, and the journey toward unconditional love.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.