Deep Within the Heart

Luke 13:10-17

Jesus heals a woman bent over for eighteen years on the Sabbath. The synagogue leader objects, citing the commandment. Jesus exposes the gap between the law’s outer form and its inner purpose, saying the Sabbath serves human need and liberation.

Scripture gives two grounds for Sabbath: God’s rest in creation and Israel’s release from slavery. Healing on the Sabbath fulfills both by restoring rest and freeing from bondage. The woman’s longtime suffering shows the urgency of mercy, which aligns with God’s ongoing work of setting people free.

The sermon warns against rigid rule-keeping that ignores people’s burdens, noting contemporary parallels like immigration debates. It proposes a biblical image: stone tablets on one side, a living heart on the other. Jeremiah’s new covenant writes God’s law on hearts, guiding compassionate action over mere external compliance.

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.

Peacekeeping?

Luke 12:49-56

Father Mark’s sermon explores the challenging words of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke, where He declares He has come not to bring peace, but division. Father Mark emphasizes that this division is not the purpose of Jesus’ message, but a predictable reaction to the radical nature of the Gospel. Just as the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son resents the father’s grace toward his wayward sibling, so too do many resist the inclusive, mercy-centered message of Jesus. The sermon draws parallels between biblical resistance to God’s grace and modern resistance, particularly highlighting how many in today’s society embrace the values of the older brother: self-righteousness, merit-based worth, and an aversion to mercy for the undeserving.

Father Mark underscores that Jesus’ teachings were not meant to maintain the comfort of the status quo but to challenge unjust systems and bring about the deep peace of God’s kingdom—one grounded in forgiveness, compassion, and equity. He critiques modern indifference to suffering, particularly pointing to the plight of starving children in Gaza, and calls out the hypocrisy of those who claim Christian values while rejecting the Bible’s repeated call to defend the poor and the oppressed. This, he asserts, is the fire Jesus wishes were already kindled—a transformative fire that exposes the false peace of worldly powers and reveals the divine peace of God.

In conclusion, Father Mark warns against confusing peacekeeping with peacemaking. He references Father Thomas Keating’s insight that peace lovers maintain the status quo, while peacemakers actively confront injustice. Jesus was a peacemaker, whose crucifixion was the result of His challenge to unjust structures. The Gospel calls us not to comfort, but to the difficult and often divisive work of living out God’s mercy in a resistant world. Father Mark leaves us with the reminder that we all have a bit of the older brother in us—and that the Gospel’s fire is meant to burn away our self-righteousness so the light of God’s grace can shine through.

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.

Open-Handed Waiting

Luke 12:32-40

Jesus’ words in Luke 12 call us to fearless trust and ready hearts: “Do not be afraid… it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” We’re told to place our treasure in heaven, keep our lamps lit, and stay alert for the Master who may arrive at an unexpected hour.

Father Mark reflects on everyday impatience—like waiting in traffic or a grocery line—as a spiritual warning. “I want to be somewhere else” reveals two problems: it centers the ego apart from the needs of others and God’s will, and it pulls us out of the present moment where God’s gifts are actually given. When we’re not truly present, we miss Christ’s face in our neighbor and fail to live our baptismal vows.

He contrasts “tight-fisted waiting” (driven by fixed outcomes, wishes, and fear) with “open-handed waiting” (patient, alert, surrendered to God). Echoing Isaiah 40:31 and Henri Nouwen, he urges receptive waiting that trusts the Father’s joy to give the kingdom. The stunning promise of Jesus’ parable is that the Master will return and serve the servants—a foretaste of the Eucharistic banquet offered to those who wait with open hands and ready hearts.

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.

Rich Toward God

Luke 12:13-21

Father Mark’s sermon reflects on Jesus’ parable of the rich fool, reminding us that true life is not found in possessions but in the abundance of God’s grace and generosity. He begins by highlighting how nature, with its volunteer plants springing up unbidden, mirrors the overflowing generosity of God’s creation. The earth produces abundantly not because of human effort alone, but because of God’s sustaining hand. This abundance calls us not to hoard or claim ownership, but to participate in the divine cycle of giving and receiving life.

The rich man in Jesus’ parable misses this truth, focusing only on storing up wealth for himself, thinking material goods can secure his soul. As Bible scholar John Shea notes, the soul is not sustained by possessions but by “flow”—the ongoing exchange of love, generosity, and divine life. Greed, whether for money, power, fame, or anything else, creates a false promise that more will satisfy our longing for security. Yet greed only leaves us empty, chasing an illusion of salvation that objects of desire can never provide.

Father Mark concludes by pointing us toward the “wealth of our inner resources,” the treasures of the Kingdom of God that live within us. Rather than striving for earthly riches that perish, we are called to cultivate integrity, generosity, and connection with God and others. The soul thrives not by clinging to possessions but by joining in the flow of divine love and abundance—a life rich toward God rather than rich in worldly terms.

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.

Prayer, Relationship and Transformation

Luke 11:1-13

Father Mark reflects on Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer, emphasizing that Jesus teaches his disciples not just how to ask for things, but how to enter into deeper relationship with God. Unlike the transactional model of prayer many assume—asking and hoping to receive—Jesus starts with the holiness of God and a desire for God’s kingdom, not human needs. Prayer, then, begins by orienting the heart toward God, aligning with God’s will rather than bending divine power to our own purposes.

He addresses the tension many feel when prayers go unanswered. Father Mark references C.S. Lewis, who wrote that prayer is not magic, nor does it guarantee a specific result—even Jesus’ own prayer in Gethsemane was not answered in the way he hoped. Instead of viewing prayer as a vending machine, Father Mark encourages us to see it as a spiritual posture of openness, rooted in trust that God is always giving—most especially the gift of the Holy Spirit, God’s very self.

Ultimately, praying as Jesus prays is not about changing God’s mind, but about transforming ours. The Lord’s Prayer, repeated faithfully, reshapes our consciousness into the likeness of Christ’s. As we ask, seek, and knock, we are not overcoming divine reluctance, but becoming receptive to the love and presence that God is constantly offering. In this way, prayer becomes not a means to gain control, but a way to join in the divine flow, receive the Holy Spirit, and participate in the coming of God’s kingdom.

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.

Restored to Self

Luke 8:26-39

In today’s Gospel, Father Mark reflects on Jesus’ healing of the man possessed by demons in the country of the Gerasenes. This man, isolated and tormented, becomes a mirror of the community’s unspoken fears and brokenness. His possession is not just a personal affliction, but a symbolic burden that the townspeople project upon him—he becomes their scapegoat. Jesus’ healing of the man destabilizes the community’s sense of order, revealing how fear prefers the familiar brokenness over uncertain transformation.

Father Mark draws a powerful parallel between the demoniac’s healing and the deep psychological and social healing many of us resist. Just as the community fears change and loses their scapegoat, so too we often cling to unhealthy identities—whether as victims, the sick, or those who see others as “the other.” He explores how we create division through demonization: of people of different races, beliefs, orientations, or political views. These divisions serve as false identities, distractions from the liberating truth of who we are in God.

Jesus doesn’t just heal the man—he commissions him. Sent back to his community, the restored man becomes a witness to God’s transforming love. Father Mark calls us to the same mission: to be healed and then become healers, to know our true identity as beloved children of God and to help others reclaim theirs. He reminds us that our deepest identity is not found in opposition to others, but in union with a God who makes us all sisters and brothers.

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.

Eye of the Heart

John 14:8-17 (25-27)

Father Mark reflects on the underappreciated significance of Pentecost, contrasting it with culturally embraced holidays like Christmas and Easter. He suggests that Pentecost’s focus on the Holy Spirit—something unseen and internal—makes it difficult for many, particularly modern Americans, to fully grasp or celebrate. He points out how people often seek God externally, missing the deep spiritual truth that God’s presence is already within and among us. Even Philip, who spent years with Jesus, struggled to recognize the divine in Him, looking for physical evidence rather than perceiving with the “eye of the heart.”

The sermon encourages a turn inward to rediscover spiritual awareness. Citing figures like Meister Eckhart and Henri Nouwen, Father Mark underscores the importance of solitude, silence, and contemplative prayer as essential practices for connecting with the indwelling Spirit. Jesus Himself modeled this rhythm of withdrawal and engagement—finding power and clarity through quiet communion with God. The Holy Spirit is not only a spectacle of fire and wind but also a gentle, sustaining presence that abides within us when we cultivate space through prayer.

Father Mark praises the loving spirit of Christ’s Church, attributing its welcoming nature not to programs or traditions alone, but to the prayerful openness of its members. The unseen spiritual current that animates the parish comes from those who faithfully practice daily prayer, spiritual listening, and intentional community. Pentecost, then, should be seen not only as a miraculous historical event but as an ongoing celebration of God’s Spirit transforming us quietly from within.

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.

United in Love

John 17:20-26

Father Mark begins with a story of a tow truck driver who refused to help a disabled woman because of her political affiliation. Claiming divine justification, the driver prioritized his ideological identity over compassion. Father Mark highlights this incident as a troubling example of how devotion to partisan beliefs can dangerously overshadow the central Christian commandment to love others, especially those different from ourselves. He reminds the congregation of Jesus’ words: “They will know you are my disciples by your love.”

Drawing from Jesus’ farewell prayer in the Gospel of John, Father Mark emphasizes that Jesus’ final wish before His crucifixion was for unity—not just among His disciples, but for all who would come to believe in Him. Jesus’ desire was that all followers would be one, united in the love of God, mirroring the oneness of the Trinity. Father Mark ties this prayer to today’s world, which is fractured by divisions of race, politics, religion, and more. He insists that Jesus’ prayer for unity remains as urgent now as it was then.

The sermon concludes with a reflection on our divine identity. Quoting Richard Rohr and William Shannon, Father Mark explores the idea that each of us bears the image of God, and while we may lose touch with it through ego and division, it remains within us. The pandemic revealed both our capacity for fear-driven isolation and our potential for compassionate unity. In the end, Father Mark asserts, only our true self in God will endure—our separations will not survive death. True discipleship lies in choosing love, compassion, and oneness with all people.

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.

Little Christs

John 14:23-29

Father Mark begins his sermon by drawing a parallel between the bittersweet experience of high school graduation and the disciples’ experience during Jesus’ farewell in the Gospel of John. Just as graduates feel a mixture of pride and uncertainty about their future, the disciples face anxiety at the thought of Jesus leaving them. Yet, Jesus comforts them by promising the presence of the Holy Spirit, assuring them that their journey with Him is not ending, but transforming. They are not losing Him—they are growing into a new phase of spiritual maturity where they must now live out what He taught them.

Father Mark then explores what it means to grow in spiritual maturity, using examples like the life and teachings of Richard Rohr. Rohr’s legacy isn’t about himself, but about the message of love, growth, and God that he embodied—just as Jesus was never about Himself, but about the Father. The sermon emphasizes that the responsibility of carrying the Word forward now falls to us. Christ’s love, presence, and Spirit abide in those who love Him and keep His word. We are not called to be passive believers, but to become the very presence of Christ in the world—to embody what we’ve received.

Finally, Father Mark challenges his listeners to recognize how rare spiritual maturity is in today’s society. He critiques the cultural norm of intellectual growth without parallel spiritual growth, warning that immaturity leaves people vulnerable to deceit and chaos. Quoting Paul, he reminds us that our calling is to “grow up into Christ,” becoming stable, loving, and truthful presences in the world. In an age rife with confusion and manipulation, what the world needs more than ever is not just believers—but mature Christians, “little Christs,” living embodiments of Jesus in thought, word, and action.

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.

Love Like Christ

John 13:31-35

At the Last Supper, with betrayal looming and his crucifixion near, Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment: to love one another just as he has loved them. This command is not about feelings or beliefs but about a way of living—a radical, self-giving, boundary-crossing love. Jesus loved by showing mercy to the outcast, healing on the Sabbath, forgiving enemies, and sacrificing himself for others. In doing so, he did not preach doctrine or demand worship—he simply said, “Follow me.”

Father Mark contrasts this call with the modern perception of Christianity. Despite Christ’s clear command to love, studies show that Christians today are often seen as judgmental, arrogant, and lacking compassion. He challenges the congregation to reflect on whether the image we project to the world aligns with the love Jesus demonstrated. Being a follower of Jesus, he insists, is not about belonging to the right group or believing the right things—it is about embodying Christ’s love in our actions.

In closing, Father Mark reminds us that we are created in God’s image—imbued with divine DNA—but we also carry the aggressive instincts of our evolutionary past. Like the old Cherokee tale of the two wolves, he urges us to “feed the good wolf”—our divine side—by walking the road of love. Our true witness to the world is not in our religious identity but in our sacrificial, active love for others. This is how the world will know we are Jesus’ disciples.

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.