From Law to Love

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

In this sermon, Father Mark reflects on the confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees from the Gospel of Mark, where the Pharisees criticize Jesus’ disciples for not following the traditions of washing hands before eating. Jesus responds by challenging their focus on external rituals rather than the internal condition of the heart, teaching that what truly defiles a person comes from within. Father Mark relates this to modern-day Christianity, pointing out how rules and boundaries, often enforced to protect religious identity, can lead to exclusion and self-righteousness, instead of fostering deeper connection with God and others.

He further explores the evolution of faith, using the Old Testament stages of development—from the laws of the Torah to the self-criticism of the prophets, and finally, to the wisdom literature that embraces mystery and paradox. Father Mark encourages the congregation to reflect on where they stand in their own spiritual journey: Are they still focused on laws and rules, or have they reached a place of wisdom where they embrace the complexity of life with compassion and understanding? Particularly during contentious times like elections, he emphasizes the need for Christians to avoid judgment and focus on repentance, humility, and love for others, especially those with opposing views.

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.

Feeding on Love

John 6:56-69

Father Mark’s sermon explores the pervasive presence of “negative energy” in modern society, comparing it to a force that feeds on conflict and hate, much like the alien entity in a Star Trek episode. This energy is encouraged by “conflict entrepreneurs” such as news outlets, social media influencers, and politicians who profit from escalating discord. The message urges listeners to recognize this force as alien to our true selves and to choose instead to serve God, who restores us to love, sanity, and wholeness.

Drawing on biblical references, particularly from Joshua and Ephesians, the sermon speaks to the spiritual battle against “cosmic powers of darkness” and encourages a shift from hate to love. The preacher compares hate to an addiction that feels good temporarily but ultimately depresses the Holy Spirit within us. Following the steps of 12-Step programs, the path to healing begins with acknowledging powerlessness over hate and turning to God for restoration.

The sermon concludes with a call to abide in Christ, as depicted in the Gospel of John, where feeding on Christ means embodying his love and rejecting the divisive energy of hate. The imagery of the Star Trek crew overcoming conflict by recognizing the true source of their struggle serves as a metaphor for society’s need to unite as one Body in Christ, transcending differences and overcoming the force of hatred through love and mutual joy.

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.

Manna

John 6:35, 41-51

Father Mark reflects on Jesus' declaration that He is the "bread of life" and the challenges this posed to His audience, who questioned His divine origin. He emphasizes that true sustenance and eternal life come through faith in Jesus, the living bread from heaven. This theme of divine nourishment is contrasted with the "do's and don'ts" found in the epistle reading from Ephesians. The passage presents a moral code that calls Christians to reject bitterness, anger, and slander, and instead embrace truthfulness, kindness, and forgiveness. These virtues are not just moral guidelines but reflections of God's own character, which believers are called to imitate.

Father Mark further discusses the idea of imitation, noting that as humans, we learn by mimicking others, whether consciously or not. He cautions against being influenced by modern-day social media influencers, whose influence may not always be positive or rooted in truth. Instead, Christians are urged to look to God, as revealed through Jesus Christ, as their primary example. By imitating Christ, they align themselves with their true identity, created in God's image, and live out their calling to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving, just as God is toward us.

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.

Bread of Living

John 6:24-35

In this sermon, Father Mark reflects on two significant biblical passages: the feeding of the five thousand from the Gospel of John and Paul's letter to the Ephesians. In John's Gospel, Jesus confronts the crowd following Him not for His miracles but for the physical sustenance He provided. He urges them to seek spiritual nourishment that leads to eternal life, emphasizing that He Himself is the "bread of life" that quenches all hunger and thirst. This message underlines the importance of seeking spiritual fulfillment over earthly desires.

Father Mark connects this to Paul's exhortation in Ephesians, where Paul implores Christians to live a life worthy of their divine calling, characterized by humility, gentleness, patience, and unity. Despite the prevalent division and partisanship in today's society, Christians are called to embody the values of God's kingdom—mercy, kindness, and peace. He stresses that living according to the kingdom's values contrasts sharply with the world's mindset. This requires a conscious effort to be true to God's image within us, pursuing maturity and unity in Christ.

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.

Abundance

John 6:1-21

In today's sermon, Father Mark delves into the Gospel of John, highlighting the symbolic and multi-layered nature of John's storytelling, which contrasts with the more straightforward narratives of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Father Mark emphasizes that John's Gospel often focuses on the spiritual realm and its intersection with the physical world. Using examples such as Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, and Lazarus, he illustrates how Jesus' teachings point to deeper spiritual realities that are often misunderstood by those focused solely on the material world.

Focusing on the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, Father Mark explains that Jesus' question to Philip about feeding the crowd was a test of Philip's awareness of the spiritual realm. While Philip and Andrew are fixated on the physical limitations of scarcity, Jesus introduces the abundance of the spiritual realm. Father Mark encourages the congregation to recognize and tap into the spiritual resources available through faith, emphasizing that the kingdom of God is always present within and among us. By aligning ourselves with this spiritual reality, we can experience renewal, abundance, and the ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

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.

Wholehearted Rest

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

In his sermon, Father Mark emphasizes the importance of unity in worship, whether gathered in person or online, symbolized by the collective lighting of candles. He explores the theme of rest, using the story of Jesus and his disciples seeking solitude but finding a needy crowd. Jesus’ compassion for the crowd, despite his own need for rest, highlights the rejuvenating power of wholehearted service and divine compassion.

Father Mark introduces the idea of "Sabbath rest," which transcends mere physical rest and involves being sustained by God's creation and acting in harmony with the Creator's spirit. He references a conversation between poet David White and a Benedictine monk, underscoring that the antidote to exhaustion is wholeheartedness, not inactivity. Father Mark encourages the congregation to approach their tasks with open hearts, allowing God's love and grace to flow through them, thus finding true refreshment and renewal in their spiritual and daily lives.

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.

Choosing God's Kingdom 

Mark 6:1-13

In today's sermon, Father Mark reflects on the juxtaposition of Herod's gruesome banquet and the serene memory of golfing with his late father. He recounts the Gospel story where Herod, pressured by Herodias and her daughter, beheads John the Baptist to save face. This story illustrates the stark contrast between the worldly kingdom ruled by power and ego and the kingdom of God governed by love, integrity, and self-giving.

Father Mark draws parallels to contemporary events, lamenting the pervasive violence in society, such as the tragic shooting at a golf course and the recent assassination attempt on a former president. He emphasizes the need to reject the kingdom of this world, which thrives on polarization and hatred, and instead embrace the kingdom of God, where love and righteousness prevail. He calls on the congregation to seek God's kingdom first, urging them to live in a way that reflects God's love and provisions.

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.

Embracing the Hidden Presence

Mark 6:1-13

In his sermon, Father Mark delves into the deep, often hidden presence of God within us and others. He emphasizes that while the townspeople of Nazareth recognized Jesus merely as a carpenter, they missed the profound divine essence and power within him. This oversight, Father Mark explains, was due to their unwillingness to see beyond their preconceived notions and biases. He encourages us to remain open and receptive to the divine possibilities within everyone, urging us to let go of our judgments and embrace the transformative love that flows from recognizing the image of God in ourselves and others.

Father Mark illustrates this with examples from the Bible, highlighting how God uses flawed, ordinary individuals to achieve extraordinary things. He challenges us to seek and serve Christ in all persons, recognizing the divine light within. Drawing from personal anecdotes and theological insights, he calls on the congregation to foster a deeper awareness of God’s presence in everyday life and to embrace the courage to let our own divine light shine.

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.

Lessons From the Storm

Mark 4:35-41

In today's sermon, Father Mark reflects on the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus calms a violent storm while his disciples panic. He draws a parallel between this biblical event and his own personal experience with anxiety during a trip to Spain in 1975.

Father Mark shares how, as a young man, his sense of self-worth was deeply tied to external validation, leading to feelings of insecurity and fear of losing control. During a particularly anxious moment, he had a profound realization that peace and self-worth come from within, grounded in faith, rather than from external circumstances.

Father Mark further explores how Jesus' calming of the storm serves as a metaphor for finding inner peace amidst life's tumultuous events. He suggests that Jesus' questions to the disciples, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" should be seen not as accusations but as invitations to deepen one's faith and trust in God.

By reflecting on these questions, we can understand the importance of being centered in God rather than being swayed by external forces. Father Mark emphasizes that true peace comes from within and that faith allows us to respond calmly to life's storms, just as Jesus did.

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.

Trusting in Divine Growth

Mark 4:26-34

Father Mark's sermon focuses on the parable of the mustard seed from the Gospel of Mark, illustrating the mystery and divine nature of God's kingdom. He emphasizes that the kingdom of God grows automatically, without human intervention, symbolized by a seed that sprouts and grows while the farmer sleeps.

This innate fertility reflects God's generative power at work in creation, independent of human effort. Father Mark contrasts this divine growth with the common belief that success depends solely on human intelligence and hard work, reminding the congregation that true growth and life come from God.

Drawing from personal experience and scriptural references, Father Mark highlights the importance of recognizing our limited control and embracing God's providence. He recounts his own observations of a resilient plant in his backyard and St. Paul's message to the Corinthians, underscoring that it is God who gives the growth.

He encourages the congregation to shift from a mindset of willfulness to willingness, trusting in God's guidance and participating in the divine flow of life. This trust, he notes, brings freedom and peace, contrasting sharply with the anxiety of trying to control every aspect of our lives.

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.