Going Deeper With Christ Episcopal Church

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.

Radical Inclusion

Mark 10:17-31

Bishop Kym Lucas’s sermon, rooted in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 10:17-31), explores the challenging nature of following Jesus in a world that often prioritizes wealth, comfort, and fitting in over faithfulness. She emphasizes that salvation is not something that can be earned through good deeds or by following societal norms, but rather through God’s grace. Jesus’ words to the rich man highlight the impossibility of earning eternal life by human effort alone.

In her sermon, Bishop Kym critiques the idea of being “good” as defined by societal standards—often equated with avoiding conflict or staying comfortable. Instead, she urges the congregation to embrace “faithfulness,” which may involve standing up against injustice, challenging bad laws, and engaging in what John Lewis famously called “good trouble.” She insists that following Jesus means extending love, compassion, and mercy to everyone, particularly those who are marginalized or ostracized. She concludes by calling for radical inclusion, recognizing that Jesus invites all people, regardless of status, to share in God’s grace.

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 Hearts

Mark 10:2-16

Father Mark’s sermon focuses on Jesus’ teaching that to receive the kingdom of God, one must be like a little child—open-hearted, open-minded, and humble. He explains that children naturally embody these qualities because they are receptive, vulnerable, and willing to learn. Unlike adults, who often grow closed and guarded as they age, children remain open to the unknown and unafraid to be molded by new experiences. Jesus’ words highlight the importance of maintaining this childlike openness throughout life to fully experience God’s grace and presence.

The sermon also explores the idea of intellectual humility, emphasizing the need to remain open-minded and adaptable. Father Mark draws on examples from research and neuroscience, illustrating that children possess far greater creative flexibility and intellectual humility than adults, who tend to become set in their ways. The message challenges adults to rethink their perspectives and avoid the prideful belief that they already have all the answers. Father Mark urges the congregation to remain willing to revise their views and prioritize learning and connection over being right.

Ultimately, Father Mark emphasizes that an open heart and mind are crucial for receiving the kingdom of God. He reflects on the spiritual practices that help keep one’s heart open and receptive, counteracting the temptation to judge, fear, or withdraw. True spirituality, according to Father Mark, involves regularly checking in with oneself, ensuring that love and grace flow freely rather than being hoarded. In this way, he argues, followers of Christ can embody the openness and humility of a child, allowing God’s Spirit to work within and through them.

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.

The Messiah We Need

Mark 8:27-38

Father Mark’s sermon centers on the profound question Jesus poses to His disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Messiah,” but his understanding of the Messiah clashes with the reality of Jesus’ mission. Peter, like many Jews of his time, envisioned a Messiah who would triumph politically, akin to King David. However, Jesus reveals that His path is one of suffering, rejection, and ultimately death, before rising again. When Peter tries to rebuke Jesus for this, he is sternly corrected, illustrating the danger of imposing personal or cultural expectations on God’s plan.

Father Mark draws parallels between Peter’s mistake and the modern tendency to envision a Jesus who reflects our own political or cultural biases. Just as Peter struggled to accept a Messiah who would suffer, many today shape their image of Jesus to fit their personal ideologies. Father Mark emphasizes the importance of allowing Jesus’ true nature to challenge and transform us. He urges the congregation to go beyond surface-level understanding, seek deeper spiritual roots, and be open to the ways Jesus calls us to align our lives with His teachings, even when they challenge our comfort or deeply held beliefs.

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.

Jesus Listened

Mark 7:24-37

In today’s sermon, Father Mark delves into the challenging gospel passage where Jesus encounters a Syrophoenician woman who pleads for her daughter’s healing. Initially, Jesus responds with a harsh dismissal, referring to the woman as a “dog,” which reflects the prejudices of his time. However, the woman’s persistent faith leads Jesus to reconsider, and he heals her daughter. Father Mark explores the idea that even Jesus, in his humanity, was shaped by his cultural upbringing and was capable of growth. This growth is exemplified in Jesus’ ability to change his mind, shedding his “shell” of cultural and religious bias, much like a lobster must shed its shell to grow.

Father Mark emphasizes the importance of being open to change and growth, even for Jesus. He challenges the congregation to embrace the possibility of lifelong learning and transformation, often through unexpected people and situations. By highlighting Jesus’ willingness to repent and be changed by the Syrophoenician woman, Father Mark calls on us to remain humble, open to new ideas, and willing to shed our own rigid preconceptions.

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.

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.