Come and See

John 1:43-51

Father Mark's sermon, based on the Gospel of John, delves into the theme of invitation and openness, using the story of Philip inviting Nathaniel to meet Jesus. He highlights how Nathaniel's initial skepticism about Jesus being from Nazareth reflects a common human tendency to prejudge and dismiss others based on superficial attributes like their origin, social status, or beliefs. Father Mark emphasizes that Jesus represents an invitation from God to see beyond such prejudices and to recognize the divine presence in all people and situations.

The sermon further explores how this story is relevant to contemporary perceptions of Christianity. With the Christian church often viewed skeptically due to various scandals and perceived hypocrisies, Father Mark suggests that, like Philip, Christians should invite others to "come and see" the true essence of their faith, rather than trying to argue or persuade. He points out that many people join churches because someone they know invited them, illustrating the power of personal invitation over argument.

Towards the end, Father Mark reflects on the characteristics that make the congregation unique, such as openness, inclusivity, love, hospitality, spiritual depth, and intellectual engagement. He encourages the congregation to consider what aspects of their church life they would want others to experience and to extend invitations accordingly. He concludes by suggesting that life itself is an invitation from God to participate in His work, urging his listeners to approach life with curiosity and openness, constantly asking, "What's the invitation here?"

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.

Baptism and Belonging

Mark 1:4-11

Father Mark's sermon focuses on the theme of identity in the context of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. He explores how Jesus, at his baptism, was reaffirmed by God as His beloved son. This affirmation of identity, Father Mark suggests, is crucial before Jesus begins his earthly ministry and faces temptation. He draws parallels between this divine affirmation and our own understanding of identity through baptism.

Father Mark explains that baptism has both an objective and subjective element. Objectively, it asserts our status as God’s beloved children. Subjectively, it's about our personal acceptance and understanding of this truth. He emphasizes the ease with which we can forget this fundamental identity and seek validation through other means like occupation, social status, or political affiliations. These identities, he argues, are transient and do not define our true selves.

He further discusses how our perception of ourselves shapes who we become, citing studies on children who were believed to be gifted and consequently excelled. This highlights the power of perception and belief in forming our identity.

Father Mark also touches on the communal aspect of baptism, reminding us that as beloved children of God, we are also siblings to one another. This idea calls for unity and understanding amidst the divisiveness in the world. He concludes by reminding the congregation of the importance of remembering and living out our true identity as children of God.

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.

Discharging Our Loyal Soldier

Luke 2:22-40

Father Mark's sermon reflects on the biblical narrative of Simeon and Anna encountering the infant Jesus in the Temple. He explores the theme of transitions in life, using Simeon's experience as a metaphor.

Father Mark extends this metaphor to our lives, suggesting that we often struggle with identity and purpose after major life transitions, akin to the loyal Japanese soldiers post-WWII. He suggests that, like Simeon and the loyal soldiers, we must learn to let go of past roles and identities to embrace new callings and purposes.

This involves shifting from seeking a distant God to recognizing and surrendering to God's omnipresent nature. We have the opportunity to embrace the present presence of God in our lives here and now.

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.

Story Power

Fr. Mark's Christmas Eve sermon reflects deeply on the power of stories, particularly the Christmas narrative, as tools for discovery and understanding. He begins by recounting the Gospel of Luke's account of Jesus' birth, emphasizing how stories, even those seemingly simple like the Christmas narrative, have profound impacts on us. He notes that our brains are wired for stories, as they engage multiple parts of our brain, not just the language-processing areas.

Fr. Mark draws parallels between the story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and current global issues, like the war in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza, highlighting how powerful decisions can affect the lives of distant individuals. He also connects this to the personal experience of powerlessness many felt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sermon emphasizes the concept of awe and how humans are hardwired for it. It discusses how moments of awe connect us to something larger than ourselves, which some may call God. This is illustrated through the shepherds' awe at the angels' announcement of Jesus' birth and the character Suzanne from Elizabeth Stout's novel, who experiences a deep sensation she associates with God.

Fr. Mark concludes by emphasizing how stories like the Christmas narrative have the power to shape our identity, imagination, and sense of belonging. He encourages listeners to let these stories resonate with them and evoke sensations that connect them to the divine.

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.

Beyond Amazement

John 1:1-14

If we are to honor these texts, we cannot avoid personal involvement. All of these texts are “after our souls.” We must go beyond our initial amazement, which can block our deeper spiritual development.

We can harbor within us a pondering heart, which is the vital path of discipleship, as we reflect on the multiple aspects of Christmas which include the birth of Christ within the soul.

We discover that grace is the free flow of infinite, intimate Love, so we can share this with the lives we touch each day.

The child wrapped in swaddling clothes, in the inner house of Christmas, will be you.

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.

Beyond Belief

Luke 1:26-38

Rev. Wendy's sermon starts with a personal anecdote about hearing the song "Mary Did You Know?" and transitions into exploring the theme of impossible pregnancies in the Bible. She connects Mary's miraculous conception of Jesus with other biblical stories of unlikely births, such as those of Elizabeth (John the Baptist's mother), Sarah (Isaac's mother), and Hannah (Samuel's mother). Rev. Wendy highlights the common thread in these stories: the idea that nothing is impossible with God.

The sermon delves into the Gospel of Luke, beginning with the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary and the subsequent events. Rev. Wendy emphasizes Mary's initial confusion and eventual acceptance of her role, drawing parallels to Old Testament figures who also accepted divine calls. She discusses the Magnificat, Mary's song of praise, which is not included in the specific passage but is crucial to understanding Mary's journey.

Rev. Wendy further explores Mary's ongoing process of understanding and accepting her role as the mother of Jesus. She notes that Mary spent her entire life learning about and pondering the significance of her son. The sermon concludes by connecting Mary's experience to the congregants' lives, encouraging them to be open to the Spirit's prompting and to follow Jesus' way. The overarching message is about faith, acceptance, and the belief in the possibility of the impossible with divine intervention.

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.

Preparing the Way

Mark 1:1-8

In the season of Advent, Father Mark's sermon takes us through a reflective journey, guided by the Gospel of Mark. 

We are part of the continuing Gospel. We are real life characters in a Gospel that has no end. We must clear and straighten the path for the advent of Christ into our lives.

We can open the way for the coming of Christ into every moment of our lives. We do this by changing our hearts, minds and behaviors, and that which blocks the flow of Divine Life between God and us, and between us and our neighbors (including all of Creation). This opens us to Jesus’ banquet of Grace.

It’s not just a matter of exposure to Christ, but what we can integrate. What needs to happen to all of us so that Christ can flow in out of our hearts not just at Christmas, but in every day of our lives?

What is blocking the flow of Divine Life into and through us? Our response affects not only us, but the entire world, and adds our own chapter to the Gospel story that has no end.

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.

Advent Hope Amidst Worldly Turmoil

Mark 13:24-37

Father Mark addresses the concept of apocalyptic predictions, referencing figures like Martin Luther and Christopher Columbus who foretold the end of the world. He clarifies that the term 'apocalypse' originally meant revealing hidden truths, especially God's love in dark times, rather than world-ending events. Father Mark relates this to the Gospel of Mark, written during the tumultuous Jewish-Roman war, suggesting that the gospel's apocalyptic passages offered hope amidst despair.

Father Mark then draws parallels to modern challenges such as climate change and political strife, likening these to the symbolic upheavals described in the gospel. He concludes with an Advent message of hope, urging the congregation to stay alert to Christ's hidden coming and participate in God's transformative work on earth.

The world of our childhood is shaking and crumbling beneath us.

Despite current turmoil and changes in the world and the church, he reassures that Jesus and his teachings remain a constant, guiding force for a hopeful future.

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.

Becoming Little Christs

Matthew 25:31-46

This the last day of the church year, and we celebrate The Feast of Christ the King.

The kingship we celebrate is one of emptying oneself. God exalted Jesus because He emptied himself, humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death on the Cross.

This is Christ our King. He redeemed us not with His sword, but with His blood, by dying. “With deeds of love and mercy, the Heavenly Kingdom comes.”

In the parable of the sheep and the goats, neither group sees the Lord in the needy. Why, then, do the sheep help while the goats do not? Perhaps the sheep see themselves in the needy, or respect the dignity of the “least of these.”

Or perhaps the sheep are simply participating in the life and flow of God’s compassionate spirit, loving their neighbor from the depth of their souls. Their right actions are driven by their spiritual communion with God.

In participating in the flow of Divine life and love, we find our relationship with God strengthens. As we love God, we will love our neighbor, and as we love our neighbor more, the spirit of God will flow ever more within and through us. There is a seamless flow of Divine love and mercy, and we become “little Christs.”

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.

How We See is How We Live

Matthew 25:14-30

The pieces of the puzzle in today’s Gospel don’t seem to fit together unless we look at it in the context of the Kingdom of Heaven.

What is analogous to the talents in the parable, that God hands over to us? God has handed over to us His own Spirit.

The third slave in the parable sees God as harsh and punitive, and lives his life not in faith but in fear and mistrust, which causes him to bury his talent. How he saw was how he lived.

If we see God through the eyes of Jesus, we see Him as a loving God who gives and empowers.

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.