Going Deeper With Christ Episcopal Church

Facing Ourselves

Mark 1:9-15

This sermon by Father Mark delves into the themes of self-examination and living a life centered on divine things, drawing on the Gospel of Mark and Sister Joan Chittister's book "Falling Upward." Father Mark emphasizes the importance of introspection and confronting our inner selves, challenging the tendency to blame others and avoid responsibility. He argues that true freedom lies in letting go of selfish desires and attachments, aligning our lives with Christ's teachings, and embracing the challenges that come with following His path.

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.

Fast and Feast

Mark 1:9-15

Father Mark's sermon explores the concept of the wilderness as a place of testing and transformation, drawing parallels between the experiences of Jesus and those of the congregation during Lent. He emphasizes the presence of two opposing forces in our lives: the "divisive, oppositional, satanic spirit" that separates us from God and others, and the "life-giving, loving, compassionate spirit of Jesus."

The sermon encourages self-reflection during Lent, urging congregants to examine the motivations behind their thoughts, words, and actions. Father Mark highlights the subtle nature of negative energy, which can often masquerade as righteousness or even friendship. He emphasizes the importance of discerning this energy and choosing instead the loving spirit of Christ.

The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to "fast from the life-depleting energies and feast on the life-giving energies." Father Mark expresses hope that the congregation will learn to trust the energy of God's love during their Lenten journey.

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.

Transfiguration

Mark 9:2-9

Christianity teaches that Christ can be born a thousand times in Bethlehem, but all are in vain until he is born in each individual. The meaning of the transfiguration is not just that Jesus was transfigured 2,000 years ago, but that we are called to say yes to our own transfiguration and metamorphosis into something greater than ourselves.

As we enter Lent, it is a time for us to courageously seek to become truer versions of ourselves, allowing ourselves to be transformed by the Holy Spirit and to see life from a different, larger, higher perspective through the eyes of Christ who dwells within 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.

Weak and Strong

Mark 1:29-39

Father Mark's sermon delves into the narrative of Jesus' healing and exorcism activities in Capernaum, as described in the Gospel according to Mark, highlighting Jesus' deliberate choice to maintain the Messianic secret. He interprets Jesus' refusal to allow demons to reveal his identity as a strategic measure to prevent misconceptions about his messiahship, particularly against the backdrop of contemporary Jewish expectations of a military liberator.

Father Mark elaborates on the "Messianic secret" theme, suggesting Jesus aimed to redefine messianic expectations, focusing on servitude and spiritual liberation rather than political dominance. This redefinition is contrasted with prevailing cultural norms that valorize power and retaliation over forgiveness and servitude.

The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of Jesus' message and actions, encouraging a reevaluation of personal and communal values in light of the Gospel's teachings. It calls for a radical shift from cultural conformity to Gospel-formed lives, challenging listeners to embrace servanthood, forgiveness, and a reoriented understanding of strength as envisioned by Jesus.

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.

Root of Authority

Mark 1:21-28

Father Mark's sermon focuses on the unique authority of Jesus as depicted in the Gospel story, where Jesus teaches and performs an exorcism in a synagogue. He contrasts Jesus' innate authority with the external, institutional authority of the scribes.

The people in the synagogue recognized Jesus' authority as emanating from his essence and connection with God, rather than from any official position.

Father Mark also explores how Christian authority has evolved, discussing the shift from institutional authority to scriptural authority during the Protestant Reformation. He introduces a balanced approach to understanding scripture, incorporating Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience.

The sermon encourages embracing these diverse sources to grow in wisdom and deepen one's spiritual understanding.

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 Nets and Boats

Mark 1:14-20

In his sermon, Father Mark explores the Gospel of Mark, specifically the story of Jesus calling Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow him. He discusses three ways to interpret this story: as a historical account, a rationalized narrative, or a personal, deeper message.

Father Mark emphasizes the importance of understanding "repentance" in its original context, as a call to change one's mindset and actions. He critiques the common reluctance to change, especially in political contexts, and challenges the congregation to consider how Jesus' message applies today.

Addressing the current challenges of the Christian Church, Father Mark suggests a shift in perspective: viewing church roles not just as tasks, but as part of God's larger mission of reconciliation and love. He encourages the congregation to listen to God's call with open hearts and minds, and to engage in the church and the world with renewed energy and a sense of divine purpose.

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.

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.