SSJE Sermons

“Day by day, we are to draw closer to God, coming to know God (and to be known by God) more intimately.  Gradually, we are becoming one with God, uniting ourselves with God by taking on God’s priorities, values and mission. How well do you know God, and how are you coming to know God better?” Br. David Vryhof considers what it means for us to know God.

“Of the many things we can learn from Moses, one of the most important is that being on speaking terms with God is a good practice. Being on speaking terms with God is a good practice because at some point things are going to get real. Things are going to get real and each of us, like Moses, will have an opportunity to stand in breach and have it out with God.” Br. Jack Crowley encourages us to be on good speaking terms with God, so that we can stand together in the breach when the moment comes to have it out.

“We put our trust in God alone. Our patterns won’t save us. Jesus does.” Br. Luke Ditewig reminds us that our bedrock is God.

“What does it mean for us as followers of Jesus to be taught by the guidance of the Holy Spirit? How might that guidance be felt and known in new ways during our journey through the season of Lent?” On the Feast of Saint Gregory of Nyssa, Br. Keith Nelson reflects on how we are pressured from within to become more, not because we need to become perfect, but because God wants more and more from us and for us.

“Lent is a season that invites us to change, to repent, to turn around.  It invites us into a new and lifegiving way and challenges us to give up our sinful or unhealthy ways.  But it’s not easy to change.”  Br, David Vryhof considers why it is so hard for us to change and offers the encouragement: God waits to help and strengthen you.

“We know the power of forgiveness. We know this already in our hearts. We know what an amazing feeling it is to forgive and be forgiven. We know those awesome moments of reconciliation when friends heal rifts and grow stronger. We also all know the power of resentments.”

Br. Jack Crowley encourages us to lean on Jesus' help in moving proactively and steadily from resentment toward forgiveness.

“Is there some presumptuous sin you’re in touch with in your own soul – how you regard yourself – that you need to let go, need to let out of prison, and simply be the person that God has uniquely formed?  You may be your own worst enemy, and the freedom Jesus Christ offers us in forgiveness may need to begin with your own self.” Br. Curtis Almquist considers the question of sin – both the bad news and the good – and finds hope for us all.

“Grief comes to each of us in a thousand shades and hues. We experience a vivid spectrum of grief. As loss—of loved ones in death, of relationships, of direction. As missed opportunities, roads not taken, paths unexplored. As things we may never be or do because of what we already are or have done. As limitations imposed on us, or by us. For what do you grieve today? For what does your heart ache?” Br. Lain Wilson reminds us how God's mercy allows us to be in our grief, and eventually to come through it, to joy unspeakable.

“Genuine hope looks to God; it is not focused on us.  Abraham “hoped against all hope,” not because he thought himself capable of fulfilling the promise, but because he believed God was able to do what God had promised.  His faith was in God.” Br. David Vyrhof considers God's covenant with Abraham for our own very deep and very real reasons for hope.

“Remaining doesn’t mean being static, staying the same. Benedictine Michael Casey wrote: ‘Stability is not immobility. It’s the knack of remaining constant in the midst of change.’ Constancy comes through the little things, daily habits of showing up, being kind, giving thanks.” In memory of Matthias, Br. Luke Ditewig praises the virtue of constancy.