SSJE Sermons

“Our consolations often come in unexpected ways, breaking in upon the demands of our daily lives. And these consolations often provide us with the unexpected grace and strength to meet those demands. How often, amid your own busy lives, does something break in on your awareness, pull your attention away from the flurry and frenzy of activity? How often does that something prove to be exactly what you need to get you through, to meet the demands of the next day, the next hour, the next moment?” Br. Lain Wilson remembers the Martyrs of Memphis and finds in their witness of nursing during the yellow fever epidemic an example of the ways that God's endless consolation can enable us to do extraordinary things.

“What we rejoice in today is not some pious legend about an elderly couple whose prayer for a child was finally answered. What we rejoice in today is not some biological or historical event that culminated in the birth of someone. What we rejoice in today is that before time, and in time, and after time God, has chosen us, just as he chose Mary, to love forever. Think of it: long, long before you were born, God loved you. Long, long after you die, God will continue to love you.” In the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Br. James Koester finds the truth that it at the center of our being, at the center of God's heart, at the center of the universe.

“The true meaning of faith has to do with living in a life-giving, life-transforming relationship with the One we have come to know as God – a relationship characterized by mutual love, fidelity and trust.  It is not primarily a matter of assenting to certain state-ments or claims about God, but of believing in God, and of being willing to trust in God, even in the most difficult circumstances.” Br. David Vryhof encourages us to believe, with all our hearts, that even when everything seems wrong, it can still be all right.

“We notice, we acquiesce, we participate most fully in life when we live with the terms by which God has created all of life, which is terminal. All of creation is a teacher for our prayer.” Br. Curtis Almquist invites us to pray with, and through, and for Creation, doing out part in the company of fellow creatures.

“How are you called to mirror God’s love, grace, and compassion? We may not die a martyr’s death for our faith, but we are called to the ‘giving of our lives’ for the spread of the gospel—that is the good news of God’s saving, salving love that is for the reunion of God to his children, and all of us to each other.” On the Feast of the Martyrs of New Guinea, Br. Jim Woodrum marvels at what the true call – and cost – of being an ally might be.

“Readiness, then, is not the preparation and training for success, but rather the presentness of our attention and the immediacy of our response to God’s call. This kind of readiness would have seen wisdom not in bringing extra lamp oil, but in waiting on the bridegroom—waiting and trusting that what he sought was not a lit lamp but a listening heart.” As we begin the Season of Creation, Br. Lain Wilson prompts us to be present to what God is saying now.

“God’s people shout for joy, sing songs of joy, return from the fields in joy. God restores the fortunes of Zion—and their sadness is transformed into joy. Joy is their response, their witness to God’s working in the world.” Br. Lain Wilson invites us to shout for joy.

“Go home and look in the mirror. You might be surprised to see how much you really do shine. And that’s because you are God’s friend, God’s beloved, God’s daughter, God’s son and even now you are being changed from one degree of glory to another.” On the Feast of the Transfiguration, Br. James Koester urges us to see the glory with which we – and all who have encountered the living God – surely shine.

“What are your gifts? You are uniquely you, and so are your gifts—no one else will have them in the same combination or proportion or magnitude. What are your gifts, and what fruit can they bear? Make that fruit your prayer today.” Br. Lain Wilson encourages us to take our unique gifts and make them our prayer to God today.

“We’ve inherited a tendency to fight. Bending over backwards attempting to make others approve of us. Accumulating, trying to fill an aching absence. Commanding and clinging, trying to grab control. The Exodus reminds us of this truth: we cannot save ourselves. We are like slaves in Egypt and dead-end at the Red Sea. We need a Savior.” Br. Luke Ditewig takes us back to the Red Sea and reminds us that the Lord will fight for us; all we have to do is be still.