SSJE Sermons

“When we approach the spiritual life with the care and attention it deserves, we will arrive at thresholds we cannot cross without our inner lives seeming to get worse rather than better: more painful, more exposed, less manageable in all the old ways we know. God is love, but love is powerful. Love is a crucible that dismantles the self we have cherished.” Br. Keith Nelson looks to scripture for examples of a profound truth of the spiritual life: we must go go into the darkness to find the freedom that waits on the other side.

“The act of turning aside from the paths we think we know is a theme that runs right through every invitation of the spiritual life, and Lent is a perfect season in which to practice this subtle but life-changing posture." Br. Sean Glenn invites you to turn your perspective on repentance this Lent.

“This transformation, indeed, this transfiguration, from scarlet to snow, and crimson to wool, from a people utterly estranged from God, and indelibly marked by sin, to the beloved daughters and sons of God, happens when we remember who and whose we are.” Br. James Koester reminds you of the true nature of God's mercy and forgiveness in this Lenten sermon.

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits. In God’s word is my hope. I wait with expectation like those who watch through the night wait for the morning. Yes, I wait like that. Not just for the night shift to end but with trust that light will break through the darkness.” Br. Luke Ditewig invites us into the hope that comes with waiting for God.

“As a foundational stance toward our relationship with God, ask-search-knock calls forth from us an initiative and a willingness to expose our hearts. This is as true in our relationships with human companions as it is with God.” This Lent, Br. Keith Nelson encourages you to ask, search, and knock to grow in relationship with God.

“Jesus heard the prophet Isaiah in both of these ways: the holy sabbath being both about restoration of one’s own personal life, and a call to action on behalf of others in need so that they, too, can have a life.” Br. Curtis Almquist invites us to consider Jesus' practice of sabbath-keeping as a way to care for those in need.

"This Lent, I think it is worth taking the time to listen and discern where God is giving you life, where God is speaking life into your life. Yet also, where has this life been robbed from you?” This Lent, Br. Sean Glenn invites you into reflection about where God is calling you to choose life over death.

“We may be tempted in times of stress to hide, to isolate ourselves and try to heal ourselves. Full of shame and self-reliance, we may even try to hide our wounds from God. Mary and the Beloved Disciple show us that we do not have to do that. We can move in with one another and navigate this pain together.” In this season of Lent, Br. Jack Crowley considers Mary and the Beloved Disciple as models for handling stress.

“Risk, real, material risk, is the heart of this reading today. Risk to our own resources and possessions, even our own bodily health, is what Jesus brings forth to us today. Do to others as you would have them do to you, even when they aren’t treating you the same. Do to others as you would have them do to you, even when such action poses a real risk to your own well-being.”

Br. Lucas Hall consider the true risk inherent in Jesus' teaching and invites us to step from safety into the good work to which God calls us.

“It’s always tempting in times of misunderstanding to just not want to deal with it, to say you don’t have the time and energy to work through the conflict. Ignoring misunderstanding only leads to more misunderstanding down the road. Jesus does not do this and that takes courage.” Br. Jack Crowley watches how Jesus handles misunderstanding among the disciples, and draws three practical lessons for how we can apply them in our own lives.