SSJE Sermons

“It is all too easy to turn away from the reality of the deep darkness and evil in this world. It is understandable that we desire our Christmas trees earlier and earlier each year; to rinse the bad taste of all that troubles us out of our mouths. But to do so, we fail to understand the significance of the redemption to which we have been called.” Br. Jim Woodrum urges us to peer into the darkness of our world this Advent, to awaken our compassion for others and our readiness for redemption.

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like: Sheep without a shepherd. Students without a teacher, Children without a parent, Eggs without a brooding mother, Warriors without a commander, Citizens without a leader, Treasure without a guardian,

Inheritance without an heir...” Br. Keith Nelson hymns all that we’d lost – then found in Jesus.

“So much has been taken away from us in these last nine months, and it happened in the blink of an eye. One Sunday we were here, gathered with our retreatants, neighbours, friends, and members of the congregation, as we celebrated the Eucharist together. The next Sunday all that was taken away from us, and we prayed behind locked doors. Had we had known what was about to happen, what might we have said that Sunday before the lockdown began?” Br. James Koester considers the urgency that characterizes Mark's Gospel and its expectation of Jesus' imminent return, in light of the urgency that the pandemic and lockdown has given to our lives.

“We do not have the power to reform other people’s behavior, but we do have the power to choose our attitude in responding to other people’s behavior. St. Paul knew having an attitude rooted in patience for other’s mistakes was essential for any Christian to survive and stay sane.” At the onset of Advent, Br. Jack Crowley considers the Christian virtue of patience, in our relationships with one another and in our life with God.

“The archetype of Kingship is written into our collective unconscious. We know its insidious shadows: the wreckage of abuse, tyranny, imperialism, military conquest, enslavement, systemic patriarchy, and misappropriation of power. Yet we know too its brilliant goodness and magnetism, its order, balance, and peace when people of genuine character embody its ideals and lead us to victory.” On the Feast of Christ the King, Br. Keith Nelson unfolds three life-giving responses to true power.

“God our Father gives that we might give and be made richer by our giving. So the True King invites us to enter into his joy by multiplying the free gifts of the Spirit.” Br. Sean Glenn ponders the joy that the world cannot give.

“What might you be clinging to so tightly such that it’s hard to recognize what is real? What is getting in the way between you and Jesus?” Br. Luke Ditewig encourages us to let go, reminding us that before our heritage, privilege, or ability, before our losses, lack, or inability, before our fear, grief, confidence, or confusion, Jesus is.

“Do you know what it’s like to be trapped by fear? To not accept a generous invitation? To not risk doing something new or challenging? To not take action except perhaps to dig a really great hole and carefully hide something—or yourself—so that it is seemingly safe and prevented from changing?” Br. Luke Ditewig urges us to embrace our God given gifts with courage and trust.

“It is in our fallen nature that we have created boundaries and barriers separating us in the hopes of being deemed better; as superior to our neighbor; as somehow worthy of our creation.  Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, income inequality, educational disparity, and all their ilk: these are elements of a poverty that is man-made, born out of shame and then forced on others, seeking to strip them of their dignity and rob them of the provision that God has intended for us all.” Br. Jim Woodrum considers the root of our flawed human judgments, and invites us to share with each other the diversity of God’s infinite goodness.

“The wise bridesmaids trust that the bridegroom will arrive. They know that the light entrusted to them will be required when he comes to meet them. And still they allow for the fact that the desired event may not happen as expected or at their convenience.” Br. Sean Glenn considers how we are called to live with hopeful expectation, as the wise bridesmaids did.