SSJE Sermons

“In a world that is unpredictable, unsafe, and seems filled with evil looking to exploit and harm the most vulnerable, we could wonder where in the world is Jesus in all this? We know there is suffering, malice, hate, greed, fear, and evil lurking about. Many of us are following the proverbial star of Bethlehem, searching for Jesus frantically.” Br. Jim Woodrum steps into the story and suggests two rich ways to pray with the scriptural lesson of Mary and Joesph finding Jesus' teaching in the Temple.

“I love these oddities of the church calendar because of their signature “fuzziness,” as if we were removing one pair of spiritual glasses for another. Like thick plumes of fragrant incense that obscure our vision and sting our eyes, these hinge periods remind us that so much of God’s work in us and God’s promises for us are outside our control and beyond our wildest imaginings.” Br. Sean Glenn celebrates the meaningful possibility of the "hinges" in the liturgical calendar – and our own lives.

“Perhaps, by practicing silence and stillness, and fostering our awareness of Christ’s Light, we can welcome the grace of Christmas to each moment. And the Peace and Joy we find as both our source and our salvation will truly be the greatest gift of Love we can offer those around us.” Br. Nicholas Bartoli invites us to find inspiration in the example of Saint Seraphim of Sarov

John 1:1-18 In this Gospel lesson appointed for today, there is a recurring word: light. In the opening verses of the Gospel according to John, we are reminded – seven times – that God is light, “the true light that enlightens everyone.” Light is a recurring theme during Christmastide, not just in the scriptures, but…

John 1:1-14 What does true darkness look like?  You might think this a peculiar way to begin a sermon for Christmas Day, but I think it is a valid question.  From the Autumnal equinox we begin a journey into deep darkness as our days grow shorter and our nights grow longer.  Many of us dread the end of…

Isaiah 9: 2 – 7Psalm 96Titus 2: 11 – 14Luke 2: 1 – 20 When I came to the community now slightly over thirty years ago, we had just begun the process of writing our new Rule of Life. The old Rule had been respectfully laid aside, and we were experimenting by reading portions of the Rules of Life of…

Isaiah 7:10-16; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 Worlds apart, though not a great distance, Mary and Joseph bear parallel but private burdens. What thoughts must have raced through their solitude? Oh God, what would he say if I told him the truth?What will he do if I say nothing?Oh God, what will happen when he begins…

St. Thomas, the Apostle John 20:24-29 “Unless I see I will not believe.” These are words of the Apostle Thomas whom we celebrate today. These words have sadly clung to him in a negative way so that he is often called “Doubting Thomas.” But calling him “Doubting Thomas” seems not only ­­­­­­­­­­­unfair, but inaccurate. Thomas…

“We often read this passage of the Good Shepherd not because we know ourselves to be fluffy, wooly, little lambs, but just the opposite. We know ourselves too often to be, swarmed by flies and weighed down by muck and filth; we know ourselves too often lead astray, or lost, tempted by something just beyond our reach. Yet still the good shepherd goes after us, gathers us in his arms, and brings us home.” Br. James Koester reflects on the meaning hidden in the familiar image of the Good Shepherd.

“Patience is hard, sometimes excruciating. Wait patiently by slowing down from squirm to stillness, from noisy chatter to silence. As anxiety lessens, we can see and hear more, including graced surprises. God comes in unexpected ways that may at first confuse us.” Br. Luke Ditewig offers wisdom to help us move from squirming to stillness in this season of waiting.