SSJE Sermons

“We don’t place ourselves into the refiner’s fire; we don’t plunge ourselves into a vat of fuller’s soap. This will be done to us, or for us, to prepare us to meet the Messiah.” Br. Curtis Almquist finds hope in the most extreme metaphors of Scripture.

“If you find yourself voiceless, wait in trust. God’s purpose will come to pass as Mary, our spiritual mother, teaches us a song not of hastily sought knowledge but of faithful trust that God’s promises will be.” Br. Sean Glenn encourages all who feel mute to take heart: no word from God will be without power.

“This longing, this restless desire – which are so central to the season of Advent – are planted in us by God; they are divine homing-instincts. So if you are right now feeling restless, have a desire for you’re not sure what, don’t try to fill it with something. See it rather as my inner response to God seeking me, drawing me home.” In the third sermon of the Advent Preaching Series, Br. Geoffrey Tristram invites us to take our place in the family tree of Jesus, embracing that restlessness that leads us home.

“Love is eternal: radiantly glimpsed in the midst of life, radiantly beheld in the life to come. Fear is provisional – good at the necessary role it performs until there is no more need. Perhaps Love stands before us and pulls, while fear stands behind us and pushes.” On Gaudete Sunday, Br. Keith Nelson ponders the complementary relationship between holy fear and holy love, which invite us into the unquenchable fire of God's very heart.

“Whether we suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or whether we are afraid of “things that go bump in the night,” or whether we simply feel that we’re “in the dark” about the unfolding of our own life, we crave light and enlightenment.” In the second sermon in a series on the O Antiphons, Br. Curtis Almquist encourages us to face into the radiant and loving light of God.

“What’s gets in the way between you and God? What do you not want seen? What do you hide? Preparing the way means opening the door and letting God in to see us as we are.” Br. Luke Ditewig invites us to radical honesty, to letting ourselves be loved even when all is revealed, in all our messiness and brokenness.

“This is why we celebrate the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In it, we see God’s goodness and humanity’s efforts come to fruition. In it, we see the beginning of a chain of mutual, glorious, joyous interchange and reciprocity whose end is found in the Incarnation of Christ. ” Br. Lucas Hall invites us to rejoice at the witness of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose offertory posture invites us to receive God's good gifts and give ourselves back to God in love.

“We come before Jesus in our seasons of darkness and sightlessness, reaching forth our hands in faith for the fresh vision of Christ’s promise.” Br. Sean Glenn encourages us with words from Isaiah, "Out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see."

“If you find yourself overwhelmed today, if you are tempted to despair because of the circumstances of your life or the state of the world, lift up your eyes and fix them on God.  Trust in the goodness and mercy of God.  Stand up and look despair in the face and say, 'I will not be afraid.'” For all who feel overwhelmed by the state of the world, Br. David Vryhof offers a word of empowering hope.

“Who are saints in your family of faith? Who washed your feet, showed you God’s love? Going back further, who formed them? Who are your spiritual ancestors?” On the feast of the Saints of SSJE, Br. Luke Ditewig invites us to give thanks for our spiritual ancestors.