SSJE Sermons

“The values of the world are killing us. They are poisoning the creation around us. Maybe it’s time to take seriously the invitation of the gospel, and discover the fruitfulness of humility, service and sacrificial love.” Br. James Koester urges us to follow the way of Jesus, and reverse the way of the world.

“I lay claim to the communion of saints, to the forgiveness of sins, to the resurrection of the body, to the life everlasting, not just for myself, or in some general, intangible way, but for real people whom I continue to love, and who continue to love me.” On All Souls' Day, Br. James Koester encourages us to name and claim the loving mercy of God, not as if it is true, but in the reality of its truth.

“We seldom face contexts that would place us on the road to a physical martyrdom. We ought to summon in ourselves a presence of heart that holds before God the painful reality of those around the world who daily stand to witness before powers and principalities with the loss of their social credibility, their rights, privileges, and freedoms, and even their lives.” On the feast day of Saints Simon and Jude, Br. Sean Glenn finds in their witness the reminder that it is our task as members of Christ's Body to do the prayerful work of loving the aching, distressed creation Christ has come to save and transform—even when it lashes out at us.

“In the human vocation, we don’t get to avoid the metallic tang of blood on our lips. We don’t get to avoid the salty sting of sweat in our eyes. We don’t get to avoid vision clouded by bitter tears.” Br. Lucas Hall ponders the mystery of what it means for us to drink from the cup that Jesus drinks, and discovers the call to be fully alive, even as that means confronting blood, sweat, and tears.

“Luke writes for us a new Icon of salvation, one which narrates all of us—woman, man, slave, free, eunuch, prodigal one, persecutor, Jew, Greek, Samaritan—into God’s story in Jesus Christ.” On Saint Luke's feast day, Br. Sean Glenn celebrates the artistry of this Gospel writer who weaves a tapestry of traditions to paint a vivid picture of God’s promise and fulfillment in Jesus Christ

“Scripture is sharper than a sword. Like a scalpel, it cuts through what is diseased and damaged, cuts through lies and confusion, cuts through the stories we tell ourselves to reveal the truth. The stories of scripture surprise, disturb, confound and, with good intention, cut.” Br. Luke Ditewig finds in the cutting words of Jesus' exchange with the rich young man an invitation to us all: to be laid bare, to surrender, to let go, and to be open to our Great Physician, who seeks only to heal us, even through hard words.

“Each of us enters the world, some­thing like an acorn, with the seed of calling, with a sense of identity, with a vision of destiny.” Br. Curtis Almquist invites us each to discover the true purpose of our life.

“Is Jesus really making invidious distinctions between Martha and Mary? Between busyness and stillness? Between housework and hospitality? Between action and contemplation? That’s what we’ve been told over the years, but is it really the case?” Br. James Koester revisits the familiar story of Mary and Martha to discover the welcome invitation in its scandalous portrayal of women as teachers, disciples, and heralds of good news.

“'What God has united, human beings must not divide.' These words of the Gospel are not just for married people. I would even go so far as to say that they are not primarily about marriage. These words are for all of us: we, who are married and single, committed and seeking, divorced or not, heterosexual or not.” Br. Keith Nelson considers our life-long journey into that original unity that is our birthright: a oneness with God, one another, and within our own deepest selves.

“Living life patiently is very difficult to do. But living life patiently is not as difficult as not living life patiently.” Br. Curtis Almquist follows Jesus into Samaria for a lesson in living: rather than seeing life as a series of obstacles, frustrations, and impenetrable questions, instead we might see life as an endless stream of invitations to abandon ourselves into God's hands and God's time, as we cooperate with whatever God is up to.