SSJE Sermons

“What has changed or is changing in yourself that’s hard to accept? By God’s invitation and grace, who are you becoming?” Br. Luke Ditewig encourages us, by Jesus' example, to embrace the ongoing radical change which God invites and enables: extending further, embracing wider, as we each and together become more.

“We are not the greatest. And when our life is ended, they’re not going to name a building after us, nor carve a marble bust of us to sit in a rotunda, nor write a festschrift in our honor. Probably not. It’ll be earth to earth; dust to dust; ashes to ashes.” Br. Curtis Almquist finds in the witness of Saints Philip and James three lessons in the radical grace of spiritual detachment for all of us followers of Jesus.

“What is growing in your heart today? Or what would you like to grow there? What needs to be cut out, cut down, and burned? How does the soil of your heart need to be tilled, loosened, nourished, so that you may bear fruit?” Br. James Koester uncovers the true meaning of Jesus' agrarian metaphors and their invitation for us.

“Do you ever wonder how you will be remembered after you are gone?  Have you ever given any thought to how you want to be remembered?” Br. David Vryhof honors the memory of Anselm of Canterbury, a brilliant thinker whose warmth and tenderness changed the lives of those who knew him.

“Growth in faith happens in many ways, sometimes quickly, and sometimes slowly. As we grow in faith, it is steadfastness that pays in the long run.” Br. David Allen celebrates the slow journey of faith as we deepen our understanding of Jesus' utterances and his message of love.

“Jesus is more than manna in the wilderness, and more than a meal for 5,000 from a few loaves and fish. Jesus offers himself as sustaining nourishment to be received and savored daily.” Br. Luke Ditewig encourages us to trust God's provision beyond what we can imagine, as we feed on the bread of life.

“Many of us are overwhelmed and inundated with too much of everything: too many possessions, too much food, too much stimulation, too many activities, too much work, too much information, too many words, too many choices.” Br. David Vryhof honors the founders of the Cistercian order, looking to Cistercian spirituality for a proof that we need surprisingly little to be content, fulfilled and free.

“The Risen Jesus participates in ordinary daily activities, but does not exhibit ordinary human needs.  A transformation beyond dualisms of material and spiritual, of time and eternity, has taken place – and is shown to have been God’s intention and desire for humanity from the very beginning.” Studying the Resurrection narratives, Br. Jonathan Maury invites us to live resurrection now for the sake of all who are oppressed by sin and death.

“We have reason to fear the love of God, in its confusing, shattering, beckoning, illuminating totality.” Br. Lucas Hall looks at the fear-filled responses Jesus elicits in the Gospels, and in our own hearts, as we enter into the love of God.

“If you are not there yet, or if you are not there just now, know that Jesus holds you even in your doubt and confusion, and that he will continue to hold you until you come to faith.” Br David Vryhof encourages all who struggle on the path to faith to look to Thomas, who reminds us that there is no shame in questioning or in doubting.