SSJE Sermons

Br. Nicholas Bartoli proposes that the key ingredient needed for the Christian story to be transformative in our lives is our own participation in it, moment by moment. "The birth of Jesus to Mary, for example, means very little without Christ being born in our hearts. The resurrection has little power over us unless our hearts are enlightened by the resurrection light." He encourages us to spend Advent in prayerful readiness, emptying our hearts of all that is not Christ, so that we can meet the God who is waiting for us, even now.

What in your life is precious and needs to be protected? Br. James Koester explores how the monastic principle of enclosure can help us to protect whatever we treasure, whether that is the family meal, a garden, or our sleep. "The purpose of enclosure is not to inhibit or prohibit or even to deny something, but to protect something precious within."

Does the world seem to you to be in crisis right now? Br. Curtis Almquist views it as an "inviting crisis," since "All of us here do have access to the world that Christ so loves. To what corner of the world do you have access to be a Christ bearer, bringing Jesus’ light, and life, and love?"

What does God's dream look like and how do we participate in it? Br. James Koester declares "The dream of God is real, and we come to the Eucharist Sunday by Sunday and day by day, not because we want to lose ourselves in thoughts of some future, abstract and distant paradise, but because we want to experience that paradise today." We are called to work with Christ the King in building this dream in our own land and our own time.

What testimony can Christians give in the face of darkness, persecution, and suffering? Br. John Braught reflects on how "the experience of being loved so deeply by God empowers us to “not be terrified,” and to love even our enemies, which is what Christ commanded."

On the Feast of the Saints of the Old Testament, Br. Curtis Almquist takes the long view, putting us in our simultaneously humble and exalted place as humans, and inviting us to take action on our convictions.

What do you envision, and imagine, when you encounter the word “resurrection”? Br. Keith Nelson takes in first-century Judaism, T.S. Eliot, mind-body dualism, the 2016 Election, and the Communion of Saints, in his own reply: "that our physical death is not the end of the story, even if a happy ending in Christ, but merely the beginning of our fleshly body’s cosmic fulfillment in His Body."

What can we learn from the story of Zacchaeus? Br. Jim Woodrum finds in this familiar story a lesson for us all: It takes a little effort on our part, but we can be assured that Jesus is prepared to meet us exactly where we are.

Br. Keith Nelson believes that the healing and wholeness of God is spacious. But, he cautions, "I don’t think that means that salvation is a “one size fits all” process. Rather than a great elastic waistband, it is exact and intimate to the measure of each life and the contours of each soul. There is a narrow door – a specific, particular, and personal door—for each disciple who tries to enter."

Br. James Koester honors James, the brother of our Lord, on his feast day, noting how James’ decision at the Council of Jerusalem literally changed the history of the world. He encourages us to be equally bold in our own decision-making for our communities and our Church.