Sunday’s Sermon with the Rev. Michael Mayor - Christ Episcopal Church of Puyallup

When we move beyond the miracle story, Pentecost is primarily a story about evangelism. Not evangelism as we have come to understand it, but a way of communicating that honors the mystery of the other and seeks to speak primarily in their language and not our own.

The story of the ascension of Jesus into heaven reminds us that we are in a time in between Jesus' earthly life and his return. To what are we called in this time of memory and anticipation? How are we to respond to participating in the in-breaking of God's reign on earth?

Julian of Norwich received a mystical vision from Jesus that "All shall be well." Who among us doesn't want to hear this assurance? Jesus promises that we shall not be alone and comfortless, but will send an "Advocate" to be with us. How might these two visions inform one another and give us hope in the days in which we live?

This week we hear Jesus' words "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places." In this Gospel passage we are promised more than a home in heaven. We are also promised hope in this life even in the midst of difficulty and loss.

On the Fourth Sunday of Easter we hear Jesus refer to himself as a shepherd and a sheep-gate, but who is the gatekeeper and what is their role? Come explore what our role is as we follow the shepherd of our souls.

In the Gospel passage this week we hear of Jesus walking unrecognized with two of his grief stricken disciples, and yet their hearts were burning within them as he taught them. Christ comes to each of us as well in the faces of those around us bringing transformation and hope.

Alleluias abound as shouts of joy ring out. Christ is Risen! Explore the mystery of Jesus' resurrection as we wait with anticipation for our own transformation in God.

In his passion Jesus neither violently rebelled against nor capitulated to the principalities and powers that sought his destruction. Instead he chose what he had always chosen, a path of non-violent resistance that embodied the Kingdom of God and offered transformation and new life.

Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well and the world is never the same. Crossing lines of patriarchy and racism he brings wholeness to the life of someone on the margins of society. How might we cross such lines and make Christ manifest in our own day?

Nicodemus asks in the Gospel for the Second Sunday in Lent about being born a second time and Jesus replies with the now classic line about God's love and believing in him. What does it mean to believe in Jesus? And what are the implications for our life today? The answer may not be what you think.