Jesus tells us to love, but how do you love someone who breaks your heart? How do you love someone who continually frustrates you? Today's sermon tackles how to love people and institutions which disappoint and hurt us. Using insights from the prophet Jeremiah, Fr. Stephen reassures us that disappointment and sorrow are normal parts of human life. We must love people who cause us grief because every love causes grief. Yet, Jesus' grace is enough to help us bear this grief with the hope that God can lead us through.

Scripture Reference: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1

Preached on the 15th Sunday after Pentecost - September 22, 2019 by Rev. Stephen Silverthorne

Sermon Highlights

• Jeremiah's lament reminds us that godly life isn't always joyful
• Jeremiah is grief-stricken about Israel's sufferings
• He is also frustrated by Israel's terrible behaviour
• He grieves because he & God love Israel
• We grieve and get angry at the church for the same reasons
• We grieve and get angry at ourselves for the same reasons
• Jesus' answer to grief over Israel is to love it with divine, sacrificial love
• The result is transformation
• This love is applied to the church
• This love is applied to us
• We should let ourselves be transformed by this love
• When we are conduits of this love, we bring transformation to those who hurt us

Further Reference

Why Can't You Behave sung by Ella Fitzgerald

Christ's Body, Christ's Wounds by Eve Tushnet. A collection of reflections from those who have been hurt by the church and reasons why they remained Christians despite their grief.

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