Posts

Showing posts from November, 2024

Sermon - Trinity VII, 2026 - Mark 8:1-9

-
Image
The Multiplication of Loaves, Daniel Halle, 1664 Those who abide with Jesus will be satisfied by Jesus Jesus has compassion on those who abide in Him Jesus provides for us by means of others Those who sacrifice for Christ shall receive far more later Jesus satisfies our hungry hearts so that we do not faint on the way but have strength to reach our heavenly home St. Paul explains: “ I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. ” We’re simple people, or at least I am, and the way in which the Lord reveals Himself to us is through natural, human things. As such, the miracles of Jesus are always more than meets the eye. Of course the feeding of the four thousand reveals God’s providence for us. Of course each miracle reveals the divinity of Christ. However, the miracles are more than the miracles themselves, and they do more than reveal the divinity of Christ. Each miracle Jesus performs is meant to teach us and reveal to us God’s greater work of redemption for all o...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sermon - Proper 29, Year B, 2024 - Mark 13:24-37

-
Image
The Last Judgment , Leandro Bassano, circa 1600 Be on guard and stay awake, for Christ is coming soon. The time of Christ’s return is unknown, yet according to the signs it is imminent. The warning is that we would remain ready, lest He suddenly return and find us asleep. Let’s take stock, and see how we’ve done, and where we have room to improve. Later today we have the end of the year voters’ meeting, where we look back on the past year and take stock of how it’s gone, and look ahead to the next to prepare ourselves. This end of the year taking stock is a common thing to do in many facets of life. If you run a business you may spend time reviewing your successes and failures, so that going forward you may be able to turn a larger profit. At home you might make plans for maintenance or upgrades, so that your home might run more smoothly. In the church we Christians do this as well, but not just at a voters’ meeting which deals primarily with transient business, but personally we refle...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sermon - Proper 27, 2024 - Year B - Mark 12:38-44

-
Image
The Widow's Mite , Joao Zeferino da Costa, 1876 The Lord blesses the lowly The Lord condemns the vainglorious The Lord praises those who submit themselves to God The Lord looks upon the lowly and supplies all of their needs How do you know success when you see it? Typically we perceive success when we see grand displays of wealth. So the president or governor shows up in a big shiny expensive vehicle with a bunch of people and a really sharp looking suit. The businessman owns multiple properties, lake houses, big houses, manicured lawns, hired help, fancy cars, eats at expensive restaurants, wears upper class name brand and designer clothes. Successful people speak eloquently and everyone laughs at their jokes. Everyone wants to be liked by the successful person in order to get invited to their parties. Typically successful people create a following, and people cling to their coattails, hoping to benefit from their successes. Yet the Psalmist sings: “ Put not your trust in princes,...
Post a Comment
Read more