Going Deeper With Christ Episcopal Church

Tuned In to God’s Love

John 15:9-17

Father Mark began by reflecting on Jesus' words in John 15:9-17, where Jesus says "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." He noted that this passage is not just about intellectual understanding, but about feeling a deep sense of connection and love with God. He encouraged the congregation to imagine themselves as branches connected to the true vine, Christ, and to feel the stir of inward sap rising from their root, which is planted in the ground of love.

Father Mark used various metaphors and images from the Bible to illustrate how language about God can be symbolic and figurative, pointing towards the thing itself rather than being the thing itself. He noted that while analysis of these images can be helpful, they are often meant to convey spiritual truths beyond intellectual understanding. He encouraged the congregation to allow themselves to be receptive to God's love at a deep level, rather than just processing it with their minds.

Father Mark then explored the concept of resonance, using the image of two violins in tune with each other as an example. He suggested that when our hearts are tuned to the frequency of God's love, they resonate with that love, and that this resonance can spread to others.

He also used the concept of prayer as a way of retuning our hearts to sing God's grace, allowing us to resonate with the music of the spheres and feel connected to all of creation. Throughout his sermon, Father Mark encouraged the congregation to cultivate a deeper sense of connection with God and with each other, and to allow themselves to be resonated by God's love song.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Fruit of Love

John 15:1-8

Father Mark draws parallels between our physical bodies and our spiritual lives, noting that just as what we put into our bodies affects our health, so too does what we feed our minds and spirits affect our well-being. He emphasizes that our spirits were designed to run on God, not alternative fuels like entertainment or busyness. Instead of seeking happiness and peace through external sources, we should abide in Christ, the true vine, and allow His love to flow through us.

Father Mark uses the example of pruning rose bushes to illustrate how sometimes, even good things in our lives can become distractions and drain our energy away from God. He encourages listeners to examine their priorities and ask themselves if they are producing the fruit of love in their lives and in the world. He also reminds us that it is not always easy to let go of secondary branches or suckers, but that with prayer and guidance from the divine vine grower, we can learn to prioritize what truly nourishes our souls.

Ultimately, Father Mark's message is one of encouragement to abide in Christ and allow His love to flow through us. He notes that the fruit of discipleship is love for one another, and that this love is only possible when we are abiding in the true vine. By recognizing where we may be diverting our energy away from God and by seeking guidance on how to prioritize what truly nourishes our souls, we can become more fruitful disciples of Jesus Christ.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Following the Good Shepherd

John 10:11-18

In his sermon, Fr. Mark discusses the image of Jesus as the good shepherd, contrasting it with the hired hand who abandons the sheep in times of danger. He emphasizes the deep, loving connection between the good shepherd and his sheep, which mirrors the relationship between Jesus and his heavenly Father. Fr. Mark stresses that following the good shepherd is not always easy or comfortable, as it involves sacrifice and can be counter-cultural.

Fr. Mark then relates the message of the good shepherd to the current situation at Christ Church, where the vestry and he have been trying to follow and listen to the good shepherd's guidance for over two years. He acknowledges that this process can be painful and confusing for everyone involved, but he encourages the congregation to continue following Jesus, even when it is difficult.

Finally, Fr. Mark reflects on Psalm 23, noting that the psalmist's shepherd Lord leads him in roundabout ways rather than straight paths, through challenging situations like the valley of the shadow of death and in the presence of enemies. Despite these difficulties, the psalmist maintains an unshakable trust in the Lord, and Fr. Mark suggests that this psalm might serve as a guiding scripture for the parish during this time of uncertainty, encouraging them to keep trusting, listening, and following the good shepherd.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Dying to Live

John 20:19-31

In this sermon, Father Mark discusses the concept of resurrection and its relevance to our lives in the present. He shares a story about his friend who experienced the death of his relationship with his mother, only to have it resurrected after she survived a near-fatal heart attack. Father Mark emphasizes that the power of resurrection is not limited to Jesus' story from 2,000 years ago, but is available to transform our lives here and now, releasing us from deadly habits, thought patterns, and mindsets.

Father Mark explains that the risen Christ is present in our world, sharing our human life and enabling new resurrected life within us. He encourages the congregation to experience the mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead, even though it may involve letting go of old habits, customs, or relationships.

Father Mark asserts that without death, there can be no resurrection, and that God never wastes anything. He concludes by reminding the congregation that resurrection happens every time we love, trust, and refuse to become negative or cynical, and that we don't have to wait for it later.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Questions and Doubts

John 20:19-31

Reverend Wendy discusses the story of "Doubting Thomas" from John 20:19-31, emphasizing that it is normal and acceptable to have doubts and questions about faith. She shares her own experience of a crisis of faith following her divorce, during which she questioned and doubted God. Reverend Wendy points out that even in the Bible, figures like Job questioned and challenged God during difficult times.

The sermon highlights Jesus' gentle and compassionate response to Thomas's doubts, inviting him to touch His hands and side to confirm His presence. This act demonstrates Jesus' love for Thomas and serves as a reminder that Jesus is always present, even in moments of uncertainty and doubt.

Reverend Wendy relates the message to the congregation's current situation, acknowledging the uncertainties they face in the coming years. She encourages them to trust that Jesus is with them, inviting them to embrace His presence and love, just as Thomas did when he proclaimed, "My Lord and my God."

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Easter 2024

Matthew 28:1-10

Father Mark's Easter sermon focuses on the transformative power of the resurrection. He points out that in the Gospel accounts, Jesus' followers initially fail to recognize the risen Christ, signifying that something about Him has changed. This transformation extends to Mary Magdalene and the disciples, who are no longer just followers but become apostles, sent out to carry God's love and grace into the world.

Father Mark emphasizes that transformation often occurs when something old falls apart, forcing the soul to go to a new place. He suggests that in our personal and communal lives, we must be willing to let go of the past and embrace change, even when it is painful or disorienting. This is particularly relevant to the church, which is experiencing a time of upheaval and must adapt to new realities.

The sermon concludes by highlighting the radical newness of Jesus' teachings and actions, which overturn conventional human ways of living and relating. To be truly raised with Christ means setting our minds on things above, embodying forgiveness, compassion, and self-emptying love. The central question of Easter, then, is not what happened to Jesus in the past, but how the resurrection challenges and changes us in the present.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Passion of Jesus Christ as told in Mark 14:1-15:47.

Full Immersion

John 12:20-33

Fr. Mark uses a humorous story about a woman trying to avoid full immersion baptism to illustrate how we often try to protect our vulnerable inner selves by staying on the surface of life, preoccupied with the external world. He says we need to die to our false surface self in order to find our true self in God.

Jesus himself felt the human fear of losing his individual self, but knew that fruitful, abundant life is found in union with God and others, not in individualism. His death and resurrection shows that dying to self leads to new life, just as a seed must die to produce a harvest. This applies not just to individuals but to communities and the church - we must die to our own needs and agendas to truly serve others.

Ultimately, we need to shed the "flotation devices" that keep us on the surface and let the waters of baptism do their transformative work in us. This means dying to our disconnection, tribalism and obsession with externals in order to build a new, connected world in Christ.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Love or Judgment?

John 3:14-21

Father Mark’s sermon revolves around interpreting the famous biblical verse, John 3:16, which states, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." Father Mark discusses how this verse can be interpreted as either comforting or terrifying, depending on one's perspective. He highlights the contrast between viewing God as a loving, merciful being or as a demanding, uncompromising judge.

Father Mark emphasizes that interpreting the Bible involves drawing upon tradition, reason, experience, and other biblical passages. He suggests that the word "believe" in John 3:16 could be better translated as "trust," shifting the focus from holding specific beliefs to surrendering to the Spirit of Christ. He draws parallels with parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son, illustrating God's unconditional love and desire to seek out and rejoice over those who are lost.

The sermon invites the congregation to interpret John 3:16 as a message of God's love and healing rather than condemnation. Father Mark proposes understanding the word "saved" in verse 17 as being healed from various societal ills, aligning with God's desire to restore wholeness and union with the divine. He encourages interpreting the Bible through the lens of a merciful, forgiving, and infinitely loving God.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Beyond the Marketplace

John 2:13-22

Father Mark's sermon focuses on the story of Jesus cleansing the temple. He argues that the act was driven by Jesus' frustration with the temple becoming a marketplace.

Traditionally, people brought animals for sacrifice, but the temple merchants inflated prices and prioritized profit over worship. This commercialization contrasted with God's free flow of grace and love.

The sermon highlights the dangers of a "marketplace mentality" even in our spiritual lives. We easily fall into thinking of God as someone we make deals with, expecting something in return for our actions. However, true faith involves accepting God's gifts freely, without needing to earn them.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Facing Ourselves

Mark 1:9-15

This sermon by Father Mark delves into the themes of self-examination and living a life centered on divine things, drawing on the Gospel of Mark and Sister Joan Chittister's book "Falling Upward." Father Mark emphasizes the importance of introspection and confronting our inner selves, challenging the tendency to blame others and avoid responsibility. He argues that true freedom lies in letting go of selfish desires and attachments, aligning our lives with Christ's teachings, and embracing the challenges that come with following His path.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Fast and Feast

Mark 1:9-15

Father Mark's sermon explores the concept of the wilderness as a place of testing and transformation, drawing parallels between the experiences of Jesus and those of the congregation during Lent. He emphasizes the presence of two opposing forces in our lives: the "divisive, oppositional, satanic spirit" that separates us from God and others, and the "life-giving, loving, compassionate spirit of Jesus."

The sermon encourages self-reflection during Lent, urging congregants to examine the motivations behind their thoughts, words, and actions. Father Mark highlights the subtle nature of negative energy, which can often masquerade as righteousness or even friendship. He emphasizes the importance of discerning this energy and choosing instead the loving spirit of Christ.

The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to "fast from the life-depleting energies and feast on the life-giving energies." Father Mark expresses hope that the congregation will learn to trust the energy of God's love during their Lenten journey.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Transfiguration

Mark 9:2-9

Christianity teaches that Christ can be born a thousand times in Bethlehem, but all are in vain until he is born in each individual. The meaning of the transfiguration is not just that Jesus was transfigured 2,000 years ago, but that we are called to say yes to our own transfiguration and metamorphosis into something greater than ourselves.

As we enter Lent, it is a time for us to courageously seek to become truer versions of ourselves, allowing ourselves to be transformed by the Holy Spirit and to see life from a different, larger, higher perspective through the eyes of Christ who dwells within us.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Weak and Strong

Mark 1:29-39

Father Mark's sermon delves into the narrative of Jesus' healing and exorcism activities in Capernaum, as described in the Gospel according to Mark, highlighting Jesus' deliberate choice to maintain the Messianic secret. He interprets Jesus' refusal to allow demons to reveal his identity as a strategic measure to prevent misconceptions about his messiahship, particularly against the backdrop of contemporary Jewish expectations of a military liberator.

Father Mark elaborates on the "Messianic secret" theme, suggesting Jesus aimed to redefine messianic expectations, focusing on servitude and spiritual liberation rather than political dominance. This redefinition is contrasted with prevailing cultural norms that valorize power and retaliation over forgiveness and servitude.

The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of Jesus' message and actions, encouraging a reevaluation of personal and communal values in light of the Gospel's teachings. It calls for a radical shift from cultural conformity to Gospel-formed lives, challenging listeners to embrace servanthood, forgiveness, and a reoriented understanding of strength as envisioned by Jesus.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Root of Authority

Mark 1:21-28

Father Mark's sermon focuses on the unique authority of Jesus as depicted in the Gospel story, where Jesus teaches and performs an exorcism in a synagogue. He contrasts Jesus' innate authority with the external, institutional authority of the scribes.

The people in the synagogue recognized Jesus' authority as emanating from his essence and connection with God, rather than from any official position.

Father Mark also explores how Christian authority has evolved, discussing the shift from institutional authority to scriptural authority during the Protestant Reformation. He introduces a balanced approach to understanding scripture, incorporating Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience.

The sermon encourages embracing these diverse sources to grow in wisdom and deepen one's spiritual understanding.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Beyond Nets and Boats

Mark 1:14-20

In his sermon, Father Mark explores the Gospel of Mark, specifically the story of Jesus calling Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow him. He discusses three ways to interpret this story: as a historical account, a rationalized narrative, or a personal, deeper message.

Father Mark emphasizes the importance of understanding "repentance" in its original context, as a call to change one's mindset and actions. He critiques the common reluctance to change, especially in political contexts, and challenges the congregation to consider how Jesus' message applies today.

Addressing the current challenges of the Christian Church, Father Mark suggests a shift in perspective: viewing church roles not just as tasks, but as part of God's larger mission of reconciliation and love. He encourages the congregation to listen to God's call with open hearts and minds, and to engage in the church and the world with renewed energy and a sense of divine purpose.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Come and See

John 1:43-51

Father Mark's sermon, based on the Gospel of John, delves into the theme of invitation and openness, using the story of Philip inviting Nathaniel to meet Jesus. He highlights how Nathaniel's initial skepticism about Jesus being from Nazareth reflects a common human tendency to prejudge and dismiss others based on superficial attributes like their origin, social status, or beliefs. Father Mark emphasizes that Jesus represents an invitation from God to see beyond such prejudices and to recognize the divine presence in all people and situations.

The sermon further explores how this story is relevant to contemporary perceptions of Christianity. With the Christian church often viewed skeptically due to various scandals and perceived hypocrisies, Father Mark suggests that, like Philip, Christians should invite others to "come and see" the true essence of their faith, rather than trying to argue or persuade. He points out that many people join churches because someone they know invited them, illustrating the power of personal invitation over argument.

Towards the end, Father Mark reflects on the characteristics that make the congregation unique, such as openness, inclusivity, love, hospitality, spiritual depth, and intellectual engagement. He encourages the congregation to consider what aspects of their church life they would want others to experience and to extend invitations accordingly. He concludes by suggesting that life itself is an invitation from God to participate in His work, urging his listeners to approach life with curiosity and openness, constantly asking, "What's the invitation here?"

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Baptism and Belonging

Mark 1:4-11

Father Mark's sermon focuses on the theme of identity in the context of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. He explores how Jesus, at his baptism, was reaffirmed by God as His beloved son. This affirmation of identity, Father Mark suggests, is crucial before Jesus begins his earthly ministry and faces temptation. He draws parallels between this divine affirmation and our own understanding of identity through baptism.

Father Mark explains that baptism has both an objective and subjective element. Objectively, it asserts our status as God’s beloved children. Subjectively, it's about our personal acceptance and understanding of this truth. He emphasizes the ease with which we can forget this fundamental identity and seek validation through other means like occupation, social status, or political affiliations. These identities, he argues, are transient and do not define our true selves.

He further discusses how our perception of ourselves shapes who we become, citing studies on children who were believed to be gifted and consequently excelled. This highlights the power of perception and belief in forming our identity.

Father Mark also touches on the communal aspect of baptism, reminding us that as beloved children of God, we are also siblings to one another. This idea calls for unity and understanding amidst the divisiveness in the world. He concludes by reminding the congregation of the importance of remembering and living out our true identity as children of God.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Discharging Our Loyal Soldier

Luke 2:22-40

Father Mark's sermon reflects on the biblical narrative of Simeon and Anna encountering the infant Jesus in the Temple. He explores the theme of transitions in life, using Simeon's experience as a metaphor.

Father Mark extends this metaphor to our lives, suggesting that we often struggle with identity and purpose after major life transitions, akin to the loyal Japanese soldiers post-WWII. He suggests that, like Simeon and the loyal soldiers, we must learn to let go of past roles and identities to embrace new callings and purposes.

This involves shifting from seeking a distant God to recognizing and surrendering to God's omnipresent nature. We have the opportunity to embrace the present presence of God in our lives here and now.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Story Power

Fr. Mark's Christmas Eve sermon reflects deeply on the power of stories, particularly the Christmas narrative, as tools for discovery and understanding. He begins by recounting the Gospel of Luke's account of Jesus' birth, emphasizing how stories, even those seemingly simple like the Christmas narrative, have profound impacts on us. He notes that our brains are wired for stories, as they engage multiple parts of our brain, not just the language-processing areas.

Fr. Mark draws parallels between the story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and current global issues, like the war in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza, highlighting how powerful decisions can affect the lives of distant individuals. He also connects this to the personal experience of powerlessness many felt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sermon emphasizes the concept of awe and how humans are hardwired for it. It discusses how moments of awe connect us to something larger than ourselves, which some may call God. This is illustrated through the shepherds' awe at the angels' announcement of Jesus' birth and the character Suzanne from Elizabeth Stout's novel, who experiences a deep sensation she associates with God.

Fr. Mark concludes by emphasizing how stories like the Christmas narrative have the power to shape our identity, imagination, and sense of belonging. He encourages listeners to let these stories resonate with them and evoke sensations that connect them to the divine.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Beyond Amazement

John 1:1-14

If we are to honor these texts, we cannot avoid personal involvement. All of these texts are “after our souls.” We must go beyond our initial amazement, which can block our deeper spiritual development.

We can harbor within us a pondering heart, which is the vital path of discipleship, as we reflect on the multiple aspects of Christmas which include the birth of Christ within the soul.

We discover that grace is the free flow of infinite, intimate Love, so we can share this with the lives we touch each day.

The child wrapped in swaddling clothes, in the inner house of Christmas, will be you.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Beyond Belief

Luke 1:26-38

Rev. Wendy's sermon starts with a personal anecdote about hearing the song "Mary Did You Know?" and transitions into exploring the theme of impossible pregnancies in the Bible. She connects Mary's miraculous conception of Jesus with other biblical stories of unlikely births, such as those of Elizabeth (John the Baptist's mother), Sarah (Isaac's mother), and Hannah (Samuel's mother). Rev. Wendy highlights the common thread in these stories: the idea that nothing is impossible with God.

The sermon delves into the Gospel of Luke, beginning with the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary and the subsequent events. Rev. Wendy emphasizes Mary's initial confusion and eventual acceptance of her role, drawing parallels to Old Testament figures who also accepted divine calls. She discusses the Magnificat, Mary's song of praise, which is not included in the specific passage but is crucial to understanding Mary's journey.

Rev. Wendy further explores Mary's ongoing process of understanding and accepting her role as the mother of Jesus. She notes that Mary spent her entire life learning about and pondering the significance of her son. The sermon concludes by connecting Mary's experience to the congregants' lives, encouraging them to be open to the Spirit's prompting and to follow Jesus' way. The overarching message is about faith, acceptance, and the belief in the possibility of the impossible with divine intervention.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Preparing the Way

Mark 1:1-8

In the season of Advent, Father Mark's sermon takes us through a reflective journey, guided by the Gospel of Mark. 

We are part of the continuing Gospel. We are real life characters in a Gospel that has no end. We must clear and straighten the path for the advent of Christ into our lives.

We can open the way for the coming of Christ into every moment of our lives. We do this by changing our hearts, minds and behaviors, and that which blocks the flow of Divine Life between God and us, and between us and our neighbors (including all of Creation). This opens us to Jesus’ banquet of Grace.

It’s not just a matter of exposure to Christ, but what we can integrate. What needs to happen to all of us so that Christ can flow in out of our hearts not just at Christmas, but in every day of our lives?

What is blocking the flow of Divine Life into and through us? Our response affects not only us, but the entire world, and adds our own chapter to the Gospel story that has no end.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Advent Hope Amidst Worldly Turmoil

Mark 13:24-37

Father Mark addresses the concept of apocalyptic predictions, referencing figures like Martin Luther and Christopher Columbus who foretold the end of the world. He clarifies that the term 'apocalypse' originally meant revealing hidden truths, especially God's love in dark times, rather than world-ending events. Father Mark relates this to the Gospel of Mark, written during the tumultuous Jewish-Roman war, suggesting that the gospel's apocalyptic passages offered hope amidst despair.

Father Mark then draws parallels to modern challenges such as climate change and political strife, likening these to the symbolic upheavals described in the gospel. He concludes with an Advent message of hope, urging the congregation to stay alert to Christ's hidden coming and participate in God's transformative work on earth.

The world of our childhood is shaking and crumbling beneath us.

Despite current turmoil and changes in the world and the church, he reassures that Jesus and his teachings remain a constant, guiding force for a hopeful future.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Becoming Little Christs

Matthew 25:31-46

This the last day of the church year, and we celebrate The Feast of Christ the King.

The kingship we celebrate is one of emptying oneself. God exalted Jesus because He emptied himself, humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death on the Cross.

This is Christ our King. He redeemed us not with His sword, but with His blood, by dying. “With deeds of love and mercy, the Heavenly Kingdom comes.”

In the parable of the sheep and the goats, neither group sees the Lord in the needy. Why, then, do the sheep help while the goats do not? Perhaps the sheep see themselves in the needy, or respect the dignity of the “least of these.”

Or perhaps the sheep are simply participating in the life and flow of God’s compassionate spirit, loving their neighbor from the depth of their souls. Their right actions are driven by their spiritual communion with God.

In participating in the flow of Divine life and love, we find our relationship with God strengthens. As we love God, we will love our neighbor, and as we love our neighbor more, the spirit of God will flow ever more within and through us. There is a seamless flow of Divine love and mercy, and we become “little Christs.”

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

How We See is How We Live

Matthew 25:14-30

The pieces of the puzzle in today’s Gospel don’t seem to fit together unless we look at it in the context of the Kingdom of Heaven.

What is analogous to the talents in the parable, that God hands over to us? God has handed over to us His own Spirit.

The third slave in the parable sees God as harsh and punitive, and lives his life not in faith but in fear and mistrust, which causes him to bury his talent. How he saw was how he lived.

If we see God through the eyes of Jesus, we see Him as a loving God who gives and empowers.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Choosing the Eternal Bridegroom

Matthew 25:1-13

The people of Israel faced a crucial time of discernment: who will they serve?

Jesus said that we cannot serve two masters.

Yahweh chose Abraham and his descendants as his own people, and Yahweh wanted them to choose Him, to love Him as much as He loved them. For this reason the analogy of marriage often is used.

We, the “wedding guests,” are invited to become one with Christ, to marry the bridegroom and to behave accordingly in the world. In this marriage, we give ourselves to Christ fully, in heart, soul, mind and strength.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Soul

Matthew 5:1-12

What is the soul? And where does it go when our bodies die?

One definition is that soul refers to the sacred depths of ourselves, the dimension of our being where we experience meaning, passion, and compassion. We are most alive when we are one with our soul.

Often we are not in touch with, connected with, our soul. One reason we meet in worship is to connect with the sacred depths of ourselves.

The kingdom of this world is governed by a very different spirit than in the Kingdom of God. When we are totally consumed by the kingdom of this world we can easily lose connection with our soul, even if we become wealthy, successful and admired. We can gain the world and lose our soul.

There are many signs of disconnection with our soul, including when we are judgmental, over-identified with our religion or political party, when our thoughts are obsessive and we have imagined conversations.

How do we reconnect with our soul? Stop, look, then go! First we stop, intentionally pause the hamster wheel of thoughts and be still. Then we look, we behold this moment and find what there is to be grateful for and what are the opportunities of this moment. Then, we go, and act on the insight that comes from our own insight and intuition.

And where does the soul go when we die? John O’Donohue says, “When the soul leaves the body it is no longer under the burden and control of space and time. It is free…the dead are our nearest neighbors….” 

The souls of the deceased are here; we have falsely spatialized the eternal world which is not a place but a different state of being. The dead are in an invisible form, and can be sensed with the refinement of our soul. Soul sees soul. It is not known intellectually.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Currency

Matthew 22:15-22

The question of taxes is a divisive and heated issue, not just now but also in the time of Jesus as is seen in this week’s Gospel with the imperial tax.

The discussion was intended to put Jesus between a rock and a hard place, with nowhere to turn. But Jesus refused to play that game.

Jesus plays a different game, that of a life centered in God, the Kingdom of Heaven which has a different “currency” than does the kingdom of the world.

His currency is that of love, forgiveness, compassion. And what bears God’s image, and therefore belongs to God? You and me. We are to offer all of ourselves to God, which we do at each celebration of the Eucharist.

We tend to tell ourselves that if we get all of our worldly concerns met, we’ll have time for the concerns of God—loving and serving our neighbors.

That’s not the way it works in the Kingdom of God. We are to first seek the Kingdom of God, and to give first the currency of love, mercy, humility, compassion, and faithfulness to God.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The King’s Invitation

Matthew 22:1-14

The parable of the king’s wedding feast is a parable about the Kingdom of God. We are invited to join the feast, and to enter into the Kingdom of God.

The religious leaders of the time rejected the invitation. They didn’t want to be changed, to be transformed. They preferred their familiar, routine, lives. 

We are like this. We often prefer to remain citizens of the mundane world, to live our lives as usual under the reign of our own will.

Just belonging to the Church is not enough. We’re called to go beyond silent attendance. Hearing the call is easy. Marrying the Son of God is difficult, because this requires us to actually change our lives.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

What is Our Function?

Matthew 21:33-46

The contours of our lives can be shaped by our desire to know Christ, as we pursue what we know to be the function of our lives—to know Christ and the power of his Resurrection.

We can get so caught up with the form of our lives, of our church, that we forget the function. Outer form may be all important. This was the case of St. Paul until, for Christ’s sake, he suffered the loss of all things.

The outward forms of Paul’s life were not in service to his new function in Christ, and thus he considered them as loss. New wines require new wineskins, new forms.

We now live in what some call “the age of authenticity” in which people look inward to find their truth, with concomitant distrust of inherited institutions.

This is a liminal, threshold moment for Christ Church. We seek to discern God’s calling in our lives together, our function, in the days and years to come.

We will soon have an all parish retreat to discern our function and mission. We have the opportunity to let go of old forms, reckless in our love, so that new life might spring eternal.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

In Hard Times

Matthew 21:23-32

The chief preachers and elders feel threatened by Jesus, for a number of reasons. They challenged his authority. He responded with hard questions.

Unlike the chief preachers and elders, we have Jesus to be with us when we face hard questions. And God provides for us in hard times.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reward of the Vineyard

Matthew 20:1-16

This week’s Gospel is the parable of the householder, landowner, and the day laborers.

We who live out our lives in a market economy might have trouble with this parable. But Jesus begins this parable with “the Kingdom of Heaven is like…”

From the householder’s view, the point is not what you get, but the fact that you work in the “vineyard,” the spiritual reality that permeates our physical, mental and social life.

We are sent into the material world to manifest more and more the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. The work itself is the reward, the joy is in the contribution, in joining with the Lord of the Vineyard in creating a new and better world.

Isn’t this the joy for which we yearn? Jesus’ parable tells us that everyone who works in the vineyard receives “our daily bread.” The market/s tit for tat consciousness is replaced with the overflowing generosity consciousness of Jesus, God’s amazing, undeserved, grace.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Forgiveness

Matthew 18:15-20

Houston Smith, the great scholar of religions, said that forgiveness is most characteristic of Christianity.

Two-thirds of the teachings of Jesus are related to forgiveness, says Fr. Richard Rohr. Forgiveness was fundamental for Jesus. He forgave those who had tortured and crucified him.

But payback and its cousins is rampant in our world today. There has even been a popular TV show called “Revenge.” Revenge is seen as a virtue in many societies today.

There are evolutionary, biological bases for our predilection to strike back. But to act on such impulses is not good for us or for other. We can learn to rise above such instinctive responses.

In today’s Gospel, a king extended extravagant mercy, giving a slave and his family a future with freedom, hope and possibility. Yet this slave turned around and refused to forgive the debt of another, taking away the hope and future of the other.

Justice, alone, can take away a hope and a future. These often can only come through love, mercy, grace and forgiveness.

If we refuse to forgive others, this limits the flow of God’s mercy and forgiveness to and through us.

Are we willing to release our need to be right, and our need for retribution? Are we willing to break the cycle of pain, and follow Jesus in forgiveness?

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

True Community

Matthew 18:15-20

Matthew was concerned with community. We all say we want it, and we generally have no idea it is to come by

The framework for reconciliation provided in this week’s Gospel is much harder than talking behind people’s backs. Many of us have no background in resolving conflicts. Walking away is what we know best.

In this week’s Gospel passage, Jesus is teaching a skill for reconciliation and restoration of community. A skill isn’t enough; there must also be humility and love, found in relationship with God.

A history of repentance is helpful in reconciliation. Our egos bend more easily. Prayer practices can prepare us for this.

Our world needs true community. Too often, we settle for a surface level or false community. 

Communities often form around a negative view of an “out group”, and become oppositional groups which are not true communities but rather loose alliances of those with similar grievances.

Our Christ Church motto is “going deeper.” As we do this, we find that true community is not so much something we build, but something we discover in the deeper level of communion among the Trinitarian God.

God pulls us into community. When two or three are gathered to seek agreement, Christ is an active presence drawing them together.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Lose Your Surface Life

Matthew 16:21-28

Jesus rebuked Peter for setting his mind on human things, not Divine things.

Peter’s mind was rooted in the culture and beliefs of his day. We, too, are immersed in our culture and draw on human ways of doing things to solve our problems, not on God’s ways.

Our minds, hearts and will must be transformed to not be captured by the ways of our world.

How do we lose our surface life? We set our minds on Divine things by intentionally spending time emptying our minds of human things and steeping our minds in Divine things. Being in church is one of the ways we do this.

One hour on Sunday morning isn’t enough in light of the clamor of our culture. So we can spend time daily in prayer, devotions, noticing the presence of God in nature and creatures. We can catch ourselves when negative emotions arise, and ask ourselves if we’re focused on Divine things or human things.

We can learn to more and more live our lives from our deeper self, having lost our surface selves for Jesus’ sake and found our true life in Him.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Being Christ for One Another

Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28

Was Jesus human, Divine, or some mixture of the two? Was He born knowing everything, or did He have to learn as all humans do.

Seven times in the Gospels, Jesus is described as “amazed.” If He already knew everything, how could He be amazed?

We’re also told that “Jesus grew in wisdom and maturity.” In other words, Jesus learned. He was truly human.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus not only learned but had His mind radically changed when a woman whom Jesus had insulted by calling her a “dog” responded from the fierce love she held for her daughter. He saw in her the same love He shared with His Heavenly Father. He was stunned, His mind was changed, and he repented. Her daughter was healed instantly.

Even Jesus was susceptible to falling into the trap of in-group superiority, prejudice and tribalism. Jesus models for us how to repent from initial hardheartedness. He allowed her to be Christ to Him, and to bring Him back to His own Christ identity.

Jesus teaches us humility.

Are we able, like Jesus in today’s Gospel, to repent from our culturally-conditioned mindsets, and to find our deeper, truer, identity as a beloved child of God?

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Be Not Afraid

Matthew 14:22-33

The disciples were terrorized when their boat was battered, tormented, by the waves. The wind was like a demonic adversary fighting against them. Their fear of otherworldly beings was heightened by a “ghost” walking across the waves toward them. Then Jesus said, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

Jesus’ earthly life is bracketed by warnings against fear. In our lives, fear can paralyze us, and turn us inward in unhealthy ways.

Peter courageously obeyed the command of Jesus when he sought to walk toward Jesus in the midst of the storm. Yet when his fear grew, threatening to engulf him, Jesus stretched out his hand to save him.

Jesus asked Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” This helped Peter to understand why he sank. His inner focus on the reality of Jesus was replaced by his outer occupation on his outer, threatening, circumstances. This happens with us as well, both individually and in the aggregate (corporately).

The invitation is for us individually, and as member of this church. What are we afraid of? What are we doing here? In whom will we place our trust?

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Whose Transfiguration?

Luke 9:28-36

Humans memorialize great moments, mystical experiences, by building structures such as the church at the site of the Transfiguration. We don’t want to lose the experience of a Divine encounter.

The institutional structure of the Church, the New Testament, and Holy Communion, are efforts to preserve and pass down what originally were mystical experiences with the Divine.

But when the ritual becomes more important than the Living God which they are intended to convey, they can become roadblocks rather than passages to God.

Peter’s intention to outwardly memorialize the Transfiguration by building structures missed the point. In the living God we live, and move and have our being—not in any structure, building, bible, or liturgy.

Buildings, bibles, traditions, music, liturgies, can become objects of worship rather than the living God.

As C.S. Lewis observed, “The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs.  If they are not doing that. all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself are simply a waste of time.  God became Man for no other purpose.”

Jesus’ transfiguration must become our transfiguration. We must remember today’s Gospel and its lessons as our congregation discerns what is next after Fr. Mark retires.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reprioritize and Recenter

Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

We explore more of Jesus’ parables of the Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of God, this week.

We might be emotionally and energetically drained by events over which we have no control, like a power outage. Rather than being actors in the drama of our own lives, we might be re-actors.

Instead of being whole, much of the time we might be shattered, in pieces, despite the fundamental groundedness in God at the core of our own beings.

We can grow up into Christ and not be tossed every which way. In Christ we find freedom from the bondage of our outer circumstances, in the Kingdom of Heaven within.

This is the one true treasure, hidden within and buried within the field of ourselves. We can sell the “farm” and put our whole being into the Kingdom of God, desirable and priceless, within.

We can reprioritize all else, which we must do to recenter our lives in the love of God, in the Kingdom of God within.

By forsaking all things as “gods” to be worshipped, we regain them from our personal center in the Kingdom of Heaven within us. Thus we become actors rather than re-actors in the drama of our own lives.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Weeds and Wheat

The Gospel is Matthew 13:24-30,36-43

We explore another of Jesus’ parables this week. 

Humans may tend to be compulsive weed-pullers—we want to pull out and get rid of whatever we don’t like. But, as in the parable, “wheat” and “weeds” often are indistinguishable. 

Trying to pull up what we think are “weeds” may harm the whole, and this distracts us from positive activities including serving Christ in one another. He does not tell us to “pull up the weeds,” but rather to love one another.

One of the lessons we can learn from today’s parable is that many of the issues and questions of our lives are complicated, difficult and unclear. It’s not so easy for us to distinguish “true wheat” from “false wheat.” Indeed, our perspective on this may change as we mature.

Jesus Himself didn’t weed out all the “weeds” among those with whom he associated. Many of His close disciples exhibited weed-like behavior, and he did not pull these weeds. And how fortunate for us that Jesus does not pull out the weeds among us, for who among us is pure? 

Let what appears to be wheat, and what appears to be weeds, grow together. The world, if we were to be spiritually honest, isn’t clearcut, even (and especially) in our own lives. There are ambiguities, uncertainties, and plenty of “both/and.” Paradox is rife in reality, requiring us to walk in darkness and in trust, in faith.

We must start with a “yes” of basic acceptance, letting and forgiving, to allow for God and Grace.

God is big enough to receive us with all our mixture. We don’t have to be bright, pure, or filled with anything. Not only are we save by Grace, we live by it as well.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Sowers, Seeds and Soil

The Gospel is Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

Today we explore the first of eight parables in this Gospel. The parables are not straightforward declarations; they initiate the process of changing our consciousness, how we see the world, ourselves, and God. They are transformative.

Rather than explaining the parable, we examine some of the features so that our consciousness may be transformed.

In this parable, the Word is the “seed,” which never loses the potential to sprout and grow. Yet it, like Jesus, is vulnerable to the environment into which it is introduced. The seed is eternally fecund.

God is the sower, who casts the Word out into the world indiscriminately. We are the soil, sometimes receptive and full of love for God and our neighbor, and sometimes like the inhospitable well-trodden, sun-baked path.

This parable opens our eyes to all the ways we resist, diminish and choke the seed of God. It initiates the process of changing our consciousness and laying bare the fertile, vulnerable soil at the center of our being.

We should not be discouraged if the soil of our self is inhospitable. At times the seed grows very slowly, and there is more seed to come.

Remember that we are created in the likeness and image of God, the sower. We too can be indiscriminate, prodigal and spendthrift, like God, in casting the eternally fecund seed.

There’s always the chance that there is an imperceptible crack into which the seed may fall, growing and breaking the harsh inhospitable soil, like the Resurrection breaking the very bonds of death.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

We Were Made for This

The Gospel is Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

What does Jesus mean when he says, “I will give you rest"? What is he asking us to do when he invites us to “take my yoke upon you,” and to learn from him?

Rest happens when our true nature is realized, and we live in harmony with ourselves, our neighbors, nature and with God. He’s not inviting us to loaf, but rather to live from our true self, who we are in God.

Our ego self, our surface self, has its place in the first half of life, but it was never who we truly are in God. We can find rest from the constant effort of shoring up our small self.

The yoke, the work He asks us, is not onerous because we are yoked with Him in performing God’s work. We were created for the work He asks us to do, to bring forth God’s Kingdom on earth by loving God and loving our neighbors.

We come to know God by learning from Jesus, watching and imitating Jesus, so we in turn can become Christ for others and continually pour ourselves out for God and neighbor, receiving the same, again and again all in one Divine flow.

We long for this deep, intimate relationship with God and to return to our true self and His purpose of our lives. We were made for this.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Divine Hospitality

The Gospel is Matthew 10:40-42

The Gospel this week concludes the description of Jesus sending out the Apostles. They were to rely entirely on God and the hospitality of those they met.

There are two interconnected messages in today’s text. Do we identify with the Apostles, prospective guests, or the prospective hosts for them?

Do we identify with the message of hospitality to be a good welcoming host, for the Christ within the stranger?

But Jesus would have seen the whole matter of sending out the Apostles who would be needing welcome, as guests. They did not have the privilege of power, to welcome others or not. They were vulnerable. The Apostles had only the power of Christ within them.

Hospitality isn’t intended to change people, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines. The space of freedom is where host and guest meet.

Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being a messenger of God. Accepting help is as good as giving help. This is the balance of the “hospitality equation.” Guest and host are both needed, the helper and the one being helped are both needed.

Jesus makes clear that hospitality is an entrance to the Kingdom of God. It is the single most radical and transformative thing we can do in the world today.

Hospitality is the space of acceptance, freedom and love at the heart of God where change can take place. It is the freedom not disturbed by dividing lines, where we are free to be changed into our true Selves, who we are in Christ, Apostles to a bound and hurting world.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Our Calling to Love

The Gospel is Matthew 10:24-39

The Pax Roman wasn’t truly a time of peace, and dissent was brutally suppressed. During this time Jesus taught his path of true peace, maintained by the power of divine love and forgiveness. 

A major theme of Matthew’s Gospel is the clash of kingdoms. Jesus’ nonviolent Kingdom of God was a threat to the worldly culture of that day, resulting in the murder of Jesus. 

Jesus identified the consequences His followers could expect. His statement “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” was not a call to violence. Rather, the commitment He calls for would be like a sword cleaving in two families, systems, and more.

In our time, people doing their jobs and staying true to their understanding of truth receive death threats to themselves and their families. This is the kind of consequence Jesus foretold for those giving themselves to his countercultural path.

We must choose where we will place our loyalty. The future holds more than rejection because of our embrace of Jesus’ countercultural way: we gain a new self that needs to grow and breathe in a natural way, and we may suffer along the way. If we lose the socially-approved but spiritually vacant life, we gain spiritual life.

Faith in God does not bring us safety. Danger still exists. As people of faith, we are invited to respond by loving, and our calling to love displaces fear. 

What does this calling to love look like in our individual lives, and to Christ Church as we face an uncertain future?

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Purpose

The Gospel is Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23)

One definition of compassion is a deep feeling of sympathy for another’s suffering accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate that suffering. Jesus had compassion for the harassed and helpless crowds.

We’d expect him to take action to alleviate their suffering, but he did not do this. Instead, he commissioned his 12 disciples to do this work. This was a turning point in Jesus’ ministry; he wanted his disciples to participate with Him in the healing and redemption of the world.

At this point, the 12 disciples became “apostles”, which means “those who are sent out.” Their relationship with Jesus changed: they became his commissioned surrogates, His healing and transforming presence in the world. This is our calling also, as exemplified in our christening.

It is not a question of a good man who died 2000 years ago, but that of living man being, Jesus, being born in us as a new “little Christ.”

Thus we need to and learn to stand back from our habitual fussings and frettings, letting Him soak through us, permeate us.

The purpose of the Church is to draw us into Christ, to make us into “little Christs.” Our true selves are waiting for us in Christ, so we can fulfill our purpose and take the Gospel of God’s love and healing to the world.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Love Tenderly, Vulnerably and Fiercely

The Gospel is Matthew 9:9-13,v18-26

It is easier to define what is pure than what is holy, so we pretend these are interchangable.

Holiness is about “union with” and purity is about “separation from.” Jesus is holiness incarnate; the Pharisees were about purity codes.

There was no separation between Jesus and the bleeding woman. Jesus touched a dead girl and she came alive. In both instances, Jesus embodied holiness, uniting himself with those who were considered unclean, impure.

Jesus touched human bodies deemed unclean as if they were holy. He kept violating boundaries of “decency” to get to the people on the other side of the boundary. He cared about real holiness, the connection between things human and Divine.

The boundaries and rules may be intended to protect the sacredness of our being, but if they become more important than that which we seek to protect, they don’t serve us well.

In the second half of life, we have the opportunity to remove the barriers that protected our apparently vulnerable inner child of God, but which also walled us off from holiness, from connection. We can learn to love tenderly, vulnerably and fiercely.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Diversity in Unity

The Gospel is Matthew 28:16-203

God is three (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and also One. This is irrational in the minds of some.

We remain Trinitarians because this affirms a deep truth about God: at the heart of the Godhead are diverse persons, whose love is so close and intimate that they are One.

At the heart of the Godhead is diversity. We can look at Creation and see that God must love diversity.

It’s one unending flow of self-giving and receiving. God is perfect giving and receiving.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and imagine a fourth person, humanity in our aggregate. That’s how much God loves us, gives and receives with us.

Sadly, we often let our differences divide us, forgetting that we are created in the image of our Trinitarian God, Each of the persons of the Trinity is not a separate entity. They experience each other from the inside, not from the outside. They mutually indwell.

Jesus prayed that we may be one as He is one with the Father. What if we begin to live into our identity as the fourth members of the Holy Trinity? Wouldn’t this answer Jesus’ prayer?

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Receive the Holy Spirit

The Gospel is John 20:19-23

Lay members of our congregation, Linda and Mike Smith, provide the sermon and practice today.

It took awhile for the disciples to understand what they had received. They surely reflected and prayed to come to a deeper understanding of the teachings of Jesus, not a one time event but an ongoing revelation of the kingdom of God as Love which opened them up and lit them on fire. New opportunities open for growth, and learning to see differently.

Each of us can be filled with Spirit, and more than once in our lives—perhaps during a sunrise, seeing children playing, in the challenge of daily living. Our task is to notice and welcome the Spirit when it comes.

The Body Prayer of Julian of Norwich can be helpful to us in opening to Spirit.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Participation in the Divine Life

The Gospel is John 17:1-11

Jesus came that we would have life, and have it abundantly, thus reconnecting the Creation to the Creator.

What is the Divine life, the eternal life, that Jesus conveys?  That we may know God in Jesus, whom God sent.

This “knowing” is not head knowledge, but heart knowledge, intimate relationship. This participative knowing is eternal life, experiencing God and Jesus personally, and having the mind of Christ.

In Jesus, God’s name and true nature is made known to us, and participative knowing of God is eternal life.

As we participate thus, we are called to share the Divine Life with others. We are still in the world, and called to carry out the mission of the Father and the Son’s love. It is our glory that we are able to do so.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.