Sermons on Teaching of Jesus (Page 3)
Getting Back to Jesus of Nazareth
Bishop Michael Curry has encouraged us to get back to Jesus of Nazareth to counter Christina Nationalism and other ideologies that conflate Christianity with political agendas. What could be more “Jesus of Nazareth” than the Beatitudes?
The Lamb in your Telescope
The Webb Space Telescope is bringing us many new images of the universe and changing the way we understand it. In a similar way, John the Baptizer gave us the image of Jesus as the Lamb of God and that has influenced our understanding ever since.
Unity is not uniformity
Conflict is sure to happen when intelligent and creative people get together and try to create anything, especially a faith community. What keeps us together is not ignoring the conflict but finding our unity in following Jesus’ model of loving respect and listening for God’s purpose.
God’s Love, available to everyone
In the time of Jesus, all physical illness was considered to be the result of sin so healing the sick was declaring God’s love for everyone, even sinners. But this isn’t the kind of Messiah his cousin John was expecting.
Be Ready!
The central theme of Advent is to be ready for Jesus’ coming whether in Bethlehem or in the clouds. Readiness is putting on the armor of light which requires deep inner work as well as practical expression in the way we live.
It’s All About Power!
Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Luke 23:33-43 It’s all about power! Who has it! What it looks like! And how it is executed! On this Feast Day of Christ the King, power is the subject of today’s sermon. On October 31, 1922, Benito Mussolini and his Black Shirts marched into Rome. Mussolini was a fascist, meaning someone who claims to speak for a whole nation or group, is utterly unconcerned with the rights of others, and is willing to use violence…
The transformation of Suffering
Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to you, oh Holy one. For those of you that may not know, I am a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at 19 with a brain tumor, and it has been a very integral part of my life and spiritual journey. I mentioned one of my recurrences in a previous sermon. It’s been a long journey so gives me a lot of material to work with.…
The Miracle
Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God – it takes a miracle! Today we see that miracle in the story of Zacchaeus which illustrates three movements of the Spirit in our lives.
Dishonest Sacrifice
I can’t get my ego totally out of the way. I want St Ben’s to be big and successful. But God’s way is different and God measures success in different ways. What is important is that we persevere and we discern what God is doing among us, and then get on board.
The Feast of St Francis
Luke 12:22-32 Good morning, St Bens. It is so nice to be back with you today. Reverend Caro has chosen 3 wonderful readings for today as we celebrate the feast of St Francis. Last time we were here it was the feast of St Benedict’s and now St Francis – what a lovely opportunity to be with this community that clearly seeks to live inspired by both of these saints. I have to say something about this first reading from…