Sermons on Life of Christ (Page 5)

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Jesus v. the Empire

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14Psalm 93Revelation 1:4b-8John 18:33-37 In the year 312, the Roman emperor had a dream. The night before the battle of Milvian Bridge which is in northern Italy, according to the 4th century historian, Lanctancius, the emperor Constantine “was advised in a dream to mark the heavenly sign of God on the shields of his soldiers and then engage in battle. He did as he was commanded and by means of a letter X turned sideways, with the top…

The New Story

Daniel 12:1-3Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25Mark 13:1-8 I have always been puzzled by the disciple in today’s gospel reading. What’s the big deal? Hasn’t he seen the temple before? Is he admiring the architecture like a tourist might? Or is he just wanting Jesus’ attention and doesn’t know what to say – “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Or could it be that he (note that I am assuming it was a man) was still thinking that Jesus…

God In The Flesh

Proper 14B                        1 Kings 19:4-8 Ephesians 4:25-5:2                    John 6:35, 41-51 The Rev. Susan Plucker                    August 8, 2021 Our scripture readings begin this morning with  The prophet Elijah alone and literally exhausted to death. Elijah has been battling for God against the dark forces     Of Queen Jezebel and her priests of the god Baal.         Elijah and God have won.  The priests of Baal are all…

All will be forgiven.

Do you remember the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral?  In one of the weddings, comedian Rowan Atkinson plays a young priest who gets his words muddled and concludes a prayer with the words, “in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Goat”. Determined not to make the same mistake a second time, at the end of the wedding he blesses the congregation in the name of, “The Father the Son and the Holy Spigot.” Was…

On Forgiveness

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 Ephesians 1:15-23 John 17: 6-19 Today is the 7th Sunday after Easter. It is also the 1st Sunday after the Feast of the Ascension, which was Thursday, May 13th.   40 days after Easter, Jesus ascended to God leaving his followers, for good this time, but promising to send them a helper, an advocate. They are to go to Jerusalem and wait. Today is the Sunday preceding the Feast of Pentecost, so their wait will not be…

Love Actually

John 15:9-17  Last night as I was thinking about this morning’s sermon I thought “I just seem to be preaching the same sermon over and over again.” And then I laughed because indeed this is the same sermon…  we heard in our gospel reading a continuation of Jesus’ last words to his disciples, which is often thought of as a sermon. So it’s not surprising that our reflection this week bears similarity to last week. Thursday of this week is…

Laying Down His Life

Acts 4:5-12 1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18 Psalm 23 Todays gospel is such a comforting passage about the Good Shepherd, and one we use for memorial services as we remind ourselves that God’s love never waivers even when we journey through the valley of death.   In the words of John’s gospel, Jesus tells us clearly that “I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of…

Walking In The Light

This morning’s readings are so full and rich that it’s difficult to know where to start. When that happens, I find it useful to look at the collect, the prayer for the day. “God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation, Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith.” That sums up the readings pretty well doesn’t it –…