Sermons on Spiritual Life (Page 8)
A New Song
The first time ever I drove down Los Osos Valley Road from the freeway, I said, aloud, “This is the most beautiful valley I have ever seen.” It was a spring morning following winter rains. The sky was a brilliant blue. The nestling hills were an intense green. The first wildflowers were beginning to emerge along the roadside. And as we came near Los Osos, great splashes of colors bathed the fields where farmers were raising flowers for seed. The…
Forgiveness: Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve
In today’s gospel story, Peter asks Jesus, how often should he forgive? Jesus replies: “77 times.” Yowza-77 times!!! Is he serious? Most of us are just beginners when it comes to the act of forgiving.
Who do you say that I am?
We encounter a shift in the flow of Matthew’s Gospel this Sunday and hear Jesus talk about all the people and profits others say Jesus may be, but the important question to his disciples and us was, who do you say that I am? As we move through our own lives as followers of Christ, what stories and narratives do we craft of who Jesus was, is, and continues to be in our lives?
Cultivating Mercy
Mercy! Mercy is something that is in short supply today. Mercy is showing compassion or forgiveness towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or ignore. Mercy is an act of kindness that springs forth from a generous heart.
The Dark Night of the Soul
I don’t know what storms you and your loved ones are facing, what darkness you and your loved ones feel surrounded by, but I do know this: before you even have the chance to pray, “Lord, save me,” Jesus is already by your side, holding you up, so you can walk back to the boat together.
The fog and transformation
This Sunday is the feast day of the Transfiguration. How do we continue to follow Jesus through our own times of fog and discernment? Luke’s Gospel and rooted connections with our community help show us the way.
Transition
the Spirit is calling me to talk about us today – our life together as a parish community – during this transitional moment in time that St. Benedict’s finds itself in. So that’s what I’m going to do.
Good Weeds
Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to you, Holy one. As a child, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents. I was very blessed to have both sets play large roles in my life. I spent most of my summers with my grandma and grandpa Crompton. It was definitely better than daycare, and I learned so much in my time there. One summer, my grandma was teaching me all about…
All Are Welcome
Matthew’s gospel text for today engages us in a conversation about what it means to be a welcoming community. Do we welcome people as they are or place conditions on our welcome? Using the foundations of our faith, we can find the tools which lead us to action and truly welcome all as they are.
Liberation Sermon
Imagine a world where all religions brought about liberation. Where we are all free to live into our fullest potential. Where we are free of fear, free of oppression, free of all domination systems, free to love and express ourselves just as we are. Imagine living in a world that celebrates differences and reveres the interconnectedness of all beings; and a world that treats the earth with respect.