Sermons

“We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life” (1 Jn. 1:1-3). On the third day of Christmas, we celebrate the life of St. John the Apostle. John the eagle, as he is portrayed in art. He had the spiritual sight of an eagle. His eyes were open wide

* A video of this sermon is available on our Youtube Channel. “Come, O long-expected Jesus, born to set your people free / Born your people to deliver / Born a child and yet a king / Born to reign in us forever / Now your gracious kingdom bring.” Why do the Christmas lights sparkle so brilliantly? Why is the family meal so beautiful? Why does the simple crèche, the manger scene with mother and child, move us? Time dissolves at Christmas. We step away from the grownup world an

“Ignorance of the Scriptures is a great cliff and a deep abyss. Not knowing the Scriptures is the cause of all evils.” A renowned, evangelical pastor preached these words on a Sunday morning. Afterwards, he and a number of parishioners talked back and forth about the topic. Most insisted that they were too busy. One said he had a wife to take care of. Another said she had children to feed. A city official insisted he was too overwhelmed with responsibilities. The pastor rebuk

Hypnos was the god of sleep in Greek mythology. The poets told stories about his cavernous palace built by the river of forgetfulness. Son of darkness and brother of death, of all spirits in that pre-Christian world, Hypnos was especially revered. Hypnotism comes from his name, because of his power. Everyone caught up in his spell, great or small, was totally in his possession. The scriptures urge us: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Eph

“What did you go out to see?” Those were our Lord’s words to the crowd. What were you looking for? As we journey through Advent, the Church throws us this question. What are you looking for? You can imagine Christ’s words echoing down from his thrown on Judgement Day. What did you spend your life pursuing? A recent Starbucks campaign raised profits with the slogan: “Take comfort in rituals.” It was brilliant. They were not just selling a good product. They were selling a life