Let It Go

Fr. Noah begins this past Sunday's sermon by examining the story of the Rich Young Ruler from the Gospel of Mark. He draws attention to the young man's eagerness to learn about eternal life and Jesus' intriguing response to being called "good." Fr. Noah emphasizes that Jesus is more than just a good teacher; He is God Himself, a crucial point that the Rich Young Ruler fails to grasp fully.

The sermon then explores the insufficiency of mere moral living for salvation. While the Rich Young Ruler has kept the commandments and lived a morally upright life, Jesus reveals that he still lacks one thing: the willingness to sacrifice everything for God's purposes. Fr. Noah points out that we often focus on raising "good" children and being morally upright citizens, but Jesus calls us to a higher standard – a life completely transformed and given for God's purposes.

Fr. Noah addresses the powerful hold that wealth and other idols can have on people. He explains that money, though neutral in itself, can become an ultimate thing in our lives, preventing us from fully surrendering to God. Fr. Noah challenges the congregation to examine their own lives, asking if they have given the entirety of themselves to Jesus or if they, like the Rich Young Ruler, might walk away sad when confronted with Jesus' demand for complete surrender.

The sermon emphasizes the impossibility of salvation through human effort alone. Fr. Noah quotes Jesus' words, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:25). He explains that this applies not only to material wealth but to any sense of self-sufficiency that prevents us from recognizing our need for Jesus' saving work on the cross.

Fr. Noah shares a personal experience of encountering a homeless man at the church, using it to illustrate Jesus' compassion and love for all people. This anecdote serves as a powerful reminder of our own need for God's grace and the importance of seeing others through God's eyes.

The sermon concludes with a call to confession and surrender. Fr. Noah encourages the congregation to identify whatever they might be withholding from God and to offer it up in poverty of spirit. He reminds them that Jesus looks at each person with love, just as He looked at the Rich Young Ruler, and that with God's help, it is possible to let go of whatever we're holding onto that prevents us from fully following Christ.

Fr. Noah's final message is one of hope: through the power of the Holy Spirit, complete surrender to Jesus is possible, and this is indeed good news for all who hear and respond to the call of Christ.

Gather > Scatter

Deacon Eduardo's sermon is a profound reflection on the unifying power of the gospel and Jesus' role as the great gatherer. He begins by acknowledging the diverse congregation, united under one roof despite differences in culture, language, and circumstances. The deacon emphasizes that this unity is rooted in the "great truths" of salvation, quoting Psalm 8:4-5, "What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?"

The sermon then focuses on the Gospel story of Jesus welcoming children, found in Mark 10. Deacon Eduardo uses this passage to illustrate Christ's desire to gather all people to Himself, contrasting it with the disciples' attempt to scatter the children. He draws a parallel between this scene and the broader spiritual battle between Jesus as the gatherer and Satan as the scatterer.

Deacon Eduardo expands on this theme, pointing out how the scattering spirit is evident in modern society, particularly in politics and elections. He cites examples from Austria and the United States, where voters are increasingly divided into distinct groups, leading to a fractured society. The deacon warns that this division often results in neglect of the vulnerable, whom Jesus calls us to serve.

The sermon takes a personal turn as Deacon Eduardo shares how relationships within the church have helped him broaden his perspective beyond his own interests. He describes how gathering with diverse believers around the same table and sharing a common cup has expanded his heart to yearn for others' well-being.

Referencing the recent Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, Deacon Eduardo reminds the congregation of their victory in Christ over the scattering forces of sin. He declares, "We are on the winning side here in this room, gathered together on the winning side. No longer afraid, no longer scattered, no longer alone."

The deacon then highlights the church's role as a "beacon of hope" in a disintegrating society, citing recent celebrations of Mexican Independence Day as an example of unity in diversity. He also emphasizes the importance of the Nigerian church in supporting the American church during times of difficulty, calling for reciprocal support and prayer for Nigeria.

Deacon Eduardo concludes by urging the congregation to take seriously their role in gathering around Jesus' table regularly. He stresses the importance of presenting a unified vision to children, showing them different nations, cultures, and circumstances coming together as one people blessed with a common inheritance. The deacon's final exhortation is for each member to play their part in gathering people, especially children, into Christ's saving and loving embrace.

Throughout the sermon, Deacon Eduardo maintains a tone of urgency and hope, blending scriptural references with contemporary examples to illustrate the ongoing spiritual battle between gathering and scattering forces. His message emphasizes the power of unity in Christ to overcome worldly divisions and present a compelling vision of God's kingdom.

Kick & A Miss

Kevin West begins his sermon with a personal anecdote about missing the ball while playing soccer as a child, using this as an analogy for the disciples' repeated misunderstandings of Jesus' teachings in the Gospel of Mark. He highlights how Jesus, on His way to Jerusalem and crucifixion, continually tries to prepare His disciples for what is to come, but they consistently "kick and miss" the point.

The sermon delves into specific examples from Mark's gospel, such as Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah followed by his rebuke of Jesus' prediction of suffering (Mark 8:27-33). Kevin also mentions the disciples' argument about greatness (Mark 9:33-37) and James and John's request for positions of power (Mark 10:35-45). These instances demonstrate the disciples' failure to grasp Jesus' teachings about the nature of God's kingdom and true greatness.

Kevin then focuses on the episode where the disciples try to stop someone casting out demons in Jesus' name (Mark 9:38-41). He explains how this reveals the disciples' narrow view of God's work and their desire to maintain exclusive authority. Jesus corrects them, emphasizing the importance of even small acts done in His name and warning against causing others to stumble in their faith.

The sermon draws parallels to the Old Testament story of Moses and the 70 elders in Numbers 11. West highlights the similarity between Joshua's reaction to Eldad and Medad prophesying in the camp and the disciples' reaction to the unauthorized exorcist. This comparison illustrates the human tendency towards tribalism and distrust of those outside our immediate group.

Kevin then incorporates teachings from the book of James, emphasizing the need for humility, submission to God, and resistance to the devil (James 4:7-10). He explains how these principles are essential in overcoming the quarrels and favoritism that James addresses in his letter.

Throughout the sermon, Kevin maintains a focus on the importance of trusting Jesus and keeping our eyes fixed on Him. He emphasizes that our human desires for security, greatness, and control can only be properly ordered through a focus on Christ and His sacrifice on the cross.

Kevin concludes by inviting listeners to reflect on the image of the crucifix as they receive the Eucharist, encouraging them to see it as a representation of the God we can trust – the one who, through the cross, is drawing all people to Himself (John 12:32). This final exhortation ties together the themes of trust, humility, and the centrality of Christ's sacrifice in the Christian life.