Loose Lips Sink Ships?

Fr. Noah begins his sermon by referencing the World War II phrase "Loose lips sink ships," drawing a connection to Jesus' request for secrecy after healing the deaf and mute man in the Gospel. He explains that Jesus had a specific timeline for His ministry and wanted to avoid premature confrontation with the political and religious authorities.

The sermon then delves into the significance of this healing miracle, showing how it fulfills Isaiah's prophecy about the coming Messiah. Fr. Noah emphasizes that the people witnessing this event were seeing the actualization of their long-held beliefs, as Jesus demonstrated His power to restore and heal the broken world.

Fr. Noah draws attention to Jesus' emotional response, described as a "deep sigh" in the Gospel. He compares this to Jesus' reaction at Lazarus' tomb, interpreting it as a sign of Jesus' anger and determination to wage war against sin and death. This portrays Jesus as a powerful Messiah, ready to execute divine justice and upend the consequences of sin.

The sermon then shifts focus to our own spiritual condition. Fr. Noah challenges listeners to examine their hearts, referencing last week's lesson about the Pharisees' external righteousness masking internal corruption. He emphasizes the need for Jesus to purify our hearts, quoting James 1:21: "Therefore get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."

Fr. Noah uses the metaphor of gardening to illustrate the ongoing process of spiritual growth and the need for the Holy Spirit's power to root out sin. He then explores James' comparison of God's Word to a mirror, showing how it reveals our true selves and our need for Christ's transformative power.

The sermon culminates in an invitation for listeners to look beyond the Law and see Jesus Himself in the Scriptures. Fr. Noah encourages the congregation to embrace Jesus' offer of healing and transformation, allowing Him to open their deaf ears, loosen their mute tongues, and restore their hearts.

Finally, Fr. Noah challenges the listeners to become enthusiastic witnesses of the Gospel, with "loose lips" that spread the good news far and wide. He asks, "Could anyone reasonably accuse you of being even slightly enthusiastic about Jesus Christ, about your love for his church?" The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging the congregation to allow Jesus to heal their hearts and transform them into passionate ambassadors for Christ.

Throughout the sermon, Fr. Noah maintains a tone of pastoral concern and urgency, using vivid imagery and personal examples to engage his listeners. He effectively weaves together Scripture, particularly from Isaiah, the Gospels, and James, to support his message and challenge his congregation to deeper faith and action.

Jesus Upends our Pride

Deacon Edward's sermon provides a comprehensive exploration of the sin of pride, its historical impact, and its relevance to modern Christian life. He begins by tracing pride's origins to the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve's desire to be like God led to their expulsion from paradise. The deacon then illustrates how pride has manifested throughout history, from the ancient Israelites' rebellion against God to more recent atrocities like the Holocaust and various genocides.

The sermon focuses on Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees in Mark 7, where He criticizes their adherence to human traditions at the expense of God's commandments. Deacon Edward emphasizes that the Pharisees' obsession with outward cleanliness and their use of loopholes to avoid caring for their parents revealed their prideful hearts. He notes that Jesus identified pride as one of the evil things that come from within and defile a person.

Deacon Edward then turns the mirror on himself and his congregation, acknowledging that pride often manifests in subtle ways in our daily lives. He shares personal examples of how pride has affected his relationships and spiritual disciplines, encouraging listeners to recognize similar patterns in their own lives.

The sermon draws on several scriptural passages to reinforce its message. Deuteronomy 4:9 warns against forgetting God's works, while Ephesians 6:10-17 emphasizes the importance of putting on the full armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil, including pride. Deacon Edward also references Psalm 15, which describes the characteristics of those who may dwell in God's presence.

In light of these exhortations, Deacon Edward calls his listeners to examine their hearts truthfully, especially during the year of Eucharistic revival. He emphasizes the importance of approaching God's table with humility, acknowledging our need for Christ and our inability to please God through our own efforts.

The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the Eucharist. Deacon Edward encourages believers to take hold of Christ's body and blood by faith, allowing His humility to become their own. He stresses that this act of humble faith not only combats pride but also brings Christ's presence into our homes, churches, and the world around us.

Finally, Deacon Edward relates this message to the current election year, urging God's people to set their eyes on heavenly things rather than the prideful things of the world. He calls for a renewal of faith and humility, emphasizing that it is through these virtues that we can overthrow pride and begin to restore paradise on earth, fulfilling the prayer for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Healthy Conflict

No one likes conflict, especially in the Church. Fighting seems so unbecoming of the disciple. Yet, healthy conflict should be expected, and even welcomed, in the Church. The reason why we should expect conflict is that the Church is filled with people who are not perfect and will, not might, sin. We should welcome conflict because it is the way that people are made aware of their sin and can repent of it. The Church should be a community of repentant sinners who eagerly admit their sin so that they can readily receive grace and mercy from one another and from Jesus. The Apostles Peter and Paul model healthy conflict for us. May we follow their example in our own day.