SSJE Sermons

Jesus declares forgiveness, dismisses shame, and invites moving with freedom. Reflecting on healing a paralyzed friend, Br. Luke Ditewig's sermon explores the persistent faith of those who carry us to Jesus.

The great irony is we can find ourselves feeling the most alive, present, authentic, honest, and real when death is close at hand. Reflecting on the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul, Br. Jack Crowley explores how we find God in our own experiences of powerlessness and "everyday martyrdom." He reminds us that difficult situations are crucibles where our faith is formed.

If the church is not involved politically – that is, involved in conversation and action around the principled exercise of power on behalf of the people – then the church is simply a bastion of nostalgia. Exploring the fundamental role of the Hebrew prophets, Br. Curtis Almquist argues that the church must remain politically engaged through the principled exercise of power to support those in need and by replacing xenophobia with philoxenia – the love of strangers – modeled by the prophets and Jesus.

God’s invitation for us is to pull up the stakes and make our way to higher ground. Br. Jamie Nelson reflects on Jesus’ image of building on rock and connects it to the ongoing work of discernment in the Christian life.

God comes to us where it doesn't make sense, where we can't imagine what we could do. John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ, yet even he was surprised by how God fulfilled that promise. Br. Luke Ditewig's sermon reflects on the surprising ways God continues to work through unexpected people, circumstances, and grace.

Embracing the purpose for which we have been created is not only the way to abundant life, but also our deepest joy. Br. David Vryhof invites us to live as priests of creation—knowing, loving, and serving God by honoring the world and one another with reverence and care.

Healing can often take a backseat when it feels like catastrophe is driving. Exploring the courage required to "shout out in the dark," Br. Jack Crowley asks how we might orient ourselves toward a posture of healing in a culture often blinded by conflict and catastrophe.

Why not live out our lives cherishing what we believe, meanwhile bequeathing to others respect, dignity, curiosity, and humility? On the feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Br. Curtis Almquist reflects on the first Archbishop of England as a model of humble, curious, reconciling faith and invites us to hold our own convictions with open hands, honoring the vast diversity of God's creation.

Never lose touch with joy. Find it at the core of your being and let it flow. On this Ascension Day, Br. Jack Crowley invites us to hold together the glory of God and the hard realities of life, offering practical anchors for the in-between.

We remember presence, soothing, slowing, one being with us. Brother Luke Ditewig reflects on how Jesus meets frightened disciples not with quick answers, but with peace, tenderness, and promised presence. He invites us to slow down, receive God’s love, and share that same tender presence with others.

God’s courtesy shows that we fail, but that we aren’t our failings; that we sin and do horrible things, but that we are not those things. God’s courtesy assures us that we are loved, loved for all of who we are, which is known fully and completely only by God. While remembering Julian of Norwich, Br. Lain Wilson reminds us that God's goodness allows for us both to see and practice a particular kind of optimism and forgiveness.

Jesus is here talking about peace from the inside out. He’s talking about being at peace in the storm. Jesus offers a deeper peace than calm or comfort – a peace that begins within us and steadies us in the middle of life’s storms. But Br. Curtis Almquist also says that real peace in the world must be joined to justice, and that we're called to help bring both.

The day of quiet, polite, discrete evangelism is over. Our gospel, the gospel of Jesus’ love, needs to be shouted louder than the gospel of vengeance. Using the two-tradition story of St. Stephen's martyrdom, Br. James Koester challenges Christians to move beyond "polite" faith and loudly proclaim a gospel of love and reconciliation in a world increasingly filled with messages of vengeance.

George invites us to pledge our allegiance and loyalty to God and the gospel of hope, peace, and love that Jesus proclaims, and to reject those claims on them made by those promoting despair, war, and hate. Br. Lain Wilson looks to the soldier-saint George as an invitation to wrestle with what may make us feel uncomfortable.

There will be ways we have come to recognize and understand Jesus’ presence and power. The invitation is to open the eyes of our heart to what more Jesus is up to. Jesus is always up to more. Br. Curtis Almquist encourages us to look for all the ways that Jesus is present in our midst, even though he may be seemingly hidden or disguised.