In this sermon, we look at Jesus preparing his disciples for a road that will not be easy and Peter struggling to understand why suffering and sacrifice are part of that journey. The call to follow Christ means more than simply giving money. It asks us to consider what we are willing to give of our time, our talents, our comfort, and our lives for the sake of Christ and the children of God. Like the Jesuits and so many faithful people who came before us, we are called to make room for those on the margins and to ask not only what is best for us, but what serves the needs of the many. The question is not whether we are called to sacrifice, but how we will faithfully live into that call.

Season of Pentecost

That question goes beyond knowing His name or calling Him a good teacher. In this sermon, we look at Peter’s recognition of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God, and what that answer means for the way we live, serve, lead, and love.
Paul reminds us that we each have a different part to play in the body of Christ. Our gifts, our work, our leadership, and the way we serve others should reflect what we believe about the One who sends us.
So who is Jesus to you? Your teacher, your Savior, your rock, the one who brings light into your darkness, or the one you walk with every day?
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. That is more than a statement of faith. It is our hope, and that hope should change how we live today. And if that is who you believe Jesus is, what does it change about the way you live? That is the question worth carrying with us this week.

Season of Pentecost

What if the things that make us unclean have less to do with what we consume and more to do with what comes from our hearts?

Jesus challenges us to look beyond outward appearances and pay attention to what is happening within us. The story of the Canaanite woman takes that even further, she comes to Jesus knowing her need, trusting His mercy, and refusing to let unworthiness keep her from grace. Romans reminds us that God’s mercy is wider than the boundaries we create. We may come to Christ knowing we have fallen short, but we come to a God whose mercy is greater than our failures. So where do we go when we need grace? We go to Christ. We come to the table. And we discover that God offers not scraps, but the bounty of grace.

Season of Pentecost