Sermons on Apostoles:

The Purpose Of Liturgy Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 4, 2013

We need to understand what the Council Fathers intended for Liturgy, and the two things most people think they wanted which are not what they actually said they wanted.

Monday after Epiphany 7 January 2012 Sacrosanctum Concilium The mission of the Church on earth is exactly the same as the mission of Jesus during His thirty-some years on earth. He was, and we must be, the fulfillment of the twin commandment of God: love God with all our hearts and love our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-25

Denomination: Catholic

The Foundational Authority Of Scripture

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 25, 2013

We have the prophetic word fully confirmed in Jesus.

THE FOUNDATIONAL AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE. 2 Peter 1:19-21. The church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20). At the back of Peter’s apostolic testimony to the transfiguration of our Lord (2 Peter 1:16-18) lies ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:19-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ministry Of Reconciliation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 28, 2013

The need for reconciliation arises because of our estrangement from God on account of our sin. The mediator of reconciliation is God. The cost of reconciliation is the death of Christ. The result of reconciliation is a new relationship with God.

THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. This passage directly confronts us with the subject of reconciliation. It requires spiritual thinking: no longer regarding people from a worldly point of view - “according to the flesh” - and certainly not regarding Christ from a worldly ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holy People Of God Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 27, 2012

The call to be the New Israel is a call to holiness and mission.

Monday of 30th Week in Course Lumen Gentium The Fathers of the Council looked at the Church from every direction, and gave us teaching on all the names of the Church. It seems to me that their favorite name for the Church is “People of God.” It, more than any other, shows the ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Scripture In Relation To The Church's Living Tradition Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 28, 2012

Our respect for the Word of God must always be subject to our understanding that the Bible is the Church's Book.

Monday of 4th Week in Course 30 January 2012 Verbum Domini In the OT, there are very few persons who are totally devoted to listening to and living out the Word of God. Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and then this wonderful, conflicted soul David, were four of them. Yes, they all had their weaknesses, ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Words Of Comfort

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 9, 2014

With that superlative peace and such like promises, why should our hearts be troubled?

WORDS OF COMFORT. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1). These are precious words of comfort from the lips of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Cross was imminent, and no doubt a sense of foreboding had dampened the Passover celebrations of the little ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holiness And Controversy

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 6, 2018

The life of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross is inspirational but off-putting to some.

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross August 9, 2018 We are the people of the New Covenant, the covenant made in the blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Israel was brought out of Egypt by the power of God. He then gave them the Old Covenant made in the blood of lambs and oxen, written on stone in the Ten ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matthew 16:13-23

Denomination: Catholic

A Child-Like Humility

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 11, 2018

If you want to be first, learn to be last!

A CHILD-LIKE HUMILITY. Mark 9:30-37. 1. CONTEXT (Mark 8:29-34). On the back of Peter’s famous confession of faith (Mark 8:29), Jesus began to teach His disciples about His upcoming death and resurrection (Mark 8:31). About this the disciples were, to say the least, slow on the uptake: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evangelization Has Many Forms--Some That Would Not Work Today

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 11, 2018

Forgive those who offend you or God cannot forgive your own sins. Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful.

Thursday of 19th Week in Course St Stephen of Hungary Today’s first reading, from the prophet Ezekiel, is so short that it tends to run right through our heads without finding purchase. So I’ll read it again, The word of the LORD came to me: 2"Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35, Ezekiel 12:1-2

Denomination: Catholic

Reflecting On The Dark Passages Of Scripture Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 12, 2012

As in the story of Judas, there are dark passages in the Bible, but they can help us if we use an interpretation which enables their meaning to emerge in the light of the mystery of Christ.

Feast of St. Matthias 14 May 2012 Verbum Domini Today’s feast gives us an opportunity to reflect on one of the darkest moments in our salvation history. The crucifixion of Jesus was set up by a traitor, Judas “the Iscariot.” It also helps us to consider what the Holy Father and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:15-26

Denomination: Catholic

Year Of Faith And Evangelization Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 14, 2012

Despite the many forces arrayed against the Church's mission, we must follow the Gospel command to bring the Word of God to everyone.

Monday of 15th Week in Course July 16, 2012 Our Lady of Mt Carmel The Holy Father has announced the year of faith, to begin later this year with the next Synod of Bishops, and he has designated it as a time to dedicate ourselves to the New Evangelization. This may seem untimely. After all, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-42

Denomination: Catholic

Creativity--The Opposite Of Liturgy Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 21, 2011

Our profession of faith in Christ is guided not only by Scripture, but by the Fathers of the Church, the historic creeds, and our liturgical tradition.

Monday of the 5th Week of Easter Spirit of the Liturgy Mistaken identity. It’s an embarrassment, and occasionally a lethal inconvenience. Consider poor Jude here. No wonder he appears to have preferred the name “Thaddeus,” and became patron saint of hopeless causes. Even the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:5-18

Denomination: Catholic

An Open Letter

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 20, 2019

No longer a slave.

AN OPEN LETTER. PHILEMON 1:1-21. Onesimus was a slave who had escaped from his Christian master, Philemon. Yet in a beautiful irony, having not ‘made it’ alone in the big city, he found himself at last brought under the direct personal influence of “Paul the prisoner” (Philemon 1:1). Many a ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Other Gospel

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 11, 2019

To add anything to the gospel of the grace of God is to deny the efficacy of the Cross of Jesus.

NO OTHER GOSPEL. Galatians 1:1-12. From the outset, the tone of the Apostle Paul’s letter to “the churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2b) is one of disappointment. The opening signature “Paul, an apostle” is immediately followed by a negative assertion - “not from men nor through man”; and a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Scriptural Ways To Handle Temptation

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Feb 12, 2019

First Sunday of Lent, Year C

The sign outside Immanuel Lutheran Church in Burnside, Iowa, “Lent is not the fuzz in your navel.”  “Led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days,…” The desert experience can be the place of mature repentance and conversion.. Basically, the desert represents a stripping away so as to make ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:4-10, Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Catholic