Sermons on Catechisms:

Preparing For Christmas, John's Style

Contributed by Mari Larson on Dec 17, 2018

Preparing for Christmas beyond decorating trees and writing cards.

I have done it, and I cannot undo it. I have equated social media with that/this wild-eyed picture of John the Baptist. “You brood of vipers.” Polarizing. Negative. Scary, even. I hear some of you giggling, and I see you smiling. You know what I’m talking about. There’s a lot of speaking ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: Lutheran

If A Man Die, Shall He Live Again?

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 4, 2015

If a man die, shall he live again?

Job 14 v 1 - 15 14 If a man die, shall he live again? I. THE PASSING OF LIFE Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. Life Is :- A. Like a Flower of the grass 2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: B. Like the Fragrance of the air 2 he fleeth ...read more

Scripture: Job 14:1-15

Denomination: Holiness

The Two Meanings Of "End"

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 3, 2013

There are two meanings to "end," and as we reach the conclusion of a liturgical year, we must plan for both.

One of the legends circulating that purports to prove the superiority of the new liturgical calendar and new lectionary is that in the Extraordinary Form, we hear Scripture readings that really belong to the beginning of the year, not the end. Let’s be honest. We aren’t talking about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-35

Denomination: Catholic

Cats Never Forgive

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 11, 2017

In other words, when it comes to forgiving others, don't act like a cat!

24C Cats never forgive. Scientists have observed conciliatory behavior in many different animal species, like gorillas, goats, and hyenas, whom often follow confrontations with friendly behavior like embracing or rubbing noses. The only species that has so far failed to show outward signs of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Catholic

Pentecost And Spiritual Gifts

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 17, 2015

We can learn much about the reception and exercise of the spiritual gifts from both the Blessed Virgin and the heresies rejected by the Church.

Pentecost (Whitsunday) 2015 Extraordinary Form One of the pleasures we derive from living in a southern climate–especially this year–is our ability to take the Easter lilies we buy at the grocery store and replant them in our gardens. But, as it happens most year, the lilies we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Inheritance Or Identity?

Contributed by Jay Winters on Jul 7, 2016

The parable of the Good Samaritan is a parable about identity couched in the lawyer's question about inheritance. Both are ours in Christ, but one is more important than the other.

Inheritance or identity? The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of those passages that we could probably all recite from memory if we had to. We know what happens - a man is traveling along the road, he is ambushed, left for dead, and then two religious guys are too busy or otherwise concerned ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Lutheran

You Are The Light Of The World Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jun 24, 2014

Isn't Jesus "the" light of the world? Why does Jesus call us the same?

You Are the Light of the World Matthew 5:14-16 Like the previous verse concerning the believer being the “salt of the earth”, verse 14 begins with the emphatic “you”. This means that the true disciples of Jesus who hears His words and puts them into practice stands in a unique position as “the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Flesh And Spirit And Cleverness For The Gospel

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 7, 2013

We must listen to the Spirit of God rather than our weak minds and wills so that we can bear the fruits of the Spirit and with cleverness spread God's kingdom.

Today’s Scripture readings offer a number of challenges and difficulties to the Christian. On the face of it, it appears that Jesus is applauding a dishonest steward’s actions in cheating his employer. Worse, He seems to be telling His disciples that the ends justify the means. Of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Catholic

Christmas: God… Is… Now… Here!

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 19, 2020

We can greet each other—instead of with “Merry Christmas,” we could shout instead, “God chose flesh,” “God became one of us!”

The Christmas story confirms one pattern of God—He shows up in unexpected places. Maybe you have heard that popular story about an atheist who had a big poster hanging on the wall in his living room, which said: “God is nowhere.” One day, while he was reading the newspaper, his little daughter, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Denomination: Catholic

Sermon On Avarice

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 18, 2021

Avarice can be considered the very essence of evil

Fyodor Dostoevsky, the Russian novelist, philosopher, and journalist once remarked: “The world says: "You have needs - satisfy them. You have as much right as the rich and the mighty. Don't hesitate to satisfy your needs; indeed, expand your needs and demand more." This is the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Proverbs 11:24

Fifteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A- The Sower

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 18, 2023

Even in the fruit-bearing hearers of the word there are gradations.

I saw a neighbor working in his front yard wearing a funny T-Shirt that said, “Sorry I Can't My Plants Need Me.” In today’s parable from Matthew, chapter 13, the seed is the Word of God (verse 20), and the ground is our hearts (verse 19). It all depends on what kind of soil a person is because ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Catholic

Truths For Times Of Temptation

Contributed by David Zachrich on Feb 15, 2023

We are not immune to temptation. How can we respond when we are tempted?

Friends in Christ, A venerable legend tells that the trees in the forest gathered to have a meeting to discuss ways to unite against the very sharp axe that had cut down so many of their friends – oak, maple, spruce, poplar. One by one, the axe had sliced into them and cut them down for firewood. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Must Leaders Always Disappoint?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 22, 2023

As we end this year of grace, we can confidently face the future, even if we never have a really good king or president or prime minister in our earthly life.

Christ the King 2023 I have pretty strong memories of the Feast of Christ the King during my elementary years at a Catholic boys’ school. My parents would see me dressed up in my school uniform, which was styled like a U.S. Army class A uniform from WW2, but with maroon dyes, and the whole school ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:1-27, Matthew 25:31-46, Ezekiel 34:1-17, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Denomination: Catholic

Fourteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time- Year C: Suitable Explanation Of The Gospel

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 1, 2025

An encounter with Jesus Christ through Scripture, prayer, and friendly conversation

You are among the seventy-two disciples Jesus appointed, and commissioned by your baptism, and confirmation to tell others that Jesus saves. The verb used is “apostle”: He literally “apostled” us into the world. The Church officially teaches in the National Statutes of OCIA that baptized ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-20

Denomination: Catholic

Fifth Sunday Of Lent, Year B--I Tried But It Died: Grain Of Wheat

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Feb 15, 2024

A Christian is obliged to let go, to put himself into hands that are not his own of letting oneself go into the hands of God.

Wheat is associated with being sewn in the ground, buried, geminating and then springing up for bread to feed multitudes. These are all symbols of Christ’s passion, death, resurrection, and communion with his Body, the Church with Jesus, saved in his Sacrifice at Calvary. The seed has to be buried ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33

Denomination: Catholic