Sermons on Retreats:

The Conflict Between Church And Secular States

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 29, 2012

There have been conflicts throughout two millennia between secular authorities and the Church, and the conflict between Thomas Becket and Henry II is reflected in the American situation today, but Jesus and the Church are not about power, but love.

St. Thomas Becket 2012 December 29–in the Christmas Octave We come to the end of a year that many in the Church see as an overall catastrophe. Our faith is in more peril in this country than at any time since the suppression of the No-Nothing party and the KKK. Most critically, this coming ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-11

Denomination: Catholic

It Is Written. (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Feb 3, 2013

You hear a lot these days about the right to bear arms, the right to have a weapon (I am all for that!) I wonder if God doesn’t wish we were as passionate about this weapon (Holding up the Bible) as we are about guns!

You hear a lot these days about the right to bear arms, the right to have a weapon (I am all for that!) I wonder if God doesn’t wish we were as passionate about this weapon (Holding up the Bible) as we are about guns! Gun might protect from robber. But it won’t protect you from the devil! Gun ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Our Silent Prayer At Mass Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 6, 2011

Both clergy and congregation should have ample time to participate in the Mass by praying in their hearts.

Monday of 19th Sunday in Course August 8, 2011 St. Dominic As we stand impotent before the withering rays of the August sun, the Church gives us two back-to-back gifts, followed by a week of the most amazing saints. On Saturday, we saw Jesus transfigured refulgent in the blinding light of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Catholic

Tolerance Vs Inculturation Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 8, 2012

The Church loves sinners but abhors sin; instead of accommodating itself to the world, and tolerating sin, it should adopt a habit of inculturation as a means of spreading the Gospel.

10 September 2012 Monday of 23rd Sunday in Course Verbum Domini One of the most abused words in the English language is “tolerance.” These days it is often wedded to the word “diversity.” We live in a diverse culture, we are told, and so we are to understand and tolerate ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

Open The Doors Of The Church Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 29, 2014

Jesus enjoins us to do the will of the Father, but learning how to do God's will is a lifelong journey.

Thursday of the 1st Week in Advent Joy of the Gospel When I read this passage from the great prophet of Advent, the Hebrew priest Isaiah, my memory goes back almost ten years to our pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Both the Old and New Testaments contain a recurring theme, one we see most perfectly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-27

Denomination: Catholic

"Stay Straight"

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Dec 10, 2014

Don't walk in circles stay straight.

Mark 1:1-8 “Stay Straight” In 1870-1880 the most popular sport was called “Pedestrianism”. It involved walking in circles on dirt arena. Men and women competed; they would walk around the track for 6 days traveling ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

2012: Don't Be Led Astray

Contributed by Jody Vansickle on Nov 14, 2009

The movie 2012 is already causing a stir worldwide. Is 2012 the end of the world as the Mayan calendar supposedly predicts? What does God’s Word say?

2012: Don’t Be Led Astray ~ Mark 13:1-8 One of the most anticipated movies of the year opened this weekend. It’s a movie about the end of the world based on the Mayan calendar, which supposedly ends at exactly 5:11 a.m. for those of us in central time, December 21st, 2012. I). In our Scripture ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

On A First Name Basis Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 5, 2015

Israel is in slavery and calls for help. God calls Moses to bring release.

Exodus 1:8-14, 3:1-15 "On a First Name Basis INTRODUCTION One of the greatest figures in the Old Testament is Moses. We have all heard stories about Moses confronting Pharaoh with the ten plagues and splitting the Red Sea. Most of us have viewed movies about Moses ala Charlton Heston and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit As Applied To Prayer

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 23, 2017

Poverty of soul is a way of entering in prayer, especially at the outset of when we begin to pray.

Poverty of soul is a way of entering in prayer, especially at the outset. Poverty of soul cannot be sought as an item of self-knowledge. It retains always an unknown, elusive quality. It cannot be simply a thought of our unworthiness before God. Much less can it be a mood of despondency about ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Free To Fail

Contributed by David Radcliff on Nov 30, 2017

As far as the biblical record is concerned, some of the greatest achievements in the history of God’s kingdom have come from very ordinary, imperfect people who have overcome failure to be used of God in a significant way. Their lives model some biblical

FREE TO FAIL Matthew 25:24-25; Philippians 4:13 Matthew 25:25 “And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.” and Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” are two very different statements. The first was made by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

Care: The Metaphor Of Love

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Sep 19, 2020

How can we speak of a God of love in a situation characterized by pain and suffering, death guilt and hopelessness?

Care: The Metaphor of Love Reflection Matthew 8:1-4 Roshini (name changed) was outcast, called dirty and sunned by her village from the day she was raped at the age of 16. After four years, she had to run away to Mumbai city with a boy who abandoned her and their infant boy. Roshini ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-4

Denomination: Other

The Cost Of Discipleship.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 1, 2022

Let us not be of those who draw back.

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP. John 6:60-71. JOHN 6:60. “Many therefore of His disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” Many “disciples,” who had been following Jesus for a season, were now beginning to turn back. All this talk about eating His flesh – ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-71

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Trouble Comes

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 17, 2022

God is always there to assist, offering safety, peace, and refuge. God's power is unending, and He will triumph in the end. Those who love Him will always be saved by Him.

In verses 1-3: The dread of mountains and urban communities out of nowhere disintegrating into the ocean because of an atomic impact frequents numerous individuals today. Yet, the psalmist says that regardless of whether the world ceases, we need not dread. Notwithstanding utter annihilation, he ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Contending With Evil Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 13, 2019

Just because we are chosen by God, baptized into Christ, does not mean that we are infallibly going to attain God’s promises. We are always tempted, as Christ was, to follow the allurements of the world, flesh and devil.

Saint Anthony of the Desert 2019 Saint Anthony–the less famous one we call “Anthony of the Desert”–died 1653 years ago today. Since he is also called “Anthony the Great” and “Anthony of Egypt” and several other honorifics, we might want to know more about him, and what he can teach us today. But ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45, Hebrews 3:7-14, Psalm 95:6-11

Denomination: Catholic

Slow Learners Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Feb 12, 2021

Why is it that when it comes to the faith we are such slow learners? Well, at least we are in good company!

Scripture Reading: Mark 8:1-10 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational