Preacher: The Rev. Scott Monson, Rector

As an Easter people we are called to show forth in our daily lives the hope, joy and love we have received. Drawing on the Paschal Mystery, trust in God’s presence, and the promise of new birth into a living hope, we are reminded that resurrection faith is not just believed but lived. Even amid trials, God is refining our faith and filling us with lasting joy.

Micah reminds us that faith is never just an inward transaction between an individual and God. It shapes homes, neighborhoods, and public life. We live in a world where many are displaced by violence, poverty, and fear. Where strangers live among us carrying deep uncertainty, hoping for safety, stability, and mercy. Micah does not ask us to solve everything. He asks us to stop pretending that devotion to God can exist alongside indifference to suffering. God asks us to live justice, mercy and humility.

Like the shepherds on that first Christmas, fear sometimes overwhelms us. But the message of the angels calms our fears and gladdens our hearts: “I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be for all people!” God has come in the flesh to dwell among us and bring us hope, and peace, and love that shall gladden our hearts forever.

Advent is a time of joyful expectation. Sometimes, we have to look a little harder and wait a little longer to find joy in our lives. The prophets remind us that our waiting is not dreary—it is filled with joy because God is near. And Advent reminds us of who we each truly are: A beloved child of God. God knows us intimately—our fears, hopes, and dreams. Our identity is not found in success or failure, but in being a beloved child of God. That identity fills us with joy, and that joy spurs us to action: to bring light to the darkness, to comfort the afflicted, to share the Good News that the true Light has come into the world. Emmanuel—God with us.

On the eve of his betrayal, Jesus speaks to us of the end of times. But while our human trials and betrayals may seem to foretell the end of times, God has a plan to bring us to an eternal place of hope, and light, and love through Christ.

We know that God’s grace and love are given freely to everyone, but sometimes we might wonder if everybody really deserves it. In the lost and found parables of Luke 15, Jesus makes it clear that there is great joy in God’s kingdom when anyone comes home to God–no matter what. That is cause for all of us to give praise and thanks to God for them, for our salvation and for the all-inclusive love of Jesus.

On the night before he died for us, Jesus promised his disciples (that includes us) he would not abandon them, but that he would send the Holy Spirit to be their teacher and helper. With the Spirit as our companion, we are tasked to bring God’s compassionate, healing love to a wounded, broken world.

Luke 13:31-35 is a short passage packed with multi-layered meaning. Fr. Scott opens up this Gospel to reveal how Jesus overcomes evil with love in his day as well as in ours.

After the visit of the Magi and the flight to Egypt, Jesus’ family make a home in Nazareth. There he will begin his ministry of bringing peace, hope, truth, light and love–the true work of Christmas. Now, we are charged to take up the work of Christmas: To find the lost, heal the broken, feed the hungry, release the prisoner, rebuild the nations, bring peace among brothers, make music in the heart.