Check out older sermons here. Fr Jon’s sermons and other thoughts can be found at mountaingracepodcast.org
Sunday October 27
What might Jesus’ story of the Pharisee and Tax Collector at prayer offer for understanding our own faith lives?
Readings: Joel 2:23-32 Psalm 65 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18 Luke 18:9-14
Sunday October 20
For St Luke’s Day we celebrate vocations and the power of prayer
Readings: Sirach 38:1-4,6-10,12-14 Psalm 147 or 147:1-7 2 Timothy 4:5-13 Luke 4:14-21
Sunday October 13
Endurance brings the rewards of the race
Readings: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 Psalm 66:1-11 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19
Sunday October 6th
Our hopes are powerful forces for positive change and the kernel of faith
Readings: Lamentations 1:1-6 Psalm 137 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Luke 17:5-10
Sunday September 29th
How does money fit into our pursuit of the “life that really is life?”
Readings: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 1 Timothy 6:6-19 Luke 16:19-31
Sunday September 22nd
God is not some moral accountant carefully tallying our sins; God, instead, generously and abundantly offers us gifts of love and life heedless of whether we “deserve” it or not.
Readings: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 Psalm 79:1-9 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13
Sunday September 15th
The big problems of the world can feel overwhelming; drawing us into a vortex of cynicism and apathy, but Jesus invites us onto a different path.
Readings: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 Psalm 14 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10
Sunday September 8th
What can we truly own in this world aside from the love of God?
Readings: Jeremiah 18:1-11 Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14:25-33
Sunday September 1st
Sometimes our caution keeps us safe, but sometimes it keeps us from living boldly into our Christian faith.
Readings: Jeremiah 2:4-13 Psalm 81:1, 10-16 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1, 7-14
Sunday August 18th
Choosing the path of Christ always brings opposition and division; the power of God through the resurrection should impel us forward anyway.
Readings: Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:1-2, 8-18 Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Luke 12:49-56
Sunday August 11th
What are the hopes that ground our faith in the life of Jesus?
Readings: Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 Psalm 50:1-8, 23-24 Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Luke 12:32-40
Sunday August 4th
God entrusts to be the caretakers of Creation, not the rulers
Readings: Hosea 11:1-11 Psalm 107:1-9, 43 Colossians 3:1-11 Luke 12:13-21
Sunday July 28th
It’s the Lord’s Prayer! which may seem rote to us today, but it’s really a pretty radical teaching from Jesus
Readings: Hosea 1:2-10 Psalm 85 Colossians 2:6-19 Luke 11:1-13
Sunday July 21st
We plan, God laughs
Readings: Amos 8:1-12 Psalm 52 Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42
Sunday July 14th
Jesus, pepperoni pizza, and the gift of grace
Readings: Amos 7:7-17 Psalm 82 Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37
Sunday July 7th
Our civic freedoms are freedoms “from,” but Christ’s freedom is a freedom “for”… For peace, for love, for reconciliation, for a loving response to our neighbors.
Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-14 Psalm 30 Galatians 6:7-16 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Sunday June 23rd
Sometimes the chaos of life seems to cut us off from God; but God remains.
Readings: 1 Kings 19:1-15a Psalm 42 and 43 Galatians 3:23-29 Luke 8:26-39
Sunday June 9th – Pentecost
At Pentecost we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, not just to the apostles in Jerusalem two millennia ago, but to us as well.
Readings: Acts 2:1-21 Romans 8:14-17 John 14:8-17, 25-27 Psalm 104:25-35, 37
Sunday June 2nd
Jesus’ Ascension is a testament to His trust in or ability to get it right and to continue His work.
Readings: Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:15-23 Luke 24:44-53 Psalm 47
Sunday May 26th
What does it mean to be a Christian? What’s the point of following Jesus?
Readings: Acts 16:9-15 Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 John 14:23-29 Psalm 67
Sunday May 19th
Part of God’s call on us is to be stewards of the Creation, ensuring the right and sustainable use of the world’s abundance for us and future generations.
Readings: Acts 11:1-18 Revelation 21:1-6 John 13:31-35 Psalm 14
Sunday May 12th
Immersing ourselves in the stories of our faith brings beauty and understanding to our lives and clarity in our calling.
Readings: Acts 9:36-43 Revelation 7:9-17 John 10:22-30 Psalm 23
Sunday May 5th
Conversion is an openness to seeing the world differently so that we can act differently in the world.
Readings: Acts 9:1-6 Revelation 5:11-14 John 21:1-19 Psalm 30
Sunday April 14
Jesus shows us another way
Readings
Palm Liturgy: Luke 19:28-40 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Liturgy of the Word: Isaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 23:1-49 Psalm 31:9-16
Sunday April 7th
If we claim Christ as our Lord and recognize ourselves as His body, what should the greatest accomplishments of our lives be?
Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8 Psalm 126
Sunday March 31st
God’s love is abundant beyond measure and our invitation as followers of Jesus is to cast that love into the world
Readings: Joshua 5:9-12 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Psalm 32
Sunday March 24th
God may not test us beyond our powers, but there are other forces at work in our world too
Readings: Exodus 3:1-15 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8
Sunday March 17th
We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf
Readings: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18 Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13:31-35 Psalm 27
Sunday March 10th
In the remembrance of what God has done lies the signposts of what God is inviting us into
Readings:Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Romans 10:8b-13 Luke 4:1-13 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Sunday March 3rd
Sometimes Jesus leads us to places where we are unsure of ourselves but God is still there.
Readings:Exodus 34:29-35 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 Luke 9:28-36 Psalm 99
Sunday February 24th
Hurt and brokenness stalk our lives, but Christ’s love has given us a powerful antidote
Readings: Genesis 45:3-11, 15 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50 Luke 6:27-38 Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42
Sunday February 17th
Not a sermon really (though it does preach) – just a thank you.
Readings:Jeremiah 17:5-10 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 Luke 6:17-26 Psalm 1
Sunday February 10th
Jesus invites us into something much deeper, much fuller than mere belief; Jesus invites us into faith.
Isaiah 6:1-8 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11 Psalm 138
Sunday February 3rd
St Paul reminds us that the love Christ invites us into, isn’t something to be possessed, but something to be given away.
Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-10 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30 Psalm 71:1-6
Sunday January 13th – Baptism of Our Lord
As we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of our Lord, what is it that’s happening in baptism and whose work is it anyway?
Readings: Isaiah 43:1-7 Acts 8:14-17 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Psalm 29
Sunday January 6th – the Epiphany
At the Epiphany, we celebrate that we have seen God’s presence. But we are also called to tell what we have seen to the world.
Readings:Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12 Psalm 72:1-7,10-14
Sunday December 23
We are invited, as Mary was, to make Christ manifest in the world and in our lives
Readings:Micah 5:2-5a Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-55 Canticle 15
Sunday December 16
In the midst of grief and loss, a voice cries out in the wilderness
Readings:Zephaniah 3:14-20 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18 Canticle 9
Sunday December 9
Often, it is when we are in the wilderness; in the vulnerable and lonely parts of our lives, that God’s voice comes most clearly to us.
Readings: Baruch 5:1-9 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6 Canticle 16
Sunday November 25
Jesus answers his accusers by saying that his kingdom is not of this world? What are we to make of this answer and what might it mean for our lives?
Readings:Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Psalm 93 Revelation 1:4b-8 John 18:33-37
Sunday November 18
Jesus reminds the disciples and us that the hope of the world rests on our willingness to not be distracted from the invitation of faith
Readings:Daniel 12:1-3 Psalm 16 Hebrews 10:11-25 Mark 13:1-8
Sunday November 11
Generosity and responsibility – what is Jesus trying to show us in the story of the widow’s mite?
Readings: 1 Kings 17:8-16 Psalm 146 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44
Sunday November 4
We are the fruit of the labors of the saints; but we are also the seed bearers for the faithful yet to come.
Readings:Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 Psalm 24 Revelation 21:1-6a John 11:32-44
Sunday October 28
Jesus’ willingness and ability to work through us for the building of the kingdom of God is limited only by the boundary of our faith.
READINGS:Jeremiah 31:7-9 Psalm 126 Hebrews 7:23-28 Mark 10:46-52
Sunday September 2
We are freed through Christ’s life death and resurrection; but freedom comes with responsibilities and obligations.
READINGS: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 Psalm 15 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Sunday August 26
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life
READINGS: Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18 Psalm 34:15-22 Ephesians 6:10-20 John 6:56-69
Sunday August 19
Jesus’ path leads to the possibility of amazing things!
READINGS: Proverbs 9:1-6 Psalm 34:9-14 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58
Sunday August 12
Christ offers us the choice of life or death; to immerse ourselves in Christ and to follow is example is to choose life
READINGS: 1 Kings 19:4-8 Psalm 34:1-8 Ephesians 4:25-5:2 John 6:35, 41-51
Sunday August 5
Sure, Christ is our sustenance, but how do we actually go about eating this “bread?”
READINGS: Exodus 16:2-4,9-15 Psalm 78:23-29 Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6:24-35
Sunday July 29
When people see you, do they see Christ in your words, actions and choices?
Readings:2 Kings 4:42-44 Psalm 145:10-19 Ephesians 3:14-21 John 6:1-21
Sunday July 15
Choices must be made; do we choose life or death?
Readings: Amos 7:7-15 Psalm 85:8-13 Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:14-29
Sunday July 8
Following Jesus can be hard, but it isn’t complicated
Readings: Ezekiel 2:1-5 Psalm 123 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Mark 6:1-13
Sunday July 1
Jesus offers us the life-giving Way in the midst of death
Readings: Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15; 2:23-24 Psalm 30 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 Mark 5:21-43
Sunday June 24
When we can’t muster enough faith to overcome our own fears, we can trust in Jesus to carry us through Readings: Job 38:1-11 Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 Mark 4:35-41
Sunday June 17
In the life of faith, everyone has a part, and only by joining together do we make the beautiful song of God’s love. Readings: Ezekiel 17:22-24 Psalm 92:1-4,11-14 2 Corinthians 5:6-17 Mark 4:26-34
Sunday June 10
Who we expect Jesus to be shapes our reality and our response as His followers. Is our hope big enough for His vision for us? Readings: 1 Samuel 8:4-20 Psalm 138 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35
Sunday May 27 – Trinity Sunday
Allow yourself to be swept up in Christ’s love to be an agent of grace in the world READINGS: Isaiah 6:1-8 Romans 8:12-17 John 3:1-17 Psalm 29
Sunday May 20 – Pentecost
Pentecost isn’t just something that happened to a faraway people a long time ago, it is an unfolding event that is happening to us all the time. READINGS: Acts 2:1-21 Romans 8:22-27 John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 Psalm 104:25-35, 37
Sunday May 13
Christ’s ascension means that God trusts us to do what is right and to be agents of the coming reign of Christ READINGS: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19 Psalm 1
Sunday May 6
What does Jesus mean by “love” and how are supposed to “abide in it?” Readings: Acts 10:44-48 1 John 5:1-6 John 15:9-17 Psalm 98
Sunday April 15
What we are going to be has not been revealed to us; but Jesus invites forward into deeper relationship always. We are always becoming christ’s new creation. Readings: Acts 3:12-19 1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36b-48 Psalm 4
Easter Day April 1st
When Jesus’ women followers went, in grief, to his tomb they encountered an angel who told them; “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, `He has been raised from the dead. What a cruel joke that must have seemed to them. Everyone knows the dead and buried don’t get up again. Readings: Romans 6:3-11 Matthew 28:1-10 Psalm 114
Palm Sunday March 25th
Hope is the most scandalous promise of Jesus. Readings: Mark 11:1-1 Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 14:1-15:47
Sunday March 18th
Jesus’ suffering and death was his own choice, but even he hoped not to make it. What could possibly compel such a choice? Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-33 Psalm 51:1-13
Sunday March 11th
You were there when they crucified the Lord Readings: Numbers 21:4-9 Ephesians 2:1-10 John 3:14-21 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Sunday Feb 25th
Love that serves our own interests first isn’t really love, and sometimes that “love” is just another’s temptation. Readings: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Romans 4:13-25 Mark 8:31-38 Psalm 22:22-30
Sunday Feb 18th
Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, and yet did not sin; the temptations in the wilderness are archetypes of the ones we face right here, right now. Justice and peace are not possible for us so long as we continue to give into them. Links: In the Name of Jesus by Henry Nouwen Readings: Genesis 9:8-17 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15 Psalm 25:1-9
Sunday Feb 11th
Jesus invites us into abundant life; how do we get there? Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-12 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9 Psalm 50:1-6
Sunday Feb 4th
What does it mean exactly that we are “saved?” Are we saved ‘from’ something or ‘for’ something? Readings: Isaiah 40:21-31 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39 Psalm 147:1-12, 21c
Sunday Jan 21st
Jonah is the most peevish and half-hearted of prophets, yet God does amazing things with his meager effort Readings: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20 Psalm 62:6-14
Sunday Jan 14th
We don’t read the Bible because it’s some kind of owner’s manual for humans but because in seeing how God (who is constant and consistent) has responded to human troubles in the past helps us to see God’s work in our midst today. Readings: 1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20) 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 John 1:43-51 Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17
Sunday Jan 7th
In Christ, God emerges into the world in a way that leads us to understand the full measure of God’s love Readings: Genesis 1:1-5 – Acts 19:1-7 – Mark 1:4-11 – Psalm 29
Sunday Dec 10th
St Peter reminds us that the wait for Christ isn’t meant to be passively endured. The choice for Christ calls forth an effort on our part to live in the coming age here and now, manifesting the reign of God in our lives. Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 2 Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Sunday Nov 19th
The Holy Spirit continues to invite the church into deeper relationship with God, nto deeper knowledge of God’s race, and into an ever-widening crcle of relationship with all the beloved children of God. Readings: Judges 4:1-7 Psalm 123 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Matthew 25:14-30
Sunday Nov 12th
Giving to pay the church’s electric bill isn’t sexy, but your gifts, ultimately, don’t pay the bills – they enable the ministry, the presence and grace of Christ to enter the world. Readings: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Psalm 78:1-7 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13
Sunday Nov 5th
It’s All Saints where we take time to remember that unbroken chain of loving relationships that connects us back to Jesus. Readings: Revelation 7:9-17 Psalm 34:1-10, 22 1 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12
Sunday Oct 29th
God’s grace is unearned and freely given; at the same time accepting Christ’s invitation (or not) matters.
Sunday, Oct 22nd
In reminding the Pharisees to give to God what is God’s, Jesus puts us on notice that ignorance and denial do not eliminate our complicity in the evil done on our behalf
Sunday Oct 15th
It’s the feast of St Luke and we’re reminded that Jesus asks us to be commit ourselves, soul and body, to God’s mission of redemption and healing
Sunday, Oct 8th
In which I recount how I almost drowned myself and discover that fear of God is like the fear of water in that not respecting its power can lead to peril while also seeing that life is not possible without it. Readings: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 Psalm 19 Philippians 3:4b-14 Matthew 21:33-46
Sunday, Oct 1st
Jesus beckons us onto a journey potentially fraught with peril and whose ultimate destination is unknown, but with the promise that He will always walk with us and that he will lead us to a promised land READINGS: Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 Philippians 2:1-13 Matthew 21:23-32
Sunday Sept 24th
To be fully realized, our Gospel mission must be rooted in the community of faith; no one walks the way of Christ alone. Readings:Exodus 16:2-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 Philippians 1:21-30 Matthew 20:1-16
Sunday September 17th
We often shun forgiveness because we see it as something that, somehow, lessens us. In truth, it is our greatest strength in the struggle against the darkness and evil of this world. Readings: Exodus 14:19-31 Psalm 114 Romans 14:1-12 Matthew 18:21-35
Sunday September 10th
The mark of the sacrifice at the Passover is a symbol of God’s promise to his people. In the same way, God’s promise is pledged to us in baptism through Christ’s sacrifice. Readings: Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 149 Romans 13:8-14 Matthew 18:15-20
Sunday September 3rd
God calls Moses from out of the burning bush and though we may not encounter such a blazing sign, God calls each and every one of us as well. We all have a role in the building of the kingdom of God and no role is unimportant. Today’s Readings:Exodus 3:1-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16:21-28
Sunday August 27th
Do we really want to know Jesus or would we prefer to bend his identity to our purposes? This Week’s Readings:Exodus 1:8-2:10 Psalm 124 Romans 12:1-8 Matthew 16:13-20
Sunday August 20th
Today’s Readings (Proper 15) Genesis 45:1-15 Psalm 133 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28 Is Jesus being hard-hearted when he tells the Canaanite woman looking for his healing power that she is a “dog?” Or, is he up to something else?
Sunday July 30th
Today’s Readings: Genesis 29:15-28 Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 13:31-33,44-52 God’s love for us is unbound and unshakeable – but how do we maintain our own loving perspective in the face of evil?
Sunday July 23rd
Today’s Readings: Genesis 28:10-19a Romans 8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 We often encounter the divine the “thin places” where heaven and earth seem to connect; but we’re called to live out our faith in the weeds of everyday life
Sunday July 16th
Today’s Readings: Genesis 25:19-34 Romans 8:1-11 Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 In this parable of the seed spreader, it’s easy to wonder what kind of soil we might be, but Jesus is leading us to think and act like the sower
Sunday July 9th
Today’s Readings: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Jesus invites us to take on his yoke and carry his burden. Jesus is trying to tell us that the opposite choice isn’t to be unyoked or unburdened; it’s to be weighed down by our own self-centeredness
Sunday July 2nd 2017
Today’s Readings: Genesis 22:1-14 Romans 6:12-23 Matthew 10:40-42 We look in horror as Abraham prepares to sacrifice his son asking what kind of God would ask such a thing. What kind of God indeed?
Sunday June 25th 2017
Today’s Readings: Genesis 21:8-21 – Romans 6:1b-11 – Matthew 10:24-39 In the story from Genesis, the Patriarch Abraham sends his concubine and their son into the wilderness to die at the demand of his wife Sarah. How do we respond us humans with the knowledge that we too often fall short? How does God respond and what does God offer us in the face of our complicity with evil?
Sunday June 18th 2017
Readings: Genesis 18:1-15 – Romans 5:1-8 – Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23) Jesus sent the Disciples out like sheep among wolves, but the Holy spirit accomplishes the purposes for which it was sent. Through the sacraments and through mission we encounter the Spirit and also manifest it for others.
Sunday July 23rd
Today’s Readings: Genesis 28:10-19a Romans 8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 We often encounter the divine the “thin places” where heaven and earth seem to connect; but we’re called to live out our faith in the weeds of everyday life
Sunday July 16th
Today’s Readings: Genesis 25:19-34 Romans 8:1-11 Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 In this parable of the seed spreader, it’s easy to wonder what kind of soil we might be, but Jesus is leading us to think and act like the sower
Sunday July 9th
Today’s Readings: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Jesus invites us to take on his yoke and carry his burden. Jesus is trying to tell us that the opposite choice isn’t to be unyoked or unburdened; it’s to be weighed down by our own self-centeredness
Sunday July 2nd 2017
Today’s Readings: Genesis 22:1-14 Romans 6:12-23 Matthew 10:40-42 We look in horror as Abraham prepares to sacrifice his son asking what kind of God would ask such a thing. What kind of God indeed?
Sunday June 25th 2017
Today’s Readings: Genesis 21:8-21 – Romans 6:1b-11 – Matthew 10:24-39 In the story from Genesis, the Patriarch Abraham sends his concubine and their son into the wilderness to die at the demand of his wife Sarah. How do we respond us humans with the knowledge that we too often fall short? How does God respond and what does God offer us in the face of our complicity with evil?
Sunday June 18th 2017
Readings: Genesis 18:1-15 – Romans 5:1-8 – Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23) Jesus sent the Disciples out like sheep among wolves, but the Holy spirit accomplishes the purposes for which it was sent. Through the sacraments and through mission we encounter the Spirit and also manifest it for others.
