Going Deeper With Christ Episcopal Church Friends

Reorienting to God

Mark 2:23-3:6



In today's gospel from Mark, Jesus challenges the Pharisees' rigid interpretation of Sabbath laws through two significant incidents. First, when His disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath and are accused of breaking the law, Jesus reminds the Pharisees of David eating the consecrated bread out of necessity. He asserts that the Sabbath is made to serve humanity, not to impose burdens. In the second incident, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, exposing the Pharisees' hypocrisy as they prioritize legalism over compassion and even plot against Jesus on the same holy day.



Father Mark emphasizes that, like the Pharisees, we can become self-righteous and judgmental, using religious or cultural laws to serve our own egos rather than God's will. He challenges us to re-evaluate our beliefs and actions to ensure they are life-giving and spirit-nourishing, aligning with Jesus’ example of compassion and love. In today's polarized world, Father Mark urges us to reorient ourselves towards God, rather than becoming entrenched in partisan identities that divide and harden our hearts. By centering ourselves in God's love, we can transcend our differences and fulfill the true purpose of God's laws.



Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Divine Dance

John 3:1-17



Father Mark's sermon focuses on the mysterious and profound doctrine of the Trinity, emphasizing that while it may seem irrational and incomprehensible, it holds significant truths about the nature of God and our relationship with Him. The sermon begins by acknowledging the mystery of the Trinity—one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Despite the apparent irrationality of this concept, Father Mark explains that it arises from humanity's experience of God and scripture, not mere rational thought. He emphasizes that the Trinity should not be seen as a definitive explanation of God, but rather as a metaphor that helps us grasp certain divine truths.



Father Mark highlights two key truths that the Trinity reveals about God. First, the diversity within the Godhead reflects the diversity of creation. This diversity is seen in the myriad of species and unique individual traits among humans, all of which mirror the varied yet unified nature of the Trinity. Second, the Trinity underscores the importance of relationships. The eternal dance of self-giving love among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exemplifies the perfect relational community, which humans are called to emulate. By transcending individualism and dualism, and entering into loving relationships, we reflect the divine unity and love of the Trinity.



To illustrate these concepts, Father Mark uses the metaphors of a circle of giving and receiving and a circle dance. The endless flow of love within the Trinity is like a continuous circle where each person gives and receives fully, and this divine dance invites us to participate. We are called to join this dance, embodying the love and unity of the Trinity in our lives and communities, thus fulfilling our divine purpose and reflecting the divine nature.



Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Ever-Present Spirit

John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15



Father Mark’s sermon focuses on the Holy Spirit’s presence in the lives of believers, drawing on biblical examples from both the Old and New Testaments.



He explains that the Spirit of God has always been with humanity, empowering individuals for extraordinary deeds and guiding them in truth. The sermon emphasizes that the Holy Spirit’s presence is not new or intermittent, but a constant force within us, as evidenced by Pentecost.



Father Mark highlights the significance of realizing and awakening to this indwelling Spirit, urging believers to live from the awareness that God’s Spirit is within them. This awareness can bring strength, comfort, and unity, helping us navigate life’s challenges and fostering a deeper connection with God and each other.



Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Axis of Devotion

John 17:6-19



In his sermon, Father Mark examines Jesus' prayer for his disciples before his crucifixion. Jesus asks God to protect the disciples from the world's ways so they may remain united in God's loving character. Father Mark notes that living according to God's ways is counter-cultural and often opposed by the prevailing worldly culture.



Father Mark highlights the difficulty of maintaining devotion to God when constantly surrounded by a culture with conflicting values and priorities. There is a tendency to confuse cultural devotion with devotion to God's teachings. Father Mark reminds us of Jesus' warning against trying to serve two masters simultaneously.



Drawing from Jesus' metaphor of the vine and branches, Father Mark emphasizes Jesus' call for his disciples to abide in him, drawing life from his spirit rather than the world's. Staying connected to God is crucial for bearing spiritual fruit. Father Mark poses the central question: are our lives spinning around devotion to God or devotion to other things?



Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Tuned In to God’s Love

John 15:9-17



Father Mark began by reflecting on Jesus' words in John 15:9-17, where Jesus says "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." He noted that this passage is not just about intellectual understanding, but about feeling a deep sense of connection and love with God. He encouraged the congregation to imagine themselves as branches connected to the true vine, Christ, and to feel the stir of inward sap rising from their root, which is planted in the ground of love.



Father Mark used various metaphors and images from the Bible to illustrate how language about God can be symbolic and figurative, pointing towards the thing itself rather than being the thing itself. He noted that while analysis of these images can be helpful, they are often meant to convey spiritual truths beyond intellectual understanding. He encouraged the congregation to allow themselves to be receptive to God's love at a deep level, rather than just processing it with their minds.



Father Mark then explored the concept of resonance, using the image of two violins in tune with each other as an example. He suggested that when our hearts are tuned to the frequency of God's love, they resonate with that love, and that this resonance can spread to others.



He also used the concept of prayer as a way of retuning our hearts to sing God's grace, allowing us to resonate with the music of the spheres and feel connected to all of creation. Throughout his sermon, Father Mark encouraged the congregation to cultivate a deeper sense of connection with God and with each other, and to allow themselves to be resonated by God's love song.



Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Fruit of Love

John 15:1-8



Father Mark draws parallels between our physical bodies and our spiritual lives, noting that just as what we put into our bodies affects our health, so too does what we feed our minds and spirits affect our well-being. He emphasizes that our spirits were designed to run on God, not alternative fuels like entertainment or busyness. Instead of seeking happiness and peace through external sources, we should abide in Christ, the true vine, and allow His love to flow through us.



Father Mark uses the example of pruning rose bushes to illustrate how sometimes, even good things in our lives can become distractions and drain our energy away from God. He encourages listeners to examine their priorities and ask themselves if they are producing the fruit of love in their lives and in the world. He also reminds us that it is not always easy to let go of secondary branches or suckers, but that with prayer and guidance from the divine vine grower, we can learn to prioritize what truly nourishes our souls.



Ultimately, Father Mark's message is one of encouragement to abide in Christ and allow His love to flow through us. He notes that the fruit of discipleship is love for one another, and that this love is only possible when we are abiding in the true vine. By recognizing where we may be diverting our energy away from God and by seeking guidance on how to prioritize what truly nourishes our souls, we can become more fruitful disciples of Jesus Christ.



Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.