Category: Easter

Easter 2, John 20:19-31, Resurrection
Easter, Sermon

The Impossible Made Real – A Sermon On John 20:19-31

I suspect we all live with our own version of what is and what isn’t possible. And most of the time we live our life based on what we consider to be possible. We consider the range of possibilities and then we make a decision, choose a direction for our life, take our next step, all within the boundaries of what is possible. But what if the impossible can be made real? What if the impossible really does happen? What if the impossible is possible?  Continue reading The Impossible Made Real – A Sermon On John 20:19-31

Michael K. Marsh2 Comments
Resurrection, Resurrection of Jesus, Empty Tomb, Easter, Mark 16:1-8, Sermon
Easter, Sermon

The Two Questions Of Easter – An Easter Sermon On Mark 16:1-8

Easter is not just something from the past to be looked at and celebrated. It is the lens through which we are to see everything. It’s a life to be lived. Getting Jesus out of the tomb is not the ultimate goal of Easter. Easter is about our new life. That means that today is not the end of the story. It’s the beginning. The most important part of Easter is not what happens today. What matters most about Easter is what we do tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that.  Continue reading The Two Questions Of Easter – An Easter Sermon On Mark 16:1-8

Michael K. Marsh6 Comments
John 14:1-14, Troubled Hearts, Easter, Easter 5A, Sermon, Father's House, Pain of the World
Easter, Sermon

Troubled Hearts – A Sermon on John 14:1-14

“Do not let your hearts be troubled,” Jesus says. “Do not let your hearts be troubled?” Are you kidding me? Is Jesus really serious about that? Does he know what is happening in our lives and our world? How can Jesus say that with a straight face when he was troubled at seeing Mary and the Jews weeping at the death of Lazarus (John 11:33), when he said that his own “soul is troubled” (John 12:27), and when St. John tells us that Jesus “was troubled in spirit” (John 13:21)? What is Jesus telling us? It’s not as if there is an on-off switch for troubled hearts. Continue reading Troubled Hearts – A Sermon on John 14:1-14

Michael K. Marsh14 Comments
John 10:1-10, Easter, Easter 4A, Good Shepherd, Abundant Life, Sermon, Life, Voices, Listening, Guarding the Heart
Easter, Sermon

Try Them Apples On For Size – A Sermon on John 10:1-10

Easter 4A – John 10:1-10 “Jesus used this figure of speech with them but they did not understand what he was saying to them” (John 10:6) Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever listened to the gospel reading and then said to yourself, “What is he talking about?” Have you ever read a piece of scripture and wondered, “What does this mean? And … Continue reading Try Them Apples On For Size – A Sermon on John 10:1-10

Michael K. Marsh6 Comments
Road to Emmaus, Breaking of the Bread, Resurrection, Easter 3A, Easter, Luke 24:13-35, Life, Death, Jerusalem
Easter, Sermon

Life Shattered, Life Restored – A Sermon on Luke 24:13-35

Rarely does the gospel tell us what to do or believe. Rarely does it give us a straight answer. And today’s gospel (Luke 24:13-35), the road to Emmaus story, is no different. It doesn’t give us answers. It raises questions and invites reflection. It’s a map by which we orient and find ourselves. It reveals intersections of Jesus’ life and our lives. It begs to be recognized as a story about our lives, and it is a story with which we are familiar. It is a story of shattering and restoration.

If your life has ever been shattered then this is your story. If your life has ever been restored then this is your story. And if you’ve ever been in that in between place, between shattering and restoration, then this is your story.
Continue reading Life Shattered, Life Restored – A Sermon on Luke 24:13-35

Michael K. Marsh12 Comments
Doubting Thomas, Easter, Resurrection, Easter 2A, Doubt, John 20:19-31
Easter, Sermon

Get Out Of The House! – A Sermon on John 20:19-31

I wonder, one week after Easter, what has Christ’s resurrection done for us? Is your life different? Do you see and engage the world in new ways? What difference has the empty tomb made in your life over the last week? When I look at my life it looks a whole like it did last Sunday, the week before, and the week before that. And when I look at the world it looks pretty much the same as before. Continue reading Get Out Of The House! – A Sermon on John 20:19-31

Michael K. Marsh15 Comments
Easter, Sermon

Good Morning. Now Go Home. – An Easter Sunday Sermon on Matthew 28:1-10

I sometimes wonder if we have for so long so over-emphasized the uniqueness of Jesus’ resurrection that we have either forgotten or are unable to believe that there is only life. I wonder if we make such a big deal out of Easter Sunday that we are no longer able to see that everyday life holds the miracle of resurrection. I wonder if we miss the resurrected life that is ours because we are always looking and waiting for Jesus’ resurrection. Continue reading Good Morning. Now Go Home. – An Easter Sunday Sermon on Matthew 28:1-10

Michael K. Marsh11 Comments
Sermon, John 17:20-26, Easter 7C, Resurrection, Opposites, St. Catherine Pantocrator
Easter, Sermon

Holding the Opposites in Tension – A Sermon on John 17:20-26

John 17:20-26 What do you see when at the end of the day you look in a mirror? What does your life look like when you compare what you value with what you’ve done? Have you ever gone to bed at night seeing the difference between who you are and who you want to be? I’ll tell you what I see when I look in … Continue reading Holding the Opposites in Tension – A Sermon on John 17:20-26

Michael K. Marsh12 Comments
John 21:1-19, Sermon, Easter, Easter 3C, Resurrection, Restoration of Peter
Easter, Sermon

Resurrection Is In The Details – A Sermon on John 21:1-19

John 21:1-19 What have the past two weeks been like for you? Have you seen and experienced resurrection in your life? What does it look? Here’s why I’m asking. Two weeks ago we celebrated the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Two weeks ago the stone was rolled away, the tomb was found to be empty, and Jesus was seen alive. And here’s my question. Are you … Continue reading Resurrection Is In The Details – A Sermon on John 21:1-19

Michael K. Marsh4 Comments
Sermon, Resurrection, Easter, Believing, John 20:19-31
Easter, Sermon

He Came Back – A Sermon on John 20:19-31

John 20:19-31 Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia. It just sort of rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia. It was the highpoint of last week’s Easter liturgy. It was today’s opening acclamation and will be for the next several weeks. But here’s what I wonder. Is it really that simple? That … Continue reading He Came Back – A Sermon on John 20:19-31

Michael K. Marsh2 Comments