These are the sermons from Grace Anglican Church in Gastonia, NC.
…
continue reading
Fr. Jeremiah Caughran Podcasts
As we enter this time of Advent, we are reminded that we are called to wait on Christ during this season. We are to turn with repentant hearts toward preparing for his coming at Christmas, in the future, and even now through Word and Sacrament. Christ comes to us continually to make us ready to receive him and celebrate his birth and to continue to…
…
continue reading
In this picture of the Last Judgment, Jesus speaks to those who served him in the least of his brothers and those who didn’t. What does this reveal about judgment? What does this reveal about how closely we identify with Jesus? Image: Last Judgment (Ravenna), photo by Jim Forest, no changes made, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Image location: https://www.flickr.…
…
continue reading
Jesus speaks of wars, tumults, earthquakes, and diseases as well as persecutions for his followers. All of these things are what has been taking place since his death and resurrection throughout the world around us. What are we to make of that? How should we live in the midst of these things around us? What is our anchor into the future renewal of …
…
continue reading
Jesus is asked an absurd question by the Sadducees about the resurrection. Instead of answering their question, he redirects them because they have a false understanding of what the resurrection is actually like. When we don’t understand the reality of continuity and discontinuity of the resurrected and glorified state, we miss the opportunity to g…
…
continue reading
All Saints’ Day is an old feast day within the Church. It hasn’t always been on November 1, but that is where it has been for 1300 years now. Why do we celebrate such a day? Why remember the saints and commemorate the work of those long dead? It’s because they are not truly dead, but live in Christ awaiting the resurrection! The works they did, whe…
…
continue reading
When Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector, there was a great deal packed into it. The Pharisee was certainly believing in his own righteousness, but what does the tax collector mean when he asks for mercy? When we ask for mercy, we aren’t merely asking God to overlook our sins, we are asking for an atonement that will truly cove…
…
continue reading
Jacob wrestles with God. The Widow wrestles for justice. The slumberless God seeks to bring blessings to his people. This is the reality that we are confronted with in our various texts this Sunday. How do we wrestle with them and be drawn near to a God through our own prayers? Image: Illustrators of the 1897 Bible Pictures and What They Teach Us b…
…
continue reading
Jesus’ healing of the 10 lepers is an amazing moment that leads us to reflect on sickness of soul that we have and how he calls forth trust in his work for us. When we pray in faith, he calls us forward into the world to do his will, leading us to turn back and give thanks for his healing hand upon us. Image: Gebhard Fugel, Public domain, via Wikim…
…
continue reading
By Fr. Jeremiah Caughran
…
continue reading
Jesus tells the unique parable about Lazarus and the rich man and this life and the afterlife are full of contrasts. The contrasts that exist are founded upon faith and trust in God’s promises to us through Jesus Christ. We encounter these promises in baptism and receive the through faith in Jesus Christ. Image: Lazarus at the Rich Man's Gate, by H…
…
continue reading
The parable of the Unjust Steward in Luke 16 has given many people trouble over the years. It has the appearance of approving of the unrighteous actions of the steward. Yet, what is the shrewdness he is praised for? Father Jeremiah directs us to see that shrewdness is betting everything on the Master’s generosity and mercy while seeking new homes t…
…
continue reading
The parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin in the Gospel of Luke are of great importance. Not only do they introduce the parable of the Prodigal Son, but they remind us that they Pharisees had lost the people of God by adding layers of law to God’s word. Jesus cuts through the man-made laws of the Pharisees and comes to seek that which was lo…
…
continue reading
It is easy for us to reduce Jesus’ call to discipleship to a mere way of following him. The reality is that the discipleship that Jesus demands of us is one that will lead to our deaths! His call is one that is utterly beyond our abilities. He wants to us realize our complete need for his grace and his death so that we can be enabled to walk the pa…
…
continue reading
Jesus taught a group of people about honor and shame and humility in today’s Gospel lesson from Luke 14. He saw guests vying for better seats of honor and told them a parable about what happens when you claim honor that you do not have. Instead, one should pursue humility and the lowest place that you can be exalted in the eyes of all. Image: Pictu…
…
continue reading
St. Paul tells us that it is for freedom Christ has set us free. What does this mean for us? What did it mean for the people of Galatia? Is it true that Jesus went to Jerusalem to enable us to know true freedom? Image: Jean-Léon Gérôme, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.By Fr. Jeremiah Caughran
…
continue reading
In writing to the Galatians, St. Paul reminds the that the law itself is a harsh prison and disciplinarian. To live by that way is to find only death and condemnation. However, to recognize that the law is meant to reveal sin means that they can cling to Christ by faith through baptism. Baptism becomes that foundation upon which we can trust that G…
…
continue reading
The Trinity is one of the most important doctrines in our understanding of God. The purpose of the doctrine is to enable us to better understand the relation between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The nature of God revealed to us reminds us that salvation is dependent upon all three persons being truly God, but being only one God. If God…
…
continue reading
On the first day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit swept down upon the Apostles, empowering them to share the good news of Jesus Christ raised from the dead for the forgiveness of sins. Who is this Spirit? What is he doing? And why does he come down upon the Apostles and all those who believe in Jesus? Harrison Northey answers these questions and leads…
…
continue reading
On the night that Jesus was betrayed, he told his disciples that he was going to be glorified, that they could not go where he was going, and that they were to love one another just as he had loved them, all in quick succession. What does he mean by all of this? How does this help us walk in the faith he has betwoed upon us? Are we capable to recei…
…
continue reading
Jesus is the shepherd who calls his sheep by name. He is the one who has come down from heaven to find these sheep and make them his. Image: Photo taken by Myriams-Fotos, free to use by Pixabay. Image location found here: https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-the-good-shepherd-1167493/By Fr. Jeremiah Caughran
…
continue reading
When some of the disciples went out fishing, they didn’t expect to make such a great catch after toiling all night. And in that great catch, they meet Jesus once more, finding that he calls them back to other moments in their lives with him that they might discover the restoration that he brings to them. Image: James Tissot, Public domain, via Wiki…
…
continue reading
When Jesus appears to the disciples on the evening of his resurrection they are shocked and surprised, but Jesus quickly brings them peace and calling. However, Thomas was not there and he refuses to believe until he can see and touch Jesus himself. These events are shocking to us when we consider the unexpectedness of Jesus’ resurrection, but they…
…
continue reading
What is so important about Jesus’ resurrection? Why do we talk about it constantly and set aside one day a year in which to have a grand celebration? Father Jeremiah looks into these questions and helps all to see that Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is now the hinge upon which all the world turns. Image: Internet Archive Book Images, No restrict…
…
continue reading
Jesus’ death is the final sacrifice. No others are needed because his is a truly perfect one. He embraces death that we might know life for eternity. Image: Drawn by Gustave Doré, engraved by J. Gauchard Brunier. Scanned by Michael Gäbler with Epson Perfection 4490 Photo., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons…
…
continue reading
At the Last Supper our Lord, Jesus established the Eucharist and washed his disciples’ feet. In the process of this, we are reminded that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. How does this connect to the establishing of the Passover so long ago? Father Jeremiah explores this and explains it in his Maundy Thursday sermon. I…
…
continue reading
What is so unique about Jesus’ death upon the cross? What makes this man’s death so important to all of history? St. Paul gives us a glimpse of this reality when he speaks of Jesus being in the form of God and yet taking on the likeness of man. We come to realize that Jesus is no ordinary man dying upon the cross, but God in the flesh dealing with …
…
continue reading
When Jesus tells the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, he is confronting the wicked leaders of the Jewish people with the reality that they had neglected how they came to be in the vineyard in the first place. The tenants were chosen and brought into the vineyard by the owner that they might care for it while he was away, but they rejected him and wan…
…
continue reading
When the younger son returns from his shameful life and the older son refuses to come to the party for his brother, the father chooses not to reject his sons, but instead bears their shameful actions upon himself so that they can be reconciled to him. The father in this parable is a picture of what Jesus does for us through the cross in his bearing…
…
continue reading
When Jesus is questioned about terrible events that happened to others, he turned the question back on the questioners. He saw the heart of their question came out of presumption that they were not as bad as the others that these terrible things had happened to. How do his words lead us to know a path away from presumption and guide us into true sa…
…
continue reading
Jesus tells us that salvation is a narrow gate that we must strive through at the right time. To ignore the gate can be disastrous. Father Jeremiah leads us through this parable and Jesus’ words about Jerusalem and his desire to gather the people to himself in Luke 13. Image: Public Domain. Image location: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/916822…
…
continue reading
St. Paul speaks of the word being near to our hearts that we might not have to bring it down from Heaven or raise it up from the abyss. This word is Jesus himself and he is revealed as the one who resists temptation and sin for us that we might follow in his steps and receive him. Image: The Temptation of Christ, by Augustin Hirschvogel, public dom…
…
continue reading
An important part of Jesus’ Transfiguration is that his divine glory is revealed to his disciples. Another aspect of that event is that in our union with Christ, we become partakers of that glory in the resurrection. We too will shine with the light of the glory of God through the grace of Christ to us. Image: The Transfiguration, Giovanni Bellini,…
…
continue reading
When Jesus was presented at the Temple, Simeon saw him for who he truly is, the Messiah that enlightens the nations and who is the glory of Israel. What does this mean? How is Jesus fulfilling prophecy with this action of being brought by his parents to the Temple? How does it affect us today? Image: The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, CC BY 4…
…
continue reading
When Jesus returned to Nazareth and went to the synagogue, the others there were angered by his words. What did he say? Why did he say it? How are we to be received by God the Father? Jesus’ confrontation is an important moment in his ministry for them and for us today. Image: Jesus Unrolls the Book in the Synagogue, James Tissot, no known restrict…
…
continue reading
When the wine ran out at the wedding in Cana, Jesus’ mother told him about it. She then left it up to him to act, and act he did! Sometimes our prayers can only be telling Jesus what the situation is and letting him act when he will, and trusting that he will transform what we are to be ready for where we are. Image: Jesus makes wine out of water a…
…
continue reading
Jesus went to John to be baptized in the wilderness. In that baptism, the Father spoke and the Holy Spirit descended. This signals a change, not only in Jesus’ life, but in the life of the world. Image: Baptism of Jesus, Andrea del Verrocchio, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons…
…
continue reading
What were the Magi following? Was it just an ordinary star? What were the Magi? How did the star lead them to the exact house where the Holy Family were? Father Jeremiah explores these questions in his sermon on Matthew 2:1-12 Image: Adoration of the Magi (detail), Gentile de Fabriano, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons…
…
continue reading
Why are St. John’s words, “He became flesh and dwelt among us,” so important to us Christians? Father Jeremiah looks at this verse and how St. John leads us to this beautiful moment in John 1. Image: Nativity, Sandro Botticelli, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsBy Fr. Jeremiah Caughran
…
continue reading
At our Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols, we heard of the promises of God to his people throughout the Old Testament. Father Jeremiah explains that Jesus is the fulfillment of God the Father’s desire to make a people for himself and that he does so through forgiveness of sins. Image: Nativity, Giotto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons…
…
continue reading
After the angel appeared to Mary, she went immediately to visit her relative Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s greeting and Mary’s response tell us a great deal about the reality of the babies in their wombs. We also learn a great deal about the God of promise that is bringing about his promises through them. Image: La Visitation, miniature des Heures Huth, M…
…
continue reading
In our Gospel lesson from Luke 3, we hear of John the Baptist’s preaching to the crowds and his calling them to repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. How does this preaching of repentance bring to the joy of the Lord? Is joy something we create in ourselves or is it something that God brings to us? Image: Christ with the Winnowin…
…
continue reading
Advent is a season of repentant waiting for our Lord to come. The process of repentance is one that leads to us knowing the peace and refining work of God through Jesus for us. Image: Molten Metal, picture by Pixabay, CC0. Image location: https://www.stockvault.net/photo/202116/utils/lib/utils/strings#…
…
continue reading
As we consider ‘hope’ in Advent, Father Jeremiah points out how it looks to the future while being rooted in the past that we might be sustained in the present. Advent helps us continue forward in this world knowing that God the Father will fulfill his promises. Image: Second Coming icon, public domain, location: https://garystockbridge617.getarchi…
…
continue reading
When Jesus stood before Pilate, he confessed that his kingdom, and thus his kingship, was not from this world. What did he mean by this? Is his kingdom and kingship utterly separate from this world? Or do they overlap and interlock together, such that this world will be changed when Jesus returns? Image: Boston at English Wikipedia & John Stephen D…
…
continue reading
When Jesus speaks during the Olivet Discourse about the destruction of the Temple, he was showing mercy with regard to the coming judgment of Jerusalem. He warns his disciples and those who follow them to flee when the time comes. How are we to understand this prophecy today? Is it about the future, or is it here to help us understand God’s desire …
…
continue reading
Father John Riebe reminds us that as Christians we are called to love God with our whole being and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This life is revealed fully through the act of the widow whose gift isn’t measured physically, but spiritually before the Lord. Image: Le denier de la veuve (The Widow’s Mite), James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikim…
…
continue reading
As we reflect upon the meaning of All Saints’ Day, we remember that the saints are the holy ones of God. The holiness they have though is not a holiness they create, but one that is given to them by the work of Christ. Image: Johann König, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. File Location":https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johann_Koenig_-_A…
…
continue reading
When Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus, we get to see something new about discipleship, but also a juxtaposition between this blind man and James and John in the previous passage. Jesus asks both, “What do you want me to do for you?” How we each answer that question gives shape to our walk with Jesus. Image: Christ Healing a Blind Man, by Eustache Le Su…
…
continue reading
When James and John ask Jesus to sit at his right and left hand, he confronts them with the reality of suffering that must come before glory. What does that mean for us today? Does suffering come before glroy? Father Jeremiah considers Jesus’ words in response to James and John and the other apostles. Image: Fra Angelico, frescoes, San Marco, pictu…
…
continue reading
The Reverend Harold Vandeveer filled in this Sunday for Fr Jeremiah. What good are the things of the world, when we have eternal salvation offered to us through Jesus? How are we going to respond to this reality? Image: Christ and the Rich Young Ruler, by Heinrich Hofmann, public domain. Image Location: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/common…
…
continue reading
