Sermons preached at Jubilee United Church in Toronto, Ontario.
Rev. Norm Seli wonders about hope in this "Time of Covid" - perusing the thoughts of Paul (Romans 5:1-5); the acts of Jesus (Luke 7:11-17) and a story about the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:8-16)... can we be hopeful? And how, exactly do we do that?
Rev. Norm Seli wonders about an encounter with Jesus and tries to answer his question "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:13ff)
Rev. Norm Seli considers Nicodemus' visit with Jesus (John 3: 1-17) and wonders what it might mean to be "Born from Above" or "Born Again". Could it be as simple as he thinks?
Rev. Norm Seli enters into Lent by connecting the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2,3) Jesus' temptation in the desert (Matthew 4: 1-11) and Communion and wonders about science, life, temptation, dancing and the matrix of life - you know, simple stuff.
Focusing on Matthew's telling of the Transfiguration (Matt 17:1-19) and the challenge of Peter (2 Peter 1: 16-21) who insists that he was a witness to it all, Rev. Norm Seli wonders about what really happened up on the mountain with Jesus and if it continues to happen today...
From the Wisdom of Sirach (Sirach 15: 15-20) encouraging us to choose life, through Paul's assessment of the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 3:1-9) that are still Spiritual Children to the harsh words of Jesus that we should be hacking off hands and gouging eyes for you sins (Matthew 5:21-37) wonders about the nature of love and what we're supposed to do with it. Think of it as a very odd Valentine....
Rev. Norm Seli starts by shouting... a lot. He reads and wonders about Isaiah's words (58:1-9) in which we are told that God is not impressed by our fasting and rituals of worship. Norm wonders why we bother, then. He also wonders about how we are supposed to navigate this conflicted confusing world in 2020 and what worship has to do with any of it. Sounds peculiar? You're probably on to something... Norm may be, too.
Rev. Norm Seli wonders about the famous "Beatitudes" (Matthew 5: 1-12) and what it means when Jesus says that we are "blessed" when we are poor in spirit. Trying to get beyond the sentimental, Norm finds himself talking with Jesus...
Rev. Norm Seli, admonished by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, NOT to be eloquent (1 Corinthians 1:10-18) - fumbles through Matthew's telling of Jesus calling the first disciples (Matthew 4:12-23) and wonders who else might have wanted to follow Jesus... would there have been a Holy Job Fair in Galilee?
Rev. Norm Seli considers John the Baptist's encounter with Jesus in which he says "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29-43) and wonders exactly what is John trying to say... what is sin... and shouldn't he be at least a little bit surprised that Jesus is just showing up at work?
