Sermons preached at Jubilee United Church in Toronto, Ontario.
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?
After sharing the joy and power of Psalm 29 and the glory of God, Rev. Seli considers the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17) and wonders why Jesus (who is one with God who makes thunder clap and animals skip) would need to be baptized.... What does Jesus' baptism have to do with our lives in 2020? Iran, Australia and the world in which we live today are part of the contemplation.
Rev. Norm Seli reflects on the story of Mary (Luke 1: 28-56) and actually attempts to audition for the role of Mary in a Christmas Pageant.... any Christmas Pageant.
Rev. Norm Seli wonders when that day might come promised by the Prophet Isaiah (11:1-10) when a shoot shall come from forth from the stump of Jesse and lions and lambs will lie down together and children will be safe with asps... he wonders what it might be like if John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-12) showed up in a Hallmark Christmas Movie and generally just wonders about how one might get ready for Christmas this year.
Rev. Norm Seli begins Advent by wondering about the promises of Prophets and the Second Coming of Jesus (Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 24:36-44) - what exactly are we waiting for? And why are we waiting? It should be noted that throughout the sermon, Norm struggles with opening a wrapped gift that is sitting on the Communion Table... no spoilers, but when he does finally open it (you knew he would), he won't tell you what's revealed, but it makes him pretty happy.
Rev. Anne Dionisio comes into Reign of Christ Sunday considering the Prophet Jeremiah's promise of God to raise up a Shepherd and Luke's telling of the Crucifixion of Jesus and wonders what it all could mean to us today...
