Recent Sermons by Rev. Mark J.T. Caggiano
February 12, 2023 Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Matthew 5:21-37 If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering…
February 5, 2023 Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 5:13-20 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. This is not intended as practical advice about illuminating one’s home. It is about how we are to act in this world. Not only to follow the ways of Jesus,…
January 29, 2023 Micah 6:1-8; Matthew 5:1-12 [W]hat does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? This is a familiar phrase, one from our prayerbook. One that often opens our service. And it is an important phrase, a keystone of ethical teachings. Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly. What…
January 22, 2023 Isaiah 9:1-4; Matthew 4:12-23 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. The Book of Isaiah anticipates a change. Darkness is interrupted by light. And people shrouded in darkness, upon them light has shined. We might ask, what did they see? What…
January 15, 2023 Isaiah 49:1-7; John 1:29-42 He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” This weekend we turn our minds toward a servant…
January 8, 2023 Isaiah 42:1-9, Matthew 3:13-17 He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. Cornell West once said that justice is what love looks like in public. Which sounds catchy, but…
December 11, 2022 Luke 1:46b-55 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed… This reading sets forth Mary’s reaction to the news that she is with child. It is not the initial…
November 20, 2022 Jeremiah 23:1-6 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. A righteous branch for David. A righteous heir to become a righteous king. One who is wise and just. And of…
November 13, 2022 Isaiah 65:17-25 For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. For half of the book of Isaiah, the prophet has been warning the people about trouble that will befall them if they do not mend their ways. The second half describes what has…
A parable is a story, a teaching story. Please do not be concerned that any fig trees were injured in the course of these events.