I am hoping that you recognize our first reading, the Ten Commandments. It is bread and butter religion, so basic as almost to be assumed. Yes, you need to hear them first at some time in your life, but then they become so familiar, so second nature, so central. But if you look at the order of service, you might note an…
A Christian Unitarian Church Serving Newton, Brookline, and the Boston Area since 1861
Sunday Service at 10:30am
Rev. Mark J.T. Caggiano
26 Suffolk Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Sermons by Rev. Mark J.T. Caggiano
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” In the gospel reading, Jesus offers a story about workers being paid. Some work for a full day, some for half a day, and others for an hour.…
So Moses made a serpent of bronze and put it upon a pole, and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live. This reading rolls around once or twice per year. It symbolizes God offering a way to relieve the suffering of the people. Which is helpful, because God was the one who sent…
Peter came and said to him, Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times? Jesus said to him, Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. Jesus goes on to tell the parable of the slave who sought mercy from his master the king. The master forgave his enormous…
Sermon online 2026-06-07 What God Desires by Rev. Mark Caggiano, 6/7/2026 Hosea 5:15-6:6; Matthew 9:9-13 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. In the Book of Hosea, we are hearing something new. New in the scheme of the Bible because obviously this was written long ago. God wants steadfast love, not sacrifices. God…
Sermon online 2026-05-31 Goodness “Goodness,” by Rev. Dr. Mark Caggiano, May 31, 2026 Genesis 1:1-10; Matthew 28:16-20 When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Everything begins in chaos. Or as it is written in…
Sermon online 2026-05-03 Miriam by Rev. Mark J.T. Caggiano, 5/3/26 Exodus 15:20–21; John 14:1-14 Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.’ This…
Sermon 2026-04-26 Hagar “In the Wilderness,” by Rev. Dr. Mark Caggiano, Genesis 21:9-19; John 10:1-10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.” In the reading from Genesis, we heard a difficult story. Sarah has given birth to a son, Isaac, from…
Sermon online 2026-04-19 Sarah Laughed “Sarah Laughed,” Rev. Dr. Mark Caggiano, 4/19/26 Genesis 18:9-15; Luke 24:13-35 Sarah denied [it], saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “Yes, you did laugh.” Sarah denied that she had laughed, because she was afraid. Afraid of what? Afraid of laughing at God. Afraid of suggesting that God could not do what had…
EASTER SUNDAY 2026 Matthew 28:1-10 And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. Now this is not something you see every day. But of course, today is not like any other day. We…