Mother Katherine’s sermon preached on Dec. 18, 2022
Joseph married Mary when life was as messy as it could ever be, and they raised up the Son of God. He let himself be open to the possibility without having to deny the dire parts he was faced with. That carol may still make you cry, but listen again and know the joy is still in there, waiting for you.
Read MoreMother Katherine’s sermon preached on Dec. 11, 2022
The busyness of life can be so filled with the clutter that often there’s no spiritual room to entertain those big life questions, no room to welcome Christ in except in fleeting prayers of ‘Help me, help me!’ or ‘Thank you, thank you!’ I’d like to blame the cell phones, computers, chores, errands, responsibilities, for work, kids, parents, spouses—anything but myself! Yet who among us wouldn’t drop everything for a beloved in dire need or trouble?
Read MoreAn Advent message from Kelly Moody, postulant
Advent greetings as Christmas draws near! I think of you all so often, and pray for you each day in chapel. It is always good to catch glimpses of familiar faces on the livestream, too! Each quarter I send updates to those who are supporting my discernment journey. I’m very grateful that Mother Katherine invites me to share them with you– see below! May the candlelight and beautiful blue of Advent at St. Michael’s bring peace and quiet anticipation of Christ’s coming to you this year.
Read MoreMother Katherine’s sermon preached on Dec. 4, 2022
John prepared the way and made straight the path by calling people to turn from their worldly ways of fruitlessness, and denouncing the coat-tailing on their spiritual heritage through Abraham. Even John’s baptizing them will not save them, they must do the work of repentance and the change it demands for themselves. He’s saying time is short, “the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Read MoreTola’s sermon preached on Nov. 27, 2022
In our Gospel today Jesus asks us to wait, for the coming of the Son of Man. For his return to us. He asks us to be patient. A few weeks ago, we heard him say in the Gospel of Luke “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, `I am he!’ and, `The time is near!’ Do not go after them.” Today he tells us “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Read MoreMother Katherine’s sermon preached on Dec. 19, 2021
Think of receiving such astonishing news as Mary and her ‘kinswoman’ Elizabeth have received. I imagine each one, alone and shaking her head saying ‘I can’t be pregnant. It’s just not possible!’ —and yet, here we are. It was impossible for each in different ways. Mary is young and not yet married, possibly even worried about beginning married life. She is still her parent’s daughter more than Joseph’s almost-wife. Elizabeth has long since passed any hope of having a child, and after many years of marriage to a faithful temple priest, she expects no real surprises ahead. That Archangel’s visit changes everything!
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