Fr. Mike – Page 9 – Fr. Mike Seiler

Who’s Your Timmy?

Aug 11, 2024Fr. Mike1 CommentSermonsComplaining, Control, Doubt, Faith, Faith in Action, Grumbling, Jesus, Judging, Power, Sacrifice

“I remember his parents, and how he got lost in Jerusalem when he was 12! They had to come back and find him!”

“I remember one time he built a table with one short leg, and it used to wobble constantly!”

“Come on now! This cannot be the Messiah! I used to babysit him!”

The Food That Endures

Aug 4, 2024Fr. Mike1 CommentSermonsBread of Life, Discipleship, Doubt, Eternal Life, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Miracles, Presence of God, Saints, Self-Examination, Suffering

So, what Jesus is saying to them here is basically, you are not looking for me because you saw the signs and recognized that I am the Messiah. You are only looking for me because of what I did for you, and what you think I can do for you in the future. You’re not concerned about me as God’s Chosen, you’re concerned about me as your meal ticket, your provider of the miraculous, your servant who does what you want.

Filled to Fullness

Jul 28, 2024Fr. MikeSermonsBread of Life, Disciples, Food, Freedom, God's Purpose, Gods Will, Grace, Miracles

These people had seen the miracle, and had only thought about what Jesus could do for them. They were focused on what they could get from God. They wanted Jesus for what he did for them. They too were hoping to manipulate Jesus into future provision by making him their earthly ruler.

This is why Jesus ran away.

Because Jesus had other plans.

Don’t Lose Your Head

Jul 14, 2024Fr. MikeSermonsAnxiety, Control, Fear, Idolatry, Idols, Judgment, Power, Pride, Self-Control, Self-Importance, Sin, Wealth

Which leads us to this particular evening, when Herod was entertaining guests and dignitaries, both from the leadership of Galilee, and from the Roman Empire. His step-daughter, which we know from Josephus to be named Salome, dances for him and the guests. And this is where the story goes off the rails a bit. We are told that Herod was so pleased with Salome’s dancing that he offered her half his kingdom as a reward.

And the result of this was the death of John the Baptist.

Drama! Intrigue! It’s a story that leaves us full of questions.

Do Not Fear. Only Believe.

Jun 30, 2024Fr. Mike1 CommentSermonsCure, Faith, Faith in Action, Gods Plan, Gods Will, Healing, Miracles, Poor, Relationships

Some of you know that I raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by doing a bike ride every year in the fall. The goal of these rides is to raise enough money to fund research into a cure for MS. At every event, there are riders who have been diagnosed with MS, who…

Who Is This Guy?

Jun 23, 2024Fr. Mike1 CommentSermonsFaith, Faith in Action, Fear, Jesus, Miracles

It is interesting to note, in this story of the disciples and Jesus on a boat, crossing a lake, that Jesus asks the question, “Why are you afraid?” He does not tell his disciples that there is nothing to be afraid of.

This world has many things that can terrify us. This world has very real things that can harm us, and things that we really should be frightened of. And then, there are things that we fear that are purely imagined.

A House Divided

Jun 9, 2024Fr. MikeSermonsDiscernment, Discipleship, Faith, God, Judgment, Miracles, Sin

And then, here comes a carpenter from Nazareth. He is performing miracles and casting out demons, and healing people, and sharing the Good News of God to all who will listen. And these leaders look at each other and say, “Well, this can’t be right. We’re the ones who are allowed to speak and act for God, not this guy.”

So what do they do?

They redefine miracles. And realign their beliefs that what they are seeing is not the full story, but that there is something shady going on behind the scenes. They reframe reality with a new theory that allows them to keep believing their own lie about their own importance.

Jumping Out of the Nest

May 19, 2024Fr. Mike1 CommentSermonsDisciples, Discipleship, Faith, Faith in Action, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Pentecost

But Pentecost is not only called the Birthday of the Church because so many people were added to the group of believers, but because there was a drastic change in the disciples themselves. And because this change in the disciples changed how the group of believers structured themselves.

Sacred People, Sacred Spaces

May 12, 2024Fr. Mike1 CommentSermonsBaptism, Blessings, Church, Church Buildings, Community, Eucharist, God, Identity, Sacred, Spiritual Family, Worship

If we look at the first reading today, the passage from the Acts of the Apostles, we find that Jesus has told his disciples that he will be leaving them, and then he ordered them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise from the Father. He tells them that they will be baptized by the…

That Your Joy May Be Complete

May 5, 2024Fr. MikeSermonsDisciples, Discipleship, Faith in Action, Fear, Gods Plan, Gods Will, Jesus, Judgment, Love, Loving God, Loving Neighbor

So, what God is saying is that our Joy will attain the purpose that God has intended for us, if – and when – we love one another. It’s a very simple commandment, but it is not always easy to implement.

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus had even told his disciples to “Love their enemies,” and to “Pray for those that persecute you.” Very simple commandments, but once again, not at all easy to implement. Love God, Love your neighbor, Love one another, Love even your enemies. Jesus would not have told us – his disciples – to love our enemies unless he knew that the command to love those who didn’t love us would bring us joy.