Fr. Mike Seiler – Page 13

Points of View

Feb 11, 2024Fr. Mike1 CommentSermonsChrist, Epiphany, God, Identity, Jesus, Lent, Miracles, Self-Examination, Transfiguration, Transformation

This is the epiphany, the nature and mission of Christ is revealed to those three disciples in this transfiguration on the mountaintop. And it is revealed to those of us hearing the story after the fact. Jesus is the messiah, the chosen one of Israel, the salvation of all humanity.

But what does the identity of Jesus of Nazareth as the messiah reveal to us about ourselves? We most definitely are not the messiah, so we are unlikely to be joined by Moses and Elijah and be transfigured on the top of a mountain.

As with many of the stories we encounter in the Gospels, Peter’s responses tend to be the example that so many of us can relate to.

Tickled Pink

Jan 21, 2024Fr. MikeSermonsDisciples, Discipleship, Evangelism, Faith, Faith in Action, Hope, Joy

Over the centuries, several people have done the exact same thing as what Paul was suggesting, selling their possessions and camping out on a mountain top, waiting for the second coming of Jesus. These people made a decision that was guided by some form of hope, even within a life that is filled with daily responsibilities and duties. Partly because they saw it as a salvation from their present struggles. For them, future hope bested their present reality. And because of that, their hope came with a sense of urgency.

Live a Little

Oct 23, 2023Fr. MikeDaily Office ReflectionsAbundant Life, Eternal Life, Faith, Fear, Jesus, Newness, Resurrection, Sin

And so, Paul is admonishing believers in Corinth for living with the same mindset: “This life is all we have, so let’s live a little! We aren’t going to be resurrected, so let’s make this life all that it should be!” And, because of this mindset, they were spending time with those of “bad company,” which was clearly corrupting their morals. The rend result was that the witness of their faith in Christ was indistinguishable from those with whom they were spending time.

Seeing the Unseen

Oct 20, 2023Fr. MikeMemory Lane, SpiritualityAnxiety, Discernment, Doubt, Faith, Faith in Action, Fear, God, Peace

I am gifted with a great imagination, and an analytical mind, and getting out of the boat, like Peter, to walk on the water toward a promise God has given me, makes me realize just how big those waves of doubt and uncertainty can be. Like a heads up display, I see every possible scenario, both good and bad, with its probability firmly floating above the wave, either granting hope, or threatening impending doom.

I am a Rock? I am an Island?

Oct 13, 2023Fr. Mike1 CommentChurch-y Stuff, Ecclesiology, Social CommentaryAnger, Church, Culture, Faith in Action, Gospel, Loneliness, Relevance, Self-Examination

As adults we often don’t realize just how many of our decisions are based on similar attempts at fitting in, at defining our identity, at finding our role within our social context. Did I come to this church because it provides the best theological teaching, or because it offers the best programs, or the best adult groups? Did I take this job because I love doing it, or because this type of job pays more money than one that I love to do – and by extrapolation, more money will allow me to get what I really crave?

The Way Home

Oct 6, 2023Fr. Mike1 CommentRandom Thoughts, Social Commentary, SpiritualityAnxiety, Beauty, Chaos, Fear, Religion, Self Worth, Self-Acceptance, Self-Examination, Spiritual Growth, Spirituality

So, to me, for someone to say that they are “spiritual, but not religious,” means that they are saying something to the effect of “I’m a human being.”

Of course, I’m being deliberately obtuse with my own question, because what people generally want to convey with that statement is that they simply do not subscribe to any form of organized religion, and prefer to find their own method of making sense of the world; that they do not find any meaning in the structures others have created, but prefer to create their own order within the chaos.

Do Be Do

Oct 1, 2023Fr. MikeSermonsFaith in Action, God, Gods Will, Humility, Presence of God, Self-Examination, Self-Justification

It is entirely possible to do the will of the Father without being moved by what we are doing. We can follow all the requirements of a good and just society, without caring about the interests of others. We can do all of these things, but care only about looking good, which is precisely the opposite of what Paul was asking of the believers in Philippi.

Two Lies and a Truth

Aug 25, 2023Fr. MikeSocial CommentaryFaith in Action, Fear, Judgment, Love, Pride, Self-Examination, Sin, Transformation

Instead of responding to their question, Jesus begins to write in the dirt, and finally says, “Let anyone of you here who is without sin, throw the first stone at her.” And then he keeps writing.

Slowly, one by one, from the oldest first to the younger, all begin to walk away.

Kingdoms

Jul 24, 2022Fr. MikeSermonsBeloved Community, Faith, Faith in Action, Jesus, Love, Prayer, Pride

If you were to ask any random person on the street about a prayer that they could recite from memory, the Lord’s Prayer would make the top five. It seems that this is a prayer that everyone, whether they attend church now, or only as a child, has committed to memory. And as is often the case when we have committed words and phrases to rote memory, we often quit reflecting on their meanings and purpose.

Duct Tape and Dwelling Spaces

May 22, 2022Fr. MikeSermonsFaith, Faith in Action, Fear, God, Hate, Hatred, Love, Self-Acceptance, Self-Examination, Self-Importance, Sin, Transformation

There can never be a beloved community – a community that includes all God’s children regardless of any self-imposed differences to keep ourselves apart – there can be no peace, no living together in harmony, unless there is forgiveness and understanding.