Rev Chris Roth

  Isaiah 58: 1-12; Psalm 112: 1-10; 1 Corinthians 2: 1-16; Matthew 5: 13-20 In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us what it means to be citizens of the Kingdom of God. Jesus describes a person who is not controlled by the destructive force of anger; who treats lust as seriously as adultery; who doesn’t abandon their spouse (in a culture where that would leave them very vulnerable); he describes a person whose word can be trusted without extra oaths and contracts; who doesn’t seek revenge; who loves their enemies; who gives to the needy secretly without needing to be recognized for it; who doesn’t serve money as the most important reality in life; who is not anxious about the necessities of life; and who doesn’t judge others because they recognize they still have much to correct in their own lives. … This is what a citizen of the Kingdom of God is like. Jesus is describing the way of life for those who want to be his disciples. … The German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer thought ...

Micah 6: 1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31; Matthew 5: 1-12 The season after Epiphany is about manifestation. This is what we have been talking about on Sundays. We see things about Jesus that were previously hidden. … In last week’s Gospel reading, Jesus began to gather the Apostles who would come to reconstitute the 12 tribes of Israel. We also read that Jesus called people to repent, saying that the Kingdom of Heaven has come near. To be citizens of this new kingdom means a different way of being- a different way of thinking and acting- which is why we are called to repent. Repenting means to change our mindset. … Today’s Gospel reading begins the Sermon on the Mount, which is chapters 5-7 of Matthew. It is an answer to the question: What is a citizen of the kingdom of God like? Our readings today speak about a life aligned with God. We read in Micah,  “what does the LORD require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)....

Isaiah 9: 1-4; Psalm 27: 1, 5-13; 1 Corinthians 1: 10-18; Matthew 4: 12-23 The season of Epiphany is about manifestation. We see things about Jesus that were previously hidden. The Magi witness the Christ-child as the King of the Jews. When he humbly submits himself to Baptism in solidarity with broken humanity, Jesus is revealed as the Son of God, and we witness the presence of the Father and the Spirit. John the Baptist reveals that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. … The true identity of Jesus is being revealed. The prophet Isaiah says,  “the people dwelling in darkness / have seen a great light, / and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, / on them a light has dawned.”   Matthew applies the words of Isaiah to the arrival of Jesus. Jesus is the light that has dawned for a a people dwelling in the region and shadow of death. The Messiah has arrived, he is the true king, … and he is the Son of God, and he is the Lamb o...

Isaiah 49: 1-7; Psalm 40: 1-12; 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9; John 1: 29-42 The season after Epiphany is about Jesus being revealed. As we go through this season, we will see glimpses of who Jesus really is. Last week Pastor Fergus described the manifestation at the Baptism of Jesus. … Today we read about what John the Baptist experienced when Jesus was baptized. God reveals to him that there is something deeper about Jesus. He is told that as he is baptizing, he will see the Holy Spirit rest on someone. This would be a sign to him about who this person is. John says,  “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him”.  John points to Jesus saying,  “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" What might have come to mind for people when John used the phrase “Lamb of God”? As Anglicans, we are encouraged to pray Morning and Evening Prayer every day. … That rhythm is based on the daily Temple sacrifices. As a part of morning and e...

Isaiah 60: 1-6; Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3: 1-12; Matthew 2: 1-12 Epiphany is actually celebrated on January 6th, which is next Tuesday, but the Anglican Calendar has recommended us moving the celebration to today. Generally, that’s done so that we can talk about Epiphany on a Sunday when more of us are present, rather than expecting people to come for a service on Tuesday. … It’s a bit awkward because it cuts short our celebration of the 12 days of Christmas. We had a hint towards our Gospel reading last Sunday when we remembered the killing of the Holy Innocents, when we read about King Herod ordering the killing of the baby boys 2 years and under in and around Bethlehem, which cause the Holy Family to flee to Egypt. The arrival of the Magi was what alerted King Herod to the birth of a child that might be a rival for his throne. The Magi are mysterious. It seems likely that the Magi are Persian priest-sages. They would be involved in observation of the sky and the interpretat...

  Isaiah 63: 7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2: 13-23 We are in the midst of the 12 days of Christmas, but our Gospel lesson today is not necessarily one you would want to read next to a cozy fire and the Christmas tree, while sipping eggnog. And yet, from his very birth, danger seems to be always looming for Jesus. The birth of Jesus disturbs the balance of power. The messiah will bring with him a kingdom that is in opposition to the tyrannical powers of this world. The Pharisees are bothered by him. The Sadducees are bothered by him. And eventually, the Roman Empire (represented by Pontius Pilate), are all troubled by Jesus. We might have paired Revelation 12:1-6 with our Gospel reading. I’ve sometimes labelled this passage “The Christmas Dragon”. “And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving...