frsuelzle Sermons

Faith’s Outstanding Confidence

A sermon for Reminiscere, the Second Sunday in Lent, by Father Dan Suelzle.

Wrestling with God is not an act of rebellion, but a profound expression of faith that clings to His character when circumstances suggest He is distant or indifferent. As seen in the persistent boldness of Jacob and the unwavering humility of the Canaanite woman, true faith refuses to succumb to despair or entitlement, choosing instead to hold God to His own promises. This “holy combat” serves as a safe training ground where the Lord strengthens us against the world and our own doubts, not to destroy us, but to drive us deeper into the certainty of His Word. Ultimately, our confidence rests in the objective reality of Christ’s work—delivered through the font, the pulpit, and the altar—assuring us that because God cannot deny Himself, He will never fail to be the merciful, promise-keeping Father He has declared Himself to be.

frsuelzle Sermons

Dust, Death, and Deliverance

A sermon for Ash Wednesday, by Father Dan Suelzle.

The imposition of ashes is a startlingly honest act, a physical confession that strips away our modern delusions of self-sufficiency and immortality. By tracing a cross of dust upon our foreheads, we acknowledge the grim reality that sin and death are inextricably linked—a problem of our own making that we are utterly powerless to fix. Yet, this ashen cross does not leave us in despair; it mirrors the sign made at our Baptism, reminding us that while our bodies return to dust, we belong to the One who conquered the grave. As we enter the penitential season of Lent, we utilize disciplines like fasting and prayer not to earn righteousness, but to sharpen our awareness of our need for a Savior. We turn back to God with broken hearts, finding that His justice and mercy meet perfectly in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore our sin so that we might share in His life.