Tag: lutheran

A sermon for Jubilate (the third Sunday after Easter), by Fr. Josh Leigeber.

In this Jubilate sermon, the promise of the Gospel of John 16 stands at the center: “a little while” of sorrow gives way to lasting joy in Christ. Jesus prepares His disciples—not only for His death and resurrection, but for the whole span of the Church’s life between His ascension and His return. Christians live as “resurrection people,” united to Christ in Baptism, bearing present struggles with a sure and living hope.

Drawing on Augustine of Hippo, the sermon reflects on jubilate as a joy that exceeds words—a gladness that spills over in song, especially in the Church’s Alleluias. This Easter joy persists even amid suffering, because it is grounded in Christ’s victory over sin and death.

Jesus’ image of childbirth frames the Christian life: real sorrow now, but a joy that overwhelms it when the new life is revealed. This applies to the disciples’ grief at the cross, the Church’s present longing during Christ’s hidden reign, and even the groaning of all creation (as in Epistle to the Romans 8) awaiting restoration. The Church herself is seen as a mother, bearing new life through Word and Sacrament and rejoicing in the new birth of her children.

The result is a life marked by confident, communal joy—expressed in the Divine Service and overflowing even into fellowship together. Even now, amid temporary suffering, Christ’s people sing: Jubilate Deo.

A sermon for Misericordias Domini, by Fr. Dan Suelzle

The image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is not a sentimental metaphor. Sunday’s Gospel reading (John 10:11-16) reminds us that Christ’s work as our Good Shepherd is gritty, life-saving work in the face of actual spiritual peril. We are not merely wayward lambs but often obstinate ones, pursued by the wolves of sin, death, and false doctrine that seek to scatter the flock. To be the Good Shepherd, Christ did not simply offer worldly comfort; he stood in the breach, laying down his life to atone for our iniquities and rising again, slaying the wolves of sin and death. His Shepherding doesn’t stop there, however. He continues to shepherd his flock even now, through his Church. Today, the protection of our Good Shepherd isn’t found in vague spirituality but in the actual pastures of the Word and Sacraments, where the Shepherd’s voice sounds forth through his undershepherds, forgiving sins, granting wisdom, and nourishing us with his body and blood.

Listen to the homily below.

A sermon for Quasimodo Geniti (the Octave of Easter), by Fr. Josh Leigeber.

This Sunday’s homily for Quasimodo Geniti centered on the Christian life as one of new birth and continual dependence on Christ. Even as we grow and mature in the faith, we never outgrow being “like newborn infants” (as the Introit reminds us), but remain wholly dependent on God’s care, nourished by the “sincere milk of the Word.”

Drawing on the Gospel lesson from John 20, the sermon highlighted how faith itself is not self-generated but given by Christ, who comes to His fearful disciples and creates faith through His Word. In the same way, the risen Lord continues to come to His Church today—through the ministry He instituted—to deliver forgiveness, life, and salvation by means of His Word and Sacraments.

Especially in light of the baptisms at the Easter Vigil, we were reminded that the Christian life is never one of self-sufficiency, but always one of receiving. As Luther said, “We are beggars. This is true.” Christ continually gathers His people in the Divine Service to feed, forgive, and sustain them.

And so the call remains: return again and again to where Christ gives His gifts, and “like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the Word.” Alleluia.