Trinity 23
Render Unto Caesar
"Render unto God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22.21)
A favorite movie of mine was Sgt. York. As I grew up, I was fascinated by serving in the military. When I became of age, I followed those desires and joined the Navy Reserve. To render unto Caesar.
As I grew older however, I came to realize the reality of the cost of war. It then became my intent to serve as a chaplain someday.
I figured it was the right combination-duty, honor, country, and God. I cannot help but wonder if I fully understood where God fit in.
The Jews of our Lord's time wanted a warrior with a sword in his hand as their messiah. In their disappointment, they hung Him on a cross partly because He spoke of peace and freedom from their sins, not freedom from the Romans.
Yet we see our Lord at times angry, and ready to fight, as He was in the temple with the money changers. His righteous indignation.
Ultimately, its is our Lord's sacrifice that we come to understand the most. He said, no greater love has a man than to lay down his life for his friends. That indeed defines the men and women who have donned a uniform and picked up a gun, or lest we forget, sailed the ships.
These brave men and women have put all of themselves on the line and no matter what the political issues, their sacrifice remains real.
Sometimes we are called upon to serve willingly, sometimes not. Ultimately, the willingness to express our own righteous indignation in the face of tyranny should never be discounted.
And we must remember those who will step up to serve---- and those who will serve and not return, and those who do return and can never forget.
We cannot ever forget the cost of war on them, on our friends and our enemies, on those who are just there. The debt of war lasts long after the fighting has stopped.
Sometimes to render unto Caesar means the full and total commitment of our life. ----- It requires a full and total sacrifice.
Today especially and throughout the years, we will honor and remember those who have died and served, -- with our memories and sometime our tears. We will thank those who have given a measure of themselves for our freedom.
And when you really think of it, given His ultimate sacrifice for us on the cross for our salvation, does not our savior deserve the very same. AMEN
Trinity 11 Sermon: The Pharisee, the Publican, and True Prayer
In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, Jesus exposes the danger of measuring ourselves against others. This sermon explores how self-justification traps the soul, while humility and repentance open the door to God’s mercy and peace.
When Jesus Wept: Preparing the Heart for Christ
Jesus wept over Jerusalem because the people failed to recognize God’s visitation and the peace He offered. In Luke 19:41–47, Christ’s tears and His cleansing of the Temple reveal the depth of divine love that seeks not to condemn, but to restore. Fr. Dan challenges believers to examine their hearts, remove spiritual clutter, and welcome Christ fully, allowing Him to transform them into living houses of prayer.
Two Lost Sons, One Loving Father: Grace for the Prodigal and the Faithful
In his Trinity 9 sermon on Luke 15:11–32, Fr. Dan explores the familiar Parable of the Prodigal Son from a fresh perspective. Rather than focusing solely on the younger brother who wandered away, he highlights the lostness of both sons—the rebellious son in the distant country and the resentful son standing outside the celebration. At the heart of the story is a father whose grace reaches both. This sermon reminds us that whether we have strayed far from God or have become spiritually distant while remaining close to religious life, the Father’s invitation to forgiveness, belonging, and joy remains open to all.