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
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.
Buried with Christ, Raised to New Life: Living the Reality of Baptism
Baptism is more than a past event—it is the defining reality of the Christian life. Drawing from Romans 6:3–11, this Trinity 6 sermon reminds believers that they have been buried with Christ, freed from the dominion of sin, and raised to walk in the newness of resurrection life.
Nevertheless at Thy Word: Faith in the Midst of Empty Nets
Sermon Excerpt — Trinity 5
Luke 5:1–11
Have you ever worked hard at something, only to come up empty? Simon Peter knew that feeling well. After a long night of fishing, he and his companions had caught nothing. Exhausted and discouraged, they returned to shore and began washing their nets—resigned to failure.
It was in that very moment that Jesus stepped in and said, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets.”
By all human reasoning, this made no sense. The night was over. The opportunity had passed. Yet Peter responds with remarkable faith:“Nevertheless at thy word, I will let down the net.”
Those four words change everything.
Peter obeys—and the result is abundance beyond imagination. The nets overflow. The boats nearly sink. What began in exhaustion ends in overwhelming blessing.
This passage reminds us that faith often looks like simple obedience in difficult moments. Not when we feel strong or confident, but when we are tired, uncertain, and ready to give up. Christ does not wait for us to be perfect or prepared—He meets us in our weakness and calls us to trust Him.
Whatever “empty nets” you are carrying today, bring them to Christ. And then, like Peter, say: “Nevertheless at thy word.” Cast the net once more—and trust that He is faithful.