Sermon for Gaudete, 2025

All flesh is grass… the grass withers. You will die; because of sin, you will die. And you cannot take your earthly things with you. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And His kingdom is certainly not of this world. 

However, it came to this world, it comes to this world, it shall come to this world. And therein is your source of abiding joy. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, one that shall not pass away nor be destroyed. He comes to wipe clear the record, to pull you out of your follies and bring you back to Himself. He purchases you at a great price: by His blood and by His death, redemption is won, and forgiveness of sins comes to you. 

Beloved, because of Christ Jesus, the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy rings out to you. “Your iniquity is pardoned; you have received from the Lord’s hand double for all your sins. Twice as much as you have sinned, do you receive mercy. Behold, this is the way of God: He does not leave you to your sins and death, their wages; He would give you life. And so, the Father sends His Son into the world, places Him in the womb of the Virgin, and He is born: born to face down death for you, born to rise again for you. 

Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Christ Jesus.

Readings:

• Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1-11

• Epistle: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

• Holy Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11

  
  

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