Hebrews 6:7 "Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God."
This morning, while scrolling through Facebook, I saw a post called Two Minute Sermon. A friend of mine left a comment on the post, so I was able to see it too. It is a new daily mini-sermon given by the Reverend Ben at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. These two minutes really packed a spiritual punch for me, and it got me thinking how messages hours long are not the only way. Sometimes a tidbit of truth and wisdom given is a lot to chew on spiritually. It gives you something clear to meditate on and pray about.
Years ago, my family used to attend a church that had a very learned Pastor. He clearly knew the Bible, its history, and had studied all kinds of commentaries and books relating to both. This church was, like most, full of very scarred, imperfect, and loving people; which is what drew us in and kept us there. Sunday services, however, were LONG! I'm not talking the type of long where there is an extended time of worship or prayer, no; I am talking the kind of LONG where the Pastor gives a message with so many points that you get lost. Well, at least I did. It is like his outline was 3 parts long with multiple sub-topics below. They were more like a doctoral theology class then a sermon. Unfortunately, I often got lost and did not gain very much from them. I am, of course, just speaking for myself.
So, after listening to this sermon bite this morning, I was filled with "yes and amen". It spoke to me all day long. Reverend Ben talks of what is planted in our souls. How we are being formed by the relationships, events, and actions of our lives. Do we fill ourselves up with nourishment from God, or are we focusing on the pain, sorrow, hatred, and division of this world? What seeds are we sowing?
Even though I had joined my husband in our regular morning devotion time, I was grateful that God led me to another bit to chew on and consider as I moved though my day. Reverend Ben's short sermon was a blessing to my soul. His kind and gentle countenance just added to the power of the message for me. It also reminded me that, often times, I only need to read a couple verses of scripture to be challenged or encouraged deep down in my spirit. I guess, truly, I have a simple faith.
*Here is a link to Reverend Ben's Two Minute Sermon. I hope it blesses you just as much as it did me.
https://www.standrewschesco.org/post/introducing-two-minute-sermons?fbclid=IwAR2ufzxfaZJ2t7_1WyiD3hQtYz0tNfBFISThkxqWdZUp4zfHwJaGO2emPRM
1 comment:
I agree Lehann. I find myself even now enjoying those two to five minute tidbits with something meaningful to take away from them. The long drawn out sermons don't provide much punch when you lose majority of your audience. Too many priests are not given classes on public speaking and have a hard time reaching their congregation where they are.
We have Tuesday masses during our 53 minute FLEX/LUNCH period. The mass is never more than 20 minutes and I applaud the priests in our parish for getting a full mass in with a meaningful homily that the kids can walk away with that tidbit - something meaningful and worthy of their time minus the rhetoric that so many priests and public speakers take part in.
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