The Kingdom of Light and the Call to Repentance

This episode features a sermon by Father Bob Wismer that moves confidently into the tension between light and darkness at the heart of the Epiphany season. Drawing on Matthew’s Gospel and the stark poetry of Isaiah, he reframes repentance not as shame or self-flagellation, but as a deliberate re-alignment of the mind toward grace—a turning that allows hidden wounds to be seen so they can finally heal. Along the way, the sermon ranges widely and vividly: from the unsettling silence of storm-driven power outages, to the radical conversion of Saint Paul, to the quiet, almost invisible faithfulness of St. Vitalis, whose holiness worked in secret. The thread holding these stories together is simple and demanding: light spreads when someone shows up. Listeners are invited to imitate Christ not abstractly, but concretely—through presence, kindness, and small acts of courage that allow God’s kingdom to break into ordinary life. This is a sermon for anyone trying to live faithfully in shadowed times, and learning how even modest light can change the landscape.

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Mother Emily's sermon takes a warm, story-driven look at how different parts of the Bible connect with one another, weaving together the creation story in Genesis with the life and teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Along the way, the speaker reflects on the repeating three-day patterns found in creation and in the resurrection, inviting listeners to see these rhythms as meaningful signposts for their own spiritual lives.

Using vivid images of water and light, Mother Emily gently asks listeners to reflect on what they’re really seeking in their faith and what draws them closer to God. The sermon points to Jesus as the Lamb of God, whose self-giving love leads people out of darkness and into light. It closes with an encouraging reminder that each believer is part of a much larger story—and is called to reflect God’s glory in everyday life.

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This episode features a sermon from a baptismal service that reflects on the humility of Jesus and the deeper meaning of baptism. Father Bates explores why Jesus chose to be baptized in the muddy waters of the Jordan—standing alongside ordinary people and social outcasts—as a powerful act of solidarity and love. That moment marks the beginning of a mission rooted in restoring what was broken and drawing humanity into new life.

Father Bates also explains how Christian baptism goes beyond ancient rituals, offering not just a symbol, but a spiritual rebirth and a new identity as children of God. The sermon closes with an invitation to those newly baptized—and to all listeners—to embrace a life of ongoing growth, mercy, and self-giving, walking together as fellow pilgrims on a shared journey of faith.

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