Sermon for February 15th, 2026 - Revision history

Iraneal at 04:42, 15 February 2026

2026-02-15T04:42:57Z

Iraneal at 04:40, 15 February 2026

2026-02-15T04:40:59Z

Iraneal at 04:31, 15 February 2026

2026-02-15T04:31:38Z

Iraneal at 04:30, 15 February 2026

2026-02-15T04:30:34Z

Iraneal at 04:18, 15 February 2026

2026-02-15T04:18:38Z

Iraneal at 04:05, 15 February 2026

2026-02-15T04:05:27Z

Iraneal at 03:50, 15 February 2026

2026-02-15T03:50:21Z

Iraneal at 03:16, 15 February 2026

2026-02-15T03:16:20Z

Iraneal at 02:57, 15 February 2026

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Iraneal at 02:41, 15 February 2026

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 Right after the murder of Monseigneur Wicks, when Father Jud is considered by most to be suspect number one, he confesses his sin, asks God for help...and his redemption appears.
-Film Clip #4: Salvation
+*Film Clip #4: Salvation
 That "redemption" is none other than the famous Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who arrives on the scene to help, to solve the mystery and clear Father Jud's name.  God works in mysterious ways, though: Benoit describes himself to Father Jud as a devout atheist.  But watch how the film itself treats Benoit's lack of faith (hint: watch the lighting) contrasted with Father Jud's pastoral kindness.
-Film Clip #5: Storytelling
+*Film Clip #5: Storytelling
 ====Storytelling====
 This idea of "storytelling" is another recurring theme in the film. It's ironic, because for both men--the man of reason and the man of faith--storytelling is key to what they do.
-Film Clip #6: The Story
+*Film Clip #6: The Story
 Detective Benoit pieces together the story of a crime using facts and clues, while Father Jud listens to the pain and brokenness of his community members, and helps them to piece together their lives through the light of God's love.
-Film Clip #7: Pray for Me
+*Film Clip #7: Pray for Me
 As we've seen a few clips ago, light and darkness are important in cinematic storytelling.  But also in Biblical storytelling:  Our scripture from Ephesians uses the metaphor of light and darkness to represent truth and deception.  It tells us that we are to live as children of the light, and that everything exposed by the light becomes visible.  Detectives and pastors--or more broadly, people of reason and people of faith--both shine their lights into the darkness, exposing it, seeking to understanding it, and telling a "new story" in the process.
@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 The problem comes when we lose sight of the story in pursuit of the solution--when we put our faith in the answers instead of the God who works through the questions, the mysteries, and the unfathomable things of the universe.
-Film Clip #8: All the Pieces
+*Film Clip #8: All the Pieces
 Spoiler alert: Detective Benoit does solve the mystery in the end.  But Father Jud has an epiphany (what he calls a "Damascus moment") when he realizes that the knowledge of who committed the murder doesn't really matter in the end.  What really matters is his calling to love the people, even when they are unloveable, deplorable, or guilty.
-Film Clip #9: Vocation
+*Film Clip #9: Vocation
 Near the end of the film, Detective Benoit has his own Damascus moment, inspired by Father Jud's example.  He too, comes to realize that people--and the stories they are made up of--are more complex and more consequential than the crimes they commit. It is possible to solve the mystery, and still not have any meaningful answers to the really important questions.

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 Then comes the moment the trailer promises. During a Good Friday service, Wicks collapses in a small closet adjoining the chancel, and he is discovered with what appears to be a knife in his back. The circumstances make the crime feel “impossible,” and because it happens in church, in the middle of worship, with everyone present, the suspicion spreads instantly—and it spreads fast.
-Before long, Benoit Blanc arrives, the suspect list forms, alibis harden, and the church community becomes a pressure cooker of gossip, resentment, and self-justifying words. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a secret. And everyone is convinced that if they can just control the explanation, they can control what comes next.
+Before long, the famous detective Benoit Blanc arrives, the suspect list forms, alibis harden, and the church community becomes a pressure cooker of gossip, resentment, and self-justifying words. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a secret. And everyone is convinced that if they can just control the explanation, they can control what comes next.
 And that is about where I am going to stop. Because the investigation that follows is clever, and the turns it takes are genuinely satisfying. But I want you to experience the final movement the way the filmmakers intend: not just as an explanation, but as a revelation.
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 *Film Clip #3: Fighter2
-This approach to "fighting the world" is still alive and well in the church today.  The Bible often speaks of the "wrath of God" (including our scripture passage today from Ephesians), and some churches and/or pastors feel like it's their personal mission to make that wrath manifest themselves, rather than leaving it to God alone.  Thankfully, the film comes down clearly on the side of Father Jud's approach (open arms vs. closed fists), and for what it's worth, I think Jesus does, too.  It's what I aspire to for myself, and for our church.  Sometimes we mess up and lash out in a moment of anger, but we know that fighting the world (whether it's the things Republicans do, or the things Democrats do, or anyone else) is not our mission, not our calling.  Our calling is to listen, to try to understand, to forgive when we need to, and to inspire people to follow the example of Jesus.  Not in anger, not in self-righteousness, but in love and humility, knowing that we too (like the rest of the world) are broken sinners in desperate need of God's grace.
+This approach to "fighting the world" is still alive and well in the church today.  The Bible often speaks of the "wrath of God" (including our scripture passage today from Ephesians), and some churches and/or pastors feel like it's their personal mission to make that wrath manifest themselves, rather than leaving it to God alone.  Thankfully, the film comes down clearly on the side of Father Jud's approach (open arms vs. closed fists), and for what it's worth, I think Jesus does, too.  Sometimes we mess up and lash out in a moment of anger, but we know that fighting the world (whether it's the things Republicans do, or the things Democrats do, or anyone else) is not our mission, not our calling.  Our calling is to listen, to try to understand, to forgive when we need to, and to inspire people to follow the example of Jesus.  Not in anger, not in self-righteousness, but in love and humility, knowing that we too (like the rest of the world) are broken sinners in desperate need of God's grace.
 ====Confession and Redemption====

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 Film Clip #4: Salvation
-That "redepmtion" is none other than the famous Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who arrives on the scene to help, to solve the mystery and clear Father Jud's name.  God works in mysterious ways, though: Benoit describes himself to Father Jud as a devout atheist.  But watch how the film itself treats Benoit's lack of faith (hint: watch the lighting) contrasted with Father Jud's pastoral kindness.
+That "redemption" is none other than the famous Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who arrives on the scene to help, to solve the mystery and clear Father Jud's name.  God works in mysterious ways, though: Benoit describes himself to Father Jud as a devout atheist.  But watch how the film itself treats Benoit's lack of faith (hint: watch the lighting) contrasted with Father Jud's pastoral kindness.
 Film Clip #5: Storytelling

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:30, 15 February 2026
Line 63:		Line 63:
	Near the end of the film, Detective Benoit has his own Damascus moment, inspired by Father Jud's example. He too, comes to realize that people--and the stories they are made up of--are more complex and more consequential than the crimes they commit. It is possible to solve the mystery, and still not have any meaningful answers to the really important questions.		Near the end of the film, Detective Benoit has his own Damascus moment, inspired by Father Jud's example. He too, comes to realize that people--and the stories they are made up of--are more complex and more consequential than the crimes they commit. It is possible to solve the mystery, and still not have any meaningful answers to the really important questions.

−	And that's where stories and storytelling come back ~~into~~ the forefront. In the past month and a half, we have walked through seven different films, seven different stories, as well as their connections to our own stories, and to God's story. We have probed beneath the surface, sometimes like detectives, but hopefully more like people of faith. Not for solutions to all our enduring problems, but for meaning and purpose. Not for hard and fast answers, but for wisdom and wonder. Not for the ending, but for the journey. For the story. For a sense that we are not alone in this world. And for the reassurance that God is there--in every story, in every circumstance, through every mystery and every moment.	+	And that's where stories and storytelling come back to the forefront. In the past month and a half, we have walked through seven different films, seven different stories, as well as their connections to our own stories, and to God's story. We have probed beneath the surface, sometimes like detectives, but hopefully more like people of faith. Not for solutions to all our enduring problems, but for meaning and purpose. Not for hard and fast answers, but for wisdom and wonder. Not for the ending, but for the journey. For the whole story. For a sense that we are not alone in this world. And for the reassurance that God is there--in every story, in every circumstance, through every mystery and every moment.
		+
		+	So people of First Presbyterian Church: Until we do this again next year, keep watching, keep listening, may all of your stories shine in the light of Christ's love.

@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 Film Clip #8: All the Pieces
-Spoiler alert: Detective Benoit does solve the mystery in the end.  But Father Jud has an ephiphany (what he calls a "Damascus moment") when he realizes that the knowledge of who committed the murder doesn't really matter in the end.  What really matters is his calling to love the people, even when they are unloveable, deplorable, or guilty.
+Spoiler alert: Detective Benoit does solve the mystery in the end.  But Father Jud has an epiphany (what he calls a "Damascus moment") when he realizes that the knowledge of who committed the murder doesn't really matter in the end.  What really matters is his calling to love the people, even when they are unloveable, deplorable, or guilty.
 Film Clip #9: Vocation
@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 Near the end of the film, Detective Benoit has his own Damascus moment, inspired by Father Jud's example.  He too, comes to realize that people--and the stories they are made up of--are more complex and more consequential than the crimes they commit. It is possible to solve the mystery, and still not have any meaningful answers to the really important questions.
-====Wrapping it all Up====
+And that's where stories and storytelling come back into the forefront.  In the past month and a half, we have walked through seven different films, seven different stories, as well as their connections to our own stories, and to God's story.  We have probed beneath the surface, sometimes like detectives, but hopefully more like people of faith.  Not for solutions to all our enduring problems, but for meaning and purpose.  Not for hard and fast answers, but for wisdom and wonder.  Not for the ending, but for the journey.  For the story.  For a sense that we are not alone in this world.  And for the reassurance that God is there--in every story, in every circumstance, through every mystery and every moment.

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 This approach to "fighting the world" is still alive and well in the church today.  The Bible often speaks of the "wrath of God" (including our scripture passage today from Ephesians), and some churches and/or pastors feel like it's their personal mission to make that wrath manifest themselves, rather than leaving it to God alone.  Thankfully, the film comes down clearly on the side of Father Jud's approach (open arms vs. closed fists), and for what it's worth, I think Jesus does, too.  It's what I aspire to for myself, and for our church.  Sometimes we mess up and lash out in a moment of anger, but we know that fighting the world (whether it's the things Republicans do, or the things Democrats do, or anyone else) is not our mission, not our calling.  Our calling is to listen, to try to understand, to forgive when we need to, and to inspire people to follow the example of Jesus.  Not in anger, not in self-righteousness, but in love and humility, knowing that we too (like the rest of the world) are broken sinners in desperate need of God's grace.
 ====Confession and Redemption====
@@ Line 47: / Line 46: @@
 Film Clip #6: The Story
-Detective Benoit pieces together the story of a crime using facts and clues, while Father Jud listens to the pain and sorrow of his community members, and helps them to piece together their lives through the light of God's love.
+Detective Benoit pieces together the story of a crime using facts and clues, while Father Jud listens to the pain and brokenness of his community members, and helps them to piece together their lives through the light of God's love.
 Film Clip #7: Pray for Me
@@ Line 53: / Line 52: @@
 As we've seen a few clips ago, light and darkness are important in cinematic storytelling.  But also in Biblical storytelling:  Our scripture from Ephesians uses the metaphor of light and darkness to represent truth and deception.  It tells us that we are to live as children of the light, and that everything exposed by the light becomes visible.  Detectives and pastors--or more broadly, people of reason and people of faith--both shine their lights into the darkness, exposing it, seeking to understanding it, and telling a "new story" in the process.
-====Mystery and Revelation====
+====Give us the Answer====
-But stories
+Film Clilp #9: Vocation

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:41, 15 February 2026
Line 29:		Line 29:

	This approach to "fighting the world" is still alive and well in the church today. The Bible often speaks of the "wrath of God" (including our scripture passage today from Ephesians), and some churches and/or pastors feel like it's their personal mission to make that wrath manifest themselves, rather than leaving it to God alone. Thankfully, the film comes down clearly on the side of Father Jud's approach (open arms vs. closed fists), and for what it's worth, I think Jesus does, too. It's what I aspire to for myself, and for our church. Sometimes we mess up and lash out in a moment of anger, but we know that fighting the world (whether it's the things Republicans do, or the things Democrats do, or anyone else) is not our mission, not our calling. Our calling is to listen, to try to understand, to forgive when we need to, and to inspire people to follow the example of Jesus. Not in anger, not in self-righteousness, but in love and humility, knowing that we too (like the rest of the world) are broken sinners in desperate need of God's grace.		This approach to "fighting the world" is still alive and well in the church today. The Bible often speaks of the "wrath of God" (including our scripture passage today from Ephesians), and some churches and/or pastors feel like it's their personal mission to make that wrath manifest themselves, rather than leaving it to God alone. Thankfully, the film comes down clearly on the side of Father Jud's approach (open arms vs. closed fists), and for what it's worth, I think Jesus does, too. It's what I aspire to for myself, and for our church. Sometimes we mess up and lash out in a moment of anger, but we know that fighting the world (whether it's the things Republicans do, or the things Democrats do, or anyone else) is not our mission, not our calling. Our calling is to listen, to try to understand, to forgive when we need to, and to inspire people to follow the example of Jesus. Not in anger, not in self-righteousness, but in love and humility, knowing that we too (like the rest of the world) are broken sinners in desperate need of God's grace.
		+
		+
		+	====Confession and Redemption====
		+	But to do that--God asks us to confess our faults, to seek his forgiveness, and trust him do the rest. This is a running theme in most of our films this year. And whenever a theme starts popping up in a variety of popular, secular, Hollywood films... it's usually a signal that the world--you know, the world we're trying to understand and embrace, not fight--is really thinking about these things. The world of people who write films, direct them, pay money to see them is searching for a way to explore these themes. And this year it's confession and redemption.
		+
		+	Right after the murder of Monseigneur Wicks, when Father Jud is considered by most to be suspect number one, he confesses his sin, asks God for help...and his redemption appears.
		+
		+	Film Clip #4: Salvation
		+
		+	That "redepmtion" is none other than the famous Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who arrives on the scene to help, to solve the mystery and clear Father Jud's name. God works in mysterious ways, though: Benoit describes himself to Father Jud as a devout atheist. But watch how the film itself treats Benoit's lack of faith (hint: watch the lighting) contrasted with Father Jud's pastoral kindness.

	====Storytelling====		====Storytelling====