Difference between revisions of "Sermon for February 15th, 2026"
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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. | 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. | 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. | ||
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*Film Clip #3: Fighter2 | *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 | + | 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==== | ====Confession and Redemption==== | ||
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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. | 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 " | + | 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==== | ====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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | ||
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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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | + | 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. | ||
Latest revision as of 20:42, 14 February 2026
Contents
Ephesians 5:6-14
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be associated with them. 8 For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, ‘Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’
Faith & Film XIV: Wake Up Dead Man
- Film Clip #1: Trailer
Three Minute Film "Summary"
Typically at this point in the sermon, I like to give a brief summary of the plot for the benefit of those who have not yet seen the film. I’m going to do that today, but with a slight modification: This is the first “murder mystery” I’ve ever preached on, and since the “whodunnit” question is a pretty big part of the genre (and the resolution to this one is very satisfying, both in a spiritual and literary sense), I’m going to summarize roughly the first two thirds of the film, but I’m not going to spoil the ending for you. Here goes…
The film opens by introducing us to Father Jud Duplenticy, a former boxer turned Catholic priest, whose temperament is still never far from the surface. After punching out a deacon, Jud is reassigned to a struggling rural parish in upstate New York called Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude. It is the sort of place that feels half-forgotten by the modern world, and maybe half-forgotten by God, too.
Jud arrives to find a church held together by habit, pride, and a few loyal hands. The parish is overseen by Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, a divisive, magnetic preacher who seems to thrive on stirring things up. Their relationship is tense from the start, and it quickly becomes clear that this congregation has been living for a long time with old wounds, old rumors, and old money that may or may not still be hidden somewhere close by.
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, 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.
Two Fighters
I already noted that Father Jud is a fighter--here's a clip of him in hot water after punching out a deacon. Listen for the two different philosophies of "fighting" articulated in the clip: One from another priest, and one from Father Jud. These two conflicting philosophies of fighting resonate throughout the film.
- Film Clip #2: Fighter
The next clip is of Monseigneur Jefferson Wicks (the one who eventually gets murdered. Monseigneur Wicks is the polar opposite of Father Jud, but they are both fighters:
- 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. 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 "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
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
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
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.
Give us the Answer
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
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
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 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.
