Revd Darren McCallig’s sermon from Holy Cross Day.
Reflecting on Jesus’ hard sayings about the cost of discipleship, Darren explored the reality that faith can be difficult because life itself is often difficult. Rather than softening the challenge of the Gospel, he spoke honestly about the struggles people face: experiences of rejection, injustice, illness, grief and disappointment, and the courage it can take to continue trusting in God through such times.
Drawing on experiences from twenty years of ministry, he described the faith of those who held on to their sense of being beloved by God despite suffering, loss or failure. He encouraged the congregation never to see faltering faith as a sign of irredeemable failure, pointing instead to the compassion of Jesus, who forgave and loved his disciples even when they misunderstood, denied or abandoned him.
The sermon closed with a reflection on the steadfast love of God revealed in Jesus Christ: a love that knows human weakness intimately, remains present in every season of life, and continues to whisper, “Be not afraid.”