Sermon for Epiphany IV 01 Febrauray 2026 with Fr. David Bumsted

Описание: Fourth Sunday after Epiphany: The Pure in Heart
Sermon by Fr. David Bumsted
Saint John's Episcopal Church | Tulsa, Oklahoma

F.r David's wife Becca recently put out a new welcome mat at the rectory that reads, "All y'all are welcome, but you gotta act right." What seems like a cheeky household object actually reveals something profound about the Christian life: the expectation that hospitality and good behavior go hand in hand.

Fr. David explores how this morning's readings (Micah's call to do justice and love kindness, the Psalmist's vision of blameless living, Paul's reminder of wisdom in Christ) could be read as good advice for getting along with God. But that reading would be incomplete. The key lies in Jesus' words: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

To attend to the challenge of the Beatitudes, to truly walk with the Lord in works of humble justice, we must have our hearts purified to encounter the living God. And to have our hearts purified, we must invite the living God in. Our hearts, like the tabernacle and the holy Hill of Zion, are meant to be the Lord's dwelling place. We make room for him through repentance, setting aside our iniquities and inviting in God's merciful presence.

As our hearts are transformed by his holiness, the Lord himself inspires our obedience and draws us into greater union with Jesus. Preached at a baptism, Fr. David reminds us that as we welcome the Spirit into our hearts, we are given the power to act right, not by our own effort, but by the renewal of our inmost being.


The Readings:
Micah 6:1-8
Psalm 15
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Matthew 5:1-12

Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

If you're in Tulsa, join us for worship at 4200 S Atlanta Pl. Service times:

Sunday Morning:
8am - Eucharist, Rite I
10am - Choral Eucharist, Rite II
5:30pm - Choral Evensong
Wednesday Evening:
5:30pm - Eucharist, Rite II