Journey of a Thousand Steps

Is it Important to Go to Church Every Week?

Have you always told yourself that regular Church attendance isn't important? Or, have you been a regular attender, tithing and serving on rosters, yet found the experience did not enrich your faith? John 20.19-31 tells us two stories in a row about Jesus appearing at an early church gathering: the first without Thomas present and the second with. When Thomas is away he misses the experience of Jesus appearing and filling the disciples with the Holy Spirit. His faith suffers as a result. This week's Gospel reading reminds us that faith is 80% lived and experienced publicly, and only partly in private. Limiting our faith to a private expression is like limiting a relationship to sex. Very. Limited.  
Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 27 April 2025. 

The Resurrection is More Natural Than We Think (Easter Sunday)

The first witness of the Resurrection was Jesus' friend and Apostle, Mary. The account of her experience, as well as that of John and Peter in John 20.1-18, tells us straight away what the Resurrection was like and why Jesus did it. First, we see that it was a very natural experience as Mary reconnected with her friend in a garden. It was hugs and words and no bells or whistles or dancing angels or glitter. Secondly, Jesus' reason for appearing in a resurrected body and then returning to Heaven was strategic and purposeful. This Easter Sunday we considered these things and heard a testimony from Jude Becela, who was baptised into new life this day. 
Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 20 April 2025. 

O Happy Fault (Good Friday)

If someone were to ask you to explain in thirty seconds why Jesus had to die on a cross, what would you say? The cross has a power that is unmistakable and undeniable. Even the symbol of a cross standing in a church carries an emotional impact for people as they enter. The story of Jesus bring betrayed, sentenced and crucified, as we read aloud every Good Friday, never ceases to be deeply moving. This week, after reading the Passion narrative in John 18.1-19.42, we considered how to make its meaning plain. The cross means that there is no suffering God hasn't experienced and cannot meet us in. It also means there is no compromise, dehumanisation or harm that God cannot make us totally free from.   
Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 18 April 2025. 

Something Bigger (Palm Sunday)

How do you feel about being affiliated with the institutional Church? Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem in John 12.12-16 reminds us that He never saw Himself as merely starting a spiritual movement for local communities or individuals. Accepting the title of a Messianic king, Jesus saw Himself as launching a campaign for world change. He had a very big plan in mind, even though the method through which He planned to change the world was not what anyone was expecting. Jesus made a way for a new order and the world has never been the same since. It was bigger than expected. It was political. It did have social, economic and institutional structures attached. So how do we stay proud to be a part of this movement in light of the many reasons to distrust and dislike institutional religion?  
Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 13 April 2025. 

A Woman Who Spends Her Time, Her Sexuality, and Her Money... and a Man Who is Offended

"Leave her alone," Jesus said when His friend, Mary, was criticised for her act of love towards Him. In John 12.1-8 we encounter a story of Jesus sharing a final meal with His friends Lazarus, Martha and Mary, days before His journey to the cross. Mary prophetically anoints His body with a highly expensive perfume (and a lot of it), and takes down her hair to dry His feet. As the fragrance fills the house and sinks into her hair, and His, we see her marking a moment of anguish and deep sorrow with extravagant love. Jesus' ultimate sacrifice is preempted as beautiful. As we watch this scene we are invited to consider how we will spend our time, beauty and riches? Are we prepared to let our lives look wasteful to others?  
Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 6 April 2025. 

Why The Best Party You Have Ever Been to Should Be at Church

The parable of the prodigal son is one of the most well-known of Jesus' teachings, but perhaps least understood. Rather than a simple story about a son who wasted his money and his time until he 'came to his senses', it is primarily an answer to the question, "Why does Jesus party with 'sinners' and tax collectors?" To answer this question, Jesus tells a story about why an older son who has been faithful can't celebrate with his younger brother who has lived large and lost big. In Luke 15.11-32, Jesus draws out the danger of a scarcity mindset that sees those who spend everything they have on their own pleasure as having more fun, and those who don't, as overlooked by God. This week's message features a song by Cory Asbury called The Father's House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHWRlRkkvV0
Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 30 March 2025. 

Why Sin and Judgement Aren't Outdated or Imperialist Categories

Every relationship of depth and meaning reaches a moment of decision: "Are you in or are you out?" When decisions are forced by dictatorial rule, religious manipulation, or worse, violent extremism, doctrine about judgement and 'sin' can be dangerous. However, in Luke 13.1-9, Jesus explains what he does and does not mean by these concepts and why love eventually has to ask, "Are we doing this, or are we not?" This week's message features a song by Paul Cole from 1996, which you might remember from Dawson's Creek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_dVEtLPdDE
Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 23 March 2025. 

Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness Meets Gestalt Psychotherapy

Our lives inevitably face three kind of pressure that will test our true character: experiences of lack, waste and abandonment. This week, Heather engaged a Gestalt technique to illustrate what it's like when voices other than God are tempting us to believe that we can't cope with lack, that we aren't good enough or haven't achieved enough, and that nobody wants us or truly loves us. The season of Lent begins with the account of Jesus' interfacing with the devil in the wilderness and His responses reveal to us how He defeats the devil's lies and will ultimately overthrow his power. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 9 March 2025.

The Decision to Come Down From the Mountain (Otherwise Known as The Transfiguration)

What do the great Christian leaders who have changed the world, fought slavery and won, championed the equality and dignity of women and children, and who are making strides for racial justice in our world today have in common? Like Jesus, they know three things about themselves that Jesus reveales in Luke 9.28-36 (the story of the Transfiguration). First, they know who their inner circle are (Peter, James and John). Second, they know how to connect and stay connected to Heaven. Third, they make the choice to come down from the mountain and follow their calling. Do you know who your best friends are? Do you regularly practice your spiritual gifts? Do you know your life's calling? Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 2 March 2025.

Forgiveness is Not a Feeling

This week's sermon explored one of the more controversial and powerful commands of Jesus: to love and forigve all people, including our enemies. Whilst the teaching in Luke 6.27-38 has often been misused and misappropriated in the life of the Church, forgiveness itself is not the same as reconciliation, is not separate from accountability for behaviours or healthy boundaries in relationships. Nor is forgiveness a feeling. This week we explored the decision to forgive and the neuroscience of how this is achieved. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 23 February 2025.