The Fourth Sunday of Easter - May 11, 2025 - Sermon by The Rt. Rev. Hector Monterroso, Bishop Assistant - The Episcopal Diocese of Texas Artwork

The Preaching Moment

A moment each week when all is well for a mom and priest. The sermons of Mother Suzanne Weidner-Smith, Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Alvin, Texas. The Rev. Suzanne Smith came to Grace, Alvin, first as Deacon-in-Charge in July 2018, after graduation from the Seminary of the Southwest with a Diploma in Anglican Studies in May 2018. She was ordained to the Episcopal Priesthood in January 2019, and since 2020, has been the Rector of Grace. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree at A&M in Corpus Christi, she went to Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master of Divinity degree, and was ordained a minister in the Baptist Church. In the first decade of her ministry, Suzanne was a practicing Hospice Chaplain, where she learned how to provide pastoral care at the bedside of patients transitioning from this world to the next. Listening to their stories, and telling stories of her own, she realized the power of sharing the Gospel in story form. Passionate about liturgy, she weaves scripture and story to communicate the Gospel today. Suzanne is the proud mother of Luke, Noah, and Andrew. Together, they enjoy Cub and Boy Scouts, soccer, and basketball.

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The Preaching Moment

The Fourth Sunday of Easter - May 11, 2025 - Sermon by The Rt. Rev. Hector Monterroso, Bishop Assistant - The Episcopal Diocese of Texas

December 16, 2025 • The Reverend Suzanne Weidner-Smith • Season 4 • Episode 20

Summary

In his Mother's Day sermon, Bishop Hector Monterroso connects Jesus' words in John 10 about being the Good Shepherd with the unconditional love of mothers. Through personal stories of being lost as a child, Bishop Monterroso reminds us that when we are lost, Christ finds us, and when others are lost, Christ sends us to find them—reflecting the same unconditional love shown by parents who tell their children, "Find a safe place, I will find you."

THE GOSPEL John 10:22-30

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."

Artwork: The Rt. Rev. Hector Monterroso, Bishop Assistant - The Episcopal Diocese of Texas

The Rt. Rev. Hector Monterroso, Bishop Assistant of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas:

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Amen. Please be seated. Good morning. I'm glad to be with you today in the context of the Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day. Thank you. Thank you for all that you have done for us. I'm originally from Guatemala and Guatemala. The celebration of Mother's Day is May 10th that day, May 10th yesterday, and I celebrate with my wife yesterday in Costa Rica. The Mother's Day is August 15th. I need to celebrate August 15th and in US Mother's Day is today. I have another celebration today. That's great. And when we talk about mothers, we talk about unconditional love, and today the gospel is telling us about unconditional love. We have heard today in the gospel of St. John. My ship here, my boys, I know them and they follow me. In some countries of the world, there are still people shepherds who march at the head of their flux.

The ship grow with a certain level of freedom, but in the normal relationship between shepherds and ship, there are important and significant elements. This relationship is one of dependence or in the interdependence. The shepherd loves his ship and the ship love the shepherd. The shepherd wakes up every day and his main task is to walk in front of his flock, looking for the best places for them to feed. And while that happens, he protects them from any danger. The end of the day is important since it is necessary to count the ship one by one, and if for any reason one is missing, then it is necessary to secure the others and go through the roads until finding the one that is missing. It is an outstanding relationship in that the ship recognize the shepherd's voice and only obey and follow him. This image is always powerful because for many of us it is important to have someone to rely on, someone who cares about us, who protects us, listen to us, and is with us in the most difficult moments.

It is also important to have someone to share our success and joys. Relying on someone else is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of our ability to relate to each other and our ability to accept our limitations. For example, our parents made an effort to do everything in their power, to take care of us and to be attentive so that nothing bad would happen to us. They could not have known how to continue with their lives if something bad or unfortunate had happened to us, and we will never be too old to benefit from their advice or award of encouragement. For those who are parents, they know what it means to love the child and the capacity of a parent to be willing to give their own life for their child.

When I read this passage, the experience of being lost and found by my father comes to mind. When I was 10 years old, I attended a school excursion, which took place in a forest. About 200 children from the school went with several teachers who guided us on the way to our destination, which was a small river at the bottom of the forest from the place where the buses left us. We walked quite Abby before arriving at the creek. Once there, we ate and had fun until the afternoon arrived. When we started our way back, the teachers and guides could not find a way, and we started walking in circles again and again. We went through the same path until many began to despair. We tried to leave the place at four in the afternoon and by midnight we had not been able to leave the forest. A little later than midnight, the rescuers found us and took us back to where our families were waiting. I always remember my father's face when he saw me, his smile and his tears.

After we returned to home, he gave me some advice and he told me, if you ever get lost again, do not keep walking. Find a safe place and wait there. I'll find you. I always remember this advice. Some years ago, my son received an invitation from his school to participate in a similar discussion but in a different place. Before he left, I remembered my father's advice and said the same thing to him. If for some reason you get lost or lose your way, look for a safe place and wait there, I'm going to find you. He replied, of course, don't worry. I'm going to find a safe place with a good signal and I call you on my cell phone.

Times have changed and so has technology. However, the advice is still valid. When we are alone, sad or lost, it is best to stop and to wait for the shepherd. He will come to meet us. He will take us in his shoulders. Once again, he will recognize us. He will call us by our name, and we will be in his presence and under his care. The passage from Saint John reminds us that we are called to know Jesus deeply as he knows us. He calls us to love God above all things. And just as the Father sent Jesus to love so much that he gave his life for us, his friends, we who are called to love. This passage also reminds us that all the leaders of the church as well as those who have the privilege of being parents most, as we grow in faith, assume the role of shepherds and guidance for the youngest in faith.

So my dear brothers and sisters, on this special day when we honor mothers, when we are going to confirm, when we are going to receive new members in this church, remember that God truly means to be known, loved, and guided by God. Whether it is a mother watching over her children or father offering count in moments of fear or Christ calling out to us when we are lost. The message is the same. You're never alone my ship. Here, my boys, and I know them and they follow me. He knows us. He knows our fears, our joys, our doubts, and our dreams. He's not a distant God, but one who walks ahead of us, who leads us to green pastures and who never stops searching until the lost ship is found. And just as we have been shepherded by those who loves us, our parents, our mentors, our faith leaders, we to are called to be shepherds.

Whether you are parent, a teacher, a God parent, a friend, or simple, or simply a believer walking beside someone else, you have the power to guide others toward the love and safety of Christ. So let us remember this. When we are lost, Christ, find us. And when others are lost, he send us to help find them. Let us be the voice of calm, the voice of hope, the voice of the shepherd to those in need. Let us lead with love just as Jesus and so many mothers and fathers to every single day. And finally, may. We always remember that no matter how far we astray, we have a father, our father in heaven who says to us, stay still. Find a safe place. I will find you.