Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Dallas

On the occasion of our country’s 250th anniversary, Father Casey explores the relationship between Christian and American identity, arguing that Christian faith must remain the primary reference point. Drawing on St. Gregory of Nyssa's understanding of faith as longing, it encourages believers to pursue justice and mercy while resisting nationalism and striving to help build a more perfect union....

Father Merriman’s sermon explains the origins of the church's lectionary before reflecting on Jesus' call to hospitality. Connecting Scripture with the approaching 250th anniversary of the United States, he urges Christians to embody welcome toward strangers through everyday kindness, church life, and public witness, following Christ's example and commands. Today's Readings: Jeremiah 28:5-9 | Roma...

In his Father’s Day sermon, Fr. Casey explores Jesus’ challenging teaching about family and discipleship. He argues that families can become idols when they replace God as life’s center. Christ calls believers to expand their understanding of family, embracing all people as members of God’s household and future heavenly banquet. Today's Readings: Jeremiah 20:7-13 | Romans 6:1b-11  | Matthew 10:24-...

Father Casey reflects on the life and teachings of Evelyn Underhill, the Anglican mystic and spiritual writer. Her witness, forged in a turbulent age much like our own, emphasized prayer, worship, and deep communion with God. He challenges us, as Christians, to pursue holiness and rediscover God as the center of faith.

Mother Maddie, in her final sermon with us, reflects on the hope proclaimed at funerals and connects it to the Christian calling of all believers as a “kingdom of priests.” Through sacrificial love, service, worship, and joy, Christians participate in resurrection life and are sent into the world to proclaim the gospel through their lives. Today's Readings: Exodus 19:2-8a | Romans 5:1-8 | Matthew...

Father Casey’s sermon explores Jesus’ calling of Matthew and his declaration, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” Contrasting mercy with self-righteous religion, Father Casey points out that the church should welcome all as Jesus did. He emphasizes that mercy—not religious performance—is the heart of God’s kingdom and the essential calling of Christians. Today's Readings: Hosea 5:15-6:6 | Romans 4...

For Trinity Sunday,  Mother Maddie’s sermon explores how precise theological language helps Christians understand the mystery of God in trinity and themselves. By examining the concepts of nature and person within the Trinity, she argues that every human being bears God's image, possesses inherent dignity, and deserves full inclusion in the life of the Church. Today's Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:4a |...

In this Pentecost sermon, Danielle Shroyer teaches that the Holy Spirit has always been present, not newly arriving at Pentecost. Through stories of Pentecost, baptism, difficult conversations, and Eldad and Medad, the speaker emphasizes that God continually moves among people, bringing connection, transformation, courage, diversity, and love whether invited or not. Our job is to be open. Today's...

In her final sermon at Transfiguration, Mother Rebecca reflects on pilgrimage experiences in Greece, Jesus’ farewell discourse, and eight years of ministry at Transfiguration. Through stories of Lydia, Corinth, and the Last Supper, and Jesus’ promise to be with us always, she explores Christian unity, imperfect community, endings that become beginnings, and the enduring love that binds the church...

Father Casey reflects on Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit as advocate, comforter, and ally. Drawing from the Last Supper discourse and Rublev’s Trinity icon, it encourages believers to trust God’s abiding presence amid suffering, fear, and uncertainty, emphasizing that the Spirit strengthens rather than simply “fixes” life’s struggles. Today's Readings: Acts 17:22-31 | 1 Peter 3:13-22 | John 14:1...

Using his hike of the Appalachian Trail as a metaphor, Father Casey teaches us that Jesus is not a destination but the path itself. Faith is not achieved through practices or milestones but is a transformative force that is lived daily. True fulfillment comes from walking with Christ, embracing the journey rather than striving to reach a final spiritual endpoint. Today's Readings: Acts 7:55-60 | 1...

Mother Maddie reinterprets the Good Shepherd metaphor by pointing out that being compared to sheep is not a compliment. She emphasizes human dependence and God’s grace–Jesus offers unconditional belonging through his sacrifice, not human worthiness. She points out that the Church is called to embody this truth by welcoming others, demonstrating kindness, and creating communities where all people e...

Using the game of peek-a-boo, Dr. Roy Heller explores how, as children do, we discover that an unseen presence remains real. Reflecting on the Emmaus story, he argues Jesus’ disappearance enables constant presence. Like children learning object permanence, believers are called to trust that Christ remains with them, even when unseen, guiding and loving them  Today's Readings: Acts 22:14a, 36-41  |...

Bishop Price reframes Thomas’ doubt as a question of loyalty, not skepticism. He emphasizes faith as trust and allegiance to Jesus, lived out in community. The Church’s mission is a shared work of forgiveness and homecoming, where Christ’s presence brings transformation, peace, and joy that overcomes fear and division. He presents faith as trust, forgiveness as homecoming, and the Church’s mission...

In her Easter Day sermon, Mother Rebecca reflects on Mary Magdalene’s grief and her encounter with the risen Christ, emphasizing that resurrection begins even in darkness. It connects her story to human suffering and calls believers to become “gardeners,” bringing hope and light to others in despair, proclaiming that death never has the final word because Christ is risen…risen indeed! Today's Read...

Father Casey celebrates Easter as Christ’s victory over death and a promise that suffering will not have the final word. He calls believers to actively live out Jesus’ teachings, bringing light into the world, rather than passively waiting for salvation, emphasizing hope, renewal, and faithful action. Today's Readings: Romans 6:3-11 | Matthew 28:1-10 Sermon preached by The Rev. Casey Shobe on the...

Father Casey leads us into the meaning of Jesus’ declaration “It is finished,” portraying the cross as the ultimate victory of love over sin and violence. Using Hiroo Onoda’s story, he challenges us and all believers to truly trust Christ’s completed work and to live transformed lives shaped by forgiveness, not our willingness to rely on power, force, or fear. Today's Readings: Isaiah 52:13—53:12...

Mother Rebecca reflects on Jesus washing his disciples’ feet, revealing themes of humility, servant leadership, and sacrificial love. The act symbolizes preparation for mission, foreshadows the cross and resurrection, and calls believers to love one another. Symbolically, the disciples feet are “baptized”  by Jesus into a new vocation—carrying the message of Christ into the world. We are invited t...

Mother Maddie leads us into Holy Week with the understanding of it as a living, mystical remembrance rather than a distant memory. She contrasts modern and ancient views of remembering, places listeners within Jesus’ triumphal entry and crucifixion, and reveals humanity’s role in both – even at this very moment. Ultimately, it highlights God’s redemptive love, shown through the cross, conquering s...

Father Casey explores the gospel story of Lazarus, emphasizing honest faith, personal relationship with Jesus, and the shift from abstract belief to a living encounter. It challenges viewing Christianity as a system that produces a ticket to heaven.  Rather, he points out that the gospel is presenting Jesus as the true focus of our life and our ultimate destination. Like Lazarus, believers are cal...

Mother Maddie reflects on Israel’s demand for a king, the flawed rise of David, and the deeper meaning of God’s choices. She challenges the belief that blessings equal righteousness and suffering equals punishment, emphasizing instead God’s grace, redemption, and the ultimate fulfillment of David’s line in Jesus Christ. Today's Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 | Ephesians 5:8-14 | John 9:1-41 Sermon pre...

Father Casey explores Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well, emphasizing themes of spiritual depth, honesty, and living water. Contrasting light and darkness in John’s Gospel, it shows how Jesus crosses social barriers and invites people to go deeper beyond superficial religion into authentic worship and soul-deep transformation. Today's Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 | Romans 5:1-11...

Mother Rebecca explores Nicodemus’ nighttime encounter with Jesus in John’s Gospel, highlighting themes of light, darkness, surrender, and spiritual rebirth. It reframes Nicodemus’ confusion as deeply human and illustrative for us in Lent, inviting believers to embrace vulnerability, trust the Spirit, and discover that even in darkness, we are loved. Today's Readings: Genesis 12:1-4a | Romans 4:1-...

In today’s sermon, Father Casey explores Jesus’ wilderness temptations as examples of evil disguised as good: scarcity solutions, spectacular proof, and power for noble ends. It warns against deception, including church complicity with empire, and urges believers to remain close to Jesus for discernment, trusting that he has already overcome temptation  Today's Readings: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 | R...

Mother Rebecca reframes Lent not as a 40-day self-improvement challenge but as a season of spiritual training. Through daily practices—prayer, fasting, repentance, Scripture, and self-examination—believers cultivate private discipline that prepares them for courageous public faith. Lent gently relocates the heart’s treasure through steady, lifelong practice. Today's Readings: Isaiah 58:1-12 | 2 Co...