Message on the Go | Sermons & Faith Q&A - St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Sterling, VA

In this week's Q&A episode, Fr. Rob and Rev. Josh discuss:Do we do what we believe?What are bad habits?What is a "mystery"?Listen to the sermon that started the conversation: E251 - Be What You Believe | Rev. Rob Merola | Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026Have a question for a future episode? Submit it anonymously at stmtts.org/question.Worship opportunities at St. Matthew's:Sunday services in-person and online at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM, and beginning Nov. 29, 2026, Advent evening services at 6 PM.Morning Prayer, in-person only. Monday - Saturday at 8:30 AMLearn more at stmtts.org, or follow us on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Matthew 25:1-13Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”stmtts.org ⁠| ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠

In this week's Q&A episode of Message on the Go, Fr. Rob and Rev. Josh talk more about heaven. Is dog heaven cat hell, and is there assurance that we'll get to heaven?Listen to the sermon that started the conversation: E250 - On Earth as in Heaven | Rev. Josh House | Sun., Nov. 1, 2026Have a question for a future episode? Submit it anonymously at stmtts.org/question.Worship opportunities at St. Matthew's:Sunday services in-person and online at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM, and beginning Nov. 29, 2026, Advent evening services at 6 PM.Morning Prayer, in-person only. Monday - Saturday at 8:30 AMLearn more at stmtts.org, or follow us on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Matthew 5:1-12When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy."Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."stmtts.org ⁠| ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠

In this week's Q&A episode of Message on the Go, Fr. Rob and Rev. Josh discuss a few things from last Sunday's sermon, clear eyes, recharging, and anchor points.Listen to the sermon that started the conversation:E249: Clear Eyes, Full Heart | Rev. Rob Merola | Sunday, October 25, 2026Have a question for a future episode? Submit it anonymously at stmtts.org/question.Worship Opportunities at St. Matthew's:Sunday services in-person and online at 8, 9:30, and 11 AMMorning Prayer, in-person only. Monday - Saturday at 8:30 AMLearn more at stmtts.org, or follow us on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Matthew 22:34-46When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,‘The Lord said to my Lord,“Sit at my right hand,until I put your enemies under your feet”’?If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.stmtts.org ⁠| ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠

Discussing this week's sermon and seeing Grandpa, who is a child of God, how do you explain the Trinity?In this week's Q&A episode of Message on the Go, Fr. Rob is back from his vacation in Wyoming and catches up with Fr. Josh on how that went and on questions submitted:This week's sermon on seeing GrandpaWho are the children of God?How do you explain the Trinity?Listen to the sermon that started the conversation:E248: Seeing Grandpa | Rev. Rob Merola | Sunday, October 18, 2026Have a question for a future episode? Submit it anonymously at stmtts.org/question.Worship Opportunities at St. Matthew's:Sunday services in-person and online at 8, 9:30, and 11 AMMorning Prayer, in-person only. Monday - Saturday at 8:30 AMLearn more at stmtts.org, or follow us on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Matthew 22:15-22The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.stmtts.org ⁠| ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠

How do we destroy our idols? What is the difference between 'high' and 'low' church, and how do we find rest when caring for our loved ones?In this week's Q&A episode of Message on the Go, Fr. Josh House sits down with St. Matt's Director of Children's Ministry, Hilary Hultman-Lee.This week, they discuss:How do we destroy our idols?What is the difference between "high" and "low" church?How do we rest when caring for loved ones?Listen to the sermon that started the conversation:E247: That's a Load of Bull! | Rev. Josh House | Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026Have a question for a future episode? Submit it anonymously at stmtts.org/question.Worship Opportunities at St. Matthew's:Sunday Services in person or online at 8, 9:30, and 11 AMMorning Prayer, in person only. Monday - Saturday at 8:30 AMLearn more at stmtts.org, or follow us on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Matthew 22:1-14Once more Jesus spoke to the people in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”stmtts.org ⁠| ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠