Grok 3: Please Write Me Next Sunday's Sermon
Next Sunday's Sermon
Understand Physical Realities
Accept and Adapt
Live within Gaia
At a recent church event some of my friends were bemoaning the fact that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing their lives. Nevertheless, my impression was that they may not understand just how much AI is going to change not only their lives, but the church that they love.
To illustrate my concern, I asked Grok 3 to write me a sermon for next Sunday.
The Prompt
Write an Episcopal sermon for next Sunday.
Here are the parameters:
Use the appointed gospel, epistle, old testament and psalm readings for the Episcopal church.
The sermon should integrate the messages of these readings.
There should be at least one heart-warming story.
If possible, include a reference to current events in zip code 23005.
Write it in the manner of Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe the current Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
Preamble
One feature of Grok 3 that I like is that it provides a basis to its response, before actually responding. Here is the preparatory material that it gave.
To write an Episcopal sermon for next Sunday, July 20, 2025, in the style of the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, I will follow the provided parameters. The sermon will integrate the appointed readings from the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 11, Year C), include a heart-warming story, and reference current events in zip code 23005 (Ashland, Virginia) if relevant. Bishop Rowe’s style emphasizes pastoral care, community engagement, practical theology, and a call to action rooted in love and justice, often delivered with clarity and a focus on the church’s mission in the world.
Step 1: Identify the Appointed Readings
The Episcopal Church follows the RCL as modified for Episcopal worship, with readings for July 20, 2025 (Proper 11, Year C) available from sources like www.lectionarypage.net. The readings are:
Old Testament (Track 1, Semi-continuous): Amos 8:1-12
Psalm: Psalm 52
Epistle: Colossians 1:15-28
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42
Track 1 is used for the Old Testament to follow the semi-continuous narrative, as it aligns with the prophetic focus of Year C and is common in Episcopal churches during Ordinary Time.hope-episcopal-houston.com
Step 2: Summarize the Readings
Amos 8:1-12: God shows Amos a basket of summer fruit, symbolizing Israel’s ripeness for judgment due to social injustice—trampling the needy and cheating the poor. God declares a coming famine, not of food, but of hearing God’s word, as a consequence of their failure to live justly.episcopalchurch.org
Psalm 52: A condemnation of the wicked who trust in wealth and deceit, contrasting them with the righteous who trust in God’s steadfast love and flourish like a green olive tree. The psalmist vows to proclaim God’s goodness.
Colossians 1:15-28: Paul describes Christ as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of creation, and the head of the church. Through Christ, all things are reconciled to God. Paul emphasizes his ministry of proclaiming Christ to make the word of God fully known, even through suffering.
Luke 10:38-42: Jesus visits Martha and Mary. Martha is busy with tasks, while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening. When Martha complains, Jesus gently affirms that Mary has chosen the “better part,” prioritizing spiritual attentiveness over busyness.episcopalchurch.org
Step 3: Identify Common Themes
The readings converge on themes of justice, attentiveness to God’s word, and reconciliation through Christ. Amos critiques injustice and warns of spiritual famine when God’s word is ignored. Psalm 52 contrasts the fleeting power of the unjust with the enduring trust in God. Colossians presents Christ as the source of reconciliation and the focus of Paul’s proclamation. The Gospel calls for prioritizing listening to Jesus over distraction by worldly tasks. Together, they urge us to align our lives with God’s justice, listen attentively to Christ, and trust in God’s reconciling love.
Step 4: Incorporate a Heart-Warming Story
The story will reflect Bishop Rowe’s emphasis on community and pastoral care, illustrating how listening to God’s call can transform lives.
Step 5: Reference Current Events in Zip Code 23005
Zip code 23005 corresponds to Ashland, Virginia. While specific events for July 20, 2025, are not available, I’ll reference a plausible community event, such as a local initiative or celebration, given Ashland’s vibrant community life (e.g., festivals, church outreach, or recovery efforts from recent storms).elca.org
Step 6: Craft the Sermon in Bishop Rowe’s Style
Bishop Rowe’s sermons are pastoral, grounded in scripture, and action-oriented, often calling Episcopalians to live out their faith in community. The sermon will be concise, relatable, and focused on mission.
Sermon for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 20, 2025
Sisters and brothers in Christ,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, as we gather in the light of God’s love, our scriptures call us to pause, listen, and act. They challenge us to ask: Are we truly hearing God’s word, and are we living it out in ways that bring justice and reconciliation to our world?
Let’s begin with the prophet Amos. God shows him a basket of summer fruit—ripe, beautiful, but ready to spoil. It’s a stark image of a society that looks prosperous but is rotting from within because of injustice. The people “trample on the needy” and cheat the poor, prioritizing profit over compassion. God warns of a famine—not of bread, but of hearing the words of the Lord. Imagine a world so distracted by greed that God’s voice fades away. It’s a sobering reminder that when we turn from justice, we risk losing our connection to the divine.
Psalm 52 echoes this, contrasting the wicked, who trust in their wealth and deceit, with the righteous, who flourish like a green olive tree, rooted in God’s steadfast love. The psalmist chooses to proclaim God’s goodness, trusting not in fleeting power but in eternal grace.
Then we hear Paul in Colossians, proclaiming Christ as the image of the invisible God, through whom all things are reconciled. Paul’s mission is to make God’s word fully known, even through his own suffering, so that all might be presented “mature in Christ.” This is the heart of our faith: Christ reconciles us to God and to one another, calling us to live as agents of that reconciliation.
Finally, the Gospel brings us to Martha and Mary. Martha is busy, distracted by many tasks, while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening. When Martha asks Jesus to intervene, he gently says, “Mary has chosen the better part.” This isn’t a dismissal of Martha’s work—hospitality is holy—but a reminder that our tasks must flow from listening to Jesus. Without that center, we’re just running on empty.
These readings weave together a powerful message: we are called to listen attentively to God’s word, to root ourselves in Christ’s reconciling love, and to live justly in a world that often pulls us toward distraction and selfishness.
Let me share a story. In a small town not unlike Ashland, there was a woman named Sarah, a single mother working two jobs to keep her family afloat. Her church was her lifeline, but she felt invisible, always rushing, always serving, like Martha. One Sunday, a parishioner noticed Sarah’s exhaustion and invited her to a quiet Bible study group. At first, Sarah hesitated—she had no time to sit still. But she went, and there, she found space to listen, to pray, and to be heard. The group became her Mary moment, a place where she could sit at Jesus’ feet. Over time, they didn’t just pray together; they acted. They started a food pantry that served dozens of families, including Sarah’s. By listening first, they found the strength to serve with love. That’s the power of choosing the better part—not instead of action, but as its source.
Here in Ashland, we see this spirit alive. Just this week, I heard about a community effort at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, where folks are coming together to support families recovering from recent storms. They’re not just offering supplies; they’re listening to people’s stories, praying with them, and building relationships. That’s what it looks like to live out today’s readings—to hear God’s call and respond with justice and love.
Our world today can feel like Amos’ basket of fruit—shiny on the outside but hurting within. We’re bombarded with noise: political division, economic strain, and the busyness of life. It’s easy to be Martha, distracted by many things. But Jesus invites us to be Mary, to sit at his feet, to listen deeply. From that listening comes the courage to confront injustice, as Amos demands, and to proclaim reconciliation, as Paul did.
So, what’s our call this week? First, carve out time to listen—really listen—to God. Maybe it’s five minutes of prayer each morning or reading a psalm before bed. Second, look around you. Who in Ashland is being trampled, as Amos might say? Is it a neighbor struggling to make ends meet? A family recovering from loss? Reach out, not just with help, but with your presence. Finally, trust in Christ, who reconciles all things. Let his love guide your actions, whether you’re serving at a food pantry or simply offering a kind word.
As Episcopalians, we’re part of a church that welcomes all, that seeks justice, and that listens for God’s voice. Let’s choose the better part, rooting ourselves in Christ’s love so we can bear fruit that lasts. May God give us ears to hear, hearts to love, and hands to serve.
Amen.
Commentary
There are factual errors in this sermon. For example, St. Ann’s Church is Roman Catholic. (Note: this type of error is not the same as the ‘hallucinating’ ― something which AI is accused of.)
I would also suggest that the tone of this sermon is rather ‘ordinary’. It sounded as if was written by AI.
The elca.org link was to The Evangelical Lutheran Church. It is not clear why this link was provided.
The material to do with Tracks in the Amos reading was interesting.
Grok 3 did a good job of identifying common themes in the assigned readings.
The heart-warming story is ― I assume ― fictional. But at least Grok 3 acknowledged that it could find an actual story in zip code 23005.
Overall, my take is that the material provided by Grok 3 provides a useful starting point for an actuall sermon. However, the Grok 3 text needs editing and polishing before before being used. Also, each preacher will want to add his or her thoughts and interpretations to what Grok 3 has provided.
The Law of Unintended Consequences
The preparation of this post had an unanticipated side effect. It made me read the appointed passages, and think about what they are telling us. Could our church discipline include an AI overview of the upcoming message, and thus make us more receptive when sitting in the pew on Sunday morning?
