Reclaiming Religious Language: Christ Rev. T. J. FitzGerald

In his sermon, "Reclaiming Religious Language: Christ," Rev. T. J. FitzGerald explores the meaning of the word "Christ" through a Unitarian Universalist lens. He explains that "Christ" originally meant "anointed one," someone set apart to bring healing and change, not just a title for Jesus. He challenges common assumptions, questions claims of certainty, and names how the word has been used to justify harm, exclusion, and injustice. Rev. FitzGerald emphasizes that being "anointed" means caring for others, speaking truth, and standing with those on the margins. Rather than waiting for a savior, he invites us to see our shared responsibility and the "fire within each of us to bring healing, justice, and hope into the world. 📖 This sermon is part of our Reclaiming Religious Language Series In this series, we explore the religious words that shaped traditions before us and ask: What still speaks? What needs healing? What can we reclaim? Together, we will return again to the language of faith and engage with it honestly. We will reimagine what these words can mean for us now. 💚 Consider making a one-time contribution to First Church today. Your financial support allows us to provide our weekly livestream, produce Tiny Pulpit Talks - our weekly podcast, pay our staff, and make our UU values real in the world. 💲Give through PayPal, Venmo, & Apple Pay here: 🌎 Join our global movement of truth, justice, and love. No matter where you are in the world, we invite you to be a part of our community. Fill out a welcome card at the following link and we'll be in touch with resources to get started: First Unitarian Church of Dallas is devoted to genuine inclusion, depth and joy, reason and spirit. We have been a voice of progressive religion in Dallas since 1899, working toward a more just and compassionate world in all of what we do. We hope that when you come here your life is made more whole through experiences of love and service, spiritual growth, and an open exploration of the divine. Learn more at New sermon every week.

You can listen to Reclaiming Religious Language: Christ Rev. T. J. FitzGerald online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Reclaiming Religious Language: Christ Rev. T. J. FitzGerald is an episode from First Unitarian Dallas Podcast by First Unitarian Church of Dallas.

This episode is 22:52 long.

This episode was published on Mar 29, 2026.

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