This Is The One – A Palm Sunday Sermon On Matthew 21:1-11

Palm Sunday – Matthew 21:1-11 Most years Palm Sunday tends to focus on the palms. But not this year. This year there is no palm procession. We’re not waving our palms and children aren’t having sword fights with theirs. We’re not walking into the church together singing All glory, laud, and honor and “the lips of children [are not making] sweet hosannas ring.” There are … Continue reading This Is The One – A Palm Sunday Sermon On Matthew 21:1-11

Michael K. MarshApril 5, 20208 Comments

Holy Week, Liturgy

The Pandemic Is Our Holy Week

The COVID-19 pandemic does not stand as a barrier or in opposition to Holy Week. The pandemic is our Holy Week. We don’t need to try and make Holy Week “normal” or like previous years. We need to experience and connect to Holy Week, not in spite of what is happening, but through what is happening. Continue reading The Pandemic Is Our Holy Week

Michael K. MarshApril 4, 202020 Comments

Prayer

A Prayer For Law Enforcement Officers

We thank you, O Lord, for the women and men in law enforcement, for their willingness to answer the call to protect and serve, and for their dedication to the safety, well-being, and protection of others. Send your holy angels to stand guard and keep watch over them. May their names be always on the lips of your saints in prayer. Defend them day by … Continue reading A Prayer For Law Enforcement Officers

Michael K. MarshApril 1, 20202 Comments

Prayer

A Prayer For Healthcare Providers

We thank you, O Lord, for all who dedicate themselves to the study and practice of healing. Bless physicians, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and all others who minister to the sick and suffering. Grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy, and patience. Give them strength when they are weary, hope when they despair, faith when they doubt, and light when they stand in darkness. Keep them and … Continue reading A Prayer For Healthcare Providers

Michael K. MarshMarch 31, 2020March 31, 202010 Comments

Sermon

And You Shall Live – A Sermon On Ezekiel 37:1-14

Last week we stood in the valley of the shadow of death. This week we stand in the valley of dry bones. They’re not two different valleys. Both are the valley of COVID-19. How fortunate are we that today the valley of dry bones is one of our assigned scripture readings? It’s exactly what we, our country, and our world need to hear. Continue reading And You Shall Live – A Sermon On Ezekiel 37:1-14

Michael K. MarshMarch 29, 202018 Comments

Lent, Sermon

All Shall Be Well – A Sermon On Psalm 23 And COVID-19

“All shall be well. All shall be well. Every manner of thing shall be well.”

I hope you will hold on to what those words say. Let them bind you to faith, hope, and love, and connect you to one another. The theme of those words – all shall be well – is the thread that runs through today’s psalm. Continue reading All Shall Be Well – A Sermon On Psalm 23 And COVID-19

Michael K. MarshMarch 22, 2020March 22, 202017 Comments

Lent, Reflection

The First Sunday Of COVID-19 – A Reflection On Exodus 17:1-7

It was The Third Sunday in Lent. We had planned to celebrate the Holy Eucharist beginning with the penitential order. It ended up being a different kind of Sunday; not your usual Third Sunday in Lent. We omitted the penitential order and began the liturgy with a prayer concerning COVID-19. There was no water in the baptismal font. Instead, the font was filled with small … Continue reading The First Sunday Of COVID-19 – A Reflection On Exodus 17:1-7

Michael K. MarshMarch 18, 202011 Comments

Litany, Prayer

A Prayer Concerning COVID-19

God the Father, your will for all people is health and salvation;We praise you and thank you, O Lord. God the Son, you came that we might have life, and might have it more abundantly;We praise you and thank you, O Lord. God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temple of your presence;We praise you and thank you, O Lord. Holy Trinity, one … Continue reading A Prayer Concerning COVID-19

Michael K. MarshMarch 14, 2020March 18, 20207 Comments

Ash Wednesday, Lent, Sermon

The Perfect Question For Ash Wednesday – An Ash Wednesday Sermon

Ash Wednesday – Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” That’s the last line of Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Summer Day.” I had never thought of my life as wild and precious until I read her question. I love the invitation, freedom, and curiosity it expresses. It’s expansive. It opens my heart. It … Continue reading The Perfect Question For Ash Wednesday – An Ash Wednesday Sermon

Michael K. MarshFebruary 26, 2020February 26, 20207 Comments

Sermon, Social Justice

Stop Doing The Religious Thing – A Sermon On Isaiah 58:1-12

I’m going to ask you to do a couple of things and I hope you will indulge me for a bit. I want you to think of one thing that is going on in the world today that is important and matters to you. Something that you keep up with in the news, that you have opinions and beliefs about, and that maybe you even post about in social media or talk about with those who are like minded. Continue reading Stop Doing The Religious Thing – A Sermon On Isaiah 58:1-12

Michael K. MarshFebruary 9, 2020February 9, 202010 Comments

Interrupting the Silence

An Episcopal Priest's Sermons, Prayers, and Reflections on Life, Becoming Human, and Discovering Our Divinity

Author: Michael K. Marsh