Category: Liturgical Feasts and Fasts
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A Sermon for The Feast of the Epiphany – Matthew 2:1-12
The collect and readings for the Feast of the Epiphany may be found here. —– I wonder what they saw in the sky that first night. What was it that got them thinking? What was it that motivated them to pack and begin a journey to who knew where? Something had been revealed to them.… Read more
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Becoming Epiphany
The Feast of the Epiphany is one of the seven principal feasts of the church year with a fixed date of January 6. In the Western Church it focuses on the coming of the magi and their adoration of the baby. In the Eastern Church epiphany—usually called the theophany— is about the baptism of Jesus.… Read more
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The Manger Is Not In Bethlehem – A Christmas Sermon On Luke 2:1-20
The collect and readings for Christmas may be found here. Every one of us could probably tell the Christmas story. We know it well. A young virgin named Mary conceives a child by the Holy Spirit. She and her betrothed, Joseph, travel to Bethlehem by order of the emperor. There Mary gives birth in a… Read more
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A Strange Mystery
Today a strange mystery has been fulfilled; for nature has been renewed and God has become human. Yes, he remains ever the same, divine, but has now taken on to himself what he had not before, humanity. The two, divinity and humanity, exist as one neither being commingled nor separated. O Lord, you came to… Read more
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The Final Work of Advent
“Now the birth of Jesus took place in this way….” (Matthew 1:18-25) Matthew’s description of how the birth happens does not mention anything that is on my to-do list. So maybe the real work, the final work of Advent, is to get out of the way and let the baby be born. Get out of the… Read more
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Nativity Prayer of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
“Let your goodness Lord appear to us, that we, made in your image, may conform ourselves to it. In our own strength we cannot imitate your majesty, power, and wonder nor is it fitting for us to try. But your mercy reaches from the heavens through the clouds to the earth below. You have come to us as a… Read more
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Mothers of God
“We are all meant to be mothers of God. What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the divine Son takes place unceasingly, but does not take place within myself? And, what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace if I am not also full of grace? What… Read more
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Playing King of the Hill – A Sermon for the Feast of Christ the King, Luke 23:33-43
The collect and reading for the Feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday after Pentecost, may be found here. The appointed gospel is Luke 23:33-43. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus… Read more
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Choosing Our Blessings And Our Woes: An All Saints’ Day Sermon on Luke 6:20-31
The Feast of All Saints is on November 1. The Book of Common Prayer, however, permits it to be celebrated on the Sunday following November 1. The collect and readings for the day may be found here. The appointed gospel is Luke 6:20-31. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you… Read more
Interrupting the Silence 