Interrupting the Silence

Category: Liturgical Feasts and Fasts

  • Blessing Candles on the Presentation of our Lord

    The Feast of the Presentation, celebrated on February 2, is one of the major feasts in the church year. It is sometimes known as Candlemas or the Feast of the Purification. This feast is celebrated forty days after Christmas and commemorates the presentation of Jesus and the purification of Mary in the Jerusalem temple (Luke… Read more

  • A Sermon on Luke 3:15-17, 21-22: The Baptism of Jesus

    A priest-friend of mine tells this story about a family he knows. It seems a young boy had been at home all day with his mother. He had been a terror all day long. With each incident the mother responded, “You just wait until your dad gets home.” Evening came and the dad got home… Read more

  • Carriers of the Treasure, Everyone a Magi

    “Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Every one of us comes here today bearing gifts. That is one of the truth’s about the Epiphany. It is true not only on this day but every day. Many of us, however, have never been told this. If we have been… Read more

  • Epiphany House Blessing with Chalk

    The Church has a custom of blessing homes on the Feast of the Epiphany and the week following. Family and friends gather to ask God’s blessing on their homes and those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings,… Read more

  • Epiphany Proclamation 2013

    An ancient practice of the Church is The Epiphany Proclamation. During the liturgy on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, the Church proclaims the date of Easter as well as other feast and fast dates. The Proclamation proclaims not only dates but the reality that our lives are to be lived in rhythm with and… Read more

  • The Choice, A Reflection on the Feast of the Holy Innocents

    Just a few days into Christmas and the liturgical calendar confronts us with the Feast of the Holy Innocents. “When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under” (Mt. 2:16). The… Read more

  • Remembering St. John of Damascus

    Today, December 4, is the Feast of St. John of Damascus. The following are posts on this blog related to St. John: Why Matter Matters The Feast of St. John of Damascus The Feast of the Transfiguration A Strange Mystery What are your Icons? Confirm our minds, O Lord, in the mysteries of the true… Read more

  • Unbinding and Letting Go of the Past

    “If only….” “If only he hadn’t died.” “If only she hadn’t left.” If only I had made a different decision.” “If only I hadn’t said that.” “If only I had not done that.” “If only things were like they used to be.” I suspect all of us have, at some time, lived an “if only”… Read more

  • A Blessing for All Saints

    May Almighty God, to whose glory we celebrate this festival of all the Saints, be now and evermore your guide and companion in the way. Amen. May God, who has bound us together in the company of the elect, in this age and the age to come. Attend to the prayers of his faithful servants… Read more