An Episcopal Priest's Sermons, Prayers, and Reflections on Life, Becoming Human, and Discovering Our Divinity
“Blessed.” Jesus says that word nine times in today’s gospel (Matthew 5:1-12). We often talk about ourselves or others as being blessed. “I’m blessed.” “She’s blessed.” “We’re really blessed.” You’ve said and heard those things, right? But here’s what I…
Read More We’re All Blessed – A Sermon On Matthew 5:1-12
Forty days after Christmas the infant Jesus was presented in the temple of Jerusalem and placed in the arms of the old man Simeon (Luke 2:22-40) who declared: Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace…
Read More Blessing Candles on the Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas)
The Book of Occasional Services, one of the liturgical books in the Episcopal Church, offers several blessings specific to seasons and feast days. It does not, however, offer a blessing specific to the Feast of the Presentation, a major feast…
Read More A Blessing Specific to the Feast of the Presentation
The Church has a custom of blessing homes (as well as proclaiming the date of Easter) on the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) and the week following. Family and friends gather to ask God’s blessing on their homes and…
Read More Epiphany House Blessing with Chalk
A Thanksgiving for America Almighty God, giver of all good gifts; we thank you For this nation, our heritage, and for calling us to be the United States of America; For the founders of this country, the liberty they won…
Read More Independence Day Prayers for America
Last evening, May 1, our parish celebrated its feast day, the Feast of St. Philip. The evening included Holy Eucharist and a dedication and blessing of the newly completed labyrinth and prayer garden using the liturgy below. + + +…
Read More Blessing of a Labyrinth
In a previous post I wrote about blessing candles on the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple. But what about a blessing specific to the feast itself? The Book of Occasional Services offers several blessings specific…
Read More A Blessing for the Feast of the Presentation
May Almighty God enlighten the eyes of your heart to see that his blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above the heavens that he might fill all things. Amen. May he who ascended into heaven prepare a place…
Read More Ascension Day Blessing
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…
Read More Blessing Candles on the Presentation of our Lord
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…
Read More Epiphany House Blessing with Chalk
Interrupting the Silence 