Sermons

Church Homily – August 15: Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ History Assumption of Our Lady This feast originated in Jerusalem before the fifth century as the “Falling-Asleep of the Mother of God.” It was adopted in Rome in the mid-seventh century and was renamed the “Assumption” in the next century. It celebrates Mary’s passing over, body and soul, from this world into the glory of her risen Son. [1] Mostly a Catholic feast, although not exclusively so. Like the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption was not always an official dogma of the Roman Catholic Church – not until Pope Pius XII ruled it so in 1950. It is, however, a pious belief held by some Orthodox Christians and some Anglicans. It is regarded as the principal feast day of the Virgin Mother. link Catholics response: are currently sensitive to the long tradition of devotion to Mary that looked and felt a whole lot like worship. I suspect there will be many homilies preached today ...

August 5:Ordinary Time, Proper 13: Supply St. Paul’s, Ft. Mill Introduction Sometimes the Episcopal Church makes the craziest decisions. I’ve been serving in it long enough I feel like I have been serving in it long enough I can poke fun. Like you know how there are introductory words to various parts of the liturgy that kind of rattle off the lips without thinking? Who was it who thought it would be a good idea to have two different sets? One for Rite 1 and one for Rite 2. When I say, “The Lord be with you.” Do you say “And with thy spirit” or do you say “And also with you.” And if we’re in a mixed audience and I hear someone next to me responding – the other way – I think to myself, “Oh, you’re one of those!” I know the liturgical reformers in the 60’s and 70’s had good intentions. But … The opening of the Eucharist is almost the same – except for the Lenten response. Some of us are supposed to remember that it is “Bless the Lord who forgiveth all our sins” rather than “Bless...

Homily: St. Paul’s July 29 Welcome & Thank you It’s certainly been a while since I was last here and it’s good to be back. Thank you to your rector for inviting me to be with you during her vacation time this summer. Mary Pat is unable to be here today because of surgery she had on her foot at the beginning of the summer. The surgery was relatively straightforward but the recovery is a slow-going process. Telling the story (Narrative) Have you been following the magnificent story we’ve been hearing in the first reading this summer? It’s the Great David, introduced by the steady hand of – well sometimes the not so stay or accurate hand of – Samuel . And, of course, God who provides the winning hand. I’m so grateful to the adjusted readings we get because of the Common Lectionary . We get to listen to continuous readings from the Old Testament in a way we weren’t before the last 15 years or so. We’re in the midst of the narrative about David. It turns out David is really imp...