I have a very weird Lenten practice which I’ve attempted to hold to over the last few years. I’m a reader. I’ve always read books. It is the thing I am most likely to do given more than a few minutes free time. Somehow a few years back at the start of Lent, a rhyme that brides use . . . . Continue Reading »
Scripture ReadingsIntroit: Ps. 91:1–2, 9–10, 13; antiphon 15-16Psalm of the Day: Ps. 32; antiphon v. 7Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 32:22–32Gradual: Ps. 91:11–12Epistle Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 4:1–7Verse: Ps. 91:1, 4a, 15a, 16Gospel Lesson: Matthew 15:21–28Lectionary . . . . Continue Reading »
A sermon by my colleague, Rev. Dr. Benjamin Mayes, on this day of St. Matthias, Apostle and Martyr.Unremarkable MatthiasIn the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Dearly Beloved:Matthias is unremarkable. We have his feast on our Evangelical-Lutheran church year calendar simply . . . . Continue Reading »
A recent post by Christopher Benson on the Sunday of Orthodoxy in which he mused about the anathematising of the iconoclasts ... and what that says about him as a non-icon worshipping Christian. I’m not going to essay and defence of icons, the Lossky/Ousspensky book (The Meaning of Icons) is . . . . Continue Reading »
The Scriptures Appointed for TodayThe Introit: Psalm 91:1-2, 9-10, 13The Psalter: Psalm 32Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 3:1–21The Gradual: Psalm 91:11–12aEpistle Lesson: 2 Corinthians 6:1–10The Verse: Psalm 91:1, 4, 15–16The Gospel: Matthew 4:1–11Jesus Does Battle in Our . . . . Continue Reading »
This Sunday marks “Sunday of Orthodoxy,” also known as “Triumph of Orthodoxy,” a date that meant nothing to me a few years ago because it is only observed in the liturgical calendar of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Two of my close friends, one who converted to Orthodoxy from . . . . Continue Reading »
The West and East count Lent differently. Lent for the West begins today, with Ash Wednesday. Lent is counted 40 days to Easter and Sunday’s during that period are not part of Lent. For the East, Lent began Monday, Sundays are counted and Lent ends on Friday before Lazarus Saturday (followed . . . . Continue Reading »
Joel 2:12–192 Peter 1:2–11Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21Return to the Lord Your God with All Your HeartWith Jesus, we set our face toward Jerusalem. We make our pilgrimage with Him by the way of repentance, and thus return to the dying and rising of Holy Baptism. Each day He summons you to . . . . Continue Reading »
Philemon was a prominent first-century Christian who owned a slave named Onesimus. Although the name “Onesimus” means “useful,” Onesimus proved himself “useless” when he ran away from his master and perhaps even stole from him (Philemon 18). Somehow Onesimus came . . . . Continue Reading »
The Scripture Readings Appointed for Quinquagesima Introit: Ps. 31:1, 5, 9, 16; antiphon: Ps. 31:2b–3Psalm of the day: Psalm 89:18-29 (antiphon: 20)Old Testament: 1 Samuel 16:1–13Gradual: Psalm. 77:14–15Epistle: 1 Corinthians 13:1–13Verse: Ps. 100:1–3Gospel: Luke . . . . Continue Reading »
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