Category Archives: sermon

Advent I

Posted on November 29, 2025 by Rosalind C Hughes

It is not as simple as the poet makes it sound to transform the form of metal, a sword into farm equipment. Just hit it with a hammer, the prophecy implies, and all will fall, seeds into their furrows and … Continue reading →

Posted in advent meditations, current events, holy days, lectionary reflection, preparing for Sunday with poetry, sermon preparation | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Seven

Posted on November 5, 2025 by Rosalind C Hughes

And then, imagine it from her point of view: seven lifetimes of love, regret, loss, laughter. Seven lifetimes of abuse – pray not. Seven lifetimes of blessing, despite the woes, hope despite it all. Seven lifetimes and here, in eternity, … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry, preparing for Sunday with poetry, sermon preparation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Woe to you who are self-satisfied

Posted on November 2, 2025 by Rosalind C Hughes

Be the blessing that will bring us closer to the kingdom of God that Mary and Hannah sang of. Do the good in this moment, at this time and in this place, that will let others know the enduring love of God, who feeds us on bread and wine. Listen, heed the warnings that Jesus offers to those who think that they are untouched by the needs of others. Love God, love your neighbour, change their world, change our world. Continue reading →

Posted in holy days, homily, lectionary reflection, sermon | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All hallows

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Rosalind C Hughes

It took so long to get the fire lit, even though the wind blew as though the Holy Spirit fanned the flames of Pentecost herself. The children in their costumes came and went without judgement, candy-sweet. When the tinder finally … Continue reading →

Posted in holy days, poetry, prayer, preparing for Sunday with poetry, story | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Contempt and condemnation

Posted on October 26, 2025 by Rosalind C Hughes

There’s a deep irony to this parable, that whenever we read it, we are tempted, aren’t we, to mutter, “Thank God I’m not like that Pharisee!” … Continue reading →

Posted in homily, lectionary reflection, sermon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Persistence (a sermon)

Posted on October 19, 2025 by Rosalind C Hughes

You’ve heard it said that prayer is not about changing God, but about changing us. That, I think, is what this parable and these teachings are about. God is not slow to love every piece and person of creation; so let’s pray persistently and consistently and robustly and resiliently until we are changed into God’s likeness, and enabled and equipped and encouraged to act in God’s image and will, and in solidarity with those crying out to God for the justice that is mercy. Continue reading →

Posted in homily, lectionary reflection, sermon | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The little flower

Posted on October 1, 2025 by Rosalind C Hughes

The salvation of the world is not in our hands, but the promise of prayer is. And while the peace of God passes our understanding, it is at hand. It is found in the smallest act of love, a little flower growing between the cracks of a fractured and fractious world, persistent in its beauty, brave in its beauty, and unstoppable in its reach toward the sun. Continue reading →

Posted in holy days, homily, sermon | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Jealousy vs joy

Posted on September 14, 2025 by Rosalind C Hughes

Jealousy is the thief of joy. It keeps the elder brother from the family reunion. It prevents the citizen from celebrating the rescue of the refugee, the wealthy from celebrating Jesus’ announcement of good news for the poor and the meek. It resents the love of God for its rival, and leads to the casting of golden calves to spite them all. It clouds the vision of the scribes so that they do not even recognize the Word of God when he is standing right in front of them, telling stories from heaven. Continue reading →

Posted in current events, homily, lectionary reflection, sermon | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Foundering

Posted on September 13, 2025 by Rosalind C Hughes

As though created in mid-air and surprised, the lamb fell without foothold down the cliff and into the stream where we, speechless, sandwiches halfway to open mouths watched it pick up and shake itself back to life , quiet waters … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry, preparing for Sunday with poetry | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

To count them

Posted on September 5, 2025 by Rosalind C Hughes

A meditation on verses from Psalm 139

Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry, prayer, preparing for Sunday with poetry, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment