Category Archives: sermon

Opportunist

Posted on September 16, 2021 by Rosalind C Hughes

Robin alighted as soon as I mowed the first swathe of grass,  an aspiring scavenger sifting the cuttings for prey. Undeterred by the turning blade, it tilted an eye  as though to say, we are not so different, you and … Continue reading →

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But who do you say that I am?

Posted on September 12, 2021 by Rosalind C Hughes

This poem was first published at the Episcopal Cafe When Christ confronted the demons, they cried outin loud voices and with forked tongues,“We know who you are, Holy One, Son of God,hope of the nations and light of the world!”And … Continue reading →

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Vengeance is not ours

Posted on August 29, 2021 by Rosalind C Hughes

When we allow even small things to breed evil intentions in our hearts, to divide us from the humanity of another, we are headed for trouble. Jesus is heading us off, reminding us to stay close to God’s law: the law that begins with loving God, and ends with loving our neighbours as ourselves. To develop and feed habits of the heart and soul that lead to life, rather than to revenge. Continue reading →

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To whom shall we go?

Posted on August 22, 2021 by Rosalind C Hughes

I do not know another way that leads to eternal life, in this life and the next. I do know that if I abide in him, however imperfectly, he will stay with me, for he is faithful, and merciful, and his love endures for ever. Continue reading →

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On Spiritual Communion

Posted on August 15, 2021 by Rosalind C Hughes

Even if I could not yet receive the Bread and the Wine bodily, it was important beyond measure that they were consecrated, and that others, some-bodies, shared them on my behalf and enfolded me in their mysteries. Continue reading →

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A sustaining hope

Posted on August 8, 2021 by Rosalind C Hughes

The interventions of God, strength for the journey, can come from humans sweating over laboratory test tubes as easily and as often as angels baking on hot stones. Continue reading →

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Some people are never satisfied

Posted on August 1, 2021 by Rosalind C Hughes

I wonder how many evictions one trip into the atmosphere could offset. Continue reading →

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The faithful shepherd

Posted on July 18, 2021 by Rosalind C Hughes

The Incarnation of Christ is the certainty that God has experienced and undergone all that drags us down into that valley. God is with us in its depths, with rod and staff, the faithful shepherd. Continue reading →

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A red, white, and blue sermon

Posted on July 4, 2021 by Rosalind C Hughes

Might we be just a little afraid of what might happen if we allow ourselves truly to be changed, converted, transformed by the grace of our Saviour, Jesus Christ? Are we just a little concerned about going against the flow of popular culture, painting with a different brush, suggesting that mercy is greater than might and love more lasting than power; that even the great and the wise need repentance? Are we afraid to trade in our red, and blue, and whiteness for something in a soft velour? Continue reading →

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Do not invite death

Posted on June 27, 2021 by Rosalind C Hughes

We are not made in anyone’s image but God’s. We are not made for the corruption of death but for the covenant of life. Jesus does not love death or bloodshed – but Jesus loves us. Knowing this, how can we not consider turning from death to life; to pour out healing without counting the cost; to withhold death and restore relationship wherever it is possible; to deny the devil’s envy and replace it with love? Continue reading →

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