Category Archives: sermon

Of refrigerators, the Borg, and Jesus’ prayer for his disciples

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

A homily for Unity at the first Euclid Ecumenical Service at the Cathedral Worship Center of Euclid, Ohio We read from John 17. You know those public prayers where the person praying ostensibly addresses themselves to God, but in reality … Continue reading →

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The chasms fixed between us

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

A sermon on Luke 16:19-31: the parable of the rich man and Lazarus The parable describes a way of life which starkly separates the rich man from the poor, the privileged from the dispossessed. It describes how these differences and … Continue reading →

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Rich blessings

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

An ironic title, given the gospel text? This Sunday, we hear of Lazarus and the rich man, known by some as Dives, although that may or may not be what his brothers called him. Paul warns that the love of … Continue reading →

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Pray even for kings

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

A sermon for Year C Proper 20: Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13 For Paul to write in his letter that we should pray for kings is akin almost to Jesus’ commandment that we pray for our enemies. When you consider … Continue reading →

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Character reference 

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

This week’s readings focus on character.  The virtues of honesty, faithfulness, and godliness are lifted up; although the “advice” of Jesus to “make friends by means of dishonest wealth” is a bit of a curveball. Those of us who grew … Continue reading →

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One in a hundred

Posted on September 11, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

The perfect thing about a parable is that it is not a fixed allegory, where this means that. It is not a code to be broken, but an invitation to find ourselves in the lifelong story of God’s relationship with the sheep of His pasture, the people of God’s hand. Continue reading →

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Blessings lost and found

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

This week’s post is late, partly because I’m on vacation, but also because I have had some struggles settling into a place of blessing in this week’s gospel reading. It should be easy: we love the idea that God would gladly … Continue reading →

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Blessings and challenges

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

When I read this Sunday’s Gospel lesson, and saw that Paul’s – let’s be honest – somewhat cringeworthy letter to Philemon was also up for consideration, I wondered if I might have waited on this new, lectionary-based blessings project until … Continue reading →

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The banquet

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

No sermon this Sunday, simply the observation that today’s Gospel whispered to me of those times that you have slipped into the back of the church, trying to melt into the shadows cast by the dark-wood pews, sure only of … Continue reading →

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God bless you and keep you

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

There is a moment towards the end of the Holy Eucharist service in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer where The Bishop when present, or the Priest, may bless the people. For special services – the Thanksgiving for a Child, … Continue reading →

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