Category Archives: sermon

Christmas Eve: love you to Bethlehem and back

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Rosalind C Hughes

There is a tradition that the night between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is a time for miracles. Beatrix Potter, who wrote the Peter Rabbit books, said that, it is in the old story that all the beasts can talk, … Continue reading →

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Year B Advent 4: Annunciation

Posted on December 21, 2014 by Rosalind C Hughes

The archangel had had a busy season. Nothing is heard of him for the greater part of the Bible, but now within six months he has visited Zechariah in the temple to announce the advent of John, who would become … Continue reading →

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Healing the holidays homily 2014 edition: holding out on hope

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Rosalind C Hughes

Six months before the Angel Gabriel to earth came down, as the story goes, he was hanging out in Jerusalem, visiting with Zechariah. Zechariah and Elizabeth were much older than Mary – which is not to say that the young … Continue reading →

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Annunciation and assent

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Rosalind C Hughes

Ave Accustomed to many perplexing forms of greeting from the ridiculous to the ribald, when hailed by the sublime she was only mildly bemused, hardly struck dumb at all. Maria Accustomed to the music of her name on the lips … Continue reading →

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Year B Advent 3: Do not quench the Spirit

Posted on December 14, 2014 by Rosalind C Hughes

It really wasn’t the first time I’d spoken up at church. I mean, I’d been reading the Lessons since I was twelve; I’d been on the PCC, which is a rough English translation of Vestry. I’d taught Sunday School, participated … Continue reading →

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Do not quench the spirit

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Rosalind C Hughes

From the Lectionary for Year B Advent 3: 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the spirit, pour cold water on its fervour; be afraid of the passion it inflames; that is only the beginning of wisdom. Let it burn. Do … Continue reading →

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Year B Advent 2: Comfort ye my people

Posted on December 7, 2014 by Rosalind C Hughes

This sermon quotes liberally and loosely the lectionary readings for the day throughout: Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85, 2 Peter 3:8-15, Mark 1:1-8 Comfort, comfort ye my people. The history of this oracle is the return of the Exiles from Babylon … Continue reading →

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Wild honey

Posted on December 6, 2014 by Rosalind C Hughes

I will not be preaching about John the Baptist tomorrow, but I have been thinking about his wild honey habit and the sweetness of such mercies found along the way. Each of my mothers, who were both called Ann(e), had … Continue reading →

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Advent meditation: parables, fools, and poetry

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Rosalind C Hughes

Written for the Diocese of Ohio Advent meditations collection, Advent 2014 (see more at http://www.dohio.org) Readings for Thursday of the First Week of Advent: Psalm 118: 19-24; Isaiah 26: 1-6; Matthew 7: 21-27 Rock of Ages They called him a … Continue reading →

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Poisonous legacies and new tongues

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Rosalind C Hughes

The basic hagiography of Francis Xavier goes something like this: Born in 1506 in the Navarre region of France, Francis met Ignatius of Loyola as a young man, and was greatly influenced by his friendship. Together, with others, they formed … Continue reading →

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