Category Archives: sermon

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

Posted on June 9, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

Earlier this week I posted “Unforgivable,” a meditation on how we read and receive the threat of unforgivable sin as presented in this week’s gospel. I shied away from defining the unpardonable; blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. I maintain that … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(no) Walking on the water

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

We are frequently offered an image of a Jesus who flouted lesser regulations; a transgressor of boundaries; a rebel. Is the story of the walk across the water an example of this?

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

Boniface, Missionary and Martyr

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

I read and hear often that the most effective way of introducing new people to the church (or vice versa) is by personal invitation to a friend, neighbour, or grocery checkout assistant. (Let’s leave aside for now the question of … Continue reading →

Posted in homily | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unforgivable

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

So you think you’ve committed the unpardonable, unforgivable, permanently staining sin. Welcome. It is amazing, isn’t it, that with all of the gospel good news telling us how much God loves us, how ready God is to forgive us, how … Continue reading →

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

The next verse

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

“not to condemn;” the part we too often judge to be forgettable.

Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Romans 8: 12-17

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

Belonging Belonging, left longing for freedom, longing for love; owned and disowned in one sweet, divided breath? No. Belonging, beloved; longed-for and loved, left wanting for nothing that father and mother of all can supply, owing no debt in pounds … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A study in contradictions

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

Psalm 29: One God, gloried by gods Breaking thunder. Powerful and splendid, breaking the cedars of Lebanon, breaking them down, bringing them joy, the joy of a child at play. Stricken lightning. Strong oaks writhe; the all too solid tree-flesh … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Isaiah 6: 1-8

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

the seraphs, shimmering as if aflame flew on strong winds bellowing the coals to life; even the heavenly hosts used borrowed tools to take cleansing fire to touch my lips, set loose my tongue. Burning from the outside in, swallowing … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The birthday of the Book of Common Prayer

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

This is an edited version of a sermon celebrating the anniversary of the first English Book of Common Prayer. The anniversary falls on June 9th, but it “is properly celebrated on a weekday following Pentecost,” (Lesser Feasts and Fasts) and my calendar … Continue reading →

Posted in sermon | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

And another (Pentecostal) thing …

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

With all the fuss about people hearing Galileans butchering their own languages with their heavy accents, where are the people curious about the fire sitting on top of these folks’ heads? (“Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and … Continue reading →

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