Tag Archives: book of common prayer

How to grow a prayer life

We have been transplanted into a new and enduring reality. We know now that this new situation will last longer than any of us imagined at the beginning. If we are not to be choked up by the troubles or cares of the world, we need to take care of the soil of our souls, and the loam of our lives, if we are to continue as good mediums for God’s Word. Continue reading

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Kamehameha and Emma

These two monarchs are commemorated with the same gospel as we read on Christ the King Sunday, because they modelled their reign on public service, serving as shepherds of their people, and feeding the flocks entrusted to them with justice and mercy, except, it seems, for the occasional accident. Continue reading

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God bless you and keep you

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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On a Wednesday

On Wednesdays, I think about my mother. Arise, shine, for your light has come, the daily morning prayer declares, on a Wednesday. I hear my mother calling, “Rise and shine!” Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory … Continue reading

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Psalm 14 (53)

Psalm 53 is included in today’s Daily Office readings. It is almost exactly the same as Psalm 14, which is included in this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary, except for the penultimate verse(s). The text of Psalm 14 is included below, … Continue reading

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The water cycle

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways my ways, says The Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earths so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as … Continue reading

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Hope

There is a Collect that I pray each morning as I wake up. Actually, I have to start it over a couple of times, because it really is my awakening prayer, and often I wake up more than once and … Continue reading

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Prayer cycle

It is fairly well accepted that a change of scenery, a new activity, can shake up our thinking; derail our trains of thought; get the wheels out of the grooves, the ruts they’ve been stuck in. My daughter tells me … Continue reading

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One verse, (second of) three translations

(See yesterday’s post for the first translation …) Second, the translation found in the Book of Common Prayer: [Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause;] you set me free when I am hard-pressed; [have mercy on … Continue reading

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The Archbishop of Canterbury: Poet, Politician, or Parable?

A Homily for Evensong at Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland, on the feast day of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop and Martyr, March 21st 2012 Thomas Cranmer: was he a romantic or an adventurer? A wise man or an opportunist? Was the man better … Continue reading

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