Introduction to the Liturgy – The Gift of Peace – In today’s gospel, the Johannine Jesus promises his disciples the Spirit as well as his farewell gift of peace. The latter signified the restoration of harmonious relations between God and humankind but also a bond of accord among the believers...
Introduction to the Liturgy – Fishing and Shepherding – The liturgy today moves between earth and heaven. The gospel finds the apostles engaged in their now highly symbolic occupation as fishermen and Peter is given his mandate to provide for Christ’s flock. The first reading from Acts has the apostles...
Introduction to the Liturgy – Growth in Faith – The Sunday readings during the Easter cycle take a different tack. They are not woven together in the way to which we are accustomed. All three readings deal with the effects of the resurrection both on the individual believer and on...
From the Rector’s Desk – On behalf of the Most Reverend Bishop Guy Desrochers, the Reverend Deacon Adrien Chaput, the Reverend Seminarian Lukas Časta and myself, I wish all of an abundance of the joys and grace of the Resurrection. May the peace, joy and love of the Risen Lord...
Introduction to the Liturgy – The Passion – The liturgy of the word for Palm Sunday, with the reading of the passion, is considerably longer than on the ordinary Sunday. The accounts of Jesus’ final two days are the longest continuous narratives to be found in the gospels. Luke’s use...
Introduction to the Liturgy – Power of the Resurrection – Second Isaiah sees the impressive events of the original exodus as but a prelude to the Jews’ repatriation after the exile. It is God’s creative power that is at work in both events. Paul summarizes the meaning of his life...
Introduction to the Liturgy – Ministry of Reconciliation – The Christian life is basically one of reconciliation. All of us move from sin to grace, from alienation to friendship. Every ministry in the church is in some sense a reconciling one. For the Hebrews, the possession of the land was...
Introduction to the Liturgy – The Call and Complacency – On the occasion of Moses’ call to liberate his people from bondage, God also chose to reveal his name. This is one of the great moments of the Hebrew scriptures. But election is not synonymous with salvation, as Paul today...
Introduction to the Liturgy – Citizens of Heaven – In ancient times the making of a covenant or treaty was done in the interests of a just and peaceful future. In today’s reading from Genesis, an unusual form of covenant-making between God and Abram speaks to the future of people...
Introduction to the Liturgy – Salvation – In the ritual for the giving of thanks after the harvest, the Israelite offerer prayed a brief summary of salvation history. This actualizing of past experience is contained in today’s first reading. It stresses the collective dimension of salvation. Paul reminds us that...
