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A Homily for Tuesday in the Fifth Week of Lent

St Mary’s Chapel, Nashotah House Theological Seminary

O Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men: Grant unto thy people that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

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A Homily for Friday in the First Week of Lent

St Mary’s Chapel, Nashotah House Theological Seminary

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

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A Homily for the Feast of the Epiphany

St Aldhelm, Vulcan

Eternal God, who by a star led wise men to the worship of your Son. Guide by your light the nations of the earth, that the whole world may know your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

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A Homily for the Fourth Sunday in Advent

St James, Calgary

Heavenly Father, who chose the Virgin Mary, full of grace, to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour, now fill us with your grace, that we in all things may embrace your will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

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A Homily for the Commemoration of All Faithful Departed

St Mary’s Chapel, Nashotah House Theological Seminary

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your servants, and grant them an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

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A Homily for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

St James, Calgary

Almighty God, you have broken the tyranny of sin and sent into our hearts the Spirit of your Son. Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that all people may know the glorious liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

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A Homily for the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Holy Cross, Calgary & St Aldhelm’s, Vulcan

O GOD Most High, who didst endue with wonderful virtue and grace the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord: Grant that we, who now call her blessed, may be made very members of the heavenly family of him who was pleased to be called the first-born among many brethren; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.

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A Homily for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Holy Cross, Calgary

Almighty God, you sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your Church. Open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love, joy, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

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Sing we of the Blessèd Mother

Sing we of the blessèd Mother (St Lk 1. 42, 48b)
who received the angel’s word, (St Lk 1. 30-33)
And obedient to his summons (St Lk 1. 38)
Bore in love the infant Lord; (St L1 1. 46b-48a)
Sing we of the joys of Mary
At whose breast that child was fed (St Lk 11. 27)
Who is Son of God eternal (St Lk 1. 33; St Jn 1. 1, 2)
And the everlasting Bread. (St Jn 6. 35)

Sing we, too, of Mary’s sorrows,
Of the sword that pierced her through, (St Lk 2. 34, 35)
When beneath the cross of Jesus
She his weight of suffering knew,
Looked upon her Son and Saviour (St Jn 19. 25b)
Reigning high on Calvary’s tree,
Saw the price of man’s redemption
Paid to set the sinner free. (Eph 1. 7; I St Pt 1. 18, 19; 2. 24)

Sing again the joys of Mary
When she saw the risen Lord,
And in prayer with Christ’s apostles,
Waited on his promised word; (Acts 1. 14)
From on high the blazing glory
Of the Spirit’s presence came,
Heavenly breath of God’s own being,
Manifest through wind and flame. (Acts 2. 2-4)

Sing the chiefest joy of Mary
When on earth her work was done,
And the Lord of all creation
Brought her to his heavenly home; (Rev 11. 19)
Virgin Mother, Mary blessèd,
Raised on high and crowned with grace, (Rev 12. 1)
May your Son, the world’s redeemer,
Grant us all to see his face.