One Way to Approach…, Proper 26 (A) – 2008
One way to approach scripture is by asking ourselves two questions. âWhatâs going on here?â is the first. It forces us to delve a little deeper, to see if we can get a handle on the passage in question and really understand it. The second question is âWhat does that mean for us?â This question […]
The Fourth Sunday of Easter Is…, Easter 4 (A) – 2008
This Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. In all three lectionary years â A, B, and C â we read the Good Shepherd monologue from the tenth chapter of John. It is a complicated passage, in that Jesus identifies himself as being the Good Shepherd, the Gatekeeper, and even the Gate […]
The Arrest, Trial, Torture…, Easter Day (A) – 2008
The arrest, trial, torture, and crucifixion of Jesus occupy the largest single incident in any one of the four gospels. This incident has been the most widely depicted of everything in Jesusâ life. Every detail of this grisly process seems to have been carefully recorded by the evangelists. The heart-rending details of the final suffering […]
There Are Two Senses…, Proper 17 (C) – 2007
There are two senses of the word “pride.” Sometimes “pride” refers to the self-respect and strength needed to sustain a group in the face of hardship. Thus we have the slogan used in one area of a small Midwestern city: “Pride in the South Side.” Pride of this kind can be acceptable, even necessary. Another […]
Today Is Rogation Sunday…, Easter 6 (C) – 2007
Today is Rogation Sunday, when the church has traditionally offered prayer for Godâs blessing on the fruits of the earth and the labors of humankind. The word ârogationâ is from the Latin rogare, âto ask.â Historically, the Rogation Days are a period of fasting and abstinence, asking Godâs blessing on the crops, for a bountiful […]
Today We Are Invited…, Ash Wednesday – 2007
Today we are invited to swim against the tide. Let us consider that invitation. In the name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A man was recalling his grandmother’s recipe collection. Some, he remembered, were in well-used cookbooks, and some were on index cards. But he recalled the oldest recipes in her vast collection […]
From the Presiding Bishop: A Word to the Church
I am writing to you in the light of the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio and the reactions to its decisions. A full report on the actions of General Convention is available online at the Episcopal Church’s website www.episcopalchurch.org. However, I want here to offer some reflections of my own. […]
Bishop Griswold addresses General Convention
My dear brothers and sisters. For a long time we have anticipated this moment and great numbers have people have worked very hard to prepare the way. To the Diocese of Southern Ohio I say on behalf of us all: many, many thanks for your warm welcome. To the volunteers I say that we could […]
Cuba: Presiding Bishop’s sermon affirms reconciliation
The importance of World Mission Sunday — observed February 26 across the Episcopal Church — was underscored as Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold preached in Havana, calling for reconciliation between the people of Cuba and the United States. The Most Rev. Frank T. GriswoldPresiding Bishop and PrimateThe Episcopal ChurchFebruary 26, 2006 Cathedral of the Holy Trinity […]
It Is the Custom…, Day of Pentecost (A) – 2005
Each one heard them speaking in the native language of each⦠Acts 2:6 It is the custom at some churches on the Day of Pentecost to arrange for a simultaneous reading of one or the other of todayâs Scripture lessons in multiple languages. Depending upon the linguistic gifts of members of the parish community, for […]
Pillars of understanding
Islamic foundations resemble traditional Christian practices By: Christopher Epting One of many interesting things about the study of the world’s religions is that it often leads to an invitation to examine one’s own religion closely, to critique it and, just as often, to appreciate it more fully. Just as Anglican theology frequently is described as […]
Born in 1496…, Proper 18 (C) – 2004
Born in 1496, John Colet was an English priest on the cusp of the English Reformation, the son of the Lord Mayor of London. He took an M.A. degree at Oxford before traveling to Italy to study canon and civil law, patristics, and Greek. He belonged to a group at Oxford known as the Platonic […]
A word to the Episcopal Church
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ: It has been a little more than six years since my investiture as Presiding Bishop. Over these last days I have been asked frequently – both in gatherings of bishops, clergy and lay people, and by reporters – about my view of the “state of the church.” As […]
For the House of Bishops
My dear brothers and sisters: The consent by the House of Deputies and bishops holding jurisdiction to the ordination and consecration of the Bishop-Coadjutor of New Hampshire has had consequences that are continuing to unfold, and we are each experiencing them in a variety of ways. In my view, the consecration itself was an occasion […]
Today’s Text from the Hebrew Scripture…, Proper 27 (B) – 2003
Today’s text from the Hebrew Scripture is appointed for use from the Common Lectionary used by many ecumenical partners and offered for optional use in the Episcopal Church. Most readings are the same as those noted in the Prayer Book lectionary. From time to time an alternative text is suggested in order to include texts […]
And Jesus Said to Him…, Proper 25 (B) – 2003
And Jesus said to him, Go your way; your faith has made you well. And immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way. There is a biography in print of a notorious crime figure who had been kidnapped and hidden from his family for months. After notifying his son of the time […]
The ‘gift of God’
Recently I spent several days at a Benedictine monastery in upstate New York. I have known the community there for the last 39 years, and its hospitality and brotherly affection have been an anchor in the various seasons of my life and ministry. As the events of our recent General Convention continue to unfold, I […]
Claiming our Anglican Charism
DURING OUR GENERAL Convention in Minneapolis, media observers frequently noted that the Episcopal Church set an example in dealing with highly contentious issues. One newspaper editorial noted our “thoughtfulness and mutual respect for one another.” Our “civility” was frequently remarked on, and our ability to articulate and hold very different points of view in a […]
Text of presiding bishop's orientation address
Presentation to General Convention The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold My dear brothers and sisters: we have long anticipated this moment, this privileged time during which we will seek, as best we can – knowing we are fallible and finite human beings – to discern God’s desire for this curious yet wonderful household we call […]
Toward General Convention
AS THIS ISSUE of Episcopal Life makes plain, preparations are well underway for the 74th General Convention. The Blue Book, official reports to the General Convention, has been carefully compiled, printed and circulated. Hotel and travel reservations have been made. And around the church, bishops, deputies and other interested people are meeting to discuss the […]