Jonah and Nineveh

Sermons

• Jonah and Nineveh
  Posted by stpauls
  

  The season of Epiphany is a strange little season. On the one hand, we have just moved out of the beauteous mystery, wonder, and awe of Christmas, when we celebrated the birth of God among us, God with us, and God for us. And on the other hand, we are not quite in the season [...]

• Canterbury Cap and All
  Posted by stpauls
  

  As most of you know, I describe St. Paul’s very often as a place that is both wonderful and crazy. And lest you think this is a judgment from afar, I realise very much that I am crazy, too. Just last month, for example, I ordered a new piece of liturgical clothing, which I received [...]

• The Star of Bethlehem was a Sign
  Posted by stpauls
  

  Many of you know what these are: signs. The interesting thing about these signs is that they describe something they are not. This sign does not mean that it is Highway Number 5. Equally, you cannot park on top of this sign. And, even though this picture was taken in Europe, where things are a [...]

• Flounder, Flounder in the Sea
  Posted by stpauls
  

  Once  upon a time… No, this is not about the TV-shows of the same name. Rather, I want to share a fairly-tale today. But before I start, I need to make a disclaimer: I want to apologize for the sexist undertones in the fairy tale. But this is how the story has been handed down [...]

• The Still Small Voice of God
  Posted by stpauls
  

  Over the last couple of Sundays, we have encountered one of the great prophets of God and one of the great saints of Advent: John, Jesus’ cousin. First we met him as John the Baptist, as the one who offered baptism to wash away any stain or blemish. John the Baptist was the voice calling [...]

• Overwhelmed by the Darkness
  Posted by stpauls
  

  One of the most fun things I have been able to do in my life as a priest was serving as chaplain at Camp Chicago for a few summers in the early 2000s. Camp Chicago is a summer camp for youth run by the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago in a rather rural part of the [...]

• Be Alert and Keep Awake
  Posted by stpauls
  

  Last Thursday night, I visited with my colleague Dale Yardy, whom some of you might remember. Referred to as the “Muffin-Priest” or the “wee-one,” Dale was serving St. Paul’s for a while as associate priest some eight years ago. These days, Dale is rector of a church in Nunavut… well, Chilliwack. But, in order to [...]

• Over and over and over again
  Posted by stpauls
  

  Did today’s Gospel sound familiar to you? I hope so, because this is the third time in the short span of eight days that we encounter these verses from the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew. We heard it last Wednesday night, when we celebrated the feast of St. Margaret of Scotland. And it was the Gospel [...]

• Peace be with you!
  Posted by stpauls
  

  I have a confession to make. It happened last year at the induction service of the new members of the Order of New Westminster: A colleague of mine did something rather outrageous and hurtful to me. And I got mad. And my anger lingered: For months. For a whole year! I developed a grudge. Of [...]

• “Christianity is a material religion”
  Posted by stpauls
  

  Have you ever had a chance to explore our own parish library? The brain-child of late parishioner Margaret Avery, it is located in the King Room right next to the Lower Hall. There are all kinds of great books, and not everything there is church-related. There are even novels! Our Library really is a treasure. [...]

• “Peggy, tell me about Jesus.”
  Posted by stpauls
  

  It’s a rainy west coast afternoon.  We are sitting in the living room of Peggy’s high-rise apartment looking out at the spectacular view of the city.  I have come for a pastoral visit and to bring communion because Peggy has not been able to get to church for a while – she has been very [...]

• Made in Whose Image
  Posted by stpauls
  

  Look at coins from Canada, Britain and some other Commonwealth countries, and you will see on one side a portrait of the British sovereign surrounded by an inscription. This design reflects the coinage of imperial Rome. The portrait then was that of the emperor. The inscription, in Latin abbreviation, included the emperor’s name and his [...]

• The Way To The Altar Is Through The Font
  Posted by stpauls
  

  There has been a lot of talk lately about who is and who might not be invited to receive communion. It all centres on the role of Baptism in admission for communion. Theological discussions on this topic are ensuing on all levels of our church, which led to a recent statement by our House of [...]

• St. Francis of the Dark Ages
  Posted by stpauls
  

  It was a world away. Both in time and space. Eight hundred years ago, 9000 kilometres from here, life was different, very different. There were no modern amenities: the sewage ran through open canals on city streets. Mice were as much at home in kitchens as were rats and cockroaches, and getting up often meant [...]

• We Are Still On The Way
  Posted by stpauls
  

  Whine, whine, whine. This is all that people can think about. It is their MO, their mode of operation: Whine, bicker, complain, and moan. You don’t think so? Well let me give a few examples. We try to make things easier for those who volunteer their time to clean and maintain the sacred vessels of [...]

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