Guest homily by our Seminarian/Postulant, John Mack. Text: Ephesians 6:10-23. Part 1: Ephesians 1:1-14 – “The Family Secret” Part 2: Ephesians 1:15-23 – “Remembering you in my Prayers” Part 3: Ephesians 2:1-10 – “From Death Valley to the Highest Peak” Part 4: Ephesians 2:11-21 – “One New Man” Part 6: Ephesians 3:14-22 – “A Glimpse Behind the Curtain” Part…
Text: Ephesians 6:1-9 When I was in my 20’s a buddy of mine said to me, “Y’know, when I was a teenager, my parents didn’t know anything. I’m amazed at how smart they’ve become over the last few years!” Of course, it wasn’t the parents who had changed, it was the perspective that changed. As…
Text: Ephesians 5:22-33 My father was a career sailor in the United States Navy, spending the majority of his career as a Chief Petty Officer. CPOs make up the lion’s share of the management ranks in our nation’s fleet. They know how to give orders and how to take orders. They know how to lead…
Text: Ephesians 5:1-21 One of the most rewarding and terrifying aspects of being a father is watching my children imitate me. On the one hand, it is flattering to see my daughters use my mannerisms. And it is gratifying to see them learn the liturgy from me. On the other hand, it’s convicting to see…
Text: Ephesians 4:17-32 Even though we are sons of the Reformation, we Anglicans have always had a high regard for the Church Fathers and the received tradition of the first few centuries of the Church. In fact, as a priest, people often ask me for advice in starting to read them. I usually point to…
Text: Ephesians 4:1-16 I have very few memories of my childhood before the birth of my little sister. Mostly, I have vague images and the general feeling of Something Changing when the baby was born. I do have one particular memory that largely sticks out because of how embarrassing it is to think about in…
Text: Ephesians 3:14-22 One of the effects of modernity, the cultural sea in which we all swim, is disenchantment of the world. We tend to distrust what we cannot see. We tend to be overly rational, even when it is irrational to be hyper-rational! In such an environment, we can fall into the temptation of…
Text: Ephesians 1:15-23 Earlier this week I was reading an article that recommended five books that every pastor should own and regularly use. A surprising entry on the list was the parish or church directory. You see, part of a pastor’s duty is to pray, and especially to pray for his flock. In fact, I’m…
Text: Ephesians 1:1-14 For the last few months, you’ve heard me talk about this season of Trinitytide as a time that focuses on our growth and sanctification in Christ. Two years ago, as I was driving the bishop to the airport on the day he installed me to be your rector, he recommended I preach…