Always with Christ

We consider the 40-day Lenten journey in parallel with the 40 days of testing our Lord endured immediately after his baptism in the Jordan. But we must remember that he has gone out to do battle so that we might learn the ways in which we are to cast aside every weight that hinders us, so that we may pursue union with Him. Matthew 4:1-11.

In this St. Simeon (sometimes remembered as St, Simon), we find many connections to the life of Christ Jesus; he is described in St. Matthew 13:45 as a near relative of Jesus. Simeon's Father was Cleopas, the brother of St. Joseph (the foster father of Jesus)and one of the two who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24. Upon the martyrdom of St. James, the 1st Bishop of Jerusalem, Simeon follows him in ministry and martyrdom. James 1:13-19

For this First Sunday in Lent, the Church takes us out into the desert with Jesus to see our Lord doing battle with the devil. But this week is not simply about our watching: we have gone out into the desert for our own testing. What will be revealed? Where will you find the grace of transformation? Matthew 4:1-11.

The Homily preached from the pulpit of Holy Cross Anglican Church in Alpine, Texas, on Ash Wednesday, 2018. Psalm 51, Joel 2:12, Matthew 6:16.

In this year of 2018, the Feast of St. Valentine is transferred from its usual date of February 14, to today. Though many celebrate St. Valentine's day, few remember this one who is celebrated. Let us remember this one who freely gave his life for life of the Church and the Sacrament of Christian Marriage. Matthew 10:34-42

Today marks the beginning of our Lenten fast, and as we begin we consider the words of our Lord himself in teaching us the way in which we are to fast (Matthew 6:16-18); we further consider the exhortation of St. Augustine as we go the way of fasting.

Today, we celebrate the life and ministry of St. Kentigern (nicknamed Mungo). The story of his conception and birth is not a happy one; his conception came through rape and in rage at his daughter’s unwanted pregnancy, his grandfather cast mother and unborn child off a hill and into the sea. But his mother survives and Kentigern is welcomed into the monastic community headed by St. Serf. This unwanted child becomes missionary to the Irish, planting the Church and establishing Godly order. 1 Thessalonian 2:2-12.

In the gospel lesson from Luke 18:31, we see the continuing blindness of the disciples to the Messianic Mission of Jesus, but, in a great irony, the blind man sees with greater clarity than any of the disciples. During these last days before Lent, we are praying for increased vision and understand so that we may grow in Christ. But the Epistle from 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us that without love, true Spirit produced love, all our striving is nothing worth.

In the Gospel for this day, we find Jesus with the 12 as he explains that the time has come to go to up to Jerusalem where he is going to suffer many things at the hands of his enemies, even death; but, on the 3rd day, he is going to rise again. The disciples do not understand; they cannot see the truth that stands right before them. But blind Bartimaeus sees what the disciples cannot. Today, we enter the last of the Gesima Sundays, and we cry out for God to open our eyes. 1 Corinthians 13, Luke 18:31

On February 9, the Church in West celebrates St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, the "Doctor of the Incarnation," was the champion of Christian Orthodoxy at the Council of Ephesus (431). Cyril faithfully defended the faith that had been passed down from Christ and His apostles against the attacks of the Nestorians, refusing to compromise any point of the doctrine and practice of the Church. 2 Timothy 4:1-8