Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy [...]
Continue Reading...“Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the good news of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. [...]
Continue Reading...As a born and raised Protestant, Catholicism and Catholic religious orders are a bit of a mystery. In the interests of self-education, following is the third in a three-part series on prominent Catholic orders and their distinctives. Who Are the Dominicans? A passion for God and a conviction that God’s love was meant for all characterized [...]
Continue Reading...Lectionary Readings (Year C) Isaiah 9.2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2.11-14 Luke 2.1-20 Prayer Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born this day of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may [...]
Continue Reading...Lectionary Readings (Year C) Psalm 85 Zechariah 2 Luke 1.67-79 Revelation 1.1-8 What Is Advent?
Continue Reading...Lectionary Readings (Year C) Micah 5.2-4 Psalm 80.1-8 Hebrews 10.5-10 Luke 1.39-55 Prayer Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, [...]
Continue Reading...As a born and raised Protestant, Catholicism and Catholic religious orders are a bit of a mystery. In the interests of self-education, following is the second in a three-part series on prominent Catholic orders and their distinctives. Who is Benedict? Benedict (c. 480-547) was born around the year 480 in the Umbrian province of Nursia in Italy [...]
Continue Reading...The failures of prominent Christian leaders might make us think genuine spiritual formation in Christlikeness to be impossible for real human beings. How is it, exactly, that a man or woman can serve Christ for years and then morally disintegrate? And the failures that become known are few compared to the ones that remain relatively [...]
Continue Reading...Lectionary Readings (Year C) Zephaniah 3:14-20 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18 Prayer Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and [...]
Continue Reading...Lectionary Readings (Year C) Psalm 126 Philippians 1:1-11 Luke 3:1-6 Prayer Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who [...]
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