Words from Ian J. Burgess
Fourth Sunday in Advent 2 Samuel 7:1-17, Psalm 132:(1-7) 8-19, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 When the people of God rejected God as their King and chose instead to have a human king like other nations, God in perhaps one of the most perplexing moments in Old Testament history, accepts their request. Dissatisfied with the unreliable… Continue reading Made Ready By Hope
Christ The King Sunday Ezekiel 34:11-20, Psalm 95, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Matthew 25:31-46 Shortly before he is betrayed, abandoned, despised, stripped, scourged, and nailed to a cross; Jesus tells his disciples that when the Son of Man comes in glory he will separate people one from another. He will look to the deeds of each… Continue reading The King’s Judgement
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost -Proper 21 Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32, Psalm 25:1-14, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:28-32 On the first of April 1990 a riot began in the Chapel of Strangeways Prison in Manchester England. Within an hour the inmates had taken control of the entire jail and the guards fled. They broke through the roof and stood… Continue reading Friend Of Tax Collectors And Prostitutes
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost -Proper 16 Isaiah 51:1-6 Psalm 138 Romand 11:25-36 Matthew 16:13-20 One comforting lie we like to tell ourselves is that in a time of adversity and great trial we will band together, set aside petty differences, and rise above those things which keep us divided and discordant. Amongst British people this… Continue reading Confess Jesus As The Christ And Be Saved
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost -Proper 11 Last Saturday morning a community of believers in Ocala, Florida were gathering to celebrate Holy Communion in their church, when a man drove his van directly through the front doors into the lobby. He got out of his vehicle and proceeded to pour gasoline on the floor and lit… Continue reading The Patience To Let The Weeds Grow
Trinity Sunday The confession of faith which we will recite today begins with frightening words: Whosoever will be saved, *before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith.Which Faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, *without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. Without doubt perish everlastingly Perhaps this strength of this language… Continue reading If You Do Not Believe This, You Cannot Be Saved
The Fourth Sunday of Easter -Good Shepherd Acts 6:1-9, 7:2, 51-60, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:13-25, John 10:1-10 I am of that age where many of my peers are forming their adult lives. Marrying, starting careers, having children, moving and establishing lives somewhere, getting involved in a nonprofit and serving their neighbors, gaining new qualifications… Continue reading The Good Shepherd Who Gets His Sheep Killed
Maundy Thursday Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 78:14-25, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-15 or Luke 22:14-30 This is the night Jesus of Nazareth was handed over to suffer and die. This is the night the armed men came to take him away who had only done good. This is the night the creator of all things was… Continue reading Maundy Thursday
Palm/Passion Sunday Liturgy of the Palms Matt 21:1-11, Ps 118:19-29, Palm Sunday Isa 52:13—53:12, Ps 22:1-11, Phil 2:5-11, Matt 27:1-54 I am, God willing, likely to witness the coronation of the next King of Great Britain. Not in person, obviously, because London is insane on the best of days and I'm not too interested in… Continue reading Palm and Passion Sunday
Last Sunday of Epiphany Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 99, Philippians 3:7-14, Matthew 17:1-9 The concluding scene of Star Wars Episode 4, A New Hope, is the glorious reward ceremony for the unlikely war heroes; Luke Skywalker the farmer from nowhere, and Han Solo the smuggler who's been everywhere. After destroying the Death Star and saving the… Continue reading On The Transfiguration
Finally Human 