Author Archives: JT

Within the Love of God: A Sermon for the Feast of Pentecost

The readings:Acts 2v1-21Psalm 104Romans 8v14-17John 14v5-24 There is a beautiful line in the marriage service that is commonly used in the Church of England as part of the vow that the bride and groom make to each other. Man and wife promise each other: all that I am I give to you, all that IContinue reading “Within the Love of God: A Sermon for the Feast of Pentecost”

The Year of Our Lord: Why Observe the Whole Liturgical Calendar?

Time waits for no man, and it is already June. In the Western liturgical calendar, we have just passed the Feast of Pentecost, leaving only Trinity Sunday ahead of us before we return to ordinary time, and the slow and quiet growth of ordinary Christian life. Of course, that is the Western ecclesial liturgical calendarContinue reading “The Year of Our Lord: Why Observe the Whole Liturgical Calendar?”

Jesus’ Trial: How to Submissively Resist Authority

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”John 18v37 The question of Christian submission to authority is becoming a more and more pressing one. While, in the UK atContinue reading “Jesus’ Trial: How to Submissively Resist Authority”

To Know and Yet to Love — A Reflection for Maundy Thursday

Obviously, this is a few days late for this year. The following is the transcript of a reflection I wrote and gave for a church on Maundy Thursday. Some details have been generalised or anonymised, as I saw fit. I want to draw your attention tonight to two verbs: to know and to love. ThoseContinue reading “To Know and Yet to Love — A Reflection for Maundy Thursday”

Epiphany: Baptism Reveals the Son(s) of God

When all the people were being baptised, Jesus was baptised too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’— Luke 3v21-22 The feast of theContinue reading “Epiphany: Baptism Reveals the Son(s) of God”