Before the morning star begotten, and Lord from everlasting, our Savior is made manifest unto the world today. Western Rite

First reading 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20) Psalm Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 Second reading 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Gospel John 1:43-51 Prayer: Loving Lord, I understand that I was created in your image, and that is was created for you; help me, I pray, to seek the things that you love and that will move me toward greater... Continue Reading →

    In our day poetry is sometimes almost a lost art, and good poetry can be difficult to find. Hopkins was a 19th century English monk, who had mastered the art of religious poetry. I am not well versed in poetic criticism, if I read something and enjoy it I will say it is good, but,... Continue Reading →

For when shall I in terms worthy of Himself declare the marvellous deeds wrought by the operation of the Holy Ghost in the Name of Christ? Those wrought in Cyprus upon Elymas the sorcerer, and in Lystra at the healing of the cripple, and in Cilicia and Phrygia and Galatia and Mysia and Macedonia? or... Continue Reading →

What is baptism? It is the initiatory sacrament, which enters us into covenant with God. It was instituted by Christ, who alone has power to institute a proper sacrament, a sign, seal, pledge, and means of grace, perpetually obligatory on all Christxans....The matter of this sacrament is water; which as it has a natural power... Continue Reading →

    Fox, who came out of a Puritan tradition, went on to become one of the great mystics of his time. In founding the Society of Friends (Quakers) he combined a strong social ethic with deep emotional fervor. Fox's concern with social justice, eventually lead his followers to be among the most active in the abolition... Continue Reading →

Lord God, you revealed your Son in the waters of the Jordan and anointed him with the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim good news to all people. Sanctify us by the same Spirit, that we may proclaim the healing power of the gospel by acts of love in your name. Amen

First reading Genesis 1:1-5 Psalm Psalm 29 Second reading Acts 19:1-7 Gospel Mark 1:4-11 Prayer: Gracious Lord, help me to experience your baptism today as a fresh work; please remind me of the presence of your Holy Spirit in my life. Amen.

Orthodoxy is the companion to G. K. Chesterton's Heretics, in which he discussed different modern philosophies through the lenses of their proponents. In Orthodoxy he lays out what he believes to be the fundamentals of Christian belief, including what many perceive as difficulties. True to his style, Chesterton looks at the issues from a vantage... Continue Reading →

Again, that He Himself made Heaven, and earth, and sea, and all things visible and invisible, in His own person He nowhere expressly said: but His disciple, speaking plainly out, and suppressing nothing, affirms this once, twice, yea often: writing that "all things were made by Him;" and, "without Him was not one thing made;"... Continue Reading →