Author Archives: johnaroop

THE PRACTICE OF SACRAMENTAL CONFESSIONin theANGLICAN DIOCESE OF THE SOUTH Though the Reconciliation of Penitents (Confession) is not identified as a Dominical Sacrament in the formularies of the Anglican Church, it is nonetheless a recognized ecclesiastical sacrament administered by the … Continue reading →

(Is 52:7-10 / Ps 2 / Eph 4:7-8, 11-16 / Mk 16:15-20) Collect of Saint MarkAlmighty God, by the hand of Mark the evangelist you have given to your Church the Gospel of Jesus Christ: We thank you for his … Continue reading →

Easter Wednesday, 20 April 2022(Acts 3:1-10, Psalm 118:19-24, Luke 24:13-35 Collect for Wednesday of Easter WeekO God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may … Continue reading →

The Seal of the Confessional: A Priest’s Perspective Given the appropriate and necessary commitment to protect the vulnerable in our churches and in society at large from sexual abuse, some in the church think it equally necessary to dispense with … Continue reading →

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lia Thomas recently became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title: first place in the women’s 500-yard freestyle. Public response … Continue reading →

3 Lent: Luke 13:1-17 HAVE YOU HEARD? Has anyone told you yet? Did you catch the news this morning? If you have ever had someone start a conversation with a question like that, you know you’re in for something: good … Continue reading →

Joseph, Husband of the Virgin Mary and Guardian of Jesus (2 Sam 7:4, 8-16 / Ps 89:1-4, 19-29 / Rom 4:13-18, Lk 2:41-52) Collect O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the … Continue reading →

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. TODAY, IN THE DAILY OFFICE, THE CHURCH BEGINS READING ST PAUL’S magnum opus, the Epistle to the Romans. I thought I’d take this opportunity … Continue reading →

THE FAMILIAR INFANCY STORIES in Luke’s Gospel — the Circumcision and naming of Jesus, the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple, the encounters with Simeon and Anna — these are very human stories, very lovely and poignant stories that … Continue reading →

As one so often does just before sleep, I was thinking again of death last night — neither morbidly nor morosely, but theologically and liturgically. Earlier in the day, standing at the altar with angels and archangels and all the … Continue reading →