Author Archives: johnaroop

Collect: Confession of Saint Peter Almighty Father, who inspired Simon Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, that in unity and … Continue reading →

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. JUST TWO WEEKS AGO we celebrated Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus in Bethlehem: stable and manger, shepherds and angels, carols and candles. … Continue reading →

Alleluia, to us a child is born: O come, let us adore him. Alleluia. A FEW YEARS AGO, I decided to re-read The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, a classic trilogy that I had read several … Continue reading →

Collect Almighty God, who gave to Lucy the grace of complete devotion in body, mind, and spirit and the courage to proclaim her faith in the day of persecution: Grant to us, your servants, that same resolute holiness and unshakable … Continue reading →

The Eve of Thanksgiving (Deut 8 / Ps 65:1-8 / James 1:17-27 / Matt 6:25-33) Collect for Thanksgiving Day Most merciful Father, we humbly thank you for all your gifts so freely bestowed upon us: for life and health and … Continue reading →

TODAY WE BEGIN reading the Acts of the Apostles in Morning Prayer. I hope these few reflections on today’s reading will provide a context for the readings to follow. Luke 1:1–4 (ESV): 1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a … Continue reading →

Holy Michael and All Angels (Rev 12:7-12 / Pss 75, 76 / Matt 20:17-end) Collect Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always … Continue reading →

THE EPISTLE AND GOSPEL TEXTS appointed for this day are both quite challenging. Hebrews 6:4–6 (ESV): 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in … Continue reading →

Let us pray. O Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow after us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy … Continue reading →

Apostles Anglican Church Wednesday, 18 Aug, Week of the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (2 Samuel 6, Psalm 119:1-24, Philippians 1:1-11) Keep your Church, O Lord, by your perpetual mercy; and because without you the frailty of our nature causes us … Continue reading →