St. Mary's Regina

(Modified 2021-08-29: Added audio recording of this sermon.)

Sometimes when we hear the Bible translated into our own language, it’s helpful to also translate into our time and place.

In listening to the conversation we heard about in the Gospel that was just read, with its references to ritual hand washing and dish washing and washing of groceries you brought home from the market, I found myself getting distracted by the obvious parallels to life under a pandemic, when those aren’t really the connections we need to be making.  But then I came across a retelling of the story from a Rev. Charles Hoffacker from Greenbelt Maryland.  He’s reimagined what a version of this conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees might sound like in 21st century North America. 

(Modified 2021-08-22: Added audio recording of this sermon.)

(Modified 2021-08-15: Added audio recording)

FEAST OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN

AUGUST 15, 2021 – 10.30 A.M. Holy Communion

THE HYMN: 320 Ye Watchers and ye Holy Ones

(Modified 2021-08-15: Added audio recording of this sermon.)

You might have realized the change in the altar colour and clergy vestment from green last Sunday to white this Sunday. This feels and looks really unusual for a Trinity Sunday.

The reason for the change in colour is because we are celebrating the Feast of Mary the Virgin, the Mother of God (Theotokos) Jesus Christ. We are learning more about the person, attributes and role of Mary the Virgin through her own song of praise, commonly known as the Magnificat. 

In the Anglican tradition, we sing or say the Magnificat mostly during the Evening Prayer, where we open our hearts and minds to the Lord, our God, loudly raising our voices, saying: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour…” (BCP 21). 

We put ourselves in the shoes of Mary, the blessed servant of the Lord whose acceptance of the word of God has become a great example of discipleship. Her song becomes our song, her praise our praise, her humility our humility, her fear our fear, and her joy our joy.

(Modified 2021-08-08: Added audio recording of this sermon)

St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, Regina.

Tenth Sunday after Trinity – August 8, 2021

Rev. Nathaniel Athian Deng Mayen

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).

What comes to your mind when you read this promise from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? I immediately think of the Holy Communion, where we break the bread and share the cup of wine in accordance with the Lord’s institution until He comes again to establish the kingdom prepared for us from eternity through the plan of our loving and merciful God to sustain us in Christ.