Sermons on Liturgy:

The Twin Real Presences Of Christ Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 22, 2011

The two real presences of Christ in the Eucharist are really one.

January 24, 2011 St Francis de Sales The Spirit of the Liturgy The whole of the New Testament can be summarized in one sentence. In the words of Athanasius, God became human so that humans could become divine. The problem, of course, with that plan is that we are sinners. We are born with the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:15-28

Denomination: Catholic

Why Give To God? Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 14, 2003

We give out of what Jesus has done for us

Generosity isn’t always as generous as it might seem. There is a story out of Miami, Florida about six Royal Palm trees that had been vandalized and cut down along Miami’s Flager Street. Due to the expense involved in re-placing them Dade County wasn’t how soon if ever they would be replaced. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 6:1-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Kneeling As The Children Of The Father Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 25, 2011

Kneeling in worship of the God who abased Himself for our benefit is a physical way of signing our desire that our wills be in conformity with God's will.

June 27, 2011 St. Cyril of Alexandria The Spirit of the Liturgy What do we owe to God? What gift should we give Him? Before considering that question, we should ask about God’s nature and actions. The Scriptures today tell us much about this God we worship. First, before injustice and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:18-22

Denomination: Catholic

The Garments Of Revelations Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 13, 2011

The garments of the women of the Apocalypse are signs of the festal garment we are clothed with as we take communion together.

Feast of the Assumption August 15, 2011 Spirit of the Liturgy The vision of the Apocalypse shared in our first reading today is a scene in a great final struggle between good and evil. The ark of the covenant, kept in the tabernacle in the wilderness, and in the Temple of Jerusalem once it was ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

The Eighth Day Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 4, 2011

The Sunday celebration, that of the new Sabbath, is the eighth day described by the Fathers of the Church.

Monday of 5th week in Course 7 February 2011 Spirit of the Liturgy The great myths of Mesopotamia were myths of creation. Gods battled and slew each other, and the cosmos was formed from the dead body of a god. And it was pretty rank and fetid. That’s the way pagans look at their world. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

The Bible Teaches By Word-Plays Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 7, 2012

There are many forms of the Word of God, by which God teaches us of His intention to bring us into eternal union with Jesus, the Bridegroom.

Monday of 14th Week in Course Verbum Domini The Word of God is changeless. First, the content of the Word of God is always the same–Love poured out for human beings, for us all. Second, the person of the Word of God is always the same, Jesus Christ, the enfleshment of the Father’s ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 2:16-22

Denomination: Catholic

Palm Sunday Of The Lord’s Passion

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Feb 17, 2024

At the end of the story, only one trust remains: the trust of the one who handed over himself—literally and sacramentally- for us

In the book Regarding the Pain of Others, the author, Susan Sontag, concludes that seeing news articles and images of war and suffering is necessary so we know what is happening, but it puts us in a position as either "spectator" or "coward," and that both positions are ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Bread Of Life And True Worship Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 25, 2009

There can be no contradiction between the art of celebration and the full and engaged participation of the Church in worship.

April 27, 2009 Sacramentum Caritatis There is an incredible richness and flow in this sixth chapter of John’s Gospel that is so full of meaning that we must meditate on it over and over again. He begins with eating earthly bread, the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and the people misunderstand. ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-29

Denomination: Catholic

Pointing Out To Another What We Have Experienced From God's Hand To Share

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Apr 7, 2001

Year C Easter Sunday April 15, 2001 Psalm 118

Year C Easter Sunday April 15, 2001 Title: “Pointing out to another what we have experienced from God’s hand to share the joy of solution.” Psalm 118:1-29 This Song of Thanksgiving was sung in the context of a thank offering liturgy. We can easily divide the Psalm into two scenes: verses one to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-29

Denomination: Lutheran

Waiting For The Reality Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 27, 2010

In Advent, we celebrate Eucharist, which is the image that stands between the OT shadow and the heavenly reality.

Monday of First Week in Advent 29 November 2010 Spirit of the Liturgy Gospel Reading: Matthew 8:5-11 1. 5 As he entered Caper'na-um, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him 6 and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress." 7 And he said to him, "I will ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 4:2-6

Denomination: Catholic

A God Of Forgiveness

Contributed by John Saynor on Feb 23, 2021

The appointed Psalm for Ash Wednesday describes a God who forgives and forgets! For those who have difficulty accepting God's forgiveness, it would do well to read Psalm 103: 8-18.

Today I want to talk about forgiveness. It has been on my mind for some time now as a result of our regular use of our liturgies to guide us in worship. It has come to me that during our liturgies we repeat our need for forgiveness so often that I’m sure God gets tired of listening to us. What ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:8-18

Eucharist And Eschaton Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 22, 2009

The holy communion is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet with the Lamb.

March 23, 2009 Sacramentum Caritatis Death and suffering and lamentation were never God’s intention for the world He loved into existence. Our human pride and rebellion brought these ills into the world, and by the grace of God they are doomed to be extinguished from human existence–even from ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-21

Denomination: Catholic

Word And Eucharist Are One Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 13, 2009

The Gospel proclaims the divine reversal--the weak become strong by grace; thus also Word and Sacrament are the means by which weakness is strengthened.

June 15, 2009 Sacramentum Caritatis Here in the penumbra of the Feast of Corpus Christi, it is particularly helpful to reflect on what many have called “the great reversal.” The Gospel is one frequently quoted to show the power of nonviolent resistence. Go two miles when forced to go one. St. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

Obedience And Art In Worship Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 9, 2009

As the disciple is obedient to the word of Christ, so we can witness our obedience to the Father in the world by respecting the need for beauty in worship.

May 11, 2009 Sacramentum Caritatis When we read the words of the Last Discourse in John, which we will hear each day between now and the Ascension, we can be struck with an apparent disjoin in the conversation. The apostles often ask a question, and Jesus appears to give a good answer to an ...read more

Scripture: John 14:21-26

Denomination: Catholic

Confession And Absolution Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Mar 9, 2014

Confession and Absolution helps us approach God with humility and confidence.

Did you and your friends ever form a club when you were growing up? Perhaps you draped blankets over the couches in the basement to serve as your clubhouse, and to get in everyone had to speak the password. Well heaven is a club like that. Only those who know and speak the password will get in. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:8-9

Denomination: Lutheran