Author: Derek Michael Larson

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. What does it mean for me to present my body as a living sacrifice to God in the context of my relationships, work, and community involvement?
2. In my experience of the Eucharist, how do I engage with the idea of mutuality between myself and God during communion?
3. What specific gifts or talents do I have that I can offer to God and my community as a way of expressing my faith and gratitude?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. What are the stories from my past that have shaped my perceptions of others, and how might I need to re-examine them to align more closely with values of love and compassion?
2. In moments of discomfort or tension regarding others, how can I remind myself to listen for God’s story rather than my own preconceived narratives?
3. What specific groups or individuals do I find myself holding biases against, and how can I intentionally seek out their stories to foster understanding and empathy?
4. How do the stories I tell myself about my own identity and worth influence my actions and interactions with others?
5. In what ways can I actively choose new stories that promote healing, connection, and love in my daily life?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. What areas in my life do I feel unprepared for or overwhelmed, and how might I bring those feelings to God?
2. Can I identify a specific situation where I believe my contributions are insufficient? How can I embrace the notion that my “not-enough” can still be used by God?
3. Reflect on a time when I experienced God taking something small or inadequate and using it for a greater purpose in my life. What was that experience like?
4. In what ways can I offer my gifts, even if they seem inadequate, to the community or church around me?
5. How can I practice coming to God in humility, acknowledging my limitations, and trusting in His ability to make my efforts sufficient?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. When have I felt at a loss for words in prayer, and how did I cope with that feeling?
2. How do I respond to the beautiful prayers found in the Book of Common Prayer? Do they inspire me, or do they sometimes intimidate me?
3. Can I recall a time when I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit during my prayers, particularly when my words felt inadequate?
4. What does “showing up” in prayer mean for me, and how can I cultivate a more consistent practice of presence in my relationship with God?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. How do I see my role as a lay minister in the church, and what specific gifts do I bring to our community’s ministry?
2. In what ways can I deepen my prayer life to support the ongoing work and mission of St. Peter’s?
3. Who are the individuals in my life that inspire me to serve others, and how can I embody their spirit of ministry in my own actions?
4. What obstacles do I face in answering God’s call to ministry, and how can I overcome them to participate more fully in the church’s mission?
5. How can I more actively engage with my fellow parishioners to foster a spirit of collaboration and shared ministry in our community?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. What roles do I play in my local parish community in helping to cultivate good soil?
2. What rocks, thorns, or birds show up in my parish community that I can help remove?
3. Which of the four ways of cultivating a good parish culture in this homily most resonates with God’s call on my life?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. How do my daily work and rest have purpose and meaning?
2. In what ways does my regular work offer opportunities to love God and love others?
3. In what ways does my regular rest offer opportunities to love God and love others?
4. What is the quality of my rest? Is it real rest as God intends, or is it simply please and distraction?
5. What is the attitude I have in my work? Is it just to get by for a paycheck, or do I participate in it with reverence and holiness as an opportunity to love God and love others?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. What keeps me from returning again to prayer and to Christian community?
2. How might Christ be inviting me to return again?
3. How does the story of Peter speak to my own life?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. How is my faith transforming me and what does that cost?
2. In what ways is Christ inviting me to go deeper in my faith?
3. How might the lives of the Desert Fathers and Mothers inspire everyday Christians today?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Further Reflection

1. In what areas of my life do I carry authority over others? What role does compassion have in that authority?
2. How can I be more aware of the needs and struggles of those around me, especially in my community?
3. How can I grow in humility and service?
4. What kind of authority does the sacrament of baptism and apostolic succession bestow on a person?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. What burdens am I carrying in my life right now, and how can I bring them to God in prayer?
2. How do I perceive my own woundedness, and in what ways can I find healing and support within my community?
3. How can I create a more welcoming environment for those who are struggling, just as Jesus did at His table?
4. What does it mean for me to be called a ‘child’ of God, and how does that identity shape my relationship with others who are suffering?