Tag: homily

New Homily: The Darkness of the Womb

by Derek Michael Larson, posted in Uncategorized

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Personal Reflection

  1. In what areas of my life do I currently feel like I am in a state of darkness or uncertainty? How can I embrace this time as an opportunity for growth and transformation?
  2. Reflecting on my past experiences, can I identify moments when I felt lost or directionless, but later recognized them as times of formation? What insights did I gain from those experiences?
  3. How can I be more attentive to the ways God might be shaping me in this current season? Are there specific actions I can take to nurture my spiritual well-being during this time?

Resources for Further Reflection

Children’s Book: God’s Holy Darkness by Sharei Green, Beckah Selnick, and Nikki Faison

In this beautifully illustrated book, the authors explore some of the moments in Scripture which present darkness as something holy.

Children’s Book: Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne

In this rendition of the famous Christmas hymn, the illustrations are strikingly dark in color and wonderfully moving.

Poetry: Advent Poems by Tania Runyan

In this collection of poems for Advent, Tania Runyan imagines Jesus speaking to his mother from the womb, each poem from another stage of the journey of pregnancy. Much of the imagery of this homily was inspired by Runyan’s poems, which I encountered throughout this season of Advent.

New Homily and More: The Little Ones of Christ (Part Two in the Growing Down Sermon Series)

by Derek Michael Larson, posted in Uncategorized

The audio of this week’s homily. You can find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Deeper Reflection

  1. How can I embrace a childlike faith characterized by trust, innocence, and a willingness to learn from others, especially from the children around me?
  2. What words would I use to describe young children in my life? Could I use those words to describe myself?
  3. How do I perceive the role of children in our faith community, and how can I incorporate their perspective to deepen my own spiritual journey?
  4. In what ways can I support the children in my life to grow in faith while also allowing their example to challenge and inspire my own growth as a “little one” in Christ?

Resources for Further Reflection

Comic Book: Francis: Brother of the Universe
In this genuine Marvel comic book from 1982 you can find the story of St. Francis, including his encounter with the Pope asking for recognition by the church to be a holy order. It’s a classic and a fun (and childlike) way to engage the story of Francis, even though there are many well-done biographies about him as well (in fact I have a sizable Franciscan section in my office if you’d like to borrow anything).

Religious Order: Third Order, Society of St. Francis
I belong to a religious order called the Society of St. Francis. The friars are those in the first order. The cloistered nuns are those in the second order. I belong to the third order, a dispersed Anglican order for lay people and clergy, married people and single, men, women, and all people who would like to follow Christ in a deeper way through the Franciscan path. It has been a wonderful experience that I highly recommend to anyone interested in Franciscan spirituality who wants to deepen their faith.

Children’s Book: God’s Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
In the homily I speak about Jesus’ big dream, which is actually a small dream. In saying that, I am using the language of a beautiful children’s book by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, called God’s Dream. I highly recommend it!

New Homily and More: Growing Down: Welcoming Christ in Children

by Derek Michael Larson, posted in Uncategorized

It’s the beginning of a new sermon series! Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

  1. In what ways do I currently prioritize the presence of children in my community, and how might I shift my perspective to recognize the lessons they can teach me?
  2. How can I create a welcoming environment that allows children to bring their own experiences of Christ into our shared community?
  3. What specific qualities or characteristics of children inspire me to reflect on my own faith journey and humility?
  4. As I think about my role in supporting children’s spiritual growth, how can I also be open to their influence on my understanding of God and faith?
  5. In what areas of my life do I feel challenged to “grow down” and embrace a more childlike perspective, particularly in my interactions with others?

Resources for Further Reflection

Movie: Mary Poppins (1964)
A classic film. If you haven’t seen it recently, watch it again! And this time notice how the film may actually be about Mr. Banks growing down rather than the children growing up.

Movie: Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
This is a rare instance when a sequel made for a classic does an incredible job. This movie honors the first while balancing a timeless feel and contemporary relevance. This is one of the Larson family’s favorite films, which we watch a few times a year. Since first seeing it, I’ve thought a lot about how Mary Poppins carries a lot of Christological characteristics in this film, particularly in the notion of returning. I’ve pondered offering a Bible study with Mary Poppins Returns as an Advent series.

Book: The Gifts they Bring: How children in the Gospels can Shape Inclusive Ministry by Amy Lindeman Allen
This is a great book by a New Testament Scholar which analyzes a select passages of Scripture with a lens focused on the presence of children. After interpreting the passage, Allen then offers some possible applications and reflections for contemporary children’s ministry. I liked the book a lot, and I used it to teach a Bible Study series once before.

New Homily and More: Casting Out, Welcoming In

by Derek Michael Larson, posted in Uncategorized

Find the full text of the homily here.

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER REFLECTION

Prayer Practice: The Welcoming Prayer

The prayer of welcoming grace into things unwanted or uncomfortable resonates with the Welcoming Prayer, developed by Mary Mrozowski, a lay contemplative, and Thomas Keating, a Trappist Monk. This has been one my core prayer practices. Click the above link to learn more about the practice.

Homily: The Welcoming Prayer

I also preached a sermon on the Welcoming Prayer a couple years ago. Find it at the link above.

Teaching from the Book of Occasional Services on Exorcisms

There is a very brief explanation of exorcisms in the Episcopal Church’s Book of Occasional Services. If you are interested in learning more, click the above link and scroll down to page 233. While you are there, look at some of the beautiful occasional services included in the book.

New Homily and More: The Face of Jesus

by Derek Michael Larson, posted in Uncategorized

Find the full text of the homily here.

Resources for Further Reflection

Song: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

If I were a baptist or pentecostal preacher, this is the song I’d ask the band to play at the altar call after the homily (and Shane and Shane do it so well!). It preaches the message much better than I have. I like to listen to this song while praying with an icon of Jesus, and looking upon his face. Perhaps it will help calm your fears as it has mine.

Book: Moments with Jesus: Encounter Bible by Bill Johnson, Eugene Luning and Illustrated by Kristen & Kevin Howdeshell

Alongside of the text of this homily, I’ve posted pictures from one of my favorite children’s Bibles, Moments with Jesus. What is unique about this Bible (and it is NOT just for children) is that it tells the story in the second person as an imagined, meditative experience and includes reflection questions. Plus the illustrations are beautifully fantastic! In the book’s telling of Jesus calming the storm, it invites the reader to imagine what it would have been like to be on the boat. It also asks these two sets of questions: (1) Have you ever felt as scared as the disciples in the storm? What made you afraid? and (2) Picture that scary moment in your imagination, but this time picture Jesus there with you. Is He scared? What is He doing? What is He saying? How do you feel about that

New Homily (and More): With Sighs Too Deep for Words

by Derek Michael Larson, posted in Uncategorized

Find the full text here.

Also, I’m trying out something new on the website. With each homily I’m going to start posting some resources connected to the Scripture passage and message I spoke on for deeper reflection. Below are the resources for this week. You can also find them on the homilies page. Let me know if you find it helpful or if you have suggestions!

Resources

For more reflection on this passage from Romans and the practice of wordless prayer see some of the following, and never hesitate to reach out for a conversation!

Song: Spirit Move! (Keep on Moving) by the Porter’s Gate
This song based on Romans 8:22-27 is from a new album by one of my favorite music artists, The Porter’s Gate. It was the soundtrack for the writing of this sermon.

Web Article: Learning to Pray from the Spirit and the Heart by Fr. Jack N. Sparks
This web posting is an adaptation of an old teaching on prayer from the 16th century by priest, Lorenzo Scupoli. I found it really helpful in framing the different types of prayer and praying from the Spirit/heart.

Organization: Contemplative Outreach
https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/
One of the methods of wordless prayer that has been part of my practice is called Centering Prayer, inspired by the ancient monastic tradition and contemporarily developed by Fr. Thomas Keating, a Trappist Monk. Contemplative Outreach is the primary organization that teaches about centering prayer and organizes groups around the country. Below are a few more resources on Centering Prayer.

Group: Centering Prayer Group at Jupiter FIRST Church
Meets on the fourth Monday of each month
https://www.jupiterfirst.org/spiritualformation/

Book: Open Mind, Open Heart by Thomas Keating

Book: Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault