Blog


07
Aug 2022
Put God First-Always--Homily--9th Sunday after Pentecost

Fr Thomas Atamian (Guest Priest)’s homily for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost, 08/08/2022.    In the first reading today, Isaiah calls Israelites to task for celebrating ritual sacrifices and living evil lives. Isaiah tells the Israelites to refrain from doing evil–putting other things before their regard for God.  In the second lesson, Paul writes to the Hebrews, telling of Abraham’s faith in following God’s directions, even to the point of sacrificing his oldest son, Isaac. God responded to Abraham by letting Abraham know that he was putting God first–before all else, even......

Read More


31
Jul 2022
Being Rich Toward God--Treasure Map--Homily--8th Sunday after Pentecost--07-31-2022

Fr Atamian’s homily for the 8th Sunday after Pentecost, 07/31/2022, Calvary, Episcopal, Church, Batavia, IL, There is a parable in today’s Gospel (Luke 12: 13-21). A parable is a story with a punch line. The punch line in today’s parable is “Be Rich Toward God.” Jesus observed that where one’s treasure is, there, too, is one’s heart. Our Treasure Map needs to point the way to Be Rich Toward God. (Readings: Hosea 11: 1-11; Psalm 107: 1-9, 43; Colossians 3: 1-11; Luke 12: 13-21) YouTube Link: “Holistic Eucharist–8th Sunday after Pentecost” Link:......

Read More


24
Jul 2022
"Jesus Teaches Persistent Prayer"--7th Sunday after Pentecost

Fr Mark Tusken’s homily for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost, 07/24/2022, at Calvary Episcopal Church, Batavia, IL. In today’s Gospel (Luke 11), His disciples ask Jesus how to pray. He shares with them the format for the Lord’s Prayer, then offers a parable of a person knocking on a neighbor’s door in the middle of the night to get some food to share with an unexpected guest. Ask, Seek, and Knock persistently and God will reward you. Mark adds the parable about the persistent widow (Luke 18) to whom an unjust judge......

Read More


26
Jun 2022
Following Christ Without Excuse

Fr Michael Rasicci’s homily for the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, 06/26/2022, Calvary Episcopal Church, Batavia, IL Note: Due to challenges with Internet Bandwidth and microphone issues, the recording starts about mid-way through the Homily. The linked bulletin below provides the readings and other information nor recorded on the video. Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Psalm 77: 1-2, 11-20; Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9: 51-62 YouTube Link: Holistic Eucharist and Holy Baptism, 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, 06/26/2022 Link: Tithe.ly–Our Online Giving Resource Link: CEB Stewardship 2022  Link: Independent Movie Study 2022 ...

Read More


13
Jun 2022
"When the Holy Spirit Comes"--Homily--Trinity Sunday

Fr Michael Rasicci’s homily for Trinity Sunday, 06/12/2022. The Trinity is a mystery–one God in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples that he had more to teach them and that they could not bear it while Jesus was with them. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to them to teach them and to inspire them. Each of us receives the Holy Spirit at our baptism. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to teach us as well. (Readings: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15) YouTube......

Read More


29
May 2022
Through Christ, We Are One With God

Through our baptism, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God are with us forever. As Christ taught his disciples to "be One with Him", we, too, need to learn to change our hearts, to be One With God, and to follow His example and teaching....

Read More


23
May 2022
Shalom--God's Peace--Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter

Fr Michael Rasicci’s homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter, 05/22/2022. Jesus, when giving Peace to the disciples, used the word “Shalom”–God’s Peace—not peace as the world understands, Peace with the fullness of God’s blessings. Through our baptism, we, too, are inheritors of Shalom, God’s Peace. Readings: Acts 16: 9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21: 10, 22- 22:5; John 14: 23-29) YouTube Link: Holistic Eucharist–6th Sunday of Easter  Link: Tithe.ly–Our Online Giving Resource Link: CEB Stewardship 2022 Link: Independent Movie Study 2022...

Read More


15
May 2022
Love Like Jesus

Fr Michael Rasicci’s homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter, 05/15/2022, “Love Like Jesus” At our baptism, the Holy Spirit entered us and we are part of the “Body of Christ”–as we continue to grow and to allow Jesus and the Holy Spirit to work with us, our good deeds should come from the heart as a natural part of who we are–as Jesus’s acts were a natural part of who He was (when they were reported). As we can, more and more, “Love Like Jesus” our living will manifest itself in......

Read More


10
May 2022
Listen for the Voice of Jesus

Fr Michael Rasicci’s homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter, 05/08/2022. Listen for the Voice of Jesus with the ears of our heart. Now is the time to listen to our Shepherd’s voice. (Readings: Acts 9: 36-43; Hymn 663 (replacing Psalm 23); Revelation 7: 9-17; John 10: 22-30) YouTube Link: Holistic Eucharist–4th Sunday of Easter–Zoom Gallery View Link: Tithe.ly–Our Online Giving Resource Link: CEB Stewardship 2022 Link: Independent Movie Study 2022...

Read More


Verified by ExactMetrics