Saint Paul’s Sermons Dcn Bryan Dench

The parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin Jesus taught show us the God does not give up on us, that God is eager to seek the lost, and that God is the God of second chances.

As Christians we are called to live our neighbor as ourselves. In humility we recognize we too sin and need to repent. Thanks be to God we have Jesus, which had no need to repent, as our advocate with the Father. To love our neighbor is not to affirm everything our neighbor says or does.

Pride is the cardinal sin, putting ourselves in the place of God. We see it in the “pride” of people who celebrate sin and repudiate what God declares. The Book of Common Prayer includes prayers that turn is away from our pride.

The Ascension of the Lord Jesus is important as his Resurrection because his Ascension completes the work begun with the Incarnation. Jesus returns to the Father, and in a sense, the Father brings him home restoring the unity of the trinity. We are also praying for our mothers on this day in appreciation for their loving service. "Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous, and all for your love's sake. Amen"

Archbishop Thomas Cranmer was a visionary walking a difficult path to bring Reformed Christianity to England. Henry VIII if anything remained Roman Catholic while making himself head of the English church, but his appointed Archbishop of Canterbury was solidly and biblically reformed. In developing the prayer book, Cranmer skillfully achieved several goals:

1. Unify all worship and practice into one "common" prayer book for clergy and laity.

2. Put it in English (not Latin).

3. Incorporate solidly reformed doctrine in place of the theology of Rome.

4. Reinforce belief regularly.

The work of this brave man, martyred for his faith, gives us a treasured legacy to this day.

This “Rogation Sunday” encourages to bring our needs and desires to the Father. The god who loves his children.