Your Redemption Draweth Nigh! A Homily for Advent I, Year C, 2009
Homily for Advent 1, Year C, 2009Sunday, November 29th, 2009Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Thornhill, ONThe Rev. Daniel F. GravesText: Luke 21:25-36“Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”-- Luke 21:28I am an early riser. I am also an avid listener to CBC radio. By the time I get into my car in the morning I have often listened to the newscast about a half dozen times. I don’t like to miss it even when I’ve already heard the news several times that morning. While there may be much overlap, the national news at the top of the hour

A Story of Three Kings - A Homily for the Feast of St. Edmund the Martyr
Homily for the Feast of St. Edmund-the-MartyrFriday, November 20th, 2009Convent of the Sisters of St. John the DivineThe Rev. Daniel F. GravesText: 2 Kings 23.21-25, 29-30aA Story of Three Kings ----not the three kings we normally think about in Epiphanytide, but rather three kings from different times and places, but all united under the banner of faithfulness and self-offering.The First king – JosiahFollowing a period of faithlessness, turmoil and confusion, a new king arises, a faithful king, one that we are told loves the Lord with all his heart, soul and might. O

Birth Pangs of the New Creation: A Homily for Proper 33, Year B
Homily for Proper 33, Year BSunday, November 15th, 2009Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Thornhill, ONThe Rev. Daniel F. GravesText: Mark 13:1-8“For these are but the beginnings of the birth pangs.”--Mark 13:8What are we prepared to lose? What are we prepared to give up? We are learning that in spite of changing demographics in this community there are tremendous opportunities for the Kingdom of God to be experienced here in Thornhill. We are also learning that Holy Trinity can indeed be a part of sharing the Good News of that kingdom. We have recently received a report that indicates that there are over four th

The Gift of Joy and Wonder: A Homily for All Saints Day and a Celebration of Holy Baptism
Homily for All Saints Day, Year B, 2009Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Thornhill, ONThe Rev. Daniel F. GravesText: John 11:32-44Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?--John 11:41The culminating prayer in our baptismal liturgy petitions God to give the candidates of baptism “the gift of joy and wonder in all God’s works.” I certainly realize that as we travel this road of life that it can often be difficult to find and experience joy and wonder. Our souls have such a deep longing for these things, though. The birth of children and the welcoming of these children into the household

Anointed to Bring Good News - A Homily of for the Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist and Physician, 2009
A Homily for the Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist and PhysicianSunday, November 18th, 2009Holy Trinity, Thornhill, ONThe Rev. Daniel F. GravesText: Luke 4:14-21“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”This reading was followed by one of the shortest sermons in history, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” This is how Jesus began his public ministry; the rest was commentary and action. The entire ministry of Jesus is