Conversations with Father Greg

This week, I was flipping through some old family photos and my thoughts turned to our celebration of the duel feasts of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.  For centuries, the Church has celebrated those who are “gone but not forgotten” in many ways.   There is a sense in which the feast of All Saints’ and All Souls' Day can act like a family photo album for the Christian faith.   Come and take a l...

In this episode we have the privilege of hearing Bishop Riscylla Shaw who delivered a homily at Christ Church Kettleby on Sunday, October 25th.   Our primary text for today is found in Matthew 22.34–46  

What were you doing on March 9th, 2011?  It was Ash Wednesday, and I remember it like it was yesterday.   In this episode, we take a few minutes to think about times that we've gotten turned around, or headed in the wrong direction.   Come and take a listen.   ( Exodus 33:12-23)    

Today we take a few minutes to consider those things that make us truly, authentically grateful.   Come and take a listen.  ( Luke 17:11–19 )

What have you been watching on TV lately? Lately, I’ve been watching a lot of cooking shows.  I’ve gone down a bit of a rabbit hole with shows that feature a variety of struggling restaurants that is saved from the brink by a well-known chef or restauranteur.  In each episode, the pressing question is whether the business can be saved, and what will the owners have to do to make that happen. On th...

This week I was thinking about some of the stages that we go through in life.  We go to school, get a job, have a family, change jobs, and eventually even retire.  We meet thousands of people throughout our journey – some of whom become lifelong friend and others … not so much.  It’s a part of the natural ebb and flow of life. Today, we get a glimpse of the Apostle Paul’s experience of relationshi...

Today we pause to consider those times when we encounter things, or ideas, that change the way that we see the world around us.  ( Matthew 20:1-16 )

Our primary text for this week comes from Romans 14:1-12.

Have you ever heard the expression that every coin has 2 sides?   Someone who is considered to be determined, tenacious, or as having a generally strong resolve can also be stubborn and inflexible depending on the circumstances.   Today we consider Jesus' practical instructions on restoring bruised or broken relationships within the faith community.   ( Matthew 18:15-20 )

Today we consider the Apostle Paul's advice about de-escalating conflict.  (Romans 12:9-21)

We are happy to be back after having taken a couple of weeks for summer vacation. Today's episode features a homily delivered at the 2026 Duffern Marsh Ecumenical Service, featuring the Anglican Parish of Lloydtown, Emmanuel Presbyterian Church (Schomberg), and Schomberg United Church.  The primary texts were Genesis 2:4-8 andJohn 1:1-4.

Today we consider how easy it can be for something to get "lost in translation" and how this might relate to Jesus' teaching about a growing alternate reality. ( Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 )    

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, whose feast day normally falls on July 22nd, but we transferred it to the Sunday before ... just so we wouldn't miss out.  Our primary scripture reading, for today is taken from  John 20:1-3, 11-18 .

Today, we pause to consider how 2 monks and a young woman can help us understand what the Apostle Paul teaches about God, the law, and our freedom.    (Romans 8:1-11 )

Today we pause to consider how we respond when the task seems overwhelming or the path seems unclear. ( Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 )

Today we pause to consider the concept of hospitality.  Since the earliest of Biblical times, God encouraged faithful people to show hospitality to friend, stranger, and even foe alike.  ( Matthew 10:40-42)

When was the last time that you got lost? I remember one road trip that a friend and I took about 10 years ago.  A “slight navigational error” added about 200 miles and several hours to our journey.  In comparison that seemed a lot more like “getting lost”. While it was disorienting, and more than a little annoying, we were able to recover once we realised our mistake.   Realising our mistake, how...

Today, we hear some of Jesus teaching about the importance of putting our faith into action.  ( Matthew 9:35—10:8 )

Have you ever found yourself at a turning point, in life?  Sometimes life changing things can come in the form of easy to spot, big, decisions and at other times they can seem relatively small yet still have long standing implications.  Today, we pause to consider some of these.  ( Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 )

Have you ever considered the things that inform how you interact with the world?   Things like our family history, our language, where we are from, our economic status, and our gender all affect the way that we see the world.  When we encounter someone who does not share our perspective, we have the opportunity to come to a deeper understanding of another how that person got to where they are.   C...

Have you ever considered how certain people, or groups of people, say goodbye?  Is it a long process of "several good-bye's" as you make your way toward the door or do you quietly slip out without much ado?   Today, we examine what many call "Jesus Farewell Discourse" in which he prepares his followers for his own return to heaven. ( John 17:1-11)

Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone, only to discover that you were not really connecting with each other, despite your best efforts?   Today we stop to consider what it takes to communicate effectively in our changing world.  ( Acts 17:22-31)

Have you ever listened to the news, or read the paper, and imagined how much better the world could be?  Today, we consider the important role that having a dream, or vision, for the future plays not only in outlives, but in the lives of those around us.  Come and take a listen.  ( Acts 7:55-60 )

When I was a boy, seeing my first shooting star taught me that things are not always as they appear.   Today, we find that same concept in some of Jesus teaching.   Come and take a listen. ( John 10:1-10 )

Would you consider yourself to be a controversial person?n  How often do you say, or do, things that other people find provocative or debateable?  The answer to this question could be very subjective. There are times when it might be okay … or maybe even a good thing … to be a little controversial as long as we do it with care, and without hurting someone else. Today, we get a glimpse of Jesus par...