Anglican/Episcopal Illustrations
Via media, liturgical worship, threefold ministry.
Key question: “How does this inform liturgical practice and pastoral care?”
15038 illustrations found
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
We read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 through the lens of our sacramental and incarnational theology. This passage speaks profoundly to the ministry of reconciliation, which we understand sacramentally as the work of Christ continued in the Church, most fully in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In saying th
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Romans 8:28-30
We read Romans 8:28-30 within the context of God's providential plan for salvation, emphasizing the role of divine grace and predestination in the life of the believer. This passage reassures us that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. It
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Titus 3:3-8
In the Roman Catholic Lens tradition, we read Titus 3:3-8 as a profound reminder of the transformative power of God's grace, which is received through faith and the sacraments. This passage emphasizes the necessity of regeneration through Baptism, where we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. The text hig
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Philippians 4:10-13
We read this passage from Philippians 4:10-13 as a profound expression of St. Paul's trust in divine providence and his contentment through Christ. This reflects our Catholic understanding of grace, where Paul's strength is not merely human effort but the grace of God working within him. This passag
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission)
We read this passage as Christ's authoritative commissioning of the apostles, and by extension, the Church, to continue His salvific mission. The instructions to 'make disciples of all nations' and to 'baptize them' emphasize the sacramental nature of initiation into the Christian life, underscoring
The Meaning of Righteousness - Application
Righteousness, as revealed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, is not merely a lofty spiritual ideal; it is a transformative force that reshapes our very identities and relationships. When Paul writes that love is patient and kind, he invites us to see...
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Luke 15:11-32
We read this passage as a profound reflection on God’s infinite mercy and the call to repentance and reconciliation, central themes in the sacrament of Reconciliation. The parable of the Prodigal Son illustrates the boundless love of the Father, who eagerly awaits the return of the sinner. Within ou
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Ephesians 2:8-9 (Saved by Grace Through Faith)
We read Ephesians 2:8-9 as a profound affirmation of God's gratuitous gift of grace, which is essential for our salvation. This passage underscores that grace is primary and is received through faith, yet it is not isolated from the transformative process of sanctification that occurs within the sac
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Ephesians 2:11-22
We read Ephesians 2:11-22 through the lens of the unity and universality of the Church, which is both a spiritual and visible reality. This passage emphasizes the breaking down of the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, which we interpret as a profound mystery of the Church's catholicity — the Ch
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Isaiah 40:21-31
We read Isaiah 40:21-31 as a profound affirmation of God's transcendence and immanence, themes central to our sacramental worldview. This passage reminds us that God is both the Creator of the universe and intimately involved in the lives of His people, sustaining and renewing them. It echoes our be
The Meaning of Peace - Application
When Paul writes in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” he invites us into a profound understanding of peace that transcends mere absence of conflict. This declaration flows from a heart deeply rooted in...
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
We read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 as a profound exposition on the nature of Christian love, or 'agape,' which is both a gift of the Holy Spirit and a call to live out our faith through charity. This passage is understood within the context of the Church's teaching on love as rooted in divine grace and ex
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: John 21:15-19
We read this passage as a profound moment of reconciliation and commissioning, where Jesus reaffirms Peter's role as the leader of the Apostles. This encounter underscores the sacramental nature of Christ's ministry and the Church's mission, as Peter is tasked with shepherding the flock, a role that
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Matthew 6:25-34
We read this passage as a profound invitation to trust in Divine Providence, rooted in our understanding of God as both Creator and Sustainer. This trust is not passive but calls us into a deeper relationship with Christ, who, in the Eucharist, is our true sustenance. By encouraging us not to worry
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Romans 16:1-2
We read this passage as a testament to the value and role of women in the early Church, specifically highlighting Phoebe as a 'deaconess' or servant of the Church at Cenchreae. The acknowledgment of her role underscores the sacramental nature of the Church's ministry, where different members contrib
Evening Prayer: Wisdom - Story
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the sky, I think of how the setting sun can mirror our own journeys of faith. Just as the day fades, we often find ourselves wrestling with uncertainty...
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
We read this passage from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 as a profound exposition of the theological virtue of charity (love), which is central to our faith and our understanding of the divine life. Love, as described here, is not merely an emotion but an active participation in God's grace, reflecting the ve
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Genesis 6-8
We read Genesis 6-8 as a profound narrative of God's justice and mercy. The story of Noah and the flood is understood as a typological foreshadowing of Baptism, wherein the waters that cleanse the earth prefigure the sacramental waters that cleanse us from sin. This passage illustrates God's covenan
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Colossians 3:12-14
We read Colossians 3:12-14 as a call to embody the virtues of the Christian life, rooted in our identity as God's chosen ones. These virtues—compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience—are not merely ethical guidelines but are manifestations of the sanctifying grace received through the s
Evening Prayer: Joy - Prayer
As the sun sets, casting a golden hue across the horizon, our hearts often find themselves heavy with the day’s burdens. Yet, in this sacred twilight, we are invited into a different space—one of prayerful stillness. Psalm 46:10 beckons us...
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Mark 10:42-45
In the Roman Catholic Lens tradition, we read this passage as a profound teaching on the nature of true Christian leadership and service, modeled by our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus' call to servanthood ('whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant') is understood within the sacramental an
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Matthew 11:28-30 (Come to Me All Who Are Weary)
We read Matthew 11:28-30 as a profound invitation from Christ to enter into the rest that He provides through His grace and the sacramental life of the Church. This passage is a call to receive the peace that comes from union with Christ, which is made present to us in a special way through the Euch
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Acts 1:6-11
We read Acts 1:6-11 as a powerful reminder of the apostolic mission and the foundational role of the Church in the divine plan of salvation. This passage demonstrates the transition from Christ's earthly ministry to His heavenly reign and the beginning of the Church's mission to proclaim the Gospel
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Romans 8:19-22
In the Roman Catholic tradition, we read Romans 8:19-22 as a profound reflection on the eschatological hope that permeates all of creation. This passage speaks to the groaning of creation itself, eagerly awaiting the revelation of the children of God. We interpret this as an indication of the sacram