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: Ruth 4:1-12
We read Ruth 4:1-12 as a profound testament to God's providential care and the fulfillment of His covenant promises through human cooperation and legal structures. The passage highlights the role of Boaz as the kinsman-redeemer, prefiguring Christ's redemptive work and the Church's sacramental life.
When Forgiveness - Contemporary Example
Last summer, in a small town, a young woman named Sarah found herself unexpectedly caught in a web of bitterness. Her father, a man she adored, had broken her heart by leaving their family for another woman. The wounds ran...
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Ruth 2:1-23
We read Ruth 2:1-23 as a profound example of divine providence manifesting through ordinary human interactions. Boaz's kindness to Ruth prefigures Christ’s own generous love, emphasizing the Catholic understanding of grace working through human agency. The passage highlights the virtue of charity, w
The Example of Humility - Contemporary Example
There’s a young man named Samuel who serves in our community’s kitchen, preparing meals for the homeless every Thursday evening. When he first started volunteering, he was filled with ambition, imagining himself as a chef creating gourmet dishes to impress....
Faith and Compassion - Teaching Material
Imagine a young child on a playground, timidly watching other children climb to the top of the slide. She hesitates, wrestling with doubt, feeling an overwhelming sense of insecurity. But then, a compassionate friend approaches, offering a gentle hand and...
Theology of Courage - Application
When the Apostle Paul lists the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, he invites us to cultivate a life marked by love, joy, peace, patience, and yes, courage. While we often think of courage as a bold act, rooted...
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Revelation 3:14-22
We read Revelation 3:14-22 as a profound call to spiritual renewal and fidelity to Christ within the Church, especially in the context of the Eucharist and the sacramental life. The message to the Church in Laodicea warns against spiritual lukewarmness, urging a vibrant faith that is neither indiffe
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
In the Roman Catholic tradition, we read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 as a profound affirmation of the centrality of the Resurrection in our faith. This passage underscores the apostolic tradition, as Paul recounts the core elements of the Gospel that he received and passed on, emphasizing the continuity a
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: 1 John 2:1-6
In the Roman Catholic tradition, we read 1 John 2:1-6 in light of the Incarnation and the sacramental life. This passage speaks to the role of Jesus Christ as our Advocate, who is present in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist. The text underscores the necessity of obedience to God's command
The Example of Wisdom - Contemporary Example
There’s a story about a young woman named Clara who felt lost in the chaos of her life. She had a steady job, but her heart yearned for something deeper—a purpose that seemed just out of her reach. One evening,...
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
We read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 as a profound testimony to the paradox of Christian strength through divine grace amidst human weakness. The Apostle Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' is seen as a reality that many of us face, reminding us that God's grace is sufficient and that His power is perfected in wea
A Story of Gentleness - Contemporary Example
At our church, we recently embarked on a community project to help a single mother named Mary. With two young children and a full-time job, life had been a relentless struggle for her. One evening, we gathered to discuss how...
The Example of Understanding - Contemporary Example
On a chilly autumn evening, a mother sat at her kitchen table, her heart heavy with concern as her teenage son, Ben, wrestled with doubts that seemed insurmountable. He had once been so sure of his faith, but now, whispers...
The Example of Faith - Story
A few years ago, I met a woman named Margaret at a small retreat for church leaders. Margaret was in her late sixties and had faced more than her fair share of trials. She had lost her husband to illness,...
Genesis 25:19-26 - Catholic Perspective
This passage from Genesis reflects the profound mystery of God's providence and election. In the Catholic tradition, the birth of Esau and Jacob highlights God's sovereign choice and foreshadows the unfolding of salvation history through the chosen people, illustrating how divine grace operates through human circumstances.
Lessons from Self-control - Story
Last summer, I had the joy of mentoring a young man named David who was navigating the turbulent waters of life in his twenties. He was bright, gifted, and brimming with potential, yet he often found himself trapped in patterns...
Applying Love - Contemporary Example
Imagine a young woman named Sarah, who, after years in a corporate job, felt a deep tug in her heart to serve those struggling with addiction in her community. It wasn’t an easy decision; she had grown comfortable in her...
The Power of Salvation - Story
A few years ago, I had the privilege of meeting a young man named David at a local shelter where I was volunteering. David had faced unimaginable challenges—addiction, loss, and a feeling of deep isolation. His spirit seemed crushed under...
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Matthew 5:43-48
In Matthew 5:43-48, we read this passage as a profound call to Christian perfection, rooted in the divine call to love as God loves. This commandment to love even our enemies reflects the universal love of God, who 'makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good.' The call to perfection ('be perfect
A Story of Joy - Contemporary Example
There’s a small, independent bookstore in my neighborhood, run by a woman named Ruth. Her store isn’t just a place to buy books; it’s a sanctuary for the soul. Each Saturday, she hosts a gathering called “Stories of Hope,” where...
Practical Salvation - Illustration
Imagine walking into a bustling coffee shop, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the laughter of friends catching up. As you enter, you notice a young woman sitting alone, her eyes cast down, her heart heavy with the...
Quiet Time: Compassion - Story
Imagine a small, sunlit kitchen where a mother stirs a pot of soup, the warm aroma mingling with the laughter of children playing just outside the window. As she ladles the soup into bowls, she remembers the story her neighbor...
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Isaiah 1:10-17
We read Isaiah 1:10-17 as a prophetic call for authentic worship and moral integrity, emphasizing that the true worship of God extends beyond ritual compliance to a life of justice and righteousness. This passage reminds us of the sacramental principle that external acts must reflect an inner dispos
Thinking About Forgiveness - Teaching Material
Forgiveness is often seen as a lofty ideal, something we work towards but never fully attain. Yet, in Ephesians 2:8-9, we are reminded that it is through grace—unearned and undeserved—that we find our salvation. Paul writes, “For by grace you...