Ray Dobson

A Friend of the Altar Recently a parishioner visited one of our elderly members. For decades she served faithfully in the Altar GuildThe linens were always prepared. The vessels were in place. The candles were attended to.If something was crooked, missing, or out of order, she noticed.After over 50 years of such service, the habits […]

 Does that mean every prayer for resurrection produces the result we desire? The answer is no.The Church is not a spiritual machine.Prayer is not a technique. Faith is not magic.The Apostles themselves did not possess resurrection as a personal power they could deploy at will.They remained servants. Christ remained Lord of Lie and death. Even

Jesus says: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give”  Matthew 10:8 The immediate reaction to this verse is usually: “Surely Jesus means the Apostles.”Or: “Surely He means physically dead people.”Yet the text itself is uncomfortable because our Saviour gives the command without qualification:“Heal the

A Few Christian Symbols Explained During a gathering with members of the Altar Guild, someone asked a wonderful question: “What does that ‘IHS’ stand for that is on many things in the Church?”I opened the question to the group and quickly heard several thoughtful answers.One person suggested: “In His Service.” A beautiful thought—and certainly fitting

One question I have been asked more than once is this: “Does calling a priest ‘Father’ violate Christ’s command in Matthew 23:9?” The historic answer of the Church is: No.The reason is remarkably simple. Jesus says: “And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.”Yet Holy Scripture

DRAWN NEAR, NOT TAKEN OVERNot more God. More communion…a reflection on the indwelling of GodFor much of my life, if I am honest, I understood God something like this: God the Father was “up there.” Jesus was near. The Holy Spirit was perhaps a feeling, a comfort, or a presence… but only to the degree