tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31882362551436569362012-02-16T05:04:32.906-08:00Thoughts from a priest serving <br /> <br /> <br /> <big>St. Paul's Episcopal Church<br /> Chester, Pennsylvania<br /></big> <br /> <br /> http://www.stpaulschesterpa.org/ <br /> <br /> Telephone: 610-872-5711The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.comBlogger291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-43880038292385262402009-04-30T06:19:00.000-07:002009-04-30T07:09:55.376-07:00

As I sit here in my office enjoying the crisp spring air I am contemplating a box of half-eaten chocolates, a gift from my mother, sitting on my desk. For most people, Easter is over after Church on Easter Day (if they even attend Easter services at all). But the Church keeps the Paschal Feast for fifty days. These chocolates, half eaten, seem to be a symbol of our culture's idea of Easter:

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-71904905227364493282009-02-09T11:46:00.000-08:002009-02-09T11:51:53.134-08:00

The Gospels appointed for the Sundays leading toward Lent are all healing stories; stories where Jesus demonstrates his love and power by bringing the suffering into a renewed wholeness and newness of life. Healing is all about the Lordship of Christ. It’s about who rules God’s world. It is a question of who is in charge. Healing is not simply about making us better; it is about making us whole

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-32529884853223632612009-01-13T19:40:00.000-08:002009-01-14T14:56:47.185-08:00

When you search Ebay for 'silver paten' (which is the plate used in the Holy Eucharist), 90% of the returns are Wiccan, not Christian.There are so many indications that our culture has become Post-Christian, which means that Christianity is no longer the dominant model for religious faith--or at the very least, no longer the only acceptable option. This represents such a drastic change from the

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-47950111456425358052008-05-20T17:20:00.000-07:002008-05-20T17:35:11.808-07:00

May is the month traditionally associated with devotion to Mary the Mother of God. In many churches (of a catholic nature) devotions to Our Lady are made during public worship. I was speaking with a friend and colleague today whose parish says the Angelus each Sunday in May. It reminded me of a story I love.Mary tends to make some Christians rather uncomfortable. In the 1960’s, Roman

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-77612702546930838442008-04-17T17:03:00.001-07:002008-04-17T21:28:06.694-07:00

Fr. Griffith has a wonderful post about radical inclusivity--even of those who actually like tradition!

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-81190539872102878352008-04-13T15:41:00.000-07:002008-04-17T17:06:39.014-07:00

As Fr. Hunwicke's beautiful post explains, facing east during prayer was a significant action for the earliest Christians and remained so until very recently.The Liturgical Movement and the Second Vatican Council sought to reform what they saw as (I can only presume) as a distant and remote liturgy by changing the direction the priest faced while presiding at the Eucharist. While the desire to

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-34592220841537164482008-03-26T12:21:00.000-07:002008-03-30T23:01:13.897-07:00

Before Holy Week, I spent a lot of time walking all over the City of Chester handing out flyers and inviting people to church. I got to meet a lot of people that way, but what impressed me the most were the young, devout, African-American Muslims. I can't tell you how many times I heard, "Thank you, Father, but we're Muslims."Young men and women in the City of Chester are being attracted in

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-9138274553163490732008-03-24T17:44:00.000-07:002008-03-30T23:01:58.576-07:00

Alleluia! Christ is risen.The Lord is raised indeed. Alleluia.In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Resurrection changes everything. In Matthew’s Gospel, the resurrection causes the earth itself to tremble. When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to the tomb, burdened with grief, they could never have expected the greeting they receive: “Do not be afraid; I

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-67708168824600158862008-03-22T20:44:00.000-07:002008-03-22T20:45:54.049-07:00

Alleluia! Christ is risen.The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!The CollectO God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-645994697851719812008-03-22T10:29:00.001-07:002008-03-22T10:29:58.189-07:00

The CollectO God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-39999535786704335562008-03-20T11:29:00.000-07:002008-03-20T11:30:20.089-07:00

The CollectAlmighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-2698908333794093712008-03-19T14:38:00.001-07:002008-03-19T14:42:33.943-07:00

This day is also commonly known as Spy Wednesday in rememberance of Judas' betrayal of Jesus, which is the Gospel appointed for Mass on this day.The CollectO Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his back tothe smiters and hid not his face from shame: Grant us graceto take joyfully the sufferings of the present time, in fullassurance of the glory that shall be revealed; through the samethy

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-71257139317005189282008-03-18T13:08:00.000-07:002008-03-18T13:09:24.682-07:00

The CollectO God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-82928677735696260112008-03-17T18:12:00.001-07:002008-03-17T18:12:48.388-07:00

The CollectAlmighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-16113267672478140892008-03-16T19:32:00.000-07:002008-03-16T19:33:52.954-07:00

Before the reforms of the Book of Common Prayer 1979, the Sunday of the Passion was a week before Palm Sunday. The current prayer book combines these themes into one day, as do the modern Roman, Lutheran, and other rites. I sometimes wish we kept them as separate commemorations, but alas, I am not on the Standing Liturgical Comission!Collect at the Liturgy of the PalmsAssist us mercifully with

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-47149636791426161792008-03-13T13:02:00.001-07:002008-03-13T13:10:42.229-07:00

The body of Paulos Faraj Rahho, the saintly Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Mosul (Iraq) has been found buried in a roadside grave. He was kidnapped on February 29th and had not been heard from since.The native Christian minority once enjoyed relative peace and protection in Iraq, but are now in constant danger.Of your charity, pray for the soul of Archbishop Paulos, and for the safety of the

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-43263897642305318642008-03-11T20:04:00.000-07:002008-03-11T20:08:45.387-07:00

The Governor of New York has been caught in sexual misconduct and illegal activity. The same day that story broke five of our soldiers died in Iraq.I think the former is grevious, but it grieves me even more that we heard virtually nothing about the latter.

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-50778043447791936612008-03-10T18:14:00.000-07:002008-03-10T18:51:14.200-07:00

Assist us mercifully with thy help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby thou hast given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.-- The Book of Common PrayerThis collect is appointed for the Liturgy of the Palms at the beginning of the Palm Sunday liturgy in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. I think it is

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-67079001358387662592008-03-05T20:26:00.000-08:002008-03-05T20:34:50.298-08:00

This American Life had a fascinating segment on the 'Rubber Room,' the nickname for the New York City Department of Education's suspension process for teachers who have been removed from their classrooms for reasons ranging from allegations of misconduct to disagreements with their principal. It's well worth a listen. Also, a production company has made a film called The Rubber Room and you can

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-13041787411126622392008-02-29T11:06:00.001-08:002008-02-29T11:11:05.350-08:00

The basic unit of Christian community is a household, in whatever form it may be. We tend to think of being in Christian community as members of a parish church, but the domestic church—the church of the home—should be our primary place of prayer. The home as well as the parish should be active agents in the Christian formation of adults and children. We must create a Christian culture in our

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-21506466168471421742008-02-27T19:25:00.000-08:002008-02-27T19:50:38.715-08:00

On the Fourth and Fifth Sundays in Lent, we at St. Paul's will be reciting the Decalogue as part of the opening devotions of our worship. The Decalogue, or Ten Commandments, are the historic presentation of the ethical Law of God given to Moses on Mount Sinai. As Christians, they show us the righteousness of Christ: when we say that Jesus Christ was perfect God and perfect man, we are saying that

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-79252075029953968782008-02-19T19:10:00.000-08:002008-02-19T19:34:41.726-08:00

Episcopal Life Online has a good article on the relationshiop between Absalom Jones, the first African-American priest in the Episcopal Church, and Benjamin Wynkoop, the man who legally owned him for thirty-eight years of his life. You can read it here.

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-83845212278400618252008-02-13T20:27:00.001-08:002008-02-14T05:56:46.251-08:00

As I have been preparing to instruct those who assist in worship this coming Saturday morning, a thought has occurred to me: what I consider to be fairly simple instructions (not much different from the way we already do it), would be considered far too fussy by many. In many places, we in the contemporary church have confused authenticity with sloppiness.The problem goes far beyond the out-moded

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-75361887147184257532008-02-10T17:09:00.000-08:002008-02-10T17:19:13.455-08:00

Fr. Chris wrote an interesting post on the issue of washing off the ashes after Ash Wednesday. I happened to preach on exactly the same thing at our Ash Wednesday Masses at St. Paul's. Here are some excerpts from my homily:Ash Wednesday is uncomfortable for some people. I suspect it has a lot to do with today’s Gospel and it’s warning, “Beware of practicing your piety before others,” and the fact

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-27008555226791160992008-02-07T05:38:00.000-08:002008-02-07T05:41:21.093-08:00

If you'd like to keep up with events happening at my church, do check out News from St. Paul's Church!

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-41745397992301811672008-02-07T05:30:00.000-08:002008-02-07T05:37:43.619-08:00

Now quit your care and anxious fear and worry;for schemes are vain and fretting brings no gain.Lent calls to prayer, to trust and dedication;God brings new beauty nigh; reply, reply,Reply with love to love most high! To bow the head in sackcloth and in ashes,Or rend the soul, such grief is not Lent’s goal;But to be led to where God’s glory flashes,His beauty to come near: make clear, make clear,

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-17910822186220025952008-02-04T19:17:00.000-08:002008-02-04T19:33:11.333-08:00

Tonight I am sleeping in the guest house of a convent; specifically, a Carmelite monastery for women: Episcopal Carmel of St. Teresa. I have been a friend of the community ever since my friend John (an Oblate) introduced me to it two years ago. I have been a Priest Associate of the community for a little over a year. (An Associate is basically an "Official Friend" of the community and a member of

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-17397370352975436102008-02-02T13:24:00.000-08:002008-02-02T14:57:43.312-08:00

For most people, Christmas is over on December 26th. However, in the Christian tradition, Christmas is a season that lasts twelve days, concluding with the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. The full cycle of feasts related to Christmas lasts forty days, only ten days less than the season of Easter. The Christmas cycle concludes today with Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188236255143656936.post-63119241849018907342008-01-29T20:53:00.000-08:002008-01-29T21:46:54.852-08:00

I am excited to be at the beginning of the new enterprise that is this blog!I will be writing about my daily thoughts, the goings-on of our beloved parish, and the life of faith. I hope you will join me and the rest of our community at St. Paul's in our search to live in the love of Jesus Christ.This morning I told our intrepid secretary Cindy that I was going into the church to "do some strange

The Rev. Timothy E. Krohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11474743476529380836noreply@blogger.com1