Thought for the Day-To be called Christians

The Good Shepherd, Niels Larsen Stevns, 1921

A Thought for the Day given at a lunchtime service of Holy Communion at St Olave Hart Street on Tuesday 28th April 2026 based on readings from Acts 11.19-26 and John 10.22-30.

Sermon-The Gate to Salvation

Christ a la Porte from La Passion, Georges Rouault, 1939

A sermon given during Holy Communion at St Olave Hart Street on Sunday 26th April 2026 (Year A) - also the day of the London Marathon which passes nearby and “Vocations Sunday” in the Church of England and based on readings from Acts 2.42-47 and John 10.1-10. 

Sermon - Holy, Holey, Wholly

The Vision of Isaiah, Marc Chagall, 1968

A sermon preached at St Giles-in-the-Fields on Sunday 2nd July 2023 (The Fourth Sunday after Trinity) based on readings from Isaiah 6.1-7 and Acts 6.1-8. The first sermon I preached as Curate of the church.

Prayers of Intercession - Follow Me

Bagong Kussudiardja, Christ and the Fishermen, 1998

Prayers written for the Sung Eucharist at St George’s Bloomsbury on Sunday 7th November 2021 (3rd before Advent) based on readings from Jonah 3.1-5, 10, Psalm 62.5-end, Hebrews 9.24-end and Mark 1.14-20.

BOOK REVIEW : On Priesthood by Stephen Cottrell

On Priesthood is written by Stephen Cottrell who became Archbishop of York this week

Stephen Cottrell was confirmed as the 98th Archbishop of York this week. His latest book “On Priesthood” was published earlier this year; one of many he has written, of which (I am embarrassed to say!) I remember reading very few (except the vivid Lent Book “The Nail”) nor do I remember hearing Stephen Cottrell speak in public. While reading “On Priesthood” I became aware that I was not only interested in his take on the priestly life but also in glimpses in the book of the character of the man himself, who now occupies one of the most important leadership positions in the Church of England (although as the Archbishop states throughout this book - the word ‘leader’ in the context of the church does not have any scriptural foundation).

Anton Bruckner & Augustinian Spirituality

The Berlin Philharmonic with Simon Rattle at the Royal Festival Hall, 30 May 2018. Photograph: Monika Rittershaus

Brahms called him a "country pumpkin," the Viennese music critic Eduard Hanslick defined his work as a sequence of "empty and dull patches that stretch to unsparing lengths”; his Mass in F was declared unsingable - (he had to pay the Vienna Philharmonic eight months of his own salary to perform it) - but the composer Anton Bruckner persevered. He said:

"They want me to write in a different way. I could, but I must not. Out of thousands I was given this talent by God, only I. Sometime I will have to give an account of myself. How would the Father in Heaven judge me if I followed others and not Him?"

Is such self-assuredness evidence of a vain, self-conceited man - or someone with complete faith in God's providence? Whatever your view, one must admire Bruckner's unswerving sense of vocation!