Author Archives: Matthew Griffin
About Matthew Griffin
I'm a priest serving in the Diocese of Niagara, with both a pastoral and an academic interest in the relationship between liturgy and theology. I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with my beloved and our young son.Saying Grace
A good grace is one that makes those gathered at the table rejoice in the goodness of what will be shared: in its essential goodness, in all the care that has gone into preparing for the meal, and in the possibility to meet God in one another around the table. It’s always about recognizing God’s grace lavished upon us. Continue reading
Burning Palms
I like watching the flames dance as the palms writhe and curl and blacken before their edges turn white and they cease to burn. I like this moment of preparation that, as much as Ash Wednesday, helps me prepare to keep a holy Lent. Continue reading
How do you know it’s Christmas?
There are some signs that we see and hear and feel that make us know that Christmas has come. What sign helps you know that Christmas is come, that Jesus is born, and that God is indeed with us? Continue reading
O Come, Emmanuel!
I love the last little bit of Advent, as our waiting stretches out and our yearning seems yet deeper still after living in it these past short weeks. One way we do this is with the “O Antiphons” which have been rewoven into the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” They’re sung or said each night before the Magnificat at Evening Prayer in the last week of Advent, from December 17th on. What traditions do you have as Advent stretches out? Continue reading
Rejoicing Sunday!
This Sunday marks the third Sunday of Advent (or the sixth, if you’re trying out the Advent Project’s proposed seven-week Advent). And if you’re like my son, what you’re excited about for Sunday is lighting what he calls the “pink candle” (and that I call the “rose candle”). Do you break out rose-coloured vestments this week? Are there any special traditions in your community about the lighting of this candle? We’d love to hear about them! Continue reading
Advent Joys
I love Advent. And I love all the traditions that are a part of Advent. So here’s my question: what do you look forward to, as we prepare to dive into a new Church year this coming Sunday? What part of Advent is your favourite? What excites you about this season? Continue reading
Moving Advent Wreaths to the Corner?
We Canadian Anglicans have a tortured relationship with Advent wreaths: they`re widely used, but little loved by our official liturgical practice. There are some good reasons for that, but it makes it hard to plan how to use them well. What role will Advent wreaths have in your church community this coming new year ? Continue reading
Scary Music for God’s glory
Maybe the spookiest piece of music ever written is Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor–perfect for Halloween and for Church! What music do you find scary and inspiring for tonight? Continue reading
Giving thanks
Anne Lamott has written in many places that she thinks that the two best prayers she knows are: “Help me, help me, help me,” and “thank you, thank you, thank you.” How are you praying the second one in your communities this year? Continue reading
“the Lord will raise them up”: Healing and the Church
“Healing takes us beyond ourselves. Healing draws us into the life of God. The work of salvation wrought in the Incarnation of our Lord is the work of healing. Healing is… how we partake of the divine life in this world.” What are your experiences of the healing liturgies of the church? Continue reading
