Ecclesia Gnostica

Sunday Before All Saint's Day 10-28-12

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:29:11 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica. A homily for the Sunday Before All Saint's Day 10/28/2012.

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity - October 21, 2012

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:58:41 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, Bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica. A homily for the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity. October 21, 2012.

Sunday After Corpus Christi - June 10, 2012

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:28:53 +0000

A collection of homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica. A homily for the Sunday after Corpus Christi, June 10, 2012

Third Sunday after Trinity June 24, 2012

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 18:01:39 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica. A homily for the Third Sunday after Trinity - June 24, 2012.

Trinity Sunday - June 3, 2012

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 04:23:56 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica. A homily for Trinity Sunday. June 3, 2012.

Epiphany Sunday

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 09:45:39 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica: Epiphany Sunday, January 2011.

Advent Sunday

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 04:51:53 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica: Advent Sunday

Pentecost - May 27, 2012

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 20:38:37 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica. Pentecost - May 27, 2012

Nativity of the Divine Light: Christmas

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:50:18 +0000

For the Collect, Lesson and Gospel of this day, please go to: http://www.gnosis.org/ecclesia/lect009.htm

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:35:05 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica. The Fourth Sunday in Advent.

Third Sunday in Advent

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:34:08 +0000

To read the Collect, Lesson and Gospel for this Sunday, please go to: http://www.gnosis.org/ecclesia/lect005.htm

Second Sunday in Advent

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:12:06 +0000

To read the Collect, Lesson and Gospel for this day, please go to: http://www.gnosis.org/ecclesia/lect003.htm

Feast of Holy Mary of Magdala

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:49:27 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica. Feast of Holy Mary of Magdala.

Seventh Sunday after Trinity

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:10:39 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica: Seventh Sunday after Trinity.

Sixth Sunday After Trinity

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:54:40 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica. The Sixth Sunday After Trinity.

Independence Day of the U.S.A.

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:58:54 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.

Fourth Sunday After Trinity

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:09:19 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica: Fourth Sunday After Trinity.

Third Sunday After Trinity

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:43:52 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica: The Third Sunday After Trinity.

Second Sunday after Trinity

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:36:26 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica: Second Sunday after Trinity.

Corpus Christi

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:16:40 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica: Corpus Christi.

Pentecost

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 07:43:06 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica: Pentecost.

Ascension Day

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:37:26 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica: Ascension Day.

Fifth Sunday After Easter

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:34:11 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.The Fifth Sunday After Easter. Intent: Recognition of the Human Potential for Liberation.

Fourth Sunday After Easter

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:01:53 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica: Fourth Sunday after Easter.

Third Sunday After Easter

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:58:34 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica: The Third Sunday After Easter. Intent: Divine Protection.

Second Sunday After Easter

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 02:48:04 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.The Second Sunday After EasterIntent: Divine GraceTHE COLLECTThou art He to whom we pray, Father of all fatherhood, and God of every god, and Lord of every lord; Thee we implore to give order to our being, to our thoughts, feelings and actions. O Monarch and sole Changeless One, grant us Thy grace and power that we may come to know Thee, that we may know that Thou art our Redeemer.Amen. THE LESSONThe lesson is taken from the Gnosis of the Invisible God:These mysteries that I shall give you, guard them, do not give them to any man unless worthy of them; do not give them to father or mother, to brother or sister or relative. Guard them; do not give them to anyone at all for the sake of the goods of the whole world. Do not speak to anyone of these mysteries of the Treasury of the Light, save to those who shall be worthy of them, having left the whole world and all its affairs, being in no faith other than the Faith of the Light, listening to one another and treating one another as Sons of the Light. THE GOSPELThe gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. John: The same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them: Peace be unto you. And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again: Peace be unto you; as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Easter Sunday

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 03:08:40 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.The Festival of the Risen Light Easter DayIntent: The Inner Resurrection THE COLLECTO Infinite Intelligence, in Whom all inspiration is, tell us the truth about ourselves in whatsoever ways we best may bear without being broken by that burden. Give us, we pray Thee, the sure and certain witness that spirit shall finally triumph over matter, and that death to the world is but a gateway to the ineffable splendor of eternal life in Thee. Deal lightly with us, O Divine Directing One, that we may learn our lessons in this life through love, yet with an unassuming air of absolute and utter confidence in Thy complete command of Cosmos; O never-setting sun of wisdom, goodness and truth, who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen. THE LESSONThe lesson is taken from the Acts of St. John: Jesus said to John: Thou hearest of me suffering, yet I have not suffered; pierced, yet was I not smitten; hanged, but was not hanged; blood flowing from me, yet it did not flow. And in a word, what they say of me, these things I did not have; while what they do not say, those I have suffered. Understand me then as the slaying of a Word, wound of a Word, hanging of a Word, suffering of a Word, fastening of a Word, death of a Word, resurrection of a Word, and defining this Word, I mean every man! THE GOSPEL The gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Matthew: As it began to dawn towards the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. And, behold, there was a great earthquake, for the Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow, and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the Angel said unto the women: Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus, who was crucified. Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that he is risen from the dead. And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy, and did run to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying: All hail. And they came and took Him by the feet, and worshipped Him.

Holy Saturday in Easter

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:46:26 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.A homily for the vigil of Holy Saturday.

Good Friday

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 00:16:58 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.The Readings for this service are taken from the Acts of John. The complete text of this reading is available in the Gnostic Society library.The Hymn of the LordWhich He Sang in Secret to the Holy Apostles, His DisciplesNow before he was taken he gathered all of us together and said:Before I am delivered up unto them let us sing an hymn to the Father, and so go forth to that which lieth before us. He bade us therefore make as it were a ring, holding one another's hands, and himself standing in the midst he said: Answer Amen unto me. He began, then, to sing an hymn and to say: Glory be to thee, Father. And we, going about in a ring, answered him:Amen. Glory be to thee, Word: Glory be to thee, Grace. Amen. Glory be to thee, Spirit: Glory be to thee, Holy One: Glory be to thy glory. Amen. We praise thee, O Father; we give thanks to thee, O Light, wherein darkness dwelleth not. Amen. Now whereas we give thanks, I say:I would be saved, and I would save. Amen. I would be loosed, and I would loose. Amen. I would be wounded, and I would wound. Amen. I would be born, and I would bear. Amen. I would eat, and I would be eaten. Amen. I would hear, and I would be heard. Amen. I would be thought, being wholly thought. Amen. I would be washed, and I would wash. Amen. Grace danceth. I would pipe; dance ye all. Amen. I would mourn: lament ye all. Amen.(The text continues...)

Maundy Thursday in Easter

Thu, 05 May 2011 00:13:31 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica. THE COLLECT O God, who hast given thy children the wonderful mystery of the Eucharist ere the world began; who hast sent to us holy messengers of thy love, who were without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the sons of God, thou art verily the heart-blood of the universe, whereby all beings live. Grant us, we pray, that we may properly reverence and worthily receive the unspeakable mystery of thy mystical body and blood now and forevermore. Amen. THE LESSON Put thou thy trust in the Lord, and be doing good; delight thou in the Lord, and He shall give thee thy heart’s desire. Commit thy way unto the Lord, and put thy trust in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall make thy righteousness as clear as the light, and thy just dealing as the noonday. O rest in the Lord; wait patiently for Him; for the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. THE GOSPEL Amen, Amen, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life. I am that Bread of life. This is the Bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living Bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live forever; and the Bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Palm Sunday

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 02:46:31 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.The Sunday Next Before Easter: Palm SundayIntent: The Temporary Triumph of the Light before its ObscurationTHE COLLECTO Lord, thou art Aleph the first and Tav the last which have come together in Thee, and so thy beneficent will has been fulfilled. Before thy face the angels veil their countenance, and before thy majesty all the glories of the earth are nothing. As we were told of old that thy Logos on the day of his triumph rode into the city and was greeted with shouts of joy by the people, grant unto us thy servants that we may recognize him when he enters the city of our being, and remain faithful to him unto the end of the Aeons. Amen. THE LESSONThe lesson is taken from the Revelation of St. John the Divine:I heard a great voice of much people in heaven saying: Alleluia; salvation and glory and honor and power unto the Lord our God, for true and righteous are His judgements. And again they said Alleluia. And the four-and-twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying: Amen, Praise our God, all ye His servants and ye that love Him, both great and small. And I heard as if it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying: Alleluia; for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth: let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to Him. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and His name is called Word of God; and He hath on His vesture and on his thigh a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. THE GOSPELThe gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Matthew:And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, saying unto them, “Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and her colt with her: loose them and bring them unto me. And if any man say aught unto you, ye shall say, ‘The Lord hath need of them,’ and he will straightway send them.” And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, and brought the ass and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude, when they heard that Jesus was coming, went forth to meet him, and spread their garments in the way, and others cut down branches from the trees and strew them in his way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, “Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” And the multitude said, “This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 03:13:20 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.The Fourth Sunday in LentIntent: Spiritual RefreshmentTHE COLLECTO Thou supreme Life-Spirit, cause of every change throughout creation, origin of all, and single source of every living soul, of Thee alone is our beginning, and in Thee alone have we no ending. As Thy sacred symbol of the seed is sown in Springtime, set Thou likewise in our hearts and souls the sacred spark of Thine immortal light. Grant us we pray a peaceful and refreshing season of progression. Let us receive fresh light upon our paths and follow this with faith throughout Thy plans for our perfection. May this truly be Thy will in us and our true will in Thee, that we may ultimately unify in everlasting love. Amen.THE LESSONThe lesson is taken from the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Phillipians: I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you. Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. THE GOSPELThe gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Philip:The light and the darkness, life and death, the right and the left, are brothers one to another. It is not possible to separate them from one another. Because of this, neither are the good good, nor the evil evil, nor is life a life, nor death a death. Because of this each one will be resolved into its origin from the beginning. But those who are exalted above the world are indissoluble and eternal.

Passion Sunday - Fifth Sunday in Lent

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 04:25:07 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.Passion Sunday: The Fifth Sunday in LentIntent: Mystery of the CrossTHE COLLECTO Word of Life, now called the cross, thou ever upright, ever raised on high, eternally above! O Cross, most skillfully devised instrument of salvation, given to us by the Highest! O Cross, invincible trophy of Christ's conquest of his foes! O Cross, life-giving tree, with its roots planted in earth, and its fruits treasured up in heaven! O Cross, most venerable sweetness and sweet name! O Cross most worshipful, who, through Gnosis bringest the worthy to God! O Name of the cross, hidden mystery! O ineffable grace that is expressed in the nave of the cross! O nature of man that cannot be separated from God! O love ineffable, inseparable, that cannot be declared by unclean lips! We will declare Thee for what thou art; we will not keep silence on the mystery of the cross which was always in the world. And thou, O Cross, wilt be unto us no mere cross of wood to slay the body of earthly matter but the cross of light that lifts man from things of earth to the matchless wonders of eternity. Amen.THE LESSONThe Lesson is taken from the Acts of St. Peter and the Acts of St. Andrew: It is right to mount on the cross of Christ, who is the one and only Word stretched out upon the cross. So that the Word is the upright beam whereon I am crucified, and the Sound is that which crosses it, the nature of Man, while the nail which holds the cross-beam to the upright in its center is the conversion and repentance of Man. The bar of the cross is the invincible man. This is the Father, this is the fountain that comes forth from the silence; it is he who is sought after everywhere. This is also the Father in whom the monad has evolved like a light-spark before which all the worlds are as nothing.THE GOSPELThe Gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. John: Jesus said: The hour is come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Amen, Amen, I say unto you, except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it, and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto eternal life. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there also shall My servant be.

Second Sunday in Lent

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 03:08:00 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.The Second Sunday in LentIntent: Yearning for GodTHE COLLECTO gracious father, kindly prince, countless myriads of years have now passed since we were separated from Thee! We yearn and long to see Thy luminous and living face! Unstained we roam forth in Thy power, unstained we come again to stand before Thee! It is true we have not altogether been able to fulfill Thy will, but now be merciful to us, O gracious and royal God; we would forget our sorrows, we would live in the joy of eternal love! Amen. THE LESSONThe lesson is taken from the Great Book of the Mandaeans:From the day when I came to love the Life, from the day when my heart came to love the Truth, I no longer have trust in anything in the world. In father and mother, I have no trust in the world. In brothers and sisters I have no trust in the world. In what is made and created I have no trust in the world. After my soul alone I go searching about, which to me is worth generations and worlds. I went and found my soul — What are to me all the worlds? I went and found Truth, as she stands at the outer rim of the worlds. THE GOSPELThe gospel is taken from the Book of the Pistis Sophia:And Mary, the mother of Jesus according to matter, said: When Thou my Master wert a child, before the Spirit had descended upon Thee, when Thou wert in the vineyard with Joseph, the Spirit came down from the height, and came unto me in the house, like unto Thee, and I knew him not, but thought that he was Thou. And he said unto me, ‘Where is Jesus, my brother, that I may go to meet him?’ And when he had said this unto me I was in doubt, and thought it was a phantom tempting me. I seized him and bound him to the foot of the bed which was in my house, until I had gone to find you in the field — Thee and Joseph. It came to pass, therefore, when Thou didst hear me saying this thing unto Joseph, that Thou didst understand, and Thou wert joyful and saidest, ‘Where is he, that I may see him? Nay I am expecting him in this place.’ And it came to pass, when Joseph heard Thee say these words, that he was disturbed. We went together, we entered into the house, we found the spirit bound on the bed, and we gazed upon Thee and him, and found that Thou wert like unto him. And he that was bound to the bed was unloosed; he embraced Thee and kissed thee, and Thou didst kiss him; and ye became one and the same being.

First Day of Lent - Ash Wednesday

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:48:58 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica. The First Day of Lent - Ash WednesdayIntent: Purification THE COLLECT O loving God, look upon Thy children who have answered Thy call! Come to us with Thy mighty aid in our time of need. Cleanse us of all darkness and ignorance, let our tears be turned to jubilation, let Thy most glorious power watch over us until we enter Thy light. Let Thy great brightness come and cause the path to be lit before us, let Thy angels bring to us Thy garments, Thy crowns and Thy garlands; let our way be restful, let the door open before us into the column of glory, let us cross over in the ships of Light and rest for evermore. Amen.THE LESSONThe lesson is taken from the words of the Holy Prophet Mani: The man whose mind is full of light is the one to whom belongs wisdom; as soon as he hears truth he welcomes it to himself; but he whose mind is without light, who is alien to it, does not take it to himself, nor does he listen to it. And every weak soul which has not learned the truth belonging to her is doomed to remain without any rest or happiness. God’s enlightening word is sweet when it finds ears to hear it; it does not lodge in a closed mind, makes not its way into a polluted shrine. Let us therefore examine our shrines, so that in cleanliness they may receive the Light.THE GOSPELThe gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Thomas: Jesus saw children who were being suckled. He said to his disciples: These children who are being suckled are like those who enter the kingdom. They said to Him: Shall we then, being children, enter the Kingdom? Jesus said to them: When you make the two one, and when you make the inner as the outer and the outer as the inner and the above as the below, and when you make the male and the female into a single one, so that the male will not be male and the female not be female, when you make eyes in the place of an eye, and a hand in the place of a hand, and a foot in the place of a foot, and an image in the place of an image then shall you enter the Kingdom.

Holy Valentinus Day

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:28:40 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.Day of the Holy ValentinusTHE COLLECTO Indestructible Spirit, whoever callest to thy Indestructible offspring wherever they may find themselves, we thank thee, and praise thy supreme and compassionate Gnosis for having given us the light and wisdom of the holy Valentinus. May the secrets nameless, ineffable, transcendental and glorious, that cannot be comprehended either by the dominions or by the powers or the lower beings or by any of the mixture of the world of darkness; the secrets brought to the light of our minds by Valentinus serve as our guiding powers to the ineffable Gnosis, now and forevermore. Amen.THE LESSONThe lesson is taken from the writings of the Holy Valentinus:When the Demiurge, the god of those who know not the true God further wanted to imitate also the boundless, eternal, infinite and timeless nature of the original eight Aeons of the fullness, but could not express their immutable eternity, being as he was a fruit of the defect, he embodied their eternity in times, epochs and great numbers of years, under the delusion that by the quantity of times he could represent their infinity. Thus truth escaped him and he followed a lie. Therefore his work shall pass away when the times are fulfilled.THE GOSPELThe gospel is taken from the Gospel of Truth:This is why Jesus appeared: he opened the Book of Gnosis. He was nailed to a tree, he fastened the testamentary disposition from the Father to the Cross. O such magnanimity, such that he draws himself downward to death while eternal life encloses him. Having divested himself of these perishable rags he clothed himself with the imperishability which none has the power to take from him.

Candlemas Day

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:27:53 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.Candlemas DayIntent: Kindling of the Light in DarknessTHE COLLECTO Lord of Light and Lady of Love, eternal, ineffable mystery of the Godhead, grant that enlightened by the flame of consciousness, we may successfully journey into the far and glorious kingdom beyond the aeons, and join the great flame as sparks flying upwards. Amen. THE LESSONThe lesson is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever. Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him, and His work before Him. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. THE GOSPELThe gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Thomas:Jesus said: I shall choose you, one out of a thousand, and two out of ten thousand, and they shall stand as a single one. His disciples said: Show us the place where thou art, for it is necessary for us to seek it. He said to them: Whoever has ears let him hear. Within a man of light there is light and he lights the whole world. When he does not shine, there is darkness. Jesus said: Love thy brother as thy soul, guard him as the apple of thine eye.

Septuagesima - Third Sunday Before Lent

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:05:42 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.Septuagesima - The Third Sunday Before LentIntent: The Gift of WisdomTHE COLLECTO Mind that conquers matter, spread thy mercy over our spirit. Mind of light, who art the Awakener of those who sleep, the Gatherer of those scattered abroad, Father of all the messengers of Light, Thou who choosest the communities who are to serve the Light, Physician of the souls; sprinkle the precious tree of our being with the water of thy wisdom and the dew of immortality, so that our lives on this earth may produce fruits which produce goodness, truth, and beauty. O Thou great consoler of men, to whom there be adoration now and forever. THE LESSONThe lesson is taken from the Book of the Wisdom of Solomon:Wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me; for in her is an understanding spirit, holy, one only, manifold, subtle, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing that is good, quick, which cannot be letted, ready to good, kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things, and going through all spirits, understanding, pure and most subtle. For wisdom is more moving than any motion; she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her pureness. For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure effluence from the glory of the Almighty; therefore can nothing defiled enter into her. For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of His goodness. And, being but one, she can do all things; remaining in herself, she maketh all things new; and in all ages entering into holy souls, she maketh them friends of God, and prophets. For God loveth him that dwelleth with Wisdom. For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of the stars. Being compared with the light, she is found before it. He that loveth her loveth life, and they that seek her early shall be filled with joy. He that holdeth her fast shall inherit glory; and wheresoever she entereth, the Lord will bless. They that serve her shall minister to the Holy One; and them that love her the Lord doth love.THE GOSPELThe gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Philip:There are animals which are subject to man, like the bull and the ass and others of this kind. There are others which are not subject and live apart in the deserts. Man ploughs the field by means of the beasts which are subject and from this he feeds himself and the beasts, whether those that are subject or those which are not subject. So is it with the perfect man. Through powers which are subject he ploughs, preparing for everything to come into being. For because of this the whole place stands, whether the good or the evil, and the right and the left. The Holy Spirit tends everything and rules all the powers which are subject and those which are not subject, with those which are separate.

Third Sunday after Epiphany

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 02:36:45 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.The Third Sunday After Epiphany Intent: Sincerity THE COLLECT -- O Indwelling Lord, who art ever opposed to injustice and hypocrisy, we pray that we may be just and true of heart in all our dealings with our brethren, that we may recognize within them Thy indwelling presence and holy light. O Thou great King of Righteousness, to whom be praise and adoration for ever and ever. Amen.THE LESSONThe lesson is taken from the Book of Sophia:Preach to the whole world: fight yourselves and receive the mysteries of the Light in this afflicted time, and go into the kingdom of the Light. Do not add day to day or cycle to cycle, hoping to come to receive the mysteries when we come to the world in another cycle. Now such people do not know when the number of the Perfect Souls will be complete, and I shall shut the Gates of Light, and from that time no one shall go in, because the mystery of the first mystery has been accomplished, for whose sake the universe has come into being. THE GOSPEL The gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Philip: When the pearl is cast down into the mud it does not become dishonored the more, nor if it is anointed with balsam oil will it become more precious. But it has its worth in the eyes of its owner at all times. So with the Sons of God wherever they may be. For they have the value in the eyes of their Father.

Second Sunday after Epiphany

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 02:10:36 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.The Second Sunday After EpiphanyIntent: Desire for LiberationTHE COLLECTO great 'Call' who has awakened our soul from slumber; O Merciful One filled with mercy, the savior of those who are his own. We worship thee; we have called upon thee with an innocent voice, because we know that thou art the rescuer of souls. Stretch out thy right hand to us, and we shall leave all darkness behind us, and serve only thy Light, now and forevermore. Amen. THE LESSONThe lesson is taken from the Book of the Psalms of Light: O Soul, thou art the sheep that has wandered in the desert; thy Father seeks thee, thy shepherd looks for thee. O despised noble, thy king searches after thee! Where are thy angel garments, thine unaging robes? Where are thy gay garlands, thy crowns that do not fall? Who has changed thy fair beauty, the fashion of thy kinsmen, the seal of thy fathers? Move thyself, O soul watching in the enduring chains, and remember the ascent into the joyful air, for a dangerous lure is the sweetness of this flesh, the body of darkness. Drink of the water of memory, throw away thy forgetfulness! The wounded one who desires healing, let him come to the physician! O soul, do not forget thy Self, nor faint, nor eat out thy heart! See, the ships are moored for thee, the boats are in the harbor; take thy burden aboard and sail away to thy true home. THE GOSPELThe gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Thomas: Jesus said: The old man will not hesitate to ask a little child of seven days about the place of Life, and he will live. For many who are first shall become last, and they shall become a single one. Jesus said: Know what is in thy sight, and what is hidden from thee will be revealed to thee. For there is nothing hidden which will not be manifest. His disciples asked him, they said to him: Wouldst thou that we fast and how should we pray and should we give alms and what diet should we observe? Jesus said: Do not lie; and do not do what you hate, for all things are manifest before Heaven. For there is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed and there is nothing covered that shall remain without being uncovered.

Epiphany

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:28:19 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.The EpiphanyIntent: Divine GuidanceTHE COLLECTHoly Father of the Light, who dost ever show Thyself to the wise men in every age, we ask for such zeal in the pursuit of Gnosis as may help us to lead all longing souls to Thy Light; O Thou ever shining and guiding star of wisdom and holiness, to Whom we present our gifts of devotion and adoration now and forevermore. Amen.THE LESSONThe lesson is taken from the writings of the Gnostic Fathers:When the Christ appeared among the Aeons of Light, and the chaos was dispersed and perfectly pacified, all the sons and daughters of wisdom sang hymns with great joy to the Father, sharing much delight. With one will and purpose the entire Fullness of the Aeons — Christ and the Spirit were well pleased and the Father imposed His seal upon all. And this is the most perfect beauty and Star of the Pleroma, a perfect fruit, Jesus who was also named Savior and Christ and Word and All, because he is from all. THE GOSPELThe gospel is taken from the Gospel of Truth:Therefore he who is Gnostic is truly a being from above. When he is called he hears; he answers; he directs himself to Him who calls him and returns to Him; he apprehends how he is called. By possessing Gnosis, he carries out the will of Him who called him and seeks to do what pleases Him. He receives the repose. He who thus possesses knowledge knows whence he comes and whither he goes. He understands as someone who makes himself free and awakens from the drunkenness wherein he lived and returns to himself.

New Year's Day

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 03:30:07 +0000

A collection of the weekly homilies given by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica.New Year's DayIntent: Renewal of LifeTHE COLLECTO omnipotent God, who fillest and dost govern the immensity of worlds which have come forth from Thee; Thou verily art the eternal new-born Child, and yet Thou art the Ancient of Days! Thou hast veiled Thy ineffable glory and splendor in the garment of time and the cloak of space; Thou wilt transform all things so that they might return to Thee, to Thy timeless essence. We dedicate our lives to Thee, and we resolve to so live throughout this year, that Thy glory might increase and fill the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen.THE LESSONThe lesson is taken from the Book of the Revelation of St. John the Divine:Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. Behold, I make all things new.THE GOSPELThe gospel is taken from the words of Hermes the Thrice Great Lord:Your consciousness is in God; draw it into yourself, and it will appear; will, and it takes birth; suspend the senses of the body and the birth of the Godhead takes place. But first you must purify yourselves from the mindless torments of matter, one of which is ignorance, though there are many others, which force the man who is confined to the prison of the body to suffer by way of the passions. But these at once depart from him on whom God has had mercy, and so the body of Gnosis in man is built. This is the way of true rebirth. And now my child be still, and keep solemn silence; and thus will the grace from God not cease to come upon us.