This collection of homilies began as an effort to fulfill a request by my first editor, Tom Lipscomb, when he was with the Trade Division of Prentice-Hall, in 1969. Tom put Bob Theobald and me under contract to produce a book about what then was called the environment movement. In 1972, under a succeeding editor at P-H, Bram Cavin, the book came out without my name on it, at my request -- long story, not here germain -- under title Habit And Habitat.
Bob excised the research I contributed and most of my disquisition on it. The publication went nowhere as a trade book. I renounced claim to proceeds and Bram declined my offer to return my share of the advance because, he rightly observed, I had done the work contracted even though Bob literally tore up most of it to keep it out of the book when published.
Tom was good to me during his tenure as Bob's and my editor, and ever since, and I liked his style of working. He was a New Yorker, and I seem to have an affinity for New Yorkers, appreciate their drive and creativity, love to watch them operate. They are a breed. They put a smile on my face. My father, albeit he deplored me, was a New Yorker and I always admired that quality in him. I graduate schooled in New York, where my father did, which is how I met Tom Lipscomb. We are close in age.
Tom enjoyed a prestigious career, justly deserved because carefully, creatively, skillfully, assiduously earned, in the publishing influence industry*. In the 2000s, decades after our confluence in 1969, I came across one of Tom's fine essays. This one included an email address for responding to him.
* Wait a minute. Influence Industry. You want me to pay you to influence me?
I reminded Tom of our association decades before and offered for his interest the homily All Saints Day, 1 November, which is linked below. Tom liked it and remembered me. We discovered we have in common being Anglo-Catholic Episcopalians, devotion to The Christian Liturgical Year, demurring of female clergy, and opprobrium for abortion, communism, and the whole remaining theses of the sectarian fantasy.
Ever the editor and just plain Christian encouraging his brethren to create soteriological occasions to benefit the world, Tom asked if I could write a book expounding on The Christian Liturgical Year. I said I would love to do that and sent him a proposal.
Hearing nothing back -- I will not speculate here as to why that -- I pushed ahead with the project on my own, awaiting each season of The Liturgical Year to improve it with a homily and collect to it related writings. I sent Tom one or more new homilies, heard nothing back. I wrote him on other subjects, he responded promptly, always kindly, complimentary, appreciative. We spoke on the phone once or more and always to genial, very personal effect. I admire Tom right at the top of the admiration meter and beyond to this day and always will. Tom Lipscomb is a good man, a statement I am willing to make regarding extremely few persons of my acquaintance.
Gradually, I lost focus on the project qua project. However, I fulfilled its intentions simply as a matter of natural life endeavor. Here is the book outline:
1- Introduction of the Author and the Purpose for Writing
2 - Description and Aim of Logos and Apologetic Theology
3 - Homilies on the Power and Meaning of the Mass and the Major Feasts
4 - Liturgical and Occasional Hymns and Prayers
5 - Reworked La Messe Sur La Monde
6 - Interspersed Relevant Biographical Material and Ecumenical Paintings
7 - Essay on the Power in History of the Christian Liturgical Year
8 - Essay on Christian Life and Education in the Whole World
9 - Concluding Blessing and Commendation
Just about everything that would content-up that outline is available at Catechesis For The Sai Era and/or Theological Geography.
Most of the works collected here fit the outline of the book I proposed to Tom, and in fact, that collection itself answers to the title proposed for the book. The following homilies are those, so far, to the manner born.
A Homily For Advent
11 December 2007
A Homily For Advent
09 December 2007
All Saints Day
01 November
Bear Up The Torch
A Homily for Lucifers
A Homily For Christmastide
Ethics And War:
Amplifications Of A Theme
From Trinity Season
Hold High The Cross
A Homily For Crucifers
Open God's Songbook
A Homily For Versifers
A Thanksgiving Homily
Theological Virtues
