Category: Sermon
The Armor of God~ The Rev. Deacon Dollie Wilkinson, OPI
If any of you read popular fiction, have been to a movie theater recently, or even followed posts on popular media, the trend now a days is to be a hero. From firefighters, and policemen (who are real-life heroes), to the multitude of Super Hero characters, such as Ironman, The Hulk, or Batman. There seems to be a need for heroes in our lives. We want someone to protect us, to fight off bad guys, to fight the good fight. Anyone who has served in the military, especially if they have gone in to combat in defense of their country, truly knows what it means to be a hero. Can you imagine going into the middle of a war zone? Bullets whizzing by over your head. Rockets, grenades, shells, land mines going off all around you? It would be frightening, wouldn’t it? What if you went back in time? Can you imagine being in the middle of a field of knights on horseback and foot soldiers, wildly swinging huge swords, maces, and battle axes, as arrows whizzed by over your head? I don’t think any of us would really want to be down in the middle of that. But think about this: is it even conceivable to imagine that you, if you knew you were headed into that kind of war zone, that you would do so with the clothes you have on right now? Take a look at what you’re wearing. How do you think those clothes would fare in the middle of battle like the ones I just described? Any good soldier, or hero knows you must prepare to do battle, and this includes putting on armor, equipping ourselves for the upcoming battle.
Did you know that there is an unseen battle that you and I are engaged in every single day; a conflict, a fight for your heart and your mind? Ephesians 6:10-20 is perhaps the clearest definition of the spiritual war. the Apostle Paul has several things he wants us to understand, several things God wants us to understand about the unseen battle that is raging all around us; the battle, if we belong to Jesus through faith, the battle we are always fighting.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.”
In this spiritual war, we are “A Band of Brothers.” We fight side by side. We watch each other’s backs. We protect each other and defend each other. We go to the wall for each other. We march with each other. This is key for us to understand, and especially for us to practice. When you see another brother or sister in Christ who is facing problems, you need to come along side them and help them. See what you can do to serve and support them. In a battle, the heroic soldiers are those who stay and help the wounded get off the battlefield. Those who flee just to protect themselves are seen as cowards. As Christians, we are in this battle together, which means we must help those around us who get injured and damaged in the fight. We must come around them and give them the encouragement and support that they need. That is good to know in a war like this. It is good to know that we are not fighting alone. It is good to know that we have friends and allies. It is good to know that we are watching out for one another.
That is what Paul means here by using those encouraging words…….we are never alone! If we are going to survive spiritual warfare, we must constantly be in training for battle so that we can become stronger. However, when we do these things, we need to remember that we ourselves are not getting stronger, nor is it our strength by which we are doing these things. Notice that the strength comes from the Lord and in the power of His might. This strength comes to us from God as we exercise and train and discipline ourselves. As we engage in the spiritual disciplines of Bible reading, praying, attending church, tithing, evangelism, etc., we naturally grow stronger in the Lord and His might is able to work in and through us more easily.
And in verses 11-20, Paul explains in much greater detail how to prepare yourselves for battle. Putting on the spiritual armor is another way to grow in the strength of the Lord. So Ephesians 6:10 is a battle cry. It is a rallying cry. It is a motivational challenge. Wake up! Get up! Be strong! If you want to survive in this fight, you must get into the training. You must put on the Armor of God. What does this mean? Ultimately, to put on the armor of God is to put on (by grace, through faith) the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you ready to be a hero? Do you have what it takes to fight the good fight? Remember, your strength will always come from the Lord, “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.”
St. Bernard of Clairvaux ~ Br. Michael Marshall, Novice
Memorial of Saint Bernard, Doctor of the Church – August 20th
Saint Bernard was born in 1090. Early in life, he studied Scripture and was well-versed in it. He sought admission into a religious order which we know as the Cistercians today, and eventually established an Abbey in Clairvaux. The abbey struggled initially but eventually men entered in numbers. Saint Bernard was instrumental in addressing issues between local royalty and Church affairs, by defending the rights of the Church. In 1130, a schism occurred and during that time two popes (Innocent II and Anacletus II) were elected; and Saint Bernard was selected by King Louis de Gros with consent of the bishops to be a judge of the rivalry between the popes. He was in favor of Innocent II, which caused him to be recognized by all the great Catholic powers, and went to Italy with Innocent II, and later returned to France to further progress of resolution of the conflict which led to the schism. While still in France, another schism took place due to William X, and Saint Bernard was able to resolve this conflict by inviting William to the Mass which he celebrated in the Church of La Couldre. At the moment of the Communion, placing the Sacred Host upon the paten, he went to the door of the church where William was, and pointing to the Host, he adjured the Duke not to despise God as he did His servants. William yielded and the schism ended. Saint Bernard then travelled to Italy to face more tension within the local church, and then finally returned to Clairvaux where he spent time in his cloister to compose many important writings which led him to be declared a Doctor of the Church. Because of conflict and turmoil in the East, Saint Bernard was sent to preach a new Crusade which failed. Bernard died in the sixty-third year of his age, after forty years spent in the cloister. He founded one hundred and sixty-three monasteries in different parts of Europe; at his death they numbered three hundred and forty-three. He was the first Cistercian monk placed on the calendar of saints and was canonized by Alexander III, 18 January 1174. Pope Pius VIII bestowed on him the title of Doctor of the Church. The Cistercians honor him as only the founders of orders are honored, because of the wonderful and widespread activity which he gave to the Order of Citeux.
Matthew 22:1-14
Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”.
This Gospel reading is a very challenging one to digest. The parable which Jesus is presenting to the people is about preparedness for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. I would say that the majority of Christians approach this from the viewpoint of what is considered moral versus what is considered as immoral. But I will not go down that path. In the parable, Jesus is using the King to represent God, and that God has invited humanity to the reward of heaven.
“Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.”
In this passage from the reading, Jesus is trying to explain that God will put people in their place because of their actions which go against what God wants of humanity, as much as they believe they are doing what God wants. The parable goes onto tell that the king has kept the invitation open even though some do not show up, but many do show up. When the person who does not show up fully prepared due to not being appropriately dressed, he is cast out and not allowed into the feast.
I am challenging you to look at the message in a different way other than from the perspective of morality. I am challenging all of us to think about how we treat others; whether we help those in need when possible, or if we just avoid the situation; if we spend time with God in prayer; and if we are self-absorbed. Being prepared pertains to every aspect of our lives. Are we doing what we need to in order to be prepared?
Do we pray? Do we read and study our Bibles. Do we spend time in Christian fellowship? I challenge to you spend a period of time in honest self-reflection, in honest self-evaluation, and then, with all haste, make yourselves prepared for the wedding feast. Amen.
The True Bread of Life ~ The Rev. Lady Sherwood, OPI
Based on Jn 6:24-35
Today our Lord Jesus is telling us that it is not the physical food of bread that we should be looking for and that we should be looking to be fed by the Holy Spirit. The bread of life is not the loaf in a packet that we buy from a shelf in the supermarket, but is indeed Jesus himself. Jesus was referring to himself as it is he that we need for life, he is essential for true life itself.
If we leave a loaf out overnight it is likely to become stale and perhaps mouldy as it is quickly perishable, whereas the true bread of live-Jesus is erernal. He is the bread that lasts and sustains us forever.
In my life I often come across people who are hungry because of their life circumstances, but many of these people regardless of this are filled with joy, love and hope as they know that Jesus is the truth and that he will always sustain them.
This is exactly what Jesus is telling us when he said, “I am the bread of life.” Jesus feeds us with love, hope, grace and forgiveness and he the true bread from heaven which we need to live the full lives which we were all created to live.
When we partake of the Holy Eucharist, we share in this bread of life. We share in our Lord Jesus with all our Christian brothers and sisters across all the world and across all of time.
We are to share the bread of life with others, to work for food which endures forever. We are called by God our Father to work for him, to share his love, and the good news of the salvation of Jesus.
We are called to be preach the word, to be peacemakers, to love each other for who we are irrespective of any differences. We are called to work to share the unconditional love and acceptance of our Lord Jesus to all and to live our lives as an outpouring of that love.
In whichever way you are called, let us go forth bringing the love and peace and the completeness of the bread of life into the world and into people’s hearts and lives.
Seventeenth Sunday in Kingdomtide – July 26, 2015
John 6:1-15
Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.
A large crowd followed him,
because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
Jesus went up on the mountain,
and there he sat down with his disciples.
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
When Jesus raised his eyes
and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,
he said to Philip,
“Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”
He said this to test him,
because he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him,
“Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough
for each of them to have a little.”
One of his disciples,
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;
but what good are these for so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people recline.”
Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.
So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,
and distributed them to those who were reclining,
and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,
“Gather the fragments left over,
so that nothing will be wasted.”
So they collected them,
and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments
from the five barley loaves
that had been more than they could eat.
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,
“This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.”
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off
to make him king,
he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
Large events like town or parish festivals, Komen benefit runs, and other charity functions… There is usually a team with a chairperson that organizes these events. Yet there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people show up to get in on the fun and action. Have you ever wondered how these events happen, when it appears impossible to make such events happen with only a few people organizing them? My previous parish’s youth group wanted to put on an annual event for the parish community, and as an adult leader for the youth ministry, I was part of the planning committee. Being part of a planning team for the inaugural event, I can tell you that it is not easy getting things off the ground. We had a budget and very little other resources, and we were reconsidering whether to have the event at all because the youth leaders were not sure it could be done. We were asked, “How can 15 of us make this happen?” The paid youth minister suggested the youth brainstorm about how to get additional resources, and that necessarily did not mean money. What he was trying to convey to them that the parish community was excited about the youth wanting to put on this event; so there were adults in the community that were willing to help. The event committee went from 15 being involved to 50; people working at the food tent, people setting up and taking down tables, and attendees even donated money to make it a success. Over 500 people came to the event, and with what donations were given, the youth group had money to put toward the event the following year.
Applying this to us… Ministry is often rewarding yet it can be very difficult, especially when there are only a few in ministry but so many need to be ministered to. We, as the UOCC, have seen many challenges in order to be effective in building the Kingdom, yet so much has happened to minister to others. The Church is small yet global, and growing by the grace of God. We have a presence, especially with Facebook and different broadcasted Media. Yet is there something missing? Are the clergy and people in formation taking it all on? Are there so many more people being missed? The laity that is out there is a great resource, and are we inviting them to get involved in things other than “liking” our posts on Facebook? I believe God was working through the youth minister to empower the youth, just as Jesus fed the 5000 through obtaining the resources to make it happen. God will provide the opportunity for growth if we take the time to understand how to utilize resources available to us. If we take on all of the ministry, we may get burned out.
Feast of Saint James, Apostle ~ Br. Michael Marshall, Novice
Feast of Saint James, Apostle – July 25th
A boy who was in middle school showed sincere interest because he knew the fundamentals of the game and so his parents signed him up in a recreational soccer league. He was able to play the game better than the other boys who were on his team. While at practice he saw others having a hard time with fundamentals, such as dribbling the ball and how to head the ball with accuracy. Because he thought he was better than the other team members, he felt as if practice was a joke. Instead of assisting the coaches to help the rest of us learn the skills, he decided he was going to skip practice because he did not need to be there, and his dad agreed it was a waste of time.
When the kid showed up for the first game, he expected to be in the starting rotation and play a position in which he would have control of the ball most of the game. To his surprise, he was placed on the substitute list and never was put in the game. The team lost the game by a significant margin. When the game was over the kid’s dad gave one of the coaches an earful about why the “best player on the team” was not put in the game, and that the team would have won if his son had been in the game. The dad was disappointed that he could not see his son play, more than wanting to win the game, but he used that argument in defense of his son. The coach asked the boy’s dad if he knew what it meant to be a team player, but the boy’s dad retorted with the request that his son simply be in the next game, and evading the question. So the coach was bold enough to say that that being at practice is part of being on the team and required in order to play in the games, regardless of how good a player is.
We see the same desire from the mother of James and John when she approaches Jesus.
The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
He said to her,
“What do you wish?”
She answered him,
“Command that these two sons of mine sit,
one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” (Matthew (20:20-21)
She wanted good things for her sons as followers of Jesus, and we read that James and John wanted the same. Yet Jesus states that it is not that simple; that just because they long to sit beside him in the Kingdom, it is not going to happen unless they accept the responsibility in order to do so.
Jesus said in reply,
“You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”
They said to him, “We can.”
He replied,
“My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” (Matthew 20:22-23)
The dad of the boy sat down and had a talk about what the coach had said about being part of the team. The boy still felt it was not fair, and his dad asked him if he was really serious about playing, and if so, the needed to understand that the coach has the right to decide who plays and does not play; the reward of playing in the games results from being a team player, and not being a team player results in being benched. The following Scripture ties into this point.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)
Now let’s apply this to ourselves… Are we so into ourselves to the point we claim to be followers of Jesus, yet we do not reach out to those in need? Are we being superior over others, and telling them we can do ministry better? Are we part of a Christian community? Essentially, are we like the boy who plays soccer for himself? If so, it’s time to change!
And They Went Out Two by Two ~ The Rev. Deacon M. Scott Brown, OPI
And they went two by two: Not Noah and the Ark – The Apostles silly!
Jesus told the twelve Apostles to go out two by two and proclaim the Gospel of the Lord. How far did they go? How long did it take them? Did they do this until they died? Did they do it for a few years until they got tired? They were to heal the sick, cast out evil spirits, and proclaim the gospel. Doesn’t sound like a lot, but I imagine that would have been a daunting task in those days. Cities were many miles apart, there were no paved roads, no mass transportation, and they were not even allowed to ride a camel per Jesus’s instructions.
We should consider these as our instruction as modern day Christians. We should be proclaiming the gospel of the Lord to everyone we meet, in every situation, and every day. We can heal the sick by helping the homeless and the poor with nutrition and food, we can cast out evil spirits by teaching people about Jesus and the love of our God. Not just on Sundays, but every day of the week; every place we go; and in every situation in which we find ourselves.
Jesus also told the apostles that if any place would not accept them to leave and shake the dust of that place off their feet. By this I believe he meant that only so much can be done in some situations. If someone does not want to listen to what you have to say then move on to the next. Not everyone is going to be open and accepting as we see in our world today in so many other areas such as equal rights and marriage equality. Do the best you can; if they won’t listen or don’t seem open then leave them and go where you are accepted and welcomed. I am sure the apostles were not welcomed with open arms everywhere they went. I highly suspect that they were even run out of some areas before they were even able to speak simply because of who they were. We run into that type of discrimination in our lives every day also. So what do we do when we encounter this type of rejection? We pray for those who are not willing to listen that the Lord will open their hearts and minds. We pray that the Lord will open their ears that they may hear the good news of salvation available to those who believe. I am sure that is how the Apostles handled the rejection they must have faced.
Jesus told the Apostles “You may take along a walking stick, but carry no food or money.” Because Jesus knew that the believers would take care of the Apostle’s needs as they traveled proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord, just as we should be taking care of our brothers and sisters that do this same work in this day and age. Jesus knew that his Apostles’ needs would be met and none of them would suffer while on their journey. Jesus said “When you are welcomed into a home, stay there until you leave that town,”meaning that the Apostles should stay and preach until they felt they had accomplished all they could in that town. Not to just preach one sermon, but stay and listen to and answer questions, minister to the people of that town until the Apostles felt that they had reached every person who was willing to listen, and wanted to hear what they had to say.
Mark tells us that the Apostles healed many sick people and cast out many demons on their journeys. We still don’t know for certain how long it took them, how far they went, or how many people they had contact with. All we have is Church Tradition to fall back on, but I believe they carried out Jesus’s instructions well into their old age or even until their deaths, without ceasing and without fail. As modern day Christians we should pattern our lives in the same way: go and preach the Gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons. For if we do the Lord will see to it that our spiritual and physical needs will be met. Go on and be a modern day Apostle.
“Perfect in Weakness” ~ Sister Dollie Wilkinson, OPI
Our reading today comes from 2 Corinthians 12:2-10:
“I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows–was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”
In this second letter to the Corinthians, Paul is at first trying to explain why the people should listen to him, and follow his lead, in becoming children of a loving Father. He starts at first by boasting, but quickly realizes that that is not the right way to go. In the process, he learns a couple of valuable lessons. A couple of crucial lessons that are still relevant today.
The Lesson of Humility:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul had to learn two lessons. The first was the the lesson of humility. Paul had to learn that grace had to replace ego. This was difficult for Paul. We live in a culture that prizes strength. It was no different in Paul’s time. In spite of this fact, Paul said, “My authority comes because of my weakness.” Paul had revelations from God in which he was taken up into paradise. Paul could have said, “Look at all of these revelations I’ve had. These are my authority.” No, he said he would boast only of his weaknesses. He was a very learned man. He demonstrated great intellectual skills so God gave Paul an infirmity. He called it his thorn in the flesh. Scholars have expended a great deal of time, ink and paper speculating on the nature of the ailment but are not even close to an agreement. Some think it was an inflammation of his eyes that caused swelling, others contend that it was severe headaches or even malaria. While we do not know the precise infirmity we do know that Paul’s opponents used it against him. They argued that if he had enough faith or was truly called to be an apostle, God would have healed him.
Physical health is often used as a sign of God’s blessings. How many times have you heard someone remark, “Why doesn’t God heal me?” “What have I done to deserve this?” We assume that if we live a good life we will be free from chronic physical ailments or that spiritual maturity can be measured by good health. This argument may appear ridiculous to hear now, but how often do we think about this in moments of frustration. Or how often do we use some form of disability or physical ailment as a reason for not doing what we feel God has called us to do? I know, I do….for example, I have hand tremors. How many times have I let this neurological ailment prevent me from doing things? More often than I can count.
God had given Paul a vision so incredible that words could not describe it. Anyone who has had such a mystical experience would be tempted to brag about it. Paul’s thorn prevented that because the severe pain or the physical disfigurement reminded him each day that he was still just a mortal man. He had to rely on the grace of God, not on his good looks or skillful speaking to accomplish God’s work.
Sometimes, fear is what’s holding us back from becoming a better Christian, or from taking a more active role within the church. We are reluctant to try something new because we are afraid of failing. Or we are embarrassed by the quality of our work compared to someone elses. In the back of our mind we are saying that unless we can do an excellent job, then we will not risk doing the project. Of course there are some jobs that this attitude is indeed important. We do not want a NASA scientist doing a less than a precise job on the design and construction of the Space Station. We do not want our doctor saying when writing the prescription for our medication to make us feel better, “Now was that dosage 15mg or 150mg or 1500mg.” Nor do we want to hear the teller at the bank make a mistake in adding up our bank deposit. Those professions require an exactness. But God does not expect that every person will produce an award winning performance in every task, job, project or ministry.
Sometimes, its just showing up, and trying your best, that truly reveals how gifted you really are. You may not be able to teach Sunday School like a trained school teacher, but if you can share your love for Jesus who cares if you follow the lesson plan. You may not be able to heal the sick or say elegant prayers, but if you can just sit with someone who is sick and hold their hand no one will fault you. You may not be able to pound a nail in straight or climb onto the roof, but if you can mix up fruit drinks and serve sandwiches during a Habitat for Humanity project, then you will be just as important as the people doing the hard labor.
The Lesson of Weakness:
“my power is made perfect in weakness.”
We may consider ourselves inexperienced, unpolished, and unskilled. We may consider ourselves unqualified to serve God in the church because of our past or even a present that is not consistent with the teachings of Christ. We may consider ourselves unprepared because of a lack of education. We all have our weaknesses. We all have “flaws” but whatever we lack God can take it and make it into our source of strength.
Our weaknesses can lead to strength. Our weaknesses, struggles, and shortcomings, though they are painful and may be embarrassing, can keep us from that awful smugness and arrogance and open us to God. I myself have found that my own personal experiences and struggles, whether as a mom, wife, grandmother, and a Sister in the Church, have better allowed me to help others. If someone is talking to me on a matter with which they’re dealing, and if I can say, “Maybe I haven’t struggled with exactly that same thing, but, I have dealt with something similar”, then that recognition is my credential, not the college degree or formal training. A person can have all that and come off as pompous. I don’t think people are very helpful when they feel like they have not experienced the usual sufferings of life. When a person can say, “I understand that. I have experienced something similar”, a person may then go on to say, “My power really does come from God.” Paul is saying here that it is his personal weaknesses, including the thorn gifted to him by God, that reveals his greatest strengths. In this he feels justified in boasting, as should we all. For it is in being our most humble, and human, that brings us into a closer relationship with our heavenly Father.
Singin’ In the Rain: The Feasts of St. Peter and Paul ~ Br. Jarred Smith, Postulant
In today’s first two readings we find Peter and Paul in what looks to be in times of tribulation. They are both in prison, and in those days jail were not like the ones today. Most of the cells in those days were places where raw sewage would come in. There were no regular meals provided. There was no heat, no air conditioning. These were terrible conditions.
Peter is facing almost certain death. Paul is nearing the end of his race and his death takes place shortly after this passage was written.
What I find from these passages is that despite their surroundings and predicaments neither Peter nor Paul are complaining, or saying “why God?” But rather they are rejoicing!
Today on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul I would like to refer to this message as “singing in the rain”.
We all go through trials, tribulations, and hard times in life. It is often easy to say, “Why, God, am I going through this?” I am as guilty of this.
I suffer from anxiety and depression. My brain doesn’t produce enough serotonin. This simply means my brain doesn’t produce enough happy juice to surge through my brain. I go through trials of depression which often not only affects my mental state, but also affects me physically.
Back in November I started a deep depression which lasted till January. The whole time thoughts of, “Why God did you make me like this? I’ll never be happy or content.” Thoughts of worthlessness, and failure flooded me.
I tell you this because in those moments I doubted and wallowed in my own self-pity. I was asking, “Why God? How could God have created me like this?” Toward the end of this time period, I actually began to wonder, “Did God make a mistake when making me?”
When I actually gave voice to that question, and realized what I was feeling, it hit me hard. I realized that in asking that question I fully gave into my humanity and questioned God in his plan and his being God.
You see, God doesn’t make mistakes. Allowing trials to happen is God’s way of strengthening our faith, our resolve, and our relationship with him. Often it also is to give hope and to strengthen us, and to bring others to him.
It is so tough during these down and low times to find joy, or to say it’s been great, or to thank God for the persecution. Sometimes it is hard to praise God for all that you’ve been through or are going through. But Peter and Paul both point out that if we place our trust in God, he will see us through, and then he will do as he has promised.
What are we to learn from these scriptures?
We are not to dwell on the injustices that had befall us. Instead, we are to trust that God has us right where He wants us. Like Peter and Paul, we are to turn our attention to others, the church, and to God. You see, if we step back from our situations we might just see that no matter the outcome, God has provided us an opportunity to grow, to learn, and given us a chance to become closer to him. Romans 8:28 says, “All things work for the good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.” In Jeremiah 29:11 we hear, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to give you hope and a future.” In John 16:33 Jesus Himself addressed this when he said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up! I have overcome the world!”
Cheer up! Jesus has this! Cheer up! God has you in His hand! Cheer up! Or, as the musical says “I’m singing in the rain! Oh, what a glorious feeling to be singing in the rain”.
Like Sands Through the Hourglass ~ The Rev. Deacon Scott Brown, OPI
Like sands through the hourglass:
So are the days of our lives.
As a kid I loved to watch Days of Our Lives with my grandmother. I didn’t really understand what the show was all about, but I loved the hourglass. As I got older I began to understand what the saying meant. Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives. Once the sand flows from the top portion of the hourglass to the bottom, it cannot get back to the top again without assistance. The hourglass must be turned over and restarted in order for the sand to flow again. Our lives are very much like that hourglass. We travel through life, getting chance after chance after chance to flow from the top of the hourglass to the bottom again. God flips us over time and time again, forgiving us for our sins, putting people in our lives to travel through the neck of the hourglass with us, giving us chance after chance. As we travel through the neck of the hourglass we should look around and see who is traveling with us. We should pay attention to the grains of sand that pass from top to bottom with us, and notice that when God flips the hourglass over each time we usually have the same people traveling with us. God puts these people in our lives for a reason. We should listen to what they have to say, discuss problems with them, open up to them about what is going on in our lives and see how we can influence them as they influence us. Open your hearts, open your minds, open your lives to the other sands that surround you. You may just find yourself free from the hourglass and on a beach, surrounded by sand for as far as the eye can see. Each grain of sand touches the other. Let’s use our lives to touch others. Matthew 5:16 says “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Let your light shine, let your grain of sand touch and mingle with the others around you. Do this because you truly want to spread the love of God, and not to draw attention to yourself but to spread the love of Christ. Matthew 6:1-34 says” Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward….Our Lord demonstrated this Himself when he told Jarius and his family to keep quiet about raising the little girl from the dead. Should we not do the same?
And what about those grains of sand touching and Jesus? How does that figure in? In both the stories in the Gospel this morning, we read how the mere touch of our Lord changed lives. Forever. Remember, everything that you do, everything that you say, has an impact on someone, somehow. Let your light shine. Let your grain of sand touch others. Show, spread, and live the Word of God. Amen.
The Nativity of John the Baptist ~ Br. Michael Marshall, Novice
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord”
This is a song from the musical Godspell, which is John the Baptist foretelling the birth of Jesus. Some people thought John was the One, yet he knew he was not. The story of John’s birth is accounted for in all of the Gospels yet in today’s readings we read the story according to Luke:
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
“No. He will be called John.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?”
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit,
and he was in the desert until the day
of his manifestation to Israel. (1:55-67, 80)
We can see a foretelling of John, even though John is not specifically stated in the first reading from Isaiah (49:1-6), so this is definitely a very important part of history for humanity. What we need to keep in mind is that if there had not been John the Baptist, there would have been no foretelling of Jesus coming to this world. This all is rather obvious for us. But how does this really apply to us today other than understanding the Scripture?
John was a herald, a messenger in his own way; trying to help others understand who was to come. We as Christians today are called to do the same thing, yet help others understand that Jesus will return. As much as some folks try to use a fear tactic of damnation to bring others to Christ, that really isn’t our purpose. Our purpose is to show love, the love of Christ through our actions and faith. We are to be heralds and messengers, and share the Good News!
The Order of Preachers, Independent 
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