Category: Sermon
XXX Observations
Contracts: Sign at the X Treasure maps: X marks the spot Algebra: Solve for X.
X is the 3rd least used letter in the English language. There are no words that begin with X in the list of the 500 most commonly used words in the English language. X seems to be a pretty special and unique letter. BUT, what about that pesky “Xmas” that annoys so many people? How can people simply substitute a letter of the alphabet for the name of Our Lord? Where did this abomination originate? What evil mind decided to do away with Christ and substitute it with an X? How did this happen? Should we avoid, shun, boycott people and places that use Xmas instead of Christmas?
We are going to look at this today, so here we go:
To begin: Look around in your churches, my friends, especially those of you from a liturgical background, and see how many X’s you can find. Do some Googling of “Xmas” and this is what you get:
“Xmas” is a common abbreviation of the word “Christmas“. The “-mas” part is from the Latin-derived Old English word for “Mass“, while the “X” comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός, translated as “Christ“. There is a common misconception that the word Xmas is a secular attempt to remove the religious tradition from Christmas by taking the “Christ” out of “Christmas”. While “Xmas” is considered to be an informal abbreviation, it should never be used in formal writing, but it is historically correct.
The word “Christ” and its compounds, including “Christmas”, have been abbreviated in English for at least the past 1,000 years, long before the modern “Xmas” was commonly used. “Christ” was often written as “XP” or “Xt”; there are references in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as far back as AD 1021. This X and P arose as the uppercase forms of the Greek letters χ and ρ used in ancient abbreviations for Χριστος (Greek for “Christ”), and are still widely seen in many Eastern Orthodox icons depicting Jesus Christ. The labarum, an amalgamation of the two Greek letters rendered as ☧, is a symbol often used to represent Christ in Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christian Churches.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and the OED Supplement have cited usages of “X-” or “Xp-” for “Christ-” as early as 1485. The terms “Xpian” and “Xtian” have also been used for “Christian”. The dictionary further cites usage of “Xtianity” for “Christianity” from 1634. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage, most of the evidence for these words comes from “educated Englishmen who knew their Greek”.
In ancient Christian art, χ and χρ are abbreviations for Christ’s name. In many manuscripts of the New Testament and icons, Χ is an abbreviation for Χριστος, as is XC (the first and last letters in Greek, using the lunate sigma); compare IC for Jesus in Greek.
Thus, really and truly, the use of the “X” isn’t taking Christ out of Christmas at all. And instead of protesting the use of “X” during the Christmas season, wouldn’t we ALL be better people, the world be a better place, and Christ be better served, if we kept that “X” in our words and deeds every day of the year? Should we not celebrate Him always, 24/7/365?
So, having said all of the above, may you keep Christ, not only in Christmas, but also in your hearts and minds and lives, every day and always. Amen.
Ready? Set. WAIT! ~ The Very Rev. Terry Elkington, OPoc
On this the second Sunday of Advent we learn of how our preparation, or lack of preparation, for the coming of Jesus is reflected in our daily lives. Advent is a pretty special time for me. Today, 2 Advent, marks the first year of my ordination to the priesthood. My birthday is also during our Advent season. Growing up I always prepared myself for my birthday and Christmas, but as I matured the Advent season became even more important to me.
We must always remember that as we enter the busy Christmas season, it remains Advent inside the church. Outside, the decorative colors have been red and green since before Thanksgiving. Inside the church, the color of the Advent season is a deep and rich purple and we are preparing for the birth of Christ. We will hear hauntingly beautiful Advent hymns with the themes of getting ready, preparing, and waiting. Outside Christmas music is playing already, and at full blast everywhere you go. But that’s a very different mood from the Advent tone of quiet meditative worship. Out at the malls you are supposed to be preparing for Christmas by shopping. In the church you are supposed to be preparing spiritually so that when we celebrate Christ’s birth on Christmas Eve, God can really do something, because your heart will be ready. I’m not saying that the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparation is awful. After all, I love Christmas and all the fun of preparing for it, from the cookies to the music. I even like doing a little Christmas shopping. But the key is to balance all that cultural Christmas hoopla with the quiet spirituality of Advent. This is why regular worship in this season is so vitally important. We need to be reminded that the real preparation for Christmas is not all about cooking, or shopping or wrapping gifts. The real preparation for Christmas is the challenge of Advent, about asking the hard questions of our spirits.
Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone you need to apologize to? Is God calling you into service or into a new work in his name? Is there someone you should invite to church in a season when many people are searching? Is there someone in your life who needs you to pray for them? What about your relationship with God? Are you the Christian you are called to be?
You don’t have to choose between Christmas and Advent. Just make sure you pay attention to both. This is what happens to us, not only when one becomes ordained, but also to all of us when we become Christians….As a priest I relate to Matthew 11:2 The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
I have no fear of the LORD, but understand that Advent calls us to fill our December days with – prayer, attention to the state of our souls, and acts of kindness, mercy and justice.
We say these things in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Pax et Bonum
Msgr Terry E Elkington OPoc
Hating Bing Crosby: Merry Christmas OR Happy Holidays?????
It’s that time of year again. We hear Christmas Carols on the radio, and in stores, and in shopping malls. And there is that ONE carol that virtually ALL good Christians should hate, Bing Crosby’s “Happy Holidays.” THAT song is the origin of the greatest Christian controversy since the Reformation, and begins the time for all and sundry to argue the finer points of holiday greetings: Merry Christmas versus Happy Holidays. At the risk of being seen as a non-Christian priest, or a politically correct one, and abandoning or at least not defending my faith and my Lord, I feel compelled for some odd reason, to offer a treatise on the use of Happy Holidays. So here goes….
“Happy Holidays.” Now really, what’s wrong with that? It’s a pleasant wish that encompasses good wishes for an entire month and a half long season. Granted, that “season” is usually meant to be the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, and is usually understood to include only Christmas and New Year’s Day. However, in that time period, what other holidays are there? “Happy Holidays” is a collective and inclusive wish for the period encompassing Thanksgiving, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Winter solstice, Christmas Day (The Nativity of the Lord), Boxing Day, and St. Stephen’s Day, St. John’s Day, the Epiphany, and it would take me forever to get through the list, if I could remember the list at all, just to give a pleasant hello to someone! “Happy Holidays” is just easier! Most of the aforementioned holidays ARE Christian holidays, though, so what’s wrong with “Happy Holidays?”
Leaving those “Happy Holidays” that are in the Christian calendar for a few minutes; let’s look at the ones that aren’t Christian holidays. Granted, I don’t really consider the Winter solstice a holiday and don’t think I know any Wiccans personally, so I can omit that one altogether and not feel too bad about it. Kwanzaa is celebrated by our African American brothers and sisters and is not a substitute for Christmas, nor is it a religious holiday. Wishing someone a happy Kwanzaa does nothing to deny Christianity, but it’s a holiday that I personally don’t celebrate, since I’m not African American. I DO have many African American friends, however, and most certainly wish them all a happy and joyous Kwanzaa, as well as Merry Christmas!
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival, celebrating a miracle that occurred way back in the 2nd century BCE. Also known as the Festival of Lights, it is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt. The story of Hanukkah is alluded to in the book of 1 Maccabees, but Hanukkah is not specially mentioned; rather, a story similar in character, and obviously older in date, is the one alluded to in 2 Maccabees 1:18, according to which the relighting of the altar fire by a miracle which occurred on the 25th of Kislev, and which appears to be given as the reason for the selection of the same date for the rededication of the altar by Judah Maccabee. Now, 1 and 2 Maccabees are not considered canonical books by most Protestants, but are included in the Apocrypha, which IS in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles. So while Hanukkah is not a Christian holiday, per se, it can be considered Biblical. And since it celebrates the lighting of the rededication of the Temple and is celebrated with lights, and Christ is “the Light of the World,” and the fact that Christianity has its roots in Judaism, Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends!
The day after Christmas is Boxing Day, which is celebrated in the Commonwealth countries. The tradition of Boxing Day has long included giving money and other gifts to those who are needy and in service positions, and this European tradition has been dated to the Middle Ages. Shouldn’t we, as Christians, do this year round, and not just during the “holidays”?
New Years Day: Now, there’s a pagan holiday for you! The Romans dedicated this day to honor Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings. The month of January was named after Janus, who had two faces, one looking forward and the other looking backward. It is from this Roman custom that we get the making of New Year’s resolutions: looking backward, we resolve to not do something or other, and looking forward, we resolve TO do something or other. Among the 7th century pagans, it was the custom to exchange gifts at the New Year. So, I guess I’m asking, should we as Christians NOT celebrate the new year and not wish everyone a “Happy New Year”? If this is the case, then we should certainly avoid making New Year’s resolutions, too. (Especially those that include diets and exercise!)
And then, there are the religious holidays that most Christians don’t really celebrate, and some don’t even know about. The Feast of Saint Stephen, who was the first Christian martyr on 26 December, the Feast of St. John who was the “Beloved Disciple” on 27 December, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 8 December, and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on 12 December have already been mentioned.
Finally, there is Epiphany, which is perhaps one of the most important holidays of the liturgical or church year. It is the last day of the Twelve Days of Christmas of which we sing in the (often-denigrated) Christmas carol, and which is overlooked by most non-liturgical churches. Epiphany, which falls on January 6, is a Christian Feast day that celebrates the revelation of “God the Son” as a human being. Western Christians commemorate principally (but not solely) the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus, and thus Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles. The early Christian Fathers fixed the date of the feast on January 6. Ancient litergies noted Matthew 3:13–17, Luke 3:22, and John 2:1–11; where the Baptism and the Marriage at Cana were dwelt upon. Western Christians have traditionally emphasized the “Revelation to the Gentiles” mentioned in Luke, where the term “Gentile” means all non-Jewish peoples. The , who represented the non-Jewish peoples of the world, paid homage to the infant Jesus in stark contrast to Herod the Great, a King of Judea, who sought to kill him. In this event, Christian writers also inferred a revelation to the Children of Israel. Saint John Chrysostom identified the significance of the meeting between the Magi and Herod’s court: “The star had been hidden from them so that, on finding themselves without their guide, they would have no alternative but to consult the Jews. In this way, the birth of Jesus would be made known to all.” The earliest surviving, recorded reference to Epiphany as a Christian feast was made in A.D. 361, by Ammianus Marcellinus. Epiphanius of Salamis says that January 6 is Christ’s “Birthday; that is, His Epiphany”. He also asserts that the Miracle at Cana occurred on the same calendar day, and it was on this day, too, that John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. So on 6 January, after all the Christmas trimmings have been put away, the gifts exchanged, New Years resolutions have been made (and some broken already), and the kids are back in school, we can still say, with all feeling, “Happy Holidays.”
Honestly, don’t you think “Happy Holidays” is so much easier? And besides, I really like Bing Crosby’s Christmas carol, “Happy Holidays!”
Advent ~ Father Michael Beckett, OPoc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh98X_XlKdk&feature=youtube_gdata
Within the calendar year, there is another year: the great cycle of the liturgical year, revolving around the life and ministry Christ. Each season of the liturgical year has its own particular focus, feasts, words, and colors, giving us an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the coming of Jesus, his life, and his commission to His people to be a light to the world. Since the 900s, Advent has marked the beginning of the church year, and is a season of great anticipation, preparation, and excitement, traditionally focusing on the Nativity of the Christ Child, when Jesus came as our Savior. During Advent, we as Christians also direct our thoughts to His second coming as judge.
The word Advent is from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming,” and is celebrated during the four weeks of preparation for Christmas. Advent always contains four Sundays, beginning on the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, (November 30) and continuing until December 24. It blends together a penitential spirit, very similar to Lent, a liturgical theme of preparation for the Second and Final Coming of the Lord, called the Parousia, and a joyful theme of getting ready for the Bethlehem event. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. Scripture readings for Advent reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment of sin, and the hope of eternal life.
In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. That acknowledgment provides a basis for holy living, arising from a profound sense that we live “between the times” and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people. As the church celebrates God’s Incarnation in the physical presence of Jesus Christ, and anticipates a future consummation to that history for which “all creation is groaning , awaiting its redemption,” it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to “love the Lord your God with all your heart” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
We celebrate with gladness the great promise of Advent, yet knowing that there is also a somber tone as the theme of final judgment is added to the theme of promise. This is reflected in some of the Scripture readings for Advent, in which there is a strong prophetic tone of accountability and judgment of sin. This is also faithful to the role of the Coming King who comes to rule, save, and judge, the world.
Because of the dual themes of judgment and promise, Advent is a time of preparation that is marked by prayer. While Lent is characterized by fasting and a spirit of penitence, Advent’s prayers are prayers of humble devotion and commitment, prayers of submission, prayers for deliverance, prayers from those walking in darkness who are awaiting and anticipating a great light (Isaiah 9).
Historically, the primary color of Advent is Purple. This is the color of penitence and fasting as well as the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King. The purple of Advent is also the color of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week. This points to an important connection between Jesus’ birth and death. The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be separated from the crucifixion. The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world, of the “Word made flesh” and dwelling among us, is to reveal God and His grace to the world through Jesus’ life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection. To reflect this emphasis, originally Advent was a time of penitence and fasting, much as the Season of Lent, and so shared the color of Lent.
In the four weeks of Advent ,the third Sunday came to be a time of rejoicing that the fasting was almost over (in some traditions it is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for “rejoice”). The shift from the purple of the Season to pink or rose for the third Sunday reflected this lessening emphasis on penitence as attention turned more to celebration of the season.
In recent times, however, Advent has undergone a shift in emphasis, reflected in a change of colors used in many churches. The penitential aspect of the Season has been almost totally replaced by an emphasis on hope and anticipation. Many churches now use blue to distinguish the Season of Advent from Lent. Royal Blue is sometimes used as a symbol of royalty. Some churches use Bright Blue to symbolize the night sky, the anticipation of the impending announcement of the King’s coming, or to symbolize the waters of Genesis 1, the beginning of a new creation. Some churches, including some Catholic churches, use bluish violet to preserve the traditional use of purple while providing a visual distinction between the purple or red violet of Lent.
The Advent wreath is a popular symbol of the beginning of the Church year in many churches. It is a circular evergreen wreath with five candles, four around the wreath and one in the center. The circle of the wreath itself reminds us of God, His eternal being and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life.
The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ. The center candle is white and is called the Christ Candle. It is traditionally lighted on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The central location of the Christ Candle reminds us that the incarnation is the heart of the season, giving light to the world.
The light of the candles becomes an important symbol of the season. The light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. It also reminds us that we are called to be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God’s grace to others (Isa 42:6). The progression in the lighting of the candles symbolizes the various aspects of our waiting experience. As the candles are lighted over the four week period, it also symbolizes the darkness of fear and hopelessness receding and the shadows of sin falling away as more and more light is shed into the world. The flame of each new candle reminds the worshippers that something is happening, and that more is yet to come. Finally, the light that has come into the world is plainly visible as the Christ candle is lighted at Christmas, and worshippers rejoice over the fact that the promise of long ago has been realized.
As we enter this holy time of the year, we ask you to join with us in preparing for the coming of the Christ with joy, with anticipation, with prayer, and with love for all mankind. Amen.
We wish you a blessed and holy Advent.
The Order of Preachers, International Old Catholic Churches
Be Still~ by Fr. Bryan Wolf
As most of you know from my writings, I am not one to adhere to closely to the Liturgical Calendar for referencing my submissions. If I did, we would know that today- November 24, 2013- is the last Sunday of the year. The following Sunday begins Advent- the joyous expectation and anticipation of the coming of the Christ child and the new year to follow. This Sunday is also referred sometimes as, the Sunday of Christ the King. When we can be called to reflect on the past year and what differences and changes can be made in the upcoming year.
Always a procrastinator, I wait until the last-minute to do things. This is comically reflected in my always selecting the last Sunday of the month to write my submission to our Father General. This was even more true this time around, when personal issues on the home front distracted me. Minor as they are (were), they always seem at the moment to be pressing and overwhelming. Though I was a police sergeant for nearly thirty years and well-drilled to handle anything, when something unexpected happens at home- I too, can become a “drama queen”.
Needless to say, there comes a moment in all the unexpected when I must pause. I begin to take stock of myself in the situation and question myself in others. In hurried moments like this, I find myself wondering if I have taken the time to be a good priest? A good Christian? Especially now, as I have undertaken a temporary full-time assignment at my “per diem retired” job. There seems to be so much going on. So many errands to run and things to catch up on. My time seems all to suddenly, limited. Things that need to be done, or at least things I thought were important, begin to back up. Returning to my police roots, I prioritize or at least, try too.
In all of these presumedly pressing personal matters, I now add my clerical obligations into the mix. Mass to pray, letters to write, visitations to make, a wedding to work on, a meeting to schedule, and the humble honor of to providing a soul with his Last Sacramental Rites. Hereto, I question myself- did I pray enough? Was I meditative and reflective? Was scripture read? In short- in the fast pace of my life, did I give to God- the Creator of my life, “his time”?
Then the Spirit spoke to me, in the liturgical calendar I seldom, if ever refer, to. For listed as a consideration for today, the last Sunday of the Liturgical year- was my most favorite Biblical line ever- “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) I smile to myself. How well my Lord knows me. Reassures me. Embraces me. Forgives me.
For no matter how complicated our lives or how hectic the world seems to be, there is always- always, the silent wonder of the world and the presence and reassurance that our Lord is with us. A beautiful sunset or the soft glow of sunrise. The sound and sight of Canadian geese as they begin their winter journey south. The wind as it dances amongst the blaze of autumn leaves that applaud in rustling. The thunder of the waves upon a beach, now empty of its summer throng. The laugh of a seagull. The laugh of a child. The sight of the puppy that makes the child laugh or the sight of my loved one who makes me happy.
There are many- many, daily things- everday things, where God reminds us. God is present. In the beauty, wonder and majesty of His creation. In the music of life and nature that draws us from our distractions back to God. God is present. In the company and love of family and friends. We should become like Job, finding God not in the spectacular but in the simple. God is present. In the smile of a stranger. In the tone of Taps at a solider’s funeral or in the refrain of a church bell above the traffic. God is present. In the hymn raised up in loud adoration or in the hushed whispers between lovers. In the bark of an excited dog at the sight of its owner or in the mournful cry of a hawk as it circles overhead. God is present. In the babbling of a brook or the song of a bird. In the tranquil drumbeat of a steady rain. In the beauty of a winter’s night snowfall where it seems the stars themselves are falling from the sky. In all these things- and in everything, God is present.
So when we find ourselves overwhelmed- overworked, we need to pause. When we question whether we have prayed or been good Christians, we need to pause. When life and the world just seem to have got the better of us, we need to pause. God is present. Not distant or unforgotten, but here now with us- always. We should be mindful. God is present. To remember this, we should do as God suggests- “Be still, and know that I am God.”
“For in Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17) Surprisingly, also a scriptural reading from our liturgical lectionary for today. Two in one of my writings. The Spirit is indeed at work. But of course! God is present! A joyous and blessed Advent season to you all!
All Who Humble Themselves…..
As I read through this week’s Bible readings, I am reminded of an old saying my Grandmother would quote, “The meek shall inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5
In studying the following passages, we are reminded that “Then who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” Joel 2:32. Those whom He calls, will not only be saved, but shall also carry His message to the rest of the people, for in their meekness and humbleness, they shall be rewarded.
Joel 2:23-32
“O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the LORD your God; for he has given the early rain for your vindication, he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the later rain, as before. The threshing floors shall be full of grain, the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent against you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the LORD, am your God and there is no other. And my people shall never again be put to shame. Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. I will show portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. Then everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.”
As many dear souls who struggle to do God’s work, with a very humble heart, I find in this next passage a very heartwarming, and reaffirming message:
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
“As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen”.
But yet it is not them who seemingly flaunt their righteousness that God calls, but those who may at first appear to be the least deserving of us to receive God’s blessing and grace. “ Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. “ Joel 2:28-29
This is best described in the following parable in Luke 18:9-14
“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
It is often with a troubled, and thus humble, heart that I seek God’s blessing and guidance. Of course I praise Him with every breath, but it is in times of trouble, in the midst of my wary restlessness and loneliness, that I feel His greatest presence.
Faith~ by Fr. Bryan Wolf
This sermon may be considered a “part two” to my September sermon, “Let go and Let God”. In that, I wrote of living in faith and trusting in God no matter what the circumstance. As quoted then, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” [2 Corinthians 5:7]. This “part two” came about by having been asked a question on my original position and again, being inspired by the Lectionary for today.
Today being the twenty-first Sunday after Pentacost the Lectionary reading suggests; “Then he [Jesus] said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’” [Luke 17:19]. But for a woman I spiritually counsel, whose husband suffers terminal illness, the question is askd, “What if I have no faith?”
Many of us feel, and some of us even taught- that to doubt God or question our faith and trust in God, is biggest offense possible. It can frighten us. A sign of weakness or sinful spirit; vulnerable to temptation and rebellion. People facing critical circumstances, terminal illness and unexpected loss, often wrestle with these emotions. And they need not be life altering, but sometimes even the slightest “bump in the road” can cause any of us to question. And for those of us who are clergy or religious, this can seem hypocritical and even downright treasonous. Throughout scripture there are those who questioned God- Jeremiah felt deceived and Job angrily challenged God. Even Thomas doubted God, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hand and put my finger into where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” [John 20:25]
Nevertheless, we should take heart. Believe it or not, we are closest and most receptive to God, in our doubt. Thomas Merton, a Cistercian Trappist monk [much like our beloved Saint Aelred], wrote that “Faith means doubt, not the suppression of doubt. The only way to truly overcome doubt is to live through it. Someone who has never experience doubt, is not a person of faith.” Mother Teresa wrote extensively of her “dark long periods of spiritual desolation; questioning whether God cared, loved or even existed at all.” Even centuries ago, St. Augustine agreed- “Doubt is but an element of faith.”
St. Vincent de Paul wrote; “We belong to God. We must give ourselves to God everyday. Repeatedly and consistently, with all our doubts and cares, so that God can give to us His charity, so that we may be blessed to give it to others.”
In his book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope, Pope John Paul II reflects that, as St. Thomas Aquinas wrote we must be allowed to have doubt, to search for God and truth on our own terms. To do this- to have doubt, is “a manifestation of the grace of the Holy Spirit at work”, wrote Pope John Paul, “questioning God reveals your faith in him.”
But Pope John Paul takes us another step further. He reflects on our recitation of the Apostles Creed, where we declare our faith in the Church. “We are the Church,” the pontiff writes- “so we are to have faith in each other- a reliance on each other, to do God’s will and be God’s love.” John Paul charges us, “to pray and be as the father of the possessed boy, “I do believe; help me to overcome my unbelief.” [Mark 9:24].”
Inasmuch as we pray and portray to have faith, we must understand and accept that doubt is part of that faith. When we are frightened, exhausted, angry or suffering, it is then that we are most open to God. It is in these moments that we know in our hearts we believe in God, we just need God’s help in overcoming our unbelief. To let go and let God.
There is an old anecdote- when it comes to faith, for those who do not believe- no explanation is possible and for those who do believe, no explanation is necessary. Thank God, I do believe!
Let us pray.
Almighty God, you are my God. You know all things and have made all things. Make within us true and certain hearts. We give to you our doubts and uncertainties. Give to us the peace and strength of your presence. Send upon us your Holy Spirit to renew, restore and refresh us. Let the light of Your truth cast away all shadows from within us. In silent prayer let our cares and concerns be calm. Let us be still, and know that Thou art God. Amen.
Guest Post ~ Moving Mountains ~ Michael Marshall, Aspirant
We all have moments in our lives when we feel a giant obstacle placed before us, and that obstacle seems as if it is impossible to overcome. We struggle with the obstacle by dealing with it alone rather than turning to others who can help us. We cannot do EVERYTHING by ourselves as much as our stubbornness can get in the way. We just cry out hoping that the obstacles can just be taken away at the snap of the finger. But it is not that simple because the obstacle DOES NOT remove itself. The obstacle is moved through faith. Let’s take passages from Scripture which illustrates this point.
In the story from the Gospel of Luke, the Apostles request of Jesus to increase their faith, and his response is, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Luke 17:5-6). [NRSV]
In a similar story in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus tells his Apostles that if they have faith in God, and turn to Him in prayer, what they ask for shall be done. “Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.” (Mark 11:23-24) [NAB]
I feel it is important to put these Scripture passages into context. Both passages are dealing with the issue of forgiveness because of others’ actions done against them. Mark includes this issue within the story about the faith to move a mountain, while Luke addresses the issue prior to the Apostles requesting their faith be increased. They believe the task of forgiving others is going to be difficult, BUT Jesus is saying to them that it only takes the slightest amount of faith by turning to God, as much as it may seem extremely difficult. God is where their faith resides.
We obviously know that faith does not just have to do with the issue of forgiveness. So let’s apply this to some other situations in our lives. We may be dealing with an ongoing illness which seems as if it is not improving, diligently tying to obtain substantial employment, or dealing with an addiction which one feels that cannot be overcome. These everyday struggles in life may seem impossible, and only until we reach out to others for help, whether it be emotional support from a friend or from a professional, the obstacles will always be hard to overcome. Even though we have these avenues of help, it is important to turn to God. In God will he have faith, just that tiniest amount of faith through Him can make just strong enough to get these obstacles out of our way.
Let go and Let God~ by Fr. Bryan Wolf
Usually I tend to write my material “free style” for the most part. I read scripture, meditate and pray, then wait until I feel the Holy Spirit has moved me to compose. Though clerical, I do not often refer to the structure of the Lectionary. But as is the mystery and beauty of the Holy Spirit, God will provide. God will find a way, and make a way. So when I was feeling recently uninspired, God did in fact move me through the Lectionary.
Today, the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, one of the designated readings was a scriptural verse I use time and time again- “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” [Psalm 91:11] This is a verse I use in every letter I write to the Department and family of a fallen police officer. It is a verse which is posted on my ministry website, and a verse which hung inside my uniform locker when I was a police officer.
In an unpredictable world, most especially in unpredictable occupations- there is a time when faith must be surrendered blindly to God. That is not to say to follow God blindly and indiscriminately, but rather as suggested by scripture; “For we live by faith, not by sight.” [ 2 Corinthians 5:7] The point being- let go and let God. God is after all, the architect- the Creator. Ultimately God will provide, God will protect and God will bring justice.
So many times, particularly in times of violence and grief, we feel lost. Angry with God. Questioning God. How could God let this happen? Why does God not intervene? Why do the good suffer so, and evil people seem to prosper and ‘get away with it?’ These questions become acute and painful when, as a police officer and now as a priest; they are asked by the parents of a child killed by a drunk driver, the family of violent crime victim, a solider lost in combat- or more difficult to answer, the ones who look for answers following the death of a beloved family member from prolonged or sudden illness. Where was God in there illness and pain? Where is God in their suffering?
God is where he has always been for us- held to a cross. We cannot make sense of our suffering through our pain. When Christ himself hung on the cross, no one could see the good in that suffering. His followers felt crushed, betrayed and even angry with God. Jesus himself questions God from the cross saying, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” [Mark 15:34] and even feeling more alone and isolated, whispers- “It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” [John 19:30]
Yet what one could consider the worst tragedy possible- the death of the Son of God, becomes- by the power of God, the most glorious event in history. Through Christ’s suffering, passion and death- “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” [John 3:16] That what we perceive as loss, death and tragedy- dare I say, even evil- can become a catalyst for goodness and salvation. We respond to such sufferings as humans. Where is the justice, the fairness- the good? As is said, sometimes we have to hit rock bottom- so that we can understand that God is the rock.
It is so very important here to remember, as on the cross- God knows our suffering and pain. God did not create it. God does not delight in it. I get angry when I hear people or clergy say- God needed a little laughter in heaven at the death of a child, another soul to join the saints when a loved one is lost or worse (making my blood boil) it is part of God’s plan. God’s plan does not include drunk drivers, war or torturous illness and affliction. God cries and suffers with us. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” [Matthew 11:28]
It is God’s love for us- that gave us free will. God could have made the world perfect without our errors in judgement, but then how true would our love for God- for each other be? We would be following blindly, as previously stated, and not following by faith. Famous theologian C.S. Lewis wrote: “God whispers to us in our pleasure, speaks to us in our conscience but shouts to get our attention in our pains.” We become like Job, questioning God. Demanding a perfect world without suffering, while most of us sit idly by. But God let Job suffer only to the point, where Job could find and see God in his pain.
In the book, The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel; Dr. Peter Kreeft, Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Boston College poses this question to the author: “Sometimes I would like to ask God why he allows poverty, famine, suffering and injustice to continue when he could so something about it. I am afraid though, God might ask me the same question.”
Most merciful God, we are not forsaken. You call to us from the cross- do not be afraid my children, I love you. Come to me. I do not run or hide from you, for I am held fast to the cross. God is there in His mercy and His compassion. In our suffering and pain, He embraces us. He lifts us up. He refreshes and He renews. He begs us to receive His mercy and to accept freely His gift and promise of eternal life. Let us, let go and let God.
Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasure of compassion is inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to you holy will- which is love and mercy itself. Amen.
A Reflection On Love ~ The Very Rev. Sister Lady S. Sherwood
Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. Romans 13:10b
Today I want to talk about Love, The Love of Our Father,
The meaning of What true love actually is seems to be something which many have lost over the years. I see an increasingly disturbing trend toward the message people tend to give out these days: that God hates this or God hates that. This is far from the actual reality. We seem to have lost sight of the fact that “these three things remain; faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these by far is love!!!.”
Love has also been recast in our Hollywood-centered world. Too often love is equated with sex, or at very least, lust. Love is shown as a touchy-feely type of emotion. But in reality, love is far greater, far deeper, than a simple emotion. Love is a way of being. When you are in love, love permeates all of your existence. You cannot do anything without love.
And just because the emotional tingle of love is gone does not mean that love itself is dead. I know married couples who are visibly in love with each other that would tell you that the emotional tingle left years ago. But you could not cut these people apart. They have discovered true love. Love that endures. Love that is patient. Love that is kind. Love that is trusting and hopeful.
That is the kind of love Saint Paul was talking about It is not touchy feely. It is solid and substantial. Saint Paul says to the Romans that “love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.”
(Romans 13:10b)
It is that kind of substantial love that we should show to those around us daily. It is the love of Christ. It is a love that will endure beyond this age and beyond our own existence. It is a love that can change lives; one life at a time.
How can we show people that kind of love? Open the door for a perfect stranger. Offer to help someone with that heavy box or grocery bag. Be willing to listen to that person who just needs to talk. Just be there to love someone with your presence.
That is true love. That is the love of Our Father..
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