Category: Sermon

Day and Night ~ by Fr. Bryan Wolf

I am often asked by friends,  as if I am a theological scholar,  which day is more important… which day is to be celebrated with more vigor, Easter or Christmas?  I do not know if this is a legitimate question to ask,  or one that may be just appropriate for the “everyday” Christians- who tend to view the church calendar in that way- Easter time or Christmas time. But if we reflect on the question, we can find an answer.  Indeed a profound answer, that may even summarize what can become- a great theological statement.

We all know that, “in the beginning… God said, ‘Let there be light.’ and there was light. God saw the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day’ and the darkness he called ‘night’. And there was an evening and there was a morning- the first day.” [Genesis 1:2-5]

Since that very first day, our lives revolve around day and night.  Light and darkness.  As children, we always feared the darkness.  We would ask our mothers to leave a night light on.  We enjoyed playing with our friends and even going to school, but we learned that when the street lights came on- night and its accompanying darkness were coming.

Night and darkness have always seemed unsettling to most of us, if not down right evil.  Things become dark and uncertain. We do not see as clearly as we do “by the light of day”.  The Bible even supports this theory. Genesis refers to “dreadful darkness” and a “plague of darkness”.  Job warns us of  “gloom and utter darkness”-  a “darkness that cannot be escaped.”  Indeed there are nearly thirty references to “darkness” alone in the Book of Job.

And when the world was filled with it’s great despair- in it’s darkest night, the Christ child is born.  Christmas Day!  The beginning of  the story. 

Then we have the Easter story, which is actually an end to the story– but yet a beginning.  Christ suffers his passion. Unlike Christmas with it’s Advent- Eastertide come to us through Lent. A time of fasting and vigils. A time, that unlike Christmas, is somber.  In Easter,  Christ gives to us the gift of his Last Supper and goes with his disciples to pray- at night, in a place called Gethsemane.  So late and dark was the hour that his disciples could not even stay awake.  Christ is arrested and led to trial.  Peter waits through a dark night, but fearfully denies knowing Jesus.  Crucified, though day “a great darkness came across the land”. The world waits in darkness.  Easter morning, by the glow of the predawn light, Mary Magdalene makes her way through the garden to discover the tomb empty.  The glory of Easter morning-  and the Resurrection of the Risen Christ!

We know bad things happen at night, in darkness.  When we are uncertain.  When we are afraid.  Jesus even tells us, “People do not light a lamp and place it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on a stand,  so that it gives light to everyone that is in the house.” [Matthew 5:15]  Indeed Christ knows our fear and comforts us;  “I have come into the world as a light- so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” [John 12:46]

So this then is the promise of Easter.  Indeed the promise of Christmas.  That though we fear the darkness, the uncertainty of life- we have the promise of the Resurrection!  “The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear!” [Psalm 27:1]  Christ has fulfilled his promise of everlasting life and given to us the proof.  His Resurrection on Easter morning is what makes us Christians!  We can happily and boldly face our lives, and the unexpected bumps we will hit along the road- because we know that Christ has conquered death.  He offers to us the same, if we take up his cross and follow him!

And we can do that.  Without stumbling. Without falling. Without fear.  Because unlike those who live in darkness, we have been saved!  For Christ tells us, “Whoever follows me, will never walk in darkness! ” [John 8:12]

So the darkness is behind us. Before is the light of morning. The glorious light of Easter morning!  “For God is light, in him there is no darkness at all! ” [1 John 1:5]  Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen today!

“Oh God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.”  [OCACNA Sacramentary (c) 2012 p.179]

Commentary on John 13:21-32 ~ Fr. Terry Elkington

John 13:21-32

21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”

22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”

25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him,[a] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

Notice first that Jesus was troubled in spirit. Perhaps pausing to think about the betrayal He was about to experience was like a penetrating arrow into His soul. Perhaps knowing the love He had for His disciples – including Judas – caused Him pain to know that it wasn’t reciprocated, even if only partially, by Judas. Perhaps this event on the timeline leading to His crucifixion was particularly painful, because it stepped up the pace of everything. There was no turning back.

Jesus has already prepared His true disciples for this event; now, He brings it about in actuality. First, in deep distress of spirit, Jesus tells all the disciples plainly, so that there could be no more room for doubt, that one of them would indeed betray Him (v21). The depth of the eleven disciples’ love and dedication to Jesus may be seen in their response: stunned silence and amazement (v22). How could it be that one of them, who had seen the goodness and greatness of this Messiah, the true Son of God and Man, ever betray Him? Even impetuous Peter is so taken aback at this revelation that he does not dare to speak openly, but motions for John, reclining beside Jesus, to “Ask Him which one He means” (v23-24). John asked Jesus (v25), and Jesus’ answer once again shows the depth of His mercy; for as Calvin says, He would reveal the traitor to John alone and not to all the disciples, and not by giving some sign of condemnation or curse, but by displaying to this impostor the honor of a dignified guest – He selected a piece of bread, dipped it in the oil, and “gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon” (v26). This gentle display, as we’ll see is why John’s gospel points out Judas’ treachery more frequently than the others, and also why, as we’ll see in v28, why none of the other disciples understand why Jesus said what He said in v27. Let’s look at it now.

So far in this chapter, we’ve seen the commencement of the greatest act of love, and we sadly note that it is met with the most malicious act of treachery ever committed. Having taken the piece of bread from Jesus, but having despised the love that extended it, Judas, fully and finally persuaded by Satan (v27) to betray God Incarnate, obeys the sorrowful command not to delay in that which he had already planned to do. This exhortation is not of such a nature that Jesus can be regarded as exciting Judas to do the action; rather it is the language of one who views the crime with horror and detestation. It’s as if He is saying, “Since you’ve given yourself to destruction, go to destruction.” And we get explanations of the misunderstanding that the other disciples had regarding this command in v28-29. Of course, they’d understand it all quite clearly with the passage of time. But in v30, we see Judas depart from the presence of the Lord forever; John adds, “And it was night.”

Maybe “And it was night” is just a casual comment by John that it was now dark outside; but maybe John is saying something more significant than that. One commentator said, “These are some of the most pregnant words in the whole of literature.” It was dark, but not only outside, not only because the sun had gone down, but it was dark in Judas’
heart. No light shone there, because no love for Jesus shone there, because Satan had entered into him, because sin had taken hold of Him, and because worldly pleasures had captivated him. The Trinity of evil was choking the very life out of him. “And it was night.”

At this point (v31-32), Jesus begins His final instructions and teachings before He goes to the cross. From here to the end of chapter 17 compose one great block of instructional material which Jesus gives to His disciples, so that they might understand exactly what His death would mean, and why it must come about. Immediately, He brings out the one foundational principle that He will continue to develop and elaborate upon: His impending death is for the glory of God. This must have been unthinkable to His disciples. If there was one thing that did not conjure up thoughts of glory, it was death on a Roman cross.  That was the most shameful, despised, and humiliating process the world of fallen men could possible devise. Yet here Jesus was, saying that it would be for the glorification of Himself, the Son of Man, and likewise of the Father. Such is the wonder and the foolishness of the gospel!

The greatest act of humility and condescension in all history is at the same time the greatest act of self-glorification that God would ever perform. It’s accomplishment was the one great design of God from before time began, a design which brought all three members of the Godhead into a marvelous and mutually-glorifying work, the Father planning, the Son purchasing, and the Spirit applying the redemption of man the rebel! There we see God’s glorious character revealed more clearly than at any other time and place. We see His wrath against sin in the crushing of His own dear Son because of it. We see His free, redemptive love in the lengths He goes to be able to have mercy on those for whom He has decreed mercy. We see His grace, His justice, His sovereignty, and His inter-triune relationships of love and mutual glorification all displayed on the cross, as we could never have seen them in any other way. Truly, in this horrible act of injustice, the Father glorified the Son, and the Son glorified the Father.

Choosing Love ~ Bishop Gregory Godsey

It is easy for us as clergy and religious to become entangled in putting on a show for those who follow us. It is easy to take advantage of those who look up to us as spiritual guides. And if it is easy for us to fall prey to those feelings and behaviors, imagine the struggle our Lord had.

Here was Jesus, a man like us in all things but sin, who also had the fullness of the Godhead within him. While he was 100% man, he was also 100% God! He could speak a word and the whole of creation would cease to exist. He could stretch out his hand and thousands of Angels would have sprung to his aid. Yet, as today’s readings tell us, he did not call on that power to save himself.

Saint Paul reminds us that Jesus did not view equality with God as something to be grasped. He instead emptied himself, become humble to the will of the Father and became man to save us from our sins. Jesus knew that his path would ultimately lead to the cross. However, he did not allow fear or ego to keep him from that painful moment. He suffered the most painful, most horrifying death imaginable in order that we would not have to spend an eternity in punishment for our sins.

Humility was but one trait that led Christ to follow the path laid out for him. Love also led him to the cross and kept him there despite the pain and despite the suffering. His love for mankind, his love for those who would ultimately reject his saving grace, kept him on the cross. And that love is seen in the tender moment when Jesus says to the Good Thief that he will see him again in Paradise. You see, the thief was there because of his transgressions and he was aware that he was paying for his sins. But he also saw that Jesus was not guilty of any sin. He saw that love for humanity had led him to this moment and the thief wanted that kind of love. And in that moment, he found it. Jesus, suffering and in agony, showed the thief compassion, maybe for the first time in the thief’s life! And the thief was given the grace of a holy death, freed from his sins and looking on the Savior of the world.

Oh that we would find such grace and love in our final suffering! Oh that we could approach each moment of our lives with humility and love!

As the Lenten season draws to a close, we will celebrate Jesus’ last supper, his crucifixion and his resurrection. But before we do, let us ask God the Father to grant us the grace of a humble and holy death. Let us pray that His Son, Jesus Christ, will direct our hearts and actions to show the love he had on the cross to everyone we meet. And let us ask God the Holy Spirit to form us in the humility that Christ practiced when he came to this earth to save us.

By doing so, we will find ourselves transformed into mirrors of Christ and Him crucified for the entire world to see.

God Bless.

 

A Humble Servant.

While watching the news and reflecting on the election of the new Pope, I cannot help but be struck with curiosity about a picture of the newest Papal leader washing someone’s feet. At  first I thought this was a recent photograph, but it seems this occurred many years ago. So who is this new leader of the Roman Catholic Church? It seems he is a humble man whose promotion has sparked hope among many individuals and groups who did not feel they had a voice within the Catholic Church in years past

Francis, the first Jesuit pope and first non-European since the Middle Ages, decided to call himself Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, the humble friar who dedicated his life to helping the poor.  On his first day on the job, Pope Francis not only returned to the Vatican-owned residence to pick up his luggage and pay the bill himself, he thanked every worker there, each by name. The new pontiff brings a common touch. The son of middle-class Italian immigrants, he denied himself the luxuries that previous cardinals in Buenos Aires enjoyed. He lived in a simple apartment, often rode the bus to work, cooked his own meals and regularly visited the slums that ring Argentina’s capital.

As Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he showed compassion for the victims of HIV-AIDS and in 2001, visited a hospice to kiss and wash the feet of 12 AIDS patients. In 2008, he also washed the feet of 12 recovering drug addicts at a rehabilitation center in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

It is these vivid images of humility and service which remind me of the Bible reading for today:

John 12:1-8

12:1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 12:2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 12:3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 12:4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 12:5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 12:6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 12:7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 12:8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The new Pope, in his humble actions as the new leader of an often troubled Church, reminds me of Mary. Though she was considered no one special, and her introduction is far less publicized than the election of Pope Francis, her role in the recognition of Jesus, as Savior, is no less crucial to our salvation.

Introducing Mary, Extravagant Anointer of Jesus 

Today, Mary is the one whose role it is to introduce Jesus, our special guest. Who is she, the introducer? She is the sister of Martha and Lazarus. We read this John text with Luke 10:38-42 in our minds. There we are told that Jesus stopped “at a certain village” (Bethany?) and was served a meal in the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Martha bustled around serving in a worried, distracted manner. Mary sat at his feet listening to what he was saying. Jesus praises Mary for choosing “the better part which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).

There are several accounts of women who anointed Jesus in the gospels. There is the “sinful woman” in Luke 7:36-50 who crashes a dinner at the home of one of the Pharisees. She brings an alabaster jar of ointment and anoints Jesus’ feet with ointment, tears, and kisses. Mark 14:3-9 and Matthew 26:6-13 tell the identical story of an unnamed woman who brings an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment and pours the ointment on Jesus’ head as he dines at the home of Simon the leper in Bethany. Both the accounts in Mark and Matthew, like this one, are sandwiched between the plotting of Jesus’ enemies to kill him (Mark 14:1-2) and Judas Iscariot leaving the dinner to go to the chief priests to betray Jesus (Mark 14:10-11).

Who is this Mary who introduces Jesus in John 12? She is Mary, the sister of Lazarus. The meal is held at the home of Lazarus whom John specifies was the man Jesus had raised from the dead (John 12:1). She has sat at his feet and now anoints his feet. She hasn’t misunderstood his title or misread his résumé. She knows exactly who he is and the kind of honor he is due. He deserves an act of extravagant holiness. The smell of perfume amid the stench of betrayal, jealousy, and looming violence. A sweet moment of stillness amid a gathering storm. An outpouring of homage amid the onslaught of hatred.

Will the new Pope continue with a humble heart, just like Mary, and let his actions honor our Holy Father?  No one but Him who guides us, truly knows. But if by choosing to begin his Papal legacy with actions that mirror, and honor, our Heavenly Father, then I hope this will be a wiser, more honest and humble, leader for the Roman Catholic church, and for Catholics worldwide.

THE PRIESTHOOD by REV. WILHELM STOCKUMS, D.D. ~ A Review by Fr. Terry Elkington

The Priesthood  by The Rev. Wilhelm Stockums, D.D. was  very informative.  As a former Roman Catholic and now a progressive Catholic I have had the great opportunity to explore, learn and examine the basic principals of the priesthood.  While this book is written specifically for the male Roman Catholic, there is much wisdom in its pages, and anyone who is considering the priesthood in the ISM should certainly read it.

“What is the Catholic priesthood?” Stockums asks.  He then answers his own question:   The Catholic priesthood is that institution which is absolutely necessary for Christianity. The Catholic priesthood is absolutely necessary for the Church. Without it there would be no Christianity left on earth. Remove the priesthood and you remove the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist from the world. Without the priesthood you remove the sacrifice of the Mass, Holy Communion, the sacrament of anointing of the Sick, and the sacrament of reconciliation so needed by a sinful world. Remove the priesthood and you take away the divinely assured teaching of God’s revealed Truth from the universe. In a word, without the priesthood, Christianity would be a memory but no longer a reality. It would cease to exist on earth.

Rev. Stockums reveals how the priest has a special kind of service to the faithful as the preacher of the Word, as the one who celebrates the sacraments and also, perhaps in a more hidden way, in his day-to-day actions: the quiet way he lives his own Christian life, for example, by being kind, loving and charitable. In all this he serves the faithful, and so serves God and the Church by being a servant leader. We see that role of service clearly when we consider that priests in the Catholic Church are first ordained as deacons. The word deacon, as most of us know, comes from the Greek word diakonos, which means “servant.” Service is a key element of priesthood.

Becoming a Catholic priest is a serious decision. Rev. Stockums gives us a general background on preparation:   Pray about your vocation. Take any feelings or advice that have led you to consider the priesthood and give them to God, then wait patiently and openly for a response.  Realize that everyone has a vocation and if a person is truly open to theirs, God will reveal it to him or her.

As one of the most recently ordained members of the priesthood of the OCACNA, I feel humbled by the task of expressing my understanding of the priest today. I have thus far been privileged to work with and learn from other priests in my area. At the foundation and source of a priest’s life and ministry is his grounding in personal prayer. I remember a priest who once said to me, not long after my ordination, that you need two balancing factors in your life – prayer and close friends .He said that you could remain a priest without friends, but you might go insane. On the other hand though, without prayer you will not survive as a priest!
We are called upon to pray often, at various occasions, and usually with little or no time to prepare. Such ability should flow naturally, confidently and sincerely from a priest’s own prayer life. With a heartfelt desire to deepen in relationship with Christ through prayer, a priest is then better equipped to pray with and for people, particularly the sick and dying. I have found I am better equipped to celebrate the sacraments with passion and solemnity, guide people in their spiritual lives, and foster communities of faith, fellowship and fidelity. The priest’s prayer life must have at its centre the Scriptures and an intimacy with the Lord. All of which Rev. Stockums explains as the essential keystone to a priest’s life and work, he then is able to fulfil two other dimensions of his role. As a person of private prayer, the priest is then able to lead others in their lives of prayer and discernment. A priest is called to be open to the Spirit of God, and help others discern the movement of this Spirit in their lives.
So many people in our society are yearning for something deeper, something real and true, something authentic and transformative. Rev.Stockums touches on the fact that we are surrounded by a world that values what we can achieve and experience here and now, with greed and self-interest at its heart.
However his book allows me to understand what I as a priest represents and embodies a way of life and view of the world that is counter-cultural, Christ centered and a life-giving challenge to relativism, individualism, secularism and materialism. Not only does he lead others by the example of his life and the energy of his preaching, but he walks with them in their life’s journey, accompanying their highs and lows.

Ultimately though,we are one man not a messiah, with personal limitations, growing responsibilities and challenges. Sometimes amidst the stress and demands of ministry, a priest’s focus or energy for prayer or pastoring may waiver. Rev. Stockums engages us in his own experience, with a life that requires a conscientious balancing between the ‘doing’ and ‘being’ of pastoral ministry.

From the simple calling by God, through personal and spiritual development this book as outlined by Rev. Stockums, approaches the priesthood with a positive embrace.  I found some of the antiquated Latin references to be somewhat of a struggle, but as I continued to read the definitions became clear. By all means write down these phrases and attempt to learn them in the modern sense. In closing the purpose of “The Priesthood” is to not only make us think of the priesthood, but to appreciate and love the journey we are taking as ministers of God. I think sharing ones thoughts on this book from different points of views can only shed light on our diverse community.

 

Got Bucks??? ~ Fr. Terry Elkington

Hear this, all you peoples;
listen, all who live in this world,
2 both low and high,
rich and poor alike:
3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom;
the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.
4 I will turn my ear to a proverb;
with the harp I will expound my riddle:

5 Why should I fear when evil days come,
when wicked deceivers surround me—
6 those who trust in their wealth
and boast of their great riches?
7 No one can redeem the life of another
or give to God a ransom for them—
8 the ransom for a life is costly,
no payment is ever enough—
9 so that they should live on forever
and not see decay.
10 For all can see that the wise die,
that the foolish and the senseless also perish,
leaving their wealth to others.
11 Their tombs will remain their houses[b] forever,
their dwellings for endless generations,
though they had[c] named lands after themselves.

12 People, despite their wealth, do not endure;
they are like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings.[d]
14 They are like sheep and are destined to die;
death will be their shepherd
(but the upright will prevail over them in the morning).
Their forms will decay in the grave,
far from their princely mansions.
15 But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;
he will surely take me to himself.
16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases;
17 for they will take nothing with them when they die,
their splendor will not descend with them.
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
and people praise you when you prosper—
19 they will join those who have gone before them,
who will never again see the light of life.

20 People who have wealth but lack understanding   are like the beasts that perish.

In reflecting on Psalm 49, We must look within ourselves and realize that wealth won’t last: How should we think about the wealth of the wicked i.e. banks and money lenders of all types?  Should their power and prosperity cause us to worry? Yes absolutely! How should we feel when we have great abundance or lack of resources? Should these circumstances cause us to be either confident or afraid? This psalm answers these questions by reminding us that wealth won’t last. Wisdom teaches us that our financial situations are never an appropriate cause of fear or self-reliance. Let us look at Psalm 49’s clear-headed recognition that wealth won’t last.

Psalm 49:1-4 Explains that the following instructions carry wisdom for absolutely everyone—“both low and high, rich and poor alike”

(Psalm 49:2). The relevance of this psalm’s instruction about wealth is significant. It indicates that everyone needs to be taught how to view wealth wisely. “All who live in this world” (Psalm 49:1) are susceptible to temptation in this area. Money is the leading contender against faith in God!

Psalm 49:5- These passages ask, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Wealth may give us a false sense of immortality, but in the end it cannot save us from death. The ultimate futility of worldly wealth is worthless in the day of wrath. Turning our attention from this world to the next, we must realize that as a part of God’s creation, material resources such as money and wealth are good and not evil in themselves. Wealth has a limited capacity to insulate us from many of life’s dangers and difficulties. We should not despise wealth or deny its practical utility, but we must recognize how incredibly limited worldly wealth is from an eternal perspective (Psalm 49:7-9). Wealth is transient. Cars rust. Houses fall apart. Bank accounts dwindle. Sooner or later it all disappears.

For these very reasons, Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth, but in heaven.  Please remember “It’s not just because wealth might be lost; it’s because wealth will always be lost” Either it leaves us while we live, or we leave it when we die. No exceptions. Whether we are rich or poor, God can demand our lives of us at any moment. When that happens, the money we have will be of no use, but righteousness expressed by the right use of wealth will endure forever. (Psalm 49:16-20)  In closing when we see how our minds have been reoriented according to this “eternal perspective”, we will find wealth to be far less impressive and important.

Ashes and Dirty Faces

Fine, powdery, dark gray and black ashes, smudged onto our foreheads in the shape of a cross, for all the world to imagine what we’ve been doing, looking like we bumped our heads while cleaning out the fireplace, and forgot to wash that part of our faces…

Just a few ashes…symbolizing more than most of us realize as we go through the motions of Ash Wednesday.  What do we say to people who ask us the obvious question:  What IS that on your head?  Why do you have black stuff on your face?

Why WILL we participate in this strange custom this evening?  What DOES it mean?  The spiritual practice of applying ashes on oneself as a sign of sincere repentance goes back thousands of years. Frequently in the days of the Old and the New Testament, when someone had sinned, he clothed his body with sackcloth and covered himself with ashes. [Jer. 6:26]  The sacramental that we are observing today arises from that custom, the spiritual practice of observing public penitence.  Church history tells us that the liturgical practice of applying ashes on one’s forehead during the Lenten Season goes back as far as the eighth century. This was accompanied by different forms of fasting, prayer, sacrifices, charity towards others, etc… The writings of St. Leo, around 461 A.D., tell us that during the Lenten Season, he exhorted the faithful to abstain from certain food to fulfill with their fasts the Apostolic institution of forty days.  In the days of the Old Testament, many tore their clothing as a sign of repentance.

Today, we use the ashes as a reminder of who we are.  The Bible tells us

that we came from the dust and to the dust we shall return.  The first

human was formed out of the dust of the earth by God and then God breathed

life into that dust.  That is a powerful image.  One that is meant to

remind us that without the breath or Spirit of God moving in us, we are

just like these ashes: lifeless – worthless.

The ashes that many of us will wear tonight are meant to be for us symbols of our repentance and signs that we truly seek to follow in God’s path.

The people in the Biblical stories probably put the ashes on top of their

heads – so why do we, instead of putting these ashes on our heads, put them

in the sign of the cross on our foreheads?

We do so because it is a reminder of how we are sealed for Christ.  In most

churches when a baby is baptized the minister or priest uses oil to mark

the child with the sign of the cross.  The mark of the cross is a mark of ownership.  These ashes tonight remind us that we are Christ’s – that he died so that we might live.  These may be just a few ashes but they mean a lot.  They are a symbol of our need for God.  We are nothing but dust and ashes apart from God.

But what about Lent itself?  What is it?  Why do we have this season?  Most of us were taught that the lengthy period of Lent was one of penitence and fasting, a time provided for those who were separated from the church by their sins, so they could be reconciled by acts of penitence and forgiveness.

For most of us, Lent is the time of sometimes painful self-examination, during which we scrutinize our habits, our spiritual practice, and our very lives – hoping to make ourselves better, trying to make ourselves worthy of the love of God.  We “step up” our prayer, fasting, and self-denial in order to remove worldly distractions from our lives. And we take on Bible study, classes, and service projects in order to add meaning and depth to our existence.  For some children, Lent means no sweets, for teenagers, less time on Facebook. For adults, it may be consuming less meat or alcohol, or attending that Lenten course offered by the Church.

However we go about it, the goal is pretty much the same: Lent makes us ready for Easter. Quite simply put, we are better able to appreciate Resurrection joys come Easter Day by enduring these Lenten disciplines now.

The Old Testament Lessons, the Psalm appointed for today, and today’s Gospel Reading all tell us the “how” and “why” of Lent.  But then, there is Paul.  Saint Paul tells is, right off the bat, in the very first verse of the Epistle for today, to “BE RECONCILED TO GOD.”  Nowhere does he say, “Observe a Holy Lent, THEN be reconciled to God.”  Not after enduring a forty-day fast. Not after lengthy Bible study. Not even after prayer, but now, here, today: Be reconciled to God.  Paul not only invites us to be reconciled to God, he actually beseeches us. That is, he pleads, implores, presses, begs, and demands. “We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. … Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation.”

If we but recognize this, if we are but reconciled to our God NOW, and THEN work toward our Lenten goals of fasting, of prayer, and of penitence, if we seek to discipline ourselves during Lent, and make those disciplines into daily habits, we will not only most assuredly have the Holy Lent we all desire, but will come to live a more holy life in general.  And isn’t that, really, what Lent is all about in the first place?  Amen.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall!

“Mirror , Mirror on the wall, who’s the Fairest of them all?” We all remember this line from that favorite fairy tale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Who is speaking such eloquent words? As we all know, the evil Queen, who wishes to be the fairest in the land.  As her daily habit, she consults her magic mirror, to reaffirm her beauty and charm. And being an enchanted mirror, it wisely tells her what she wants to hear. That is til someone more fair enters the kingdom, and we all know how the story ends. How many of us wish for just such a magic mirror, one which would show us at our most beautiful. Even on days when we aren’t feeling so pretty, or seem to be stressing over a perceived physical flaw that only we can see.

So what do we do? Well women put on makeup, style their hair, and wear their prettiest dress. Men, take great pains over their facial hair, to shave or not, bring out that tired suit, and of course a tie which must match. All this, serves to clothe us in an armor of acceptance, and allows us to face yet another day. We even plaster a smile on our face, while inside we are crying, dying just a little bit from the pressure of trying to fit in, to appear normal.

As described in Exodus 34:29-35, Moses did this very same thing. 34:29 Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 34:30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. 34:31 But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. 34:32 Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 34:33 When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; 34:34 but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 34:35 the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Why did Moses feel the need to wear a veil? Surely it was not to hide the affect our Lord had on his countinence, his face shining as if a beacon in the darkness. Maybe he felt others would judge him, that  they would be scared of the change which was clearly in evidence. I can most certainly relate to this, feeling as if others are judging my outer self. Afraid that what hides behind the veil, even if it is good, would cause others to dislike or reject me. But as Moses did, and which we all must do, take off that veil, be our true selves. Our faith will then shine, and God sees us as who we really are. There is no need to be afraid or fear rejection in His presence.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18, 4:1-2 3:16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 3:18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 4:1 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 4:2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.

We have learned to remove our veil, our false faces we present to the world, and let the evidence of God’s love shine plainly on our faces. So let’s look in that mirror again, but this time it’s not enchanted. Just an everyday bathroom mirror, and as you stare at this person whom you have lived with all your life, how do you see her now? Is your face veiled, to hide who you really are, a daughter of Christ? Can you remove your cloth armor (the veil), step out the front door, and face the world as an authentic person? Making no excuses, being someone who loves and accepts herself, warts, tattoos, piercings, cellulite, and wrinkles included, because of that blessed shining love only a Father can give to his favorite children. Can you be YOU!?

My Grace is sufficient~ by Fr. Bryan Wolf

“… a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, 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 weakness, so that the power of Christ may live within me.”   2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Recently I have begun to counsel an old friend who I have not seen in more than fifteen years.  An ex-marine and disabled police officer, he came to me a victim of drug addiction.  At first I was taken aback.  This man, I thought, had the world in his pockets last I knew.  Though we had grown apart, as the winds of life blow us- I had heard stories of how his world had spun out of control.  I failed to believe that a man with his character, credentials and training, would fall victim to drug use. I silently thought of him often, but knew not where the winds had blown him.

Contrary to the opinion of some, the internet brought us together again.  Truly, God does work his wonder his mysteries to perform and moves his Spirit through cyberspace.  When we spoke for the first time, I heard the tragic story of how the abuse prescription pain medications led to his disability from police work.  That the cycle of abuse grew and spread to the use of more serious illegal and illicit drugs; costing him his wife and children as they abandoned  him. Surrendering himself to a dependency so strong, that disability pension checks began to go to drug pushers and not his landlord.  Now evicted, he lives in his car with his dog.

Through direct deductions from his pension disability, he continues to provide for the financial support of his children. Evidence exists that this former Marine and police officer fights his demons, attending when he can meetings of Narcotics Anonymous. He musters pride and a broken smile in this assertion, but it fades quickly when he confesses that his battles are not always won.  He sadly admits to sometimes attending meetings, just for the free coffee and muffin they provide.  I am humbled that he turns to me for encouragement.

We are all addicts to one vice or another.  I am the world’s greatest procrastinator and find myself doing simple things when I know more challenging and difficult tasks remain to be done.  I confess to having more credit cards then my income allows.  A family member struggles daily with the curse of familial alcoholism.

In his book God I have Issues, Fr. Mark Thibodeaux SJ reminds us that “In God’s eyes, addictions are avenues for salvation. They provide the impetus to finally surrender our lives to God.”  What a prophetic statement. For in our addiction we become a slave to the addiction, and our failings keep us shackled to it.  Only through the strength and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, can we hope to break those bonds and raise ourselves out of our despair.  As we are reminded in Scripture, “For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure”.  [2 Corinthians 4:17]

Life is considered by many as a “school for our souls”.  We must learn, through the grace and mercy of God, that we can overcome and endure those trials and pitfalls before us.  That by the grace of God, our weakness is transformed into strength. That these afflictions, no matter how overwhelming they seem at the time, are but temporary bumps in the road of our life’s journey.  We must surrender ourselves to the power and mercy of Christ, and not to our addictions.

Christ came to save us, but what if we came to save Christ?  We all know the inspirational poem Footprints in the Sand, where when out life is reviewed we see one set of footprints at the most difficult time when Jesus carried us through.  But what if it was our responsibility to carry Jesus?

I imagine rescuing Christ from the cross. Lowering his broken and bloodied body into my arms. “I will help you, my Lord. I will get you far from here and tend to your wounds”, I whisper to him.  As I carry Christ with me; I pass the drug dealers, the liquor store, the casino and all those other things that beckon for my momentary attention- a momentary pleasure. I slow. I stop. I consider.  Then, the weight of my Lord- the weight of my cross- is upon me.  “Move on” Christ whispers now to me, “you are stronger. You can carry me and I will carry you. Together we will make the journey.”

Most most beloved Jesus, I pray this promise to you. Do not leave me. Do not abandon me. For sometimes I am weak and I stumble. Be beside me and I cannot falter. Carry me and I shall carry you. Together we can overcome and together we can complete the journey.

Most merciful God, you ministered to all who came to you: Look now with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their way and their faith. Restore unto them the assurance of your unfailing mercy and love.  Remove their tears and their fears, and grant them a renewed and refreshed spirit.  And make me an instrument of you help, mercy and charity.  In Christ’s name, Amen.

Powerless? Never!

In recent weeks, I have felt this sense of powerlessness, like my life is spiraling out of control.  It felt as if forces, dark forces I believe, had hold of my every day life and were trying to drive me insane with this deep hole of depression. Emotions were out of control, feelings of despair, sadness, confusion, and vague loss seemed to consume my thoughts on a daily basis.  This feeling of helplessness left me exhausted, and did not allow me to see what was really going on, until I could take a step back from my situation.  I am sure we all have felt just such a dark mire of emotions, whether from an actual life event, such as death, loss of job, sudden illness, etc.  Or maybe, like me, this vague sense of feeling helpless, powerless, did not have an external source, but instead was a by product of a soul who sought strength from within herself, when she should have looked up. As illustrated in Isaiah 43:1-7,  we are reminded that God created us, we are His, and He is always with us.

43:1 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
43:3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.

43:4 Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life.
43:5 Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you;
43:6 I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth–
43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

“Do not fear, for I am with you” –

How easily it can be to forget, in our everyday rush,  this simple comfort from our Lord.  After spending weeks trying to find a solution to my problems, real or imagined, I came to this honest truth, and received comfort and peace.  Realizing I was not as powerless as I had thought, was a huge relief.  But also knowing that if a problem was too big for this Sister to handle, I only had to ask for guidance and encouragement from our mighty Savior. His power and strength know no bounds.

Psalm 29
29:1 Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
29:2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy splendor.
29:3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters.
29:4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
29:5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
29:6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
29:7 The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
29:8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
29:9 The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
29:10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
29:11 May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!

I read a post on the internet the other day that illustrates a key point here-“If God is your co-pilot, switch seats”.  This simple truth cautions us to aways keep in mind that, though God gives us power to handle things in life, we should never take this power for granted. Or worse yet, assume that WE are the source of this strength and power, and not our mighty Lord. For when one considers themself to be all powerful, and tries to control people and circumstances in their life or of those around them, then they have set them selves above God. In Luke 3:16,  John best describes why we should always be humbled before the Lord.

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
3:15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,
3:16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
3:17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened,
3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

I have learned from these past few weeks to always trust in the Lord, seeking His guidance in all things.

Psalm 29:11

“May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!”