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The Persistent Widow ~ The Very Rev. Terry Elkington, OPoc

Luke 18:1-8

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

This parable was told in effort to comfort the disciples. Jesus knows when our hearts our troubled. A heavily troubled heart can lead to doubt,, and doubt can lead to sin.

 This judge was apathetic; he did not know Christ.  He yielded to the persistence of a helpless widow, not out of mercy but because of her persistence.
God does not see His children as a bother, and his mercy and compassion are great! Without Jesus, we are like the widow to an uncaring judge, but with Jesus, we are the children of an almighty God, and our God is just! God is the great redeemer of our our souls, tormented by sin. God granted us mercy and redemption through Jesus.
We should not seek vengeance upon those who persecute us for the sake of Jesus. Jesus says we must bless those who curse us, love and pray for our enemies.
We can pray for protection from our adversary the devil. Vengeance is the Lord’s, and there will be a time when God will execute his vengeance upon the devil, and all the enemies of Christ.
Believe that God will handle such things, and be constant in prayer. Prayer draws us close to God, and if we are close to God, the devil flees.  The humble will be exalted, God will not ignore His children. Therefore Jesus asks: Do you believe that He is returning, even the midst of all the pain and suffering in this world? Do you believe in Him? Let Christ return and find us faithful. Amen.

Truth~ by Fr. Bryan Wolf

Truth (trooth) n.  1. the thing that is a fact or reality;  2. something factual or so clearly stated that it is without need of an explanation;  3.  a position, concept or statement generally believed to be accepted or obvious, or a scientific accuracy or undisputed conclusion; 4.  to be faithful to a cause or person [i.q. true] and steadfast in that faith;  5. Honesty, or a sincerity of or toward honesty;  6. that which is not deceptive or wrong;  7. God.

A definition of truth, by Merriam Webster dictionary.  As a theologian, I can see where they key definition lies. Truth is honesty, steadfast faith to a cause or person not deceptive. Truth is God.

In scripture we are told: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.'” [John 14:6].  Ipso facto, Jesus is truth. However it seems to be the weakness of man, that we do not know the truth, or recognize the truth or what is true. We are told from the outset of the Gospel; “… and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” [John 1:10-11]

Continually throughout scripture, Jesus seems to be convincing people- sometimes even his own disciples, who he is and was it the truth.  “He said to them, ‘Do you light a lamp to put it under a bowl or bed?  Instead don’t you put it on a stand? For whatever is hidden, is meant to be disclosed and whatever is concealed is meant to be found and brought out into the open.” [Mark 4:21-22]

If we are to find truth and believe in truth- in God, where are we to look?  Perhaps, since Christ is love and taught love, we are to look there.  It is a pillar of Dominican life that it is impossible to separate truth and love.  They become not only so dependent on each other and interchangeable that they indeed become almost the same word.  Try this- read scripture and replace the word “truth” for the word “love” wherever it is found.  The meaning is not lost.  It may even be more influential.  More powerful.

“Come before the Father, full of grace and truth.” [John 1:14]  “Worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth.” [John 4:23]  “The Lord is near to all who call him, to all who call on him in truth.” [Psalm 145:18]

From those few simple passages we can see, God desires to be worshipped and approached in love. This then , is truth. Because in love, we bare our souls and expose ourselves.  It is only then that we can truly be enlightened and holy. For together, “Love rejoices in truth.” [1 Corinthians 13:6]  For love and truth go hand in hand- the are the same thing.

All through the First Epistle of John, we are told time and time again- that if we are deceptive, lie or become like hypocrites we do not have the truth within us.  That being so, we do not have love within us.  For love opens us up. It is only through love, that we can ever hope to become true followers of Christ and practitioners of His word.

Recalling now the dictionary definition that began this, perhaps we need to amend and expand upon the defined meaning of truth.  Maybe we need to add an eighth definition of the word- that truth is love. I could take an editorial license here in my own essay and add that after the fact-  ” 8. Love.”

Oh wait, it is there already.  In the seventh definition-  ” 7. God.”

A New Dominican!

The Order of Preachers is thrilled to announce the acceptance of Igor Kalinski into the Dominican Order as a postulant.   Igor lives in the country of Macedonia, and is eager to please the Lord.

Please join us in our prayers for our newest member, that she continue to grow in service to Our God.

A New Dominican!

The Order of Preachers is thrilled to announce the acceptance of The Very Reverend Lady Sheila Sherwood into the Dominican Order. She is currently the International Old Catholic Churches’ Vicar General of the United Kingdom, an ordained priest, and is very experienced in serving Our Lord and His people.

Please join us in our prayers for our newest member, that she continue to grow in service to Our God.

Sacred space~ by Fr. Bryan Wolf

For those of you who might have had the opportunity to read my article, Where is your church?  (Convergent Streams magazine, Third Quarter 2013. Volume 1. Number 1), I am going to build upon those thoughts. If you have not read it, the premise is simple- there are many clergy who do not have a “physical church building” in which to worship.  There are some options, limited as they maybe.  There are hospital or nursing home chapels to be solicited, other houses of worship willing to open their doors to other congregations (United Churches of Christ, as an example) or outdoor venues; such as parks or beaches.  Initially I tried such an option, a nearby hospital chapel, but was met with courteous questions: how many people did I expect and what were my insurance protections for limited liability?  Needless to say, two questions without adequate answers.

We should always be reminded of the most basic, Christ tells us: “For where two or more gather in my name, there am I also.” (Matthew 18:20)  So in the worship and adoration of God, it shouldn’t- and needn’t, be a concern as to where worship, praise and prayer takes place.  For that matter, form and format should not be a concern either. Again Christ tells us: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so they may be seen by others. But when you pray, go into your room alone and close the door and pray to your Father in heaven. For your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5-6)

Nevertheless, for those of us clergy and religious- it is a spiritual comfort and inspiration to have a sacred space in which to pray, reflect and be at one with God.  Surprisingly, it is something easily achieved and maintained.  We have all seen those outdoor tributes, statues of the Blessed Mother or Christ in gardens or in front of homes. Forgive me for being judgmental, but I wonder if these ever receive the attention and inspiration they deserve. I digress.  As a resident of the seasonal and temperamental northeast- not to mention restrictions places upon me by apartment community restrictions, such outdoor tributes are not possible.

So I- we, need to set apart a sacred space within our homes where we can go and be with God- to worship God.  It does not have to be grand- adorned with the trappings of a cathedral, but it does have to be reverent, respectful and sincere. A place or area within the home where a visitor would know- you are a Christian and indeed, Christ is present in this place.

For me it is a sacred space in the corner of our dining room.  A high top table which supports a wine rack underneath. On this table sits a collection of green plants surrounding my most prized religious possession- a ceramic and porcelain statute of Jesus on the cross.  (Such a simple statue purchased in a hospital gift shop to watch over my mother in her final days.) And to the side my husband’s most prized possession, a porcelain statute of our Blessed Mother. (A statute that was his mothers and may be perhaps eighty years old.)  Together the sight and placement of these holy statutes, demand the reverence and respect.  It is here, or from a nearby chair, that I can worship and pray.

To add to the beauty and adoration of this sacred space, I ensure that Christ is always present and mindful.  This is done by the purchase and placement of a ‘seven day’ religious candle. (The kind easily purchased at any supermarket)  Lit in transition and prayer- the “light of Christ” never goes out in our apartment.

In a useful pastoral handbook, The Book of Occasional Services (2003), there is even a format- “Setting Apart Secular Space for Sacred Use”.

“Blessed are you, O God, ruler of the universe. Your gifts are many, and in wisdom you have made all things to give you glory. Be with us now and bless us as we dedicate our use of this space to your praise and honor. As often as we worship you here, precede us and abide with us. Be known to us in the Word spoken and heard, in fellowship with one another, and in the breaking of bread. Give us joy in all your works, and grant that this space may be a place where your will is done and your name glorified; through Jesus Christ our Savior, in the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.” (BOS p.245)

So dedicate such a place within your home, apartment or even your room. A place for reflection and reverence- for you Mass Sine Populo, to pray for the Church Suffering and celebrate the Church Triumphant!  We rejoice for those who have actual churches- to call the attention of the world to the love and promise of our Lord, but no less is the splendor and majesty of our Sacred Space in a Secular Place!

Oh yes- for those of you that did read my “Where is your church?” I am still praying and searching for that church building to celebrate a beautiful Mass.  Nothing extravagant mind you, but a pipe organ would be nice.

Whoever~ by Fr. Bryan Wolf

“For 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 NIV )

Perhaps one of the most quoted passages in the Bible.  Perhaps the single most important verse.  The one line that can sum up what everything else in the Bible is laying the foundation for.  It is this one line- like a one sentence guarantee in a long written contract, that God is telling us; no matter what your situation is in life or what sins you have committed- you are being offered the promise of eternal life.

Throughout scripture, indeed throughout his life- Jesus is embracing or found in the company of those many of us would consider “undesirables”.  Unlike Jesus, we are quick to condemn and judge.  We point fingers and offer our unsolicited opinion, as well as our expertise- and how people should live their lives.  On the other hand, Jesus surrounded himself with prostitutes, tax collectors, the sick, the insane, the destitute and dispossessed. Any and all forms on the social maladies affecting mankind, Jesus would be with them and embraced them. Inviting and encouraging. They sought to be with him. Jesus belonged to them, even before they believed or, for that matter- behaved.

There are many people- many religions and religious leaders, who seek to impose their judgment upon others. Their morality.  From the pulpit, there are those who would state the requirements of those needed to be accepted by God or entitled to His love.  These clerics will issue the criterion by which it will be determined who is worthy of God or accepted by God.

They must remember, God is love. Jesus is love. Jesus is grace and mercy.  In his book, Jesus Is– Pastor Judah Smith warns us; “when the sin becomes more important that the sinner, an alarm bell should go off in our heads.” God sees us and accepts us unconditionally as we are. With whatever sins, faults or baggage we carry with us.  Society is quick to judge and condemn the sinner; forgetting for the most part that their own guilt and shame torment them.  “All they [ the sinner ] can see,” Pastor Smith continues, “is a Jesus who glares down from the ceiling of a cathedral or hangs bloodied on a cross. They heard that Jesus was a good man, but do they know he is a close friend of sinners?  Do they know that he is not angry with them? Do they know he is here to help?”

Pastor Smith shares a most profound though- Jesus is not angry with them-  with us.  Perhaps, like a good close personal friend, Jesus is disappointed- much as we are disappointed in ourselves for our shortfalls, but he is not angry with us. We are probably more angry with ourselves.

But Jesus is there for us- always. He understands our concerns and anxieties, and God has already addressed answered these in his once sentence guarantee.  Our contract with God.  Iron clad.  “Whoever believes”

God has not reserved his great promise of eternal life and salvation for the righteous. Not only for the faithful or the weekly church goers.  It is not just for the ones who can quote chapter and verse from scripture and those who are chaste or beyond reproach.  Indeed eternal life and salvation is not just for the saints- but for the sinner as well.  Pastor Smith writes; “whether we are good people or bad people, whether we have followed Jesus for decades or are just now finding him, whether we are pastors or prostitutes- we all need Jesus.”

So God has given us his guarantee.  His unconditional love, acceptance, forgiveness and salvation.  It is in Christ Jesus. “that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ( John 3:16 NIV )

Blessed James of Mevania, C.O.P.

(Also known as James Bianconi; James of Bevagna; Jacobus de Blanconibus de Mevania)

Very early in life, prodigies surrounded Blessed James, for on the day of his birth three brilliant stars, each containing the image of a friar preacher, appeared in the sky over Bevagna. Children ran through the streets crying : “To the schools! To the schools! behold the new masters heaven is sending us !” The three preachers were later understood to be James, Blessed Ambrose of Siena, and St. Thomas Aquinas.

James was given a good education and was carefully trained in the ways of holiness. The power of his prayers was seen early. When still a small child, he brought about peace between two quarreling families. At the age of sixteen, he met the Dominicans. Two friars had come to preach in his native city during Lent. Deciding, after much prayer, that God was calling him to the Dominican apostolate, he went home with the two missioners and began his novitiate.

The early promises of his great learning were well fulfilled. In and age that shone with the brilliance of Albert, Thomas and Bonaventure, the preaching of James of Bevagna was still remarkable. He was particularly gifted at reconciling enemies and bringing peace to warring families and cities.

James was very severe with himself, particularly in the matter of poverty. On one occasion, his mother, shocked at the poor condition of the habit he was wearing, gave money to buy a new one. As he wanted very much more to get a crucifix for his cell, he did so. His mother reminded him that the money was given for clothing. James replied with the text, “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ,” assuring her that this was the garment he had bought with her gift.

At another time, praying before the same crucifix, James was overcome with a sense of his own unworthiness and begged of God some sign that his soul was to be saved. Blood gushed from the hands and side of the figure on the cross, and a voice from heaven told him that his token of God’s favor would reassure him. Some of the miraculous blood was preserved for more than two centuries. Kept at the tomb of Blessed James, it worked many miracles, but it was stolen by heretics.

Forewarned of the hour of his death, James was assured that Our Lady would come to meet him, because he had often sacrificed to adorn her altars. She came at the time foretold, and James went happily with her into the presence of God.

Born: Bevagna in Umbria, Italy in 1220

Died: 1301 at Mevania, Italy of natural causes

Beatification: 1400 (Cultus confirmed) by pope Boniface IX; again on May 18, 1672 (cultus confirmed) by Pope Clement X

 

 

 

“Mom, please can I have it?”

“Mom, please can I have it?” “All my friends have one!” “I saw it on TV.” Any parent, whether of a school-age child, or younger, has most certainly heard these words at some point in their child’s life. I know mine have uttered just such phrases when they were little. So as parents we feel the pressure to give our child the newest toy, video game, sports star-sponsored apparel, or latest, coolest mp3 music player. We do this because society tells us we must, to provide all these gadgets, toys, etc. so our children will not feel deprived (or unloved, ugly, an outcast, disadvantaged).

How do we provide all this-we work, we toil, often so many long hours that time actually spent with our children is now the rarest of treasures. Our children will understand, we tell ourselves. “I am working so hard, to labor to provide you with a comfortable, happy home.” Is the message we send our children, as we dash off to yet another long day at work. Yes, there are those of us who must work long hours, even in a two-parent house, when both parents must work, just to put food on the table, roof over our childrens’ head.
But what about those who work to acquire wealth, so they can buy the latest gadget, toy, video game, bigger home or car, just for themselves? Shouldn’t we applaud their tenacity, their strong work ethic? Aren’t they setting an example for us all, in their acquisition of wordly goods? In Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23, we are told this is Vanity.
“ Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to those who come after me–and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun, because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.”
Here we are cautioned against working, toiling, just for the sake of acquiring things. We cannot take anything with us when our earthly bodies are no more. Even those who work to leave their belongings to others, thinking they are saving a great treasure for those left behind, are reminded of this “great evil”-Vanity.

In Psalm 49:5-12, We are once again reminded of that trite phrase-”You can’t take it with you.”

“Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly, no ransom avails for one’s life, there is no price one can give to God for it. For the ransom of life is costly, and can never suffice that one should live on forever and never see the grave. When we look at the wise, they die; fool and dolt perish together and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own. Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.”

So we have learned we can’t buy our way in to heaven. That working all of our lives, just to acquire wealth, is seen as vanity in the eyes of our Lord. So what do we do? Sit around moaning about the things we don’t have (but think we should), expecting a handout from others? This is not what God is commanding His children to do, but rather first look to Him for your needs, putting aside your old self, and “things that are on earth.” As stated in Colossians 3:1-11:

“ So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things–anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all

In Luke 12:13-21, a parable is used to teach the lesson that “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”:

“ Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.””

Instead of spending our days toiling, striving to acquire material wealth, we should spend that time cloaking ourselves in God’s love and mercy, casting our eyes on Him. We really cannot take our possessions with us, nor should we strive to leave an over-abundance of material wealth for those left behind. All this is Vanity, considered a great evil in the eyes of our Lord. Time spent praising and serving Him, by helping those less fortunate (and not with just a monthly donation), is time very well spent.

So what are we to do the next time our children ask for those things we are sure they can do without? Instead of spending dollars ON your children, spend time WITH your children. Yes, I know this is not always so easy when you are struggling to just put food on the table, or trying to provide a safe, comfortable place to live, but even a few minutes, or an hour, is time well spent. Will they always want the newest toy or gadget on the market? Maybe, but toys break, music and fashion always go out of style, and all earthly possessions are temporary. But love, a parents love for a child, our heavenly Father’s love for His children, will never break or lose its luster. This treasure will be with us always.

A New Novice

It is with the utmost joy that we announce the Novitiate of Br. Michael Scott Brown.  Br. Scott has completed his Postulancy and expressed his desire to enter the Order as a Novice.  Please continue to keep Br. Scott in your prayers as he continues his studies for profession, as well as his studies for Ordination to the Diaconate.