Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Pastoral Letter from Bishop Schofield

A Pastoral Letter to the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese of San Joaquin

To be read or distributed on Sunday March 4, 2007

Dear Friends in Christ,

At a joint meeting of the Bishop, Standing Committee, Diocesan Council and Rural Deans of the Diocese of San Joaquin held on Saturday, February 24th, being gathered in prayer and having reviewed the Communiqué of the Primates Meeting in Dar es Salaam, we expressed our thankfulness for the Primates of the Anglican Communion and for their faithful and diligent work at their recent meeting. As a Network Diocese that has requested Alternative Primatial Oversight, we declared our support for the process as described in the Key Recommendations (“schedule”) they provided. We stand ready to participate in this way forward leading to the development of an Anglican Covenant.

The Communiqué of February 19, 2007, signed unanimously, directs the way forward for The Episcopal Church and for the Communion world-wide. [It is worth noting that the Primates’ Communiqué is not the sole work of oversees bishops telling us what to do in America but carries the signature of the new Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.] The Primates’ demonstrated a clear understanding of the serious divisions within our domestic Province and the reality that we are wholly unable to heal ourselves without their bold and continuing intervention under the direction of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As Bishop Martyn Minns has written, “…the Primates concluded that The Episcopal Church had NOT responded adequately to the requests of The Windsor Report and gave them one last chance with a date certain set for September 30, 2007. The Primates were clear that after that there will be serious, though not yet specified, consequences.”

I ask everyone in our congregations to be in prayer for the swift adoption and good faith implementation of these Primatial plans. Further, I pray that at its March meeting the House of Bishops will make a clear and unequivocal response to the Primates’ request to clarify the Episcopal Church’s response to the Windsor Report. I seek your prayers as we work together to implement the Report of the Primates. Please know that as decisions come before us I will do my best to communicate as much information as is available. Deliberations have already begun on a broad-based scale with the leadership of our Diocese. And, it is my hope that those who find themselves with a theological position different from mine will feel
comfortable in writing, telephoning, or meeting face to face to present their perspectives and understanding. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit these perspectives could well influence any action we might take as a Diocese in the future.

Serious questions remain unanswered, and many difficulties must be addressed in the months that lie ahead leading to September 30th. I agree with Archbishop Orombi’s assessment that this Primates’ meeting has not solved the current crises in the Anglican Communion but has “clarified the steps needed for trust to be restored, healing to take place, and for our full bonds of affection to once again flourish.” How appropriate that we begin this time of prayer as we enter the Season of Lent.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield

Bishop Duncan's Pastoral Letter

Bp. Duncan's Pastoral Letter in Response to Primates' Meeting

23rd February, A.D. 2007 First Friday in Lent Eve of St. Matthias

TO ALL THE FAITHFUL IN CHRIST JESUS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION NETWORK, AND TO ALL WHO ARE PARTNERS WITH US: Beloved in the Lord,

We continue in an extraordinary moment in church history. It is my conviction, with St. Paul, that "He who has begun a good work in [us] will complete it to the end." [Phil. 1:6]

Resolution III.6 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference authorized the Primates' Meeting to include among its responsibilities both "intervention in cases of exceptional emergency which are incapable of internal resolution within provinces, and giving of guidelines on the limits of Anglican diversity in submission to the sovereign authority of Holy Scripture and in loyalty to our Anglican tradition and formularies." At Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the Primates Meeting of 15–19 February exercised these mandates in most significant fashion.

Following up on the historic appeal for intervention 20 other bishops and I made on August 5, 2003 – and responding directly to the Appeals for Alternative Primatial Oversight (or Relationship) lodged by eight Network dioceses between July and November of 2006, as well as to requests from the Windsor coalition of Bishops conveyed in a letter of January 2007 – the Primates Meeting acted to address the crisis in our Province, The Episcopal Church. The result can surely be described as an answer to prayer.

I was joined in Dar es Salaam by Bishop Bruce MacPherson of Western Louisiana from the wider Windsor Coalition (a coalition of some two dozen diocesans that includes all the Network diocesans among its members). We were given the opportunity to provide testimony and entreaty as to how the situation in the United States could be addressed. Among the matters covered were:

• Our assessment that the Episcopal Church's official response to the Windsor Report and Dromantine Communiqué was inadequate, grudging and calculated.

• Belief that the election of Katharine Jefferts Schori as Presiding Bishop had to be seen as a significant aspect of that official response, especially in light of her consent to New Hampshire's election, to her authorization of same-sex blessings as diocesan bishop, and to her theological heterodoxy.

• Observations on the majority's emerging theological construct where 1) claims of justice replaces morality, 2) many ways replace the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ, and 3) experience replace "Holy Scripture as the ultimate rule and standard of the Christian Faith."

• Testimony as to the extent, expense and acrimony of the civil lawsuits underway across the country, most significantly noting the scandalous involvement of the Presiding Bishop's Chancellor in suits brought not only against parishes but also against individual clergy and lay leaders.

• Statistics bearing out the assertion that the Network and Windsor Dioceses, together with AMiA, CANA, and Network Convocation and Conference parishes across the country, represented a number equal to one-quarter of The Episcopal Church's membership, minimally some 500,000 souls, a number larger than 18 Provinces of the Anglican Communion.

• Clear discussion of the particular hostility of "majority Episcopal Church" to the Forward in Faith Dioceses, as well as its failure to work with them and all those who hold to the Communion's older "integrity" concerning Holy Orders.

• Evidence of the increasingly unlikely confirmation of the Bishop-elect of South Carolina by diocesan standing committees, on grounds including the revealing mis-use of the "manner of life" language of TEC's supposed acceptance of Windsor (Resolution B033, General Convention 2006).

• Request for recognition of all those who accept the Camp Allen Principles concerning full acceptance of the Windsor Report as the Communion's unquestioned partners in the United States.

• Appeal for some means of suitable and sufficient separation of the majority and minority parties of the Episcopal Church, including a practical "cease-fire," until the proposed Anglican Communion Covenant process will have run its course and determination of which of the parties in the U.S. dispute are to be viewed as the "constituent" members of the Communion.

• Our willingness as Network and Windsor Bishops to participate in a Primates-proposed domestic structure that could take the first steps toward addressing the escalating crisis.

Clearly we were heard. The Communiqué from Dar es Salaam, together with the "Key Recommendations of the Primates" and the transcript of the "Archbishop of Canterbury's Comments at the Final Press Conference," all speak to address the American crisis. The Episcopal Church has been given another chance to make an "unequivocal" response to Windsor and to Communion Faith and Order. Those of us who have already made clear our willingness to submit to the Windsor Report and to the Anglican Communion have been given the proposed Pastoral Council and a Primatial Vicar, to be nominated by the participating bishops and responsible to that Council. We have a call for the cessation of all civil legal actions. We can work with this. We will work with this. It is not perfect and there are a number of potential obstacles. We will enter in good faith. The Primates spent so much of their meeting on our concerns that we can do no less in response to their best assessment of a path forward. What we have is an interim proposal for an interim period with interim structures, while the Episcopal Church majority has one last opportunity to turn back from its "walking apart."

For the Network parishes of the International Convocation (congregations under Uganda, Kenya, Central Africa and Southern Cone) and for the churches of the Anglican Mission in America and of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, there are particular concerns about relating to those still within the Episcopal Church, even if under the Pastoral Council and Primatial Vicar.

For the Alternative Primatial Oversight appellant dioceses, not least the Forward in Faith dioceses, there are still concerns about the role of the Presiding Bishop, about how the working relationship with the wider Windsor Coalition develops, and about whether "good faith" will characterize the other side.

All we can do is be ourselves at our best. That is certainly, by God's grace and your intercession, what two of us, on behalf of all of you, were within the Primates' Meeting. Even though it is Lent, let Te Deum be said and sung. And let's keep on, faithful to the Scriptures, focused on the mission, and submitted in unity, till the work is done, whatever the cost, always in prayer.

St. Paul speaks of the trust that is mine and yours and ours: "He who has called you is faithful, and He will do it." [I Thess. 5:24]

Faithfully in Christ,

+ Bob Pittsburgh

The Rt. Rev. Robert Wm. Duncan
Moderator of the Anglican Communion
Network Bishop of Pittsburgh

-----------------Posted at 3:33 pm 2.23.2007
Printed at 6:59 pm 2.24.2007
HYPERLINK "http://www.acn-us.org/_images/logo.gif"[Image]
© 2006 Anglican Communion Network

Monday, February 26, 2007

News from Fr Short

February 2007

PIGS, PYTHONS, AND OTHER PEOPLE

The last three months have been a busy but productive time! It is normal after the Christmas holidays for things to slow down a bit – but not this year. Instead, the pace is accelerating, as several major changes have occurred.

DEPARTURE OF MY BOSS
My former boss and colleague, Godfrey Mugisa, has resigned to take a position in Masindi funded by the British government. We are very happy for him, but his departure has really increased my duties. Among other things, I must now draft the
Five Year Plan for the diocese, and have something ready by June (which is when I’m supposed to be taking the first two classes at Trinity School for Ministry in Pittsburgh). The drafting of the diocesan constitution is going along, with many interruptions. Philista and I met with the diocesan lawyer last week for three hours, a very profitable time. George Maiteki is the managing partner in the law firm of Edward Ssekandi, who is the Speaker of Parliament, the number three position in the Ugandan government. Before taking this position, Mr. Maiteki was the youngest member to serve in Parliament. It is very helpful to have gained access to such a well-placed fellow, for there are many challenges before us as a new diocese which need the hands of a skilled attorney.

VISITORS AND MISSIONARIES
We have had many visitors, which is a real blessing. Bill and Heidi Sullivan of St. James, Monterey, came to survey the situation at Buliisa Hospital (near Lake Albert), with the plan of leading a short term medical mission/ hospital renovation sometime in the next year. Heidi is a registered nurse, and Bill is a builder and expert in many fields. This is a substantial project which the Sullivans have undertaken! I must do the groundwork here, while they tell the story at home and recruit a team to help. If such a short term mission interests you, please contact them at wildbillsullivan@yahoo.com.

Fr. John Macdonald and his team from Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry came, and taught the clergy. Rev. Deb Carr stayed with us briefly, and worked on various options for children’s ministries, as well as helping me with some of my work. She has done exciting work with children in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and I hope we can work out a short term program with our Youth/Children’s worker, the Rev. Jackson Kauya (pictured at Kikwanana Church last Sunday, where he translated for me and led the service). He is small, but mighty, a very skilled priest, former principal of a bible college, and a great pastor. It is a pleasure to work with him.

Janine LeGrand also stayed with us for some time, and became a good friend. She is a SAMS missionary candidate who will be coming back to serve in Masindi-Kitara as soon as she can make preparations from her home in Hawaii. She is a teacher, medical assistant, and wonderful cook, among other talents. You can see her in the picture of the Christians at Kiryandongo Church (the archdeacon is on the left, blue shirt, and Janine is on the right). We look forward to her return.

A team of short term missionaries from Canada, who had worked with Philista from her CRWRC days, came to visit us briefly. They really wanted to see her again! But they also wanted to meet her husband and to hear a bit about the work in Masindi. I really hope that our paths will cross again.

TAILORING SCHOOL
The school is now full, and we are pleased with the general level of the students. In fact, we have had to defer a whole group of students until May, when we hope to start a second shift in the afternoon. The school would not function were it not for Philista’s continual presence and oversight. She goes to devotions, deals with student problems, makes sure that the materials and supplies are there, and ensures that everything is stable and happy. We did not intend for her to fall into this role, and our hope is to find someone to take her place, so that she is freed to concentrate on her garment business and her other interests. But a successor has not appeared as yet, and this is a subject for real prayer. We want the program to stand on its own feet without our intervention. When this happens, we know that our work will have been successful.

We now have our second Moslem in the program, a young student. She and her teacher, Amina, are both happy to join us in the daily devotions and bible study, and they have even led prayers! What a wonderful opportunity the Lord has given us here, to share good news in a safe learning environment. As I think of this God-given opportunity, I am reminded of those words attributed to St. Francis – preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words. This is a time when a loving example can work wonders.

CATECHIST SCHOOL
The diocesan “big men” decided that Masindi-Kitara needed to have its own school to train catechists (the lay readers at each local church who are the true pastors week in and week out). The school was announced on the local radio, and fifty students showed up! The teaching is to be handled by diocesan staff, (“no money” to pay teachers). I asked to be excused, citing my already insane work load – but to no avail. Starting in March, I will be teaching biblical studies and development studies.

There is a “syllabus” for both Old and New Testaments of one page – no outlines, no class notes, no objectives. Fortunately, I have taught bible studies several times over the last thirty years of ordained ministry. And the students are all seasoned church leaders who are really committed to learn. So it should be a positive experience, and a chance to help these catechists in many areas, such as preaching, storytelling, and devotional uses of the Bible. This is an opportunity to minister to the ministers, for which I thank the Lord. It will also help me with the development work in the field.

These courses are meant to be for catechists only. But it has been my experience that if the instruction is good, many pastors, lay people, and even bishops, will come. So please pray that our little efforts here will bear fruit.

CHURCH FARM PROJECTS
We began this experimental program very quietly with only two churches, but it has been REALLY successful. It’s a very simple program, and requires involvement by the church leaders, the Christians, and sometimes other members of the community. The report from the Archdeacon of Kiryandongo is attached to this newsletter, so that you can sense the level of excitement. Most of the work was done by volunteers who believe in the program, for example, the picture of the Christians who helped “archie” harvest the maize. We are now opening up another three acres for this church, and the general happiness is spreading to the other churches in Kiryandongo Archdeaconry, the poorest of the lot.

Perhaps the biggest confirmation of success is that seven other parishes have asked me to do the same thing for them. The only thing needed now is funding and time to cover all the bases. But it is clearly a self-sustaining program for strengthening the churches at the local level: and the expenses are low.

Our figures suggest that it costs around $100 to clear an acre of virgin land, and another $150 to plough it twice and buy the seed. Once this hard work has been done, the costs go down for the second growing season (Uganda has two seasons a year), which means the profits go up. And best of all, the profits stay with the local church, which means that the Christians are helping themselves.

You can see my former colleague, Godfrey Mugisa, and the pastor of Ntooma Parish standing in the middle of the maize field at Ntooma, and get some idea of the fertility of the soil.

PYTHONS AND PIGS
Our compound is home to many of God’s creatures – beautiful birds, bees, bats in the ceiling, roof rats, squirrels, and pythons. This snake was seen by one of our night watchmen under a security light, and he hit it on the head with a big stick (pretty brave of him). You can see it was quite long. A few days later, another snake was seen making its way onto our back verandah (as the diocesan cashier was sitting out in back drinking tea), and the cashier dashed up and beat it with another stick. Fortunately, when our house guests were around, the snakes were all asleep in their holes.

Phili has also taken up raising pigs, and a photo of Sonny and Cher is attached (named by the Sullivans). We hope to use our home compound for the next growing season as a demonstration plot of kitchen gardening and livestock husbandry. Raising pigs is a first for both of us, and the vet has been to see us twice already. But we know how to grow things, and it is really tasty when it’s fresh from your garden! My mother, the master gardener, has helped us with some seeds and “tech a nical” advice, as they say here. Too bad she can’t just come here and demonstrate in the field to our Christians! She would love all the birds in our compound! Uganda has more species of birds than any other country (for you birdwatchers), so for that reason alone, it’s worth making the long trip.

CONTAINER FROM THE EAST STOCKTON ROTARY
Fr. Mark Hall has sent me an impressive list of contents inside this container, which is now in transit. It has been a long two years or so since Fr. Mark and I dreamed up this project, but it is coming to fruition. There are medical and dental supplies for Kuluva Hospital, Arua, and hand tools, textbooks, bibles, clergy vestments, some furniture, a new generator and many other useful donations for Masindi. I can hardly wait! For one thing, Phili’s sewing machines, dress form, and materials are coming soon. And we have young people who want to work, who can take advantage of all these things. My thanks go to all of you who have helped with this project!

WEB SITE
Thanks to a wonderful friend from my Coalinga and Fresno days, Steve Richardson, we now have a web site! It’s father-jim.org. Please take a look at it, and give us your feedback. In the future, I hope it contains more pictures, perhaps video clips of singing and dancing in the village churches, and items related to our work here in Uganda. Steve is posting newsletter pictures on the site, for those of you who receive the email version, but not always the pictures. I’m sure you will find Steve’s work a blessing.

Philista and I send you our thanks for sharing with us in this fascinating and challenging ministry. We can process emails at our home now, even if slowly by Western standards, which saves a lot of time and aggravation of looking for an internet café with electricity running. So please, feel free to contact us that way. And letters are always appreciated. I am slow at answering them, but I do eventually respond, We wish you a blessed Lent, a time of renewal as we prepare for the Feast of the Resurrection.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

First Sunday in Lent

February 25, 2007

Lessons


Deuteronomy 26:(1-4) 5-11
Romans 10:(5-8a) 8b-13
Luke 4:1-13
Psalm 91 or 91:9-15

The Collect

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Announcements
  • The Bishop's Commitee will meet today, following "Coffee Hour"
  • Lenten Study and Soup Suppers will be held Thursday evenings at 6PM (Stations of the Cross – 5:30PM). We will be studying John’s Epistles during the Lenten suppers. This week we will be studying First John chapter two.
  • For the full Lenten schedule, scroll down to find below.
Next Sunday's Lessons

2nd Sunday in Lent
Genesis 15:1-12,17-18
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:(22-30)31-35
Psalm 27 or 27:10-18

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Ash Wednesday

Collect for Ash Wednesday

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Lessons

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Psalm 103:8-14

This week’s announcements:

  • Tonight: Holy Eucharist, Rite One with Imposition of Ashes at 6PM
  • Lenten Study and Soup Suppers will be held Thursday evenings at 6PM (Stations of the Cross – 5:30PM). We will be studying John’s Epistles during the Lenten suppers.
  • Confessions may be made by appointment.
  • The Bishop’s Committee will meet this Sunday after “Coffee Hour”

Friday, February 16, 2007

Lenten Schedule - 2007

February 20th
– Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Supper at 6:00PM

February 21st
– Ash Wednesday, Holy Eucharist at 6:00PM

Thursday Evenings during Lent

February 22nd
– Stations of the Cross at 5:30PM
– Soup Supper at 6:00PM
– Bible Study: 1 John 1 at 6:15PM

March 1st
– Stations of the Cross at 5:30PM
– Soup Supper at 6:00PM
– Bible Study: 1 John 2 at 6:15PM

March 8th
– Stations of the Cross at 5:30PM
– Soup Supper at 6:00PM
– Bible Study: 1 John 3 at 6:15PM

March 15th
– Stations of the Cross at 5:30PM
– Soup Supper at 6:00PM
– Bible Study: 1 John 4 at 6:15PM

March 22nd
– Stations of the Cross at 5:30PM
– Soup Supper at 6:00PM
– Bible Study: 1 John 5 at 6:15PM

March 29th
– Stations of the Cross at 5:30PM
– Soup Supper at 6:00PM
– Bible Study: 2 John & 3 John at 6:15PM

Holy Week

April 1st - Palm Sunday, Holy Eucharist at 9:00AM

April 5th - Maundy Thursday, Holy Eucharist at 6:00PM

April 6th - Good Friday Liturgy at Noon

April 7th - Holy Saturday Morning Liturgy at 9:00AM

April 8th - Easter Sunday, Holy Eucharist at 9:00AM

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Preparing for Lent

Some thoughts about Lent

What does the season of Lent bring to your mind? Do you look forward to it or does it seem to focus too much on the negative side of Christianity? If Lent has become drudgery or just a comfortable tradition, I would like to ask you to reconsider the purpose of Lent.

Some people are uncomfortable with penitential liturgies and seasons because the focus on sin and repentance. Certainly, if we look at Lent apart from Easter, we do ourselves a grave disservice. Lent must always be viewed as an approach to Easter. We are able to face our mistakes because of Christ’s love and mercy toward us. Correspondingly, Christ’s love for us is profound precisely because we do not deserve it. We do not deserve His love or His mercy, yet he offers it to us abundantly over and over again.

Therefore, during Lent when we think of those things which we regret doing, or thinking, or saying, we must think of them in light of the cross. Christ went to the cross, so that we would have hope, so that we would be provided with a way to be free from such burdens. Lent is not a time to wallow in misery – Lent is the time to be renewed. Recognizing our sin and brokenness is painful but that is a worthwhile discovery if it brings about change and an increased awareness of God’s mercy. Our attention to unpleasant issues during Lent is meant to turn our attention to the love of Christ and to recognize His love for us in a new and fresh way. The ultimate goal of Lent is to bring us to joy! If it accomplishes something else, the journey is probably incomplete or misguided.

It is my hope that by the time we arrive at Easter morning, we are loving Christ and enjoying His love more fully than we have ever known. With this in mind, I would like you to reconsider your activities during Lent. Lent is not the Church’s version of a New Year’s resolution – it goes much more deeply than that. If you give up a food item during Lent, do so because that is going to lead you into a deeper prayer life. If you give up smoking or drinking, do so because you are going to pray through your cravings and seek God to take greater control over your physical AND spiritual life.

Possibly giving up something for Lent is not the right approach for you, maybe it would be better to begin a spiritual discipline, such as reading your Bible, or devoting time to the Daily Offices in the Prayer Book, or praying for reconciliation with someone, or interceding in prayer for someone who needs healing. Whatever you choose to give up or take on, do so with the clear intention of responding to Christ.

Fr Van McCalister

The Last Sunday after the Epiphany

February 18, 2007

The Lessons


Exodus 34:29-35
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13
Luke 9:28-36
Psalm 99

"This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!"

The Collect

O God, who before the passion of your only-­begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

This Week's Announcements
  • Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Supper, February 20th at 6PM
  • Ash Wednesday with Holy Eucharist: February 21st at 6PM
  • Lenten Study and Soup Suppers will begin Thursday, February 22nd at 6PM (Stations of the Cross – 5:30PM). We will be studying John’s Epistles during the Lenten suppers.

Friday, February 9, 2007

6 Epiphany Sermon Notes

The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany – February 11, 2007

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17: 7-8

“Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful! Their delight is in the law of the LORD, and they meditate on his law day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; everything they do shall prosper.” – Psalm 1:1-3

Luke 6:17-26 [verses in brackets]
  • Parallel/Similar text: Mt 5:3-12
Leading up to Luke’s so-called “Sermon on the Plain”, we find Jesus healing a man with a withered hand and establishing himself as the Lord of the Sabbath in verses 1-11. This infuriates the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law; so they begin looking for a way to accuse Jesus.

In the shadow of this threat, Jesus goes up to a mountainside to pray. Jesus prays all night. In Luke’s account, this is Jesus’ longest episode of prayer since the wilderness prayers. Clearly, it indicates Jesus’ concern for the next phase of his ministry. In the morning, after Jesus prayed all night, he chose 12 men from among the more numerous disciples, to be the apostles whom he will train to carry out the Gospel, once the Jewish leadership successfully bring their accusations to their ultimate conclusion.
  • Apostle = one who is sent out, a messenger
[17] Since Jesus had previously called the disciples up to where he had been praying, it seems natural that Jesus coming “down with them” immediately followed the selection of the 12. Therefore, Jesus immediately begins the instruction for the 12 and the wider band of disciples, while the curious crowd gathers around, as well.
  • Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain” as it has been called, may be the same sermon as that described in Matthew’s Gospel. Or, it may be a separate teaching event where Jesus used similar themes. Certainly, from verses 12 & 17, it is quite plausible that Jesus and the disciples only descended part way down the mountainside to a level spot along the side. Luke’s account of the “Sermon on the Mount/Plain” leaves out those issues that are uniquely Jewish, which Matthew emphasizes.
[18, 19] Jesus is so full of the power of the Holy Spirit that people are coming up and simply touching him in order to be healed of illness and relieved of demons.
  • This may explain why Jesus found it useful to teach from inside Peter’s boat in chapter 5.
[20] While there are many more people than just Jesus’ disciples, Jesus directs the message specifically to his disciples.
  • Verses 20-26 reveal parallel blessings and woes: poor & rich, hungry & full, weep & laugh, exclusion & renown, with joy as the centerpiece.
  • “Woe” is an expression of compassion and regret. As if to say, “What a shame.”
[20, 24] The poor are contrasted against the rich. This is not a socio-economic commentary. It is a contrast between dependence on God and self-reliance. The wealthier we are, the more likely we are to feel comfortable with the status quo. We are less likely to cry out to God when it seems as though we can obtain everything that we desire through our own means. The poor are those who recognize their need for God: their blessing IS the kingdom of God – now. The need for God, is filled by God with His presence, now.

[21, 25] The hungry are contrasted against the full. Similar to above [20, 24].
  • “He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.” – Luke 1:52-53 (The Magnificat, BCP 119)
[21, 25] Those who weep are contrasted against those who laugh. Weeping here, as in several OT instances, is associated with repentance, while laughing is associated with the scornful (mockers). Those who weep in response to their sin, will laugh with joy when they receive grace.

[22, 26] Those who are hated (as witnesses for Jesus) are contrasted against those who are well spoken of (hypocrites). The contrast is between the here & now and eternal life. Those who stand up for truth now – no matter the cost – will be remembered by Christ. They will not be “sent away empty”. Those who find honor now, in disregard for the truth, have received their empty reward already.

[23] “Rejoice in that day.” The blessed ones are those like the tree Jeremiah describes: it is firmly rooted beside living water. The blessed rejoice because they trust in the Lord rather than in wealth, self-reliance, pride or false honor.
  • Compare: John 4:10-14, (Jesus gives living water welling up to eternal life) and John 15:1-5, (Jesus is the True Vine – abide in him).
How does a tree become firmly rooted? [See Jeremiah 17] It sends out its roots toward the water. And it does not fear the heat and drought because it is deeply rooted.

How de we become firmly rooted? [See Psalm 1] We stay away from the counsel of the wicked. Note the progression: “walked”, “lingered” and “sat”. Walking leads to lingering, lingering leads to sitting, sitting leads to becoming the wicked. [Ref. George Kovoor]

Rather, the Blessed Ones (the righteous) delight in the Word of the Lord – the righteous meditate on His Law regularly.

What is the evidence of our rootedness? Bearing fruit! Our Purpose is to bear fruit in due season: Winter (Rest), Spring (Planting), Summer (Growth/Heat/Stress), Fall (Harvest/Fruitfulness).

Do not fear! God intends us to experience all four seasons!
  • What season are you in now?
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

The church on the Mount of the Beatitudes


Sexagesima Sunday*

The Lessons


Jeremiah 17:5-10
1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Luke 6:17-26
Psalm 1

The Collect

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

*Sexagesima Sunday is the second Sunday before Ash Wednesday and approximately sixty days before Easter.

This Week's Announcements
  • Pray for the Primates meeting in Tanzania, Feb 13-19
  • Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Supper, February 20th at 6PM
  • Ash Wednesday with Holy Eucharist: February 21st at 6PM
  • Lenten Study and Soup Suppers will begin Thursday, February 22nd at 6PM (Stations of the Cross – 5:30PM). We will be studying John’s Epistles during the Lenten suppers.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

5 Epiphany Sermon Notes

The Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany

“I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, for he is speaking peace to his people, to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.” -- Psalm 85:8

Luke 5:1-11 [verses in brackets]
  • Parallel/Similar texts: Mt 4:18-22; Mk 1:16-20; Jn 1:40-42
Luke begins this Gospel lesson with a nameless crowd and concludes this segment with Jesus calling the same three disciples that he takes with him to the mount of the Transfiguration: Peter, James and John. Jesus singles out Peter, calling him to be an evangelist – the same Peter that Jesus will call to build his Church – the same Peter who teaches the Gospel first on the Day of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church.
  • Peter moves from bystander, to participant, to follower.
[1] Jesus is teaching. The crowd presses him back toward the Sea of Galilee – not to kill him as the crowd attempted to do in Nazareth – but from eagerness to hear Jesus’ words.
[2] Peter, James and John are bystanders frustrated after fishing all night. They are packing up their gear to go home.
[3] Jesus intrudes on Peter’s business by climbing into his boat and asks the exhausted fisherman to take the boat away from the shore so that he can continue to teach the pressing crowds. Peter suddenly (reluctantly?) becomes a participant. The fishing boat is now the Ark of the Word of God, the throne of the Creator – a vessel of salvation (cf. 1 Peter 3:18-22).
[4] One can’t help but wonder if Peter isn’t impatient for the Lord to finish teaching – to let him go home. But instead of having Peter row him back to shore, when he finished teaching, Jesus tells Peter it’s time to go back fishing. Jesus is a carpenter-rabbi, not a fisherman! What does he know about fishing? Jesus intrudes even deeper into Peter’s business. He intrudes into Peter’s area of expertise. Jesus is so confident that he told Peter to let the nets down “for a catch”. Jesus is not saying Peter might catch something, he says that Peter will catch, if he obeys.
[5] Peter sounds frustrated, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!” but he obeys according to Jesus’ word.
[6] Jesus demonstrates that he is the Lord of creation and summons fish from all around the lake to Peter’s boat.
[7] There are so many fish that Peter has to signal his partners (James and John) to come and help him. So many fish that the boats were nearly sinking.
[8] Now, Peter is no longer simply a bystander or a participant – he has become a believer. The fisherman recognizes Jesus’ power over creation and drops to his knees in repentance and honor, if not worship. Jesus has intruded into Peter’s time, business and his heart.
  • What will we do when Jesus intrudes into our time? Our business? Will we listen and obey long enough that he will have the opportunity to intrude into our hearts?
[9] Finally, there is enough fish that the fishermen could pay off debts, buy more equipment, employ more fishermen – Jesus' intrusion turned out to be great for their business!
[10] But what happens? Jesus tells Peter don’t be afraid. In spite of your sinfulness, you are called to witness God’s purpose to men – to catch men for God.
  • The Greek for “catch” means to “catch alive” or “to catch for life.”
[11] Amazingly, Peter, (and Andrew), James and John leave the greatest catch of fish they’ve ever seen with their fathers and follow Jesus as his disciples.
  • What does it mean to follow Jesus?
  • What do we have to leave, or let go of, to follow Jesus? Lent is coming.
  • Better yet, what do we have to gain by following Jesus?
  • Let us look forward to Jesus’ next intrusion into our lives!
“Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”

Much of this sermon was inspired by a teaching given by The Rev Cn George Kovoor.

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany

Septuagesima - the Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany*

The Lessons

Judges 6:11-24a
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11
Psalm 85 or 85:7-13

The Collect

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

*"Septuagesima" is the third Sunday before Lent and approximately 70 days before Easter.

Looking Forward to Lent

  • Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Supper: February 20th at 6PM
  • Ash Wednesday with Holy Eucharist: February 21st at 6PM
  • Lenten Study and Soup Suppers will begin Thursday, February 22nd at 6PM