“For all us Saints”

By Father S. Peter Donatelli

(Solemnity of All Saints; 2009; all Biblical quotes from the New King James Version)

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Tuesday, November 3^rd, 2009 – Bible Study

Saturday, November 7^th, 2009 – Youth Group

JOKE:

What did one ghost say to the other? Do you believe in humans?

INTRO:

We’ve all heard the allegations. Halloween is a pagan rite dating back to some pre-Christian festival among the Celtic Druids that escaped Church suppression. Even today modern pagans and witches continue to celebrate this ancient festival. If you let your kids go trick-or-treating, they will be worshiping the devil and pagan gods. Nothing could be further from the truth. The origins of Halloween are, in fact, very Christian and rather American. Halloween falls on October 31 because of a pope, and its observances are the result of medieval Catholic piety. It’s true that the ancient Celts of Ireland and Britain celebrated a minor festival on Oct. 31 — as they did on the last day of most other months of the year. However, Halloween falls on the last day of October because the Feast of All Saints or “All Hallows” falls on Nov. 1. The feast in honor of all the saints in heaven used to be celebrated on May 13, but Pope Gregory III (d. 741) moved it to Nov. 1, the dedication day of All Saints Chapel in St. Peter’s at Rome. Later, in the 840s, Pope Gregory IV commanded that All Saints be observed everywhere. And so the holy day spread to Ireland. The day before was the feast’s evening vigil, “All Hallows Even” or “Halloween.” In those days, Halloween didn’t have any special significance for Christians or for long-dead Celtic pagans. In 998, St. Odilo, the abbot of the powerful monastery of Cluny in Southern France, added a celebration on Nov. 2. This was a day of prayer for the souls of all the faithful departed. This feast, called All Souls Day, spread from France to the rest of Europe. Why is any of this important?

POINT ONE:

What we do this morning at Mass is a preparation for our work as saints in the Heavenly Kingdom. Has anybody ever asked you to pray for them? Are you going to stop worshipping God or praying for your friends when you die? It is an essential conviction of our Faith that we understand that this life is a precursor to our eternal walk with God, the Angels, and the Saints in Heaven. Knowing that with absolute certainty we prepare to be worshipful, prayerful, and obedient citizens along with the others standing around us at the Throne. So why do people get bogged down when we ask the Saints to pray for us? Let’s start with the Bible to get some insight. Revelation 7: 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:  ”Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever.  Amen.” 3 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14 And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” A question I am asked is “Why do we pray to the saints sometimes, why not just pray directly to God?” We pray to the saints because they can help us on journey to Jesus. They are now gathered around the throne of God and they can intercede for us and help us. And we know that they do intercede for us and help us because so many people claim to have received favors through praying to a particular saint. And indeed for anyone to be beatified or canonized a major miracle inexplicable by natural means must have taken place. So praying to the saints is powerful. They are our brothers and sisters from every country and from every generation and they can help us on our path to God. We have one ultimate goal in praying to the saints, that through their prayers we may join with them one day in heaven by sharing in God’s victory as they have done. We ask them to help us allow Jesus’ victory over evil on the cross to be reproduced in our lives as it has been in theirs. We pray to them that what John saw may at some future times be true of us also, “These are the people who have been through the great persecution, and they have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb.” Therefore as the conclusion to our second reading from John stated, “Surely everyone who entertains this hope must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ.”

POINT TWO:

The Bible’s insight is to help us to grow in this life and actually to participate in the next life, in other words be a saint on earth as it is in Heaven. St. John teaches us that a good step to doing this is to think purity. 1 John 3:  1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

 

We are also instructed in Scripture and through the early Saints that we can participate in Kingdom living through sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. In Psalm 116 it tells us, “16 O LORD, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds.  17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the LORD. 18 I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people, 19 In the courts of the LORD’s house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.” What we do this morning as we pray, praise, and partake allows us to participate with the same Heavenly celebration we will be participating in Heaven! There’s a nice song on the radio by Mercy-me, “I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by your side. I can only imagine what my eyes will see when your face is before me. Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus or in honor of you be still? Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing hallelujah; will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine when that day comes when I find myself standing in the Son. I can only imagine when all I will do is forever, forever worship You.” Though it’s a nice song, I can only advise the composer, “Man where do you go to church?” I don’t need to imagine this because the mystical banquet is right before me. I not only see Jesus standing by side, but I consume Jesus into my body so I can become part of THE Body. I not only am surrounded by His Glory, I am worshipping with all the Heavenly Saints and Angels and they are worshipping with me. I am washed by the same Blood and I find it surging through my veins as I place the chalice to my lips. I don’t need to imagine if I have enough faith. We need to believe with all our hearts, with all our minds, and with all our souls, that what Jesus has taught, what Jesus has instituted, what Jesus has created, is true, real, and present. The Kingdom is not imaginary, it really exists and as beloved children created in the Mind of God, we need to purge ourselves to the point of really connecting to our divine nature.

POINT THREE:

We can share in the divinity of Christ if we participate in His deeds. I love Pope John Paul II’s commentary on today’s Gospel. “Today’s liturgy speaks completely of holiness. But to know what is the way to holiness, we must go with the Apostles up the mount of the Beatitudes to draw near to Jesus and listen to the words of life that come from his lips. Today too he says to us again: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! The divine Teacher proclaims “blessed” and, we could say, “canonizes” first of all the poor in spirit, that is, those whose heart is free of prejudices and conditionings, and who are therefore totally disposed to the divine will. Their total and trusting fidelity to God presupposes renunciation and consistent self-detachment. Blessed are those who mourn! This is the blessedness not only of those who suffer from the many misfortunes that belong to the mortal human condition, but also those who courageously accept the sufferings that result from the sincere profession of Gospel morality. Blessed are the pure in heart! He proclaims blessed those who are not content with outward or ritual purity, but seek that absolute inner rectitude which excludes all deceit and duplicity. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness! Human righteousness is already a very lofty goal, which ennobles the heart of whoever pursues it, but Jesus is thinking of that greater righteousness which lies in seeking God’s saving will: blessed above all are those who hunger and thirst for this righteousness. For Jesus says: “He who does the will of my Father who is in heaven shall enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 7: 21). Blessed are the merciful! Happy are those who overcome their hardness of heart and indifference, to recognize in practice the primacy of compassionate love, following the example of the Good Samaritan and, in the last analysis, of the Father “rich in mercy” (Eph 2: 4). Blessed are the peacemakers! Peace, the sum of all messianic blessings, is a demanding task. In a world marked by tremendous antagonisms and barriers, fraternal harmony inspired by love and sharing must be promoted by overcoming hostilities and conflicts. Blessed are those who dedicate themselves to this most noble endeavor!”

CONCLUSION:  

I know this sermon is rich in saintly quotes so here is my conclusion. From “The Importance of the Saints And Devotion to Them” by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, he says, “Why should our praise and glorification, or even the celebration of this feast day mean anything to the saints? What do they care about earthly honors when their heavenly Father honors them by fulfilling the faithful promise of the Son? What does our commendation mean to them? The saints have no need of honor from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs. Clearly, if we venerate their memory, it serves us, not them. But I tell you, when I think of them, I feel myself inflamed by a tremendous yearning. Calling the saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses in us, above all else, a longing to enjoy their company, so desirable in itself. We long to share in the citizenship of heaven, to dwell with the spirits of the blessed, to join the assembly of patriarchs, the ranks of the prophets, the council of apostles, the great host of martyrs, the noble company of confessors and the choir of virgins. In short, we long to be united in happiness with all the saints. But our dispositions change. The Church of all the first followers of Christ awaits us, but we do nothing about it. The saints want us to be with them, and we are indifferent. The souls of the just await us, and we ignore them. Come, brothers, let us at length spur ourselves on. We must rise again with Christ, we must seek the world which is above and set our mind on the things of heaven. Let us long for those who are longing for us, hasten to those who are waiting for us, and ask those who look for our coming to intercede for us. We should not only want to be with the saints, we should also hope to possess their happiness. While we desire to be in their company, we must also earnestly seek to share in their glory. Do not imagine that there is anything harmful in such an ambition as this; there is no danger in setting our hearts on such glory. When we commemorate the saints we are inflamed with another yearning: that Christ our life may also appear to us as he appeared to them and that we may one day share in his glory. Until then we see him, not as he is, but as he became for our sake. He is our head, crowned, not with glory, but with the thorns of our sins. As members of that head, crowned with thorns, we should be ashamed to live in luxury; his purple robes are a mockery rather than an honor. When Christ comes again, his death shall no longer be proclaimed, and we shall know that we also have died, and that our life is hidden with him. The glorious head of the Church will appear and his glorified members will shine in splendor with him, when he forms this lowly body anew into such glory as belongs to himself, its head. Therefore, we should aim at attaining this glory with a wholehearted and prudent desire. That we may rightly hope and strive for such blessedness, we must above all seek the prayers of the saints. Thus, what is beyond our own powers to obtain will be granted through their intercession.”

“Blessed Assurance”

By Father S. Peter Donatelli (All Biblical quotes from the New King James Version; 30th SOTB)

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Please pray for us as this week CJV welcomes the CEC to Maine.

JOKE:

I read this one liner on line; sometimes you’re the bird, and sometimes you’re the windshield.

INTRO:

It’s amazing how often in life this is true. More often than not, when I feel that I am about to be smashed or that someone I know and love is about to smash into me, I look to God for answers, complaints, or thanks. Nevertheless, life is so difficult at times that we wonder how effective God is. Is living a life of faithfulness really the way to go or are there more effective ways to feeling fulfilled? Hopefully this morning we will all come to the conclusion that the efficacy of God is complete and our participation in His will is blessed assurance. When you need to know you are making the right decisions in life then please enter into a prayerful dialogue with God, then seek confirmation with God’s mouthpiece on earth, His Bride, our Mother, the Church. Each reading this morning emphasizes the efficacy of God’s intervention and I guarantee that no matter what you are going through in life, our loving God has an answer and God’s answer is the right one. I realize that there are people that think it’s a little weird to hear someone say, “God told me to do this or that.” But I am a firm believer that God is not an absentee landlord who just wants us to live in His creation without sharing in all the joys and ordeals that we endure. In other words, God wants to answer your queries and seeks to be the Father that loves His child and wants the best for us as He looks forward to spending eternal life with us in His most holy dwelling place. So how effective is God? Let’s take a look at these readings.

POINT ONE:

God fulfills His promises in God’s most perfect timing. God is effective by making numerous children of Israel return from exile to their beloved homeland. Jeremiah 31:  7This is what the LORD says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’ 8 See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. 9 They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

 

Now keep in mind that the chronology of this event was decades. It seems like God’s elect are always in the state of transition. Quite frankly I hate transition; it’s like being transferred from one gate to another at the airport. Last time Cindy and flew together our plane was grounded because of snow. We were en route to St. Louis and subsequently, after an overnight in Cincinnati we landed in St. Louis via Atlanta, Georgia. I swear if God hadn’t blessed me with such an amazingly patient and comforting wife, I would flip out hourly. I have learned in my life that regardless of worldly obstacles, God is still in control and His will is always done.

POINT TWO:

God calls us to participate in His will and His efficacy and His assurance by participating in the priesthood of all believers. This calls us to a life of effective love. If you achieve all that you strive for, in appropriate ways, using the best means and in the least amount of time, most people would call you effective. However, God requires you to overcome obstacles and rely on Him exclusively in love as we, the Church, seek results in dealing with a sinful world. Hebrews 5:  1Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” 6And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

 

There are several important factors about this passage. First the personification of the God’s salvific priesthood in a broken world reflects God’s purpose for this particular anointing. In order to deal with “those who are ignorant or going astray” the priesthood steps in to heal through sacrifices and sacraments and simply showing up. One might ask if there is a necessity for this functionality. Recently I researched on line the number of addictions in this country and I did not realize how many sad afflictions people suffer. Yes there are hundreds of addictions from drugs and alcohol, to sex and self destruction. Sadly there are people who actually celebrate bad behavior and we can all agree that’s not the way to heal people. The best way to heal is to do it the priestly way by offering people salvation and eternal joy. Yes the passage tells us that priests are chosen amongst men and yes the ordination of a priest is an office that Biblically demands the form of a man to represent this anointing. However, as Christians the icon of Christ, the High Priest, is reflected first in the vocation of the priest and then through him, his children reflect the prayer obedience of their spiritual father in Christ. Just a few words about Melchizedek, he first appears in Genesis 14 as the king of Salem or Jerusalem where Abraham gives him ten percent of his first fruits. Now it is fairly clear that Melchizedek probably does not need anything from Abraham but accepts the tithe as a way to allow Abraham to transmit the priestly office of Melchizedek that subsequently allows Abraham and his community to live out God’s blessings. We can heal others because we are faithful to God’s anointing. Otherwise we cannot be assured that what we are doing to efficacious to the community we live in and the world we strive to fix. The media is filled with organizations that claim to help mankind but are they really helping? Rarely do I see a cause that will prompt me to pick up my phone and call in a donation to some well constructed commercial selling a feel-good product. I tithe and I know that in terms of charity I am giving the minimum for the maximum amount of product. Am I changing the world? I would like to think so. Is our small church impacting on God’s ultimate plan for all humanity? Absolutely!

POINT THREE:

There are no obstacles that we cannot overcome that will allow us to see for ourselves this success. In other words, through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, God the Son, even a blind beggar overcame obstacles to fulfill his great to desire to accept Jesus into his life manifested by his sight restored. Mark 10:  46Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”48Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51″What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52″Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

 

So what must we do in order to experience divine efficacy. We need to believe and hope. Those who had been exiled from Babylon could not forget God´s wonders in the history of their people. God had shown the strength of his hand in the Exodus and in the conquest of the Promised Land. They believe and trust that God will once again act effectively in their favor, although they do not know when or how. Bartimaeus has immense faith in the fact that Jesus, the Messiah and the descendant of David, can cure him of his blindness. This is why he cries out fearlessly and boldly, “Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.” The Jews believed that God had granted the High Priest, on the feast of Yom Kippur, the power to forgive the sins of all the people. And we Christians believe with absolute certainty that Jesus Christ, our High Priest, destroyed the world´s sins on the Cross. It is impossible for God to manifest his power in those who do not believe in it. We also must realize that God is in control and He is the absolute authority from where we seek answers. The Jews in exile knew perfectly well that they could not get back home on their own. Bartimaeus was very aware that he could do nothing to recover his sight. We Christians and Jews are convinced that only God can forgive sins. Sadly there are people in this world who have rejected God and sought their own self-ordained authority for answers. In that great song “Blessed Assurance” the refrain tells us that Jesus is our story and if we want to part of God’s story there is only one way; His most perfect way.

CONCLUSION:

We have many choices in life and we make many decisions. How can we be assured that we are making the right choices and deciding the right things? First we can judge by the fruit these bear. Secondly, allow God to be involved in your effectiveness. Thirdly, allow the Church and your priest to participate. Lastly remember that you are all part of God’s great salvation story. There are many stories out there like the exile of the Jews, the story of the early Church Christians the accounts written in letters like the one to the Hebrews. There is blind Bartimaeus and how through faith in Jesus Christ came to completely physical healing. All these stories have one thing in common and that is God’s effectiveness. God fulfills all His promise and if you want blessed assurance in life then you must allow God to work out His plan and purpose for you. God has called you here and He asks you, “What do you want me to do for you?” We reply, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” says Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” We hear that every week right before the Eucharist, “Lord I am not worthy to receive You, only say the Word and I shall be healed.” There are stories of secular people who live a life without accountability or responsibility. They always end badly. This week you may have heard of the UFO hoax where a couple called 911 to report their missing son floating through skies in a homemade balloon. We saw it first at a truck stop en route to New Paltz. Now this couple, after stirring the community and country faces criminal charges and rightfully so. The secular world is full of these stories and they all end in self-destruction. The stories of our faith always end well. “Blessed Assurance” was composed by two of the most prolific Christian hymn writers in history. The lyrics come from a woman with over 8000 hymns to her credit and the music comes from the pipe organ of a lady with over 500 hymns to her credit. One day, Fanny Crosby was visiting her dear friend, Phoebe Knapp. She played a tune for Fanny and asked her afterwards, “What does it say to you, Fanny?” Her reply was simple: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.”  This hymn is still being played on the church organ in thousands of churches still today. Despite being blind, Fanny Crosby’s impact on Christian hymns was tremendous.  She once described how her blindness affected her songs. “I verily believe that God intended that I should live my days in physical darkness so that I might be better prepared to sing His praise and lead others from spiritual darkness into eternal light.  With sight I would have been too distracted to have written thousands of hymns.” Without Fanny’s faith and Phoebe’s musicianship, songs such as “Blessed Assurance” would have never been written. I will conclude by reminded us all of the great hymn; Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story; this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long. Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight; angels, descending, bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love. Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest, Watching and waiting, looking above, filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

 

 

Trying to Fast Forward Right to the Good News

By Father S. Peter Donatelli (All Biblical quotes from the New King James Version; 29th SOTB)

JOKE:

Watching her mother as she tried on her new fur coat, young Jackie said unhappily, “Mom, do you realize some poor dumb beast suffered so you could have that?” The woman shot her an angry look, “Jackie, how dare you talk about your father like that!”

INTRO:

That poor animal. Yes folks suffering does stink. There are so many aspects of our faith that seem confusing and contradictory. So when we read about how our Savior and Victor needs to suffer in order to succeed it does not make sense. Our faith is paradoxical on every level yet it seems so easy for me to tell you this than it is for us all to simply believe; maybe even give our life to the Faith. This morning’s readings speaks into our lives of confusion and suffering , and hopefully will give us answers as to how to better cope with life and perhaps even come to realize that we are victors in and through the Victor, Christ Jesus, our Lord and God.

POINT ONE:

The CEC is a move of God that was birthed in revelation and prophecy, dare I say we are a charismatic church. The tough part of being a charismatic church is that some prophetic statements start with the bad news then after hanging on to the edge of our seats we hear the good news. One of my favorite “good news” jokes is a doctor says, I have some good news and some bad news. The patient says: What’s the good news? The doctor replies: The good news is they are naming a disease after you! Well amazingly Isaiah has this kind of news to tell a very hostile crowd. Ironically, like the Messiah he prophesied about, he was convicted of blasphemy because he said, “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne.” Tradition tells us he was sawed in half. The Good News is that the Messiah did come and his prophecy came true which he did thoroughly enjoy as Isaiah sat in his mansion in Heaven watching all these taking place in HD, I’m sure. This morning’s statement was said by Isaiah Ben Amoz to the captives from Gilead and Galilee at Assyria, during the Assyrian captivity of 721 B.C. Isaiah was preaching repentance to Judah. Judah had gone astray from God by becoming allies with Assyria, thus seeking to serve a godless nation. The result was that God allowed them to become captives of Assyria. Isaiah was preaching concerning repentance and acceptance of a Messiah, or one who would deliverer them. This Messiah was to deliver the people of Judah from their sins by bearing the weight of their sins. If they accepted this Savior, then they would be forgiven. Isaiah preached what he received from God, but God did not reveal to him the time in which this revelation would be fulfilled. The revelation he received would not be fulfilled for about 750 years! What is amazing is that the revelation Isaiah received from God is like an eyewitness account of the suffering of the true Messiah, Jesus Christ. Listen to the accuracy; Isaiah 53: 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.  By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

POINT TWO:

When we are told about good things to come we are often skeptical so it helps to a reliable source in order to believe and to adjust our life journey to reflect the kind of good things we are trying to expect. It’s like going to see a personal trainer who is fit and fashioned into the image you want to be like. The tough part is doing everything he tells you to do in order to get the results you desire. The amazing aspect of our Savior is that He lived as we live, in complete obedience to His Father making Him a great Man, faithful to His Faith, and a great High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. If He is the perfect personal trainer then who better to take advice from? Hebrews 4: 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 

The author of Hebrews tells his hearers that they should remain faithful because the priest who represents us, Jesus the Son of God, has gone up into heaven. Allow me to go down a little rabbit trail as we see the liturgical element of this letter because liturgy is key to our success. Keep in mind that if you really want to see results by your personal trainer you must put the work in. Liturgy is the work of the people and your personal trainer is telling you to go to church and celebrate the liturgy and receive the blessings you must have to cope with worldly life. The image of Jesus rising into Heaven by the author in Hebrews, and other verses in Scripture, seems to have in mind the fragrance of the Old Law’s burnt sacrifices, which was thought to rise up to heaven through the sky and bring pleasure to God. Jesus fulfills this liturgical function as He ascends into the throne room of God. Yet this priest is just like us. He has experienced all the temptations that accompany our humanity, all its limitations and failures, excepting only sin. He can represent us well there because He knows what it’s like to be human. As a result, we are now able ourselves to come confidently before God, ask for whatever we need, and expect to receive it. The perfect fragrance not only rises into the throne room but rejoins us in our throne room here at the altar of our small church and fills our souls with life-giving bread.

POINT THREE:

Jesus is here for us willing to help us, willing to train us, and willing to give us whatever we ask of Him. So we need to absolutely sure we know what we are asking for before we ask. In this morning’s Gospel Jesus is confronted with His wide-eyed and bushy tailed disciples as they want to be part of His success. They have seen the healings. They have seen the miracles. They have seen Jesus walking into a village and thousands of people wanting to be near Him to hear Him. It’s amazing how sometimes we see the end results of hard fought battles and we think we can fast forward right to the good news. Really folks! We know we have to suffer before we gain; no pain no gain. Jesus tries to tell this to His disciples in Mark 10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39 They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

 

Jesus points out a key element of success and that is servitude. You have to put in the time to do well in this world and dare I say in any world. The angels and saints are still fighting the fight. They celebrate the liturgy in Heaven as we do on earth. The work is still being done and we need to feel the physical and spiritual exertion that results in accomplishment, triumph, and victory. Today we celebrate the feast of St. Luke the great physician. Luke is a man who would have know the effort it takes to be successful. As an evangelist he probably knew what suffering was all about. The coolest thing I live about St. Luke is his prophetic call in Acts 5: 33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

 

Luke was a charismatic, evangelical, sacramental leader who wrote this passage amidst persecution knowing that regardless of how foolish this account may have been to those contemporaries reading it, Luke was foreseeing the success of the Church. Only a person who knew that victory had already been accomplished could say that if this persecuted movement is of God, no one can fight against it.

CONCLUSION:

There is always some bad news before the good news. We are human therefore we must fall down before we get up. Every successful venture starts in abject failures, tough times, and painful work. Napoleon was an academic dunce but at the age of forty-two he conquered the world. George Washington lots two-thirds of his battles before winning the Revolution for us. He preached as the president that we cannot govern this country without a Bible in hand. Our country has certainly lost some battles recently but I am not giving up. We are suffering as each year millions of innocent babies are murdered in their mother’s wombs, children are suffering in dismal poverty as the rate of fatherlessness reaches majority status and seventy percent of U.S. households are run by single mothers. We are arguing over sacred definitions like marriage as we watch the family unit dissipate causing paranoia, confusion, and fear. We are suffering the “bad news.” However I have hope for this country and I will fight for victory. You see the name of our church is not only a quaint title, it is a theological statement. The Good News folks is the Victory is won through our Lord Jesus Christ and we will celebrated this victory for an eternity in Heaven. Yes we fall. Proverbs 24:16 says, “For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.” There is a popular Christian song that tells us that if you see me on my knees, it’s not because I’m weak, I’m getting stronger. Yes, Jesus suffered the most miserable seventeen hours of any human being’s life before He died on the Cross. Obviously the disciples, His closest friends did not understand what they were getting into. But regardless of the “bad news” they were able to see their reward in Heaven. Yes our faith is full of paradoxical statements, but for every paradox there is a positive product; eternal life with Jesus, the Father, the Spirit, the communion of saints, and the company of angels. I end this morning with my favorite paradoxical prayer written by St. Francis who understood falling and getting up in success. Listen to the positive products of waiting for the Good News. Bow your heads in prayer; Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

“Good Call, God!”

By Father S. Peter Donatelli (All Biblical quotes are from the New King James Version)

October 4th, 2009 (27b; OT; the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Happy Birthday Nicolas and Howie; Happy Anniversary Craig and Melissa!

JOKE:

There’s a funny saying that to be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot and love him a little. To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all!

INTRO:

It’s amazing how the lectionary flows so well with contemporary issues. There seems to be a whole lot of hoopla about what marriage is now -a-days when the reality is that God is a pretty good resource in regards to defining all of life’s behaviors, institutions, and values. Marriage is a word with a single meaning. It is a principle of human and Christian wisdom to call each thing by its name. It is not a matter of judging anybody; on the contrary, as Christians we must be extremely understanding. What it is really all about is to speak correctly and clearly. If we start talking about “de facto marriage”, of a “free union”, of “gay marriage”, of “the right to be different”, and if we recognize all this from a legal point of view, instead of lessening the confusion we will undoubtedly add to it. Marriage is a stable and free union between a man and a woman, legally recognized by the State (civil marriage) and/or the Church (ecclesiastical marriage). Whatever does not comply with this definition, is not marriage. This is why it should be given a different name, always with respect and charity. Obviously, respect for those who are different is an obligation for all, but this respect in no way means support, and it does not imply equality of status. The reality of marriage is something very serious and sacred, and it cannot be played around with. This is often not taken into account. The result is a deterioration of the institution of marriage, which appears less and less similar to its (correct, God given) definition. One wonders what is going on in the minds of the political, which sometimes make extremely serious decisions touching the very future of the family and society. Even a clergyman recently implied in a newspaper editorial that households that do not offer the biological mother and the biological father in a loving married relationship are just as stable. Allow me to clarify. The ideal for all people is God’s ideal; fidelity in marriage, celibacy in singleness. It’s difficult to believe people argue differently. I just had to search statistics on the internet to find clearly that the stability factor for children in households where mom and dad are present, faithful, and married is much, much higher than any alternative. This morning I simply want to emphasize three characteristics of God’s amazing truth; allow God to call, allow God to control, and allow God to consecrate. Yes they all begin with the letter “C” so let’s see what God’s Word claims.

POINT ONE:

A call can be so many things. Like if I say the Patriots are going to win this afternoon 28 to 21 and it happens, one may say to me, “Good call!” So there’s an element of prediction and an element of reason and an element of knowledge. When the God calls something, its meaning is holy and unchangeable. By definition God does not make mistakes and by definition God created the bonds of holy matrimony, what we call marriage. It is a sacrament and as we define sacrament, an outward sign of a Heavenly reality, we must emphasize that a sacrament is instituted by Christ to give grace. The key focus this morning is the phrase, “instituted by Christ.” Jesus, the Son of God, God the Son, was there in the beginning and will be there throughout perpetuity. So let’s take a look at the beginnings of humanity. Genesis 2: 18 And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

 

What God is saying here is that man was made for fellowship and not for isolation. Picture Adam in this beautiful environment; he had the fellowship of God and the company of the birds and the animals, yet he was alone. God saw that this was “not good”. So God created woman; a perfect solution for overcoming the man’s loneliness. Our wise and loving Creator made another creature, like Adam, yet wondrously unlike him. The creation of man was now complete; the woman complements the man. Man and woman coming together in marriage is God’s ideal of completeness. Woman was designed to be man’s ‘helper.’ One person aids or supports another person as a friend and ally; combine this with the blessing of God, woman becomes more than a friend, more than an ally but a wife, a completion of man. Some misguided people may think of the woman as a kind of glorified servant. The same Hebrew word for ‘help’ is used of God himself in Psalm 46:1 where He is called our ‘helper’, “a very present help in trouble.” Man and woman, meant for each other and totally suitable for each other; spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and physically. I can safely say that my wife is much more than just a civil partner because we have been blessed by God to complete His plan for creation through us physically, spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually. When all these elements are deemed sacred, God’s purpose is fulfilled. The only person I want to hear the words, “Good call!” from is God. I am not knocking celibacy folks because if one is not under the auspices of God’s sanctity of marriage, then God’s purpose for you is a blessed celibacy. This should be regarded with the same faithfulness of marriage. In either cases, married or not, the virtue of God’s sacred plan is called chastity. Either married or celibate we are called to be chaste. Why?

POINT TWO:

Because God is in control! Your level of joy and satisfaction and blessedness is directly proportional to your understanding of this. When we enter into an obedient and unquestioning relationship with God, we live His story which has a very happy ending. The entire Bible is the story of God building a family. That’s what it is all about. It’s why we have History or His story, because God is building a family for Himself that is going to last not just here on earth, but forever and ever in eternity. It is an eternal family. You were made to last forever. As it said in Hebrews 2: 8b For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.

 

What an honor to be called brothers and sisters in the Lord! Can you get any better than that? It seems rather odd that Jesus had to suffer for our salvation but we see in God’s perfect plan the need to understand blessings through absence. Man was lonely and so God needed to comfort man by creating woman. The Bible tells us that man was naming God’s other creatures but woman was man’s victory over loneliness. We have this relationship between Jesus and the Church and thus we not only have victory over loneliness, we have victory over division as the Church represents unity in community. There is a new bulletin on the Hill and sporadically I read articles about the institutions that made Portland a great little city. Amazingly, in today’s world where it is taboo to mention Jesus in public, the truth of our great city relies on spirituality in community. How can one write about the Italian community in Portland without its most instrumental benefactor; the Italian Church? I can tell you based on personal experience that when my parents floated across the Atlantic for eleven days, St. Peter’s Italian Catholic Church was a relief at a time they were most anxious. Where is the history of Portland’s prayer and worship and spiritual community that built companionship, assistance, and close friendships? Sadly, politically correct, revisionist historians never recount these truths. Jesus understood the importance of blessing and thus whenever society fails to be truthful, priests, prophets, and evangelists are there to correct disruptive forces. We are here to consecrate what has been desecrated.

POINT THREE:

God consecrates while the devil desecrates. My mother used to tell me that every time I sin, I out another nail into Jesus. Some say that this guilt complex is not healthy for children but in 21^st America, parents are pretty much encouraged to do nothing and statistically we see the fruit of guiltlessness. There is no conscience about desecrating the Holy; we don’t even have a concept of the Holy. I was watching a video of demonic Bosnian Muslims ripping a beautiful Orthodox church apart. Imagine icons and altars desecrated for the entire world to see. I do not see how people can watch and not want to restore the fruits of Christianity. Society gives us false impressions of our faith but this is the same society that tells us we cannot be faithful in marriage or celibate in singleness is bashing our faith. As nations like Rwanda cling to Christianity to restore their brokenness we get false hope in the U.S. The fruit of consecration is always beneficial to societies, cities, and nations. I wonder what would happen if our nation decided to give it all back to God. How about we convince our so-called representatives, local to the capital, to attempt a period of obedience to the will of God? Would the U.S. prosper? Well I would be willing to put my money where my mouth is and prove once and for all that God is God and we are not. Jesus pleaded with His contemporaries in today’s Gospel. Mark 10: 1 Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again. 2 The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” testing Him. 3 And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.” 5 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” 10 In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. 11 So He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” 13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

CONCLUSION:

Folks it is time to receive the Kingdom as a child; with openness, obedience, and outspokenness. Folks it is time to celebrate our faith by calling people to the faith, allowing God to control their lives, and consecrating their purpose and plan for the Kingdom. Everything God has created is by definition, good. Every move of God will produce good fruit. Every Sacrament, Institution, and Mission that is truly Godly and God-given will prosper. As God promised Isaiah, (55: 11) “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” I will end with a final “c” word; folks you can count on it!

“Whose Side are You On?”

By Father S. Peter Donatelli (All Biblical quotes from the New King James Version; 26OT)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Tuesday book study and dinner at the Glasses at 5:55; Wednesday Java and Jesus at Topsham Starbuck’s, Adoption Litany and Nicolas Birthday celebration at church next week.

 

 

JOKE:

How many atheists does it take to screw in a light bulb? None; atheists never “see the light” anyway?

INTRO:

We have all worked on people before when it comes to seeing the light or doing the right thing or just believing in what you are telling them. We have all experienced the frustration of people rejecting our reaching out and subsequently ending out in a worse place. We have all made bad decisions also and second guessed ourselves. This week I have been reading about the couple that tried to create a baby in a manmade environment and when their frozen concoction was implanted, they realized that they received another couple’s frozen concoction. The doctor in his stupid brilliance offered an abortion to fix his failed attempt at trying to play God, but at least the couple did the right thing by carrying the baby to full term. Of course they will return the Petrie dish baby to his or her rightful owner after birth but the Church can offer many questions about the ethos of this entire conundrum. This morning I want to congratulate all of you here for just being here, making the right decision to follow Jesus, and choosing a side; namely the mission that God has called the Church of Christ Jesus Victor into. As I reflect upon the path that God has placed me on, and I am sure you all have had the same reflections, there are times when I clearly see God intervening and there are times when I get frustrated and want to know if God really wanted me to go there. Well, if you are either psyched to be walking on this journey or a bit disillusioned, hopefully this sermon will help out.

POINT ONE:

We do not necessarily have to know everything that God is doing all the time. We do have to know that God is God and we are not and though it’s acceptable to pray for guidance and help and clarity, it is not acceptable to whine and grimace and pout. In the book of Numbers Moses is frustrated. He is frustrated because he has been leading the people of God and he thinks they are going to make some progress. Through all of his hard work, through all of the communication and positive reinforcement of the people, God’s followers complain. Then they said it “we had meat in Egypt”. They started looking back and that mad Moses angry. But more importantly it made God angry. It’s interesting to me that so many sermons have been presented on God’s anger. You know when God gets angry? He gets angry when people sin. But He really gets angry when people look back. When you don’t see what you have. Remember what happened to Lot’s wife? God said don’t turn around” and uh oh she was turned to salt. God’s followers are in the desert being provided for and they find something to complain about. So Moses has a meeting, rather the Lord has a meeting with the leaders in attempt to get everyone to dream the same dream. Moses says I wish everyone was a prophet because if they were we would all see the future that God has in store for us. If everyone could see the same thing we would communicate much better. Numbers 11: ²⁵ Then the LORD came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again. ²⁶ But two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp. ²⁷ And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” ²⁸ So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!” ²⁹ Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” ³⁰ And Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel.

 

POINT TWO:

Christians are always zealous and therefore always optimistic. “Wait a minute Father Peter; are you telling me there is no such thing as a pessimistic, depressed, dissatisfied Christian?” Well folks, I can tell you it’s OK to feel these things but it is so much better to just let go and let God. Has anybody ever seen the play “Little Orphan Annie?” Though I can lecture all day long about how wrong it is to take such a dramatic real life issue like how poorly we treat children in this country and make into a cutesy musical, but I won’t. The pivotal scene in the movie is when regardless of despair and misfortune she sings gleefully the song, “The sun will come out, tomorrow.” This little girl realizes early in life that being optimistic always gets you through. The song “Tomorrow” is central to the play and a powerful reprise at the end gets the audience out the door. I suppose if I had written the song I would have changed the spelling of sun to Son, because it is in the promise of Jesus’ return that we have victory in life. As Resurrection people, we understand that the battles of our life are just battles but the war has been won in the life, death, and Resurrection of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ. James reminds us through his letter that money is not the answer to one’s misery in life. I have a theory as I look at the woes of 21st century USA and our financial problems through our corrupt taxes and even more corrupt government. In the first century of this great nation our founding forefathers would never have dreamed in a country where the government knew what one’s income was. As a Christian nation we believed in freedom and privacy and democracy. When one does a serious historical analysis of our country we see churches running communal arenas like schools, hospitals, and charitable institutions like soup kitchens, clothes closets, and homes for abandoned children or unwed mothers. Over the next hundred years we replaced the providence of God with the providence of money. Philanthropists like the Carnegies and Vanderbilt’s were more the idols of community outreach and the Church did fall prey to that allure of riches being the answer to societal obligations. But when the focus is off of God and unto money look what happens. Over fifty percent of our income is taxed one way or another and the government wants more; more money, more power, and more control. Whereas communities flourished under the grace of God, whereas almost every Catholic church built had a school, now we see parochial schools closing down and children’s academic ability dwindling at the hands of secular humanists. James gave us a prophetic Word two thousand years ago. He pleaded with his followers that riches are not the answer. Financial aggression is not the answer in tough times for believers. Staying the course, believing in the coming day of the Lord is. The Son will come out tomorrow. How we live our lives is imperative to seeing, experiencing, and celebrating this glorious event. James 5:  ¹ Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!
² Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. ³ Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. ⁴ Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.⁵ You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.

POINT THREE:

Finally brothers and sisters in the Lord, I want to offer a simple proof positive that the CEC is actually a great path to guide us to the Kingdom as our Vision welcomes unity in community. James speaks of the urgency of hospitality and I know that at the forefront of our identity in the CEC is the notion that three chords are stronger than one and that three streams flow into a mighty rushing river. There is strength in numbers and power in community. The devil has done a great job convincing the Pro-choice movement hat population needs to be controlled but the fruit of their endeavors have caused millions of babies who were created for a God-given purpose to be murdered. They caused paranoia within our living children whereas life to them is a gift that can be destroyed and discarded and discounted. Most children in this country grow up in a fatherless environment; less than what God had ordained. We love our children in the CEC and the more the merrier. We congratulate members of our church especially Craig and Melissa for not trying the test tube humanist approach but by embracing adoption as God’s purpose for their lives. When we see people acting like Christians we need to celebrate this as we seek unity in community. Jesus explains. Mark 9: 38 Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against us is on our side. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.42 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 44 where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched’ 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 46 where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— 48 where  ’Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’

CONCLUSION:

I spoke a few weeks ago about the evils of legalism and as many fundamentalist “take the Bible literally” they fail to realize the literary devices that Jesus uses to drive home His point. Amazingly I get harassed in evangelical cycles for desiring to be called “Father” Peter because as the Bible says, “call no man father,” knowing full well that Jesus is using the literary device known as hyperbole. I usually do not get into that argument because I seek unity, but a good retort would be quoting this morning’s passage as I do not see many Christians walking around with one eye plucked out or a millstone wrapped around their necks. Why is Jesus being so extreme? I believe that regardless of peeople’s personalities, feelings, or overall stature, all human beings are children of God and regardless of what I think about some people, I have to ask the question, “What does God think of that person?” It’s not about me and it’s not about you, it’s about Jesus. I also believe that one’s category of being a member of humanity entitles an individual the gift of walking with Jesus and we need to get people on this path. So whose side are we on? Obviously, we at CJV in the CEC are on the side of making visible the Kingdom of God to all, not just some, but all children of God.

 

 

    

“The Joys of Not Being Protestant”

By Father S. Peter Donatelli (All Biblical quotes from the New King James Version; 25th SOTB)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Monday Night Football at Father Peter’s; next Sunday pot luck dinner after Mass.

JOKE:

A nun at a Catholic school asked her students what they want to be when they grow up. Little Suzy declares, “I want to be a prostitute.” “What did you say?!” asks the nun, totally shocked and visibly upset. “I said I want to be a prostitute,” Suzy repeats. “Oh, thank heavens,” says the nun, completely relieved. “I thought you said ‘a Protestant!’”

INTRO:

I hate to repeat jokes but after spending the last thirteen years with the Sisters of Mercy, I just love this one. I am sure that criticizing Protestants isn’t going to get me in with some mainline Christians but allow me to clarify that I have nothing but respect for the Reformation and reformers. Quite frankly the Church has been in reform since Abraham. I think that what Martin Luther did was necessary and just. On the other hand, I have much less respect for Henry VIII. What’s the difference? The driving force that directed their passions came from two very different sources. I believe that spirit of reformation strives for wisdom and unity whereas the spirit of protesting leads to individualism and division. As the revised old joke says, “two Protestants in a room will yield three opinions.” Our story as Christians, in whatever denomination, has one ending; salvation. As I was piddling through The Christian Future by Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy (Harper Torchbooks; 1966), I came across this statement found on page 113, “How few still believe that the past two thousand years have really been a story of man’s salvation! The average layman, or even theologian, will speak with admiration of the life and teachings of Jesus, but appears to think that God has more or less abdicated since then. Yet unless we do believe that Christ began a life process which has continually transformed us and the world we live in, true faith is dead…Belief in Christian history depends upon belief in an end of the world towards which that history is oriented. But our theologians have progressively abandoned such belief, until today a naïve communist or fascist is a better eschatologist than they. Moreover, the modern world has been shaped largely by the Protestant spirit, and Protestantism justified its protest against the Papacy by charging that Christendom had been in the hands of Anti-Christ for a thousand years – the very term “Middle Ages” or “Dark Ages” was invented for this purpose. Therefore most moderns are unconsciously predisposed to think that vast stretches of history since Christ have been so corrupt as to be null and void for Christian purposes.” Folks our salvation story is still being told and though we are constantly called to reform what is in the hands of imperfect people, we can never give in to door-slamming protests. We actually need the passion that the Middle Ages brought so that we can stop moving backwards and start moving forwards. Keep in mind the countless contributions that created the augmentation and the strengthening that makes us great today. The thousands of universities, hospitals, monasteries, and lest we forget the architecturally magnificent cathedrals built during this time. Howie can testify that the sculptures, glasswork, tile work, paintings, and woodwork, have defined our tastes today. So why the negativity? We really cannot come up with a comprehensive faith tradition if we do not fully embrace the story. It’s like talking about the United States of America and dropping Thomas Jefferson because he was a slave owner. It’s also like teaching history in public schools without talking about the pivotal and necessary role of the Bible. Unfortunately, people like to revise history to fit their agendas, but as faithful Christians we must know and respect our tradition, the good and the bad, and realize that God’s plan for His Church is comprehensive. It would be arrogant to suggest that God was inactive during the Catholic history, or the Orthodox history, or the Reformation history, of His Church.

POINT ONE:

Unity in thinking takes a lot of work. The CEC’s recruitment spiel “iron sharpens iron” paints a great picture. Perhaps I push hard with my witty rhetoric but Craig and all my friends can tell you that our friendship is forged with commitment, covenant, and constancy. Have I offended? Maybe I have. Have others offended me? Absolutely! But I am still here and I am not going anywhere. I think testing hard offers better results. Division occurs when people use their passive aggressive personalities to subsequently walk away from what could be a solid relationship. Some people are gifted with subtlety. Hollywood loves to offer movies that start with a seemingly peaceful message but end with indoctrination of a bad lifestyle. Has anybody ever seen “Pleasantville”? Amazingly the hero of the movie falls in love with a fifties type black and white TV show where he and his sister extraordinarily get sucked in. The hero discovers the enchantment of living his dream life whereas his sister wants to enlighten the community. She decides the best way to this is to introduce Pleasantville to the joys of 21^st century fornication. Amazingly the people start developing color. As the sister teaches her TV mom about self-serving pleasure and adultery, the mom gains color. Suddenly people are being colored except for those evil conservatives who want to keep the status quo. These meanies offer insulting trial scenes with a climatic book burning which is typical of a portrait of traditional people. Then as all become painted with glorious revolutionary color, the movie ends and everybody walks hand in hand in utter bliss. Folks, please keep a Christian eye on what you hear or see. Iron does sharpen iron but one needs to get to the point where one is iron. Covenanting with me and this community involves sacrifice and toughness because quite frankly we as iron cannot work with jelly. In this morning’s first reading, the Wisdom of Solomon gives us some insight to this. He says, (Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; New American Bible) “The wicked say: Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.”

POINT TWO:

Testing yourself can lead to perfect wisdom. Let’s admit there are two kinds of wisdom; one that leads to Heaven and one that leads to Hell. I won’t make this a fire and brimstone sermon but let’s admit it folks, the decisions we make affect everybody and as the butterfly effect teaches us, everything in the universe. St. James reminds us again to be careful of our conduct. Sins against Christian hospitality are likened to every deadly sin like adultery and murder. St. James is dead set on leading his flock in the right direction and his message is a message of urgency. St. James was the Bishop of Jerusalem and soon before he was martyred, beheaded, taught the converts to be zealous in the faith. Clement and Eusibius, two reliable sources, tell us that his accuser so enthralled with James’ zeal he converted and was beheaded with him. This morning James offers us some of the difficulties of Christian conduct as seen through worldly eyes. However we must read into the rewards of good behavior. James 3: 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. [James 4: 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.] Sometimes we cannot see ourselves as being lifted up, especially when we are beheaded, however, zeal for God’s House must consume us as we serve our community on earth as it is in Heaven. Our passionate service will elevate this house as we all enter into our Kingdom House for all eternity.

POINT THREE:

Passion is a strong driving force. We put ourselves heart and soul into our passions, and they are a clear indication of our priorities and values. The Gospel account today comes after the account of the Transfiguration and the healing of a boy possessed by a demon. Jesus was passing through Galilee where he was well known, but did not want anyone to know about it, the reading states. Teaching his disciples that he had to die and rise after three days, a similar reference to rising after his death as he had made after the Transfiguration, Jesus was trying to impart something that was counter to what his society expected and knew so well. The kings and leaders of his day would not be speaking of suffering and death, but of glory and triumph; they would not be seen in the company of the poor and powerless, but amid adoring crowds of people clamoring to serve them. His disciples may have heard the teaching, but apparently they weren’t buying it, for their discussion about who was the greatest gives evidence that they were vying for a prestigious place with a gloriously triumphant figure, not a criminal hanging on a cross. We can’t fault the disciples for their humanity; they were products of their time and truly believed that God rewards the just and punishes the wicked. However, being just in the eyes of God and being rewarded by society did not often coincide. The reading from Wisdom points that out quite directly. Doing justice often lands a person in hot water with those who don’t want to be inconvenienced. Jesus reiterates the Wisdom reading in this morning’s Gospel. Mk 9: 30 Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. 31 For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.” 32 But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.33 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”

CONCLUSION:

The great thing about being a child is our openness to just do it. I remember in my day, we went to the dump to make our bikes, usually with no breaks. Nobody wore helmets and we would stack cinder blocks and boards to challenge each other’s jumping ability. The double dare mentality was courageous and amicable. When we fought, and we did fight, we had the A.D.D. to turn and say, “How about a game of wiffleball?” Children have an easier time just accepting things than adults and our faith journey constantly asks us to accept things that don’t make sense. Sometimes we are asked to accept things that our culture, our society deems as uncouth or depriving ourselves. I want to emphasize that as Christians we must walk in the ways of Wisdom, constantly testing ourselves, and passionately living out our faith without compromise. The Spirit of our faith is not a protesting soul but a willingness to covenant with the God who created us for such a time as this, for this purpose, and for the advancement of His Body, His Bride, the Church, our Mother on earth. When we realize this, all arguments, disagreements, and difficulties seem pitiful. The Glory of our Faith is speaking the truth in love and always seeking unity in community. Our God does not exist outside of community and as the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit exemplify, let us walk in love as Christ loved us. Amen.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?”

By Father S. Peter Donatelli

ANNOUNCE MENTS:

Tuesday night book club at the Glasses at 5:55.

Saturday at 3; Litany for the Unborn in front of Forest Ave. Planned Parenthood.

JOKE:

When this guy heard that the Pope was coming to town, he went out and bought a tuxedo in the hope that the Pope might notice him on the parade route. When he went to the parade, there was this bum standing next to him, with old, dirty clothes on. Much to the guy’s amazement, when the Pope came, he went over to the bum, and whispered something in his ear. Enraged, the guy went over to the bum and offered him $100 for the clothes off his back. Next day, he went back to the parade dressed like a bum. Sure enough, when the Pope came, he stopped in front of this guy, and whispered in his ear, “I thought I told you to get the hell out of here!”

INTRO:

As we try to figure out what it means to be a Christian, sometimes we actually invite the notion of getting the hell out of here. Is it strictly helping bums on the street or is there room for pageantry and formal wear? Anyone who is into war films can appreciate the scene where a soldier gets captured and is interrogated. Subsequently the questions, “Who are you and what are you doing here?” comes into play. You see I know my identity as it is clearly laid out in our vision statement. I exist to make visible the Kingdom of God to the nations of the world; to bring the rich sacramental and liturgical life of the early church to searching evangelicals and charismatics; to carry the power of Pentecost to our brothers and sisters in the historic churches and finally to provide a home for all Christians seeking a liturgical-sacramental, evangelical, charismatic church and a foundation for their lives and gifts of ministry.

 

However, identity and activity are different and though I am clear about the identity God has specifically called me into, we are constantly being asked to actually do something. The good news that we don’t actually always have to be perfect; we just have to always strive for perfection. This morning I want to remind us that God has very specific instructions for us and they could not be any clearer. Also, they couldn’t be any easier. Finally we should be eternally grateful that God is so merciful. This morning I want to emphasize the credentials we need to abide by as we journey into sainthood. The Church of Christ Jesus Victor needs to be perfect as we move forward and the only way for perfection is to actually realize the need to be Victors. The qualities of perfection and victors are actualized in the life of Jesus and this morning Jesus Himself reminds us of what He considers to be a follower. I will ease into that with three Kingdom defining points. Christians know that God wants us to succeed. Christians know that God wants us to work hard. Christians know that God expects nothing less than our entire lives and everything we do must give God the glory He deserves.

POINT ONE:

God has already equipped all of us for success. Remember a few weeks ago I told you that you were prophets, evangelists, and apostles. This morning we read one of many of Isaiah’s “servant” poems and if there is one thing about being a great servant for a great master is that the master provides you with everything you need to be a great servant. Recently a Muslim girl in Ohio pleaded with our country to keep her safe from her father and others who sought her life for converting to Christianity. The good news is that many Christians stepped forward to help her but she is a great testimony that God gives us all the necessary tools to testify. I want to applaud this young lady for living up to her faith and thankfully we currently have no need to fear our Christian status in our country but that leaves us with more duties, more tasks to accomplish, and more wickedness to conquer. What Isaiah encourages with his prophecy is that we will be victorious and a good servant is already successful. Here what the prophet says. Isaiah 50: 4 “The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. 5 The Lord GOD has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away. 6 I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. 7 “For the Lord GOD will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. 8 He is near who justifies Me; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me. 9 Surely the Lord GOD will help Me; Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; The moth will eat them up. 10 “Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD And rely upon his God.

POINT TWO:

You are what you do. Folks, faith works. The biggest fallacy that causes rifts between Catholics and Protestants is the complaint that Catholics believe they can earn their way to Heaven. Allow me to clarify that Catholics do NOT believe that just by going to church Sunday morning and receiving a wafer, one can claim salvation. However, Catholics hope to be saved by living a good life. They seek to obey the commandments, participate in the sacraments, go to church, do penance and give alms, recite prayers and so on, in order to merit salvation. After all, these principles are Biblical. The error in believing that one can simply confess Jesus as Lord and God and be saved is that walking the walk and talking the talk are complementary not polemics. There are rules for our walk with Christ. That’s why captured soldiers are asked primary questions like who and what, we must ask ourselves who and what. The great thing about the CEC is we are not a denomination but a move of God whereas the who and what are complementary to why we exist. I will get into that later but the measure of our faith is determined but what we do and the Bible is full of illustrations for that. Whether we read about the man with ten talents who was encouraged to work for more, or we look at the Book in the Bible that’s titled, “ACTS,” faith is what you do. This morning’s second reading clearly states this. James 2: 14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

POINT THREE:

We actually can act like Jesus Christ. I realize people of differing economic and social positions are intimidated by the fact we are all called to be like Jesus. The geographic setting of this passage is very significant. The “villages of Caesarea Philippi” have Jewish residents in the shadow of a town built by the empire. Surely prophets spoke to the people about the empires surrounding them, but they addressed the values and concerns of the people themselves, and in this case, the people were oppressed by the Roman Empire, which tried to impose its values and worldview on everyone it conquered. In the shadow of what empires do we live? How do we conduct our lives in the shadow of these empires, and do our values and pursuits align more closely with theirs than with the worldview of Jesus? I love urban setting, big buildings, and saturated environments of marketplaces, institutions, and recreational arenas. I guess for me I am a metropolitan snob. I sometimes arrogantly look at rural settings as people desperately trying to escape the mundane for a faster paced world. The reality is very much like that cartoon where the urban wolf tries to tame his rural brother only to find that as he captures the attention of a country girl, the urban wolf needs to be domesticated. Jesus looks beyond the scenic setting of His followers and demands all peoples that perfection is all He seeks. It’s not about you folks it’s about emptying your individuality and becoming Christ-like. How do we connect “self-actualization,” self-esteem, and claiming our identity with “denying ourselves?” Are they in conflict, or can we find our deepest authenticity in following Jesus? Could all of these things live in creative tension with one another? The answer lies within our understanding of sacramental theology. Getting back to the CEC Vision and my identity, part one, I exist to bring the rich sacrament-liturgical life and when one understands this identifier one can answer the question. My deepest authenticity comes with consuming the Body and Blood of Christ and becoming the Body and Blood of Christ. I have been foolishly asked how my identity statement really comes into play in my life but it is only in and by understanding my identity that I can live out my activity. Each aspect of the Vision fine tunes us to be better participants in the 21^st century world that is in so desperate need of Christian activity. God called me into the CEC for such a time as this and I seek to live out this called unabashedly and unashamedly and militantly until I am in the Kingdom or until Jesus comes again which I can safely may not happen in my lifetime. Regardless living out the Vision is a necessary element of the Christian journey. Jesus even rebukes His apostle Peter for trying to get out of it. Mark 8: 27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” 28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” 30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” 34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

CONCLUSION:

In the inspiring prayer by St. Ignatius of Loyola, “Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my entire will, all I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace. That is enough for me.” The founder of the Jesuits was on his way to military fame and fortune when a cannon ball shattered his leg. Because there were no books of romance on hand during his convalescence, he whiled away the time reading a life of Christ and lives of the saints. His conscience was deeply touched, and a long, painful turning to Christ began. Having seen the Mother of God in a vision, he made a pilgrimage to her shrine at Montserrat (near Barcelona). He remained for almost a year at nearby Manresa, sometimes with the Dominicans, sometimes in a pauper’s hospice, often in a cave in the hills praying. After a period of great peace of mind, he went through a harrowing trial of scruples. There was no comfort in anything—prayer, fasting, sacraments, penance. At length, his peace of mind returned. It was during this year of conversion that he began to write down material that later became his greatest work, the Spiritual Exercises. In 1534, at the age of 43, he and six others (one of whom was St. Francis Xavier) vowed to live in poverty and chastity and to go to the Holy Land. If this became impossible, they vowed to offer themselves to the apostolic service of the pope. The latter became the only choice. Four years later Ignatius made the association permanent. The new Society of Jesus was approved by Paul III, and Ignatius was elected to serve as the first general. Since then the Jesuits have battled heresy with the use of understanding. One cannot pretend to walk with Christ unless one has a basic understanding of who one is and what one is doing here. Through Scripture, Sacrament, and Spirit-giftedness, we journey to the Kingdom here at the Church of Christ Jesus Victor.

 

 

“The Healing Church”

By Father S. Peter Donatelli

(All Biblical quotes come from the New King James Version)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Contact Craig for Saturday’s Youth Group function.

JOKE:

A healing Pastor came to a church. There was a long line to see him. It was some guy’s turn and he said it was his hearing. So, the healing Pastor grabbed his ears and said a prayer. The Pastor let go and asked, “How’s your hearing now”. He said, “I don’t know. It’s not till Friday.”

INTRO:

There are so many facets of being a healing church and one of the major ones in specificity. I have been talking about being a saint in life or at least considering yourself to be a saint. This morning I want to affirm our sainthood and talk a little about being a healing church. Since there is no instruction book as to how to heal nor should there be, however, I want to start at the root of healing and that is a relationship with Jesus Christ. At the end of each Mass I offer a blessing which is also an invitation to enter this relationship and all the congregant has to do is to accept. All we have to do in order to allow someone, a family member, a friend, or a neighbor, to heal, is to get them here and they can begin their journey. So I offer three characteristics of healing church as we journey through this morning’s reading.

POINT ONE:

A healing church is strong and unafraid. We find in the first thirty-four chapters of Isaiah the bad news to the children of Israel. He reminds them because of their actions of unbelief and disobedience, the Lord would punish them. Their enemies would rise up and take them captive. Their enemies would rise up and defeat them time and time again. In chapter thirty-five it’s almost a breath of fresh air to hear the promises that God also makes. Isaiah is able to tell them, ‘Yes, even though all these things are going to happen, even though you will face God’s righteous wrath, God will also provide for you.’ He would strengthen the feeble hands and steady the weak knees (in verse 3). Verse four goes on to say: “Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear.” Certainly as they heard about the announcement of God’s punishment, the announcement of God’s judgment, they were scared. The Lord reminded them that His judgment was for their good because they would learn to put their trust and confidence in God once again. They would learn that God is righteous and just in all that He says and all that He does. He says then, there’s nothing to be afraid of; be strong. Their enemies would not defeat them utterly. Their enemies would only be much like a thorn in the flesh. We have the promise of God in Isaiah. He says: “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come.” He would deliver them eventually. He would deliver them from the hands of their enemies. He would deliver them eventually from all of their enemies. He says: “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution…” Yes, he would come to pay back the enemies who afflicted the children of Israel. He would come to pay back the enemies who stood opposed to God’s people. Those who stood opposed to God’s people would also stand opposed to God. We know that no enemies can stand opposed to God. He described himself as coming with retribution, coming with vengeance. Yes, He would avenge all the wrong that was done to God’s people, all the wrong done in the world. Isaiah concludes by saying: “with divine retribution he will come to save you.” That was the ultimate purpose of God’s plan—divine deliverance of God’s people. Our Lord speaks very strongly this morning. Sometimes we don’t think of Him as a God who is filled with vengeance and retribution, who wants to get even. It’s not that God wants to get even. It’s that God shows His power over His enemies. As God shows His power over His enemies, He shows His power over our enemies. According to Back to the Bible Today, summer, 1990, p. 5. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University reported that 30 years ago, the greatest fears of grade school children were: 1) Animals, 2) Being in a dark room, 3) High places, 4) Strangers, 5) Loud noises. Today, kids are afraid of the following: 1) Divorce, 2) Nuclear war, 3) Cancer, 4) Pollution, 5) Being mugged. I’d be willing to bet that today’s children are afraid of even more disgusting human behaviors like certain diseases, terrorism, and being hacked to death as most movies coming out of Hollywood romanticize. Let’s take back our innocence and our sincerity on faith. The beginning of healing comes from the removal of Satan’s successful venture in striking fear in our country and replacing it with God’s love and mercy and forgiveness. As we read in this morning’s first reading, Isaiah 35: ⁴ Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” ⁵ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. ⁶ Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. ⁷ The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes. ⁸ A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray.

POINT TWO:

A healing church believes every child of God can be healed. Last week I mentioned how the Church of Christ Jesus Victor is an open and affirming church and I mean it. However we are open and affirming to only the teachings of Jesus Christ and we will never teach anything that goes contrary to the will of God. As other churches open and affirm people’s self-destructive lifestyles, one will find that our church seeks to heal people and lead them into the abundant lifestyle that God had intended for their own good. This means, however, that people need to feel welcomed into our church so that we can enter into the trustworthy relationship that can lead to eternal healing. In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he o worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned, “If Christians have caste differences also, “he said, “I might as well remain a Hindu.” That usher’s prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior. Everyone has celebrity status with God. Everyone who comes into this church should be welcomed equally. No one is to receive better treatment because of their economic or social status. The real sin in the church today is not primarily racism but classism. We get all gooey inside when some famous celebrity gets saved but don’t give it a thought when a homeless alcoholic comes to Christ. Luckily here in our church family we look beyond classism and reach out to all people. The great part of not getting a salary from the church is that I can really focus on the person and not the rewards of being obsequious to only the “right” people. Obviously St. James had the same circumstances in his congregation. James 2¹ My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. ² For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, ³ and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” ⁴ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?⁵ Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? ⁷ Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

POINT THREE:

St. John Vianney once said, “The eyes of the world see no further than this life, as mine see no further than this wall when the church door is shut. The eyes of the Christian see deep into eternity. To the man who gives himself up to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, there seems to be no world; to the world there seems to be no God…We must therefore find out by whom we are led. If it is not by the Holy Spirit, we labor in vain; there is no substance nor savor in anything we do. If it is by the Holy Spirit, we taste a delicious sweetness…it is enough to make us die of pleasure!” Christiansa are charismatic. Christians are evangelical. Christians are sacramental. “Fear not” is the message we find in the first reading. God has come to save us. Today’s passage from Isaiah brings the hopeful news that we have no need to fear because God is with us. And God’s presence alleviates all suffering and rids the world of evil. God’s plan for salvation continues with the life death and resurrection of Jesus. The ministry and works of Jesus are signs of God’s reign on earth. In the gospel today, Jesus responds to a deaf mute with compassion and a healing touch. The action of Jesus is very physical. He sticks his fingers into the man’s ears, spits on his tongue and then say’s the word “Ephphatha” which means, “be opened”. Immediately the man’s ears are opened and he is able to speak plainly. Jesus’ act of curing the man in the story is a miracle which points out the truth that Jesus has come to restore the world. Jesus is the very presence of God on earth. Those who witness Jesus healing the man are amazed by the event. Jesus urges them to keep it a secret. Jesus did not want his actions to be misunderstood. But the people who saw the miracle could not keep silent. They went on to spread the great news. The purpose of a sacramental worldview and Christian social teaching is to help us live the values and teachings of the Gospel. It provides guidelines so that we may truly live according to the example of Jesus. Jesus lived a life motivated by love and compassion. We do the same when we put aside greed and selfishness and live on behalf of the poor and most vulnerable. We do the same when we put aside legalism and denominational bias. Last week we see how forcefully Jesus dealt with the Pharisees of the day when they condemned the disciples for not washing their hands. The actions of Jesus this morning are for the same purpose as Jesus the Son of God, God the Son did not have to put His fingers in the man’s ear, nor spit, nor touch His tongue, but in order to show that no one is unclean in the eyes of God and all are welcomed to receive His healing touch He once again showed the legalists off. Listen again to the Word. Mark 7: ³¹ Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. ³² Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. ³³ And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. ³⁴ Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” ³⁵ Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. ³⁶ Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.
³⁷ And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

CONCLUSION:

Christians are called to heal. We are fearless in all our endeavors. We have all the right tools to succeed and the only thing that can defeat is fear of failure. Two explorers were on a jungle safari when suddenly a ferocious lion jumped in front of them. “Keep calm” the first explorer whispered. “Remember what we read in that book on wild animals? If you stand perfectly still and look the lion in the eye, he will turn and run.” “Sure,” replied his companion. “You’ve read the book, and I’ve read the book. But has the lion read the book?” Well folks I have read the book and if we can get every sinful lion in this country to simply read the book then we can achieve all our goals. Next week we delve in to the works needed to live out your sainthood and remember that healing does not need to manifest itself in supernatural miracles. The final product for great healers is leading people on the road that subsequently leads them into the Kingdom of Heaven where we will spend eternity with all the saints and angels and most importantly with our loving Healer God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

“The Practice of Saintliness”

By Father S. Peter Donatelli

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

This Tuesday we will be eating our pot luck, reviewing the first page of the Didache and praying at the Glasses starting at 5:55 PM.

JOKE:

It’s New York City and a man is going to jump off the building. Up rushes a good Irish cop and yells up to the man, “Don’t jump! Think of your father.” The man replies, “I haven’t got a father; I’m going to jump.” The copy goes through a list of relatives, mother, brothers, sister, etc. Each time man says “haven’t got one; going to jump.” Desperate the cop yells up “Don’t jump! Think of the Blessed Virgin” The man replies “Who is that?” The cop yells “Jump, Protestant! You’re blocking traffic!”

INTRO:

I get aggravated when people get so conditioned over their denominational legalism that they don’t take the time to appreciate some of the great Saints of our faith. Let’s admit it that denomination aside, the Blessed Mother was and is a very important part of the life of her Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Now, Saints of the past aside, I am guessing that most people do not consider themselves as saints or even consider themselves as potential saints. In an article by Peter Kreeft (What is a Saint? Copyright © 1987 National Catholic Register) he writes; [Because, as Charles Peguy put it, "life holds only one tragedy, ultimately: not to have been a saint." Saints are not freaks or exceptions. They are the standard operating model for human beings. In fact, in the biblical sense of the word, all believers are saints. "Sanctity" means holiness. All men, women and children, born or unborn…are holy, for they bear the image of God. Saints are not the opposite of sinners. There are no opposites of sinners in this world. There are only saved sinners and unsaved sinners. Thus holy does not mean "sinless" but "set-apart:" called out of the world to the destiny of eternal ecstasy with God. What is a saint? First of all, one who knows he is a sinner. A saint knows all the news, both the bad news of sin and the good news of salvation.] Over the last five weeks I have been talking about the Sacrament that centers around the “Bread of Life” discourse found in John 6. Over the next six weeks I am going to use the same root of Sacrament, namely sacra, to talk about the sacred or what the Church refers to as sainthood. Sacra or saint basically means holy whereas we, as Christians, we are all called to be holy. Now let’s admit folks, we are not always holy but as long as we strive to be holy, as long as we accept Jesus as Lord and God, as long as we try to abide by the Canons found in Scripture, as long as we seek to use our Spirit-given gifts to glorify our Almighty Father, we are acting like saints. I hope I am not insulting your intelligence when I go through all this over the next six weeks but quite frankly the road to the Kingdom is filled with fairly obvious statements.

POINT ONE:

One way in which we become holy is that we follow in the commandments given to us by our Lord. It makes sense that if God issues something then whatever comes from God will not only lead us to God but will allow us to be like God. I have pounded the fact that participating in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is a participation in the Divinity of Christ as He Himself instituted the Sacrament. Jesus says, “Do this in remembrance of me.” In other words in a broken world where the enemy constantly tries to dismember us, following in Jesus’ commands remembers us or puts us back together. There’s a funny story I read from Today in the Word, July 30, 1993. Neil Marten, a member of the British Parliament, was once giving a group of his constituents a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament. During the course of the visit, the group happened to meet Lord Hailsham, then lord chancellor, wearing all the regalia of his office. There are cultures where certain positions of authority are well respected and people are only too anxious to please. Hailsham recognized Marten among the group and cried, “Neil!” Not daring to question or disobey the “command,” the entire band of visitors promptly fell to their knees! Now we all have stories of people we try to show that kind of obedience in order to perhaps reap some of the fruit that their position offers. I do work for police officers including the chief himself and I try to be as respectful as possible because their authority in its purest sense keeps our community in order. If we expect fruit from ordinary people how much more can and should we expect from God? Listen to this morning’s first reading. Deuteronomy 4: 1 “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you. 2 You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. 6 Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7 “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? 8 And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?

POINT TWO:

Another way in which we become holy is to bear Christian fruits. What are Christian fruits? Obviously Christian fruits are fruits that glorify God. What does it mean to glorify God? How do we glorify God? It means to bring Him honor through what we say, how we act, and how we think. James 1: 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

When we seek to glorify ourselves in the world we offer back the gifts we have to the world and our gifts become spotted or blemished or unholy. There are some talented people out there like Ozzy Osborn and one can ask oneself as he plasters his and his family’s life on reality TV, does this person’s giftedness glorify God? Now don’t get me wrong, I am not judging but based on his lifestyle, the things he says and does, can an ordinary viewer say, “I can see the purity of God in this man’s life?” We often do this ourselves as sometimes we are confused about the positive results of our behavior. Please remember that everything we do, everything we have, and every good gift not only comes from God but will return to God, with or without its shell or should I say us? St. Francis de Sales once said, “Some men become proud and insolent because they ride a fine horse, wear a feather in their hat or are dressed in a fine suit of clothes. Who does not see the folly of this? If there be any glory in such things, the glory belongs to the horse, the bird and the tailor.” Keep God first and as we bear Christian fruits, people will see God in us. Now don’t get me wrong, I want us all to enjoy life and be who you are. Your personalities are part of who you are unfortunately there are some Christians that define holiness and purity on a worldly level even within conservative Christian cycles. Jesse wanted to participate in a church near his house but membership required signing a paper that stated he would no longer drink nor smoke. If that is how holiness is defined, why don’t you throw in swearing and then I am going straight to Hell.

POINT THREE:

Jesus hates legalism. Holiness cannot be defined by church boards or conventions. A few weeks ago I explained my journey out of the Methodist church as they placed social justice over God’s commands. It happened a couple of weeks ago in the Lutheran church as they voted to allow gays to serve as clergy. God’s justice wants us to be open and affirming but the glory of God must shine in our openness and affirmation. I can and will affirm all children of God, so all humanity, to walk with us here at the Church of Christ Jesus Victor, but the umbrella we will walk under will be Biblical, the light shining over us will be the revelation of the Holy Spirit, and the Mother we seek for nurturing will be the Church and Her tradtions. I want people to walk in the ways of the Lord not invent their own form of justice. The problems of the Methodist church started in the nineteenth century when a member by the name of Welch decided that wine was not the element that Jesus commanded in the Last Supper. So out of concern for alcoholism Welch invented grape juice. No harm can or ever has come from obedience to God so the elements for our Eucharistic feast are bread and wine. If it’s good enough for Jesus it’s good enough for us. Several years ago I preached at a church where several of the members including the pastor had issue with a playful joke I offered using the word Fanny as a double entendre mostly the name of a pastor’s wife. I was accused of swearing in the pulpit. Folks I will not get into it this morning but there is most definitely a difference between swearing and cursing. I live by Biblical commands that tell us never to use the Lord’s Name in vain. But words made up by society really do not bother me. I suppose that comes from my Italian upbringing whereas prim and proper and legalistic WASPs refuse to respect or understand. Imagine hearing this morning’s Gospel offered in the vernacular from the mouth of the fisherman that gave it. Mark 7: 1 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. 2 Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” 6 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:’ This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men-the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” 14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” 17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

CONCLUSION:

St. Peter would have used much more common words to describe what comes out of a man. The point is that saints and saintliness certainly come is different forms; from the fisherman to the college professors. The measures of our holiness are the canons of our church, the word canon actually means measuring stick. This morning I hinted on three; namely that holiness comes from obedience to the commands of God, holiness comes from the expression of the Glory of God, and holiness offers back to God the fruits that God Himself already offered to us. I talked a lot about how holiness affects our personal walk with God. Next week I will offer that an indicator of our holiness and the Church’s holiness comes from how we set out to heal a broken world. And all these we do in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Bread of Life Discourse; Part Five”

By Father S. Peter Donatelli

(All Biblical Quotes from the New King James Version)

JOKE:

A pastor was leaving his area and was saying farewell to his congregation at the Church doors for the last time. He shook the hand of an elderly lady as she walked out. She said “Your successor won’t be as good as you.” “Nonsense”, said the pastor, in a flattered tone. “No, really”, said the old lady, “I’ve been here under five different ministers, and each new one has been worse than the last.”

INTRO:

Tomorrow my little girl is going to college and thus begins the difficult transition of handing over my pastoral duties to Father Rob Dagleish in Rochester, New York. I am not suggesting that this morning’s joke was about Father Rob; sometimes, new can actually be better. Last week we talked about dismembering in order to remember in other words pulling apart to put back together. Sometimes we need to let go and let God. Sometimes we need to hear the tough questions and be tested in order to know for sure that we are in the right place at the right time. This morning I want to continue our sermons concerning Jesus the Bread of Life by offering a Sacramental worldview that Christianity in America so badly needs. Receiving the Body and the Blood of Jesus is about transformation, restoration, and reformation. Fr. Alexander Schmemann who says in his book For the Life of the World, “man must eat in order to live; he must take the world into his body and transform it into himself, into flesh and blood. He is indeed that which he eats, and the whole world is presented as one all-embracing banquet table for man. And this image of the banquet remains, throughout the whole Bible, the central image of life.” The Sacramental worldview therefore is God choosing to reveal Himself in and through the world for the sake of our salvation, us choosing to accept this revelation by faith, then transforming, restoring, and reforming our lives in order to be completely enveloped into the Body of Christ, God Incarnate, God Divine. As the priest mixes the water and wine on the altar he recites this prayer, “By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the Divinity of Christ as he humbles Himself to share in our humanity.” All our life as Christians is about celebrating this concept; celbrating this event, this feast, this banquet. No other faith tradition is about partying and though life can be difficult at times, like saying “Good bye” to a friend or even letting your daughter go, Christians can and do always look forward to the celebration. This is made so tangibly real as we celebrate next week knowing Cassandra is celebrating the same feast in Rochester or my mother is celebrating the same banquet in Heaven where we will all be someday. We must believe this and as we obligate ourselves every week and as we participate in this Sacramenent, Jesus in Flesh and BLood fortifies and consecrated our lives into holy sainthood forever. This morning I want to transition over into this event to several sermons about our lives as saints. But before we go there let us take a look at how these morning’s reading’s teach us the virtues of restoration, transformation, and reformation.

POINT ONE:

God is a God of choice. Whoa Father Peter! Are you saying that the Church is Pro-Choice? Well I can definitely say there is no true Christian who supports the murdering of the innocent preborn. However, as we see how our Father works in history, as a benevolent Father, He must allow His children to choose to follow in His footsteps or fall into the depths of a hellacious life. I really do not want my children leaving the house. Maybe that sounds weird or selfish or even immature. But I know that my daughter was created for a special purpose that God has ordained her to fulfill and I cannot stand in the way. I can only give her all that I can; whether it be knowledge or resources or even my time. God has given her and all of His children everything they need to fulfill their purpose and we all need to choose to receive God’s gifts or God forbid reject them. God has given this message to His prophets and priests since the very beginning. Joshua 24: 1 Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. 2 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Your fathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the River in old times; and they served other gods. 13 I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.’ 14 “Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” 16 So the people answered and said: “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; 17 for the LORD our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed. 18 And the LORD drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. We also will serve the LORD, for He is our God.”

POINT TWO:

Choosing to serve the Lord means we must submit to out lives in Christ. Remember how we left off last week as we emphasized the end of Ephesians 5:21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. We need to realize that submission implies the understanding and the knowledge of the other especially when it comes to the Son of God, God the Son, Jesus Christ. As I stressed at Craig and Melissa’s wedding when it comes to submission the onus is on the person one submits to. In other words no sane individual submits to one who offers nothing, or self-destruction, or a life leading to deathly addiction. One who sees a person offering self-sacrifice, salvation, and sincerity is one to whom one submits to. The rest of Ephesians 5 is often mistranslated to the point where it has the potential of chauvinism, however, any real knowledge of the Scripture knows that in a marriage the onus of giving, of sacrificing, and of providing is on the husband; just as the onus of our focus on Church-goers is on Jesus the Christ. Ephesians 5: 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

POINT THREE:

Knowing we must submit, knowing we must transform, knowing we must reform; God is constantly reminding us of our faith in Him by testing us. We end our sermon series revolving around John 6 with a passage that challenges the reader and the audience to fully submit to faith knowing that Jesus is salvation and all else pales in comparison. It is somewhat coincidental that John 6:66 calls the individual to the opposite direction of transformation, restoration, and reformation. Instead of a life of submission, John 666 calls us into a life of resistance, conflict, and division because the punch line of this verse is a call to abandon Jesus and walk with Him no more. Most importantly let us focus on the most valuable part of our lesson this morning, the confession of the faithful, “”Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Let’s read these in full context. John 6: 60Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” 61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

CONCLUSION:

I want to end with a great perspective from the priests for life web site. [The apostles "have come to believe and are convinced" that Jesus is the Son of God. Therefore, even if they don't understand his words about "eating his flesh and drinking his blood," they know he is trustworthy. There is, indeed, no evidence here that these words made any more sense to Peter and the other apostles than they did to the ones who turned away. But as St. Thomas Aquinas would write centuries later in the hymn "Adoro Te Devote," "What God's Son has told me, take for truth I do. Truth himself speaks truly, or there's nothing true." Faith is not totally blind. It begins with "motives of credibility." In other words, we have solid reasons for believing the One we believe – we don't just trust anyone who comes along and says he has a message from God. But once we have those solid reasons, then the trust we place in that person leads us to knowledge that reason alone could never reach. The Church, moreover, does not reject "freedom of choice," properly understood. God demands that we choose, as Joshua told the people (First reading) and as the hearers of Jesus did. Yet when we choose for God, those choices have corollaries and consequences. Choosing God in fact means choosing life. Pope Benedict told the Roman clergy on March 2, 2006: "Choosing life, taking the option for life, therefore, means first and foremost choosing the option of a relationship with God. However, the question immediately arises: with which God? Here, once again, the Gospel helps us: with the God who showed us his face in Christ, the God who overcame hatred on the Cross, that is, in love to the very end. Thus, by choosing this God, we choose life." We choose again in the Eucharist. Coming to Communion, we are renewing our fundamental choice to serve God, to believe Christ, to live as the Church teaches. The Church does not propose "maybes" to us, but certainties, by which we then find the strength to do what Paul describes in the second reading: to give ourselves away for each other. He speaks of a mutual subordination and self-giving love of husband to wife. The Church by no means degrades women, but rather sees them as a symbol of the Church herself, the bride of Christ. All in the Church are called to the self-giving love that Christ lived.]