'Thou art my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.' The spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness... forty days tempted by Satan... he was with the wild beasts: and the angels ministered to him.
Mark 1:9-13
Baptism is a time of turning our focus from things of this world to Godly things. The waters of Baptism clear our eyes and our hearts, allowing us to see God's work in and expectations for our daily lives. What better place to go to experience the meaning of that change than in the wilderness. A wilderness that can be a stark and scary place, but which can also be a magical place where we see more clearly and the differentiation of dark from light seems to be easier.
During his time in the wilderness, Jesus had the opportunity to contemplate and pray about his new life and mission. He had an opportunity to experience the types of challenges that he would face as he pursued his mission in a world not only inhabited by good, but also by evil. A world filled with temptations as well as grace.
Temptations are only bad for us if we give in to them. If we can learn to see them clearly for what they are, and call upon God to give us the strength to resist them, they can strengthen our resolve to pursue our mission of building God's Kingdom here on earth.
Where is your wilderness, that place where you are most often tempted and where you most often feel alone? Can you clearly see the temptations for what they are and resist them? With Jesus' help you can.
The Ven. Kerry J. Smith
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Lenten Reflection - February 16, 2013
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, 'Follow me.'
John 1:43
"Follow me": two words, eight letters, but a simple phrase that carries a big request with no other directives.
Jesus says to Philip, "Follow me" and Philip does. Jesus doesn’t say to Philip go home gather your possessions and tell your family you are going away. He just says to follow him. As much as I would like to think that I would just up and follow if called, I am human enough to know that I would start off by saying I need to let my family know that I am leaving. I would want to bring a clean set of clothes, my toothbrush and a comb. I would also have many questions because that is how I am. There should be no questions when Jesus calls us. My faith should be strong enough to lead me in his shadow.
Lord, help me to find the strength to be the person you created. Let me walk in the light of your love sharing it as I go. May I follow you and bring others along with me. Amen
Sharon McGlaughlin
John 1:43
"Follow me": two words, eight letters, but a simple phrase that carries a big request with no other directives.
Jesus says to Philip, "Follow me" and Philip does. Jesus doesn’t say to Philip go home gather your possessions and tell your family you are going away. He just says to follow him. As much as I would like to think that I would just up and follow if called, I am human enough to know that I would start off by saying I need to let my family know that I am leaving. I would want to bring a clean set of clothes, my toothbrush and a comb. I would also have many questions because that is how I am. There should be no questions when Jesus calls us. My faith should be strong enough to lead me in his shadow.
Lord, help me to find the strength to be the person you created. Let me walk in the light of your love sharing it as I go. May I follow you and bring others along with me. Amen
Sharon McGlaughlin
Friday, February 15, 2013
Lenten Reflection - February 15, 2013
Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
Mark 1:1-4
In this passage, Jesus tells the Pharisees that if they continue in their sinful ways they will not be forgiven. Did I just say an unforgivable sin? Yep I did! I understand this passage to be that Jesus explains how a house divided against itself will fall. Jesus even uses the metaphor of how you must put God's love before your family.
No one is exempt from the judgment of sins for entrance into heaven, except Christ himself. Yet those who live through God's love will never be left out of heaven.
Lauren Crawford
Mark 1:1-4
In this passage, Jesus tells the Pharisees that if they continue in their sinful ways they will not be forgiven. Did I just say an unforgivable sin? Yep I did! I understand this passage to be that Jesus explains how a house divided against itself will fall. Jesus even uses the metaphor of how you must put God's love before your family.
No one is exempt from the judgment of sins for entrance into heaven, except Christ himself. Yet those who live through God's love will never be left out of heaven.
Lauren Crawford
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Lenten Reflection - February 14, 2013
Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.
John 1:29-34
A wild man from the desert speaks these words when he sees Jesus approaching him. Jesus, a man who up to this point, as far as we are aware, spent thirty odd years living in a small peasant village learning how to use the tools of the trade of his earthly father. Jesus has yet to begin his ministry, the ministry that will lead him to the Cross. At this point in the story, Jesus has yet to understand fully the mission he will carry out, by choice. But John, he knows; his prophetic words recall the prophecy from Isaiah 53:6-7, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all…like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent."
When we think of Christ as the sacrificial lamb we often forget that the strength of his sacrifice is his obedience to his Father’s will, and his dedication, as the second person of the Godhead, to saving humanity. The strength of Christ's sacrifice is that he used his free will to save us. Adam's free will brought us into sin and death. Christ's free will brings us into grace and life.
Dawn Campbell+
John 1:29-34
A wild man from the desert speaks these words when he sees Jesus approaching him. Jesus, a man who up to this point, as far as we are aware, spent thirty odd years living in a small peasant village learning how to use the tools of the trade of his earthly father. Jesus has yet to begin his ministry, the ministry that will lead him to the Cross. At this point in the story, Jesus has yet to understand fully the mission he will carry out, by choice. But John, he knows; his prophetic words recall the prophecy from Isaiah 53:6-7, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all…like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent."
When we think of Christ as the sacrificial lamb we often forget that the strength of his sacrifice is his obedience to his Father’s will, and his dedication, as the second person of the Godhead, to saving humanity. The strength of Christ's sacrifice is that he used his free will to save us. Adam's free will brought us into sin and death. Christ's free will brings us into grace and life.
Dawn Campbell+
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Lenten Reflection - February 13, 2013 Ash Wednesday
Beware of practicing your piety before others.
Matthew 6:1-21
Lent is a time for reflection. Today, as we begin the season,Matthew encourages us to examine our faith and our motives.
This passage is from the Sermon on the Mount, in which Christ delineates standards for us to live by. Of course because we are human, none of us will ever meet this ideal, no matter how hard we try. But we are assured that, if we truly believe in Him, aspects of the kingdom, something of each of the Beatitudes, will be present within us—spiritual poverty, humility, a spiritual thirst, mercy, peace. Equally important will be evidence of the surpassing righteousness of Christ. As our faith grows we will begin to practice righteousness, and anger, impure thoughts, insincerity, retaliation and other human failings will progressively disappear from our lives. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit and with his Word, including the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, we will practice righteousness.
However, this is where the danger lies. Once we begin to fulfill the righteousness of God, and live a life full of good deeds, it is very easy to begin to lose our focus and to perform our acts of righteousness before men, in order to be seen by them. Matthew cautions us that if we seek praise and adulation from our peers for being pious, then this is the only reward we will receive, missing out on God's much more important reward.
Tricia Hurlbutt
Matthew 6:1-21
Lent is a time for reflection. Today, as we begin the season,Matthew encourages us to examine our faith and our motives.
This passage is from the Sermon on the Mount, in which Christ delineates standards for us to live by. Of course because we are human, none of us will ever meet this ideal, no matter how hard we try. But we are assured that, if we truly believe in Him, aspects of the kingdom, something of each of the Beatitudes, will be present within us—spiritual poverty, humility, a spiritual thirst, mercy, peace. Equally important will be evidence of the surpassing righteousness of Christ. As our faith grows we will begin to practice righteousness, and anger, impure thoughts, insincerity, retaliation and other human failings will progressively disappear from our lives. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit and with his Word, including the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, we will practice righteousness.
However, this is where the danger lies. Once we begin to fulfill the righteousness of God, and live a life full of good deeds, it is very easy to begin to lose our focus and to perform our acts of righteousness before men, in order to be seen by them. Matthew cautions us that if we seek praise and adulation from our peers for being pious, then this is the only reward we will receive, missing out on God's much more important reward.
Tricia Hurlbutt
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Lenten Reflection - April 8, 2012 Easter
But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay."
Matthew 28-5-6
Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, believed to be the mother of Joseph (not the Joseph, husband of Mary, Jesus' mother) had been at the foot of the cross when Jesus died. Today, Sunday morning, they had come to anoint the body of Jesus. All of a sudden an angel appears and rolls the stone away from the tomb. Naturally the women are terrified and so would we have been! The angel knew why they were there. He told them, "Do not be afraid." "He is not here; for he has been raised." "Come, see the place where he lay."
It has been said that in Scripture we are told not to fear 366 times. One for each day of the year and one extra! We are so quick to fear. When we read this passage in its context, we see that the angel said, "Come see." Seeing is believing! Then he told the women to go and share the Good News. We, too, are told: "Fear not, believe, and tell others." On this Easter Day, in our lives, we witness new life and we need to tell others what we have witnessed! The Tomb is empty! He is not where the dead dwell, for he is alive. Alleluia!
Bill Ticknor+
Matthew 28-5-6
Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, believed to be the mother of Joseph (not the Joseph, husband of Mary, Jesus' mother) had been at the foot of the cross when Jesus died. Today, Sunday morning, they had come to anoint the body of Jesus. All of a sudden an angel appears and rolls the stone away from the tomb. Naturally the women are terrified and so would we have been! The angel knew why they were there. He told them, "Do not be afraid." "He is not here; for he has been raised." "Come, see the place where he lay."
It has been said that in Scripture we are told not to fear 366 times. One for each day of the year and one extra! We are so quick to fear. When we read this passage in its context, we see that the angel said, "Come see." Seeing is believing! Then he told the women to go and share the Good News. We, too, are told: "Fear not, believe, and tell others." On this Easter Day, in our lives, we witness new life and we need to tell others what we have witnessed! The Tomb is empty! He is not where the dead dwell, for he is alive. Alleluia!
Bill Ticknor+
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Lenten Reflection - April 7, 2012 Holy Saturday
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
I Peter 4:10
First and foremost Peter is reminding us that as Christians we are tasked with being good stewards. Secondly, as good stewards to serve one another with our time, our talents, and our treasures. The good News is that St. James consists of a congregation that works hard at being good stewards and serving one another. However, to better understand Peter's message let's take a look at what a good steward is and how we can better serve one another.
First, a good steward understands that everything they have is a gift from God. This includes our lives, our health, family, friends, career, and accomplishments. These all belong to God. Second, a good steward recognizes that these gifts from God are a blessing and were given to us by God to use them as a blessing for others. If you use your gifts as a blessing to others and those who receive your blessings do likewise, God will be glorified by all who recognize these as blessings, especially those who acknowledge these truly are gifts from our Father above.
Joe Carta
I Peter 4:10
First and foremost Peter is reminding us that as Christians we are tasked with being good stewards. Secondly, as good stewards to serve one another with our time, our talents, and our treasures. The good News is that St. James consists of a congregation that works hard at being good stewards and serving one another. However, to better understand Peter's message let's take a look at what a good steward is and how we can better serve one another.
First, a good steward understands that everything they have is a gift from God. This includes our lives, our health, family, friends, career, and accomplishments. These all belong to God. Second, a good steward recognizes that these gifts from God are a blessing and were given to us by God to use them as a blessing for others. If you use your gifts as a blessing to others and those who receive your blessings do likewise, God will be glorified by all who recognize these as blessings, especially those who acknowledge these truly are gifts from our Father above.
Joe Carta
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