Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that He had said these things to her.
John 20:11–23
Last December, Bishop John Rabb visited our Parish and preached at our services. The Gospel for that Sunday was Matthew 11:2-11, the story of John the Baptist. Being imprisoned and knowing that his death was imminent, John sent his disciples to Jesus to inquire if He was the Messiah—the one whom they were expecting. Jesus told them: “Go and tell John what you hear and see.” Bishop Rabb kept emphasizing that they were told, “Go and tell John.” He reminded us all that each one of us needs to go and tell “others” what we have heard and seen. We, you and I, have seen and heard the Lord in our lives. The Gospel message printed above tells how Mary Magdalene “went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord.’” On this Day each of us must proclaim “I have seen the Lord.” As I am writing this reflection, I am recovering from a hip replacement. The prayers and love extended in my direction have made me, more and more, able to proclaim “I have seen the Lord.” The love of the crucified Jesus for us and now God having raised Jesus from the dead for us have been ever so clearly demonstrated to me by your love having been poured out from the Christ who dwells within each of us.
Bill Ticknor+
Rector
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Lenten Reflection - April 23, 2011 Holy Saturday
Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
John 19:38–42
I can recall three times that gardens are mentioned prominently in the Bible: in the Garden of Eden where death first occurred; in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus began His Passion; and, finally, in this garden spot that Joseph of Arimathea had provided.
As I write this, it is winter and the gardens at our house are barren and cold. It does not appear that life exists there. But I know that when Spring comes, life will become abundantly apparent as each seed that lies hidden in the ground bursts into a glorious existence.
I think back to the time that Jesus was placed in a tomb in a garden. Despite all the times that Jesus had discussed His death and resurrection, there were not many gathered in that vicinity who believed that, in this garden, apparent death and the grave would be conquered. And yet, following this time of Jewish preparation, this is exactly what happened! And the belief in this occurrence and the resultant joy began to spread. Eventually, God’s people throughout the world would be able to see in this resurrection their own salvation.
Thanks be to God, who has provided us this triumphant victory!
Charlie Wolf
John 19:38–42
I can recall three times that gardens are mentioned prominently in the Bible: in the Garden of Eden where death first occurred; in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus began His Passion; and, finally, in this garden spot that Joseph of Arimathea had provided.
As I write this, it is winter and the gardens at our house are barren and cold. It does not appear that life exists there. But I know that when Spring comes, life will become abundantly apparent as each seed that lies hidden in the ground bursts into a glorious existence.
I think back to the time that Jesus was placed in a tomb in a garden. Despite all the times that Jesus had discussed His death and resurrection, there were not many gathered in that vicinity who believed that, in this garden, apparent death and the grave would be conquered. And yet, following this time of Jewish preparation, this is exactly what happened! And the belief in this occurrence and the resultant joy began to spread. Eventually, God’s people throughout the world would be able to see in this resurrection their own salvation.
Thanks be to God, who has provided us this triumphant victory!
Charlie Wolf
Friday, April 22, 2011
Lenten Reflection - April 22, 2011 Good Friday
There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome…Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock
Mark 15:40–47
In this sad story on Good Friday, I was struck by the love, courage, generosity, and faithfulness of Mary Magdalene, Mary, Salome, and Joseph of Arimathea—even in the midst of their grief, they lived for him. Only real love for Jesus would have given them the courage to be seen as his followers at a very dangerous time, and Joseph even dared ask Pilate for his body. He generously bought a linen shroud and gave Jesus the tomb he had planned for his own burial. The women faithfully served Jesus while he was alive, and Joseph lived faithfully and expectantly, on the lookout for the Kingdom of God.
Who knows how many people noticed and were inspired by the acts of these people—then and over the next 2000+ years? They might be surprised to know their acts were written in the Bible as examples for us all! We each do what we might think are small things—writing notes or making calls of encouragement, providing meals for another family, making donations to charities, making the bread run, serving on committees, attending Bible studies, singing in the choir, serving on altar guild, fixing things around the church buildings, or teaching a class. Who knows how many people notice and are inspired by each of us?
Even in the midst of hard times, if only I could live for Jesus with the love, courage, generosity, and faithfulness they had! If only we all could live expectantly each day, on the lookout for the Kingdom of God!
Marjie Mack
Mark 15:40–47
In this sad story on Good Friday, I was struck by the love, courage, generosity, and faithfulness of Mary Magdalene, Mary, Salome, and Joseph of Arimathea—even in the midst of their grief, they lived for him. Only real love for Jesus would have given them the courage to be seen as his followers at a very dangerous time, and Joseph even dared ask Pilate for his body. He generously bought a linen shroud and gave Jesus the tomb he had planned for his own burial. The women faithfully served Jesus while he was alive, and Joseph lived faithfully and expectantly, on the lookout for the Kingdom of God.
Who knows how many people noticed and were inspired by the acts of these people—then and over the next 2000+ years? They might be surprised to know their acts were written in the Bible as examples for us all! We each do what we might think are small things—writing notes or making calls of encouragement, providing meals for another family, making donations to charities, making the bread run, serving on committees, attending Bible studies, singing in the choir, serving on altar guild, fixing things around the church buildings, or teaching a class. Who knows how many people notice and are inspired by each of us?
Even in the midst of hard times, if only I could live for Jesus with the love, courage, generosity, and faithfulness they had! If only we all could live expectantly each day, on the lookout for the Kingdom of God!
Marjie Mack
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Lenten Reflection - April 21, 2011 Maundy Thursday
…He said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”
Matthew 26:36–45
Following the Last Supper, Jesus took his disciples to Gethsemane, on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives, just east of the temple mount area in Jerusalem. Surrounded by ancient olive trees, Gethsemane literally translates to “olive press,” for it was there that olives from the neighborhood were crushed for their oil. Jesus chose Gethsemane because Judas knew of the place. It offered seclusion, but not to the point of secrecy; during his final hours of freedom, Christ would neither give himself up nor hide like a coward.
When they arrived at Gethsemane, Jesus told his followers to sit and wait while he prayed. Through his prayers we see an initially anguished Jesus, distressed at the pain and horror that lay ahead on the Cross. Ultimately, though, his words reveal a readiness to bear the load of his sufferings, for he was willing to submit for our redemption and salvation.
Gethsemane was a pivotal decision-making time for Jesus, and each of us has analogous moments in our own lives. When we encounter difficult situations (though few that could compare with an impending crucifixion) we doubt ourselves, and our ability to face the events or crises that lay ahead. We can follow Christ’s example, by facing our trials head-on, rather than hiding from our problems, or succumbing to them. Most importantly, though, it is prayer that enables us to bear our crosses and burdens in life. As Jesus demonstrated, it is through prayer that we both find the strength to embrace God’s will, and to accept the suffering that sometimes accompanies it.
Tricia and Chris Hurlbutt
Matthew 26:36–45
Following the Last Supper, Jesus took his disciples to Gethsemane, on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives, just east of the temple mount area in Jerusalem. Surrounded by ancient olive trees, Gethsemane literally translates to “olive press,” for it was there that olives from the neighborhood were crushed for their oil. Jesus chose Gethsemane because Judas knew of the place. It offered seclusion, but not to the point of secrecy; during his final hours of freedom, Christ would neither give himself up nor hide like a coward.
When they arrived at Gethsemane, Jesus told his followers to sit and wait while he prayed. Through his prayers we see an initially anguished Jesus, distressed at the pain and horror that lay ahead on the Cross. Ultimately, though, his words reveal a readiness to bear the load of his sufferings, for he was willing to submit for our redemption and salvation.
Gethsemane was a pivotal decision-making time for Jesus, and each of us has analogous moments in our own lives. When we encounter difficult situations (though few that could compare with an impending crucifixion) we doubt ourselves, and our ability to face the events or crises that lay ahead. We can follow Christ’s example, by facing our trials head-on, rather than hiding from our problems, or succumbing to them. Most importantly, though, it is prayer that enables us to bear our crosses and burdens in life. As Jesus demonstrated, it is through prayer that we both find the strength to embrace God’s will, and to accept the suffering that sometimes accompanies it.
Tricia and Chris Hurlbutt
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Lenten Reflection - April 20, 2011 Wednesday, Holy Week
In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.
Mark 1:35–39
Was he purposely hiding? His friends hunted high and low for him and others frantically joined in the search. He was nowhere to be found.
Q. What IS he doing?
A. Praying, conversing with his Father.
Q. Why on earth does he of all people need to do that? He’s Jesus the greatest, God incarnate, our Messiah?
A. Because he entered history as a man, a servant, active, on the move, serving, healing, sacrificing, and saving. Constantly giving out, teaching, preaching, facing rejection at every turn, yet relentless, and desiring that all who heard his message would choose to follow him, and consequently know his Father. Vs 38. “This is what I came out to do”.
“In the morning while it was still very dark” – You know those dark night times when we lie in our beds churning, fretting, and feeling very alone, “how am I going to manage what’s ahead?’ It’s so encouraging to know that Jesus, the Messiah, Son of God, but also fully human, knowing the frightening path he had to take, found it absolutely necessary to come to his Father, quiet and alone, in prayer. Prayer - a ‘life line’ to his Father, for focus, nurture, guidance, quiet council, realignment, companionship, assurance, energy and impetus just for the next moment.
Matthew 11:27 - 28 (Message). Jesus says “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself. I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone ready to listen.---------Get away with me and you’ll recover your life--------learn the unforced rhythms of grace-------Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly…”
By regularly finding the time and place alone to chat with our Father, bringing our worship, our concerns, our thrills, our whole life really, to Him. This readies us to go out and live meaningfully and purposefully trusting He is with us through it all, because Jesus came to make it possible. Jesus, our perfect role model!
Nan Lewis
Mark 1:35–39
Was he purposely hiding? His friends hunted high and low for him and others frantically joined in the search. He was nowhere to be found.
Q. What IS he doing?
A. Praying, conversing with his Father.
Q. Why on earth does he of all people need to do that? He’s Jesus the greatest, God incarnate, our Messiah?
A. Because he entered history as a man, a servant, active, on the move, serving, healing, sacrificing, and saving. Constantly giving out, teaching, preaching, facing rejection at every turn, yet relentless, and desiring that all who heard his message would choose to follow him, and consequently know his Father. Vs 38. “This is what I came out to do”.
“In the morning while it was still very dark” – You know those dark night times when we lie in our beds churning, fretting, and feeling very alone, “how am I going to manage what’s ahead?’ It’s so encouraging to know that Jesus, the Messiah, Son of God, but also fully human, knowing the frightening path he had to take, found it absolutely necessary to come to his Father, quiet and alone, in prayer. Prayer - a ‘life line’ to his Father, for focus, nurture, guidance, quiet council, realignment, companionship, assurance, energy and impetus just for the next moment.
Matthew 11:27 - 28 (Message). Jesus says “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself. I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone ready to listen.---------Get away with me and you’ll recover your life--------learn the unforced rhythms of grace-------Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly…”
By regularly finding the time and place alone to chat with our Father, bringing our worship, our concerns, our thrills, our whole life really, to Him. This readies us to go out and live meaningfully and purposefully trusting He is with us through it all, because Jesus came to make it possible. Jesus, our perfect role model!
Nan Lewis
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Lenten Reflection - April 19, 2011 Tuesday, Holy Week
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: …a time to keep silence, and a time to speak…
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: …a time to keep silence, and a time to speak…
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Some of us may be familiar with this passage from the hit song written by Pete Seeger and sung by The Byrds, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” What is this passage about? Well, the word “time” is used 29 times in only 8 verses! I am writing this on a “snow day”—truly a gift of time, when work and planned activities are cancelled. Normally, I would be running from one activity to another, often without enjoying the time I spend doing them.
Time is what we want most, especially as we get older; what our children and grandchildren really want most from us; what it takes to make relationships work; what we most look forward to in retirement; what we begrudge giving up most for something we are not eager to do. Our life can only be satisfying when we center it on God and are grateful and enjoy the time He gives us each day—whether it is working, playing, waiting, eating, praying, meeting, gardening, shoveling, or taking a class. We can be sure God will bring each of these times into our life at the right time for us.
God has set eternity in our hearts. We don’t need to look behind to what did not get done or ahead to what needs to be done. All we need to do is live day by day, enjoy each time He has given us, and keep his commandments. It all prepares us for that precious gift of eternity—all of time—which someday will be ours!
Marjie Mack
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: …a time to keep silence, and a time to speak…
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Some of us may be familiar with this passage from the hit song written by Pete Seeger and sung by The Byrds, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” What is this passage about? Well, the word “time” is used 29 times in only 8 verses! I am writing this on a “snow day”—truly a gift of time, when work and planned activities are cancelled. Normally, I would be running from one activity to another, often without enjoying the time I spend doing them.
Time is what we want most, especially as we get older; what our children and grandchildren really want most from us; what it takes to make relationships work; what we most look forward to in retirement; what we begrudge giving up most for something we are not eager to do. Our life can only be satisfying when we center it on God and are grateful and enjoy the time He gives us each day—whether it is working, playing, waiting, eating, praying, meeting, gardening, shoveling, or taking a class. We can be sure God will bring each of these times into our life at the right time for us.
God has set eternity in our hearts. We don’t need to look behind to what did not get done or ahead to what needs to be done. All we need to do is live day by day, enjoy each time He has given us, and keep his commandments. It all prepares us for that precious gift of eternity—all of time—which someday will be ours!
Marjie Mack
Monday, April 18, 2011
Lenten Reflection - April 18, 2011 Monday, Holy Week
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”
John 14:15–17
Sitting in the Upper Room, our Lord comforts His disciples as they discuss the news that Jesus will soon be leaving. To reassure them, He promises the Holy Spirit—the third person of the Trinity. Why was this a comfort to them? How can it comfort us today? Jesus asks the FATHER to send the Holy Spirit to us. God has proven Himself to be a promise-keeper, so we can depend on it ( we actually see that promise being fulfilled in Acts 2 at Pentecost). What will the Spirit's role be? He will be an ADVOCATE. He will be our cheerleader, always there to keep us on the right path, speaking to the Father on our behalf. He also is the SPIRIT of TRUTH. The Spirit inspired the Word of God and also illumines it. For how long? FOREVER. Once received, he will not depart from us. We can grieve his Spirit, however, which is why we need to pray often asking for a fresh infilling of his Spirit. Where will he be? He ABIDES IN US. The world does not see Him because they do not know the Son. But we, as believers, have access to Him always. Though invisible, His presence in us is evident. Jesus had dwelt with them, but now the Holy Spirit would dwell in them, and us. What a comfort in knowing we are never alone, having access to the Father and His Son by the power of the Holy Spirit!
Renee Wilson
John 14:15–17
Sitting in the Upper Room, our Lord comforts His disciples as they discuss the news that Jesus will soon be leaving. To reassure them, He promises the Holy Spirit—the third person of the Trinity. Why was this a comfort to them? How can it comfort us today? Jesus asks the FATHER to send the Holy Spirit to us. God has proven Himself to be a promise-keeper, so we can depend on it ( we actually see that promise being fulfilled in Acts 2 at Pentecost). What will the Spirit's role be? He will be an ADVOCATE. He will be our cheerleader, always there to keep us on the right path, speaking to the Father on our behalf. He also is the SPIRIT of TRUTH. The Spirit inspired the Word of God and also illumines it. For how long? FOREVER. Once received, he will not depart from us. We can grieve his Spirit, however, which is why we need to pray often asking for a fresh infilling of his Spirit. Where will he be? He ABIDES IN US. The world does not see Him because they do not know the Son. But we, as believers, have access to Him always. Though invisible, His presence in us is evident. Jesus had dwelt with them, but now the Holy Spirit would dwell in them, and us. What a comfort in knowing we are never alone, having access to the Father and His Son by the power of the Holy Spirit!
Renee Wilson
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