Sunday, February 26, 2012

February 26th 2012

Our motto at the old Deaconess house in Toronto was “there they dwelt with the King for his work”. It always gave me a happy picture of all the temple craftspeople, the masons, the metal, wood and fabric workers living together in a happy union, each contributing their own gift towards one beautiful house of worship.

Recently, I came on a little passage in Isaiah 41, verses 6 and 7. It describes the goldsmiths encouraging each other and admiring each other’s work. It is important that all of us should reach out to one another in love and appreciation of who we are.

That inspiring Canadian thinker and writer, John Ralston Saul, in a recent book encourages us not to live our lives as a linear race running in a straight line to get there first. We should live and grow in a special world and ever widening circle where we grow together and enjoy one another. This Lent as Christians and church members, let us reach out and get to know one another better. Let us pray for each other and take a loving interest in all our members, both young and old. Our loving father has given each one of us special gifts. May we show our gratitude by using these gifts in his service and for each other.

Let us invite each other in the name of the Lord to observe a Holy Lent

Sunday, February 19, 2012

February 19th 2012

It is hard to believe that the season of Lent is almost here. How do you observe the 40 days of Lent. Do you discipline yourself by giving up something you enjoy, or do you try to achieve something?

Have you noticed how often, an account of Jesus' teaching starts with the words “He answered them and said”. A good many years ago, I did my own research and came up with 21 times he said this. That may not be accurate, but what this tells me is that Jesus' teaching was very much a response to people's questions. Have you any questions you would like to ask him? Lent should be a growing time. What better way to grow in the spirit than to ask questions. Of course finding the answers is not so easy. It may take longer to find the answers but if we are really seeking, I guarantee we will grow and probably stretch out in more directions than we thought possible.

The first place we turn is to the Scriptures. Some will need more help than others. Join a Bible Study group. You will meet people there who are also on a quest. What about books? How many over the years have you taken out of the parish library or the public library?

If there is no group which fits into your timetable, ask a friend to join you or a family member. Ask questions of anyone who might help. You may even open up their minds and spirits too.

One of the most rewarding things to do at Lent is to take on a project, volunteer at church, perhaps at a school, food bank or to some individual who needs a helping hand, a drive, shopping or just a friendly visit. You may soon realize you are opening up a new world which may not end when Lent is over. We may have gained new skills, made new friends and gained more knowledge. We should feel we have arrived at a new place in our life from which we will go forward not back: onto something more interesting, more alive.

Above all, let us enter into his presence in prayer. Let us feel his arms around about us, upholding us and giving us strength.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait for the lord shall renew their strength,
They shall mount up with wings like eagles
They shall run and not be weary
They shall walk and not fain

Sunday, February 12, 2012

February 12th 2012

Continuing in our thoughts about prayer, let us remember that Jesus taught us to pray “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.”  Ultimately all we should ask for is just that, the coming of his kingdom. The wonderful thing is that we can add beginning with me. We can actually be part of his glorious kingdom. This also should be our ultimate goal as we pray for our loved ones, even our wayward ones.

When St. Paul prayed for the people in the church at Ephesus, the key words were that they might be given a spirit of wisdom and revelation as they come to know the Father and the hope to which he has called them. Paul could have asked that they have good health and prosper, become leaders in the community etc. There would be nothing wrong with that. But he knew that there was far more awaiting them – a place in the Father’s kingdom. We can ask for anything we feel we need but as Jesus said, “the Father knows you have needed these things”. A child walking with a parent does not keep asking for protection and guidance. They are happy to walk confidently, holding a strong loving hand.  Prayer is not just asking him. It is being with him.

The most agonizing prayer in history came from the Garden of Gesthemane when Jesus begged that the suffering he was facing might be taken from him. Almost in the same breath, he capitulates with “nevertheless, thy will be done” Through the following hours of humiliation and suffering, he was upheld by his Father. St. Matthew and St. Mark’s gospels record his cry from the cross “why have you forsaken me”. Had he briefly lost his grasp of his Father’s hand? Down the years, scholars have pondered this. Then St. Luke records his words “Father into your hands I commend my spirit”. Those hands were always there.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

February 5th 2012

This week I want to write about prayer. I am torn by a feeling of inadequacy and the knowledge that there is so much to say. To whom do I turn? Without any doubt to Jesus who taught us in so many ways. I look particularly to when he responded to the disciples’ request for teaching on prayer. They had learned to pray from childhood at home and in the synagogue, but they saw in Jesus’ prayer, something unique, something powerful. In Matthew 6: 5 following and Luke 11: 1 following, we can share some of the teaching he gave to his followers. First of all he warned them against making a show of their prayers, going to a public place and proclaiming to God in a loud voice in order to receive honour. Instead, he instructed them to go into their room and shut the door behind them in order to pray in private.

Today the world has turned around. How many say grace in a public restaurant? How many fear people’s scorn? How much time do we spend alone with our heavenly Father? The important thing is for us to humbly acknowledge him and ask his forgiveness for turning away from him. We are assured of being accepted by him if we also forgive others. Daily we ask for physical sustenance. Do we ask for those who lack the necessities of life? We ask to be kept safe from evil. We are assured that our prayers will be answered. The hardest thing for us to accept is the fact that the answer is not always the one we want. Often it is “yes” but it can be “wait” and also it can be “no”. This does not mean that our prayer is in vain. In prayer, we have been with him and we have been gathered into his arms.