From The Pastor's Desk

Sanctity of Life Sunday
January 20, 2019

(A time to celebrate, honor, and respect life)

From the Affirmation of St. Louis, 1977 – founding document of the continuing Anglican Church:

“Every human being, from the time of his conception, is a creature and child of God, made in His image and likeness, an infinitely precious soul; and that the unjustifiable or inexcusable taking of life is always sinful.”

Society says...

- “Abortion is a safe and legal solution for an unexpected pregnancy.”
- “Abstinence isn’t cool.”
- “Physician-assisted suicide allows people to die on their own terms, with dignity.”
- “My Body, my choice.”
- “Leftover in-vitro fertilized embryos will be destroyed, so why not use them for research?”

Scripture says...

- “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.”
- “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly, and revere your God. I am the Lord.”
- “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.”
- “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”

What do you say?

Parish News and Announcements

• Sunday January 13th will be our Annual Meeting. Please make every effort to be in attendance.
• Adult Education Classes will resume on Sunday January 27th at 8:45am. Study Topic: The Gospel of Mark
• Lent will begin with an Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday March 6th at 7pm.
• Sunday March 10th, please remember to set your clocks ahead; otherwise, you will miss Mass.
• As we have in years past, we will be participating in the Hatfield Community Lenten Church Services. Details to follow.

Prayer Requests

Ask the Seminarian

Why does God allow bad things (natural disasters, disability, cancer etc.) to occur with some of His children but not all?

The question of theodicy or why bad things happen to good people is one of the most frequently asked questions, especially, within Christianity. It is, also, one of the toughest questions to answer. People throughout the ages have tried to reconcile God’s goodness and power with the evil of this world. First, it is important to remember we live in a fallen world. In Genesis 3, we are given the account of how sin came into the world by the serpent deceiving humankind. Sin not only affects humanity, but it affects creation as well. We are told in Romans 8:22, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” God uses creation to communicate with us and remind us of His presence; however, destruction is not in His plan but occurs because of the fallen nature of the world.

Second, God has given us free will. In giving us a choice, we can make poor choices to sin and turn away from God. When we sin, there are consequences for our sins. God’s justice demands there be punishment for sin. Even though, Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross for our sin, we still have to face punishment for our wrong doings; although, we must remember the punishment is not as harsh as it could be because God is merciful. On a similar note, we should not compare ourselves to others as it is unwise. It says in 2 Corinthians 10:11-13:

Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

Our assumptions can be false. For example, a person who is “normal” and appears to have their life together could be having their life fall apart. On the other hand, a person with a disability may not seem to be struggling as much as we suspect because they have developed ways to manage their condition.

God, as a good a father, chastens or disciplines those He loves. In 1 Corinthians 11:32, it tells us, “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” Also, Hebrews 12:10 states, “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”

God is constantly drawing us closer to Him and giving us opportunities to rely on His goodness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’”

Another factor is God does not show partiality as He is perfect. We must remember Matthew 5:44-48: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do n ot even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

In addition, God does not promise us a life free from trials. For John 16:33 tells us, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” All we have to do is read the book of Job to realize how trying life can be for a person.

On the other hand, difficulties give us the opportunities to bear one another’s burdens. Galatians 2:2-6 says, “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” More importantly about bearing each other’s burdens is Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25 specifically verse 40, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” What is important to remember is God is love. It may be cliché to quote John 3:16, but it is true. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Not only does this reveal God’s love, but it enlightens us to God experiencing pain and suffering as He watches as His only son be brutally murdered on the cross. John 15:13 states, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Additionally, God is in the midst of our pain and suffering. God promises He is always with us. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 states: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Jesus’ prayer in John 16-18 is, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

Last, but certainly not least is God is mysterious. We cannot always comprehend or know why God limits His power or does what He does. 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” Furthermore, Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Proverbs 3:5-6 proclaims, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” One final point is circumstances can be used for God’s glory. Joseph witnessed to this as he declared in Genesis 50:19-21, “And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.”

The other story we should recall is in John 9 where the disciples wonder why a man was born blind as they assumed it was because of the sins of his parents. Nevertheless Jesus corrects them and exclaims in John 9:3, “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” In other words, God chooses to heal to combat the messiness of this world and to show His miraculous ability.

Furthermore, people through their trials exemplify the faith for others. There was the paralytic in John 5 who was not bitter about his condition. The woman with the issue of blood, in Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:22-34, and Luke 8:41-48, believed if she touched Jesus would be healed. This has been a brief attempt to answer a loaded question which requires an extended, complicated explanation. My hope is it is a sufficient answer and can facilitate further discussion if necessary.

Do you have a question you would like to ask the Seminarian? If so, please submit them to me in person, by email, or by phone.

Faithfully,

Greg

Pastor’s Teaching The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a sacrament of anointing by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is one of the three Persons of the Holy Trinity; He is the comforter and helper that Jesus promised to send to His Apostles, who came to them on the day of Pentecost.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the bestowal of Pentecost into the soul of every baptized Christian, and it is final Sacrament of initiation into the Church. The bishop prays for the person being confirmed to receive the Holy Spirit and His Seven Gifts.

What are the “Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit” and what do they mean? The Gift of Wisdom is our ability to value spiritual things over worldly ones. It enables us to desire the things of God and correctly order the things in our life. This gift helps us view the world through God’s perspective and the light of our faith. It instills a desire to contemplate the things of God.

The Gift of Understanding helps us grasp the truths of the faith more easily and profoundly. Our human intellect cannot grasp all of God’s mysteries, but through the gift of understanding we can be led to truth, even when we do not fully comprehend it. This gift strengthens our insight through prayer, scripture, and the sacraments.

The Gift of Counsel acknowledges the difference between right and wrong and bestows proper judgment. A person with right judgment avoids sin and leads a life for Christ. Counsel inspires us to speak up and encourage others to do the correct thing. It bestows upon us prudence, allowing us to act promptly and rightly in the face of difficult situations.

The Gift of Ghostly Strength (Courage) sustains our decision to follow the will of God in any situation. It allows us to stand up and defend our faith, even when threatened by bodily injury or death. This gift allows us to be steadfast in our decisions to do well and to endure evil even when we do not want to do it.

The Gift of Knowledge is awareness of God’s plan. It is not simply an accumulation of facts, but rather an understanding of God’s purpose and how we ought to respond. Knowledge helps bring to light the temptations that we face, and to discern whether to give in or live a life worthy of God’s approval.

The Gift of True Godliness (Reverence) is our obedience to God and our willingness to serve Him. It is not just obedience through a sense of duty or obligation, but rather obedience out of love and devotion. It facilitates a deeper respect and honor for God and His Church.

The Gift of Holy Fear (Wonder and Awe) makes us aware of the glory and majesty of God. This gift is also synonymous with the “Fear of the Lord”, in which we dread sin and fear offending God. We fear displeasing God and losing our connection with him because of our love for Him. Wonder and awe increases our desire to draw closer to God and depart from sin.

The Sacrament of Confirmation marks each person with a spiritual seal. The effect of the Sacrament is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. Why are there seven? The answer is God has revealed this about the nature of the Holy Spirit in the scriptures. (Isaiah 11:2-3)