tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27889887548127407842024-03-13T19:36:39.540-07:00Life....With God's Help / La Vida....con el ayuda de DiosRev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-27347619447903840492020-08-11T11:46:00.001-07:002020-08-11T11:47:54.379-07:00La Voz Comunitaria/The Community Voice<p><b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB Demi","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 114%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni;">La Voz Comunitaria/The Community Voice</span></b></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.lavozcomunitaria.org/">http://www.lavozcomunitaria.org/</a> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">es algo </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">nuevo</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> / is something new. Lo que sigue es algo que ofrecemos en julio. / What follows is something we offered in July. </span></h4><p><b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB Demi","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 114%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni;">Crucigrama / </span></b><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB Demi", sans-serif; line-height: 36.48px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Word Game</span></span><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB Demi", sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 36.48px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB Demi", sans-serif; line-height: 36.48px;">[English below]</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">1. País que toca el estado de Texas<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">2. Ciudad de Texas que tiene el nombre de un santo<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">3. Ciudad de Texas que tiene el nombre de un color<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">4. Un río muy largo<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">5. Un estado y una ciudad del noreste en los Estados Unidos que tienen los mismos
nombres<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">6. Una nación que está al norte de los Estados Unidos y la toca desde el
este al oeste<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">7. Un animal de 4 pies que ronronea cuando está feliz<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">8. Un animal de 4 pies que mueve la cola cuando está feliz<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">9. Un animal gigante de color gris que tiene 4 pies grandes, 2 orejas grandes
que puede mover, y un naris muy grande que puede mover para tomar algo de comer
y ponerlo en su boca<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">10. Un animal como un caballo o un burro que vive en Africa y tiene rayas de
colores negros y blancos<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.45pt; text-align: right;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB Demi", sans-serif; line-height: 114%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Word
Game</span></span></b></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1.45pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.5in;">1. Country that touches the state of Texas</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: right; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.5in;">2. City in Texas that has the name of
a saint</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: right; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.5in;">3. City in Texas that has the name of
a color</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: right; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">4. A very large river<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: right; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">5. A state & a city in the
northeast United States with the same names<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: right; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">6. A nation that is north of the
United States & touches it from east to west<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: right; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">7. An animal with 4 feet that purrs
when it feels happy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: right; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">8. An animal with 4 feet that wags its
tail when it is happy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: right; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-indent: -0.5in;">9. A gigantic animal that is grey, has
4 huge feet, 2 huge ears it can move, & a very large nose that it can move to
get food & put it in its mouth to eat</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: right; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">10. An animal like a horse or donkey
that lives in Africa & has black & white stripes</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Las
repuestas del Crucigrama Answers to Crossword Game</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">1. México 2. San Antonio 3.
Amarillo 1.
Mexico 2.
San Antonio 3. Amarillo</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">4. El Río Grande 5. </span></b><b style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Nueva York 4. The Río Grande 5. New
York</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">6. Canadá 7. gato
8. perro 9. cebra 6. Canada 7. cat
8. dog 9. zebra</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> 10.elefante<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></b><b style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> 1</span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">0. </span></b><b style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">elephant </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></p>Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-18771689009996036432019-03-17T11:43:00.000-07:002019-03-17T11:43:03.186-07:00Confía en Dios<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Sermón por La Rev’da. Marcía McRae</span><br />
<pre style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>La Iglesia Episcopal La Sagrada Familia, </b>Newton Grove, Dunn, NC<o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">17 marzo 2019, Año C, Cueresma 2</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">: </span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Génesis 15:1–12, 17–18; Salmo 27;</span></pre>
<pre style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Filipenses 3:17–4:1; San Lucas 13:31–35</span> </pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">¡Tienen mucho para reflexionar nuestras escrituras hoy!</span></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Continúan enseñándonos de lo que Dios ha iniciado. Dios actúa.</span></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Nosotros respondemos.</span></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">El cumplimiento está todo en el tiempo de Dios.<o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Las escrituras nos enseñan que importantes son el tiempo y</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">nuestra</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">s </span>relaciones y nuestra fe en Dios.</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%;">En nue</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">stra primera lectura, el Señor hizo una alianza</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">con Abr</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">am. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dios hace todo, acepta toda la responsibilidad</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">para los dones prometido <span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">a Abram</span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">, quien no tuvo ninguna otra</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">responsibilidad mas que ir.</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">El Señor llevó a Abram afuera, y le dijo:</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mira bien el cielo, y cuenta las estrellas, </i></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>si es que puedes</i></span></span><i style="font-family: georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> contarlas.</i></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hay cosas que no podemos contar ni entender toatalmente.</span></pre>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzn8PcuTDrtl8Ib148bOhXagKTA7j3zYNVgE5OvYIYBFdVM9Y-wIwjrNf7Bmm2-OS6cbuK50fUTzI5VQMuV8Zh4X9jyBR5tPR3bKdwUI9PZuVnfggmP3qEmuk_3ep13HIwYzq9Wdl88aI/s1600/0316190913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzn8PcuTDrtl8Ib148bOhXagKTA7j3zYNVgE5OvYIYBFdVM9Y-wIwjrNf7Bmm2-OS6cbuK50fUTzI5VQMuV8Zh4X9jyBR5tPR3bKdwUI9PZuVnfggmP3qEmuk_3ep13HIwYzq9Wdl88aI/s200/0316190913.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">Recuerdo comprando esta </span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">libélula porque me gusta ver las libélulas que visitaron el estanque en nuestro patio, no porque tiene el </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">tamaño de veras de las </span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">libélulas. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">Poco tiempo despues de comprarlo </span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">descubrí</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;"> en la ventana una </span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">libélula muerta </span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">¡con el mismo tamaño de ala!</span></span></div>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Por una búsqueda en Internet aprendí que</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">¡hay algunos libélulas </span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">en otros</span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">países que son más grandes!</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">Entonce</span><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">s, debemos estar listos para aprender algo nuevo y</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">reconocemos que </span>no podemos entender todos los datos del mundo.</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Entender requiere tiempo.</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Tendremos sabidurías si nos damos a nosotros mismos el tiempo</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 150%;">de parar y esperar.<o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Parar da una ventaja para los atletas profesionales quienes</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">pueden para, </span>esperar y moverse al momento preciso, como leemos en</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><a href="https://books.google.com/books/content?id=9cQUCNnOV_8C&printsec=frontcover&img=1&zoom=5&edge=curl&imgtk=AFLRE70OM7cf0L8faglOASsfixsea0h3Xmn1dZJNNN6rZiAZzvPJFF33w-OR9rhDAzhxd08V21Dd_sP8j1e_jIxVPg8pSTf6bWVv6i9hiX55NxP1egMsfMAvSDAvuyRRxq3uYHD4LTMa" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0.25in;"><img alt="Front Cover" border="0" height="200" src="https://books.google.com/books/content?id=9cQUCNnOV_8C&printsec=frontcover&img=1&zoom=5&edge=curl&imgtk=AFLRE70OM7cf0L8faglOASsfixsea0h3Xmn1dZJNNN6rZiAZzvPJFF33w-OR9rhDAzhxd08V21Dd_sP8j1e_jIxVPg8pSTf6bWVv6i9hiX55NxP1egMsfMAvSDAvuyRRxq3uYHD4LTMa" width="130" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">el libro de Frank Partnoy</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><u style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Wait: The Art and Science of Delay</span></u></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">/</span><u style="font-family: georgia, serif; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.25in;">Espera: El arte y la ciencia del retraso</u><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.25in;">.</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Él examina los minutos y los segundos</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">que les da la ventaja a atletas profesionales</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">quienes pueden parar y mover hasta</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">el momento preciso.</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">Examino lo bueno y lo malo de la demora</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">y cita ejemplos desde los milisegundos que</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">toman un bateador d</span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">e</span></span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span>béisbol, los segundos que usa un piloto</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">de </span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">caza, y los a</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">ñ</span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">os que lleva para </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">crecer un producto como Post-It-Notes.</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-size: large; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lo que es central para tomar una</span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"> decisión buena es la habilidad</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">de la persona </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">de manejar el retraso.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%202_Ano%20C_17%20marzo%20-%20Conf%C3%ADa%20en%20Dios.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="text-indent: 0.25in;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">[</span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">1]</span></span></span></span></a></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">El autor dice que estamos programados para reaccionar rapidamente.</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">Pero hay veces que require reflexi</span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">ó</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">n, y la reflexi</span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">ó</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">n require una pausa.</span></span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"> </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%202_Ano%20C_17%20marzo%20-%20Conf%C3%ADa%20en%20Dios.doc#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span lang="ES"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: x-small;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Vemos este sabiduria en como Jesús responde a los fariseos en</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">nuestro Evangelio. Estos fariseos trataron de ayudar a Jesús,</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">estuvieron buscando el bien para Jesús. Y él les dice:</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tengo que seguir mi camino…</i><o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Que interesante es que los versos 31-33</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">solamente </span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">están </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">en el</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">Evangelio seq</span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">ú</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">n San Lucas.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%202_Ano%20C_17%20marzo%20-%20Conf%C3%ADa%20en%20Dios.doc#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: x-small;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">¿Por que refiere Jesús desde Herodes diciendo <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">díganle a ese zorro?</i></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">En el Antiguo Testamento, un zorro es destructivo.</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Entre los griegos, un zorro es inteligente, ingenioso.</span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%202_Ano%20C_17%20marzo%20-%20Conf%C3%ADa%20en%20Dios.doc#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: x-small;">[4]</span></span></span></a></span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ademas, en capítulo 9 Herodes quisiera encontrar a Jesus para entender</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">major a este hombre.</span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%202_Ano%20C_17%20marzo%20-%20Conf%C3%ADa%20en%20Dios.doc#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: x-small;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Pero Jesús les dice hoy: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tengo que seguir mi camino…</i></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Jesús mantiene su fe en lo que Dios le ha dado a hacer.<o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Es como decimos en nuestro Salmo, verso 14:</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>Aunque mi padre y mi madre me desamparen,</b></i></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">aun con todo el Señor me recogerá.</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Miren como Jesús describe su propio trabajo en la familia humana:</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>¡Cuántas veces quise juntar a tus hijos,</b></i></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>
</b></i></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>como la gallina junta sus pollitos bajo las alas…!</b></i></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">Él e</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">xpresa la misericordia de Dios desde que oímos en nuestra</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">colecta de hoy:</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>“Oh Dios, cuya gloria es siempre tener misericordia.”</i></b></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Somos cristianos y debemos buscar el bien para nuestros hermanos</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">y hermanas en la familia humana. Asi seguimos juntos en el camino</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">con Cristo, quien dice hoy: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tengo que seguir mi camino…</i><o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
</i></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: x-large; line-height: 150%;"><b>Jesús dice:</b></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: x-large; line-height: 150%;"><b>“¡Bendito el que viene en el nombre del Señor!”</b></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: x-large; line-height: 150%;"><b>Jesús puede decir esto de ustedes.<o:p></o:p></b></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: x-large; line-height: 150%;"><b>Mis amados hermanos y amadas hermanas,</b></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: x-large; line-height: 150%;"><b>ustedes dan muchas dones y</b></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: x-large; line-height: 150%;"><b>gracia a muchas personas</b></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: x-large; line-height: 150%;"><b>de muchas maneras.</b></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: x-large; line-height: 150%;"><b>¡Gracias a Dios!<o:p></o:p></b></span></pre>
<pre><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: x-large;"><o:p><b> </b></o:p></span></pre>
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<pre style="background: white;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bibliografía</span><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Barclay, William. <u>The Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Luke</u>. Revised edition.</span></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Philadelphia: The Westminster Press. 1975.<o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span></u></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Dios Habla Hoy: La Biblia</span></u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. Nueva York: Sociedad </span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Bíblica Americana. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">1979.<o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
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<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Education for Ministry Year 1: The Old Testament</span></u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. 4<sup>th</sup> Edition revised. Sewanee:</span></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The University of the South. 2006.<o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
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<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Harper’s Bible Commentary</span></u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. General Ed.: James L. Mays. San Francisco: Harper & Row</span></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Publishers. 1988.<o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
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<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Holy Bible with the Apocrypha</span></u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford</span></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">University Pess. 1989.<o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span></u></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Jewish Study Bible: Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation</span></u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. New York: Oxford</span></pre>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">University Press. 2004.</span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></pre>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">Levenson,
Jon D. <u>Sinai & Zion: An Entry Into the Jewish Bible</u>. Minneapolis:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">Winston Press. 1985.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Hangingindent">
<u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">New Oxford
Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha</span></u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">.
Eds.: Herbert G. May, Bruce M. Metzger. </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">New York: Oxford University Press Inc.
1977.</span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES;">Partnoy, Frank. <u>Wait: The Art and Science of Delay</u>.
New York: Public Affairs (Perseus Book Group). 2012.</span><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%202_Ano%20C_17%20marzo%20-%20Conf%C3%ADa%20en%20Dios.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.0pt;">Partnoy, Frank. <u>Wait: The Art and
Science of Delay</u>. Pj. 244.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%202_Ano%20C_17%20marzo%20-%20Conf%C3%ADa%20en%20Dios.doc#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid. </span><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.0pt;">Pj. 245.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%202_Ano%20C_17%20marzo%20-%20Conf%C3%ADa%20en%20Dios.doc#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> <u>Harper’s Bible Commentary</u>. Pj 1032.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%202_Ano%20C_17%20marzo%20-%20Conf%C3%ADa%20en%20Dios.doc#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%202_Ano%20C_17%20marzo%20-%20Conf%C3%ADa%20en%20Dios.doc#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-42453490540865035872019-03-10T12:00:00.001-07:002019-03-10T12:00:18.932-07:00Si, si, si . . . ¿Entonces qué?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcoLLflx46SB61suOEEEJgzXbitR-LctzzYuBlksGGpDmOnHrwsPFkZKij1aylWrlVVUUMC5EjGX1EaE_avzxAu4OOEPUh581GM6nQev4w-us0NRtdCrZ00YM81LLSzf_dHK5RV53aGNl/s1600/Juntos+en+el+camino+con+Cristo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1062" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcoLLflx46SB61suOEEEJgzXbitR-LctzzYuBlksGGpDmOnHrwsPFkZKij1aylWrlVVUUMC5EjGX1EaE_avzxAu4OOEPUh581GM6nQev4w-us0NRtdCrZ00YM81LLSzf_dHK5RV53aGNl/s200/Juntos+en+el+camino+con+Cristo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121;">Sermón por </span><span lang="ES">La Rev’da. Marc</span>ía McRae, </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: small;">La Iglesia Episcopal La Sagrada Familia, </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Newton Grove, NC, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">10 marzo 2019, Año C, Cueresma 1:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Deuteronomio 26:1–11; Salmo 91:1–2, 9–16; Romanos 10:8b–13; San Lucas 4:1–13</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Jesús le puede responder al </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">diablo sin darle el control </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">que </span><span lang="ES" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">el diablo busca</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Miren como el diablo no lo entiende</span><br />
<span lang="ES" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">desde quien es </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Jesús hasta cuando</span><span lang="ES" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> dice</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">: </span><span lang="ES" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Si de veras eres Hijo de Dios...” </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Y repite: “Si de veras eres Hijo de Dios...</span><span lang="ES" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Está bus</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">cando como puede tentar efectivamente a Jesús para controlarle.</span><br />
<span lang="ES" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Para cada una de las tentaciones</span><span lang="ES" style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">, Jesús confía en lo que ha visto y leído </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">en la palabra de Dios.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Observa cómo, después de las primeras dos respuestas de Jesús, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">el diablo </span><span lang="ES" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">se adapta a esto y usa las palabras de Dios de las Sagradas </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Escrituras que leemos en el Salmo 91:11-12:</span><br />
<h4 style="background: white;">
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121;">. . .</span> Pues a sus ángeles mandará cerca de ti,<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>que te guarden en todos tus caminos.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>En las manos te llevarán, para que tu pie no tropiece en piedra</i><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121;"><i>.</i></span></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Jesús cita las Escrituras y nos muestra lo importante que es para</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">nosotros leer y conocer las Escrituras para que nos sirvan de guía y,</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> para que, como San Pablo dice a los romanos:<o:p></o:p></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><span lang="ES" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>La palabra está cerca de ti, en tu boca y en tu corazón.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Miren además lo que nuestro Evangelio nos dice: escuchamos las</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121;">últimas tentaciones del </span>diablo<span style="color: #212121;"> <u><span lang="ES">de momento</span></u><span lang="ES">. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">El diablo se aleja de</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Jesús hasta un momento oportuno: </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121;">“…</span>se alejó de él por algún tiemp</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;">o.”</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Piense en cómo Jesús le responde a Pedro en Mateo 20 cuando</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">le dice a los discípulos que tiene que ir a Jerusalén, sufrir y morir.<o:p></o:p></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><span lang="ES" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Pedro dice:</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><span lang="ES"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>¡De ninguna manera!</i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><span lang="ES" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Jesús escucha al tentador y dice:<o:p></o:p></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><span lang="ES"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>¡Vete, Satanás!</i></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Muchas veces las tentaciones son a menudo sutiles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Piense<span style="color: #212121;"> en que Jesús tiene bastante hambre. Cuando tenemos mucho</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal;">ha</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal;">mbre, puede ser difícil tomar decisiones o tomar buenas decisiones.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-size: large;">Pero reflexione sobre esta perspectiva de </span><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="font-size: large;">Katerina Whitley,</span></span></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #212121;">quien es autor y </span><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121;">estudió</span><span style="color: #212121;"> en Norte Carolina:</span><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">En el desierto, Jesús se alimenta de la palabra de Dios que mora</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">en él, las palabras de las Escrituras que aprendió asistiendo</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">regularmente a la adoración del sábado.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%201_Ano%20C_10%20marzo%20-%20blog.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Es importante que nosotros y nosotras también leamos, estudiemos y</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">pensemos las Escrituras para que se conviertan en una parte importante</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">de nosotros y nosotras, un recurso sólido cuando la vida es difícil</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">y enfrentemos desafíos y tentaciones que pueden ser sutiles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Piensen en los sutiles mensajes que aparecen al abrir su correo</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">electrónico del internet o en su teléfono celular como el Tentador</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">le aparece a Jesús para seducirlo, </span></span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal;">como Eduardo Solomón Rivera nos dice en</span></pre>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4OYOgMSfDx2Ec041CVBglFU4v1GcZSlyVMUvGN3nXAJlELG0Ci_4tPqgzj78I4DjYxbfheWxbUUbvGLRX_YMJ_zw97GQBdMHP9Qf5wu8tdru-TQ065aTqJJGT_oVE3CQ6RVlLnTLbViq/s1600/Juntos+en+el+camino+con+Cristo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1062" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4OYOgMSfDx2Ec041CVBglFU4v1GcZSlyVMUvGN3nXAJlELG0Ci_4tPqgzj78I4DjYxbfheWxbUUbvGLRX_YMJ_zw97GQBdMHP9Qf5wu8tdru-TQ065aTqJJGT_oVE3CQ6RVlLnTLbViq/s200/Juntos+en+el+camino+con+Cristo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><u style="font-size: x-large;">Juntos en el camino con Cristo:</u></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">Siete meditaciones bíblicas</u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal;">.</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%201_Ano%20C_10%20marzo%20-%20blog.doc#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="color: #212121; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-weight: normal;" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
</pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">A veces lo que es difícil es que ser sutil es</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">la </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">tentación de influir, </span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">probar o provocar,</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;">y </span>otras veces “no somos tentados a hacer</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">algo </span><span style="color: #212121; font-size: large;">malo,</span><span style="color: #212121; font-size: large;"> sino a dejar de hacer algo bueno”.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%201_Ano%20C_10%20marzo%20-%20blog.doc#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="color: #212121;" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121;">[3]</span></span></span></a></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Lo sabemos por experiencia y por el Evangelio de hoy que las</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">tentaciones vienen y van, y regresan.</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Estudiar las Escrituras, saber </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">y conocer las Escrituras nos fortalece</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">para reconocer y enfrent</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">ar </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">las tentaciones.</span></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #212121; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">¿C</span><span style="color: #212121; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">ómo respondemos, cómo usted responde, cuando la tentación</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">llama con tanta delicadeza y con tanta sutileza?</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">¿Cómo reflexionas sobre tu vida y descubres a lo que Dios te llama?</span><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%201_Ano%20C_10%20marzo%20-%20blog.doc#_ftn4" title="">[4]</a></span></span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%201_Ano%20C_10%20marzo%20-%20blog.doc#_ftn4" title=""><!--[endif]--></a></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Durante cuaresma, si no se practica durante todo el año día a día,</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">podemos conocer mejor y confiar en nuestra identidad de hijos e hijas</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">de Dios.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%201_Ano%20C_10%20marzo%20-%20blog.doc#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">¿Cómo?<o:p></o:p></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Leer las escrituras. Orar regularmente es importante, incluyendo</span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">oraciones espontaneas y oraciones preparadas como El Padre Nuestro</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">y otras que tenemos en <u>El Libro de Oración Común</u> y otros recursos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></pre>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiacvNjP0QfO-95t_PYQlRYQKaIMODW-xDQ7vyfLhcJP3nHLQtBR3HxYzW0jbybNflhz82datm3rVxm0eHm14AehbCAq9hmZjoAZW-0Ron5pdiokeBNNq1GxQA5SPB0ltYSeDqTFS_Cb8-/s1600/0307191434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiacvNjP0QfO-95t_PYQlRYQKaIMODW-xDQ7vyfLhcJP3nHLQtBR3HxYzW0jbybNflhz82datm3rVxm0eHm14AehbCAq9hmZjoAZW-0Ron5pdiokeBNNq1GxQA5SPB0ltYSeDqTFS_Cb8-/s200/0307191434.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Una </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">oración en la página 383 oro casi cada día, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">aunque es para uso de un enfermo. </span><br />
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hace más de 40 años empece a orarla cuando</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">estuve en hospital y nuestro sacerdote me la dio.<o:p></o:p></span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Oren la oración <i>En la Mañana</i>:<o:p></o:p></span></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Este es otro día, Oh Señor.</span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Aún no se lo que traerá, pero haz que</span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">esté dispuesto </span><span style="font-size: large;">para aceptar lo que sea.</span></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Si debo estar de pie, </span><span style="font-size: large;">ayúdame a hacerlo con valor.</span></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Si debo estar sentado, </span>ayúdame a estarlo en calma.</span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Si debo estar acostado, </span>ayúdame a hacerlo con paciencia.</span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Y si debo estar sin hacer nada, </span><span style="font-size: large;">que lo acepte con gallardía.</span></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Haz que estas palabras sean más que palabras,</span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">y dame el Espíritu de Jesús. Amén<o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></b></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Y si debo estar sin hacer nada,</i></b></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>que lo acepte con gallardía.</b><b><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></pre>
<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>. . . que lo ace</b><b>pte con valentia.</b><o:p></o:p></i></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #212121; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;"> </span></pre>
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<pre style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bibliografía</span><u><o:p></o:p></u></pre>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>Holy Bible with the Apocrypha</u>. New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University
Press. 1989.<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; mso-ansi-language: ES;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; mso-ansi-language: ES;">Rivera, Eduardo Solomón. </span><u>Juntos
en el camino con Cristo: siete meditaciones bíblicas</u>.
Cincinnati:</span><span style="font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase;">¡</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Adelante</span><span style="font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase;">! </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Forward Movement. 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Whitley,
Katerina. “Driven by the Spirit”. Aceso: 4 marzo 2019. </span></strong><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2016/01/20/driven-by-the-spirit-lent-1c-2016/">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2016/01/20/driven-by-the-spirit-lent-1c-2016/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%201_Ano%20C_10%20marzo%20-%20blog.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Whitley,
Katerina. “Driven by the Spirit”. Acesso;4 marzo 2019. </span><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2016/01/20/driven-by-the-spirit-lent-1c-2016/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2016/01/20/driven-by-the-spirit-lent-1c-2016/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%201_Ano%20C_10%20marzo%20-%20blog.doc#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.0pt;">Rivera, Eduardo Solomón.</span><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><u><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Juntos
en el camino con Cristo</span></u><span style="font-size: 10pt;">. Pj. 5-6.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%201_Ano%20C_10%20marzo%20-%20blog.doc#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%201_Ano%20C_10%20marzo%20-%20blog.doc#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid. Pj. 6.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Cueresma%201_Ano%20C_10%20marzo%20-%20blog.doc#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Ibid.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-81606308666024843032019-03-03T12:27:00.001-08:002019-03-03T12:27:37.382-08:00Dios nos dice: ¡Escucha!<br />
<pre style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Por Rev’da. Marc<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt;">ía McRae, La Iglesia Episcopal La Sagrada Familia, Newton Grove, NC</span></span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">3 marzo 2019,</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> Epifania </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Último, Domingo de la Transfiguración, Año C:</span></span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Éxodo 34:29–35; Salmo 99; </span>2 Corintios 3:12–4:2; San Lucas 9:28–36, (37–43a)</span></pre>
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<span lang="ES-MX" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Piensen
en que Jesús no estaba solo cuando subió al cerro a orar. Pedro, Santiago y
Juan están con él. </span></span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">Orar
es importante – solos y juntos como hoy estamos.</span></div>
<div class="TextGospel0" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5HxqI7ZOmTlDsLhCfjRWdurwRD_U7Q7Gnx8Rj1wGuEq85BiRMy0HrtCsyQqzDtAB1Wc-quHWjl6hIt8xaUNLDnJMmXZG1xjVRt6tcDWNZrJZa2lwUiZdb9dSWWgV3CBt_KyUtBIbYZRp/s1600/ADELANTE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="372" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5HxqI7ZOmTlDsLhCfjRWdurwRD_U7Q7Gnx8Rj1wGuEq85BiRMy0HrtCsyQqzDtAB1Wc-quHWjl6hIt8xaUNLDnJMmXZG1xjVRt6tcDWNZrJZa2lwUiZdb9dSWWgV3CBt_KyUtBIbYZRp/s200/ADELANTE.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>
<span lang="ES-MX" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Como leemos en <u>Adelante Día
a Día</u>:</span></span></span><br />
<span lang="ES-MX" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesús dice a sus discípulos </span><span style="font-size: medium;">[incluyendo nosotros y nosotras]</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">“que el
Reino de Dios tampoco es [un trabajo solitario aunque a veces parece
solitario]…somos partícipes de la obra en los campos de Dios, (s)embrando el
amor, cosechando la fe, cultivando el reino…”</span><a href="file:///D:/2019%20Ano%20C%20_%20Epifania%20u'ltimo_3%20marzo%20Dios%20Dice%20Oigan!.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.25in;" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span lang="ES-MX"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a><br />
<span lang="ES-MX" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span lang="ES-MX" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">Trabajamos
con Jesucristo por el poder del Espíritu Santo. Oramos por Jesucristo y con el
poder del Espíritu Santo. </span><span class="WW-DefaultParagraphFont111111111" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span lang="ES-MX" style="line-height: 150%;">Orar es importante y nos da </span></span><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">gracia asombrosa.</span></div>
<div class="TextGospel0" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oímos esa gracia en la vida y en algunas
canciones de Sam Baker, un compositor y cantante de música <b>country</b>. Él tiene una perspectiva muy profunda de la gracia y de
los sonidos que oyó en su experiencia cuando casi muere antes de ser cantante y
compositor,</span></span><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;"> como oí en Fresh Air [Aire Fresco] del radio NPR.</span><a href="file:///D:/2019%20Ano%20C%20_%20Epifania%20u'ltimo_3%20marzo%20Dios%20Dice%20Oigan!.doc#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.25in;" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span lang="ES-MX" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span lang="ES-MX"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1" style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span lang="ES-MX" style="font-size: 15pt; line-height: 150%;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Su perspectiva de la
familia humana es una de misericordia, gracia y fe en la humanidad, y que sufrir
es universal en una manera u otra.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">En 1986, Sam un turista que tenia 31 </span><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; line-height: 150%;">años estuvo en un tren en Perú y casi muere</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> en
un ataque </span><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; line-height: 150%;">terrorista del tren.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">La
explosión de la bomba en el compartimiento por encima de Sam mató a la familia sentada
en frente de Sam. Sam no las podía ayudar porque
la explosión colapso los pulmones de Sam, le corto una arteria, lo deja sordo,
y dañ</span><span style="color: #212121; text-indent: 0.25in;">ó</span><span style="color: #212121; text-indent: 0.25in;"> su cerebro, luego de desarrolla gangrena. Tuvo la necesidad de más de
15 cirugías reconstructivas.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">Anteriormente
muy activo físicamente, escalando y demás, vive simplemente él ahora. Sam ha
renovado la perspectiva y la fe, un nuevo sentido de propósito que expresa en
canciones. Recuerda haber regresado de morir y una voz que decía:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><i>"Tienes
que hacer algo".</i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lo que él
hace es enseñarnos acerca de nuestra humanidad común. Él enseña sobre la
misericordia y la gracia. "Todos están a merced del sueño de otra
persona," dice en la canción “Angels” / Ángeles, en su álbum
"Mercy"/ Merced.</span><a href="file:///D:/2019%20Ano%20C%20_%20Epifania%20u'ltimo_3%20marzo%20Dios%20Dice%20Oigan!.doc#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a></span><strong style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; line-height: 150%;">.</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"....
Si tienes un sueño de destrucción, no va a salir bien para todos
nosotros", </span></span><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; line-height: 150%;">él dice en la entrevista de NPR</span><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 150%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">Sabemos
que la gracia que tenemos de Dios la tenemos porque Jes</span><span style="line-height: 150%;">ú</span><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">s murió en la cruz por nosotros y nosotras,
dándonos gracia y paz que nos asombra, gracia y paz que debemos compartir en la
familia humana.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">En su
álbum, </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">“<em>Say
Grace,</em></span><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">" / Diga
la gracia, Sam canta:</span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">"Vaya en paz. Vaya en bondad.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">Vaya en el amor.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">Venga en fe...Venga en gracia.</span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">Entremos en la oscuridad.</span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">No tengas miedo. No
est</span><span style="line-height: 150%;">ás</span><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;"> solo…”</span></span></b><a href="file:///D:/2019%20Ano%20C%20_%20Epifania%20u'ltimo_3%20marzo%20Dios%20Dice%20Oigan!.doc#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="WW-FootnoteReference1"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 15pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="line-height: 150%;">No estamos solos. Jesús no estaba solo cuando subió al
cerro a orar. Aunque </span><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">é</span><span style="line-height: 150%;">l
estaba solo en la cruz, estaba su madre y otros cerca de la cruz. No estaba
solo.</span><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">Les
aseguro, mis amados hermanos y amadas hermanas, no estamos solos o solas. En el
poder de Dios, somos unimos en el amor de Jesucristo por el poder del </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">Espíritu
Santo.</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">¡</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.25in;">Gracias
a Dios!</span></i></span></b></div>
<div class="TextGospel0" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Bibliography<u><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="Hangingindent" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<u>Adelante Día
a Día: Febrero, Marzo, Abril 2019</u>. Pj. 48.Cincinnati, OH: Forward Day By
Day.<u><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="Hangingindent" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: black;">Harper’s Bible Commentary</span></u><span style="color: black;">. General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San Francisco: Harper & Row
Publishers, 1988.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="Hangingindent" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: black;">Holy Bible with the Apocrypha</span></u><span style="color: black;">. New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University
Press. 1989.</span><strong><u><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></strong></div>
<div class="Hangingindent" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: black;">Jewish Study Bible:
Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation</span></u><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">. New York: Oxford
University Press. 2004.</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Hangingindent" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">Jolly, The Rev. Marshall A. “Listening for God, Last
Epiphany (C) – 2016”. </span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">Accessed: 4 Feb. 2016.</span><span style="color: black;">
</span><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2016/01/20/listening-for-god-last-epiphany-2016/"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2016/01/20/listening-for-god-last-epiphany-2016/</span></a><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="Hangingindent" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">The New American Bible
for Catholics</span></u><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">. South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///D:/2019%20Ano%20C%20_%20Epifania%20u'ltimo_3%20marzo%20Dios%20Dice%20Oigan!.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a> <u>Adelante Día a Día</u> . Pj.48.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///D:/2019%20Ano%20C%20_%20Epifania%20u'ltimo_3%20marzo%20Dios%20Dice%20Oigan!.doc#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a> <span lang="ES">Sam Baker: Finding
Grace In The Wake Of Destruction. NPR “Fresh Air” Interview with Terry Gross. </span><a href="http://www.npr.org/2014/05/06/310089151/sam-baker-finding-grace-in-the-wake-of-destruction"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">http://www.npr.org/2014/05/06/310089151/sam-baker-finding-grace-in-the-wake-of-destruction</span></a><span lang="ES">. 6 May 2014.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///D:/2019%20Ano%20C%20_%20Epifania%20u'ltimo_3%20marzo%20Dios%20Dice%20Oigan!.doc#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a>
Baker, Sam. BlueLimeStone Publishing.
Sambakermusic.com. Produced by Walt Wilkins & Tim Lorsch Bull Creek
Productions. 2004.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///D:/2019%20Ano%20C%20_%20Epifania%20u'ltimo_3%20marzo%20Dios%20Dice%20Oigan!.doc#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Baker,
Sam. NPR interview. <a href="http://www.npr.org/2014/05/06/310089151/sam-baker-finding-grace-in-the-wake-of-destruction"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">http://www.npr.org/2014/05/06/310089151/sam-baker-finding-grace-in-the-wake-of-destruction</span></a><span lang="ES">. 6 May 2014.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-86966673005252828202019-02-25T12:44:00.001-08:002019-02-25T12:44:38.196-08:00¡Que difíciles son los mensajes de hoy!<br />
<pre style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Serm<span style="color: #212121;">ó</span>n de La Rev’da. Marcía McRae, <b>La Iglesia Episcopal La Sagrada Familia </b></span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Newton Grove, NC,</b> 24 feb. 2019, <span lang="ES-MX">Séptimo domingo después de la Epifanía</span><span lang="ES-MX">, Año C:</span></span></pre>
<div class="Day" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Génesis
45:3–11, 15; Salmo 37:1–12, 41–42; 1 Corintios 15:35–38, 42–50;</span></div>
<div class="Day" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">San Lucas
6:27–38</span></div>
<div class="Day" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;">Seg</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">ún Jesús: le debemos hacer
bien a quienes nos odian. Lo que Jesús nos dice hoy puede parecer dificil, o
imposible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Póngale atención a lo que nos pide nuestra Colecta de hoy:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">“todo lo que
hacemos sin amor no tiene ningún valor”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #212121; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 17pt;">¡</span><b style="color: #454545; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15pt;">Que difíciles son los mensajes de hoy!</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">En el mundo antiguo, muchos grupos creían que la comunidad debería
imitar a su líder.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Blog%20_%20Epifania%207%20el%2024%20de%20feb.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: #454545;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 15pt;">
Escuchamos esto cuando Jesús nos dice:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><b>«Sé misericordioso como Dios es
misericordioso.»</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;">Además, Jesús nos dice:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;"><b>«Amen a sus enemigos, hagan bien a quienes los
odian, bendigan a quienes los maldicen, oren por quienes los insultan».</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;">La misericordia es liberar a las personas y las circunstancias del
castigo o la consecuencia que merecen. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;">La misericordia es una de las
principales cualidades de Dios.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;">Piensa en la misericordia que tenemos porque Jesús muere en la cruz por
nosotros. Veamos el amor y la gracia de Dios, que están más allá de nuestro
entendimiento.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;">El amor que perdona, y de largo alcance de Dios, nos ama a pesar de
nuestros pecados. Dios es misericordioso y nos ofrece la oportunidad de pasar
de la desobediencia, arrepentirnos y volvernos al amor de Dios.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;">Dios nos llama a compartir su amor con nuestros hermanos y hermanas de nuestra
familia propia y del mundo, incluidos los hermanos y las hermanas que nos han
hecho algo malo. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;"><b>¿Cómo?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;">Nuestro Evangelio enfatiza el llamado
de Dios a las actitudes y acciones que buscan el bien de la otra persona y
construyen la comunidad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Como discípulos de Jesús, debemos dar pasos positivos
que promuevan el bienestar de las personas que están en conflicto, o las
personas con quienes estamos en conflicto. </span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;"><b>¿Cómo?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-hyphenate: auto;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;">Jesús nos llama a vivir en el amor de
Dios y compartirlo. Jesús nos dice que no juzguemos, sino que nos perdonemos
unos a otros y que amemos a los demás generosamente.</span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Hacemos esto, mostramos y vivimos la
misericordia que Dios nos ofrece y la esperanza que tenemos porque somos parte
del Cuerpo de Cristo. Podemos ayudar a las personas que enfrentan vidas
destructivas a tener esperanza. </span><b style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15pt;">¿Cómo?</b></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;">Cuando extendemos la misericordia,
nuestra experiencia se profundiza y nos da un sentido de lo que sabremos en la
vida más plena y el amor que experimentaremos después de que muramos y entremos
en la vida más plena.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Blog%20_%20Epifania%207%20el%2024%20de%20feb.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15pt;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-size: 15pt;">[1]</span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Cuando extendemos la misericordia,
demostramos a los demás la promesa más completa del amor de Dios. </span><b style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15pt;">¿Cómo?</b></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;">Vemos cómo en la misericordia que
José le dio a sus hermanos en nuestra primera lección hace tanto tiempo. Vemos
cómo en la misericordia en una situación difícil mucho más cercana a nosotros
en tiempo y lugar: los esfuerzos de un hombre por salvar a un hombre de la pena
de muerte en Texas.</span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFIpnuCdXW1RdK03OZW6XhuRw3tU6tjeOoA5a7zT5Kr_iqEVQFgQ_zCKHr4e-Xj-nyrYctH_iY8r8KyMaH0VWHHz77qlo8s66ESQsB3yRrLHLTZjAfEDONc6o1lRCdrKCUHNBMJrgUnwi/s1600/True+American.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="237" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFIpnuCdXW1RdK03OZW6XhuRw3tU6tjeOoA5a7zT5Kr_iqEVQFgQ_zCKHr4e-Xj-nyrYctH_iY8r8KyMaH0VWHHz77qlo8s66ESQsB3yRrLHLTZjAfEDONc6o1lRCdrKCUHNBMJrgUnwi/s200/True+American.jpg" width="131" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Rais Bhuiyan, </span><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">que trabajaba en una tienda de conveniencia de una gasolinera, recibió un
disparo en la cara y fue casi asesinado por el terrorista estadounidense Mark
Stroman, según leemos en</span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;"> </span><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas</span></u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">.</span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt; text-align: right;">Cuando Stroman atacó a Rais el 20 de
septiembre de 2001, ya había asesinado a otros dos hombres que supuestamente
eran musulmanes, como venganza por los ataques del 9/11 en Nueva York,
Pensilvania y Washington, D.C.</span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Diez años después de recibir un
disparo y dejarlo por muerto, Rais, un musulmán de Bangladesh, se dio cuenta de
que su fe requería que perdonara a Stroman públicamente, como él nos dijo
cuando habló en un evento comunitario interreligioso en Goldsboro el abril pasado.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Ciego de un ojo y aún viviendo con
algunos fragmentos de bala en su cuerpo, Rais trabajó durante años para que su
atacante se salvara de la pena de muerte. No tuvo éxito.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Pero cuando él y Stroman hablaron por
teléfono antes de la ejecución, Stroman agradeció a Raise por sus esfuerzos, lo
que lo había convertido en una persona mejor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Como hombre redimido con una
perspectiva totalmente integral y positiva que le faltaba en una vida anterior
y que obtuvo gracias al perdón de Rais, Stroman le dijo a Rais que no tenía
miedo de ir a la cámara de la muerte</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">J</span><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">esús nos dice
que seamos misericordiosos, que hagamos el bien:</span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">«…[A] ustedes que me escuchan les digo: Amen a sus
enemigos, hagan bien a quienes los odian, bendigan a quienes los maldicen, oren
por quienes los insultan. . . . Hagan ustedes con los demás como quieren
que los demás hagan con ustedes. . . . Con la misma medida con que ustedes den
a otros, Dios les devolverá a ustedes.»<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Queridos hermanos y queridas hermanas, Dios nos llama para tener
actitudes y hacer acciones que busquen la bondad y el bien de la otra persona y
crecer y mejorar la comuinidad, la familia humana.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc327269654"><o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><b>¿Cómo podemos hacer esto?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><b>¡Con la ayuda de Dios!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 15pt;"><b>¿Cómo podemos hacer esto?</b></span></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="ES" style="color: #212121; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Con amor, el amor de Dios que Dios pone en nuestros
corazones a través del sacrificio de Jesús en la cruz y el poder del Espíritu
Santo que nos guía.</span></b></div>
<div class="pcallout" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15pt;">¡Gracias a Dios!</b></div>
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<pre style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="ES">Bibliografía</span><o:p></o:p></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 46.1pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -46.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;">“Comentario del San Lucas 6:17-26” por Leonardo Goyret, </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">Presbítero y Profesor de Biblia y</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 46.1pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -46.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Teología Sistemática, Iglesia Anglicana, Montevideo, Uruguay. <span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -46.1pt;">Acesso: 14 de feb., 2019.</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 46.1pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -46.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3979" style="text-indent: -46.1pt;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3979</span></a><span style="text-indent: -46.1pt;">.</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 46.1pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -46.1pt;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 46.1pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -46.1pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Commentary on Luke 6:27-38”. Ronald J. Allen, Professor Emeritus of Preaching, & Gospels</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 46.1pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -46.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">& Letters, Christian Theological Sem<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -46.1pt;">inary, <span style="background: white;">Indianapolis, Ind. </span></span><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -46.1pt;">Acesso 18 de feb. 2019.</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 46.1pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -46.1pt;"><a href="https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3967" style="text-indent: -46.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3967</span></a></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 46.1pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -46.1pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 46.1pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -46.1pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Giridharadas, Anand. <u>The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas</u>.</span></span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 46.1pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -46.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 150%;">New York: W.W. Norton an</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 150%;">d </span>Company. 2014.</span></pre>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Blog%20_%20Epifania%207%20el%2024%20de%20feb.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> Allen, <span style="color: black;">Ronald J.</span> <span style="color: black;">“Commentary on Luke 6:27-38”.</span><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">Acesso 18 feb. 2019. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3967">https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3967</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Documents/2019%20Blog%20_%20Epifania%207%20el%2024%20de%20feb.doc#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> Ibid.</span></div>
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Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-49333277204318174592018-01-21T11:26:00.001-08:002018-01-21T11:26:22.337-08:00Drop Everything & Follow Me<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, 21 Jan., 2017, Epiphany 3</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Year
B R</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>C</i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">L:
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jonah
3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:6-14; 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31; Mark 1:14-20</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Jesus says:</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Drop everything
& follow me.</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Do we have the grace to do
as the disciples do?</span></span></b></div>
</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: blue;"><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: blue;">We see this grace in St.
Francis, who “drops everything” to follow Jesus.</b></div>
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
Our Psalm assures us: “Power
belongs to God”. Despite God’s power, God will <i>not</i> force us to
follow Jesus. Yet God’s steadfast love keeps reaching out to
embrace us & every human.</span></span><br /><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">We know the disciples drop
everything immediately.</span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
● <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">No quibbling about dropping out of their
business</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"> obligations, finding replacements for them to help Dad in</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"> the family business.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
● <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No questions to Jesus about his people-fishing
business:</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> Are there paid vacations?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> A retirement account?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What
a contrast our Gospel gives us to our lesson from Jonah! </span></span><br />
<h4 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">[Jonah
was my “patron saint” for years as I prepared for ordination,
having run from God's distinct call for about 25 years! So I admire
the disciples who drop everything & immediately follow Jesus.]</span></span></span></span></h4>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Our
1</span><sup><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></span></sup><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">
lesson says: The Word of the Lord came to Jonah a 2</span><sup><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">nd</span></span></sup><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">
time. What do you remember of Jonah's 1</span><sup><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></span></sup><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">
time?</span></span></div>
<h4 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">[Congregations' responses included: Flees
in opposite direction. Big storm. Pagan sailors pray to Jonah’s God
to save them. Jonah says: Throw me overboard. They do. A big fish
swallows him & 3 days later vomits him out on the beach.]</span></span></span></h4>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Today
we see this pig-headed prophet going through the motions. I wonder if
he cries out the message in a monotone like this:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“40-days-more-and-Nineveh-is-overthrown...[Sigh].”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">“40-days-more-and-Nineveh-is-overthrown...[Yawn].”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Whatever way
he says it, the people hear, believe & respond </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">immediate</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">l</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>y</i></span><span style="font-size: large;">.
What a contrast to Jonah!</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
scripture says Nineveh is exceedingly large. </span>Sources say<span style="font-size: large;">
archaeologists have </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>not</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
found such a site but have found a site of a city about 3 miles long
by 1½ miles wide.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym">1</a></span></sup></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> More
important than physical size is </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>how</i></b></span><span style="font-size: large;">
Nineveh looms large over the peoples it oppresses in the 5</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;">
century Before Christ. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">As
Assyria’s capital, it is a huge force of pagan power.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">One writer
says: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Nineveh is hated because </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">the Assyrians have destroyed Israel’s
Northern Kingdom, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">wrecked Judah’s towns, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">& </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">ravaged all
countries in the Near East.”</span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jonah’s
pig-headedness reflects the attitude of many of his contemporaries,
who just can’t see how God can possibly offer mercy to the wicked
who cause so much suffering.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In our times: Think ISIS. Think 911. Think Nazis.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God’s call to Jonah to
warn his era’s Nazis of pending doom challenges Jonah & others
like him who can’t see God’s forgiveness & mercy reaching
out to people who have hurt them <b>&</b> are outside of God’s covenant.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Yet
Nineveh & its people <b><i>are</i></b> part of God’s creation which God
calls good, so they must have time to repent…</span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
the book of Jonah, we see God’s love reaching out. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">As
author Victor Matthews says</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc"><sup>5</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">:<span style="font-size: large;">
We see a new perspective developing among people in Jonah’s day:
They start to see their belief in <i>one God</i> means <i>God is God of all</i>,
so even hated, brutal enemies can belong to God & must have the
chance to hear God’s message of love, grace & repentance.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This
perspective makes it possible for people in Jonah’s day & for
us to pray for our enemies.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">The
book of Jonah shows us: “…</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><u>simple</u></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">
justice is not God’s way; God remains free to be gracious to those
who deserve nothing less than punishment.”</span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a></span></sup><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It shows us how widely
God’s mercy flows to embrace all the human family.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
express this in Morning Prayer in our Prayer for Mission </span>[<u>Book of Common Prayer</u>, page 101,
please join me in praying this]:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Lord
Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood
of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your
saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth
our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the
knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Amen</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><i>.</i></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc"><sup>7</sup></a></i></span></sup></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
Like
this prayer, our scriptures today assure us we can make a positive
difference in the human family. Jonah’s story </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">&</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
our Gospel tell us: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><i>Do</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
what God calls us/you to do & we/you serve God’s will for all.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3MnOOOcwEzZyX57cvKDnrKi68ihyphenhyphen7DjkSBMk0uq6wwi2xRfHP4l6xLrbIkRo7_ADo4LJxpuf5O5-aEyGi-VjPd9q6fMeM5AxcT0c2ffMa_Jo8B0xPYOvLOcsgFU8NsF36UVUxoadAu0H/s1600/2018_star+words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="432" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3MnOOOcwEzZyX57cvKDnrKi68ihyphenhyphen7DjkSBMk0uq6wwi2xRfHP4l6xLrbIkRo7_ADo4LJxpuf5O5-aEyGi-VjPd9q6fMeM5AxcT0c2ffMa_Jo8B0xPYOvLOcsgFU8NsF36UVUxoadAu0H/s200/2018_star+words.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Your Epiphany star word may
guide you in discovering what God requires, wants of us/you &
needs of us/you in 2018.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The
message we have to share </span><u style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">is</u><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
simple:</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>God
loves you.</i></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>No
exceptions.</b></div>
</b><b style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>All
are welcome.</b></div>
</b></i></span><div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bibliography</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Book of Common Prayer</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
New York: The Church Hymnal Corp. And The Seabury Press. 1997.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dios
Habla Hoy: La Biblia</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
2</span></span></span></span></strong><strong><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">da</span></span></span></span></sup></strong><strong><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></sup></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ed.
Nueva York: Sociedad Bíblica Americana. 1983.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San Francisco: Harper & Row
Publishers, 1988.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Holy
Bible with the Apocrypha</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press.
1989.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible: Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
New York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Matthews,
Victor H. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>Social
World of the Hebrew Prophets</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers. Inc. 2001.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">The
New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha</span></span></span></span></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Expanded Ed. Revised Stantard Version. Eds: Herbert G. May. Bruce M.
Metzger. New York: Oxford University Press. 1977.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Portaro,
Sam. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Brightest
and Best: A Companion to the Lesser Feasts and Fasts</span></span></span></span></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Revised & Updated. Boston: Cowley Pulications. 2001.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Among sources: </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Harper’s Bible Commentary</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 729. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>T</u></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">he
New Oxford </span></span></span></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">Annotated
Bible</span></span></span></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
P. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">1121.</span></div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">
Matthews, Victor H. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>Social
World of the Hebrew Prophets</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
P. 163.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Harper’s. P. 728.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Matthews. P. 163.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. P. 167.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Harper’s. P. 728.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Book of Common Prayer</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 101.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-41718279434722667562018-01-14T15:04:00.000-08:002018-01-14T15:04:30.500-08:00God is a Knitter<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, 14 Jan., 2018, Epiphany 2</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Year
B RCL: 1 Samuel 3:1-10; Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20;
John 1:43-51</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">“Come
& see,” Philip says to Nathanael. </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">Like
Philip, we are </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">called
to invite our brothers & sisters in the human family to “Come &
see.”</span></span></span></b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
come here & see each other & receive God's gifts of word &
sacrament. Sometimes God's love & message are clear. Sometimes we
respond like we hear in our Psalm:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How
deep I find your thoughts, O God!”</span></span></span></i></b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
verse reflects ideas we hear in our scriptures today. Our Psalm says
God “knit me together in my mother's womb”. </span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What does it look
like to see God knitting? How do you who knit or crochet feel hearing
this word picture?</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Rev. Dr. Lauren Winner, Duke University professor & author of
several books, led us clergy in exploring this metaphor & many
biblical word pictures of God at a conference in 2014.</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">1</span></sup></a><span style="font-size: medium;">]</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
Psalm emphasizes: God sees us even in the darkest parts of life. The
“life-sustaining darkness of the mother's womb” assures us of
God's continuing compassion, “kindly protection & wise
planning...”</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span></sup></a>
</span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">whether
we understand it or not.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
followers of Jesus, you & I know: God's kindly protection &
wise planning are in our lives, & God knows everything about us<b><i><span style="color: blue;"> </span></i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u><b><i>&
loves us anyway</i></b></u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">!</span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even in our darkest times & confusion & lack of
understanding, God loves us.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i> God loves you.</i></b></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
know God loves us because Jesus died for us, rose from the grave,
ascended into heaven, & the Holy Spirit guides us & knits us
together as the Body of Christ.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lately,
our weather has kept some of us apart & some of us <i><b>closely knit
together</b></i> since we couldn't get out of our homes! Our weather can be
confining, confusing, dark so we can't always see clearly.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Paul
helps the Corinthians see more clearly how to live into new life in
Jesus so they can make a change for the better in their lives.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Knit
together in God's love, they live in a bustling, urban, seaside city
with 2 ports & temples to about a dozen gods & goddesses,
some of which include services of temple prostitutes, who come to
bathe at the public facility beside the synagogue where Paul speaks.</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc">3</a></span></sup></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>These facts shine light for us on the difficulty for Christians in
Corinth who receive Paul's letter.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
see difficulty in a new situation for Samuel in our first lesson.
Samuel does not yet know God. This time in the life of God's people
is dark: prophesy & visions are rare. The almost blind priest Eli
literally can't see & it's night.</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc">4</a> </span></sup><span style="font-size: large;">Samuel </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">stays
close to where light literally shines in God's sanctuary</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
hear</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
puzzled reactions by Samuel & Eli as God calls Samuel. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sam
thinks it's Eli, who slowly realizes God is calling Sam.</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
Eli's slow response reminds us:</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">in
a new situation, </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">our
e</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">xperience
does not assure our quick understanding.</span></span></span></b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notice
the amazed reactions we hear as Jesus calls the disciples.
Just before today's verses, 2 disciples of
John the baptizer see Jesus going by & follow him. One is Andrew.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus
asks what they're looking for, & they ask where he is staying.
Jesus says:</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>“Come & see.”</i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They do. Andrew repeats this
invitation to Nathanael</span><span style="font-size: medium;">
in today's Gospel.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Being with Jesus we can
understand who Jesus is. We see this when Nathanael interacts with
Jesus, whose knowledge of him astounds Nathanael & gives him
deeper insight into Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nathanael,</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">who
has gotten over the stumbling block of Jesus being from an obscure
village</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc"><sup>5</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
asks:</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">“</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">Where
did you get to know me?</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">”</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus says: “I saw you under the fig
tree...”</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The fig tree is a symbol of the
peace the Messiah will bring</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">;
this gives Nathanael </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">[whose
name means “God has given”</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc"><sup>7</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">]</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
special insight & inspires him to declare Jesus </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>is</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
God's Son.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8sym" name="sdfootnote8anc"><sup>8</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus
says “You will see greater things than these...” And then
something changes when Jesus says: </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">“</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">...[Y]ou
will see heaven opened & the angels of God ascending &
descending upon the Son of Man.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">”</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What
</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">changes</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>are</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
the verb & the subject, which change from singular to plural:<span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="color: blue;">y'all
will see.</span>..</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
This tells us </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">more
people than Nathanael will see this sight,</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote9sym" name="sdfootnote9anc"><sup>9</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">which
reminds us of angels descending & ascending on the ladder in
Jacob's dream in Genesis 28.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote10sym" name="sdfootnote10anc"><sup>10</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Our
Gospel's
main message to</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>“Come & see”</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>reminds us we are called into
relationship with Jesus,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>who calls us to share the Good News</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>of God's Love for humans.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>How do we/you encounter
Jesus?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>When are you the connector by which someone encounters Jesus?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>At
this Holy Table:</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>“Come
& see.”</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Boadt,
Lawrence. </span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Reading
the Old Testament: An Introduction</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
New York: Paulist Press. 1984.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dios
Habla Hoy: La Biblia</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
2</span></span></span></span></strong><strong><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">da</span></span></span></span></sup></strong><strong><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></sup></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ed.
Nueva York: Sociedad Bíblica Americana. 1983.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u>. General
Ed.: James. L. Mays. San Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers,
1988.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Dictionary</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
General Ed.: Paul J. Achtemeier. San Francisco: Harper & Row
Publishers. 1985.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Holy
Bible with the Apocrypha</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press.
1989.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible: Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation</u>.
New York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote-western" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">Tenney,
Merrill C. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">Handy
Dictionary of the Bible</span></span></span></span></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. 1965.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote-western" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">Winner,
The Rev. Dr. Lauren. Diocese of GA Spring Clergy Conference. Honey
Creek, GA. May 4-6, 2014. and
<a href="https://divinity.duke.edu/faculty/lauren-winner">https://divinity.duke.edu/faculty/lauren-winner</a>
Accessed: 13 Jan, 2018.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote-western" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="sdfootnote-western" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Diocese of GA Spring Clergy Conference. May 4-6, 2014. Winner,
Assistant Professor of Christian Spirituality at Duke Divinity
School, is</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
as </span></span><span style="color: #363636;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">vicar
of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Louisburg, N.C</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
Her works</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> included </span><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Girl
Meets God </span></em><span style="font-size: x-small;">and </span><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mudhouse
Sabbath</span></em><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
491.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Note: information from both personal experience touring Corinth &
from sources listed here.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 567</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ibid.
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P.</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1049.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
P. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1139.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">Tenney,
Merrill C. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">Handy
Dictionary of the Bible</span></span></span></span></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
P.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
107.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote8">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8anc" name="sdfootnote8sym">8</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Harper’s</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P.</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1059.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote9">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote9anc" name="sdfootnote9sym">9</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Holy
Bible with the Apocrypha</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
New Revised Standard Version. Gospel of John. P. 95.</span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote10">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote10anc" name="sdfootnote10sym">10</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Harper’s</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P.</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1049.</span></span></div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-41713218453259874712018-01-14T14:45:00.000-08:002018-01-14T14:45:24.141-08:00Dios nos prepara cuidadosamente<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;">Sermón
por La Rev'da. Marc</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US">í</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;">a
McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">La
Parochia Episcopal de San Francisco, Goldsboro, NC, 14 enero 2018</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US">Año
B, </span><span lang="es-MX">Epifanía 2: </span>1 Samuel
3:1–10-20; Salmo 139:1–5, 12–17; 1 Corintios 6:12–20; <span lang="en-US">San
Juan 1:43–51</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><<</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ven
y compruébalo>> dice Felipe a Natanael.</span></span></span></b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Como
Felipe, nosotros debemos invitar a nuestros hermanos y nuestras
hermanas en la familia humana:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><<</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ven
y compruébalo>>.</span></span></span></b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Venimos
aqu</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">í
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">y
vemos unos a otros, y recebimos los dones de Dios – sus palabras y
sacramentos. A veces, el amor y el mensaje de Dios son claros. Otras
veces, son como o</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">í</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">mos
en nuestro Salmo: “¡Cuán profundos me son, oh Dios, tus
pensamientos </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">¡Cuán
inmensa es la suma de ellos!”</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Este
verso refleja ideas que o</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">í</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">mos
en las otras escrituras de hoy. Nuestro Salmo nos dice:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Porque tú
creaste mis entrañas;</span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">me
tejiste en el vientre de mi madre.</span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Te daré gracias, porque
maravillosamente he sido formado;</span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">admirables
son tus obras, y bien lo sé.”</span></span></span></b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">¿Cómo
parece a Uds. ver a Dios </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>tejar</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">,
y a oír la idea de que Dios prepara cuidadosamente, construye poco a
poco para formar, para crear algo precioso?</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 22pt;"><b>¡Cuidasosamente
Dios te construyó!</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 22pt;"><b>¡Que
grande es el amor que Dios tiene</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 22pt;"><b>por ti!</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 22pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 22pt;"><b>¡Por
ti!</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">El
amor de Dios para nosotros, para cada uno de Uds. es m</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">á</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">s
que podemos entender y comprender. Es un don.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nuestro
Salmo nos dice que Dios nos ve en las </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">m</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">á</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">s
oscuras partes de nuestras vidas</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.
La oscuridad del vientre de la madre que sostiene la vida nos da la
seguridad de que la </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">compasión
de</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
Dios continua en amor y sabiduria</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup><span style="font-size: small;">1</span></sup></a>
</span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">sin
importar nuestra capacidad de comprenderlo.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Porque
somos hermanos y hermanas de Jesucristo, Uds. y yo sabemos que la
providencia de Dios y su sabidur</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">í</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">a
que forma sus planes para nuestras vidas son partes integrales de
nuestras vidas, y que Dios sabe </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>todo</b></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
de nosotros – </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>todo</b></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
de cada persona aqu</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">í
presente.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;">Además,
aunque El Se</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span lang="es-MX">ñor
sabe todo de nosotros, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span lang="es-MX">¡El</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span lang="es-MX">
nos ama</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;">!</span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span lang="es-MX">¡El</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span lang="es-MX">
nos ama</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">!</span></span></span></b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Durante
los tiempos mas oscuros de nuestras vidas y las partes de confusi</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">ó</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">n
profunda, cuando no sabemos ni entendemos nada, Dios nos ama. Dios te
ama.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sabemos
que Dios nos ama porque para nosotros – </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>para
ti</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
– Jesús muri</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">ó</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
en la </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">cruz,
resusitó, y por el Espíritu Santo, quien nos guía, conocemos este
amor grandioso. Este amor del Espíritu Santo</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
nos </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>teje</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
para que seamos el Cuerpo de Cristo aquí.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">El
tiempo y el clima nos encierra de vez en cuando </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">[como
la semana pasada y mañana], y</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">nos
separa unos de otros, y parece que nos une a otros seres queridos
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es-MX">¡</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">porque
no podremos salir de nuestras casas en el hielo y la nieve!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">El
tiempo y el clima puede encerrarnos en oscuridad confudiéndonos
haciéndolo difícil ver bien y con claridad y sabiduría.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">San
Pablo ayada a los Corintinos a ver con mas claridad como vivir en su
nueva vida en Jesucristo en hacer cambios positivos en sus vidas.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tejidos
en el amor de Dios, ellos viven en un lugar de muchas actividades,
con dos puertos para barcas/naves, y templos para casi doce dioses y
diosas, unos que incluyen los servicios de prostitutas del templo,
quienes usan las facilidades públicas para bañarse – facilidades
al lado de la sinagoga </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es-MX">¡</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">a
donde Pablo habla a la gente!</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Estos
detalles nos da luz para comprender las dificultades para los
Cristianos </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Corintios,
quiens recibieron la carta de Pablo</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vemos
dificultades en la situación para Samuel, en nuestra primera
lectura. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">É</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">l
aun no conoce a Dios. Este tiempo en la vida del Pueblo de Dios es un
tiempo oscuro: profesía y visiones son raras. El sacerdote Elí,
casi ciego, de veras no puede ver, y es la noche.</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a><span style="font-size: large;">
Samuel se queda cerca de la luz del santuario de Dios.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oimos
reacciones confundidas de</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
Samuel y Elí cuando Dios le llama a Samuel, quien piensa que</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
Elí le llama. Despasio, </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Elí</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
sabe que es Dios que llama a Samuel.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Su
entendamiento despacio de Elí nos demuestra que en una s</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">ituaci</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">ó</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">n
nueva, nuestra experiencia no nos asegura que vamos a comprender
inmediatamente.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vemos
como los disc</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">í</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">pulos
respondan cuando </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesús
les llama. Antes de este, dos dic</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">í</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">pulos
de Juan Bautista ven a Jesús y le sigan</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.
Uno de ellos es </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Andrés.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesús
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">les
pregunta que buscan, y ellos preguntan a donde se queda.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesús
les dice</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">:
<<</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ven
y compruébanlo</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.>></span></span></span></b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ellos
lo hacen. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Andrés
repite esta invitación a </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Natanael
hoy.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Estar
con </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesús,
podemos entender quien es</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.
Y facilitar a encuentro con </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesús
de nuestros hermanos y hermanas en la familia humana es un don y una
responsabilidad que tenemos que hacer.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: none; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.06in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">¿Cómo
encontramos a </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesús?</span></span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: none; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.06in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: none; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.06in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">¿Cómo
seremos la manera para que alguien se incorpore al cuerpo de Cristo</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">?</span></span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: none; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.06in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>A
esta sacrada mesa:</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><<Ven
y compruébanlo.>></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bibliograf</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">ía</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Boadt,
Lawrence. </span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Reading
the Old Testament: An Introduction</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
New York: Paulist Press. 1984.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dios
Habla Hoy: La Biblia</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
2</span></span></span></span></strong><strong><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">da</span></span></span></span></sup></strong><strong><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></sup></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ed.
Nueva York: Sociedad Bíblica Americana. 1983.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u>. General
Ed.: James. L. Mays. San Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers,
1988.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Dictionary</u>. General
Ed.: Paul J. Achtemeier. San Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers.
1985.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Holy
Bible with the Apocrypha</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press.
1989.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible: Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation</u>.
New York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span lang="es-ES">.
South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Tenney,
Merrill C. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Handy
Dictionary of the Bible</span></span></span></span></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. 1965.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Winner,
The Rev. Dr. Lauren. Diocese of GA Spring Clergy Conference. Honey
Creek, GA. May 4-6, 2014. and
<a href="https://divinity.duke.edu/faculty/lauren-winner">https://divinity.duke.edu/faculty/lauren-winner</a>
Accessed: 13 Jan, 2018.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="sdfootnote" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym" style="text-indent: 0in;">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0in;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Idea de
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
Pg.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
491.</span></span></div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Informaci</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ó</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">n
</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">personal en Corintino & de recursos
que incluyo aqu</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US">í.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
Pg. 567.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-77308278198165474542018-01-07T08:41:00.000-08:002018-01-07T08:41:01.693-08:00Beginnings Are Important * * *<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***The
following would have been presented today at St. Francis had not wisdom
regarding severe winter weather dictated we remain sheltered at home.</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
are thankful for the opportunity to have worshiped by <b><i>phone
conference call</i></b> with</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Rev. Cassandra Burton, Rector, & the good people of Christ
Church, Clinton, MD, & our colleague, The Rev. Mary Reese, &
members of St. Andrew's, Goldsboro.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Unpreached Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, 7 Jan., 2018, Epiphany 1,
The Baptism of Our Lord</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Year
B RCL: Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Our
Gospel shows us lots of action today,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>as
do our other brief scriptures.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
Genesis we hear: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>In
the beginning</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">...God
said...and it was good. A wind from God </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">[also
translated God's Spirit]</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
sweeps over the waters.</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>In
the beginning</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
of Jesus' public ministry, the waters of baptism flow over him, &
God's Spirit descends.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>In
the beginning</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
as Christianity spreads, the waters of Baptism flow over believers in
Ephesus, </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">as
Acts tells us</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">,
& God's Holy Spirit fills them so they can serve God more
effectively, just as Apollos has learned to do in the previous
chapter </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">[Acts
18:24-28]</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
information about Apollos & Paul & other details in our
scriptures show us:</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>our
work of sharing the Good News of Jesus & supporting each other as
we grow in God's grace continues the work begun in the beginning of
Christianity.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beginnings
are important. When we speak of “a good beginning,” we reflect
the understanding in the Genesis account of beginnings.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
book we call Genesis</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">is
the Greek name for the Hebrew book known by its first word,</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">which
means </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>“In
the beginning,”</b></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">as
the Jewish Study Bible tells us</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a>.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
people in the world of Genesis consider beginnings very important,
reflecting both the origin & the purpose of what has begun.</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
beginning in Ephesus gives a deeper walk with Jesus for the
Christians Paul encounters & who gain a new beginning of life as
God's people.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><u><b>lived</b></u></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
relationship with God & God's people takes precedence over our
abstract theology & intellectualism,</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a><span style="font-size: large;">
as we change, grow & encounter new beginnings.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today
we encounter the waters of baptism & God's spirit in our
scriptures. Mark tells us Jesus stands in solidarity with the people
of Isreal</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc"><sup>5</sup></a><span style="font-size: large;">
who are re-dedicating their lives to God.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
Gospel tells us of Jesus' unique status</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a><span style="font-size: large;">
when God's Spirit descends like a dove. God says clearly to Jesus:
“You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” This
is a </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><u><b>lived</b></u></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
relationship with God.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How
does it feel when someone says something like this to you? “Great
job!” </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">“I admire how you handled that.” </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: right;">“You are special to
me.”</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
usually see a positive reaction in the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><u><b>lived</b></u></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
relationship when a person hears such words.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
we leave Christmas behind & enter Epiphany, we focus more on
God's reaching out to us Gentiles. We enter the world of beginnings:</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"> commissioning
our new Vestry today,</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> our
new expectations for 2018,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"> new
challenges & insights as we grow in this changing world.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
gain insights in many ways, including our regular study groups:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5dun0Py-YDnL5UljviiExWi8hAcRat6nuuAZaj61r6RhHqCy8cmeCJ9ZQ2lUp7c8sMXVxAvM8r8OmImwuRC7QxaWwBw6XeucFitwGMBkxRvQf-H1HRVhCfl-V99wBBg-oQfuvbCuCXZi/s1600/AJ+Jacobs_Year+of+Living+Biblically.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="134" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5dun0Py-YDnL5UljviiExWi8hAcRat6nuuAZaj61r6RhHqCy8cmeCJ9ZQ2lUp7c8sMXVxAvM8r8OmImwuRC7QxaWwBw6XeucFitwGMBkxRvQf-H1HRVhCfl-V99wBBg-oQfuvbCuCXZi/s200/AJ+Jacobs_Year+of+Living+Biblically.jpg" width="124" /></a></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
fun, year-long journey with </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large; text-decoration-line: underline;">The
Year of Living Biblically</span><sup><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc" style="text-decoration-line: underline;">7</a> </sup></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">& our weekly study groups, which change regularly.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
weekly January focus on embracing change </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>[which
we had to postpone last week because of drastic weather changes!]</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b>looks at Christianity's current changes, part of humanity's regular
500-year cycles of change,</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8sym" name="sdfootnote8anc"><sup>8</sup></a>
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">as
author Phyllis Tickle discusses in her book & a 6-session study
based on the book.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OaOilBlZUIIOZvW1C7tWZuQewpuuFjbHmZr2AQVZ0uML0gTmaYOjt-4qhjLn2w5Y6ukZ-Mzvw6X3sMYQ8qa_9Fu280eKd6bKYy7z-LpjE45X4eElL5L3jXf5x5YTq6rjNjhTKXNLrR49/s1600/18_Phyllis+Tickle+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="720" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OaOilBlZUIIOZvW1C7tWZuQewpuuFjbHmZr2AQVZ0uML0gTmaYOjt-4qhjLn2w5Y6ukZ-Mzvw6X3sMYQ8qa_9Fu280eKd6bKYy7z-LpjE45X4eElL5L3jXf5x5YTq6rjNjhTKXNLrR49/s200/18_Phyllis+Tickle+books.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">She
speaks of “the Church's Next Rummage Sale” in our study of
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><u>Embracing
Emergence Christianity</u></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">,
based on her book, </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><u>The
Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why</u></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
delves into differences between doctrine & practice </span>[what we
claim to believe & how we actually live]<span style="font-size: large;">; differences between
competition & cooperation as she reminds us of our Christian
history which includes the Crusades & the Inquisition.</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote9sym" name="sdfootnote9anc"><sup>9</sup></a></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">New
ideas, new cultural norms, new scientific facts may challenge our
beliefs. We do not have to run from new ideas, new discoveries, new
perspectives.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Jesus does not run from change. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: right;">The Ephesians do not
run from </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: right;">deeper understanding of faith.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Together
we can stand firmly on holy ground & walk confidently into the
future, knowing change is part of life.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Change
can deepen our relationships with God & each other.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="break-before: page; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Barclay,
William. </span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Acts of the Apostlesk</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Edinburgh: The Saint Andrew Press. 1962.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Barclay,
William. </span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Gospel of Mark</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Revised Ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press. 1975.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San Francisco: Harper & Row
Publishers, 1988.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Holy
Bible with the Apocrypha</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press.
1989.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Jacobs,
A.J. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">The
Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible
as Literally as Possible</span></span></span></span></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
New York: Simon & Schuster. 2007.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible: Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
New York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Tickle,
Phyllis. With Tim Scorer. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>Embracing
Emergence Christianity: Phyllis Tickle on the Church's Next Rummage
Sale</u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Denver: Morehouse Education Rsources, a division of Church Publishing
Inc. 2011.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Tickle,
Phyllis. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why</u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Grand Rapids: BakerBooks. 2008.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Note: Examples include </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 12.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Holy
Bible with the Apocrypha</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 1. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
P. 8.</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 8.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 8.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Note: Adapted from Ibid. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 986.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">Jacobs,
A.J. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">The
Year of Living Biblically</span></span></span></span></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote8">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8anc" name="sdfootnote8sym">8</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Tickle, Phyllis.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>The
Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote9">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote9anc" name="sdfootnote9sym">9</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Tickle. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>The Great Emergence</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
Pp. 58-59.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote10">
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-57325335636572864102017-12-27T05:29:00.000-08:002017-12-27T05:29:03.085-08:00The Journey Brings New Life<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, 24 Dec. 2017, Christm</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">as
Eve</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">RCL</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>:
</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Isaiah
9:2-7; Psalm 96:1-4, 11-12; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Merry
Christmas!</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>How
delightful to say this after weeks of</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>waiting
& preparing.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When
we say “Merry Christmas” we may have a mental picture of Mary
with Baby Jesus, as if we say:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “M-a-r-y” Christmas”,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">overlooking
Joseph or seeing him away in the </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">back
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">behind
the manger.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>I
wonder how Mary AND Joseph felt on that</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>night of nights.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
know how each received & reacted to the unexpected news: Mary
would have a child.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We know the emperor has demanded a census,
requiring people travel to their family's hometown</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>– what a pain in
the neck at Christmas!</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Think
how you would feel if the government demanded each of us go today to
Asheville for a headcount.</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
At least we could get there & back in a day.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
wonder about the </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>stress</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
Mary feels walking or riding a donkey on their </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>5-day/90-mile</b></span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
forced-march to Bethlehem with none of our amenities: </span></span></span><span style="color: black; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">no
Gr</span></span></span><span style="color: black; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span></span><span style="color: black; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">yhound
bus, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">no
welcome center, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: right;">no
restrooms.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: right;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">I
wonder how Joseph feels.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It
would be tough enough if he could go alone, leaving his young,
pregnant fiancé at home to be tended by family. But NO: the emperor
insists:</span></span></span><br />
<i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><b>“Everybody,
report to your family's hometown.”</b></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
know Joseph is a carpenter </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">&
his</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
work demands planning. This trip demands planning. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joseph
prepares carefully in case Mary goes into labor en route. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He studies
the route, packs plenty of supplies...</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup><span style="font-size: small;">2</span></sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How
does he expect to find a place to stay? He can't call ahead to book a
room. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">Joseph
& Mary finally arrive & the inn keeper says:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">“No
room.”</b></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Joseph
has no hotel points card to flash his diamond status & demand the
1 room always kept available for the elite.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">How
does Joseph feel? He's planned so much. They've come so far. They're
finally here.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Think
of a time you traveled, when you would have preferred to stay home,</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
&</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
the journey was hard</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">inconvenient.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“There</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
are times in our journey when we think the end is in sight. The hard
part is over...we're about to [finish &] something happens...[It
seems so hard, so unfair...Why can't this be easy?]”</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
journey with God has times “of excitement, joy, & even rest,
but it's unlikely...the journey will ever be easy.”</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beloved
Brothers & Sisters, Jesus comes to show us how to live </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>especially</b></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
when it isn't easy. Jesus comes as a human boy to show us how to look
differently at our </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><u><b>un-easy</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
times.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Despite
how difficult the emperor's demand is that makes Joseph go to
Bethlehem, it </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>is</b></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
God's plan for Jesus to be born there. For Jesus to be born in a
stable assures us God has down-to-earth, 1</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;">st</span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-hand
experience with the hard times of human life.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joseph,
this hands-on planner, this man of action, has done all he can to
provide for Mary. As she gives birth to Jesus, so much is out of his
hands</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc"><sup>5</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.
The labor is Mary's work</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">: Joseph can wipe sweat from her brow, help her breath, give her water.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Suddenly
Mary's labor is completed. A new life is swaddled & cuddled in
Joseph's arms.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>What
is the look on Mary's face as</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Joseph
hands her Baby Jesus?</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What
about Joseph's surprise as shepherds appear & this unexpected
bunch crowds the stable entrance to see this precious infant?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
if Joseph needs one more surprise, these outdoorsmen tell him:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So<b>
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">we're
in the fields like always watching our sheep when – Schzaam!</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc"><sup>7</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
– an angel stands in front of us. God's glory shines all around us
& </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>we
are terrified</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
– scared stiff – until the angel says:</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">'Don't be afraid. I've got
good news:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">a brand new baby is born, &</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">this is great joy for
everybody!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He's the Savior – God's Anointed One</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8sym" name="sdfootnote8anc"><sup>8</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You'll find him in a manger – no kidding – you'll see him</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">in an
animal's feed box.'</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So
there</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
we are trying to take all this in & Schzaam! a whole bunch of
angels joins in praising God</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">! </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
just stand there open-mouthed....& then try to sing along</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Then<b>
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">we say: We
gotta go to Bethlehem & see this Baby! So we drop everything &
here we are. We found you! And we're still amazed.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">“</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We're as amazed as
you are & everybody who hears this Good News!</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>“I'll
tell you how</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">
good this news is, w</span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">e left our sheep & we're at peace about their
safety on this</span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">night of nights. What a night!”</span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What<b>
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">a
beautiful Baby. Did you see that? He smiled! He opened his eyes &
looked right at me & smiled. . . . . . .</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Don't
tell me newborns don't open their eyes. I saw him. Wow! What a
night!”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>What
a night indeed!</b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
night is special, different. This amazing news calls the shepherds to
be adventuresome. This amazing news calls us again to come & see
Jesus, then to go & tell others about Jesus.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
night is special & different: God has called you & me here
this night to come grow in grace, to be nourished with the gift Jesus
gives us in Holy Communion, the gift of life & love, the gift of
Jesus himself.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Know
this: “...It's not how you [plan for the journey] that's important,
it's being willing to take the journey & go wherever God leads
you.”</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote9sym" name="sdfootnote9anc"><sup>9</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
you journey with God, remember Joseph with his rough, practical
carpenter's hands holding Baby Jesus. Think of the awe filling him as
Jesus breathes his first breaths of earth's air.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
know God is awesome & far </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>other</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
than we are. Joseph knows this. Yet here he holds Baby Jesus, God's
Son, God Incarnate, God In Human Flesh. Awesome.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Holding
new life </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>is</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
awesome.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Awesome & above being possessed by mere mortals, this
mighty God calls us friend & beloved child. God's fearsome love
for us [leads Jesus] to the cross where Jesus dies for us.”</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote10sym" name="sdfootnote10anc"><sup><span style="font-size: small;">10</span></sup></a> </span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Once
we have truly known God, [this] same fearsome love compels us to lay
our life on the line, pick up our cross, </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">&</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
follow.”</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote11sym" name="sdfootnote11anc"><sup>11</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
we follow Jesus, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we have
abundant opportunities to share the Good News to people who are in
darkness. Shine the light on them.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How
you shine the light depends on your personality & your unique
gifts.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>The
“how” may be different.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Our
work is the same:</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>share
the Good News.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>As
St. Francis tells us:</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Always preach the Good News</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b> &</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>use words</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: xx-large;">when
you must.</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Holy
Bible with the Apocrypha</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press.
1989.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuZfVxkEtydUiN1ccSSty6_hAZ1Kys_JVl2qSKWPrq7bgWZlkvv0neLdP6PVoJWf5vCy6xBQ6ezQ6-0eV8mjXinxmIgeO336nouKBuGD-menFu8eAod0dWGrmLbxMdQMLahV9jKgMcVNY/s1600/A+Labyrinth+Year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="188" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuZfVxkEtydUiN1ccSSty6_hAZ1Kys_JVl2qSKWPrq7bgWZlkvv0neLdP6PVoJWf5vCy6xBQ6ezQ6-0eV8mjXinxmIgeO336nouKBuGD-menFu8eAod0dWGrmLbxMdQMLahV9jKgMcVNY/s200/A+Labyrinth+Year.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Kautz,
Richard. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>A
Labyrinth Year: Walking the Seasons of the Church</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Harrisburg: Morehouse. 2005.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.06in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wRmpU_Mjd9lycpMF1aWC8Uyf_Lful-HSOGf6KYa_IIk479K8tDyLegzFBNmQdVX_pRgq0SntLPziatY1zO7nQEhTB6XYMPTBq0JUbtry_DxvkUL0-cZ2Ys18QTHejuHv4ML9ISPFtEP_/s1600/Best+Christmas+Pageant+Ever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="144" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wRmpU_Mjd9lycpMF1aWC8Uyf_Lful-HSOGf6KYa_IIk479K8tDyLegzFBNmQdVX_pRgq0SntLPziatY1zO7nQEhTB6XYMPTBq0JUbtry_DxvkUL0-cZ2Ys18QTHejuHv4ML9ISPFtEP_/s200/Best+Christmas+Pageant+Ever.jpg" width="131" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.06in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Robinson,
Barbara. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
Best Christmas Pageant Ever</u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
New York: Avon Books. 1972.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.06in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="sdfootnote-western" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Tenney,
Merrill C. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Handy
Dictionary of the Bible</span></span></span></span></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. 1965.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote-western" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="sdfootnote-western" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">Kautz,
Richard. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>A
Labyrinth Year</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Pp. 6, 5.</span></span></span></div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">P.
6.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. P. 9.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Note: Thought from Ibid. P. 13.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Note: Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Note</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">:
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Schzaam!
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">From
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">Robinson,
B</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">arbara.
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
Best Christmas Pageant Ever</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote8">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8anc" name="sdfootnote8sym">8</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Note: Messiah means Anointed One. </span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Tenney,
Merrill C. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Handy
Dictionary of the Bible</span></span></span></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
P. 101.</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote9">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote9anc" name="sdfootnote9sym">9</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Kautz. P. 6.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote10">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote10anc" name="sdfootnote10sym">10</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Kautz. P. 15.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote11">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote11anc" name="sdfootnote11sym">11</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-62766421992831954882017-12-26T08:30:00.004-08:002017-12-26T08:30:47.152-08:00Names Carry Meaning<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Fancis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, 24 Dec. 2017, Advent 4</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Year
B RCL</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>:
</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">2
Samuel 7:1-1, 16; </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Canticle
3; </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Romans:
16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Names
carry meaning.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
our Gospel from Luke, whose name means “bringer of light...”</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a><span style="font-size: large;">,
we hear God's messenger, Gabriel, whose name means “man of God”</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a><span style="font-size: large;">,
bring new light to Mary's life as he says:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">“</span></b><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Greetings,
favored one! The Lord is with you.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">”</span></b></i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
says she will have a son & to name him Jesus, which means
"Savior" or </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"God
saves"</span><sup><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc">3</a> </sup></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
also brings good news about her old, barren cousin Elizabeth, whose
husband, Zechariah, has heard from Gabriel 1</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;">st</span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-hand
that his wife will have a son & to name him John, whose name
means “</span></span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jehovah
[God] has been gracious; has shown favor”</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You
may remember from our Advent study about Mary: her </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BKmf-ntzU1cgGWhTvDfFFQqz4De5qXAT0vbt6qQaj4CQ2MGqeQHSp6N_33zUmS5iaXqGYGmum-_fG_OfLE7LpDigcKIqGmTk8qWJqMu_iP98jK9-631r-9UUFVkLEb33C_Hra4RDqy-c/s1600/Bible+Women.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="293" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BKmf-ntzU1cgGWhTvDfFFQqz4De5qXAT0vbt6qQaj4CQ2MGqeQHSp6N_33zUmS5iaXqGYGmum-_fG_OfLE7LpDigcKIqGmTk8qWJqMu_iP98jK9-631r-9UUFVkLEb33C_Hra4RDqy-c/s200/Bible+Women.jpg" width="135" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">unspoken response
& wondering are as important as what she says, showing her to be
thoughtful, practical, trusting</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc"><sup>5</sup></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span><br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Long
before this, Gabriel is the messenger to the prophet Daniel. So
Gabriel has been God's man, God's messenger, from the Hebrew
scriptures to the Christian scriptures.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder if Gabriel is still
bringing God's message to people.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder if God has fewer messages
for Gabriel to deliver because God counts on Christians – you &
me – to assure people: “The Lord is with you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Part
of the Good News we are called to deliver is this:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Jesus is Lord.</i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because of Jesus we can trust that God loves us. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">As
one source says about Jesus<span style="font-size: large;">: “</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">His
name expresses his identity & his mission. Since God alone can
forgive sins, it </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>is</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
God who, in Jesus his eternal Son made man,...save[s] [us] from [our]
sins".</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
name “is given to our Lord because 'He saves His people from their
sins.' This is </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>His</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
special role...[By] cleansing [us] in His own atoning blood.., by
putting in [our] hearts [God's] sanctifying Spirit...[he] will save
[us] from all the consequences of sin...”</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc"><sup>7</sup></a></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
is Good News we are called to share. How we are called & how we
share it can be as varied as the meaning of our names. It may be big
or small, near or far.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Consider
one saint born </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">in
1887 </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">in
Georgia, who served 3 years a</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">s
an “assistant at Faith Orphanage in Marion, North Carolina,
mending, cooking & changing diapers.”</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8sym" name="sdfootnote8anc"><sup>8</sup></a></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">R</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">emembered
Dec. 19 in </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Holy
Women, Holy Men</u> is Lillian</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovUiqsehgzNkkQj34mwq1Jp_m3FFU9qlJGwMjMmtDT7iX48JPnyTE1YoaEYRb1noaObHMru9Rwztm2sz6BZsFenvpXZKNfaHql6pS-cafYr9xGhncN-p2JG0E8PPfLblAH1QMuzrxnulM/s1600/Holy+Women_Holy+Men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="153" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovUiqsehgzNkkQj34mwq1Jp_m3FFU9qlJGwMjMmtDT7iX48JPnyTE1YoaEYRb1noaObHMru9Rwztm2sz6BZsFenvpXZKNfaHql6pS-cafYr9xGhncN-p2JG0E8PPfLblAH1QMuzrxnulM/s200/Holy+Women_Holy+Men.jpg" width="141" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trasher, who died in 1961.</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote9sym" name="sdfootnote9anc"><sup>9</sup></a><span style="font-size: large;">
Her name is from the flower we call the lilly, which symbolizes
innocence, purity, beauty.</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote10sym" name="sdfootnote10anc"><sup>10</sup></a></span></span><br />
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>The
story of her work as a missionary in Egypt</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>is
one of beauty.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
tended more than 25,000 children in the orphanage she founded &
ran in Egypt, the 1</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;">st</span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
orphanage established there, which continues to minister today &
for which 85% of its support is from Christians in Egypt.</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote11sym" name="sdfootnote11anc"><sup>11</sup></a></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Any
of us may be called to action far away like Lillian or much nearer.....</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Whatever
ministry God calls each of us to, wherever God leads us to bring the
Good News, remember:</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>God
– not you or I – sets the time & agenda.</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote12sym" name="sdfootnote12anc"><sup>12</sup></a>
</span>
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">“</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>God
is the caller; you are the receiver...When God extends a hand to you,
it's in God's time, not yours.”</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote13sym" name="sdfootnote13anc"><sup>13</sup></a></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Whatever
calling you receive from God, ultimately you are called to be like
Mary: a God Bearer....</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>And
this includes </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><i><b>you</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>,</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 22pt;"><b>my
Beloved Brothers in Christ!</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God
calls each of us in a unique way to this highest of callings to carry
God's Son, Jesus, into this world.</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote14sym" name="sdfootnote14anc"><sup>14</sup></a></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">“</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God
is calling you to be pregnant [filled] with the Holy Spirit.”</span><sup><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote15sym" name="sdfootnote15anc">15</a></sup></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"> God
calls each of us to be pregnant/filled with the Holy Spirit.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">“</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">God
is calling you to put aside all the</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">plans the world has for you &
to follow</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">a different plan...</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">How obedient are you right now?</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">Are you
ready to say,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">'Here I am, Lord. Use me.'”</span></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;"></span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote16sym" name="sdfootnote16anc" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><sup>16</sup></a></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dios
Habla Hoy: La Biblia</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
2</span></span></span></span></strong><strong><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">da</span></span></span></span></sup></strong><strong><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></sup></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ed.
Nueva York: Sociedad Bíblica Americana. 1983.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Four Translation New Testament</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.
Minneapolis: World Wide Publications. New York: The Iversen Assocs.
1966.</span></span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Freeman,
Lindsay Hardin. </span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Bible
Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.
Forward Movement. USA: 2016.</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San Francisco: Harper & Row
Publishers, 1988.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Dictionary</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
General Ed.: Paul J. Achtemeier. San Francisco: Harper & Row
Publishers. 1985.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Holy
Bible with the Apocrypha</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press.
1989.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Holy
Men: Celebrating the Saints</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
New York: Church Publishing, Inc. 2010.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Gabriel.html#.VJW-_drABg"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">http://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Gabriel.html#.VJW-_drABg</span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
Accessed: </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">19</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
Dec. 2017.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.behindthename.com/name/eric"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">http://www.behindthename.com</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Accessed
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">19</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.biblical-baby-names.com/meaning-of-Luke.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">http://www.biblical-baby-names.com</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
Accessed: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">19</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.catholic.org/clife/jesus/jesusname.php"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">http://www.catholic.org/clife/jesus/jesusname.php</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
Accessed: 19 Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.inspirationalchristians.org/biography/lillian-trasher/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">http://www.inspirationalchristians.org/biography/lillian-trasher/</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
Accessed: 19 Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.meaning-of-names.com/lucy"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">http://www.meaning-of-names.com</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Accessed:
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">19</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/lillian"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Accessed:
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">19</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/nathan">http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/nathan</a>
Accessed </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">19</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Rosemary"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">http://www.thinkbabynames.com</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
Accessed </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">19</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible: Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
New York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Kautz,
Richard. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">A
Labyrinth Year: Walking the Seasons of the Church</span></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.
Harrisburg: Morehouse. 2005.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ryle,</span></span></span></span></em><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">
</span></span></span><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;">J.C.
</span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.jesus.org/is-jesus-god/names-of-jesus/what-does-the-name-jesus-mean.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">http://www.jesus.org/is-jesus-god/names-of-jesus/what-does-the-name-jesus-mean.html</span></span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Accessed: 19 Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Tenney,
Merrill C. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Handy
Dictionary of the Bible</span></span></span></span></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. 1965.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: black;">“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">You
Shall Call His Name Jesus”. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.sermons4kids.com/"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">http://www.sermons4kids.com/</span></span></span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Accessed: 19 Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<br /></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<br />
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.biblical-baby-names.com/meaning-of-Luke.html">http://www.biblical-baby-names.com/meaning-of-Luke.html</a>
</span></span></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Accessed:
19 Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Tenney, Merrill C. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Handy Dictionary of the
Bible</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P.58.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.catholic.org/clife/jesus/jesusname.php"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.catholic.org/clife/jesus/jesusname.php</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
Accessed: 19 Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span></span><a href="http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/john"><cite><span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/joh</span></span></span></span></cite><cite><span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u>n</u></span></span></span></span></cite></a><cite><span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></cite><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Accessed:
19 Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Freeman,
Lindsay Hardin. </span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Bible
Women</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.
Pp. 399, 401.</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.catholic.org/clife/jesus/jesusname.php"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.catholic.org/clife/jesus/jesusname.php</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
Accessed: 19 Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Adapted
by
</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.jesus.org/is-jesus-god/names-of-jesus/what-does-the-name-jesus-mean.html"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">http://www.jesus.org/is-jesus-god/names-of-jesus/what-does-the-name-jesus-mean.html</span></span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">from
J.C. Ryle's </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>The
Gospel of Matthew</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
Accessed: 19 Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote8">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8anc" name="sdfootnote8sym">8</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.inspirationalchristians.org/biography/lillian-trasher/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.inspirationalchristians.org/biography/lillian-trasher/</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Accessed: 19 Dec. 2017.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote9">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote9anc" name="sdfootnote9sym">9</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Holy
Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 126-127.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote10">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote10anc" name="sdfootnote10sym">10</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/lillian"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/lillian</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
Accessed: </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">19
Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote11">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote11anc" name="sdfootnote11sym">11</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Holy
Women, Holy Men</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
And
</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.inspirationalchristians.org/biography/lillian-trasher/"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.inspirationalchristians.org/biography/lillian-trasher/</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
Accessed: 19 Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote12">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote12anc" name="sdfootnote12sym">12</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">Kautz,
Richard. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">A
Labyrinth Year: Walking the Seasons of the Church</span></u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.
P. 1.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote13">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote13anc" name="sdfootnote13sym">13</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote14">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote14anc" name="sdfootnote14sym">14</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">Kautz.
P. 2.</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote15">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote15anc" name="sdfootnote15sym">15</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote16">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote16anc" name="sdfootnote16sym">16</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-9608302479375148712017-12-17T10:21:00.000-08:002017-12-17T10:21:59.166-08:00How Do We Reflect the Light of Christ?<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, 17 Dec. 2017, Advent 3</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Year
B RCL</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>:</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,
19-28</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>There
was a man sent from God,</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>whose name</b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> was John.</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>There is a man/a
woman/a child sent from God, whose name is “Phil” . . . .</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fill-in-the-Blank-with-YOUR-Name.</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvtf83EiN2S-MvmGaQayANoF5Fg6vderGnvhvp1VQdKy5nzx0hPD2h1MME06X65K-GxcFcosqh1G1ALhMSXjoa25M_oHInx0KB5rv0ZjIbVfCNNd_rzFFc1eqFofP4Iwxt8CFz7-V9JCj/s1600/2017_3+Advent+wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="118" data-original-width="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvtf83EiN2S-MvmGaQayANoF5Fg6vderGnvhvp1VQdKy5nzx0hPD2h1MME06X65K-GxcFcosqh1G1ALhMSXjoa25M_oHInx0KB5rv0ZjIbVfCNNd_rzFFc1eqFofP4Iwxt8CFz7-V9JCj/s1600/2017_3+Advent+wreath.jpg" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>News
flash!</b> Today is Light of Christ Sunday: </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">notice the pink candle lit in
our Advent Wreath. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;">How
do you shine the Light of Christ?</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;">We – each of us – is called to
testify to the light. We are not the light, but you/we are to testify
to the light.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Light
shines in darkness & in brightness. How do you shine your light?
Shining the Light of Christ is like</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">shining
a flashlight<a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a>
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">for
others to see in the dark.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-6b3BpqUX0SGjqCpTsCW7wzrtHIglxwmOx2aWXF6Eihb-n9BSRsKI53UEDcKmVCx3P2_-DFJnpW9Dg4B_UZhQpzWEZD-NZMg0XosDKyKqPMRTzAvSTz9b5KeJcymFdSwMqKKXtVMB1jC/s1600/2017_3+Advent+flashlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="71" data-original-width="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-6b3BpqUX0SGjqCpTsCW7wzrtHIglxwmOx2aWXF6Eihb-n9BSRsKI53UEDcKmVCx3P2_-DFJnpW9Dg4B_UZhQpzWEZD-NZMg0XosDKyKqPMRTzAvSTz9b5KeJcymFdSwMqKKXtVMB1jC/s1600/2017_3+Advent+flashlight.jpg" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> A flashlight is NOT the light.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;"> It shines
the light.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;">What
can block the light?.....</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><div>
....You
must turn on the flashlight.</div>
</span><span style="font-size: large;">....You must shine it in a way that doesn't
cover,</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> hide or block the light.</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: right;">....If we let something distract us, we
may forget the flashlight & then others can't see the light.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: right;">....We may </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: right;">may forget the flashlight & leave it on s</span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: right;">o the batteries die. Then we have to </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: right;">renew the batteries or put in new batteries.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Questions:</span></div>
<div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">How </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><u>do</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
you shine the light of Christ that is within you?</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">How </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><u>do</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
you renew your “batteries” so you shine brightly?</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">One
way is accepting the gifts & grace Jesus offers at this Holy
Table. From here we can go out into the world and shine the Light of
Christ.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">As
important as </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">what</span></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
we say to testify to the light is </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">how</span></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
we say it.</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
Notice how John testifies:</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
I am not the Messiah, not Elijah, not the prophet. Notice his
positive testimony about Jesus.</span><sup><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc">4</a></sup></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Notice the leaders keep asking John about himself, yet he maintains
his focus & turns them away from him to Jesus.</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc"><sup>5</sup></a></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>What
do you say about yourself to others?</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>What do you say about yourself
to yourself?</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16pt;"><b>How do you claim & embrace this truth:</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16pt;"><b>God loves
you! No exceptions.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">God
knows all about you. Live into this great love & love yourself –
or learn to love yourself. No exceptions.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Like
the man whose name was John, you & I are sent into the world as
witnesses, </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">as
one Bible commentator notes</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">,
& that makes many uncomfortable since much of the 21</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
century mindset sees religion as a private matter...</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc"><sup>7</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
That mindset shuns certainty: who can really know what's true?</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8sym" name="sdfootnote8anc"><sup>8</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b><span style="color: blue;">You
& I are audacious:</span></b> We believe the Gospel is true & that you &
I must proclaim it boldly...</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote9sym" name="sdfootnote9anc"><sup>9</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
How?</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Be prepared....</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">When you talk about Jesus, </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">expect
the kind of distraction John confronts:</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
people will want to change the subject, often by asking us to talk
about ourselves.</span><sup><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote10sym" name="sdfootnote10anc">10</a></sup></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Resist their leading questions.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Focus on Jesus. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Focus
on the simple truth:</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">God loves you! No exceptions.</span></b></div>
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Jesus
died for you. Jesus washed away all your sins. Jesus loves you. Jesus
holds you close to his heart. LIVE in this great LOVE.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Claim this
truth: <b><span style="color: blue;">YOU ARE GOD'S BELOVED CHILD.</span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Claim this so you can proclaim it: <b><span style="color: blue;">God loves you! No exceptions!</span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Proclaiming, witnessing to this love is like a dance. Let Jesus guide
your steps.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Our
scriptures today dance to the music of God. They dance the same steps
with some variations, an added accent, a shift of tempo & rhythm.
Isaiah & our Psalm set the basic movements:</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>God acts, saves,
restores; we respond & rejoice.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Our lesson in Thessalonians
emphasizes how we respond to live in holy community, trusting God
acts now & will act in our lives.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Our
Gospel repeats the focus on God's action through humans, with John
responding to God's call to testify to the Light. John the messenger
announces good news: God will act through Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Like
Isaiah & John, you & I are called by God to join this dance, to be messengers of the Good News:</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jesus loves you. No exceptions.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">God loves you! No exceptions.</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jesus
comes to liberate all of us from the oppression of sin &
self-focus.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jesus welcomes all to come to him.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Thanks be to God!</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dios
Habla Hoy: La Biblia</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
2</span></span></span></span></strong><strong><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">da</span></span></span></span></sup></strong><strong><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></sup></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ed.
Nueva York: Sociedad Bíblica Americana. 1983.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San Francisco: Harper & Row
Publishers, 1988.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Holy
Bible with the Apocrypha</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press.
1989.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.sermons4kids.com/reflecting_the_light.htm"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">http://www.sermons4kids.com/reflecting_the_light.htm</span></span></span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Accessed: 15 Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible: Jewish Publication Society Tanakh Translation</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
New York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Powell,
Mark Allen. “Commentary on John 1:6-8, 19-28.” Accessed: 12 Dec.
2014.
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2267"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2267</span></span></span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Voyle,
Robert J. </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>Restoring
Hope: Appreciative Strategies to Resolve Grief and Resentment</u></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Hillsboro, OR: The Appreciative Way. 2010.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Voyle,
Robert J. “The Art of Resolving Resentment”. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>Forgiveness
Forum: Teach Your Congrgation How </u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>to
Forgive</u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.appreciativeway.com/"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">www.appreciativeway.com</span></span></span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
2014.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Note: Idea from
</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.sermons4kids.com/reflecting_the_light.htm"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">http://www.sermons4kids.com/reflecting_the_light.htm</span></span></span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Accessed: 15 Dec. 2017.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">Powell,
Mark Allen. “Commentary on John 1:6-8, 19-28.” Accessed: 15 Dec.
2017.
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2267"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2267</span></span></span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
P. 1138.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
P. 1138.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Powell.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote8">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8anc" name="sdfootnote8sym">8</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. </span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote9">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote9anc" name="sdfootnote9sym">9</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote10">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote10anc" name="sdfootnote10sym">10</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-47984571069350413242017-12-11T06:42:00.001-08:002017-12-11T06:42:39.439-08:00Visiónes maravillosas<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Sermón
por La Rev'da. Marc</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US">í</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;">a
McRae</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="tw-target-text"></a></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">La
Parochia Episcopal de San Francisco, Goldsboro, NC, 10 dic. 2017</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Año B, Adviento 2 Isaías
40:1–11; Salmo 85:1–2, 8–13; 2 San Pedro 3:8–15a; San Marcos
1:1–8</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1c1c1c;">Queridos
hermanos y queridas hermanas, en nuestras escrituras de hoy oimos
mensajeros anunciando la buena noticia del amor de Dios, gente
quienes dicen <<S</span><span style="color: #1c1c1c;"><span lang="en-US">í>>
a Dios, personas que hacen una diferencia positiva en la familia
humana.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">En
nuestro Evangelio y en nuestra lectura de <span lang="en-US">Isaías
oimos ideas de cambiar algo difícil a algo facíl. Cada uno de
nosotros conoce dificultades en la vida, y podemos entender la gracia
de cambiar algo difícil a algo facíl, la gracia de “[rellenar]
cañadas, allanar cerros y colinas, convertir la región quebrada y
montañosa en llanura completamente lisa”.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="en-US">Que
hermosa es esta idea “lisa”.</span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Para
el amor de Jesús, debemos cambiar el camino difícil a un camino
facíl. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">¿</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Por
qué?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">La
repuesta que leemos en la Biblia que se llama </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US"><u>The
Jewish Study Bible</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">,
nos dice: por hacer un camino facíl hacemos una diferencia positiva
para que la gente expastriada puede </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">regresar a Dios,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span lang="en-US"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a><span style="font-size: large;">
n</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">uestro
Señor y Padre</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Nosotros humanos somos débiles, frágiles como los humanos en los
días de Isaías y Juan Bautista en nuestro Evangelio, y en cada
época.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Por
Jesucristo, Dios nos libró. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">¡</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Que
importante es dicir <<Sí>> a Dios y compartir su amor
con otras personas!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Isaías
dice: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">anuncia
una buena noticia. </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">¿C</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">ómo?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Levanta
sin miedo la voz y anuncia a nuestros hermanos y nuestras hermanas en
la familia humana, y a nosotros mismos:</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">«¡Aquí
está el Dios de ustedes!»</span></span></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Además:
¡Aquí está Dios entre nosotros!</span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">El
Padre todopoderso está lleno de amor para cada uno y una de
nosotros/nosotras, queridos hijos e hijas de Dios</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">En
su segunda carta, San Pedro nos dice: No es que el Señor se tarde en
cumplir su promesa. Es que nuestro Padre, Dios Todopoderoso, tiene
paciencia – mas y mas paciencia – con nosotros y todos los seres
humanos, mas que podemos comprender.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Por
su amor, nuestro Padre quiere que nadie muera y todos se vuelvan a
Dios en cada época, cad</span><span style="color: #1c1c1c;">a
edad.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Leemos
muchos ejemplos de este amor tan grande en La Biblia. Vemos este amor
grandioso en la vida, la crucifixion, la muerte de nuestro Hermano </span><span style="color: black;">y
</span><span style="color: black;">Salvador
Jesuscristo y en su resurreción.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Por
el Espirítu Santo, quien nos guía, conocemos este amor grandioso, y
lo vemos en muchos ejemplos en la historia humana, la historia de los
santos y santas en cada edad.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vemos
este amor grandioso en el trabajo de Juan Bautista en nuestro
Evangelio de hoy</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">,
quien dice:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><<</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Yo
los he bautizado a ustedes con agua;</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">pero él los bautizará con el
Espíritu Santo».</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">La
ropa de Juan estaba hecha de pelo de camello. Aunque la ropa de otro
Juan fue diferente, y él habló en otro idioma, en o</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #1c1c1c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">tro
tiempo, ya v</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">emos
también este amor grandioso </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #1c1c1c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">en
este</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">
Juan, quien le respondió a Dios y preparó el camino a nuevo en esta
parte del mundo.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Uds.
saben que e</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">n
México, menos de quinientos años pasados, por la tarde en el
domingo </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">[el
10 de diciembre de 1531],</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
La Virgen María, como se llama tambi</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">é</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">n
L</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">a
Vigen de Guadalupe,</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
apareció por la tercera vez de cuartro veces y habló </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">en
el idioma náhuatl</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
al indígena cristiano quien se llama en español, Juan Diego</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">[Que
interesante es que hoy es domingo, el 10 de diciembre.]</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkLhqjLxAiWUJXAFztQO0_QqSTeF6iPS9gn8gQCQyxp6EQcmYkJx4UCsIgKAcpJyrabcDcmmSZgbsQoVqZ4cEoCzneC8AOldCS978qsM22PdkQ9XKJQLwayqf9awRWkW8WNL7ybZxXSKA/s1600/2017_1_Juan+Diego+-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="505" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkLhqjLxAiWUJXAFztQO0_QqSTeF6iPS9gn8gQCQyxp6EQcmYkJx4UCsIgKAcpJyrabcDcmmSZgbsQoVqZ4cEoCzneC8AOldCS978qsM22PdkQ9XKJQLwayqf9awRWkW8WNL7ybZxXSKA/s320/2017_1_Juan+Diego+-.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Uds.
conocen esta historia</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">
y que Juan Diego llev</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">ó
en su tilma/su capa las flores que la cambiaron a la pintura de la
Guadalupana</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">.
Hay </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">muchas,
muchas detalles en la pintura que son de importancia para los
indígenas, y para científicos y otros expertos modernos quienes las
estudian. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Por
ejemplo:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Los
colores no son de colorantes vegetales, ni animales, ni minerales</span></span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a></span></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">.</span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Las
estrellas “[e]n el manto de la Virgen están las estrellas más
brillantes de las principales constelaciones visibles [donde ellos
estuvieron en este mes y a la hora del día cuando Juan Diego la
encuentró].</span></span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a></span></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">”</span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Y
puede ver en los iris de los ojos de la Virgen el cuerpo del
indígena.</span></span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a></span></span></span></sup></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">¿</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Porque
Dios les dió esta milagro a la gente en estos días pasados?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Para
hablar en una manera que la gente podría comprender.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Como
Juan Bautista, J<span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US">uan
Diego fue uno de los primeros cristianianos en México solomente 12
años despues de la conquista de los Aztecas por Cortés.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Aunque
loz Aztecas practicaban el sacrificio de humanos y no podían
comprender el sacrificio de la vida de Jesuscristo, podían
comprender una mujer encinta, como indica la ropa de La Virgen en la
tilma. Además, para ellos y las otras personas </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">nativas,</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">
los muchos detalles son importantes indicaciones del amor de Dios que
es para todos los seres humanos; por ejemplo:</span></span></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">la
curvatura de su rodilla indica veneración</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">,</span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">las
estrellas en el manto son los visibles en este tiempo, d</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">í</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">a,
y hora.</span></span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc"><sup>5</sup></a></span></span></span></sup></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span lang="en-US"><b>¡</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Que
don de Dios!</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">La
Guadalupana ayuda a la gente, quienes estaban debajo el control de
España, a ver el amore de Dios que nosotros tenemos por fe en Jesús
quien murió, resuscitó, subió al cielo y ya vive y nos da el
trabajo de compartir este amor a nuestros hermanos y nuestras
hermanas en la familia humana.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Juan
Diego aceptó Las Buenas Noticeias de Jesucristo. Como leemos en la
lectura de </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: large;">Isaías,
la fuerza, el poder de Dios sigue vigente</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a><span style="font-size: large;">
y salva los cautivos en cualquier edad y en cualquier parte del
mundo.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">Como
en todos edades y por todas las regiones del mundo, en su infinito
amor, Dios continuamente está dándonos bendigas y regalos para que
nosotros entenderemos su amor es para todos </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">los
seres humanos y para toda</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">
su creaci</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US">ón.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Por
eso, queridos hermanos y queridas hermanas, mientras esperamos las
promesas futuras, hagamos todo lo posible para compartir el amor de
Dios a los demás humanos para encontrar la paz que es mas que
podemos comprender, y recordamos la paciencia con que nuestro Señor
nos trata es para nuestra salvación.</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Por
su amor, nuestro Padre quiere que</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>nadie muera y todos se vuelvan a
Dios</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>en cada época</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="en-US"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="en-US"><b>¡</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Tenemos
buenas noticias para compartir!</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Recibimos la gracia para compartirlas</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>en la santa comida de</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>La Santa Eucarist</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>ía.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bibliograf</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">í</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">a</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Harper’s Bible
Commentary</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San
Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers, 1988.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Holy Bible with the
Apocrypha</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. New Revised Standard Version. New
York: Oxford University Press, 1989.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Jewish Study Bible:
Jewish Publication Society Tanakh Translation</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">.
New York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1224"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1224</span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">
Accessed 2 dic. 2017.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>New Oxford Annotated
Bible with the Apocrypha</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. Herbert G. May,
Bruce M. Metzger, eds. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">New
York: Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 1977.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">Villapando,
José Manuel. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>La
Virgen de Guadalupe: una biografía</u></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
México, D.F.: Editorial Planeta Mexicana. 2004.</span></span></span></div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
Pg.</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> 852.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="es-ES">Villapando,
José Manuel. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>La
Virgen de Guadalupe: una biografía</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="es-ES">.
</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Pg. 139.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a>
Idem. Pg. 146-147.</div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a>
Idem. Pg. 1<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">42. [<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Pgs. 140-143 tienen más detalles, incluyendo que más examenes </span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">han
descubierto más imagenes humanos en los iris.]</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a>
Idem.</div>
</div>
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym" style="text-indent: 0in;">6</a><span style="text-indent: 0in;">
Jewish Study Bible. Pj. 861.</span>Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-31440610122214129192017-12-03T14:27:00.001-08:002017-12-03T14:27:17.895-08:00Happy New Year!<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC; 3 Dec. 2017, Advent 1</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Year
B RCL: </span></span></span><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Isaiah
64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #990099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><i><b>Happy
New Year!</b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notice:
Jesus tells us to keep awake!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Having
just said Happy New Year, I assure you: you have not fallen asleep
Dec. 3</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><sup>rd</sup></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">
& are just waking up here Jan. 1</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><sup>st</sup></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">!
Today starts the church's new liturgical year, Year B, with
scriptures different from what we've used this calendar year during
Year A that started Nov. 27</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">,
2016.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Advent
offers us time to prepare for our annual celebration of Jesus' birth.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Advent
also points us to what is yet to be</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>when
Jesus returns.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
know waiting can be hard: Think of children waiting to open presents;
think of being in a hurry & stopped at a railroad crossing.</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
What about us waiting for peace on earth & hearing our daily
news?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How
well do the</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
disciples wait & keep awake as Jesus tells them today & again
in Mark's next chapter </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">[chapter
14]</span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">? </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">After
Jesus shares bread & wine, saying these are his body & blood,
he & the disciples go to Gethsemane. He says: “keep awake”.
They fall asleep.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Why
did Jesus bother to be born into</span></span></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">our
mess?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus
comes to show us how to live & how to die. We can give God thanks
even in hard times because we know, </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">as
we read in </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOETES1_PZ37RBCk2o68NPiqPc3MC_qYveCtNMQdNT8CKUgpU4FH-eX5wYYt2u_WSBZLIzMCznRtjAfm4oUrnIs-O1SFGiQgTJGExoOqU3ocnmuGVGuU7dnrdOOwPEhnEeu_G_GkUYC6N/s1600/Episcopal+Questions_Episcopal+Answers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOETES1_PZ37RBCk2o68NPiqPc3MC_qYveCtNMQdNT8CKUgpU4FH-eX5wYYt2u_WSBZLIzMCznRtjAfm4oUrnIs-O1SFGiQgTJGExoOqU3ocnmuGVGuU7dnrdOOwPEhnEeu_G_GkUYC6N/s200/Episcopal+Questions_Episcopal+Answers.jpg" width="129" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><u>Episcopal
Questions, Episcopal Answers</u></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">:</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">“</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
ultimate tragedy that we thank God for is the tragedy of a young man
killed by an occupying power some 2,000 years ago. For it is in that
life & tragic death, we believe that the redemption of the world
is made possible...this life-giving tragedy</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> gives us perspective
for life's challenges.</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Because
of Jesus' life, death, resurrection & ascension & the gift
God gives us of the Holy Spirit to guide us, we can move forward
despite how tough life can be & how long our waiting feels.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like
the Corinthians Paul encourages as he works to build up their unity</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">,
we have God's grace & are enriched in so may ways, with so many
gifts & skills to strengthen us on our journey, our life &
work together as the Body of Christ that is St. Francis Parish.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
we've talked about in our Confirmation preparation sessions, a
balanced life includes:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“prayer, work, study & </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>play</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">”.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc"><sup>5</sup></a></span></sup></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>It's
good to play. It's healthy to play.</b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Life
in community is a gift.</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Unwrap
this gift</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>&</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>enjoy
this gift.</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="4402530817346617055"></a>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Harper’s Bible
Commentary</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San
Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers, 1988.</span></span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote-western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hays,
Richard B. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>The Moral Vision of the New
Testament: A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">.
New York: HarperOne. 1996.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Holy Bible with the
Apocrypha</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. New Revised Standard Version. New
York: Oxford University Press. 1989.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Jewish Study Bible:
Jewish Publication Society Tanakh Translation</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">.
New York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Markham, Ian S. & C.K.
Robertson. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Episcopal Questions, Episcopal
Answers: Exploring Christian Faith.</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">
New York: Morehouse Publishing. 2014.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The
Waiting Place”. </span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">https://www.sermons4kids.com/</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Accessed:
29 Nov. 2017.</span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote-western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Westerhoff, John H. with
Sharon Ely Pearson. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>A People Called
Episcopalians: A Brief Introduction to Our Peculiar Way of Life</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">.
New York: Morehouse Publishing. 2014.</span></span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote-western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="sdfootnote-western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">“The
Waiting Place”. </span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.sermons4kids.com</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Accessed: 29 Nov. 2017.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Question inspired by Hays, Richard B. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>The
Moral Vision of the New Testament</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 86.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Markham, Ian S. & C.K. Robertson. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Episcopal
Questions, Episcopal Answers</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 77.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Hays</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 33.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote-western">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Westerhoff, John H. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>A People Called
Episcopalians</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">. 24.</span></div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-68314618192902748012017-11-19T11:19:00.002-08:002017-11-19T11:19:45.910-08:00Hidden Treasure<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC; 19 Nov. 2017, Proper 28</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Year
A RCL: </span></span></span><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Judges
4:1-7, Psalm 123, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>What
time is it?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;">[Wait
for answer.]</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Notice
the element of time in our scriptures today.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus
says after a long time the master of the slaves comes & settles
accounts.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Paul
tells us & the Thessalonians: we don't need anything written
about times & seasons because Jesus will come unexpectedly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
lesson from Judges says the people have been oppressed 20 years.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzqcTms56IUm4szIsgj420TTLBlkVlPDnn-u0GgrFOagmIvEUGuwVybuisjNVTyBihb3tQIGhTRu4xaYLoyD1YHJ4FEMs7CGPvpo4Mn2H15WH7DVfMt9artNgXRozGRueDT_htffpHZGA/s1600/Bible+Women.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="293" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzqcTms56IUm4szIsgj420TTLBlkVlPDnn-u0GgrFOagmIvEUGuwVybuisjNVTyBihb3tQIGhTRu4xaYLoyD1YHJ4FEMs7CGPvpo4Mn2H15WH7DVfMt9artNgXRozGRueDT_htffpHZGA/s200/Bible+Women.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="135" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Deborah
serves as a bright spot in their lives together; a decisive leader,
“a fiery woman” who commissions Barak to lead</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
an attack. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
prophetess is strong in faith & serves as a judge, a warrior, a
top political leader, </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">as
we read in </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><u>Bible
Women: All Their Words & Why They Matter.</u></span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a></span></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
Psalm gives us a sense of time, of people who have had “more than
enough” of negative living, people waiting for God to bring better
times.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">More
important than the amount of time is </span><span style="color: black;"><i><b>how</b></i></span><span style="color: black;">
we use our time. Paul encourages </span><i><b><span style="color: blue;">us
beloved children of light</span></b></i> to keep awake, be sober &
use our special <span style="font-size: 20pt;"><b>“</b></span>equipment<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><b>”</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">– <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">faith, love, & hope of salvation.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
have this “equipment” through Jesus dying for us on the cross,
rising from the dead, ascending to heaven, & the Holy Spirit
coming to be our guide so we can live as God wants us to & build
up each other.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notice
Paul speaks of night & day, of being awake or asleep.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notice
the contrast we hear in Jesus' parable of the talents: 2 of the
slaves invest the money. <b><i><span style="color: blue;">This requires interacting with people.</span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
fearful slave tries to go it alone. He doesn't talk to anybody about
what to do. As the angry master says: you should have invested it
with bankers!</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">This
would have required interaction with people.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">My
friend & colleague in the Diocese of Georgia. The Rev. Canon
Frank Logue, points out: </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“[ONE]</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
talent was a measure of gold worth roughly </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><u><b>15
years’ wages</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
for a day laborer...”</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So we
can understand why the master reacts as he does & entrusts the 2
good guys with more responsibility!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 22pt;"><b>They've
earned job security.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 22pt;"><b>These
men have courage.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Their
courage reminds me of 21</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
century problem solvers I </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqKo8QU-g3zRsufauipNsdIXH3U5Q6tHWvNb2vemB17_lh8JwOGMrLhhuV1P6vLArUaKgYqjl5EjfMGNUOYGX88rROFb4BHLxNFkoDuH1A-6DL5tJj8Kzvj1ATjeTl780huilkiCT6Dup/s1600/2017_Articles+in+News%2526Observer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="720" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqKo8QU-g3zRsufauipNsdIXH3U5Q6tHWvNb2vemB17_lh8JwOGMrLhhuV1P6vLArUaKgYqjl5EjfMGNUOYGX88rROFb4BHLxNFkoDuH1A-6DL5tJj8Kzvj1ATjeTl780huilkiCT6Dup/s320/2017_Articles+in+News%2526Observer.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">read about in Saturday's </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>News
& Observe</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">r</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scientists at a California </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>children's</i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
hospital have tried the “first-ever gene editing [inside] the body”
of a 44-year-old patient “with a rare genetic disorder”.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc"><sup>5</sup></a></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">[Yes,
the 44-year-old is being treated at a children's hospital.]</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
possibilities from this internal gene correction opens “a whole new
field of medicine...” with potential for treating many diseases.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a></span></sup></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What
if the doctors' had buried this idea in a</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>file cabinet instead of
investing time, energy & money in it?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">R</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">esearch
from UNC-Chapel Hill & Duke University published last week is a
“Study [that] supports genetic factor for obesity,” </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">another
article says.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc">7</a> </sup></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">These
new findings point to genetic mutations, or defects, as a possible
factor in human obesity, & notes more study is needed.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8sym" name="sdfootnote8anc"><sup>8</sup></a></span></sup></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What
if biochemists & researchers bury their notes in a computer file
& discontinue investing</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>time, energy & money in </b></span></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">this</span></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">research, which requires a team?</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Teamwork
is essential in many fields. Think of football. . . .</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Neither
of the 2 North Carolina private high schools 30 miles apart had
enough players for football teams this year – even for 8-man
football they played in the past.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote9sym" name="sdfootnote9anc"><sup>9</sup></a></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hobgood
Academy & Northeast Academy coaches, players & administrators
worked together, invested time, literal talents & money to become
<b><i><span style="color: blue;">one team</span></i></b> that worked well from the start,</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote10sym" name="sdfootnote10anc"><sup>10</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
so well they are state champs this year, as you can read in the
article titled, </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>“Neither
school had enough players this year for a team – together, they're
state champs.”</b></i></span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote11sym" name="sdfootnote11anc"><sup>11</sup></a></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 22pt;"><b>Notice:
in these 3 examples</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 22pt;"><b>people
interact & work together.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Think
of teamwork we see in our Altar Guild & Flower Guild: We have
bread bakers, arrangers of flowers & special displays, teams that
set the Altar & clean up, wash & iron linens.</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 22pt;"><b>Our
teams work well together for us to have beautiful worship.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Support
like what we have here as the Body of Christ can keep us going when
we fear we don't know what to do with our resources, when we lack
resources, when we want to give up like the scared slave.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When
we are tempted to hold back what God has entrusted to us/you, think
about people in the Bible. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Whatever
may have you in a holding pattern of fear like the slave with one
talent, think:</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: 22pt;">What
if Deborah in our 1</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: 22pt;">
lesson hadn't used her talents?</span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">As
Frank Logue reminds us</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote12sym" name="sdfootnote12anc"><sup>12</sup></a></span></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">:</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">“</span></b></i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Living
the Gospel always</span></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">involves risk. . .</span></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">God
has shown you [us] great love</span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">&
asks only that you [we] share [this]</span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">love with others.</span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">When
you [we] take the risk to love,</span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">it is the grace of God</span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">working
through you</span></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">[through
us]</span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">that
does the heavy lifting. . .”</span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">God does the heavy lifting.</span></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="4402530817346617055"></a>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-indent: -0.5in;">Cha,
Ariana Eunjung. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-indent: -0.5in;"><u>News
& Observer</u></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-indent: -0.5in;">.
“Scientists at Calif. Hospital try first-ever gene editing in the
body.” From the Washington Post.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Don't
Bury Your Talents”. </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">https://www.sermons4kids.com/</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
Accessed: 18 Nov. 2017.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Freeman,
Lindsay Hardin. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Bible
Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter</u></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
Forward Movement. USA: 2016.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Harper’s Bible
Commentary</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San
Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers, 1988.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Holy Bible with the
Apocrypha</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. New Revised Standard Version. New
York: Oxford University Press. 1989.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Jewish Study Bible:
Jewish Publication Society Tanakh Translation</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">.
New York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Logue,
The Rev. Canon Frank. “</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Love
Is Risky Business, Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost – Nov. 19,
2017.” Accessed: 18 Nov. 2017.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/11/12/love-is-risky-business-twenty-fourth-sunday-after-pentecost-november-19-2017/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/11/12/love-is-risky-business-twenty-fourth-sunday-after-pentecost-november-19-2017/</span></span></a></u></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Murawski,
John. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>News
& Observer</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">.
“Study supports genetic factor for obesity”.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pope,
Jonas IV. “Neither school had enough players for a team –
together, they're state champs. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>News
& Observer</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Harper’s Bible Commentary</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 250.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Freeman, Lindsay Hardin. </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Bible
Women: All Their Words & Why They Matter</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P.118-119.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Logue, </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
Rev. Canon Frank. “</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Love
Is Risky Business, Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost – Nov. 19,
2017.” Accessed: 18 Nov. 2017.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/11/12/love-is-risky-business-twenty-fourth-sunday-after-pentecost-november-19-2017/"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/11/12/love-is-risky-business-twenty-fourth-sunday-after-pentecost-november-19-2017/</span></span></a></u></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>News
& Observer</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
Pp. 6A., 1 A. & 1B,4B.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cha,
Ariana Eunjung. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>News
& Observer</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
“Scientists at Calif. Hospital try first-ever gene editing in the
body.” P. 6A</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Murawski, John. “Study supports genetic factor for obesity”.
Pp. 1A, 7A.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote8">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8anc" name="sdfootnote8sym">8</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. P. 1A.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote9">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote9anc" name="sdfootnote9sym">9</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Pope, Jonas IV. “Neither school had enough players for a
team – together, they'</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">re
state champs.</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Pp. 1B, 4B.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote10">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote10anc" name="sdfootnote10sym">10</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. P. 4B.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote11">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote11anc" name="sdfootnote11sym">11</a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Pope, Jonas IV. “Neither school had enough players for a
team – together, they're state champs. Pp. 1B, 4B.</span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote12">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote12anc" name="sdfootnote12sym">12</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Logue.</span></div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-85633245043159179572017-11-13T12:21:00.001-08:002017-11-13T12:22:39.982-08:00Be Prepared / Estemos Preparados<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: red;">Homily</span>/</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Sermón</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"> by/por The Rev./</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">La Revda.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Marcía McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;">12
Nov. 2017, Proper/Propio 27</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Morning
Homily, </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, Annual Parish Meeting</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Sermón de la tarde, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">La
Parochia Episcopal de San Francisco, Goldsboro, NC</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Year/Año
A RCL: Joshua/Josu</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif;">é
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif;">24:1-3a,
14-25</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">; Psalm/Salmo 78:1-7;</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">1
Thessalonians/ 1 Tesalonicenses 4:13-18; Matthew/San Mateo 25:1-13</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>In
our Gospel Jesus tells us: Be prepared.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Jesús
nos dice hoy de la importancia</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>de </b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">estar preparados.</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">As
people who experience hurricanes, we know the wisdom of being
prepared. We stock up on supplies such as water, flashlights,
batteries & 1</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">st</sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"> aid kits</span></span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><sup>1</sup></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">This
is a form of stewardship of our resources, like the care we give
maintaining homes, clothes, vehicles & our bodies. </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: red;">We
practice this kind of stewardship in many ways in this Body of
Christ.</span></b><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">[English continues below.]</span></b></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Estudiantes
saben bien la importancia</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">de </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">estar preparados para</span></span></b></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">sus clases y </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">para
los examenes.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>¿Quienes son estudiantes aquí?</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">[Espero
ver las manos levantados.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>¿Porque no levantan sus
manos, Uds. adultos?</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>¿Han quedado aprendiendo
cosas nuevas en</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">la vida </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">y en las Santas Escrituras?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Toda la vida seremos
estudiantes de la vida.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>¿Saben
que los maestros y las maestras también</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>deben que estar preparados
para sus clases?</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>¡Es
verdad!</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Lo
sé porque mis padres eran profesores y</span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>yo
enseñé en el colegio secundario</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>como
se dice <i>high school</i>.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Como
estudiates, profesores, y las
muchachas previsoras/muchachas novias de quien</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Jesús
nos habla hoy, nosotros sabemos</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>la
sabiduria de estar preparados</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>en
nuestras casas porque, de vez en cuando,</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>hay huracánes
y otros peligros y</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>desastres
naturales donde vivimos.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Para
estar listos tenemos que tener</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>varias cosas, </b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> por ejemplo: botellas de
agua,</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>primeros auxilios y linternas.<sup><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc">2</a></sup></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Estar
preparado es una forma</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b> de </b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">mayordormía
sobre</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">nuestros recursos.</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hacemos
un forma de mayordormía</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">en mantener </b><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">donde nos quedamos,</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">nuestros
vestidos, </b><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">vehículos,</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">equipos, y nuestra salud.</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Practicamos
la mayordormía en</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>varias maneras </b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">en
esta</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> comunidad de fe.</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Sometimes
the unexpected challenges us like our parish water heater leak &
stoves not working just before Christmas in the Forest, & this
morning discovering the shattered glass door.</span></b></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>De
vez en cuando algo ocurre que es</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>imprevisto,
inesperado.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Recuerdo
el terremoto en</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>la
Ciudad de México cuando fui niña.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Estaba
sin mi familia.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>I
remember the challenge as a child in Mexico City being unexpectedly
separated from my family during an earthquake.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Estaba
durmiendo en el segundo piso y</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b> la familia estuvieron en el piso bajo
con amigos.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>I
was upstairs asleep. My older brother & our parents were visiting
friends downstairs when the shaking house woke me.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Me
levanté con el movimiento de la casa y lloré.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>My
father's voice guided me, telling me to stay in place in the doorway.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">Papá
grité para guiarme:</b></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><<<i>¡Quédate
entre la puerta!</i>>></b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>The
shaking stopped. </b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">El
movimiento paró.</b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>He
tested the stairs, came up & carried me downstairs.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Papá
examinó la seguridad de</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">la escalera, </b><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">vino
y llevarme abajo</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">para </b><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">estar
con la familia.</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>God
our Father guides us in many ways – especially when we face
challenges.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>El
Padre Nuestro nos guía y llevarnos</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>en muchas maneras y con amor
profundo.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>We may
clearly “hear” the Holy Spirit directly, through each other,
through something we read.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Quizás
oimos por El Espíritu
Santo</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>o
por un amigo/una amiga,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>o
nosotros, o algo que leemos.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Like
Joshua, we promise to serve the Lord. We gather here regularly to
renew our covenant, to seek forgiveness when we fail, to be in
community to gain strength & support to keep our promises to God.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Aunque
hay veces cuando no</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>podemos estar completamente</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>preparados, </b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">día por
día</b></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">podemos poner nuestra fe</span></b></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>y confianaza en Dios, Nuestro Padre</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>quien nos ama más, mucho más
que</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">cualquier
papá humano puede</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></b></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Nuestro
Padre del Cielo nos ama </b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">más</b></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">que </b><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">podemos
pensar y comprender.</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>. . .
.Warning: Satan lies & wants us to be afraid like unprepared
bridesmaids, stumbling in the dark searching for oil.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>God
gives us all we need to be good stewards of the gifts we have to make
a positive difference where we are.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Como
leemos en Salmo 70:</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>“¡Grande es el Señor!”</i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>En
cuanto a mí, estoy afligido</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>y en necesidad;</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>apresúrate
y ven a mí, oh Dios.</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>Mi
ayuda y mi libertador eres tú...</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Like
the wise bridesmaids, we can be ready for action without having all
the details of when we are to act. </b></span></span><b style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">Our
positive habits of responsible living will carry us through tough
times.</b></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Estamos
aquí
semana tras semana</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>para renovar y hacerse más
fuerte</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b> nuestra fe, </b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>nuestra </b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Pacto
Bautismal,</b></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>para
pedir piedad y perdón de</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>nuestros pecados,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>para
estar en comunión,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>para
obtener lo que necesitamos</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>para
mantener nuestros promesas a Dios.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Con
la gracia del Espíritu
Santo</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>no
sentimos miedo, </b></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>ni
estaremos</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>sin preparación como </b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>las muchachas </b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>despreocupadas</b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">/novias.</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
are not alone in this work. God gives us each other. Jesus is here
through the power of the Holy Spirit.</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
one preacher says:</span></span></span></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Jesus
is here now & always</span></span></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">& in “all ways”.</span></span><sup><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a></span></span></span></sup></b></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>El
Señor, Nuestro Padre nos da todo lo que necesitamos para ser como
las muchachas previsoras/muchachas novias,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>para
ser buenos y responsables </b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">mayordomos</b></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">de </b><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">los
dones del Señor, estos regalos</b></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">que tenemos </b><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">para
hacer una diferencia positiva</b></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>donde
estamos en nuestras vidas,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>y para
nuestros hermos y hermanas</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>en la
familia humana.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Como
las muchachas previsoras/novias,</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>podemos
estar listos para acción sin</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b> tener todas las detalles de cuando</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>tendremos que hacer algo.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Nuestros
hábitos positivos de vivir en</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>manera responsable va a ayudarnos</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>en </b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">situaciones dificiles –</b></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">las huracanes
y los terremotos
de la vida humana.</span></b></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>No
estaremos solo.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Nuestro Padre nos da nuestros</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>seres para apoyarnos
los unos a otros.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jesús
está aquí por el poder</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>del Espíritu
Santo.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Como
dice un pastor:</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><b>Jes</b></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">ú</b><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">s
está aqui ahora y siempre,</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">y en muchas maneras.</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc"><sup>5</sup></a></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="border: none; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="border: none; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>Por
nuestra condición humana, podemos llevar en una mano el tesoro que
Dios nos brinda</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="border: none; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>y en la otra una situación de pecado...</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="border: none; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Sabemos
que en este peregrinaje no estamos solos y nunca lo estaremos a pesar
de nuestras transgresiones porque a quien Dios toma de la mano nada
ni nadie
lo podrá separar de su corazón.</span></i><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a></b></span></div>
<blockquote style="border: none; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesús
nos ilumina el camino,</span></b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote style="border: none; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">no obstante,</span></b></span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">está de nuetra parte escoger</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">caminar con Él</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></b><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><sup>7</sup></a></div>
<blockquote style="border: none; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></blockquote>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">* Idea from Sermons4kids, <span style="font-size: small;">“Expect
the Unexpected”</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="color: purple;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="4402530817346617055"></a>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Bibliography/</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Bibliograf</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">ía</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
“<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Expect
the Unexpected”. </span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">https://www.sermons4kids.com/</span></span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Accessed:
7 Nov. 2017.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Kubice</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">k,
The Rev. Ki</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">rk
Alan. “Awakening to God's Presence” Accessed: 7 Nov. 2017.
</span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/10/17/awakening-to-gods-presence-twenty-third-sunday-after-pentecost-november-12-2017/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/10/17/awakening-to-gods-presence-twenty-third-sunday-after-pentecost-november-12-2017/</span></a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Sabogal,
El Rvdo. Diego. “Vigésimo tercer domingo después de Pentecostés
– Año A”.
</span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw-es/2017/11/08/vigesimo-tercer-domingo-despues-de-pentecostes-ano-a/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw-es/2017/11/08/vigesimo-tercer-domingo-despues-de-pentecostes-ano-a/</span></span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
Accessed: 7 Nov. 2017.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a>
Idea from/de Sermons4kids. “Expect
the Unexpected”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
Idea de </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/mensajes_para_ninos.htm">https://www.sermons4kids.com/mensajes_para_ninos.htm</a>.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a>
Idea de <span style="color: black;">Sabogal,
El Rvdo. Diego. “Vigésimo tercer domingo después de Pentecostés
– Año A”.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Kubicek, The Rev. Kirk Alan. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Awakening
to God's Presence” Accessed: 7 Nov. 2017.
</span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/10/17/awakening-to-gods-presence-twenty-third-sunday-after-pentecost-november-12-2017/">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/10/17/awakening-to-gods-presence-twenty-third-sunday-after-pentecost-november-12-2017/</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> Ibid..</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> Ibid. </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Sabogal.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-40618253949443800962017-11-06T06:53:00.002-08:002017-11-06T06:53:51.086-08:00Celebrate Joy & Wonder<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC; All Saints Sunday, 5 Nov.
2017</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Year
A RCL: </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm
34:1-10, 22; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jesus
says:</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Blessed are those who mourn,</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>for
they will be comforted.”</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
we celebrate All Saints Sunday, we may mourn special people in our
lives who have died. A tug of sadness & sense of loss can arise
unexpectedly, even years after the death.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yet
we can celebrate with joy & wonder God's great love for us, which
guides us by the gift of the Holy Spirit, & we get a taste of at
this Holy Table, & we see in many ways, including as Jesus dies
for us on the cross.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>the
meek</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">,
we are </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>not</b></u></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
doormats who let ourselves be abused. We are like our Lord Jesus, who
shows us how to be gentle & humble &</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>strong</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
enough to follow God’s law of love. We soften “what is rigid
inside” which would resist God’s will, </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">as
Neil Douglas-Klotz says in </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><u>Prayers
of the Cosmos</u></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;">.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hungering
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">&
thirsting for righteousness</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">,
we long for the harmony God intends for all God’s creation.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We resist the unnatural state of the world – its injustices...</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus’
words at the end of the Beatitudes </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>give</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
us a reality check of our life as children of God: Being among the
blessed family who know Jesus as Lord & Savior does </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>not</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
give us a life of ease.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">can
expect </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">difficulty
& discouragement,</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc"><sup><span style="font-size: small;">4</span></sup></a>
</span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">which
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">can
remind</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
us we </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>are</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
in process, on a journey with God & our family of brothers &
sisters in Christ.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
we hear in our lesson from 1</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> John: “Beloved, we </span><i style="font-size: x-large;"><b>are</b></i><span style="font-size: large;">
God's children now. What we </span><i style="font-size: x-large;"><b>will
be</b></i><span style="font-size: large;"> has not yet been revealed.” When it</span>
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><b>is</b></i><span style="font-size: large;">
revealed, we </span><i style="font-size: x-large;"><b>will see</b></i><span style="font-size: large;">
with joy & wonder.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like
John's words & Jesus' words, our lesson from Revelation offers us
hope & comfort: The Lamb will be our shepherd & will guide us
to the water of life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even
in the face of loss & mourning, today we celebrate with joy &
wonder God’s family in which we <i><b>are</b></i>
children </span>[whatever our age]<span style="font-size: large;">. Our family extends throughout the world, throughout time &
includes saints on earth & saints in heaven.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
remember those who have gone before us: saints we have known &
saints we haven't known, including capital letter Saints, such as our
patron Francis.</span> [We can learn
about them in many books.]</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Among
the newest saints in heaven I didn't know is the nephew of a friend &
former colleague. This young, hard-working, diligent man, </span>[the
age of my son]<span style="font-size: large;">, was a loving husband & father of 2 young
children. He was murdered Nov. 1</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;"> by a shotgun blast in
an incomprehensible road rage incident when the young shooter ran </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: large;">a
stop sign & </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: large;"><u>slightly</u></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: large;">
damaged the deceased man’s car.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As my
friend says: </span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-align: right;">we know God is with us always, yet we grieve.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Beloved
Brothers & Sisters, the pain of loss we feel is real. </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Notice our Gospel says: </span><span style="color: #000099; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>mourners
will be comforted</b></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One
author notes: in Jesus' day the death of a loved one could bring
serious life challenges to a widow or an orphan; to lose a
bread-winner son “could easily mean starving & becoming
homeless...”</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc"><sup>5</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">The
Beatitudes remind us </span><b><i><span style="color: blue;">God is in charge</span></i></b><span style="color: #1d2129;"> despite life's challenges, &
God gives us resources, within ourselves, within the human family &
within all God's creation.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
can learn how </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>we</i></b></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
can be blessings when life gets tough for our brothers & sisters
AND for ourselves.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>One
author says we can learn</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>from geese, which</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>“best
represent the communion of saints.”</b></span></span></span><sup><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>6</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">The
author says: </span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">Geese </span></b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">depend on each other & work together. Although the lead goose
works the most, when it's tired it goes to the back & another
goose leads.</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“</span></b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>To
be able to rely on others is a deep trust that does not come easily.</b></span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc"><sup><span style="font-size: small;">7</span></sup></a> </b></span></sup></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“</span></b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>The
geese fly in the wake of one another's wings. They literally get a
lift from [each other]...”</b></span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8sym" name="sdfootnote8anc"><sup>8</sup></a></span></sup></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>[I have seen you lift each other through the hard work of preparation & presentation of our annual 2-day</b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> fund-raiser, Christmas in the Forest</b><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif;">, which ended yesterday.]</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Notice
how <i>we</i> fly together</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>in this Body of Christ.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.19in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brussat, Frederic and Mary
Ann. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Spiritual Literacy: Reading the Sacred in
Everyday Life</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">.
New York: A Touchstone Book. Simon & Schuster. 1998.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Douglas-Klotz, Neil. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Prayers
of the Cosmos: Reflections on the Original Meaning of Jesus’s
Words</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. New York: HarperOne. 1990.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Harper’s Bible
Commentary</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San
Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers, 1988.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Holy Bible with the
Apocrypha</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. New Revised Standard Version. New
York: Oxford University Press. 1989.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Jewish Study Bible:
Jewish Publication Society Tanakh Translation</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">.
New York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>New American Bible for
Catholics</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. South Bend, IN: Greenlawn Press.
1970.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>New Oxford Annotated
Bible with the Apocrypha</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. Eds.: Herbert G.
May, Bruce M. Metzger. New York: Oxford University Press,
Incorporated, 1977.</span></span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ruden,
Sarah. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>The
Face of Water: A Translatior on Beauty & Meaning in the Bible</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">,
New York: Pantheon Books. 2017.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Douglas-Klotz, Neil. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Prayers of the Cosmos</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
Pp. 53-54.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Pp. 56-57.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. P. 74.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ruden, Sarah. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>The Face of Water.</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">
P. 76.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Brussat, Frederic & Mary Ann. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Spiritual
Literacy</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 174 quoting Gunilla Norris' “Journeying in Place”.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote8">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8anc" name="sdfootnote8sym">8</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-53767522912934531132017-10-22T14:28:00.001-07:002017-10-22T14:28:25.323-07:00We Embrace More than Physical Reality<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, 22 Oct. 2017, Proper </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">24</span></span></div>
<h3 align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Year
A RCL: Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew
22:15-22</span></span></span></h3>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notice how people in our
scriptures today talk about details. Leaders challenge Jesus for
details. Paul speaks of specifics in the experiences of the
Thessalonians. Moses wants a specific assurance from God.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We humans usually feel more
comfortable making decisions & moving forward when we know
details & understand facts.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notice how Matthew, the
former tax man, writes about paying taxes – his area of expertise.
Notice Moses wants specifics from God so he can feel confident moving
forward & boldly reminds God the people are God's people; he's
been the intermediary.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><u>The Jewish Study Bible</u></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
notes</span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">,
Moses “seeks total familiarity with God” & is ready to have
the people have access to God instead of just through Moses.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notice specifics we read in
Exodus: God agrees Moses can see his glory, but not God's face. God
tells Moses “I will cover you with my hand”, & then Moses can
see God's back.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We know what hands &
backs look like. We can understand something of what Moses expects.
Unlike when our scriptures challenge our understanding, we understand
physical realities.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we were to share an Oct
11 news article</span><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">1</span></sup></a><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">with Moses, Paul & the Thessalonians, & the
disciples with Jesus, how well do you think they would understand the
details?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-indent: 0.25in;">[Put
aside difference between English & the language of their eras.]</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The article speaks of a
hand, the arm moving, the hand at the opposite end of the arm. How
well will they understand this “body language”? </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">[Yes,
pretty well.]</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What if we share the part in
the article about a walk & working smoothly? </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">[Yes.
People then know about walking & work going smoothly,]</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What about a lube job,
grease gun & caulking gun?</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
[Ah, Difficult.]</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What if we read the part
about a new hand being attached to the robot's arm to grab cargo
arriving for astronauts orbiting in the International Space Station?</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmq9ors45PaTa-cHtCdcCOFvZlXtwvghC36SBjsBAkFJv5u369XubcgtRyOD8Zw-88SfwsLir1_p7fwHfNjmH5jtuvtjHPc26s6d1vYhUp_ZKPmJZ5hCnJ8Jp2-2wAIc0ZGYXnytEmWFi/s1600/2017Spacewalkers+article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="432" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmq9ors45PaTa-cHtCdcCOFvZlXtwvghC36SBjsBAkFJv5u369XubcgtRyOD8Zw-88SfwsLir1_p7fwHfNjmH5jtuvtjHPc26s6d1vYhUp_ZKPmJZ5hCnJ8Jp2-2wAIc0ZGYXnytEmWFi/s200/2017Spacewalkers+article.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b>We</b></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">
understand space age realities.</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>How
much do we grasp of</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>God's
expansive Love?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like people with Jesus, Paul
& Moses, we can grasp just so much. There are wonders in God's
world & God's Love beyond our grasp. Through God's grace we can
embrace what we cannot understand & live by faith, trusting God's
Love.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We see God's Love active
among us. We see God as we cook up Love in our kitchen, tend our
grounds, minister to all sorts & conditions of people here, at
the Soup Kitchen & beyond.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just as paying taxes isn't
the real issue in our Gospel, the issue in our lives is how much we
live in God's Love.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Bible tells us: God
creates us in God's image. The Holy Trinity is a Holy Unity. We are
made in the image of Holy Unity.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Through God's grace we
encounter this Mystery & declare our faith in this Mystery. Week
by week we proclaim our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed. We
walk by faith, not by sight.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.35in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We give to God the things
that are God's: we give ourselves.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We may at times feel robotic
reciting what we believe. We may feel “programmed” to act
or respond as we do. Despite how we feel, you/we can't hide our
identity as a child/as children of God, a reflection of perfect Love.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><i>You</i>
<i>are</i> a reflection of God's Love.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>Rejoice!</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>Embrace
this truth!</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>Live
& grow into it.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>YOU
belong to God!</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>YOU
shine forth God's Love which</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><i><u>is</u></i>
in you.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dios
Habla Hoy: La Biblia</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
2</span></span></span></span></strong><strong><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">da</span></span></span></span></sup></strong><strong><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></sup></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ed.
Nueva York: Sociedad Bíblica Americana. 1983.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">.
General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San Francisco: Harper & Row
Publishers, 1988.</span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Dictionary</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
Gen. Ed: Paul J. Achtemeier. San Francisco: Harper & Row
Publishers. 1985.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Holy
Bible with the Apocrypha</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press.
1989.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible: Jewish Publication Society Tanakh Translation</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
New York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em>“<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;">Kids
Pay Taxes Too!” </span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.sermons4kids.com//"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">http://www.sermons4kids.com//</span></span></span></a></u></span><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Accessed: 19 Oct. 2017.</span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New Complete Works of Josephus. Revised and Expanded Edition</u></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Translator: William Whiston. Commentator: Paul L. Maier. Grand
Rapids: Kregel Publications. 1999.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">"Spacewalkers grease robot arm's new hand". The Associated Press. </span></span></span><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>Goldsboro News-Argus</u>. 11 Oct. 2015. P. 5</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Jewish Study Bible</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">. 188.</span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">"Spacewalkers grease robot arm's new hand". The Associated Press. </span></span></span><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u>Goldsboro News-Argus</u>. 11 Oct. 2015. P. 5</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-50507217081047624842017-10-16T07:01:00.000-07:002017-10-16T07:01:06.977-07:00How Do We Respond to God's Invitation?<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, 15 Oct. 2017, Proper </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">23</span></span></div>
<h3 align="CENTER" class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Year A RCL: Exodus 32:1-14;
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14</span></span></h3>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">“Many are called, but few are chosen.”</span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>What
a challenge we hear in our Gospel!</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Our
Gospel's challenge reminds me of the confrontation in our 1</span><span style="color: black;"><sup>st</sup></span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">
lesson. </span><span style="color: black;">[Did
you notice how God says to Moses “YOUR people” & Moses says
to God “YOUR people”?] </span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">You'd
think by now the people with Moses would understand God is with them
& will take care of them. But we humans worry, focus on what we
lack, give into fear & </span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>make
a mess</b></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If I
were to ask you to stop by our house & check on our Mercedes &
Jaguar </span>[if we had them]<span style="font-size: large;"> while we're out of town, where would you expect to find them? </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;">[Both congregations' responses: The garage!]</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Former
neighbors asked us to stop by their new house to check on their
Mercedes & Jaguar. We hadn't noticed fancy cars when they lived
in the condo above us. So I ask about a key to the garage. The wife
says:</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Use the front door key. They'll be in the living room.”</span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65n6tL5kiiJDZEPonnwunTT9PhOGZCHb01RN_2Wl40Xb9otpTuNAl4e_fdPy_ijGvqZA9ef7wsuI4ky_3rHnlvW7I8ovvsxgkPPTkoCWaQDU3cY04blC7CskFY5mvYwVwk1WXD9Ep_Xo9/s1600/2017_cats+in+cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="144" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65n6tL5kiiJDZEPonnwunTT9PhOGZCHb01RN_2Wl40Xb9otpTuNAl4e_fdPy_ijGvqZA9ef7wsuI4ky_3rHnlvW7I8ovvsxgkPPTkoCWaQDU3cY04blC7CskFY5mvYwVwk1WXD9Ep_Xo9/s200/2017_cats+in+cabinet.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's been years since the<br />Mercedes & Jaguar<br />encounter, so our cats<br />will substitute. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My
mind races....Cars? Living room? </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">She
says check their water... </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Huh? </i></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">...&
food. </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Huh??</i></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mercedes
& Jaguar are their cats!</b></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">How
had we lived so near & not known this?</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>What
are the Mercedes & Jaguar Jesus wants us to check on in our
Gospel so <i>they</i>
can feed & water us?</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
wonder if our Gospel reflects how people with Moses so quickly get
out of touch with the hope & miracles they have experienced.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
excuses we hear in Jesus' wedding parable may seem believable. Yet,
in Jesus' time people were invited to a wedding not knowing the date,
so these<span style="color: black;">
invitees don't take seriously God's invitation to a joyful
relationship.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus
makes it clear: more than our work, our life in relationship with God
our King is important. The invitees miss living the fuller life we know
in Jesus, the Son, whose bride, the Church, <span style="color: #0000cc;"><i><b>is
us</b></i></span>!</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notice
what Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians: “<b><i><span style="color: blue;">beloved</span></i></b>,
whatever is honorable,...just,...pure,... pleasing,
...commendable,...any excellence,...anything worthy of praise, think
about these things” & do the positive things you have learned,
received, heard, seen.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>This
is how to have the God of peace with us. This is how to have what the
people with Moses fear they don't have.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
one of my seminary professors</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></span></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
says in her sermon about our lesson from Exodus: </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“...that
thing we have made from Egypt’s gold...may symbolize strength &
power...But as close as we draw to it, as much as we celebrate it &
place it at the center of our lives, it did not lead us to freedom &
will not lead us to our promised inheritance. It will tether us to
slavery, to a worldview in which people are expendable,
interchangeable commodities. It will moor us in the impatience of our
ignorance & fear....”</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Trusting
in Jesus, we can overcome ignorance & fear & have courage to
do what he t</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">ells us
to:</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0000cc;"><b>Invite
others to share the fuller life he offers.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0000cc;"><b>God
sends an open invitation to everyone.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God's
open door</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
policy lets everyone come celebrate with God & God's Son.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">As
Bible commentator William Barclay says: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">God
invites us to join the celebration of joy</span></span><sup style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">
& abundant life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>This is reason for rejoicing.</i></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like
some invitees, we can get distracted & forget to rejoice. May we
have grace to remember “God's gracious invitation needs to be met
by our committed response.”</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><sup><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc">5</a> </sup></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “[We] can be so busy making a living...[we fail] to make a life;
[we] can be so busy [organizing] life...[we forget to live] life...”</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What's
important in Jesus' parable is not how we will be punished but “what
we will miss.”</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc"><sup><span style="font-size: small;">7</span></sup></a> </span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“This
parable has nothing to do with the </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>clothes</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">..[&]
everything to do with the </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>spirit</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
in which we [live & worship God].”</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8sym" name="sdfootnote8anc"><sup>8</sup></a></span></sup></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0000cc;"><b>God</b></span><span style="color: #0000cc;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
loves us.</span></b></span><span style="color: #0000cc;"><b> God loves you.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0000cc;"><b>No exceptions.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>God's
love never goes away.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>It is always with us.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>We get a taste of it at
this Holy Table.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0000cc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>By
Jesus' dying for us, we receive a wedding robe so that we can come to
this banquet, robed in the Light of Christ's Love.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Barclay,
William. </span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Gospel of Matthew: Vol. 2 </span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Revised Ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press. 1975.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Brueggemann,
Walter. </span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Prophetic Imagination</span></u></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
2</span></span></span></span></strong><strong><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">nd</span></span></span></span></sup></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press. 2001.</span></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San Francisco: Harper & Row
Publishers, 1988.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Holy
Bible with the Apocrypha</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press.
1989.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Hughes,
Rover Davis III. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Beloved
Dust: Tides of the Spirit in the Christian Life</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
New York: The Continuum International Publishing Group. 2008.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible: Jewish Publication Society Tanakh Translation</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">New York: Oxford
University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">McKenzie,
Alyce M. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Interpretation
Bible Studies: Matthew</u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
Louisville: Geneva Press. 1998.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Ortberg,
John. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>If
You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan. 2001.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Portier-Young,
Anathea.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><b>
</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">“Commentary
on Exodus 32:1-14.” Accessed: 17 Oct. 2017.
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3442"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3442</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">
Note: Dr. Poitier-Young, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Associate
Professor of Old Testament at </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Duke
Divinity School, Durham, NC., taught the class on Old Testament
Prophets, which I took at The School of Theology, The University of
the South, Sewanee, TN.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Troeger,
Thomas H. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Ten
Strategies for Preaching in a Multi Media Culture</u></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
Nashville: Abingdon Press. 1996.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">Dr.
Anathea Poitier-Young, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Duke
Divinity School in Durham, taught class on Old Testament Prophets I
took at The School of Theology, The University of the South,
Sewanee, TN. </span></span></span></span><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">1st
lesson. Commentary at
<a href="http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3442">http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3442</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></strong></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Barclay,
William. </span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Gospel of Matthew: Vol. 2 </span></u></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span></strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">P. 270.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. </span><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Pp.
267-268.</span></span></span></strong></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
McKenzie, Alyce M. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Interpretation
Bible Studies: Matthew</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">P. 80.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Barclay. P. 268.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote8">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8anc" name="sdfootnote8sym">8</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. P. 270.</span></div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-19341280613024548412017-10-09T08:12:00.000-07:002017-10-09T08:12:11.869-07:00What Kind of Stewards Are We?<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, 8 Oct. 2017, Proper </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">22</span></span></div>
<h3 align="CENTER" class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Year A RCL: Exodus 20:1-4,
7-9, 12-20; Psalm 19; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46</span></span></h3>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>The
kingdom of God will be given to people who produce the fruits of the
kingdom.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What
are the fruits of God's kingdom? </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">Love. Joy. Peace. Justice. Mercy.
Unity. Wholeness.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">Notice these fruits in the 10 commandments </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">in
our reading from Exodus</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">: One God: <b>unity</b>; sabbath rest: <b>peace</b>;
honor parents: <b>love</b>; no murder, adultery, stealing, lying:
<b>justice & mercy</b>; no coveting: <b>wholeness & joy.</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What
do you notice about punishment?</b> [People at both worship services
search the text & discover...] </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">There
is NO mention of punishment!</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"> [….except re God not acquitting us for
misusing God's name]</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
</span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">10 statements</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">, as they are also called,</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">as the term
Decalogue indicates</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">&
as the </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
notes,</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>are about
right relationships.</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When
we focus on relationship with God, other relationships can be
positive. Our unity & wholeness reflect the Unity of God the
Holy Trinity.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In our Gospel, we see people fail in
relationship. Jesus shows us the essence of God's kingdom is deeper
than just following rules.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Living the statements in all aspects of
our lives is a form of stewardship, keeping our day-to-day living
centered on God.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus
tells this parable to teach people </span>[who think they have it made &
are comfortable ignoring needs of other people] <span style="font-size: large;">that relationship
with God <b><i>is</i></b> part of all aspects of our lives. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Think how familiar we
are with electric lights. We may not think much about them,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">as
Sermons4Kids points out. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEkxk2w_tY8zb3qvMe6_UaQ0XaYOnLyTuOS_KxF9OE7noqGpxtdPNCCjas4UDxc5Tg1jOwfWum_zEDMLZJt3cdj0kEsFpd1_IshAygSzP9ZYSU3AK23H4Sxty4ZBdCsHms3cLe-rIa2Ti/s1600/2017+Light+bulb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="288" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEkxk2w_tY8zb3qvMe6_UaQ0XaYOnLyTuOS_KxF9OE7noqGpxtdPNCCjas4UDxc5Tg1jOwfWum_zEDMLZJt3cdj0kEsFpd1_IshAygSzP9ZYSU3AK23H4Sxty4ZBdCsHms3cLe-rIa2Ti/s200/2017+Light+bulb.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My
husband & I are more aware now because we have so many where we
live now & have broken some.</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><sup><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc">2</a> </sup></span></span></sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We don't fret. We get another bulb.</span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This wasn't always simple for
people, as this story about Thomas Edison tells us:</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Edison's
inventing the light bulb required a team working 24 hours to create
<b><i>just one bulb</i></b>. When finished, Edison “gave [the bulb] to a young
boy to carry upstairs. Step by careful step he carried it,
afraid...he might drop this priceless piece of work.”</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><sup><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc">4</a></sup></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;"> He reaches the top step </span><b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>& drops it!</i></b><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;"> It takes the team another 24
hours to make a new bulb.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Tired
& ready for a break, Edison is ready to have this new bulb taken
upstairs to test. </span><b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>He gives it to the same boy!</i></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">What forgiveness!</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>What
opportunity to redeem a mistake!</i></b></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><sup><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc">5</a></sup></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>What grace!</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God offers us this kind of forgiveness.</span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Edison
shows the difference between our living in the
dollar-for-work-kingdom & our living in relationship in God's
kingdom, where Love, Joy, Peace, Justice, Mercy, Unity, Wholeness,
are gifts God gives us.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We don't earn them like we earn when we sell
our time & skills in the workplace.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">Offering
a person such grace is a form of stewardship.</span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
relationships are to be honest, open, God-centered in all aspects of
our lives, including our <b>$</b>. God calls us to be a people who produce
fruits of the kingdom.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
financial contributions & stewardship of our assets are essential
to producing fruit.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like the young boy facing a challenge, we are </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">a
young congregation without a large financial endowment to offset cash
shortfalls. We do see this challenge in our Vestry financial updates.
</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
do practice good stewardship here, caring for our physical &
financial assets.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Living
in wholeness means I have to be like a monk in an article I read</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc"><sup>7</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
& frankly ask for money for this Body of Christ at this time of
our annual giving campaign, which helps us have a sound financial
plan to live by in 2018.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unlike
congregations which have been around a long time & have strong
legacy funds to rely on in a shortfall, we are young & have fewer
years of building up financial resources. In our 53 years, we have
been responsible & wise caring for our assets.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
stewardship requires wisdom, discipline & trust to meet practical
expenses for lights & water & light bulbs, & support of our Diocese through
which we serve Jesus beyond our county lines.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stewardship
helps us deepen our relationship with God.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What price do you put on
your church?</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8sym" name="sdfootnote8anc"><sup>8</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
What value do you put on your relationship here? As the monk asked, I
ask you:</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>“Please pray to God, &</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>between you & God figure
out </b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>what is right for you.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Thank you."</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Coats,
James. “God’s Economy.”
</span></span></span></strong><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.ecfvp.org/vestrypapers/sharing-our-gifts/gods-economy/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.ecfvp.org/vestrypapers/sharing-our-gifts/gods-economy/</span></span></a></u></span><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Accessed: 6 Oct. 2017.</span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Harper’s Bible
Commentary</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">.
General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San Francisco: Harper & Row
Publishers, 1988.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Harper’s
Bible Dictionary</span></u></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
General Ed.: Paul J. Achtemeier. San Francisco: Harper & Row
Publishers, 1971.</span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Holy Bible with the
Apocrypha</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">.
New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press.
1989.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Howard,
Ken. “An Experiment: Year Round Stewardship”. </span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Accessed:
6 Oct. 2017.
</span></span></span></span></strong><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.ecfvp.org/vestrypapers/sharing-our-gifts/an-experiment-year-round-stewardship/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">http://www.ecfvp.org/vestrypapers/sharing-our-gifts/an-experiment-year-round-stewardship/</span></span></span></a></u></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ssje.org/" style="text-decoration-line: underline;">http://www.ssje.org/</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; text-indent: -0.5in;"> Accessed:
6 Oct. 2017.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Jewish Study Bible:
Jewish Publication Society Tanakh Translation.</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">New
York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
“<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Last of All He Sent His
Son”. </span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">https://www.sermons4kids.com/</span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">Accessed:
5 Oct. 2017.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Levenson, Jon D. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Sinai
& Zion: An Entry into the Jewish Bible</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">.
Minneapolis: Winston Press. 1985.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>New
Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha</u></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
Herbert G. May, Bruce M. Metzger, eds. New York: Oxford University
Press, Incorporated, 1977.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">
P. 148.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Idea from </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Last
of All He Sent His Son”. </span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.sermons4kids.com/</span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">Accessed:
5 Oct. 2017.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Note: Influenced by James </span><strong><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Coats
article, “God’s Economy.”
</span></span></span></strong><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.ecfvp.org/vestrypapers/sharing-our-gifts/gods-economy/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.ecfvp.org/vestrypapers/sharing-our-gifts/gods-economy/</span></span></a></u></span><strong><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Accessed: 6 Oct. 2017.</span></span></span></strong></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote8">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8anc" name="sdfootnote8sym">8</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Paraphrase.</span></div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-57593193263499375652017-10-02T09:10:00.000-07:002017-10-02T09:10:04.255-07:00Questions, Questions, Questions!<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, 1 Oct 2017, Proper </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">21</span></span></div>
<h3 align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Year
A RCL: </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Exodus
17:1-7; Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32</span></span></span></h3>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Notice:
Community leaders ask Jesus who has given him authority to do what he
does,</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>& Jesus answers their question with a question.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
lesson in Exodus & in our Gospel ask 5 questions each. Here’s a
question about St. Francis, </span>whose feast day we celebrate today<span style="font-size: large;">: Since
he is considered the most popular & admired saint, </span>as we read in
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><u>Lesser
Feasts & Fasts</u></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><u><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></u></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">,
why do so few follow his example to live simply & identify with
the poor & suffering, which is what Jesus does?</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Again
this week we hear suffering & complaining in Exodus. People are
thirsty. The solution to the problem is in plain sight. They just
don't see it.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">What
do you expect to get when you strike a stone?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Water or a spark? </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">Would
you expect to get wrapping paper?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sFJQrEcgF5AYCF6W7YtS_OQbP7a8faVTnjO-HjLoLK4IWXkugVaRAj784uSgxyog5o4ckcZIjEtb-qBm_FVqBC4ibUy18oHzYDjk96NnqZU-xh5cMIWu3LDkHWAwwmdizLqpwo_UYUwt/s1600/2017_rolls+of+wrapping+papper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="384" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sFJQrEcgF5AYCF6W7YtS_OQbP7a8faVTnjO-HjLoLK4IWXkugVaRAj784uSgxyog5o4ckcZIjEtb-qBm_FVqBC4ibUy18oHzYDjk96NnqZU-xh5cMIWu3LDkHWAwwmdizLqpwo_UYUwt/s200/2017_rolls+of+wrapping+papper.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">Notice
the differences in these rolls of wrapping paper.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"> [Color, feel/rough & smooth]</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">What
do we usually use to make paper? </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">[Wood; recycled paper.]</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">The brown
paper is recycled paper. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">[Pink is papyrus.]</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"> The white paper is
made from </span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">stone</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
use God's natural gifts to make paper. We can use God's natural gift
to get water from a rock.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God
has Moses access nature's gift in the Wilderness of Sin </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">[pronounced
SEEN</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">],</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
which is Egyptian for the fortress which </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>was</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
there & is mentioned in ancient Egyptian texts.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc">3</a></span></sup></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Its
limestone rocks drip water. Hitting the rock's soft surface exposes
the porous inside holding the water.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It
is easier to get water from a rock than to get people to stay
faithful & trust God. This is hard in the Wilderness of <u>Sin</u>
& in the wilderness of <u><b>sin</b></u>, which isn't a place but
a way we live.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">The
wilderness of sin is a stronghold separating us from God & each
other. In this stronghold we are likely to complain & forget the
unmerited grace God continually offers.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
see St. Francis embrace & live fully into this unmerited grace.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">We
hear grace in our Psalm, which declares God is faithful despite our
sin. God's love overcomes our rebelliousness.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">Paul
reminds us & the Philippians: God </span><u style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">is</u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"> at work in us.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God
constantly reaches out to bring us into right relationship with God &
into unity with each other. God's love reaches out to all people.
This confuses the leaders in Jesus' day.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You
& I are blessed to know God gives Jesus the authority. We declare
this each time we say the Nicene Creed & the Apostles Creed.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
can thank God for sending us Jesus to do what he does to make life
whole & beautiful & to help us live in holy unity as God
wants us to live.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
life in holy community reflects the beautiful unity of God the Holy
Trinity. Our unity is important, as we read in Philippians. Our unity
is important since we claim to love Jesus, who dies for us so we may
live. Our unity is important for the lives we touch.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
strengthen our unity at this holy table. God nourishes us with Jesus'
Body & Blood, which come from natural substances in bread &
wine. God gives us these gifts to help us be strong like a rock &
open to God.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here we gain strength, confidence & wisdom to serve
Jesus where we are, to reach beyond ourselves to our brothers &
sisters in the human family.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Think
of our brothers & sisters in our afternoon congregation with whom
we can interact more if we put forth even a small effort.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">Think
how St. Francis interacted simply even with birds & other beings
in nature as we see depicted on the kneeler here at the front.</span> [Thank
you, Altar Guild, for placing it where we can notice it.]</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God’s
grace does come unexpectedly like water from a rock. God fills us
with grace. We just have to make an effort to notice.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
scriptures tell us God wants </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>us</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
to be faithful in our relationship with God.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><sup><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc">5</a> </sup></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
Psalm tells us of the history of God’s redemption of us...</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">
<a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">6</span></sup></a>
</span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and
assures us: God has acted in the past. We can trust God in the
present & with the future.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc"><sup>7</sup></a></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Share
this <u>is</u> Good News!</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jesus died for the love of us.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How do you
respond in God's love? How do you/we respond in situations like Moses
& Jesus face when people challenge them?</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>What
will help you remember to</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>trust God</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b> &</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>ask
God for help?</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Book of Common Prayer</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">.
New York: The Church Hymnal Corp., and The Seabury Press. 1979.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Broadt, Lawrence. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Reading
the Old Testament: An Introduction</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. New York:
Paulist Press. 1984.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Harper’s Bible
Commentary</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San
Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers, 1988.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Harper’s Bible
Dictionary</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. General Ed.: Paul J. Achtemeier.
San Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers, 1971S.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Holy Bible with the
Apocrypha</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. New Revised Standard Version. New
York: Oxford University Press. 1989.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Jewish Study Bible:
Jewish Publication Society Tanakh Translation.</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">New
York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Lesser Feasts &
Fasts</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. New York: Church Publishing, Inc.
2003.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Levenson, Jon D. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Sinai
& Zion: An Entry into the Jewish Bible</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">.
Minneapolis: Winston Press. 1985.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">.
South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>New
Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha</u></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
Herbert G. May, Bruce M. Metzger, eds. New York: Oxford University
Press, Incorporated, 1977.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scott-Craig,
T.S.K. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>A Guide to
Pronouncing Biblical Names</u></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
Harrisburg: Morehouse Publishing. 1982.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="color: black;">“<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes
or No? A Parable of Two Sons” and “Jesus Asks a Riddle”.
Sermons4Kids. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">Accessed:
29 Sept. 2017. </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.sermons4kids.com/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.sermons4kids.com/</span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.08in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Lesser Feasts & Fasts</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 392. We’ll celebrate his official feast day Wednesday at Noon
Eucharist.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Scott-Craig, T.S.K. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>A
Guide to Pronouncing Biblical Names</u></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">
P. 87.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Harper’s Bible Dictionary</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 955.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Jewish Study Bible: Jewish Publication
Society Tanakh Translation</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> P. 142.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Broadt, Lawrence. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Reading the Old Testament:
An Introduction</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">. P. 175.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Levenson, Jon D. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Sinai & Zion: An Entry
into the Jewish Bible</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">. P. 146.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Harper’s Bible Commentary</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. 469.</span></div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-2548751392223076672017-09-25T15:03:00.000-07:002017-09-25T15:03:13.845-07:00What???!!!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10pt;">Homily by The Rev.
Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">St. Francis Episcopal
Church, Goldsboro, NC, Parish Retreat at</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Trinity Center, Pine Knoll Shores, NC<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">24 Sept. 2017, Proper </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">20 Year A RCL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Exodus 1 6:2-15; Psalm 105: 1-6, 37-45;
Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Notice: our scriptures point us to love of God
& peace </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; text-align: center;">versus anxiety & anger.</span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Know this: “If you hug to yourself any
resentment against anybody else, you destroy the bridge by which God would come
to you,”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="font-family: georgia, serif;" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif;">[1]</span></span></span></a><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">as Peter Marshall tells us.</span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">When we get off balance in our relationship with God &
each other, we complain.</span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">Like the people in Exodus, we may focus our complaint
on an individual. When we do like they do, we are complaining against God, who
gives us life & relationships to share.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Think of the difference we see between familiar characters in stories of
Winnie the Pooh, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;">created by </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;">A. A. Milne</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">: We see </span><b><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">upbeat </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-2Zb38uLlP4p51m79ze6zILNS_G1zw3-TW_A2aG7C1bIX58r1VoAMu-swX9j6fm1-dsduL5F-wZK679vbz3RZIpr__eoD-KiI-erXpcZTnVr7hoXl_Sya9locx1kIPCSHsTsEgTlYyDs/s1600/Tigger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1600" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-2Zb38uLlP4p51m79ze6zILNS_G1zw3-TW_A2aG7C1bIX58r1VoAMu-swX9j6fm1-dsduL5F-wZK679vbz3RZIpr__eoD-KiI-erXpcZTnVr7hoXl_Sya9locx1kIPCSHsTsEgTlYyDs/s200/Tigger.jpg" width="200" /></a><b><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Tigger</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">, who leaps into action, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">expecting the best </span><b><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">J</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">, &</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iauuKkMl-RSRXoV8F0lHsZhS9M8qOWrl8siR6CdgN7bfpUKSQY0RhqiF9SgjBbrZM6niNFB265b04k1w4qsMhz8HGFCF-VWvkjOqvpotOsl7ekz1scGUXZY-XpQemdrE_o-cSn9dfK5j/s1600/Eeyore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-size: 18pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1600" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iauuKkMl-RSRXoV8F0lHsZhS9M8qOWrl8siR6CdgN7bfpUKSQY0RhqiF9SgjBbrZM6niNFB265b04k1w4qsMhz8HGFCF-VWvkjOqvpotOsl7ekz1scGUXZY-XpQemdrE_o-cSn9dfK5j/s200/Eeyore.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">downbeat</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><b><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Eeyore</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">, who holds back, expecting the worst </span><b><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">L</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">.</span><br />
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Know this: The human family </span><b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"><u>& the church</u></b><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> have both characters. AND each of us </span><b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"><u>has</u></b><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> both. </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Depending on our
situation & the people in it, we may tend to be more Eeyore or more Tigger.</span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5XiUrC6jG808UIBBMkgrFhyphenhyphen0zHEgcADprJzDkjzq3HPQ-pPlwSpizyZChrZLD52kGZJhbjprpZJ9YoXT65FKhcaNu-DciAve7xo04_U9WsfWjH8JaEBRhl4HTbry9IPhO0QHwgTFPJWT/s1600/AJ+Jacobs_Year+of+Living+Biblically.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="134" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5XiUrC6jG808UIBBMkgrFhyphenhyphen0zHEgcADprJzDkjzq3HPQ-pPlwSpizyZChrZLD52kGZJhbjprpZJ9YoXT65FKhcaNu-DciAve7xo04_U9WsfWjH8JaEBRhl4HTbry9IPhO0QHwgTFPJWT/s200/AJ+Jacobs_Year+of+Living+Biblically.jpg" width="124" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">We see Tigger & Eeyore as we encounter A.J.
Jacobs in his book, <u>The Year of Living Biblically</u>. What we read during our Parish Retreat [&
in our conversations about his unique year have heard & will hear in our on-going
conversations this year about the book] is a range of emotions, responses,
& what sound like contradictions.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Notice what A.J. says about his secular family with Jewish heritage on
the 2</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">nd</span></sup><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> page of his Introduction:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">“The closest my family came to
observing Judaism was...[putting] a Star of David on top of our Christmas
tree.”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[2]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">The Bible </span><b style="font-size: 18pt;"><u>is</u></b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">
new to him. Like him & the people in Exodus who see manna for the 1</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: 18pt;">
time, we may see a gift of God's grace & respond with wonder & ask:
“What is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">In Hebrew “manna”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> means “What is it?” The
people have not seen this flaky stuff “still called 'manna ' in Arabic” &
which Bedouins use...It comes from insects which ingest tree sap & excrete
it on branches where it crystallizes into solids which fall to the ground.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Using another natural phenomena, God sends quail in the
Sinai.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 18pt;">
The difference in birds & bread for the people in Exodus is they come in
the quantities needed & times of year in addition to the </span><u style="font-size: 18pt;">usual</u><span style="font-size: 18pt;">
months they </span><u style="font-size: 18pt;">are</u><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> there</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 18pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">As </span><u style="font-family: georgia, serif;">The Jewish Study Bible</u><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"> notes:</span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"> great numbers of
quail migrate between Africa & Europe; exhausted, some drop to the ground
where people easily collect them.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" style="font-family: georgia, serif;" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">[7]</span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">The Creator of all uses natural processes to provide people
what they need. Is it any less of a miracle & blessing from God when what we
need comes from a natural phenomena?</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">Will you miss seeing the miracle if an employer
hires you, has trouble paying what was promised & later pays you more?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">How
do you have grace to let go resentment & open your eyes to see God at work?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">How can you open yourself to be a willing instrument of God's grace?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">How can
you live more biblically?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">By the 7</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> month of living
biblically, A.J. speaks of his prayer life with his spiritual adviser, Yossi. An
ordained Orthodox rabbi, who never served as such, Yossi tells A.J.:</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><b>“Stop
looking at the Bible as a self-help book...It's about serving God.”</b></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Yossi tells about 2 men regularly saying their
daily required prayers while at work & describes each one's habit. Asked
who prays better, A.J. says the man who prays in his closed office 20 minutes.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Yossi says the better praying is by the man who
ducks into a supply closet & grabs 5 minutes for prayers between phone
calls. He “was doing it only for God. He was sacrificing his time. There was no
benefit to himself.”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">Notice what we hear Paul tell the Philippians
& us about living in the flesh, fruitful labor, & having the same
struggles. How do we balance our lives between the earthly & the heavenly
things?</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Standing “firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for
the faith of the gospel” helps us shift our perspective beyond self. It helps
us see as Jesus sees in our Gospel instead of seeing like the early-rising
workers expecting more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Jesus tells us the love with which we do God's work counts more than the
amount of work we do.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftn11" name="_ftnref11" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123">[11]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 18pt;">
The </span><b style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">“payment”</span></b><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> we
receive is God's grace, a free gift we cannot earn.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftn12" name="_ftnref12" title=""><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="WW-FootnoteReference123">[12]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">Like A.J. learns about prayer by practicing it, we practice
& hone our abilities in our work as the Body of Christ. This essential work
keeps us embraced in this holy fellowship, centered in God's love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">Whether we are </span><b><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Eeyore</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">
or </span><b><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Tigger</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">, God's love feeds us like manna in the
wilderness. God invites us to share God's Love with our brothers & sisters
in the human family.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: .25in;">
<b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As
Christians we serve God by</span></b><br />
<b style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 150%;">serving others.</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="yiv1992213448msonormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Bibliography</span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.9pt; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">Barclay, William. <u>The Gospel of Matthew: Vol. 2 </u>.
Revised Ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press. 1975.</span><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.9pt; text-indent: -.5in;">
<u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">Book of Common Prayer</span></u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">. New York: The Church Hymnal Corp., and
The Seabury Press. 1979.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.9pt; text-indent: -.5in;">
<u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">Harper’s Bible Commentary</span></u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">. General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San Francisco:
Harper & Row Publishers. 1988.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.9pt; text-indent: -.5in;">
<u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">Holy Bible</span></u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">. New Revised Standard Version. New York:
Oxford University Press. 1989.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.9pt; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">Jacobs, A.J. <u>The Year of Living
Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible</u>.
New York: Simon & Schuster. 2007.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.9pt; text-indent: -.5in;">
<u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">Jewish Study Bible: Jewish Publication
Society TANAKH Translation</span></u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">.
New York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span><u><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.9pt; text-indent: -.5in;">
<u><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">The New American Bible for Catholics</span></u><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">. South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.9pt; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">Voyle, Robert J. <u>Restoring Hope: Appreciative
Strategies to Resolve Grief and Resentment</u>. Hillsboro, OR: The Appreciative
Way. 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.9pt; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">Voyle, Robert J. “The Art of Resolving Resentment”. <u>Forgiveness
Forum: Teach Your Congrgation How to Forgive</u>. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><a href="http://www.appreciativeway.com/">www.appreciativeway.com</a></span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">. 2014.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Quoted by Robert J. </span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Voyle in “The
Art of Resolving Resentment”. </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">P. 73.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Jacobs, A.J. <u>The
Year of Living Biblically</u>. </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">P. 4.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> <u>Jewish Study Bible</u>. P. 140.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn8">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid. Jacobs. P. 93-94; 208.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn9">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid. 208</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn10">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid. P. 208.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn11">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftnref11" name="_ftn11" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-fareast-font-family: Avenir-Roman;">Barclay, William. <u>The
Gospel of Matthew: Vol. 2 </u>. P. 226.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn12">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/MOM/Dropbox/MOM's%20docs/1%20StF/2017%20Homilies/2017%20_Sept%2024Proper%2020_What.doc#_ftnref12" name="_ftn12" title=""><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="FootnoteCharacters"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-13977814255446838082017-09-22T10:20:00.004-07:002017-09-22T10:20:43.528-07:00Parting the Sea of Resentment<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, 17 Sept. 2017, Proper 1</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">9</span></span></div>
<h3 align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Year
A RCL</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">:
</span></i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Exodus
14:19-31; Psalm 114; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35</span></i></span></span></h3>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">What
tough words we hear from Jesus in the 1</span></span><span style="color: black;"><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">st</span></sup></span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
part of our Gospel & the harsh last part about what God will do
to each of us if we don't forgive our brother or sister from our
hearts.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Jesus
tells us in our Gospel to forgive not just 7 times but 77 times.</span></b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
the Bible, 7 is the perfect number, completeness like at Creation</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
when God calls the world & us into being in 6 days & rests to
enjoy this completeness on the 7</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
day.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are to have a day to rest
& worship to celebrate our completeness in God's love.</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>Jesus
challenges Peter & us to live into our completeness. Forgiveness
nourishes it. J</b></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">esus
expects us to offer an infinite amount of forgiveness</span></b></span></span></span><sup><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a></span></b></span></span></span></sup><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><i><b>How
can we do this?!</b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
hear this also as Paul reminds the Romans & us not to judge
anyone. Paul asks: Who are you to judge servants of another?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: navy; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><i><b>"We
do not live to ourselves,</b></i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><i><b>&
we do not die to ourselves...</b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><i><b>we
are the Lord's.”</b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b>With
the kind of outcome Jesus tells us to expect if we don't forgive, how
can we not forgive?</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Know
this: Jesus doesn't mean just literal brothers & sisters. We are
to forgive our sisters & brothers in the human family. Sometimes
this may be hard if they don't “clean up their act.”</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">It
may seem easier to have sea water's part so we can walk on dry land,
as we hear in our 1</span></span><span style="color: black;"><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">st</span></sup></span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
lesson, than to forgive multiple times.</span></span></b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><b>How
easy is it to get something</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><b>in
nature to part?</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUdhjwcbXLSeNoXVs1_mLgbRgLEgG3T3bBrj5uC8nqhvwhLcJzz_HVatyCaliVtAHTYUjL1L3qnlf2V3qVIGir53cDa-CLroBndmQJbKd0SN6PAaBQawTlR4IibYzs4aiup2Ls30FleTV/s1600/Water_Bowl_Pitcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="122" data-original-width="216" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUdhjwcbXLSeNoXVs1_mLgbRgLEgG3T3bBrj5uC8nqhvwhLcJzz_HVatyCaliVtAHTYUjL1L3qnlf2V3qVIGir53cDa-CLroBndmQJbKd0SN6PAaBQawTlR4IibYzs4aiup2Ls30FleTV/s200/Water_Bowl_Pitcher.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwMPdjmmTi3KGUpvLwXffYimxU0LZ9D6pzz5UGZlLsOFctiOhv6t4feYOAbIb57zjmGKxF9kXCNAXn86X10A1yLHUGvgyZbMKe7eAFLCslLE1vPUQvuLeV17UnA-vU-8-yKeYaJgLHJRn/s1600/Water_Black+Pepper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="1600" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwMPdjmmTi3KGUpvLwXffYimxU0LZ9D6pzz5UGZlLsOFctiOhv6t4feYOAbIb57zjmGKxF9kXCNAXn86X10A1yLHUGvgyZbMKe7eAFLCslLE1vPUQvuLeV17UnA-vU-8-yKeYaJgLHJRn/s200/Water_Black+Pepper.jpg" width="200" /></a> <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's
one example with pepper sprinkled on top of water.</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><sup><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc">3</a></sup></span></span></span></sup><br />
<sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></sup>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWzrTI3BdQOyx-XpIzZyid3AJP8re2VzmP72BLohrszebjxFBuwD7y2ZMSaOpl2VePnU2pH4ssG7l7HSKvZfoTMgpwER5guY6mSPkquTsxEJGIqFB8R3gxRC4_dud6HfCLZKoO6MYgAGg/s1600/Water_dish+detergent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="143" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWzrTI3BdQOyx-XpIzZyid3AJP8re2VzmP72BLohrszebjxFBuwD7y2ZMSaOpl2VePnU2pH4ssG7l7HSKvZfoTMgpwER5guY6mSPkquTsxEJGIqFB8R3gxRC4_dud6HfCLZKoO6MYgAGg/s200/Water_dish+detergent.jpg" width="141" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w5nffSCfSG8O0QL8lK8GPGZYVNOMiBnDlksPI7AtfhnNXHU3eBW3hyphenhyphenFt5as-E8g8JYaG83FCJv2t-xywjWyZrOiB-5bB6LHiNEVcklQ-5IDWZBo38TBYa46lo7JMz-K9cUbiCBDLVbbA/s1600/Water_Pepper+covers+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="224" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w5nffSCfSG8O0QL8lK8GPGZYVNOMiBnDlksPI7AtfhnNXHU3eBW3hyphenhyphenFt5as-E8g8JYaG83FCJv2t-xywjWyZrOiB-5bB6LHiNEVcklQ-5IDWZBo38TBYa46lo7JMz-K9cUbiCBDLVbbA/s200/Water_Pepper+covers+top.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Put
my finger in, nothing changes.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A bit of soap on it & it changes
the dynamics.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As the science website says, it breaks the tension.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="clear: right; color: black; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w5nffSCfSG8O0QL8lK8GPGZYVNOMiBnDlksPI7AtfhnNXHU3eBW3hyphenhyphenFt5as-E8g8JYaG83FCJv2t-xywjWyZrOiB-5bB6LHiNEVcklQ-5IDWZBo38TBYa46lo7JMz-K9cUbiCBDLVbbA/s1600/Water_Pepper+covers+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">You can see this at </a></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho0o7H6dXSU"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho0o7H6dXSU</span></a> </span></span></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJah3QnumZpfbTd_1Zqzc3Ij5fJQ9Krf13nC99_3c-cahd1M4wRVSutzeExcR73CmbqK_aw4tGx763IGBf5QQFCgVDRekPLI9s9HWDmdDAyVGuKsKSthLEKHKiqxs_F3dkmkcgyxh463D/s1600/Water_dish+detergent+on+finger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="122" data-original-width="216" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJah3QnumZpfbTd_1Zqzc3Ij5fJQ9Krf13nC99_3c-cahd1M4wRVSutzeExcR73CmbqK_aw4tGx763IGBf5QQFCgVDRekPLI9s9HWDmdDAyVGuKsKSthLEKHKiqxs_F3dkmkcgyxh463D/s200/Water_dish+detergent+on+finger.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwOPtRbJwqnTjWW14_4oBz4kXBZVP7Kho9baudRPUaQhK1AwsynP7KQeg4TdjCYKHTo1gRvp-hkrykr5pmzgMloC_O9xEYEpAhR_hgOeVHm-W8YuR5Dmx3kvBYq3DM75LJwKjsk1p3LH3/s1600/Water_Pepper_dip+in+finger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="122" data-original-width="216" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwOPtRbJwqnTjWW14_4oBz4kXBZVP7Kho9baudRPUaQhK1AwsynP7KQeg4TdjCYKHTo1gRvp-hkrykr5pmzgMloC_O9xEYEpAhR_hgOeVHm-W8YuR5Dmx3kvBYq3DM75LJwKjsk1p3LH3/s200/Water_Pepper_dip+in+finger.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaL-EDihtbe03_tI4w6mTwACg7wamlbMSI9CSXPFwKLGqox97poovfP-uDQ1Oqs-7PVPOJzGpAL5JCcOMD1KTwDZtz8y3J2bRR2WZc1v6a325FTJVY5eoByFbugzezmkEsdNPhu4llQsB3/s1600/Water_Pepper+moves+apart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="121" data-original-width="186" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaL-EDihtbe03_tI4w6mTwACg7wamlbMSI9CSXPFwKLGqox97poovfP-uDQ1Oqs-7PVPOJzGpAL5JCcOMD1KTwDZtz8y3J2bRR2WZc1v6a325FTJVY5eoByFbugzezmkEsdNPhu4llQsB3/s320/Water_Pepper+moves+apart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 22pt;">Like soap, forgiveness helps us clean
up our act & break the tension.</b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What
about the offender's responsibility for the wrong & to say “I'm
sorry” like the debtor does in our Gospel?</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notice:
he quickly forgets the blessing he has just received. He doesn't make
it out the building before he bullies his fellow debtor.</span></span></span><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a></span></span></span></sup></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Forgiveness
frees us. We have to live into our freedom. You may recall what
Nelson Mandela has said</span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">:</span></span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“</span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Resentment
is like drinking poison</span></span></span></span></em></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">& </span></span></span></span></em></b><b><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">then hoping it will kill your
enemies.”</span></span></span></span></em></b><sup><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><sup><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc">5</a></span></sup></span></span></span></sup></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Resentment
takes considerable energy & effort & </span></span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">keeps
the person who hurt you near you.</span></span></span></span></span></em><sup><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a></span></span></span></sup></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although forgiving takes
energy, forgiving is worth this energy. When we forgive, we let go of
our hold on the past hurt & free ourselves from that hurt.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Forgiving
differs from what we know in sports & other games: You get so
many outs, so many misses, so many tries & then you're out</span></span><sup><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc"><sup>7</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>How
long would a game take if there were no outs?!</b></span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Thank
God that in the game of life,</b></span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Jesus shows us how to have no outs,</b></span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>to
offer continuous forgiveness.</b></span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Remember
the difference between forgiveness & reconciliation. You can
forgive a serial killer & keep that murderer locked up for life
for the protection of other humans.</span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">More
important than asking “How could they do what they did to us?” is
this question, which speaks to the heart of our faith in Jesus:</span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>How
<u>can</u>
Jesus forgive us</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="color: navy; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: xx-large;"><b>– </b>each
of us –</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="color: navy; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: xx-large;">as
he hangs dying in agony,</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="color: navy; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: xx-large;">nailed
to that cross?</b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">On
that cross, Jesus provides for our atonement, which is our
</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><i><b>at-one-ment</b></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">
with God & each other.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">Pronouncing
it </span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><i><b>“at-one-ment”</b></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 22pt;">,
gives us deeper understanding, </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;">as
we are learning in our new weekly study on the legacy of St.
Francis.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8sym" name="sdfootnote8anc"><sup>8</sup></a></span></sup></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus
cries out: Father, </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>forgive</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
them, they don't know what they're doing. If Jesus can forgive us for
doing that, how can we not forgive each other an infinite number of
times?</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Notice:
Jesus says we don't know what we are doing. In other words: We </span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">are</span></u></span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
clueless. Our bad behavior comes from ignorance. Really bad behavior
comes from profound ignorance. Our resentment is arguing with
ignorance.</span></span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>You
can't win an argument with ignorance.</b></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
can turn to Jesus for strength & guidance on how to forgive.
Jesus will walk with you through this.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">When
the clean waters of your life are peppered with debris, Jesus will
work with you to break the tension.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Just
hold out your hand & let Jesus drip some “soap” on your
finger to break the tension.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">Bacon,
Ed. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>8
Habits of Love: Open Your Heart, Open Your Mind</u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">.
Boston: Grand Central Life & Style. Grand Central Publishing.
2011.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;">DaveHax.com.
“Pepper and Water Science Trick”. Accessed” 16 Sept. 2017.</span></span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho0o7H6dXS">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho0o7H6dXS</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho0o7H6dXSU">U</a></span></span></span></span></u></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.06in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>Harper’</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>s
Bible Dictionary</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.
General Ed.: Paul J. Achtemeier. San Francisco: Harper & Row
Publishers, 1971.</span></span></div>
<h1 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.06in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hoffacker,</span></span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Rev. Charles. “</span></span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Corpses
in the Corridor, Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 17,
2017”. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sermons
That Work.</span></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Accessed: 14 Sept. 2017.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></u></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/08/13/corpses-in-the-corridor-fifteenth-sunday-after-">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/08/13/corpses-in-the-corridor-fifteenth-sunday-after-</a><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/08/13/corpses-in-the-corridor-fifteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-september-17-2017/">pentecost-september-17-2017/</a></span></span></span></u></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span>
</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.06in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Holy
Bible</span></u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press.
1989.</span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.06in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jewish
Study Bible: Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation</span></u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
New York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.06in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">
“</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Keep
On Forgiving”. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/keep_on_forgiving.htm"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">https://www.sermons4kids.com/keep_on_forgiving.htm</span></span></span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Accessed: 16 Sept. 2017.</span></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.06in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Migliore,
Daniel L. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Faith
Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology</span></u></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
2</span></span></span><sup><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">nd</span></span></span></sup><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Ed. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 2004.</span></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.06in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
New American Bible for Catholics</span></u></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
South Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.06in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">
“</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Over
and Over”. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">https://www.sermons4kids.com/</span></span></span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Accessed: 16 Sept. 2017.</span></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.06in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">
“</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Parting
the Red Sea”. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/parting_the_red_sea.htm"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">https://www.sermons4kids.com/parting_the_red_sea.htm</span></span></span></span></span></a></u></span><em><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></em><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Accessed: 16 Sept. 2017.</span></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.06in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Rohr,
Richard. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Embracing
an Alternative Orthodoxy: Richard Rohr on the Legacy of St. Francis</span></u></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Denver: Morehouse Educational Resources division of Church Publishing
Inc. 2014.</span></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.06in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Voyle,
Robert J. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Restoring
Hope: Appreciative Strategies to Resolve Grief and Resentment</span></u></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Hillsboro, OR: The Appreciative Way. 2010.</span></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.06in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Voyle,
Robert J. “The Art of Resolving Resentment”. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Forgiveness
Forum: Teach Your Congrgation How to Forgive</span></u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.appreciativeway.com/"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">www.appreciativeway.com</span></span></span></span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
2014.</span></span></span></span></h1>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.06in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br />
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Harper's Bible Dictionary</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P.711.</span></div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">
P. 1039.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><em><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;">DaveHax.com.
“Pepper and Water Science Trick”.
</span></span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho0o7H6dXSU"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho0o7H6dXSU</span></span></span></a></u></span><em><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
</span></u></span></span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;">Idea
for web search from </span></span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“Parting
the Red Sea”. </span></span></span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/parting_the_red_sea.htm"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">https://www.sermons4kids.com/parting_the_red_sea.htm</span></span></span></a></u></span><em><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span></em>
</div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><em><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hoffacker,</span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: #0094d2;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span></span><em><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Rev. Charles. “</span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Corpses
in the Corridor...” </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Sermons
That Work.</u></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Accessed: 14 Sept. 2017.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>
</u></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/08/13/corpses-in-the-corridor-fifteenth-sunday-after-">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/08/13/corpses-in-the-corridor-fifteenth-sunday-after-</a><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/08/13/corpses-in-the-corridor-fifteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-september-17-2017/">pentecost-september-17-2017/</a></span></span></u></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span>
</div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">Voyle,
Robert J. “The Art of Resolving Resentment”. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>Forgiveness
Forum</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">
P. 54</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Voyle. P. 57. Note: Paraphrase of his quoting </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kare
Anderson.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a>
Idea from <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">“Keep
On Forgiving”. </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.sermons4kids.com/keep_on_forgiving.htm"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">https://www.sermons4kids.com/keep_on_forgiving.htm</span></span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="es-ES">
Accessed: 16 Sept. 2017.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote8">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote8anc" name="sdfootnote8sym">8</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Rohr, Richard. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Embracing an Alternative
Orthodoxy</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P.15.</span></div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-56427309358994687812017-09-18T10:33:00.000-07:002017-09-18T10:33:11.441-07:00Life in Community – It's About Stewardship<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Inter-active
Homily by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">St. Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, 10 Sept. 2017, Proper 18</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Year A RCL: </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 149; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></span>
<h3 align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-top: 0in;">
Video not yet available, but it is hoped it will be soon!</h3>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Here is the link to video that inspired our adaptation for our smaller parish:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><u style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RSWfp7Pbrg&feature=youtu.be"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span lang="es-ES">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RSWfp7Pbrg&feature=youtu.be</span></span></span></a></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b>Jesus offers us insight
today on how</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;"><b>to live in community.</b></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">Jesus says if 2 of us agree
about anything we ask, it will be done for us. Know this: he's not
talking about you & me agreeing to rob a bank. He's talking about
how we live in community.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">As
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><u>Harper's
Bible Commentary</u></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">
says<span style="font-size: large;">, he's talking about church discipline</span></span><sup style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">,
which is as essential as personal discipline of time, abilities,
resources & our very selves.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">We
know the value of living in unity.
Today we experience unity combining our two morning worship times to
provide time for Stewardship Leader Jodi to talk about this
just once today & for more of us to share in our Ministry Fair to
see opportunities to use your/our gifts of time & skills, &
to share community in our Pot Luck Lunch.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">Notice:
what we do echoes what we hear in our 1</span><sup style="font-family: georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">st</sup><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">
lesson. In Genesis God says the whole congregation is to gather to
share a feast & celebrate the good news of God's love & be
ready for action. When do they do this? The 10</span><sup style="font-family: georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">th</sup><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">
of the month. What day is today?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>The 10<sup>th</sup>
of the month!</i></b></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">Sharing a lamb in Genesis
shows good stewardship of resources. We are to be good stewards of
all our resources. </span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How does a person manage a simple asset they've
invested in, such as a pair of pantyhose? What to do with a pair that
has runs? Stretch the time of their use by wearing them under slacks.
What about when the elastic waist gives out? Throw 'em out? No! Apply
stewardship!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislzvFMv3EXaZ3A591U0CKk7N-twHkbefjLZ1fCaU0tgGQuDxZM7SLyo-z208DembExZTBHWcOUKckbAytHo97m_YFFN1hDjSYKTOVGZykHms_pl64bBKZUPiMFo78lbqgJa0rCuw8Nc0N/s1600/Onions+in+Pantyhose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="191" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislzvFMv3EXaZ3A591U0CKk7N-twHkbefjLZ1fCaU0tgGQuDxZM7SLyo-z208DembExZTBHWcOUKckbAytHo97m_YFFN1hDjSYKTOVGZykHms_pl64bBKZUPiMFo78lbqgJa0rCuw8Nc0N/s200/Onions+in+Pantyhose.jpg" width="105" /></a></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">Wash the worn-out hose &
use them to hold up plants in the garden, as one of you does, or in
the house to store onions!</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">Drop an onion in one leg. Tie a knot. Drop in another & tie a knot & so on. When you need an an onion, cut from below the knot above it.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">Storing onions apart with air circulating
all around, keeps them fresh longer! You save money.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>What you save you could give
to special ministries, such as our project to create a walkway to our
columbarium!</i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You are good stewards in
many ways. Think of the generous time given by you who diligently
tend the columbarium, garden & our grounds. Thank you.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I see Mitch & Stan
diligently tending our grounds often. Stan also serves on Vestry as
Junior Warden, Mitch leads our Usher Team. Thank you.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mitch</b>:
You're welcome. But you need to know, I quit. We just don't have
enough help.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stan:</b>
I quit, too. It's expensive. Our Treasurer Gerald asked us to
quit so we can save money.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Gerald:</b>
Do you know how much money we spend on fuel bills for our big
machines? We can hire someone with a push mower or just let it all go
for a woodsy look.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mitch:</b>
Hey! We can cut costs for worship! Stop printing bulletins. We know
the Prayer Book. Our hymns are on the board. We don't need ushers.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This will save people's time
scheduling ushers & serving as ushers. Our congregation doesn't
need us to show them how to get from the pew to the altar. This isn't
a huge cathedral.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Priest:</b>
What about taking up the offering?</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mitch:</b>
We have a table to put in the aisle for the offering plate. People
can put their offerings in on the way to Communion.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Priest:</b> Uh. Uh.....We do strive to be good stewards of our resources. Thank
you, Bob, for monitoring our electrical use & thermostats.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bob:</b>
Oh! I forgot to check today. You know, we have enough natural light
here. I think we'd rather have comfortable temperatures than electric
light. <b>[Sanctuary
lights go off.]</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Priest [straining to see words on her notes]:</b><b> </b>We
see stewardship of time & talents in many skills that enhance our
worship to celebrate God's love. Thank you for your gifts: Altar
Guild, Flower Guild, Acolytes, Sub-deacons, Lectors, Choir, Social
Teams, & Schedulers. You gifts only cost time to practice &
participate.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kristine
& Barbara: </b>We
often buy flowers ourselves. Or we have to drive somewhere to get
them or cut them at someone's garden.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>David:</b>
I cut flowers from someone's garden in August. It was a lot of effort
in the heat & not worth my time.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kristine:</b>
We can save time & money with prepared flowers. Some people call
them artificial, but they've been improved on and some that look
really good.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Barbara:</b>
We could use them every week and know exactly what to expect. They
won't bother people's allergies & think of how much we'll save on
our water bill!</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>[Barbara & Kristine
remove the beautifully arranged flowers & cram small artificial flowers into plastic pots in their places.]</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jill:
</b>Altar
Guild has a lot of expenses: oil for candles, the wine, buying new
linens, tending our Altar hangings, cleaning vestments for Acolytes
and Sub-deacons. What if lay servers don't vest?</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jodi
& Jenny:</b>
I'm all for that. <b>[They
remove vestments & give to Jill.]</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jodi:</b>
It's hot wearing these vestments in summer AND even in winter!</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jill:
</b>What
if we use battery operated candles like we do at Wednesday Eucharist
in the Library? They certainly are easier to “light”, and there's
no worry about spilling oil. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;">They'll
save us time and labor. They come in different sizes & can fit in
our candle sticks. </span><b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">[Altar
tapers are extinguished & removed. 2 small battery operated
candles take their places.]</b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jenny:
</b>I'm
all for saving time and labor. I've been thinking how much time I
spend making bread for communion. It takes time away from football &
knitting. And it costs. I found loaves of bread on sale for a lot
less than one loaf I make.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>[She
brings out 2 loaves of sandwich bread & gives them to the
bewildered priest.]</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Priest:</b> Jesus says if 2 agree on anything, it will be done. How do these
ideas enhance our worship? What about what Paul says to the Romans:
make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires? What about
love fulfilling the law?</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Does
our cutting corners, help us live honorably & put on the armor of
light?</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: large;">One thing that adds light to
our worship is our wonderful music, which relies on time &
talents of our gifted singers & organist. It requires annual
tuning of our organ so it sounds lovely.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>[Organist/Choir Director
Bill, hits horrible sounding note.]</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Priest</b><b>:
</b>Bill,
will you & the Choir help refocus our attention on the varieties
of stewardship?</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Choir
Member Gerald:</b>
Bill's ready to leave on vacation. He's fed up with how long this is
taking. But I'll try to get him back..........</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">OK. He's back.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Priest:</b><b> </b>Thank
you, Bill, & Choir for your extra work rehearsing these 2 hymns.
Your rehearsals were longer than the 30 minutes we clergy had to
create them at Fresh Start training. These stewardship songs are
designed to appeal to the 2 main personality types & were
developed by us in groups of the opposite type.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Choir sings.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To tune of <i>Ye watchers & ye holy ones</i>:</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Reaching beyond community</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">care for the world responsibly</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Alleluia, Alleluia!</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Time, talent, treasure, three in one,</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">giving our best for King</span><span style="font-size: large;">dom Come</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Give your heart, give your time,</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">eat the bread, drink the wine</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alleluia!</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">To tune of <i>A mighty fortress is our God</i>:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We need four hundred fifty K</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">to repair this place to pray</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">our staff requires regular pay</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and funds to train for Godly Play</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And where could these funds be?</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In pledge and tithes from thee!</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you would so consent,</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">increase by ten percent</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">the pledge you offered here last year!</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Priest:</b> At the end of the video, which inspired this very different “homily”
for today, the priest says:</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Everything you do give powers love”.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc"><sup>2</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Remember:
Everything you do give powers love</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Transition to Stewardship
Leader Jodi's presentation on </b></span></span><b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"> "growing the church",</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">the</b><b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"> follow up to her original presentation in the spring of literally </b><b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">planting seeds</b><b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;"> &</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">monthly follow ups,</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-large;">laying groundwork for today.</b></div>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Bibliography</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The
Four Translation New Testament</span></u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.
Minneapolis: World Wide Publications. New York: The Iversen Assocs.
1966.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u>. General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San Francisco:
Harper & Row Publishers. 1988.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><u>Holy
Bible</u>. New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University
Press. 1989.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible: Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation</u>. New
York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span><span lang="es-ES">. South
Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" lang="es-ES" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Note:
Interactive dialog inspired by and blatantly adapted to our parish
from video from Episcopal Diocese in Colorado. Video of Middle Church
was shown at Project Resource, 19 Aug. 2017, at Diocesan House in
Kinston. St. Francis' Senior Warden, Junior Warden,
Treasurer, Stewardship Leader, and Priest attended the very informative session. Here is link to video
of the church, which is much larger physically, in staff and finances
than St. Francis:</span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span lang="es-ES"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RSWfp7Pbrg&feature=youtu.be"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span lang="es-ES">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RSWfp7Pbrg&feature=youtu.be</span></span></span></a></u></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">. P. 971</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a>
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RSWfp7Pbrg&feature=youtu.be"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RSWfp7Pbrg&feature=youtu.be</span></span></span></a></u></span>
fro<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="es-ES">m
Episcopal Diocese in Colorado. Video of Middle Church shown at
Project Resource, 19 Aug. 2017, at Diocesan House in Kinston.</span></span></div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2788988754812740784.post-50303617106207675642017-09-04T08:38:00.000-07:002017-09-04T08:38:07.384-07:00Overcome Evil with Good<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;">Homily
by The Rev. Marcia McRae</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St.
Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC, 3 Sept. 2017, Proper 1</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">7</span></span></div>
<h3 align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Year
A RCL: </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Exodus
3:1-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28</span></span></span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>What
challenges we hear in our scriptures today!</b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">God's words challenge Moses.
Paul's words challenge the Romans & us to live differently.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">Notice Jesus' perspective & expectations for the disciples.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">Remember: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">We are his disciples.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">“To
deny oneself is to disown [ourselves] as the center of [our]
existence,”</span></span><sup style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: small;">as
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: small;">
notes.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Think
of people who are in love: Love is bigger than the individual.
Denying self opens us to God's love, which casts out fear.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember: Fear is Satan's
tool to keep us from doing God's work. Fear argues like Peter &
Moses do worrying what might happen.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We must take one step at a time
to do God's work, remembering God is with us!</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry says repeatedly: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“If
you want to change the world, follow Jesus.”</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><sup><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2sym" name="sdfootnote2anc">2</a></span></sup></span></sup></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><sup><br /></sup></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“If
you want to change the world,</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">follow Jesus.”</span></b></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God is with us as we work to
change the world & do God's work here together. Think of the good
work being done together, week by week, ingredient by ingredient, as
you prepare food for our annual Christmas In The Forest.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look at the good work being
done together, which we see daily in news coverage of Hurricane
Harvey's aftermath. We hear the best of community, which contrasts
powerfully to the worst we hear now of people looting &
con-artists cheating survivors.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We hear amazing grace in a
different news story of a prison community in action, a strong,
grace-filled community of prisoners
of war in North Vietnam*. The men in large holding cells in Hanoi
during the Vietnam War know the truth of our Gospel. These men know
the value of living in harmony & live to see good overcome evil.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They hold fast to what is good, are patient in suffering, &
persevere in prayer,</span> as
we hear Paul tell us to do in Romans.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Without
faith in God & trust in each other, how else could these American
POWs overcome harsh punishments to gain freedom to <b><i>pray</i></b>
together in the prison called the Hanoi Hilton?</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
year is 1970 & just before Christmas 43 American prisoners seek
to have brief worship. The guards prevent it.</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3sym" name="sdfootnote3anc"><sup>3</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
Ultimately, faith in God triumphs.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>The
New York Times</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
tells this story</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4sym" name="sdfootnote4anc"><sup>4</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
of the test of their unity in community & their faith in God as
they resist & endure their captors' harsh treatment:</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“After
worship is denied, Navy pilot Lt. Commander Edwin [Ned] A. Shuman III
creates their resistance plan. He knows he will be the first to be
beaten in a torture cell.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
asks the men:</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Are we really committed to having church Sunday? I
want to know person by person."</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One by one each man says "Yes."</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">At
that moment [Shuman knows] he [will] end up in a torture cell.</span></span><sup style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><sup><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5sym" name="sdfootnote5anc">5</a></span></sup></span></sup></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">“That
Sunday he steps up to lead the Lord's Prayer. The guards hustle him
away to his beating. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">[He
spends 17 months in solitary confinement.]</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">“One
by one the next 4 ranking officers step up to lead the prayer &
are taken away for beatings.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">By
then “the guards [are]...hitting P.O.W.s with gun butts & the
cell [is] in chaos,”</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6sym" name="sdfootnote6anc"><sup>6</sup></a></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">says
one survivor.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">“...[T]he
6</span><sup style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">
ranking senior officer [says], 'Gentlemen, the Lord's Prayer.'”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">This
time they finish the prayer.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The guards have yielded. The enemy sees
love of God <u>in
action</u>,
love of community <u>in
action</u>.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">By
their faith in action, these prisoners work with God to change that
shameful prison block into holy ground. These men in this
faith-filled community stand on holy ground.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Their faith &
fearless trust overflow into other cell blocks.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">In
a different cell block is the 1</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">
American pilot captured in the Vietnam War, Everett Alvarez Jr.,
captured in 1964,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-indent: 0.25in;">as
the NYT article says</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">He
says Shuman's defiance inspires senior officers in other cells to
resist:</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It was contagious. By the time it got to the 4</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;">
or 5</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: large;">
cell” [</span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>the
guards</u></span><span style="font-size: large;">]
gave up.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Prisoners were praying & singing patriotic songs.</i></b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">From
that Sunday in 1970 until their release in 1973, the prisoners' right
to pray together was established. They held church services each
Sunday until their return home.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A
pilot from Shuman's cell block, Air Force pilot & Medal of Honor
recipient, Leo K. Thorsness says:</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>“42 men in prison pajamas
followed</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>[Shuman's] lead.</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>I know I will never see a better example of</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>pure raw leadership</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>or ever pray with a better sense of</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>the meaning
of the words [of the Lord's Prayer].”</i></b></span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7sym" name="sdfootnote7anc"><sup>7</sup></a></span></span></sup></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Praying
these words together sustains the POWs for years. </span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Praying these words
together sustains us in community.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Our Father...” God is our
father, our “daddy”, “papa”. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;">We are family. We live in
community no matter what parts of our lives may be imprisoned.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One man in prison trusts God
to BE with him in the harshest of times, denies himself, is patient
in suffering, & does not repay evil for evil.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One man, then the
next man, then the next lead many to overcome evil with good.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look
what a positive difference one person at a time makes.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look what a
positive difference one cell block community makes to the other cell
blocks.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look
at the positive difference one man makes for each of us as he
willingly dies on the cross before we ever say “I'm sorry”.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How
can we not work to overcome evil with good? How can we possibly miss
the connection between working to make the world a better place, our
family better, & following Jesus?</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How can we fear
doing what God calls us to do?</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God promises: I AM with you
& I WILL BE with you no matter what. No matter how big a
hurricane is in our life.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 26pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">Our
faith in God overcomes fear.</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 26pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 26pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">God's love wipes out fear.</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><b>God's
love is great.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our
task is</span><span style="font-size: large;"> small.</span></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 26pt;">The
importance of our task is</span></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 60pt;">HUGE</span></b></span></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">.</span></b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bibliography</span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Douglas-Klotz,
Neil. <u>Prayers of the Cosmos: Reflections on the Original Meaning
of Jesus's Words</u>. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. 1990.</span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Farr,
Curtis. “</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pivoting,
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (A) – Sept. 3, 2017”. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Sermons
That Work</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/07/31/pivoting-thirteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-a-s">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/07/31/pivoting-thirteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-a-s</a><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/07/31/pivoting-thirteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-a-september-3-2017/">eptember-3-2017/</a></span></span></u></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
Accessed: 28 Aug. 2017.</span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Goldstein,
Richard. “Edwin Shuman, 82, Dies; Defied Hanoi Hilton Guards”.
<u>The New York Times</u>.</span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><u>Harper’s
Bible Commentary</u>. General Ed.: James. L. Mays. San Francisco:
Harper & Row Publishers. 1988.</span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><u>Holy
Bible</u>. New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University
Press. 1989.</span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><u>Jewish
Study Bible: Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation</u>. New
York: Oxford University Press. 2004.</span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u><br /></u></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The
New American Bible for Catholics</u></span><span lang="es-ES">. South
Bend: Greenlawn Press. 1986.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="es-ES">Voyles,
Robert J. </span><span lang="es-ES"><u>Restoring Hope: Appreciative
Strategies to Resolve Grief and Resentment</u></span><span lang="es-ES">.
Hillsboro, OR: The Appreciative Way. 2010.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<br />* The 2014 news of the death of of Ned <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Shuman at age 82, who led fellow prisoners to defy the "Hanoi Hilton" guards, I used in my 2014 homily on the scriptures we have next Sunday [Proper 18], but found the information fitting for this week's scriptures.</span></div>
<div class="hanging-indent">
<br />
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote1">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES"><u>The New American Bible for
Catholics</u></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="es-ES">. </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">P.
1036.</span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote2">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote2anc" name="sdfootnote2sym">2</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Farr,
Curtis. “</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pivoting...”
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>Sermons
That Work</u></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
Accessed: 28 Aug. 2017.</span></span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote">
<u style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/07/31/pivoting-thirteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-a-september-3-2017/">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2017/07/31/pivoting-thirteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-a-september-3-2017/</a></span></span></u></div>
<div class="sdfootnote">
<u style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote3">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote3anc" name="sdfootnote3sym">3</a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Goldstein,
Richard. “Edwin Shuman, 82, Dies; Defied Hanoi Hilton Guards”.
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>The
New York Times</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
P. A15.</span></span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote4">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote4anc" name="sdfootnote4sym">4</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Goldstein. New York Times.</span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote5">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote5anc" name="sdfootnote5sym">5</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid.</span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div id="sdfootnote6">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote6anc" name="sdfootnote6sym">6</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. Quotation of</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Air
Force pilot & Medal of Honor recipient, Leo K. Thorsness.</span></span></div>
<div class="sdfootnote">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="sdfootnote7">
<div class="sdfootnote">
<a class="sdfootnotesym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2788988754812740784#sdfootnote7anc" name="sdfootnote7sym">7</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Ibid. NYT.</span></div>
</div>
Rev. Marcia McRaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05080913657936972644noreply@blogger.com0