Mumsday is approaching "Happy Mothers Day"

Image: "Roses" by Diavma ©

Sunday 11th May will be Mothers Day.

"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you." Deuteronomy 5:16

"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.  They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." Proverbs 1:8-9

In a column by Erma Bombeck, she tells of God in the act of creating mothers. She says that on the day God created mothers He had already worked long overtime. And an angel said to Him, "Lord, you sure are spending a lot of time on this one." The Lord turned & said, "Have you read the specs on this model? She is supposed to be completely washable, but not plastic. She is to have 180 moving parts, all of them replaceable. She is to have a kiss that will heal everything from a broken leg to a broken heart. She is to have a lap that will disappear whenever she stands up. She is to be able to function on black coffee & leftovers. And she is supposed to have six pairs of hands." "Six pairs of hands," said the angel, "that’s impossible." "It’s not the six pairs of hands that bother me." said the Lord, "It’s the three pairs of eyes. She is supposed to have one pair that sees through closed doors so that whenever she says, `What are you kids doing in there?’ she already knows what they’re doing in there." "She has another pair in the back of her head to see all the things she is not supposed to see but must see. And then she has one pair right in front that can look at a child that just goofed & communicate love & understanding without saying a word." "That’s too much." said the angel, "You can’t put that much in one model. Why don’t you rest for a while & resume your creating tomorrow?" "No, I can’t," said the Lord. "I’m close to creating someone very much like myself. I’ve already come up with a model who can heal herself when she is sick - who can feed a family of six with one pound of hamburger - & who can persuade a nine year old to take a shower." Then the angel looked at the model of motherhood a little more closely & said, "She’s too soft." "Oh, but she is tough," said the Lord. "You’d be surprised at how much this mother can do." "Can she think?" asked the angel. "Not only can she think," said the Lord, "but she can reason & compromise & persuade." Then the angel reached over & touched her cheek. "This one has a leak," he said. "I told you that you couldn’t put that much in one model." "That’s not a leak," said the Lord. "That’s a tear." "What’s a tear for?" asked the angel. "Well it’s for joy, for sadness, for sorrow, for disappointment, for pride." "You’re a genius," said the angel. And the Lord said, "Oh, but I didn’t put it there."

As mothers we are not "Hallmark" perfect. 

Each of us is a sinner, including our parents. Most parents try hard to love and nurture their children, wanting only what is best for them. Parenting is THE hardest jobs in the world. If you want to do something special this Mothers Day, then pray for all of the mothers that need Gods assistance. Pray for all the mums who are scared, lonely, hurting, frustrated, exhausted and in need of love and guidance. Ask the blessed Mary to help them find courage and direction through Jesus. Pray that mothers who are struggling emotionally might use God's love as a model for nurturing and relating to their families.

If you have/had a wonderful mother, or you know of one, don't take her for granted. Instead take the opportunity to thank her, to tell her she is appreciated and loved. Mothers do a difficult job, often seeming unappreciated and unnoticed. This Mothers Day reach out to a "mum", even is she is not your own, offer her a kind word or a helping hand.

God our Creator, we pray: 
for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;

for new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility;
 for those who are scared, and uncertain;

for those who are tired, stressed or depressed;
for those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;
for those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty;
for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;
for those who have children they do not want;
for those who raise children on their own;
for those who have lost a child;
for those who care for the children of others;
for those whose children have left home;
and for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.
Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender,
and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good,
living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others.
Amen.

Join us at the Anglican Catholic Church for Mass / Holy Communion this Sunday at 11am at St Hilda's. Bring mum with you, or bring her memory and celebrate mothers day with us.

Pray for me

Image: Maria Magdalene Praying. By Ary Scheffer (1795–1858).

Those of you following our blog will have seen the prayer requests for Dave, Kay and Robert, who are all currently undergoing cancer  treatments. 

For those of you who are still praying for them, Thank you. 

A small update: Kay thought her treatment was finished. She did the series of chemotherapy which was hoped to slow the growth, but was expected to spread the cells... The treatment was completed and the cancer growth was slowed although is still very alive and active, but to the surprise of her specialist it is still contained and has not spread. This is wonderful news for her and she has just started an additional series of treatments. 

"Praise be to God".

We have had another request for prayer. 

Robyn is facing urgent surgery for cancer on her ear.  She has had a very difficult 3 months which saw her husband placed in aged care and bills piling up, Her health has suffered and her doctor is very concerned for her. She is feeling scared and alone. 

Please keep Robyn in your prayers. 

O LORD and heavenly Father;
Great Physician, giver of health and healing,
who relieves those suffering in soul and body.

Look with your gracious favour upon these people;
Grant to them in their time of need the sense of your presence, 

that they may have perfect trust in you.

Give kindness of heart, wisdom and discretion
to those who minister to them in their sickness,
and bless all the means used for their recovery.

Stretch forth your hand to heal them, easing their pain and fear,
that by your mercy they may be restored to health and strength,
of body and mind according to your gracious will.

So that they may live to praise you for your goodness and grace
and that they can show forth their thankfulness in love to you,
and service to their fellow men: to the glory of your holy Name.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Passion Sunday - Sermon Summary 2014

Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands; that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves; but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; how much more shall the blood of Christ, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Hebrews. 9:11
"How much more shall the blood of Christ ... purify your conscience" †

What is so significant about blood? 
Why is it a central sacrifice? 
What does it have to do with sin and cleansing? 
Why was it not ever to be consumed by men in the Old Testament? 
What is so different about Christ's blood?

Blood carries nutrients, fuel, oxygen, warmth throughout the body. The Bible not exaggerating when it says that "the life of the flesh is in the blood" Leviticus 17:11. You are what you eat because what you eat is brought to your body via the blood. Your breath sustains you only because the oxygen is carried in the blood's red cells to all your other cells.

Which is why the work of Red Cross in this area is incredibly important, fundamental. Even with today's technology, there is no really satisfactory artificial substitute for blood donated by us. My (Fr Matthew) attempt to give blood: I'm a stone! I only managed to donate half a bag in half an hour. They gave up trying, looking worried. But I felt no ill effects, as I assured them. Nevertheless, if we can, it is a truly good work to give blood. If you'd like to know more about how to donate blood, follow this link to the Red Cross Web Site.

So, blood, especially with its perpetual flow, maintains our lives, our activity, and represents that life. Similarly, when shed, when lost, it leads to and represents death.

If sacrifice is about offering something precious to God, in order to worship his majestic holiness, and to acknowledge that everything we have and are depends on Him, then there can be no more precious symbol than blood. And while the cleansing of our souls from sin is often represented in the Bible by the washing of water (as in Baptism), it is also often ascribed to cleansing by blood (as in today's Epistle). Not just any blood, but blood sacrificed. 
Why?

Firstly, blood is mostly water anyway, though it is also so much more. Secondly, our internal cleansing requires more than our external cleansing, and so this internal, living fluid (yes it has living cells, remember) is a more potent symbol. Thirdly, sin involves spiritual death and deserves death, so blood that is shed signifies the payment of that debt.

But the blood of Christ shed for us on the Cross is more than a symbol. In fact, the sacrifices of animals' blood under the Old Covenant were always intended to be a foreshadowing of the Cross, symbols of the true reality. What is so different about His blood? It is divinised by belonging to Him. It is, as one early Church Father put it, the blood of God. Thus it has given to it the power to effect what it signifies. Not only that, but it is the result of an offering of infinitely greater positive value than, not only animal blood, but the negative value of our sin.

It is this that makes the next fact all the more astonishing. While under the Old Covenant God's people were forbidden to consume blood, in the New Covenant we are commanded to drink Christ's blood! This partaking is even described as being the New Covenant: "This is the New Covenant in my blood". What a turn around! Before, the blood was denied us, as if to say, "the blood is reserved to me as a sacrifice, to remind you that I am the source of life, and even the animals are fundamentally mine as Creator, not yours". But now God effectively says "All that is mine is yours, even my Son, even His lifeblood".

I would like to finish with a beautiful prophecy to the Church about the blood of Christ from the Old Testament. "As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;" Zechariah 9:11-12. God is our stronghold, and though we may sometimes feel imprisoned in this mortality, dry and diminished, we are prisoners of hope. Freedom and overwhelming restoration are our future, and a glorious foretaste of the same is our present, as we approach the Altar, partake of the Body and Blood, and go out in the strength of that purity and presence. †

Join us for Anglican Catholic Church Mass / Holy Communion at St Hilda's Parish Maitland NSW Australia. Held at the school chapel of All Saints College in Victoria Street. 11am Sundays

Easter Long Weekend.

 

We are heading into the Easter long weekend.

Check this blog for our Easter service times, it will be nice to see you.

Remember most shops and supermarkets are closed Friday and Monday.

If you are going away for Easter, take extra care on the roads...

Holy Week and Easter Services:

St Hilda's Anglican Catholic Church Maitland NSW

Holy Week and Easter Services: 

Maundy Thursday, 
7pm Mass, including Footwashing, Stripping of the Altars, and Vigil till miidnight. 

Good Friday, 
10am Liturgy of the Presanctified, with Veneration of the Cross, 
then Stations of the Cross at Noon. 

Easter Day, 
11 am Mass, with Blessing and Lighting of the Paschal Candle 
and Litany of the Saints.

Join us at the chapel of St Mary's Campus of the All Saints College in Victoria St Maitland NSW Australia

Prayer requests

In an earlier blog post we requested prayer for "Lisa", a 21 year old local girl who was facing a heart transplant. We know some of you were praying for her recovery and strength so Id like to give a brief update.

Lisa had a few little hickups along the way, but is now doing fine physically as far as the transplant goes. She is no longer hospitalised but sharing a house with a loving and supportive person. As expected after such a major ordeal not every day is easy to deal with. But through the love of God, along with talented surgical staff, kind hearted carers, lots of prayer and a generous organ donor, her future is looking so much better. If you kept Lisa in your prayers - THANK YOU.

Most gracious God and Father, we render humble thanks for the restoration to health of Lisa, for whom we lately besought thy loving kindness; and joyfully do we confess that, as thy power is infinite, so also is thy mercy toward them that call upon thee for succour, in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Our little parish of St Hilda's has friends and family at the moment that also need your prayer. A little earlier in our blog we introduced Saint Peregrine (patron saint of Cancer sufferers). At the moment we ask prayer for Dave, Kay and Robert, who are all currently dealing with cancer.

Dave, has been diagnosed with cancer in his hip, prostrate and spine. He is part-way through his hormonal treatment and has been told by the doctors that the cancer in his hip has gone. We hope this is a positive sign of even further cure. Please keep Dave in your prayers.

Kay, has been diagnosed with melanoma which has resulted in huge cancerous growths within her abdomen, She has just finished her 3rd chemotherapy session (possibly her last, depending on the resulting scans). She has been told there is no chance of cure. Please Keep Kay in your prayers.

Robert, has been diagnosed with bowel cancer and is now preparing himself for treatment, he is currently looking at Chemo, radiation therapy and operation. Please keep Robert in your prayers.  

Almighty and immortal God, the giver of life, health and healing:
We beseech thee to hear our prayers for Dave, Kay and Robert, for whom we implore thy mercy. Grant to them, the sense of thy presence that they may have perfect trust in thee, In all their suffering may they cast their cares upon thee, so that, enfolded in thy love and power, and by thy blessing upon them and upon those who minister to them of thy healing gifts, they may be restored, according to thy gracious will, to health of body and mind, and give thanks to thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Remember that family and friends who offer their love and support during these stressful times can also use the strength of your prayers, ask God to help them trust their loved ones to His care and to help them to keep faith.

The image used is Rosa Celeste, an artwork by French painter and illustrator Paul Gustave Doré who lived from 6 January 1832 till 23 January 1883

Sermon Sumary notes - Lent II 2014

"Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked?"

 (Ezekiel18:23) †

God loves sinners.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die.  But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.  Romans 5:6-8.
Bad news:
God does not value humans for the things they pride ourselves on, Smarts Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 1 Corinthians 1:20, looks Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30a, fame God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 1 Co. 1: 28a, power But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 1 Co. 1:27b. Without him and his grace, even good deeds are lost to futility And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, Ga. 2:16b.

Good news:
We are valuable in ourselves, just for who we are, despite our sin. He loves us anyway, enough to offer us restoration to his image and likeness. He would prefer to save than punish, as today's Old Testament lesson makes clear. He is just, with each man having to face the penalty for his own sin, but, amazingly, He'd prefer to pay the penalty Himself. So He did.
But there is a condition. The wicked must turn from their sin. Because God hates sin -- and must do so to be a loving, righteous, holy God -- His love for us cannot take effect in us till we let go of the sin. Nevertheless, his grace reaches out to even very wicked people, and does change hearts and forgive great sins and sinners. And he rejoices in such transformation.  Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7.

But do we? It isn't terribly hard for us to be enthusiastic about the infliction of punishment on the unrighteous (unless it happens to be us). Who doesn't like to see the bad guys get their due on cop shows? And that is reasonable, as far as it goes. However, we are meant to desire even more that sinners repent and are changed for the better, even if it means a merciful reduction of just punishment. Now, of course, since we know how TV plots work, we don't have much expectation a change of heart can be part of the story. In reality, fortunately, God's grace does break through hard hearts, and the lost are found by Him. In real life do we yearn for the conversion of the wicked? To be like God, we need to do so. Don't wait for the right feelings, though. Pray for sinners, even terrible ones, learn of their sufferings where relevant, for many perpetrators were once victims, and let emotional empathy catch up.

And it may well be the case that you already are on this path. Christians are moved by stories, fictional and non-fictional, of redemption and transformation. Let this joy in Grace's past victories lead us on to desire more of them. Let that beautiful petition from the Litany become our heartfelt prayer: 

To forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers,

 and to turn their hearts, We beseech thee, good Lord. †

The image used was photographed in our chapel at St Marys Campus of the All Saints College in Victoria Street Maitland NSW Australia. Join us there for ACC Anglican Catholic Worship, Prayer and Holy Communion on Sunday Mornings at 11am (note that the last Sunday of the month will be held in Taree).

the beginning of Lent

Ash Wednesday - the beginning of Lent
LINK: to a nice write-up by Father Ed Bakker

Lord, have mercy.

Lord have mercy,

I feel your embrace in the air around me.

Your whispers encircle my soul

and through my tears I feel your presence.

I throw my head back momentarily loosing myself

in the vastness of the heavens.

I realise the smallness of my being

and my vulnerability before you.

My heart cries out in pain,

isolated and trapped.

I wordlessly pore out the poisons of the world

that have dented my soul.

Your presence absorbs the bulk of my wounds,

my scars left as a sad reminder

of the sin around and within me.

Lord forgive my sins.  †

 

Peace be with you

Photo

Tony McInnes and Father Matthew Kirby 

during the Requiem Mass for Brother John Charles Vockler

St Hilda's Anglican Catholic Church 19-02-2014

Decisions ahead, proceed with caution - Epiphany V 2014

Decisions ahead, proceed with caution - Epiphany V 2014justify;"> Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.  Matthew 13:24-30 (KJV) 

"No, lest when you gather up the weeds, you root up also the wheat with them".  †

This parable reminds us that "fixing" a problem with a radical, strong solution could make things worse.

Prudence is the cardinal virtue that tells us when actions that seem good in themselves are to be avoided or moderated, so that we do not cause greater evil than good accidentally. Justice and love are the virtues that lead us to seek the greatest ultimate goals, but prudence shows us how to get there, when and how and how much to act.When we identify a problem that is placed before us, often the solution seems simple and within our means. A few words of encouragement or a handful of cash; a change of direction or blunt words of disapproval, will fix the problem. Sometimes we don't give enough thought or commitment to our decision involving the best course of action. Seeing only the immediate situation and not the bigger picture, we do a quick fix and walk away feeling proud of our good deed as a Christian. We will face times where we need to act but we need to show caution and consider long term effects and consequences, otherwise our choices may result in a "Cure that is worse than the disease".

Alcoholics Anonymous made popular a simplified version of the serenity prayer by  the American Theologist Reinhold Niebuhr:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Prudence again.

Prudence is defined as the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it.

Examples of failures to be prudent:-

• Closure (rather than reform) of asylums. Rather than attempting to reform the institutes to offer safe, supportive environments "Freedom" was given to schizophrenics, freedom to struggle alone with mental illness and homelessness for much of the rest of their lives.  
• French Revolution. A way of getting liberty, equality and fraternity by a complete overthrow and rejection of everything associated with the old regime, as a result inspiring mass murder and terror. 
• Iraq. Baathists expunged from all governmental roles, leading to gaping holes in administration and order, thus anarchy and suffering.  Compare this to what Patton did in Germany after WWII.

What about prudence in our own lives? 

A definition we can relate to is - "to be prudent is to think in that which is to come", "to begin with the end in mind.  The end is that which should determine the means with which we move ourselves towards it."

So, what are some examples where I need to show caution??

• When to "tell it like it is" about somebody else's foolishness and when to hold the tongue. 
• When to correct innocent minor errors and when just to encourage in teaching. 
• When to give generously and when to stop enabling irresponsibility. 
• When to clean up after a child's mistakes and when to let them learn the hard way. 
• And so on.

But prudence should never be used as an excuse to be lazy or cowardly. 
Sometimes we do need to speak, to act, to help, and to do so with gusto. 
Prudence also accepts this and chooses to make the effort powerfully.
Nobody is exempt from developing this virtue that is very crucial in our lives,
it is another step along our journey to wisdom.

        God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,
        Courage to change the things which should be changed,
        and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.   †  Amen
 
Note: The Requiem Mass for Brother John Charles is on Wednesday 19th at 11am in Maitland. Anglican Catholic Holy Communion / Mass on Sunday 23rd will be held in Taree. Contact Father Matthew for further details

Mass for Brother John Charles

St Hilda's Anglican Catholic Parish will be holding a requiem mass for Brother John Charles Vockler who passed away on Thursday 6th February 2014 at Benhome Nursing home in Maitland. 

Everyone's welcome.

The mass will be held at 11am on Wednesday 19th February in the chapel of St Mary's Campus of the All Saints College. The Chapel entrance is in Victoria Street Maitland (a small walk from Maitland train station).

The map below shows the walk from Maitland station marked in Pink.

If you are driving from Sydney the direction from the information center on the New England Hwy at Maitland is marked in green. (click image to enlarge).

Brother John Charles Vockler

Yesterday, Thursday 6th February 2014 was a very sad day for St Hilda's Parish, as Father Matthew spread the news that our beloved Brother John Charles had passed away. He will be deeply missed.

Father Ed from Bendigo has put together a lovely tribute that follows the work that Brother John Charles did, you can read it at: 
"Vale Brother John Charles Vockler FODC"

The following is one of the many prayers written by Brother John Charles.

Father of Light from whom every good gift comes, send your Spirit, we pray, into our lives with the power of an irresistible wind, and by the flame of your wisdom, open the horizons of our minds. Loosen our tongues to sing your praise in words beyond the power of human speech, for without your spirit it is not given to us to raise our voice in words of peace or to announce the truth that JESUS is LORD. Amen

Prayer for individual trust and healing

Almighty God, giver of health and healing; Grant to thy servants in need the sense of thy presence that they may have perfect trust in thee. In all their suffering may they cast their cares upon thee, so that, enfolded in thy love and power, they may receive from thee health and salvation according to thy gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.    Amen

This image created in the 4th Century AD, depicts "Jesus heeling a bleeding women" (Rome, Catacombs of Marcellinus and Peter).

Epiphany I 2014: Jepthah's Vow

This image is "Jephtha's Rash Vow", by James Gundee & M. Jones, London. Published January 20, 1807. 

And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering. So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the Lord delivered them into his hands. And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel. And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back. And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the Lord hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon. And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows. And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains. And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. (Judges 11:30-40)
"I have given my word to the Lord, and I cannot go back on it" †

Difficult passage. Does God want human sacrifice? 

If not, does God demand sinful vows be fulfilled anyway? 

No and no. Law of Moses forbade human sacrifice. While the Old Testament warns against rash vows, Jesus seems to condemn all vows  Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matthew. 5:33-37). While this was probably not literal (e.g., St Paul performs a vow in Acts and uses oaths in his Epistles), it shows that vows can be worse than rash, they can be wholly evil. The Church teaches that vows to sin are to be broken, though it might mean the vower is punished. (Tolkien and Feanor's Vow: "lesser evil in the breaking" argues one of his sons.)

Indeed, this passage may not imply he sacrificed her in this way. Wording allows for a consecration away from ordinary use, so she could never marry or bear children. "Burnt sacrifice" = olah = "ascending" literally, and can be metaphorical. But "and" in 11:31 could be "or" anyway in the Hebrew. 

Thus:      "shall surely be the Lord’s, AND I will offer it up as a burnt-offering".  

could be "shall surely be the Lord's OR I will offer it up as a burnt-offering".
 
In either case, what are the lessons?
1. Biblical interpretation is not always straightforward. Often to understand a passage it needs the rest of the Scripture, as well as the Church's wisdom, including scholarship.

2. Simple practical advice: Shut up. "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction." Proverbs. 13:3 etc. Many words can result in much error and pain. Pause and reflect, do not mistake a degree of passion for a degree of certainty. 

Note, Epiphany celebrates God revealing truth about Jesus with signs but few words: Star leading Magi and Christ's Baptism. Even God can be terse: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased".

Yes, God loves words too, hence the Bible. But much of our desire to comment and criticise is not about appropriately quoting Scripture. There is a time to speak and a time to keep silent as Ecclesiastes teaches. The latter is meant to be much longer.

3. Make the words you do say have impact by letting the rest of your life be an epiphany, a showing forth, of the light of Christ.†

Join St Hilda's Parish of the Anglican Catholic Church for Mass / Communion at St Marys Campus in Victoria Street Maitland NSW Australia on Sunday 2nd February at 11am.

The Three Crowns (published 1886)

This is a page from a book titled "Sunday. Reading for the young", published in London in 1886 containing stories and poems for young children, along with exquisite black and white engravings.

The page reads:

THE THREE CROWNS

BLESSED is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive A CROWN OF LIFE, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him,' (James i.12.) "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love His appearing. (2 Tim. iv. 7,8.) "And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive A CROWN OF GLORY, that fadeth not away.' (1 pet. v. 4.)

Childhood is a time of life overflowing with temptations. So many new tastes and so many new experiences and curiosities, with very limited sense of danger. It is a wonder that some of us survived, but we learn and we grow from experience. 

As an adult temptation is still very real and dangerous although it's form can differ. Sometimes we make a choice not to address our weaknesses, these are our temptations that we indulge behind closed doors. If we choose to do this them our temptations can get a strong hold and have the potential to become quite destructive to ourselves and our relationships (the obvious examples are addictions such as alcohol, gambling and eating disorders). Our temptations and Sins are not always that obvious and can come in many forms, but we seldom want to acknowledge them. Perhaps we like to rule situations and people rather than serve others, or inflate our own egos by laying judgement or indulging in gossip. Perhaps our temptation is toward laziness and we simply don't fulfill our potentials.

We are not children anymore and can't rely on the parental slap on the wrist to indicate we were naughty, but a higher authority is still watching. Not only is He watching our actions but also our hearts, and He can see behind and beyond the thickest and strongest closed door. 

Ask yourself:

Do I keep and show my love for Him continually and endure temptation so I will receive A CROWN OF LIFE? Am I fighting a good fight, aiming to finish my course in faith and to have love toward His appearing so that I will receive A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS? Have I focused my heart and hope on receiving A CROWN OF GLORY, that does not fade away?

Lord help me to identify my temptations, so that I can learn and grow. When I can acknowledge them, give me the strength and direction I need to fight and overcome them. Lord, guide me in my choices toward pleasing you, that I might one day receive a crown of glory.   Amen

 

Circumcision (Sermon Summary) 2014

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.  Luke 2:15-21(KJV)

“And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.”  †

 

 Why were the shepherds chosen?

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1.
God is a shepherd. We are his sheep. 
You could say he had a soft spot for shepherds. 
More to the point, he is happy to identify himself with them by this privilege granted to them.

 


JFB Commentary:

if the simplicity of their rustic minds, their quiet occupation, the stillness of the midnight hours, and the amplitude of the deep blue vault above them for the heavenly music which was to fill their ear, pointed them out as fit recipients for the first tidings of an Infant Saviour, the congenial meditations and conversations by which, we may suppose, they would beguile the tedious hours would perfect their preparation for the unexpected visit. ... But if the shepherds in His immediate neighborhood had the first, the sages from afar had the next sight of the new-born King. Even so still, simplicity first, science next, finds its way to Christ, whom

In quiet ever and in shade
Shepherds and Sage may find—
They, who have bowed untaught to Nature's sway,
And they, who follow Truth along her star-pav'd way.
   KEBLE

Cf. CSL? He was informed sailors not generally atheists. Why not? “They have time to think.” Not talking about mere reasoning. Apprehension, reflection on reality. Mystery of existence inescapable in the quiet, above the abyss.

E.Scalia (http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2013/12/a-shepherd-i-will-remain) expands on this story with some creative licence. And makes a point of emphasising the need for the shepherds not to be too full. Some hunger leads to less sleepiness, and quicker reactions and running when predators threaten.

So, why the shepherds? 

They were the most awake and aware in the late hours of the night and early hours of the morning! Most others were probably asleep. But they also reflected God in his gentleness and condescension. And they were ideal recipients among the people of God in their close contact with Nature (its beauties and dangers), their quietness, their simple faith.

Note that while the Magi received relatively subtle astronomical signs that they had to decipher, and  do not appear to have “spread the word” afterwards, the shepherds saw and heard great glory, a clear message, and then proclaimed it.

What does this have to teach us? God is more likely to reveal himself to us in quiet trust than in difficult cogitations and calculations, though he can do either. And it is often the ordinary folk rather than the intellectuals, the scholars, that God entrusts with the Gospel-message. And that is because God wants the hearers to place their trust in the message more than the messengers, and because he chooses to make the truth known through powerful experiences more than clever reasonings. For the former reveal God's omnipotence, while the latter risk catering to human pride. But whether we are more like humble shepherds or honoured wise men, all our knowledge and experience of God would be of little use unless we came to Christ. What good is revelation or reason if we refuse their call to go to him? Neither the shepherds nor the wise men refused this call. Nor should we.

If you want to know more of God, 
seek him in the stillness, 

and pray for his inspiration, focussing on Jesus. 

If you want others to know God, 
do what I have just said, 

then tell them of your experience of God in Christ. †

 Sunday 26th January - Anglican Catholic Mass / Communion will be held in Taree.

Email Fr Matthew for times and venue.

Christmass 2013 - “Word became flesh”

 
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:1-14 (KJV)

“[T]he Word became flesh and dwelt among us”+

·         What's so special about Christmas? Oh, it's easy enough to answer that from the cultural and emotional perspective. It's a time of celebration and gift-giving, and a time most people catch up with family. And, speaking of family, Christmas tugs at the heartstrings with the tender image of Mother and Child, even if many don't really understand who they are.

·         But theologically, it seems strange that it has become the 2nd greatest Feast for the Church after Easter. At first one might reply: “Well of course it is. After all Christmas remembers the Incarnation, God becoming Man, and tells us who Jesus is. Good Friday and Easter remind us the essence of what he has done for us, in saving from our sins and giving us new life. No mystery there!” However, the “Word became flesh”, as I quoted from the Gospel at the beginning, not at Christ's birth, but at his conception, which we celebrate March 25 (that's right, 9 months earlier). It's called the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary because the Angel “announced to Mary” that she was to be the Mother of the Christ.

·         So, the Church has two Feasts of the Incarnation, and the one at the birth is emphasised. Why? Well, let's go back to that verse I quoted: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The original Greek word for “dwelt” used here is not the normal one, but one associated with dwelling in tents or tabernacles, eske(e)'nosen. It would have reminded the first Jewish readers of  God's dwelling with them in the Tabernacle/tent of meeting, as they journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land. In other words, God walks with us on the journey, visibly present. And then the verse goes on to say that “we … beheld his glory”. It was not until the birth that Immanuel, “God with us”, was revealed to humanity as God among us. Until then he was hidden in the womb of the Blessed Virgin.

·         Sometimes our Christian life can be like that. We may believe that our light is hidden under a bushel even when we are doing good, that we are not making an impact, that our deeds are too small, our life too quiet. While we should do all we do for God and not for the praise of men, we might, without egotistical reasons, still be concerned that we are not letting our light shine as Jesus told us to Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16. Don't worry. If you are obedient to God, if you are faithful in things small and great, he will take care of your “witness”, your reflection of Him to others. There is nothing covered that will not be revealed. Mark 4:22. Live by faith, with consistency and integrity, and the light that is Christ will be seen through you.

 ·      

   Christmas, then, is about who Christ is as God, but also how he identified himself fully and visibly, touchably, audibly with the human condition. He humbled himself to be a vulnerable Baby, in order that he might humiliate Himself entirely by subjecting Himself to the consequences of our evil. In other words, he came to undergo yet overcome darkness and death, at the Cross, for us. To save us. But he was able to do this because of who he was, so in the same way that the tenderness of Christmas has its fulfillment in the confrontation of Easter, so Holy Week and Easter always point us back to the beginning. 

·        Jesus is God taking on our human nature, and our human struggles and physical weaknesses. He did not put on humanity as an ill-fitting mask, to be thrown away once we “got the message” from some object lesson. No, He remains fully and truly divine, fully and really human. And it is in His now eternal manhood that we become eternally united to God. It is the bridge, the link, between Divinity and Humanity. By faith and baptism we become part of the Body of Christ, the Church, receiving new life. By the Eucharist, received in faith we feed this life, to be ever “flesh of his flesh” Gen. 2:23. As we look back to the beauties of Christmas, let us recall with wonder that His inclusion in human history has not only saved us from sin, it has included us in the loving intercommunion/fellowship that is the Holy Trinity. 

He came down, not to just lift us out of a pit, but to lift us up to God: 

in Him, by the power of the Spirit, unto the Father.  +

BEHOLD a virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and shall call his name Immanuel, Isaiah 7.14

Unto us a child is born, / unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9.6

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, 

because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, 

that we might live through him. 1John 4:9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings 

in heavenly places in Christ: Ephesians 1.3

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; 

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, 

world without end. Amen
 

St Hilda's Australian Anglican Catholic Church - Maitland and Taree  Australia- Christmas 2013