This Side of the Pulpit » Entries tagged with "saints"
Easters Here, There and Everywhere
Easter Sunday was hard. Seeing all the faces of those I’ve known, the widows whose husbands I’ve buried, the hands held out that I had confirmed over the years, knowing why she doesn’t kneel but he does–seeing this and knowing it is my last Easter here. But at the same time already moving ahead, thinking of my new congregation kneeling, communing with them already together with the angels and the archangels, with Peter and John and Mary and all the company of heaven. Haven’t had one like that in years–stressful and sad and expectant and disappointing. Yes, disappointed that I will not be here again for this Feast but disappointed I’m not yet there either. It was a limbo on Easter Sunday. But it’s also saying goodbye. It’s the reason I am dreading … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Repenting and Not Repenting and Still Repenting
On this coming Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican (in the One Year lectionary), I ran across the following and had to share: But if repentance is too much for you, and you sin out of habit even when you do not want to, show humility like the publican ( cf. Luke 18:13): that is enough to ensure your salvation. For he who sins without repenting, yet does not despair, must out of necessity regard … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
The Resurrection of the Dead, Part Ia
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
What is to Come
In the first Odd Thomas novel by Dean Koontz the character Stormy believes that this life with all of its struggles and hardships is the easy part, the trial run for the adventure, the real battle that is waged in the next. It’s basic training for what will come, she says. There is truth to that, though not in the way it first appears. The next life will have no sin, no suffering for the redeemed of the Lord. Sorrow and sighing will flee away, Isaiah 35 tells us. With an eye to verses like that, it is impossible to think that this is basic training for the world to come. This is the war, then is the rest. And Scripture speaks this way as well. ”For we do not wrestle against flesh … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Whereof We dreamed as Children…
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. (Ecc 12:12 KJV) There’s a sequel to Winnie-the-Pooh and House at Pooh Corner. We can add to the thought above that there’s no end to the making of money by publishers. Yet the trustees of Milne’s estate have approved the book. But they also approved the Disney adaptations, as well, so we’ll have to see just how faithful the book is to Milne’s original. The AP article about the release says, in part: In the final chapter of “The House at Pooh Corner,” Christopher Robin asks for understanding, “whatever happens,” and makes Pooh promise he won’t forget about him, ever. Pooh does, and Milne then makes a promise of his own … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
On the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. (Luke 1:40-45 KJV) … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Blessed Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul!
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
A Reprint from 2007
I’m at a blogging lull these days, so here’s a reprint from earlier days: “Imitate Me” (March 5, 2007) So says St. Paul in Philippians 3:17. Likewise, he exhorts us the same in 2 Thes. 3:7-9: For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. (ESV) And most pertinently, Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
The Widow’s Mite Reveals My True Poverty
Here is another wonderful post from Creative Minority Report, this one by Patrick Archbold. The post concerns his reaction to a “reality” show called Secret Millionaires. On the show, wealthy people go slumming for a week or so and then are supposed to give a large donation to someone they met. The gem of the show is not the hubris and condescension of the wealthy, but the generosity and mercy of the poor. Here’s an excerpt: This week we met woman who got hooked on drugs when her child died and spent fifteen years in and out of prison. She finally got her life back on track and henceforth devoted it to sheltering and helping other women, newly released from prison,adjust to life on the outside. She found women dropped at the bust … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
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