Verse of the Day

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Easter Greetings from Around the World


If you are secure in Christ, you too shall rise from the tomb as He did. No man can save you, and no man can keep you in a lost state. Only Christ can give life eternal to all who believe!
Our adversary, the devil, has placed a sealed stone over the entrance to our hearts. It proclaims, as the Roman seal proclaimed, this is the property of Me! No other admitted here!
But when Christ comes to your heart, He commands that the stone be rolled away. Your heart had always been a tomb. It was destined for the eternity of death.
But when Christ commands the stone to be rolled away, He enters your heart and it becomes a Temple! He is no stone, but He is the Rock of Ages. He will keep your heart safely always. Believest thou this?”
Jerry L. Ogles
WJerry L. Ogles, D.D.
Presiding Bishop,
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

==============

Dear Bishop Ogles, and members and friends of the Anglican Orthodox Church International,
I am not much of a sport fan, yet a few years ago I remember watching part of the Olympics, and thinking as I saw teams from various countries, "I have friends there." The friends, of course, are brothers and sisters in Christ who are also part of our beloved family, the Anglican Orthodox Church. What a privilege it is to stand with such people of faith and courage, and what a privilege to be a part of this great family. My warmest regards and prayers go up for all of you today, along with my best wishes for a blessed and joyful remembrance of our Lord's resurrection. Blessed Easter.
+Dennis Campbell, Bishop CoAdjutor
==================

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

He died that we might live. He rose again that we might know we do also. There is no better proof of Jesus as your friend.

On Easter is the promise of our Lord realized. From this day almost 2,000 years ago the promise of eternal life was delivered in person by a Risen Lord.

You have eternal life; not when you die, but from the time you accept it to eternity.

You will live forever. Live like it!

Godspeed,

Hap
========
Easter is a time to remember the great sacrifice and love of God through His Son Jesus Christ.
The Lord is risen. The Bible says,"O death, where is your sting? May this Easter bring more peace,joy & hope to this world. Happy Easter to all the Bishops, Clergy, Laity, members and friends
of AOC around the world.

+Ernest Jacob
Bishop of AOC in Pakistan
=========

We wish you and the entire family of Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide.
A very Blessed “Good Friday”
and a very “Bright Easter”.

The Chairman Board of Directors, the Principal, Staff and Students,
Faith Theological Seminary
Gujranwala. Pakistan

=========

From India

"HE IS RISEN"

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND WHOLE CONGRAGATION.


Sincerely,
Rev. Rohan Nahamaiyah

=========
From Argentina
Escala Eric12:13pm Apr 26th
hello Bishop Jerry, from Argentina happy Easter, God Bless you all!
Eric+ Escala

========

Dear in the Lord,

The Lord is risen
May you rejoice
in the triumph of the Lord
at Easter
Wishing you a happy
and blessed Easter.

yours in Christ,

+ John, ELURU.

=========

Blessed Easter to you, also to all children of St Andrews.
Love from all Fiji children, and our family to each of you personally.
Lord be with you all.

--
The Rev. Jack Andrew
Servant in Christ

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Ps. 119:105

========
Wishing you a joyous Easter Day! We are all joyful here celebrating the Easter Day too.
Anthony Pangsiw
Archdeacon of Philipppine AOC
==========

Greetings and Good Day to you!


Just to greet you all "HAPPY EASTER!!"

Best Wishes,
From all of us in the P.I.
Evelyn Masaway
National AOC Secretary, Philippines
============
The Easter greeting below arte from the Rev Geordie Menzies-Grierson in England:


Dear Bishop Jerry,
Could you pass on to the AOC in all it's vineyards my prayers and greetings for Easter.
Yours in Him
Geordie

Rev. Geordie Menzies-Grierson
===============
The below greetings from Bishop Garth Neel, Bishop of South American Missions, living in Regina, Canada.
Many thanks for your contributions to the Jerusalem News. I shall be taking copies of it with me when the Neels go over to Manitoba on Sunday to celebrate Easter with the folks in the AOC mission there.

All well here. Busy, etc.

You are always in our prayers.

Blessings,
+ Garth
Oh hombre ... ¿tú quien eres? ... Mejor es una fiel ignorancia que una ciencia temeraria ... San Pablo se dio por satisfecho con admirar. San Agustín.
Greetings below from my old friend, Bishop Joshua Raj, in Calgary:
Thanks for all the Easter greeting from around the world. It is wonderful to hear from all our our friends.
Because He lives.............we can live and have our being.........in Him.


A blessed Easter to all


+Joshua


www.southasiamission.com
Rt Rev Dr Joshua Raj
Bishop, South Asia Ministries

Easter Greeting from California

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

He died that we might live. He rose again that we might know we do also. There is no better proof of Jesus as your friend.

On Easter is the promise of our Lord realized. From this day almost 2,000 years ago the promise of eternal life was delivered in person by a Risen Lord.

You have eternal life; not when you die, but from the time you accept it to eternity.

You will live forever. Live like it!

Godspeed,

the Rev. Charles (Hap) Arnold

Easter Sunday


So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

St. John iii. 16.

Easter makes good the promise – I am the life, I am the resurrection!

The Propers for today are found on Page 163-164, with the Collect first:

Easter Sunday.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be said daily throughout Easter Week.

The Epistle came from Saint Paul’s letter to the Colossians, beginning at the First Verse of the Third Chapter:

I

f ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

As usual, Paul is exhorting us to be the New Man, to put away the trappings of the old and go forward. He asks us to do what anyone who is successful does, hang around with those you want to be like in the end and to emulate their actions. In this case rather that earthly success, Paul is helping prepare us for eternal success through salvation.

The Gospel for this Sunday came from the Twentieth Chapter of the Gospel of Saint John beginning at the first verse. It is the straightforward accounting of the discovery by Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter and John that the Lord was risen indeed.

T

he first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Holy Week


Palm Sunday

The name Palm Sunday comes from the palm leaves, along with clothing and other honors strewn along Jesus’ path as He came in to Jerusalem the first day of the week before His crucifixion. Of interest, only Jesus knew of the upcoming crucifixion, every one else, including Jews, Romans and the Christians, thought he was making a triumphant entrance in to the city. Those who thought of Him as Lord looked for a Kingdom of this World to be established. Far from that, He came to take us from this world to freedom.

Holy Week

The Sunday is the Sunday next before Easter, commonly referred to as Palm Sunday. Next Sunday is Easter Sunday. The period between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday is commonly referred to as Holy Week. Most churchgoing people go to church on Palm Sunday, then to church on Easter Sunday. It’s a fairly uplifting time with not a lot of thinking. On Palm Sunday Jesus makes his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. On Easter Sunday there’s the joyous resurrection. What’s not to like about that?

The thing is, there is a tremendous amount that goes on between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, not all of it joyous, in fact not most of it. The beginning of the week was wonderful in the end of the week was even more wonderful, in between was a series of ups and downs the ups a little high and the downs very very deep. It is important to remember as you go through Holy Week that Jesus was in control of all the events of the week.

Palm Sunday

The first day of the week, Jesus came to Jerusalem as you read in the section above on Palm Sunday. On Sunday was a day of triumph and build anticipation for the Jews a day they had waited for four centuries.

The moon was almost full, this was the year of the Messiah according to Daniel. Jesus chose the route into the city, through the King’s Gate. The people saw Him coming and met him at the Mount of Olives. They expected Him to come in and proclaim His rule. And that He did, but not in the way the people were looking for.

Monday

On Monday, Jesus preaches in the Temple and further distanced Himself from the people’s vision and demonstrated God’s vision. He went in to the temple and through out the vendors selling “sacrificial” birds and animals at exorbitant cost, as well as the moneychangers, changing Roman money for Temple money dishonestly. Far from announcing Himself head of the temple, He announced they had made His Father’s house a den of thieves. Rather than working within the Jewish establishment, He over turned it!

Tuesday

Jesus and the Pharisees dispute in the Temple. He left for the garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. There he delivers the “Mount of Olives Discourse”. Judas agrees to betray him to the Jewish priests for 30 pieces of silver.

Wednesday

Judas spies on Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.

Maundy Thursday

At the Passover Feast, Jesus and his disciples share the “Last Supper” and He washes their feet. Jesus blesses his bread and wine as his flesh and blood and shares it with his disciples, the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. He informs them that one of them will betray him. They go back to the garden of Gethsemane.

Good Friday

In the early hours before sunup, Jesus is betrayed by the “Judas Kiss” and arrested. At sunrise, he is disowned by Peter thrice before the cock croweth. When brought before Caiaphas, the Jewish High Priest, and his Council, he is condemned. He says that he will rise from death after three days.

They hand him over to the Roman authority, Pontius Pilate, who sends him to Herod (Antipas, the son of Herod the Great). Then Pilate asks the crowd who he is to pardon: a murderer, or Jesus? The crowd chooses Barabas and Jesus is sentenced to death.

Jesus is brought to Calvary, where on the “third hour” (9 am) he is crucified. He is mocked as he hangs between the Bad Thief and the Good Thief, whom he blesses. On the “sixth hour” (noon), darkness covers the land. Jesus cries out “My God, My God, hast Thou forsaken Me? ”

After drinking wine, he commits his spirit to his Father and dies. Matthew reports an earthquake that destroys the Temple. Many understand now that Jesus was the Son of God. His body is taken down and anointed. He is buried in a cave. This is the first day of death.

Holy Saturday

The Jewish Council remembers his vow to return and has the tomb guarded and sealed with a heavy stone. His followers stay in the “Easter Vigil”. Second day of death.

Easter Sunday

On the third day of death, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary find the tomb empty, but for an angel who tells them Jesus is already resurrected and is on His way to Galilee. On their way to tell the others, Jesus appears to them.

Think about the Week that was!

The reason Jesus came to Jerusalem at the Passover was to take the place of the yearly sacrifice by one perfect sacrifice, one time, for all time and for all mankind. His was the blood marking our door that the destroyer might pass over. The week started on a triumphant note and ended up trying to do between there were windows into the future, glimpses of the past, moments of despair, moments of terror, moments of confusion; but in the end joy.

Palm Sunday


The Propers for today are found on Page 134-137, with the Collect first:

The Sunday next before Easter, commonly called Palm Sunday.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be said every day, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Good Friday.

And due to the rubric, the Collect for the Day is followed by the Collect for Ash Wednesday, which is found on Page 124:

The first day of Lent, commonly called Ash Wednesday.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be said every day in Lent, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Palm Sunday.

The Epistle for today, which came from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, starting at the Fifth Verse of the Second Chapter. Paul reminds us that if Christ, the Son of God, was obedient to God, we should so be. Also, as a result of that obedience, God hath given Jesus the name to which all of earth should bow.

LET this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This morning’s Gospel comes from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, starting at the First Verse of the Twenty-Seventh Chapter and tells the story of Jesus’ trial, crucifixion and death and is read in parts.

The normally powerful Gospel seems even more powerful when read as a play, so to speak. The crowd’s part is very hard to read as it reminds us of our dark side. If you did not make it to church today, please find someone to read this with in parts. It is an uncomfortable experience that you nonetheless should not miss.

Gospel of Saint Matthew

starting at the First Verse of the Twenty-Seventh Chapter

Gospeller: The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew: When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying,

Judas: I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.

Gospeller: And they said,

Crowd: What is that to us? see thou to that.

Gospeller: And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said,

Crowd: It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

Gospeller: And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me. And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying,

Pilate: Art thou the King of the Jews?

Gospeller: And Jesus said unto him,

Jesus: Thou sayest.

Gospeller: And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him,

Pilate: Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

Gospeller: And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them,

Pilate: Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

Gospeller: For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying,

Pilate’s Wife: Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

Gospeller: But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them,

Pilate: Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?

Gospeller: They said,

Crowd: Barabbas.

Gospeller: Pilate saith unto them,

Pilate: What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?

Gospeller: They all say unto him,

Crowd: Let him be crucified.

Gospeller: And the governor said,

Pilate: Why, what evil hath he done?

Gospeller: But they cried out the more, saying,

Crowd: Let him be crucified.

Gospeller: When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying,

Pilate: I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

Gospeller: Then answered all the people, and said, Crowd: His blood be on us, and on our children.

Gospeller: Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying,

Crowd: Hail, King of the Jews!

Gospeller: And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying,

Crowd: Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Gospeller: Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

Crowd: He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

Gospeller: The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,

Jesus: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?

Gospeller: that is to say,

Jesus: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Gospeller: Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said,

Crowd: This man calleth for Elias.

Gospeller: And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said,

Crowd: Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

Gospeller: Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Here silence is kept, some kneel or bow.

Gospeller: And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying,

Crowd: Truly this was the Son of God.

Please read this out loud.

Having read this, do you see yourself in the crowd? The crowd were not a random group of bad Jews, the crowd is us. There is a little or more of the crowd in each of us. Uncomfortable? Yes. But, sadly very real. Yet, if we realize this, we can act to make ourselves less of the crowd and more of the Christ. For in us each is the crowd and the crown. We chose, each of us, which it will be, crowd or crown. One simple letter of difference, yet the gap between the two is bridged only by Christ.

Friday, April 8, 2011

The Fifth Sunday in Lent




The Propers for today are found on Page 132-133, with the Collect first:

The Fifth Sunday in Lent, commonly called Passion Sunday.

The Collect.

W

E beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people; that by thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And due to the rubric, the Collect for the Day is followed by the Collect for Ash Wednesday, which is found on Page 124:

The first day of Lent, commonly called
Ash Wednesday.

The Collect.

A

LMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be said every day in Lent, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Palm Sunday.

The Epistle for today came from Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, starting at the Eleventh Verse of the Ninth Chapter. Paul summarizes both the symbolism and the substance of the Lord’s sacrifice on our behalf. Paul opens the secret of the One Perfect Sacrifice, One Time, for All Time and All Mankind. Paul is clearly appealing to the sense of the Jews when he asks them if the blood of goats will set aside or atone for sin, how much more can be done by the Perfect Sacrifice made on our behalf?

C

HRIST 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.

This morning’s Gospel comes from the Gospel of Saint John, starting at the Forty-Sixth Verse of the Eighth Chapter and tells the story of Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees in the temple. Like much of John it is filled with deep explanation of Jesus and His purpose here.

Knowing them looking to find the worst in Him, Jesus asked, “Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?” In a point central to Christianity, he went on, “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” When we hear the term Jews here, we should hear the world in general, for He spoke to all who would not hear. When they would not hear, He pointed out He sought not glory or praise from them, but only from the Father whom in reality they knew not. Here He offers the singular benefit of Christianity, “If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” This concept being foreign to them, they asked if He thought He was greater than Abraham. That brought the crowning touch, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day.” Knowing He was only in his early 30s, they could not grasp how he could have seen Abraham.

In a demonstration of the non-linearity of God’s time, He said, “Before Abraham was, I am.[1]” As might be expected, this offended the Keepers of The Law.

J

ESUS said, Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you; but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.



[1] This response was similar to God’s answer to Moses’ question, “Who do I tell them sent me?”

Saturday, April 2, 2011

The Fourth Sunday in Lent


The Propers for today are found on Page 130-132, with the Collect first:

The Fourth Sunday in Lent.

The Collect.

G

RANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

And due to the rubric, the Collect for the Day is followed by the Collect for Ash Wednesday, which is found on Page 124:

The first day of Lent, commonly called
Ash Wednesday.

The Collect.

A

LMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be said every day in Lent, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Palm Sunday.

The Epistle for today came from the Fourth Chapter of Paul’s letter to the Galatians beginning at the Twenty-First Verse.

Jesus talks about the two sons of Abraham, one of the bond, one of the free. These two, the bond under The Law and the free under The New Covenant. The people of old are the people of The Law, 613 laws by which they must abide. Perhaps more properly said in practice that they must work around or evade those 613. Yet, they cannot comply with all the laws nor even work around them. They are doomed to failure with no help from God. As people of The New Covenant, the original and real New Deal, we have only to comply with two laws or rules; To love the Lord with all our hearts and to love our neighbor. Actually, those two are much harder to fully comply with than avoiding the 613 laws of The Law. But, we have the key – Jesus Christ. He came to earth not only to lead us to heaven, from the front; but to be a propitiation for our sins, to make us account as perfect to God to allow us to come into His Land.

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ELL me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

The Gospel for this morning came from the Sixth Chapter of the Gospel of St. John beginning at the First Verse.

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ESUS went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.