Fourth Sunday in Advent

Sermon - Rev Jack Arnold

Church of the Faithful Centurion - Descanso, California

Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and is partly contained in the forewords above. 

The Fourth Sunday in Advent

The Collect.

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 LORD, raise up, we pray thee, thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honour and glory, world without end.  Amen.

The Collect for the First Sunday in Advent is on Page 90:

The First Sunday in Advent

The Collect.

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LMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be repeated every day, after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Day.

As is oft the case, today’s propers all tie together to reinforce a point and build our understanding of what God wants and expects from each of us.  The Collect asks for God’s help for us to accept His Help and do it His Way.  We are asking for this because of our natural infirmities. By natural infirmities, I mean our sins. Our natural infirmities do in fact hinder us from running the race that is set before us, that is to make it through the trials of this world and life and onto eternal life with our Lord. They are a big stumbling block that we ourselves cannot overcome without significant help. Luckily for us we have significant help available in the form of the Holy Ghost.

This is a thought that is constantly resonating throughout the Collects and not only them but all of Scriptures. That is because it is a constant truth that without the help of the Lord, we are but doomed to fail to follow Him.   It is oft supposed Christians are dour souls, with no sense of happiness or humor.  Perhaps this thought comes from those who have heard from others what the Bible says, but have never actually taken the time to read it and understood it. For if they understood it then they would not be thinking that we are dour at all!  Reading the Bible as a whole proves this often popular train of thought to be patently false. That may have been the way the Puritans thought, but then again, the Puritans were not holding to the consistent truth of the Bible. After all God commands us to make a “joyful” noise unto the Lord! Not, a dour, grumbling and solemn noise, but an exceedingly JOYFUL noise unto the Lord! There is nothing in the Bible that says you cannot have fun whilst worshipping our Lord; in fact that is the preferred way to worship Him! If we enjoy worshipping the Lord, then we are most apt to do more of our best to follow Him, if we are enjoying ourselves whilst doing so!

After all, the one said to be the most dour of all, Paul, tells us to be happy. In his Epistle he mentioned rejoicing in the Lord always. Not just happy, but to REJOICE.  REJOICE in the Lord ALWAYS and AGAIN I say REJOICE!  How much more fun can you have?  At the same time though Paul cautions us to be moderate in everything we do, no excesses, an even keel.  Work hard, but maintain a time and space for our family, honor our country, and above all honor God.  Maintain an even balance between work and play so to speak and moderation in both areas.  However, that is nowhere near being dour; just being happy, but a cautious people. After all, if we eat too much, we end up paying the price for the gluttony. So, too, do we pay both spiritually and physically for exceeding moderation in all things. Paul is not trying to stop us from having fun, he is trying to help us to have fun safely and in an enjoyable manner, where we can be able to use our full faculties as God intended. He goes on to tell us if we think we need something, simply ask God for it!  Speaking of God, John recounts John the Baptist’s role in preparing the way for Jesus.  The Pharisees trouble with the simplicity of his message.  They were looking for something more complex, less straightforward, something more like themselves. We have heard this often about the Pharisees; what they are looking for is something that people tend to look for instead of following God’s actual message. For it is easier to get around this sort of message than God’s very simple and straight forward one. 

They were not willing to accept the change in the status quo; the New Testament would break their role in finding ways around the commandments Jesus gave.  There is no way around the two commandments, namely of loving God with all our heart, soul and mind, and loving our neighbors as ourselves! Without those, we are just pitiful, weak, sinful beings! But, if we embrace those commandments, we start to shed our old man image, and put on a newer, shinier and better image. We then become, Man 2.0, quite the upgrade from the first version! 

The Pharisees were a case of no play, all work and led a rather unbalanced life.  The opposite of what Saint Paul suggests we do. They neither held to rejoicing in the Lord always, nor did they hold to moderation in all things. We are told to balance ourselves with play besides work, to make us into a happier people who will rejoice in God’s commandments and will do His Work without complaint.  There is a reason we have Sunday as a day to Worship our Lord, not only do we worship Him then but we get some much needed rest. And we do need rest, some of us more than others to function properly for Him during the rest of the week. We will be happier in the end if we do it His Way instead of our way as we are so wont to do, which is in our nature. The whole of Scriptures is about us fighting against our nature so we will be closer to what God intended us to be; a happy and holy people, living together in harmony.  This goes back to what the collect says, we ask He would come into our hearts and help us to work towards that harmony, to help us run the great race set before us.

If the world would do what God asked, our lives would be so much better, we would all be living together in happiness. Peace on earth will not be possible until the world accepts Him into their hearts. This is the perfect season for those who haven’t yet, to accept Him, to acknowledge Him at His first true appearance amongst us, at His Birth. Up until the end of our time here on earth, there is always time to accept Him, but do not wait until it is too late to do so! People can accept Him any at any time, but sooner rather than later is preferable. It is better to accept Him right away rather than wait until it is too late. That is why we much keep spreading and preaching the Gospel to all peoples and nations to fulfill the Great Commission.

Jesus also tells us to put our trust in the Lord, then not to worry.  He knows how counterproductive, indeed, how destructive worry can be in our lives.  We know it not only cannot, but will not do good, we know it will only hurt our cause; yet we do it.  Is this not a proof positive of how much we need His Help?  How hard is it to Trust in God and Dread Naught?  Very!  Extremely difficult as a matter of fact. Worry can be a really powerful negative emotion.  We need to fight this emotion as nothing good comes from excessive worrying.  The best cure to worry is to pray for God for guidance and to act upon that guidance.  Even though it is very hard to trust somebody you can’t see physically, you must trust your spiritual sense and follow Him anyway!  Knowing you will see Him physically one day is one of our great rewards. This greatly eases at least my worries and should ease yours as well. 

When Saint John is recording the actions of John the Baptist, he tells us that when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? They got an answer they neither expected nor really understood, he said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias … I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; he it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. They had no clue what he was talking about.  All they could see was what they expected, a king of this world.  Yet, John the Baptist knew the kingdom was not of this world, for the King was no of this World, but the Eternal King of Eternity.  John the Baptist later says He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)  This is true of us, also.  We must let Jesus permeate us and become the dominant force in us.  But, it does not happen in the twinkling of the eye. Jack Lewis tells us, We are doing well enough if the slow process of being more in Christ and less in ourselves has made a decent beginning in a long life (it will be completed only in the next world). Jack Lewis suggests you try his plan; I pray ‘Lord, show me just so much (neither more nor less) about myself as I need for doing thy will now.’

The world is extremely complex; it is full of problems, temptations and difficulties.  It is full of obstacles for us, yet all Christianity offers is a few simple solutions.  We often hear there are no simple answers to complex questions.  Actually, that is not true.  There are simple answers to complex problems, they are the only ones which can and will work.  The problem is they are not the answers people want.  Most people do not want to know what they are supposed to do, lest they have to do it.  They want to be told what they want to do is at least okay, even though it is clearly not okay. But we need to know what we are doing is actually “Okay”, not what Joe on the corner claims is Okay. To do that, we have to read the Scriptures and listen to what God says is Okay, because He really does know the best in this matter for us. 

Once again, when you think about being a Christian, think a bit about these quotes from GK Chesterton:

·      Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.

·      The word good has many meanings. For example, if a man were to shoot his grandmother at a range of five hundred yards, I should call him a good shot, but not necessarily a good man. 

·      The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people. 

·      Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions. 

·      A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.

 G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

We are called to a new and different life, we ask the Lord to both lead us and follow us, to keep us always.  Our goal is to do the Lord’s will, not to avoid 613 laws.  To do what is right and be humble.

Heaven is at the end of an uphill trail.  The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.

The time is now, not tomorrow.  The time has come, indeed.  How will you ACT?

It is by our actions we are known.

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

A Tale of the Magi, 18 December 2019 Anno Domini

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OW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men[1] (Greek μάγοι, mágoi) from the east to Jerusalem, ²  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. ³  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. ⁵  And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, ⁶  And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. ⁷  Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. ⁸  And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. ⁹  When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. ¹⁰  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. ¹¹  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. ¹²  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. (Matthew 2:1-12)

A Tale of the Magi

            Two thousand years ago in the land of Persia existed a religious sect called the Zoroastrians. This religious sect had been founded by the Persian, Zartusht (Zoroaster in English) sometime before the advent of the great Mede and Persian kings such as Cyrus the Great, Darius, and Xerxes. In fact, Cyrus the Great was Zoroastrian. The priests of this religious order were highly educated and refined in the arts of science, mathematics, and many other disciplines. These priests were called Magi (Greek for Wise Men - μάγοι, mágoi). They shared the responsibility to keep the eternal flame of Ahuramazda (the God of Righteousness) burning without cessation. They were scholars who also took a great interest in primitive writings and such studies as the movement of heavenly bodies. The subject of this story is of three such men famously referred to as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. These three were wealthy and wise in their understand and perceptions.

            Being particularly studious in the ancient Hebrew Scriptures, one of these three Magi hit upon the prophecies of a coming King of Kings who would be the Son of the Living God. Discovering what he believed to be some connection between the Hebrew writings, and the prophecies observed in the movement of stars, he believed that more than superstition could be made of astrology – that God actually used the heavenly bodies to convey great mysteries to His creatures. 

            Astrologers in Korea from an observatory called Chomsongdae (near Pusan) had sighted an unusually brilliant heavenly body moving east to west as recorded in the wood plate annals at Haein-sa Temple (near Taegu, Korea). This record dates to 4 B.C. Chomsongdae and the historic city of Isfahan (a Zoroastrian center) are on approximately the same global parallel of 33 degrees. So it is possible that the Korean observers were first to see the Star of Bethlehem as it moved on its westward course. God moved in the minds of these three scholars to discover the course and meaning of this Star.

            Caspar, the eldest of the three, had made the ancient Hebrew scripture the center of his studies over the prolonged years of his life. He was a lover of knowledge, and there was something of great meaning and mystery which he sought from these ancient writings. Early in his studies, he was fascinated in the mysterious  reference to a Star which would herald a major historic event: “And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.” (Numbers 24:15-17) Caspar at once began to associate his studies of those ancient manuscripts to the movement of Heavenly bodies; but his intent was upon discovery of the one Heavenly Body to which  Balaam referred. He needed to combine his studies in Hebrew history with those of a friend more learned in the movement and projected course of heavenly bodies. That friend was Melchior.

            Caspar and Melchior joined their minds, and hearts, together to see how the movement of such heavenly bodies might be related to those ancient utterances found in the Hebrew texts.  Being quartered on the Holy Mountain of the Eternal Flame over-looking the city of Isfahan to the south, these two had a perfect vantage point from which to refine their observations. Not long after combining their studies they were joined by a young apprentice priest named Balthazar. Unlike Caspar and Melchior, Balthazar was not so much interested in Hebrew scriptures and astrology as the other two. His interest centered on how one could use the stars, especially the North Star, as a navigation aid. Young and eager, God has chosen this last Magi as one to complete the complement of visitors to the Holy Land and Bethlehem.

            Balthazar was eager to put some of his theories of navigation to the test but was persuaded to be patient by the other two scholars. In the meantime, the Star sighted by the Korean observers was slowly making its way toward the Persian city of Isfahan.  

            As the three men served in their orders to attend the Eternal Flame on the mount, they constantly speculated on the mysteries of the heavenly bodies, how their courses were always constant and unchanging, and of how they always seem to come in continues order from the same easterly direction. Caspar remarked that the earth might be a globe since this was insinuated in the Hebrew writings: “It is he that sitteth upon the circle (circuit or compass) of the earth,” (Isaiah 40:22a) These heavenly lights must have some deeper meaning than man can conceive. Melchior commented that if such could sing, as Caspar intimated, perhaps they were great angels. “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:7 (KJV)  But Caspar promptly corrected him – “when the Hebrews refer to the stars as singing, they are using the stars as personifications of angels – not actual angels,” he said. So went their daily discourse. 

            One particularly quiet evening, as the salamander was feeding the Eternal Flame with fuel, Caspar’s dimming eyes caught sight of a brilliant star just breaking over the distant horizon due east. It was unlike any other star his old eyes had ever witnessed. “Melchior! Come quickly! Look at that! Have you ever seen such a star before?” Melchior, acclimating his eyes from the flame to the dark sky suddenly burst out in emotion, “Caspar, this star is different from all others we have ever observed. Its course is not recorded in any of our charts! Perhaps this is the Star for which you have been searching. Young Balthazar was awakened from his sound sleep and told of the observance. He, being very familiar with the recorded courses of the stars, found this particular star to be profoundly different from all others he had ever seen. It seemed to be alive with intense brilliance and warmth. 

            It was decided that the star would be observed for three consecutive nights and, if its course and character proved to be something other than a super nova, these three men would follow that Star to learn its destination and meaning. Thus was the Star faithful on its continuous course. There was something uncanny about its influence on these three Magi. On the fourth day, the three Magi had prepared for a journey of indefinite duration. Camels were loaded with provision, and servants were contracted to accompany the three on an uncertain journey of hundreds of miles. 

            As they were completing their plans, suddenly Caspar burst out, “Wait! If this is the Star heralding the coming of the Great King, we cannot visit Him empty-handed. What gifts would suit such a great King? Melchior offered, “If He is a king, gold is always representative of a king’s wealth. I shall take GOLD!” “Yes, you are right, Melchior, said Caspar; but He is also a Divine Son of the Great God – I will take Frankincense which is used by the Hebrews to signify worship. This King is due worship.” “Then what gift can I bear this Divine King,” asked Balthazar. Caspar slowly scratched his grey old head and searched his memory banks of the Hebrew texts. 

            Suddenly, the cobwebs of his mind were cleared away and a certain passage of the old texts appeared in Caspar’s fading memory: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”  (Isaiah 53:4-9)

            “This King is unlike any other: Yes, He is a great King, but He is also God in the flesh, and He will die for the sins of His people. A gift must be taken to represent that sacrificial death, but what?” said Caspar.

            “Well,” spoke Melchior, tentatively, “I have read of the custom of the people of that land in anointing the dead bodies of their people with Myrrh . . . .” “That is it, Balthazar! Melchior is correct. You shall take Myrrh as a gift to signify His sacrificial death for His people. It will be for His anointing.” And so it was.

            That very evening, as the scroll of night filled the Persian sky with its purple canopy sprinkled with points of light, the Three Magi mounted their caravan of several camels and servants and began their long journey in following the Bright Star. Its movement was just as gradual as their ability to travel. Balthazar computed the course and direction over the Zagross mountains to the west, crossing the many rivers and deserts, and the wilderness regions of Arabia. It was a long and arduous journey lasting months. As this entourage finally crossed the Jordan Valley into Canaan, they were excited to realize that the Sea was not far ahead, and their journey must have its destination between their present point and that sea coast. As they entered the hill country surrounding the Hebrew capital of Jerusalem, they began to speculate on just where they might find the Babe. 

            “It is certain that such a One would not be born in one of these rough little villages,” said Balthazar. “He must, of course, be born at the royal palace in Jerusalem.” This made an abundance of human sense. In their excitement, the three were no longer attracted by the direction of the Star and proceeded directly to the artificial lights of Jerusalem with eager anticipation. Upon explaining the purpose of their journey, the three were admitted to the king’s court after a few moments of hurried inquiry. In earshot of Herod the King, they voiced their purpose in coming, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Everyone should be profoundly delighted to hear of the birth of such a King, should they not? Herod overheard this inquiry and was particularly disturbed by two words, ‘King’ and ‘worship.’ He had some slight understanding of ancient prophecy, and he did not approve of God’s provisions, after all, he was King in these parts, and there was not room for another. “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled,” – he certainly was, and not only the King, but all the religious leaders who desired no divine challenge to their neat little arrangements – “and all Jerusalem with him.” But Herod was a shrewd and evil fellow. He would investigate before enacting his plot: “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” These were some of the Hebrew writings that had enlightened Caspar, but no such enlightenment was felt by Herod. We might say he felt subdued rage. 

            “Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.” Due to their long journey, the child, Jesus, was at least several months old when the Magi appeared. This is why Herod, calculating the possible age of the Newborn King, would have every male child of Bethlehem, of two years age and below, ruthlessly murdered before the eyes of the wailing mothers. 

            “When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.” Remember how distracted the Magi were by the false lights of the city of Jerusalem and how they no longer followed the Star? (We all go astray when we stop following the Light of God and embark on our own poor vision.) Once free of the false lights of Jerusalem, the Star was again visible to them and led them directly to Christ.

            Our Lord was born in a stable and cradled in a manger; however, these many months later, Mary, Joseph, and the child are quartered in a house: “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” You will recall that the poor shepherds were the first to receive the good tidings of the birth of our Lord, and now come the Magi – gentiles from the East. Jesus came to the Jew first, and then to the Gentile. It is for this reason that we normally associate the Wise Men with Epiphany Season. The gifts, as mentioned before, were prophetic – GOLD for His royalty, FRANKINCENSE for his Divinity, and MYRRH to signify His sacrificial death as our Saviour.

            God knows the heart and mind of all people, and Herod is no exception: “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.” God made provision to protect Baby Jesus who, as Joseph would be warned in a dream, was taken into Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod. Where did the means to make such a trip come from? Perhaps the gift of Gold Caspar was so inspired to bring.

            The studies of the Three Magi did not happen in a vacuum. The motives and desires of these Three were inspired of God to further His plan of redemption in a prophetic and beautiful manner. These Three followed the brightest Star in the Heavens to Christ. Can we do less seeing He Himself is our Bright and Morning Star?

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[1] The country of origin and names of the Three Wise Men (three based on the number of gifts brought) is lost in antiquity; however, we do have clues upon which to base a fanciful account that coincides in many particulars with the biblical account. It is more of a fictionalized account I am writing that seems sensical to true possibilities. Hope you enjoy it. Please do not scold me for not using more biblical evidence upon which to base the story since such evidence it does not exist – remember, I told you it is fiction! I will use the names of popular lore since the real names are unknown

Message from the Presiding Bishop - Christmas 2019, Anno Domini

25 December 2019, Anno Domini 

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ERE they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. ¹⁶  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.¹⁷  Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. (Jeremiah 6:15-17)

            What makes the Christmas Season so warm and special – is it the gifts we receive, the ornate decorations, or the snow that many are blessed to see? Though these things contribute to making Christmas special, they are not the core reason for our joy. How do I know this? Because I have experienced Christmas around the world and know how the Holiday is viewed by those who have no idea that the holiday is centered on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

            In places like Tokyo and Hong Kong Christmas is hailed as a cultural season to decorate in red, display images of a little fat man in a red suit, who never existed, and a time for the banks and commercial interests to make a fortune in sales. In many parts of the United States, Christmas can mean so little as that; but there remains a good percentage of the American people who do, indeed, remember the meaning for the season. They have resisted the phony greeting of happy holidays, or winter break, and stuck to the real name, CHRISTMAS!

            Without all the commercial fanfare and splurging at sales, Christmas could have a far greater meaning to adults and children alike. Instead of songs like ‘Jolly Old St. Nicolas,’ ‘Jingle Bells,’ and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” how much deeper meaning could we feel if we restricted our Holiday songs to those which actually celebrated the reality of Christmas – ‘O Come All Ye Faithful,’ ‘Away in a Manger,’ O Little Town of Bethlehem,’ ‘Silent Night,’ etc.? Instead of a fat little man dressed in red who brings gifts to children around the world in one night why not celebrate the true Birth of the Gift that God has given to mankind? His gift is a continual gift and not a one-time commercially-oriented undertaking. 

            When I remember Christmas of old, those wonderful old Christmas hymns are the songs I remember because they convey eternal truths – not childish fantasies. If we are to teach our children such fanciful tales, let us at least be honest in telling them that Santa Claus is a fairy tale, else they may be led to wonder if we also lied about Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

            The Christmas I experienced in Tokyo is not that much different from those I experience today in America. The great majority of people in Tokyo have no idea who Christ is, yet they celebrate Christmas exactly like most Americans with their Santa Claus props, red décor, colorful lights, and mindless shopping. 

            Perhaps we should try something different this Christmas by gathering the family around the fire (inside or out) and sing carols of praise and glory to God for His greatest Gift to mankind. Instead of buying gifts that are basically meaningless to affluent friends, why not search out some poor family who will subsist on the bare minimum of food and warmth this Christmas by purchasing food, fruits, candy and other treasures. Surprise them on Christmas Eve.

            Let us celebrate Christmas in the full sense that the world acknowledges unwittingly in their calendars – a profound event that changed the world 2,019 years ago!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY OF YOUR FUTURE LIFE!

The Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide Communion

Jerry L. Ogles, DD, Presiding Bishop

Hymns of the Church – Magnificat – The First Song of Christmas / Advent – 17 December 2017, Anno Domini

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ND Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. (Luke 1:46-56)

The Fourth Sunday in Advent

The Collect.

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 LORD, raise up, we pray thee, thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honour and glory, world without end.  Amen.

The Collect for the First Sunday in Advent is on Page 90:

The First Sunday in Advent

The Collect.

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LMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be repeated every day, after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Day.

The first Song of Christmas is the Magnificat of Mary, pg 26 of the Prayer Book, that begins with the words of Gospel of St. Luke 1:46-55:

One can sense the great joy and devotion of Mary in this instant of Thanksgiving Prayer.  As I was driving to my office a few days ago in the pre-dawn darkness, the air was cold and pristine. The stars sparkled from a cloudless sky. I began thinking about the innocent young Mary who was visited by the Archangel Gabriel so many years ago in a village called Nazareth. I thought about her being at home doing her daily chores - all alone. She must have been shocked at the warm Light that illumined her in her solace, but she was not overly fearful. I believe the approach of God always gives us a great peace. As I was contemplating this scene, I wondered, What would have happened had her parents been present? I'm sure the Angel would have deliberately chosen a time that would be a quiet, solitary moment when He could approach Mary alone. I believe that is precisely characteristic of God and His Holy Spirit. I believe He most often speaks to us when there are no others to distract our attention. His voice is soft and still toward those of His own choosing. Had her parents been present, it is unlikely that Mary would have seen or heard the voice and presence of the great Archangel Gabriel sent from the Father. As I thought on these things, my heart melted with love for her, and her Child, and the Father who demonstrated such great Love to us, and to her. (AOC Christmas Letter, 9 December 2006 Anno Domini)

     The birds of the morning sing most sweetly at dawn and after refreshing Spring rains, too. The dawn of the Gospel follows the shadows and psalmody of the Old Testament. It is quite natural that the shadow should resemble the image of the true form. When we read the Magnificat of Mary, we are reminded of those gentle strains and shadows of the same given in the early scenes of Israel. 

     Please examine with me the words of the lovely Hannah after God has granted her the desire of her heart (the baby Samuel):

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Y heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. (1 Sam 2:1-10)

     The most beautiful words follow beautiful experiences or thoughts. But beauty needs a purity of environment for its manifestation, and it has found its ultimate satisfaction in the gentle heart of a young Virgin. Her great joy could not have been fully realized at the abrupt revelations provided by the great Angel. But Mary has travelled into the hill country of Israel. On every hand of her journey, she has been reminded by the great and Godly heritage of Israel by the mementos along the way of prophets, kings, and mountains of exceedingly precious events. As she walks the rough terrain into these Great Lone Hills, her heart is fixed on the child conceived in her womb, of the Mighty Angel, and upon the Lord of her salvation! She is overcome with humility and love – humility because she is well aware of her shortcomings and seeming unworthiness for the great honor afforded her and, Love, because she has in her body the manifestation and meaning of Love Itself.

     And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Mary had a soul that magnified the Lord as a jeweler’s lens magnifies the excellence of a diamond. Observe that the lenses of a microscope do not alter the structural appearance of its object, but rather bears out the true structure and detail of it. Her soul was open to the nature of the Lord and made it appear large and clear to those who met her. Do our souls do this? Our souls are made magnifiers of the Lord whenever we rejoice in God our Savior! Have you had moments of despair turned suddenly into wonderful experiences of Joy in Christ? If I am sad and down, I can alter that emotion at any time by singing the great old hymns of the church. After a few lines of singing those spiritual and biblical lines, I have forgotten my sorrow and bask in the light and love of God. Try it, my friend!

     For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Mary is perfectly satisfied to be only a handmaiden of the Lord. Did I say ONLY? Being an handmaiden, a doorman, a gardener, or a butler for the Lord surpasses the office of King in any of the great kingdoms of the world – past or present. Mary freely admits to her low estate and does not claim any higher position, but realizes her low estate has lifted her above the greatest of women in the eyes of the Lord. Though only a simple handmaiden, ALL GENERATIONS will call her blessed.

     For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. No matter how low our station and esteem among men, the Lord our God can do great things in and through us. He is not only Holy, but His name, too, is Holy. He is every whit Holy.

     And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. God’s mercy is not confined to a single people, or a single period of time. It encompasses every nation, tribe, and tongue; and it is eternal in its application. Note that the fear of the Lord will always precede his mercy, for His mercy cannot be granted to those who presume upon His grace with scorn or cunning.

     He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. Should we ever forget how God’s outstretched arm brought us over and through the waters to His haven of safety? And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders. (Deut 26:8) Have we failed to witness the same on our own behalf? If so we have eyes to see and see not, and ears to hear and hear not. The proud He has scattered across the depths of the Red Seas of life. He vanquished the giant, Goliath, with a single smooth river stone from the sling of a young boy. He has confused the wisdom of the high and mighty and exalted the simple to the heights of His Love.

     He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. Balshazzar was deposed in a single stroke of the Finger of God. Ahab has God humbled and Jezebel has He made to be food for dogs. A shepherd boy has God exalted as King in Saul’s stead. A poor Moabitess widow has He lifted into the line of Christ and of David. Fishermen and publicans has He called to the Office of Apostles, the leper has He embraced and healed, the widow’s mites has He exalted to greater wealth than all the world can contain. If we shall be exalted, we must first and always seek the lower seats. Have you done so?

     He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. Our friend and brother, the beggar Lazarus, rest in the bosom of Abraham while the rich man of opulence begs for a drop of water in the fires of Hell where his money and filthy rags of sin will avail him no relief or comfort.

     He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy. The evidence of His mercy permeates the Bible account from beginning to end: Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king. Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.  (Psalm 89:15-19)

     As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. Have you been granted the grace of being called by that great name – the seed of Abraham? If you have not had, it is simply because you have refused to accept the promise and become a true child of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob, and ultimately of God.

     And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. Can you imagine the blissful fellowship these two dear ladies enjoyed for those three months? It is very possible that Mary remained with Elizabeth until her child, John, was born for Elizabeth, we are told, was six months with child at the moment of the Annunciation and, having remained three months longer would take us to the nine months for the normal course of the pregnancy of Elizabeth. Whether she was present at his birth or not, she certainly lived to see John a great prophet in Israel and her own Son, Jesus, as the Mighty Savior of all time and Eternity! Have you lived sufficiently to have seen Him?

AOC Sunday Report - Third Sunday in Advent

Happy Third Sunday in Advent!

The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE!

There are really nice sermons today from Bishop Roy, Revs Jack and Bryan and a special sermon from Lay Reader at Large Ryan Underwood.  Each is quite different.  You should enjoy them a lot.

There are a lot of people who need your prayer, please take a few minutes to pray; start with Bob, Shamu, Bill & Amy, Tricia, Jim and work out from there.  Until you are on the list, you will not know how important this is.

There is a great week ahead, just ten days until we celebrate the birth of our Lord.  If you are not ready for Christmas, perhaps you might consider what that means and your priorities.

Accept God's help from that Third God Guy and have that EPIC week.

Godspeed,

Hap
Church of the Faithful Centurion
Descanso, California

Sermon Notes - Third Sunday in Advent - Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide - Ryan Underwood, Lay Reader-at- Large - 15 December 2019, Anno Domini

Ryan Underwood Ogles’ Sermon

Today Bishop Jerry has provided a sermon from Ryan Underwood, Lay Reader-at- Large for the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide.  You should find this interesting and instructive.

The Third Sunday in Advent

The Collect.

O

 LORD Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

My dear Brethren in Christ, this week we observe the ember days of Advent, the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday wherein the Church exhorts us to pray for those who are preparing to undertake the ordained ministry of Word and Sacrament. This being said, today’s Gospel text shows us how all Christians may strengthen their faith in the midst of doubt and temptation, so that they may serve as tools whereby the Holy Ghost brings poor and destitute sinners to the promise of eternal life found in Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Gospel

Matthew 11.2

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OW when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? …

A lively faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ is essential for a truly Christian life. However, many people think that having a lively faith in Christ implies that Christians never suffer from doubt or temptation. But remember, John knew Our Lord for a long time prior to his imprisonment, and was a faithful minister of God’s Word. He knew Our Lord from his mother’s womb, and preached of Him boldly in the desert, witnessing that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. However, now he is shut up in prison for preaching against the immoralities of the King. In his gloomy cell, John is assailed with doubts over whether Christ is indeed the promised Messiah and Savior foretold by the prophets since the world began. We learn from this that even holy men are subject to the trying of their faith through temporary doubts and temptations, and need the reassurance of God’s Word to sustain them through these tribulations. He, therefore, sends two of his disciples to enquire of Our Lord, that his faltering faith might be strengthened and confirmed by the words of Jesus Christ.

As you proceed through the Christian life, do you ever feel like John? Upon seeing and experiencing the wickedness of the world around you, are you ever tempted to doubt Jesus Christ and the promise of His Kingdom? Do you ever look upon the carnage of our once Christian civilization, and doubt whether Christ can save it? Do you say with the prophet Ezekiel,“Can these bones live? (Ez. 37:3) Fear not, for God through His Apostles warns us that the pathway to eternal life with God is one of temptation and suffering, that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22) Therefore, let us not give in to temptation or doubting, but rather let us trust that God will see us through to the end. Let us take comfort in the words of God spoken to David, a man who suffered from doubt and temptations in his own troublesome times, Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10) The Devil will assault you with many doubts and temptations in the Christian life. When this happens, follow John’s example by going to the Lord and seeking comfort and edification from His Holy Word. When you face temptation, pray that God may give you the grace to repent of your sins, to seek after the Truth of His Word in your Bibles and in the quiet prayer of your hearts. Trust that the Holy Ghost will bring you to Jesus Christ, that He will make Christ known to you as your Lord and Savior.

Although the flame of your faith may burn dimly at times, yet know that if you but cling to the promises of Jesus Christ, then the Holy Ghost will fan your dim faith into a flaming fire whereby the light of Christ shall be made known among men.

Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Indeed, and what answer do we hear from the words of the Lord? If you wish to strengthen your faith in the midst of suffering and doubt, then look to your bibles and see how Christ continues to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament in the present day. ccontinues to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament in the present day.

Christ makes the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lepers to be clean, and the dead to be resurrected. Take your own selves for instance. By yourselves, you are poor and destitute sinners, deaf to God’s Word, blind to the beauties of His grace, dead in your trespasses and sins, contaminated by the spiritual leprosy of original sin so that your whole nature is totally depraved and merits only eternal damnation. However, Christ comes to you, and opens your ears so that you may hear the Gospel. You had no part in accomplishing this, and in all probability you actively resisted Him, but yet His purpose stands. Christians, He has preordained you to eternal life from before the foundation of the world. He opens a way into your hearts, He washes you in His own Blood, He heals your wounds by the Holy Ghost, and He turns your poverty into riches by reckoning His righteousness to your account, and making His Word take root in your souls. Therefore, be strengthened in your faith, for the grace of Christ has done all these things, and will continue to work for good to them that love Him and are called according to His purpose, through all the sufferings of this life, unto the world’s end. Do not take offense at the Gospel of Christ, but earnestly believe in Christ, knowing that He will lead you through the temptations of this life, healing you of your sins, and sanctifying you by His Spirit unto everlasting life. Go to Jesus Christ with all your heart, and His Word will strengthen your faith in the midst of suffering and doubt and temptation, and will enable you to persevere unto the end.

And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Christians, Christ not only restores you to health and confirms your faith in Him, but also calls you to labor for the spreading of His saving health to all nations. Of course, not everyone is called to stand in a pulpit or take upon himself a pastorate, but every Christian is called to faithfully walk in the way of Christ, and thereby witness to Him, for Our Lord says to you, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  (Matt. 11:28) Don’t waste your time on the trivial things of this fallen world, but dedicate yourselves to those things which are eternal and lead to your everlasting happiness! Prepare the way of the Lord by repenting of your sins and seeking the Holy Ghost to restore you to the life of Christ. By His grace, diligently study God’s Word, seek God’s glory, and proclaim the Gospel by word and deed to every creature. Have faith in the love and work of Christ which saves you from your sins. Love God and make much of His Law. Earnestly pray for the Holy Ghost to bind God’s Law of love to your hearts and the hearts of your children. Work for His Word to be the center of your lives and households. Undertake your daily occupations honestly and to the best of your ability, as in the sight of God, for in this way you can be a witness to Him among men. Fear not when the Devil puts doubts or temptations into your hearts, but trust that the Lord’s strength is perfected in your weaknesses. Know that if He has saved you from your sins and reconciled you to God, then He will also sustain you in the Christian life through all doubts and temptations unto the end, for, If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. You are freed Christian men, saved by the Blood of Christ. Therefore boldly speak His Word and faithfully bear witness to Him with your lips and your lives in all that you do. In this way you will be used by Christ as His servants to open spiritual pathways whereby the Holy Ghost enters the souls of your sin-sick neighbors and restores them to health. This is the true Christian calling, this is the only life worth living, and I pray that you and I may walk it until our dying day, when we will receive the reward and perfection of our faith, even eternal life with God and with all His saints through Jesus Christ Our Lord. For to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Third Sunday in Advent

Sermon - Rev Jack Arnold

Church of the Faithful Centurion - Descanso, California

Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and is partly contained in the forewords above. 

The Third Sunday in Advent

The Collect.

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 LORD Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

The First Sunday in Advent

The Collect.

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LMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be repeated every day, after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Day.

In the Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent, we are referred to as the ministers and stewards (caretakers) of the mysteries of God: the Scriptures and His Word. We ask for help in getting the hearts of the disobedient, which is us, by the wisdom of the just, which is God and the Holy Spirit, to turn and look to the Kingdom of God for answers and not this world. We are in a way like John the Baptist who prepared the way for Christ’s coming by preaching and preparing the path for Christ to begin his ministry. By preaching the Word, we are likewise preparing the World for His Return, by getting their hearts ready by being guided by the Holy Spirit and spreading the Good News across the globe. 

The collect gets to the heart of the matter directly. It says that in order for us to follow God, we need our disobedient hearts to shift focus to that of being just, in order to be ready to follow Him. This world will not help us follow Him nor will their solutions help us to follow him.  When we look to the world for solutions, we find the solutions of this world.  This world, ruled by the Prince of this world, the Prince of Air, the devil himself!  But Only His Solutions will help us to follow Him. We will only prosper if we follow His Solutions, that is God’s solutions. What will people think when we reject worldly solutions to worldly problems.  There is an answer for that, conveniently following the Collect.

In the Epistle, Paul tells us not fear what others think of us, but rather be concerned about what God thinks of what we are doing and what direction in which He wants us to go.  Rather than spend the mental energy on being concerned with what others think, let us use that same mental energy to do our best for God, our family and our country. We can get a lot more done for God this way and it will be better for our hearts, souls and minds if we think this way. Worry does not solve any problems; but it can create problems if we let it. So, let us not worry about the opinions of man, but of God instead. We will profit spiritually this way.

This is a very hard concept for many people to act on, including myself. However, it is something that each and every one of us should be working towards. What God thinks of us is a more important standard to hold ourselves to than what the people in this world think of us. We are to look to heaven for the answers to our worldly problems, not to this world. The world’s solutions have been tried and found wanting, but heaven’s solutions are never wanting. The only failure is that of their implementation which is on us and not on God. We just need to have the willpower, which can get from the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, to implement these solutions around us.

Rather than fear man, we must fear God, and do what He wants us to do. We must concern ourselves with God’s opinion rather than Man’s opinion.  Then perhaps maybe, some in this world will see what we are doing for Him and come to know Him and join Him. We will never know how much and impact we have on others around us. That is why we must be mindful of how we act around others. It is on us to be good ambassadors of Christ and to make good and lasting positive impressions on everyone we encounter. It is very much like how we are to act when traveling for work. We are called to be good representatives of the company and our conduct reflects very much on the company we work for, or in this case, God.  So, let us be the best representatives of God we can be. Some people will not be receptive of course, so we must shake the dust off our boots and leave. Some will be receptive and even those that aren’t, in time, might be open to hearing God’s message.  We aren’t called to force God’s message on others, but to offer it if they wish to hear it. Otherwise, we must do our part to be polite and kind to others, believers and other sorts of believers/non-believers, be it at work, school or home. Following God’s ways, we will be a much happier people. 

We will never get anywhere if we follow the ways of this world. As in John 1:11-13 He came unto His own and His Own received him not.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the 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 the will of man, but of God.

If we are born of God, then it is Him to whom we must return and not man. As the verse from John points out, even Jesus came to us and we refused him; how can we expect any better treatment from man, than that given God Himself, who came down for us?  We should not be surprised when our fellow men treat us like dirt. We know ourselves how depraved we can be without the guiding light of the Holy Spirit in us. 

But the next part of the verse tells us what we will get if we join with him. He gave us the power to become the Sons of God, as we are His adopted children. He is giving us our eternal inheritance, if we will but follow Him. We are going to get an absolutely wonderful reward, if we do our very best to follow Him.  There is a distinct difference between saying you are doing your best and actually doing your best. 

The treatment we receive in this world will pale in comparison to the treatment God will give us in the next world if we but do our very best to follow Him. He has given us the power to become the Sons of God; we are God’s adopted children. This is a power greater than any in this world not of God’s Hands. This is a power that cannot be taken from us, as we are tightly in God’s Hand. The enemy cannot pluck us out of God’s grasp, once we have willingly joined ourselves to God through the help of the Holy Ghost. We need the unifying spirit of the Holy Ghost to help us understand the concepts of Scripture; not only to understand them, but to follow them. With the help of the Holy Ghost, we can understand what we are to do; more than that, we will be able to apply the concepts we learn from Scripture to our everyday lives.

In the Gospel, Christ asks the crowd of what they expected to see?  Some great big flashy sign He was going to overthrow the Romans and unite the Jews to conquer the world?  That was what they expected, but not what He came for! He says more than a prophet and that is true. Jesus is more than a prophet, He is the Son of God who came to die for our sins that we might not perish but have everlasting life.  He did not come to rule the world, for it would be only a temporal state.  He came for far more than that; to prepare our hearts for eternity and change us from unjust to just creatures, worthy of God’s creation and His Hands. As John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Christ’s preaching, Christ came to prepare our way to join our Father in Heaven. Without this preparation, we would not have the wonderful gift of eternal life.

His sacrifice was the physical and spiritual action which paved the road for our ascent to heaven. He came to mold and to shape us from being roughly made to something very valuable. He came to transform us from death to being truly alive. 

Life is a continual process of learning in every aspect of our lives, not least of these aspects is our spiritual growth and development.  The Japanese have a word for this, introduced into their industry by the American engineer W. Edwards Deming, Kaizen (改善), that is to say continuous improvement.  Never perfect, but always endeavoring to improve.  Day by day.  Our goal is to make the next day better than the last. This is how we must continually develop as Christians.

To care for the mysteries of God properly, we must continue to learn in our spiritual lives; if we do this, we will keep growing more and more every day.  Reading Scripture is one way to further our spiritual development, as well as helping others without thought for ourselves. We have to undergo our spiritual rebirth before we can help to transform others and to serve others.  To accomplish this, we need to have the mental state that only the Holy Ghost can give us. We must keep trying our best to improve and learn from the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit and to trust in God and dread naught.

As He came to change us for the better, Paul and the Collect remind us to do the same for others.   We have to keep trying to do our best to help our friends and family to be better, all the while doing our best to be the best Christians and humans we can be. All the while shining the light of Christ into the darkness of this world as His ambassadors. We know not what seeds we plant when we perform such actions and in a future time they may bear fruit. We must not try and rush the work of the Holy Spirit, who works on God’s time and not that of our own time. All good things will happen in due course. If we do our part by planting the seed, the Holy Ghost will nurture and develop this seed to bear fruit. We must put our hearts and minds together and think about what God wants us to do in the end, rather than what we want to do. Put God first and all will be well, is what can be taken from today’s collects and lessons, ultimately.  We must be willing do to this; then we can be properly caring for the mysteries of God.

Heaven is at the end of an uphill trail.  The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.

The time is now, not tomorrow.  The time has come, indeed.  How will you ACT?

It is by our actions we are known.

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God