Saturday, November 15
Koinonia, Day 2. It starts at 9am. WOW! I could sense the presence of God’s spirit in the room. Sitting at the back table I could watch the different tables with the participants and how they we responding to the talks and the conversations at the table. I was also moved by being part of the prayer team that went into our small chapel to pray for each speaker before and after their talks. The music was outstanding, and again, often I felt tears on my checks as I could worship God in this very powerful way.
The talks were wonderful and right on target. Then came the evening where we gathered in chapel to worship and then provide an opportunity for those who wished it to come to a healing team for prayers for healing. I was asked to be with my friend, Pete on one team. Those who came to us for prayer moved me deeply. I wanted to take away their tiredness, their pain and hurts, but I know that’s God’s job, not mine. My role is to vocalize God’s concern for them and to join my prayers with God’s for the relief of their pains and hurts.
Fr Doug decided to end the day with an informal “rite III” Eucharist. In this setting, besides being the “deacon of the mass” I could also worship.
Following the service I talked with one of the participants who I have been praying for and talking with for a while. This person was “slain in the spirit” at one of the healing station. This person didn’t realize what had hit them in that healing session. I called over another member of the healing team to help explain the experience. It moved me deeply to see God’s action so powerfully in this person.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Koinonia, Day 1
Friday, November 14, 2010
Koinonia started today. There are around 25 participants. I was moved by the stories many of them told in their introductions of themselves. The music lead By Scott Gardner and included my friend Ron Kohl, Jeremy Rudacille, Jeff Hartnett (Fr. John Hartnett’s son) with Dan Lemley on drums and joined by Michele Rudacille on flute was very moving. It felt wonderful to be singing what is often called “praise music” in community again. Of course any kind of music that praises and give glory to God, even if it was written thousands of years ago, can be considered “Praise Music.”
I am anxious for Saturday to hear the talks, to sing and to talk with people, as they encounter God in this new and special way.
Koinonia started today. There are around 25 participants. I was moved by the stories many of them told in their introductions of themselves. The music lead By Scott Gardner and included my friend Ron Kohl, Jeremy Rudacille, Jeff Hartnett (Fr. John Hartnett’s son) with Dan Lemley on drums and joined by Michele Rudacille on flute was very moving. It felt wonderful to be singing what is often called “praise music” in community again. Of course any kind of music that praises and give glory to God, even if it was written thousands of years ago, can be considered “Praise Music.”
I am anxious for Saturday to hear the talks, to sing and to talk with people, as they encounter God in this new and special way.
The Prodical Son
Thursday, November 11
The gospel reading for today was from Luke’s re-telling of the parable of the “Prodigal Son.” In Kairos we learned that there was a better name for this story that Jesus told, and it would be the “parable of the Loving Father.” As I read it at Morning Prayer, my eyes filled with tears because the images that aroused in me reminded me of persons I know living today, and even countries like my own. How far many of us have strayed squandering the wealth of the land and people that God has graciously given to those who came before us and to our own generation. Our current economic crisis felt in many ways around the world, mostly in sovereign debt, and here in the USA with the housing bubble, foreclosures, liar loans, the raise in employment, and the resulting personal bankruptcies. Have we reached the point that we are willing to say “We will go back to our Father and tell him that we have sinned against him and heaven and are no longer worthy to be called his children?” For the sake of political correctness we removed prayer from schools, took down your ten commandments from many public buildings, spread a gospel of profit only without ethics and morality, that there was no longer a need for God in our society. We have misused your creation that you put us in charge of. We have not taken care of our brothers and sisters here at home and around the world, who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick and in prison. We had a chance through the Millennium Development Goals, but we spent our resources on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We spent our children’s and grandchildren’s money (through increased debt) on what we perceive to be our needs of today.
We know how the original parable ends in the gospel, because the Father seeing his returning son, far off in the distance ran out to him, and rejoiced that his son had returned to him, brought him back home and declared a celebration. The key to this parable is humility, followed by repentance and then finally forgiveness. It’s a story about God’s grace, unearned and undeserved that is always there if we chose to live into the divinity that he has offered us through Jesus Christ. It’s not too late for us to go home. It begins when we recognize that we have not been living in God’s favor, not because he has not given it to us, but because we have chosen not to accept it and live by it. I pray that we may wake up soon like the prodigal son, and realize how far we have gone from being in relationship with our Creating, Redeeming and Sanctifying God. It’s time to accept God’s favor towards us, and live into that high calling that he has given us, at whatever the cost. I can only make that decision for myself, but I will start on the road back home. Is there anyone who wants to join me?
The gospel reading for today was from Luke’s re-telling of the parable of the “Prodigal Son.” In Kairos we learned that there was a better name for this story that Jesus told, and it would be the “parable of the Loving Father.” As I read it at Morning Prayer, my eyes filled with tears because the images that aroused in me reminded me of persons I know living today, and even countries like my own. How far many of us have strayed squandering the wealth of the land and people that God has graciously given to those who came before us and to our own generation. Our current economic crisis felt in many ways around the world, mostly in sovereign debt, and here in the USA with the housing bubble, foreclosures, liar loans, the raise in employment, and the resulting personal bankruptcies. Have we reached the point that we are willing to say “We will go back to our Father and tell him that we have sinned against him and heaven and are no longer worthy to be called his children?” For the sake of political correctness we removed prayer from schools, took down your ten commandments from many public buildings, spread a gospel of profit only without ethics and morality, that there was no longer a need for God in our society. We have misused your creation that you put us in charge of. We have not taken care of our brothers and sisters here at home and around the world, who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick and in prison. We had a chance through the Millennium Development Goals, but we spent our resources on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We spent our children’s and grandchildren’s money (through increased debt) on what we perceive to be our needs of today.
We know how the original parable ends in the gospel, because the Father seeing his returning son, far off in the distance ran out to him, and rejoiced that his son had returned to him, brought him back home and declared a celebration. The key to this parable is humility, followed by repentance and then finally forgiveness. It’s a story about God’s grace, unearned and undeserved that is always there if we chose to live into the divinity that he has offered us through Jesus Christ. It’s not too late for us to go home. It begins when we recognize that we have not been living in God’s favor, not because he has not given it to us, but because we have chosen not to accept it and live by it. I pray that we may wake up soon like the prodigal son, and realize how far we have gone from being in relationship with our Creating, Redeeming and Sanctifying God. It’s time to accept God’s favor towards us, and live into that high calling that he has given us, at whatever the cost. I can only make that decision for myself, but I will start on the road back home. Is there anyone who wants to join me?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
God comes first
Tuesday November 9
Today’s gospel reading (Luke 14:25-35) is a difficult one for me. In it Jesus says “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.” It’s one of those quotes from Jesus that I would just as soon pass over and forget, or excuse it as an error in translation. But I remember preaching on this same verse several months ago, and at that time I was inspired to point out that what Jesus was saying is that God has to be first in our lives, before mother, father, wife and children. Of course these relationships are very important, but they all derived their meaning from our relationship to God first. Where does our love and sacrifice come from that we experience with those around us. Isn’t Jesus the best example of agape love? As a disciple of Jesus, he provides the model for how I should be living my life. So, loving God comes first, and through that relationship the love I receive is then available to give to the others I encounter daily in my life.
“Love is the answer” . . .God’s love for us comes before anything else.
Today’s gospel reading (Luke 14:25-35) is a difficult one for me. In it Jesus says “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.” It’s one of those quotes from Jesus that I would just as soon pass over and forget, or excuse it as an error in translation. But I remember preaching on this same verse several months ago, and at that time I was inspired to point out that what Jesus was saying is that God has to be first in our lives, before mother, father, wife and children. Of course these relationships are very important, but they all derived their meaning from our relationship to God first. Where does our love and sacrifice come from that we experience with those around us. Isn’t Jesus the best example of agape love? As a disciple of Jesus, he provides the model for how I should be living my life. So, loving God comes first, and through that relationship the love I receive is then available to give to the others I encounter daily in my life.
“Love is the answer” . . .God’s love for us comes before anything else.
A new beginning
Monday, November 8 2010
Beginnings: Fr. Doug and I have agreed to start a daily journal meant to be aware of God’s presence in our daily lives and to publish that journal on our blogs.
A note before I begin: As a vocational Deacon, my ordinations vows require me to “interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.” That is a pretty broad statement, but it provides a lens through which I view the ministry that God has called me to serve in. Consequently, I read Holy Scripture through that lens and I look for comparisons in our world today so that I may bring an interpretation of current events to the Church for awareness and possible action.
The daily office for today begins a series of Old Testament reading from the Book of Joel. We are not sure when Joel lived, or the date of authorship.
I have never read Joel seriously before, but this book records a description of a locus invasion, a call to repentance (for Judah), and salvation in the coming “Day of the Lord.” Today’s reading is the beginning of the book and a records a terrible invasion of locusts and the impacts on the farmers. Joel also states that It’s a call to wakeup to the destruction happening around them. As I read this, I immediate thought about the continuing destruction of our economy, the raising number of people who are losing their homes to foreclosures, the rising number of those who are being laid off from work and the increasing number on unemployment. How are we as Christian people supposed to respond to our brothers and sisters in these times of increasing need? How can we help others in our neighborhoods and communities? I would suggest that we have an opportunity, especially as we approach the holiday season, to provide assistance to those in need through Metropolitan Ministries, ECHO, Angel Tree, Meals on Wheels and other such programs. Joel has issued a “wake up” call to those around him. I am reminded that same “wake up” echoes down through the ages to us as well.
Blessings, Gary
Beginnings: Fr. Doug and I have agreed to start a daily journal meant to be aware of God’s presence in our daily lives and to publish that journal on our blogs.
A note before I begin: As a vocational Deacon, my ordinations vows require me to “interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.” That is a pretty broad statement, but it provides a lens through which I view the ministry that God has called me to serve in. Consequently, I read Holy Scripture through that lens and I look for comparisons in our world today so that I may bring an interpretation of current events to the Church for awareness and possible action.
The daily office for today begins a series of Old Testament reading from the Book of Joel. We are not sure when Joel lived, or the date of authorship.
I have never read Joel seriously before, but this book records a description of a locus invasion, a call to repentance (for Judah), and salvation in the coming “Day of the Lord.” Today’s reading is the beginning of the book and a records a terrible invasion of locusts and the impacts on the farmers. Joel also states that It’s a call to wakeup to the destruction happening around them. As I read this, I immediate thought about the continuing destruction of our economy, the raising number of people who are losing their homes to foreclosures, the rising number of those who are being laid off from work and the increasing number on unemployment. How are we as Christian people supposed to respond to our brothers and sisters in these times of increasing need? How can we help others in our neighborhoods and communities? I would suggest that we have an opportunity, especially as we approach the holiday season, to provide assistance to those in need through Metropolitan Ministries, ECHO, Angel Tree, Meals on Wheels and other such programs. Joel has issued a “wake up” call to those around him. I am reminded that same “wake up” echoes down through the ages to us as well.
Blessings, Gary
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday Feb 28 - MDG #4 - Reduce Child Mortality
For Saturdays during Lent I have asked you to meditate on the mortality of infants in the world today;
Fact: A child born in a developing country is 13 times more likely to die within the first five years of life than a child born in an industrialized country. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for about half the deaths of children under five in the developing world.
Isn't that astonishing? Every one a child of God who due to malnutrition and rampant disease (many diseases we have preventative medicine in the west) is not given the chance to live a full life.
Target 1:
Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate
Where are we?
World wide, deaths of children under 5 years of age declined from 93 to 72 deaths per 1,000 live births between 1990 and 2006. That certainly is progress, but we are still left with a staggering number of deaths among those under 5 years old - most of which preventative medicine and medical care that we have in the west could take care of.
However our goal is reduce the 91 by 2/3 (61) or 31 deaths per 1000 by 2015. We have 6 years left and much to accomplish.
I ask you to remember the plight of the newly born in your prayers and to consider making a donation to any respectable child heath oriented group that is working towards improving the health of children under 5.
I also ask you pray the following prayer daily:
Most loving God,
as your desire for mercy for the poor is unrelenting,
may we be unrelenting in our pursuit of mercy for all;
as your compassion for the suffering of the poor knows no limit,
may our hearts overflow with compassion for all;
as you long for justice for the poor,
may we strive for justice for all.
Open our eyes to the structures of oppression from which we benefit,
and give us courage to accept our responsibility,
wisdom to chart a sound course amid complexity,
and perseverance to continue our work until it is finished.
Breathe your life-giving Spirit afresh into your Church
to free us from apathy and indifference;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you, Deacon Gary
Fact: A child born in a developing country is 13 times more likely to die within the first five years of life than a child born in an industrialized country. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for about half the deaths of children under five in the developing world.
Isn't that astonishing? Every one a child of God who due to malnutrition and rampant disease (many diseases we have preventative medicine in the west) is not given the chance to live a full life.
Target 1:
Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate
Where are we?
World wide, deaths of children under 5 years of age declined from 93 to 72 deaths per 1,000 live births between 1990 and 2006. That certainly is progress, but we are still left with a staggering number of deaths among those under 5 years old - most of which preventative medicine and medical care that we have in the west could take care of.
However our goal is reduce the 91 by 2/3 (61) or 31 deaths per 1000 by 2015. We have 6 years left and much to accomplish.
I ask you to remember the plight of the newly born in your prayers and to consider making a donation to any respectable child heath oriented group that is working towards improving the health of children under 5.
I also ask you pray the following prayer daily:
Most loving God,
as your desire for mercy for the poor is unrelenting,
may we be unrelenting in our pursuit of mercy for all;
as your compassion for the suffering of the poor knows no limit,
may our hearts overflow with compassion for all;
as you long for justice for the poor,
may we strive for justice for all.
Open our eyes to the structures of oppression from which we benefit,
and give us courage to accept our responsibility,
wisdom to chart a sound course amid complexity,
and perseverance to continue our work until it is finished.
Breathe your life-giving Spirit afresh into your Church
to free us from apathy and indifference;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you, Deacon Gary
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Thursday February 26 - MDG#2 Achieve Universal Primary Education
As a continuing Lenten meditation on the MDG’s, today we will look at Achieving Universal Primary Education.
Target 1:
Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling
Recent Status
Globally, 570 million children are enrolled in school. The number of children of primary school age who were out of school fell from 103 million in 1999 to 73 million in 2006. In that year, primary school enrolment in developing countries reached 88 per cent on average, up from 83 per cent in 2000.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the net primary school enrolment ratio has only recently reached 71 per cent, even after a significant jump in enrolment that began in 2000. Around 38 million children of primary school age in this region are still out of school.
In Southern Asia, the enrolment ratio has climbed above »» 90 per cent, yet more than 18 million children of primary school age are not enrolled.
"Projections suggest that without further acceleration, 58 out of the 86 countries that have not yet reached universal primary education will not achieve it by 2015. In all regions, inequalities in access to education are a major barrier to reaching Goal 2. The children most likely to drop out of school or to not attend at all are often girls and those from poorer households or living in rural areas. For example, recent estimations show that 25 per cent of children of primary school age in rural areas of the developing world are out of school, compared with 16 per cent of children in the same age group living in cities."
Please see http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/2008highlevel/pdf/newsroom/Goal%202%20FINAL.pdf
Achieving Universal Primary Education is an important step in a country’s move towards economic development. I ask you to pray for the children, parents, teachers and school administrators that all children may have a opportunity for a primary school education. The poorest children are affected the most and children from rural areas.
As part of your Lenten devotions I ask you to pray the following:
Most loving God,
as your desire for mercy for the poor is unrelenting,
may we be unrelenting in our pursuit of mercy for all;
as your compassion for the suffering of the poor knows no limit,
may our hearts overflow with compassion for all;
as you long for justice for the poor,
may we strive for justice for all.
Open our eyes to the structures of oppression from which we benefit,
and give us courage to accept our responsibility,
wisdom to chart a sound course amid complexity,
and perseverance to continue our work until it is finished.
Breathe your life-giving Spirit afresh into your Church
to free us from apathy and indifference;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you.
Target 1:
Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling
Recent Status
Globally, 570 million children are enrolled in school. The number of children of primary school age who were out of school fell from 103 million in 1999 to 73 million in 2006. In that year, primary school enrolment in developing countries reached 88 per cent on average, up from 83 per cent in 2000.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the net primary school enrolment ratio has only recently reached 71 per cent, even after a significant jump in enrolment that began in 2000. Around 38 million children of primary school age in this region are still out of school.
In Southern Asia, the enrolment ratio has climbed above »» 90 per cent, yet more than 18 million children of primary school age are not enrolled.
"Projections suggest that without further acceleration, 58 out of the 86 countries that have not yet reached universal primary education will not achieve it by 2015. In all regions, inequalities in access to education are a major barrier to reaching Goal 2. The children most likely to drop out of school or to not attend at all are often girls and those from poorer households or living in rural areas. For example, recent estimations show that 25 per cent of children of primary school age in rural areas of the developing world are out of school, compared with 16 per cent of children in the same age group living in cities."
Please see http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/2008highlevel/pdf/newsroom/Goal%202%20FINAL.pdf
Achieving Universal Primary Education is an important step in a country’s move towards economic development. I ask you to pray for the children, parents, teachers and school administrators that all children may have a opportunity for a primary school education. The poorest children are affected the most and children from rural areas.
As part of your Lenten devotions I ask you to pray the following:
Most loving God,
as your desire for mercy for the poor is unrelenting,
may we be unrelenting in our pursuit of mercy for all;
as your compassion for the suffering of the poor knows no limit,
may our hearts overflow with compassion for all;
as you long for justice for the poor,
may we strive for justice for all.
Open our eyes to the structures of oppression from which we benefit,
and give us courage to accept our responsibility,
wisdom to chart a sound course amid complexity,
and perseverance to continue our work until it is finished.
Breathe your life-giving Spirit afresh into your Church
to free us from apathy and indifference;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you.
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