Folks,
My understanding of our God is that of a personage to whom we can relate - in the language of my early years a "Heavenly Father". To that extent I sense that all the meditations (including this morning with a meditation group Tony(!) joins every weekday) and prayers are really meant for our own benefit but then extending out to the broader communities in which we find ourselves. This morning's meditation time was not different, but it caused me, especially after reading the 1798 proclamation of President John Adams sent in email by a friend, to learn more about such proclamations, which have a longer history than even the Pilgrims - going back thru the earlier Virginia Colony and all the way to 1565, where the first recorded church services and communal feasting occurred on 8 September at St Augustine, Florida (in Spanish, of course!) - see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)#:~:text=The%20event%20that%20Americans%20commonly,of%20the%20Mayflower%20(Pilgrims). where you can read of the sad yet important history thru Plymouth Colony and Note the many US presidential proclamations that followed before the first official setting of a calendar day by Lincoln "In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity," in 1863 in a proclamation he made (but written by William Seward). The calendar day he chose, the final day of November, was followed by his successors until 1942 when Roosevelt regularised it to the "fourth Thursday in November" - as it stands to this Day in Federal Law (note this was with some commercial activity in mind with the Depression still weighing and the World War raging). From all this History one can see that the Spiritual event of Thanksgiving has been and remains one of both individual and corporate relationship - as the time meditation and prayer enables relating to oneself and from this starting point spreading out to the broader community. The lessons this coming Sunday (though I wish to remind all of the lessons for Thanksgiving Day which include from Deuteronomy on humility - "Do not exalt yourself...", 2 Corinthians on generosity to "sow bountifully" "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." and the Gospel of Luke on inclusion wherein Jesus cleanses 10 lepers yet only one - and he NOT of the tribe of Israel, returns to give thanks and praise) are from Ezekiel, where we hear a remarkably prescient simile of shepherd and sheep strongly evoking in our minds the many times that simile was used in the New Testament including today. Funny that we just recently had Good Shepherd Sunday as well. The lesson also includes judgment of the sheep, concluded by the nomination of David to be the Shepherd. The epistle from Ephesians shows us how much the early "church" of Paul depended on a sense of community ("I heard of your faith in the Lord ..."), even across its locations in the far-flung cities of the Roman Empire and locates Jesus's "being", both after his death and resurrection ("seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places," - note the purposely plural "places"), and as well in the understanding of the church ("has made him the head over all things for the church,") While we do not know what exactly these "places" were in Paul's thinking, we can tell he meant it was not simply a mock-up of life here on earth but something on a far grander scale than we can imagine. The gospel lesson from Matthew as mentioned continues the notion of the Good Shepherd, this time however putting that notion farther into action as this Shepherd can tell who obeyed his commandments to feed, give water and clothing, and visit when sick or in prison by those who did those very things - because in so doing they did it for the Shepherd. This beautiful metaphor and analogy well-depicts our potential relationship to the Shepherd and the ways of life we are called to adopt in order to live in the radiance of relationship to that Shepherd. May we all heed the call of our Good Shepherd and go and do that He might know and find us, and may we realise in our meditation and prayer that these are starting points for relating to our communities and our world, since as our Scriptures tell us, the Sabbath(s) were made for humans - not humans for the Sabbath! Our love to all (and a prayerful and humbly thanks-full weekend!), Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matts! Events In view of the length of the above meditation (and because the ranch house is full of guests!) we only have space to mention that St Matthew parish in San Ardo will be CELEBRATING Morning Prayer this coming Sunday at the customary hour of 9:30am. For other events please see last week's NEWS along with websites of your local parishes and those at www.sloepiscopalians.org
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The "Subject" of today's St Matthew News is a quote from Krishnamurti, suggesting that true peace is not simply quietness but also the active work of love in its many forms for the good of others. It is elusive in a divided world as events of the day, especially in the Middle East and Ukraine demonstrate. More about that below as we discuss the lesson for this Sunday from the Book of Judges.
Note however that there is something of a "peace and security" theme in the epistle lesson for this Sunday from First Thessalonians, where Paul uses exactly that phrase but with an emphasis on watchfulness, and goes on to commend sobriety saying the people of God arm themselves by putting "on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation." He concludes this somewhat military passage with the way to arm the community: "Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing." The gospel lesson from Matthew offers a parable (the "capitalist" lesson?) in the actions of the three slaves, again pointing out the need for activity in the Commandment of Love: hiding one's talents away until the Master comes is not the right way - to win his praise one must get out there and take risks! But back to the Judges lesson, which caused me to want to learn more about Deborah. In the course of my bit of research I came across the story of Jael, who may never have actually met. Deborah was the wise and respected prophet and judge of Israel in the era of 1100-1000 BCE while Jael was a housewife and hostess whose husband was known for his attempts to make peace between the many groups in the Canaan area. The Judges lesson seems to make clear just how much the Middle East was a turbulent place in those days, yet much like today. Perhaps this was because as Dr Bramlett suggested in his course, it was at the meeting place of three continents, where Africa, Asia and Europe (separated from Asia by the Urals et al) meet? In any case, the lesson has Deborah really directing Israel's military after their defeat by King Jabin's army led by General Sisera. At her command Barak, the military leader of Israel, then goes on to defeat General Sisera (note that in the story, God seems to have had a change of mind, first giving victory to Sisera - the lesson says the Lord "sold them into the hand of King Jabin" and then gives victory to Barak). But there is more to the story: For Sisera was caught in a tight spot as the Israeli army and sought a hiding place in Jael's tent. Acting quickly, this housewife covered Sisera with a rug supposedly to hide him, but she goes on to kill him by driving a peg thru his skull. Note that Jael's story, and that of her husband Heber the Kenite, supposedly a neutral tribe in the midst of all the fighting for territory in Canaan are worth reading about - see wiki for more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jael#:~:text=Hever%20the%20Kenite%20(%D7%97%D7%91%D7%A8%20%D7%94%D7%A7%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%99,of%20the%20Tribe%20of%20Naphtali. and that it appears Jael killed Sisera in order to end the fighting in the region. Whether Jael and Deborah ever met, further on in the Book of Judges Deborah extols Jael in the Song of Deborah: "Extolled above women be Jael, Extolled above women in the tent. He asked for water, she gave him milk; She brought him cream in a lordly dish. She stretched forth her hand to the nail, Her right hand to the workman's hammer, And she smote Sisera; she crushed his head, She crashed through and transfixed his temples." (and for a little lighter reading see the notes at the bottom under popular culture, including how this story was used by one of my favourite authors, P. G. Wodehouse, in his amusing novels.) While the fighting and killing of these stories are as appalling as the fighting in the Middle East today, they also demonstrate the two facets of peace-making, with the wisdom and strength of Deborah as she commanded Barak and his army but also the single-handed action of the housewife Jael. As in the subject line, peace is not merely an ideal - a thought. Rather it includes both watching with readiness to achieve peace and security as Paul mentions and action even as Jesus commends the risk-taking activity of the investors. Let us all pray for wisdom such as Deborah had and willingness to act as we saw in Jael - and may we find ways to act beforehand to avoid the need for violent action to make peace. Our love to all as we search for and act on ways of making peace! Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matt Events This Sunday St Matthew Church in San Ardo will meet for Morning Prayer back at our regular time of 9:30am. And our fellow mission, St Luke Church in Jolon, will have Morning Prayer led by our friend Susan Raycraft (SuRay!). Correspondent Daphne Denny there tells us to watch for the new of their next monthly Potluck / Vespers service as they will be doing "something a bit different". This of course is also the week of Thanksgiving, and among the many special parish events and dinners, including that at St Barnabas Church in Arroyo Grande where the Thanksgiving Service will take place at 7pm. Please see the websites for your local parishes for more Thanksgiving parish events via the websites at www.sloepiscopalianslorg Note that there are lessons appointed for Thanksgiving Day (see https://lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/HolyDays/Thanks__rRCL.html including from Deuteronomy where we are told not to exalt yourselves as our wealth increases, along with a lesson from 2 Corinthians that we must take the risk to sow "bountifully" and especially this story of the healing of 10 lepers healed by Jesus: "On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well." At this time of Thanksgiving, may we not forget to give thanks ourselves! Other Events Due to our next event, the San Antonio Valley Historical Society, which meets today for a luncheon Annual Meeting and talk by the three children of a pioneering woman of Southern Monterey County, Pearl Daniels, who kept a diary in the tradition of her foremothers especially about the Town of Peachtree (now basically the Daniels Ranch, but at one time something of a village with school and dance hall) but also other parts of the County and State, including our own Indian Valley. It was Pearl's natural welcoming (along with the three women who were most of St Matt parish when we first visited) that really helped us to feel a part of the SoMoCo family. Advent But we do want to mention briefly that with the approach of the Advent Season, also a time of watching and preparation, the Cathedral Church and Parish of St Paul is taking Advent seriously by extending the notion to the next seven Sundays, starting this Sunday, with the Advent Procession by the Choir. As their E-News says: " Advent Procession 5 pm, In the Cathedral, or Worship Online Advent Procession (in its full format) returns! This much-beloved service, similar in style to a “Lessons and Carols” service, is sung entirely in procession as the choir makes its pilgrimage through the Cathedral and chapel. As we explore an extended 7-week Advent this year, this service of Preparation complete with the Great “O” Antiphons is a wonderful way to explore this Advent tradition more deeply. This year the service will be sung by members of the cathedral Schola as well as Alumni of the St Cecilia girls’ choir. We will have Alumni singers spanning the entire history of the St. Cecilia girls’ choir at St Paul’s – more than 50 years will be represented!" read all about it at www.stpaulcathedral.org where you will see that the Parish offers "formation classes" for both children and young adults, the latter in the form of Bible Study. The former reminds me that several parishes offer a sort of Sunday School for kids called "Godly Play" - and as you likely know, we think "play" is needed by adults as well. When our high church friends work with parishes to embellish services with their "most ancient rituals" (while the parish continues doing good community work) we think it a form of "godly play" for adults. More about that in future. In our own Diocese of El Camino Real we are told there will be an Advent Retreat to be called "The Mysteries of the Season of Advent" in three parts on three different days, one for each Deanery of the Diocese - more about these next week, but for full info (so you can be prepared) go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5lDQpzRIaUDZ0sGaavISdACY-oXl4BQdOgcQTDUYLilsmBQ/viewform and note that we hope to be at the one for the SLO Deanery at St James Church in Paso Robles. Also from the Diocese in spirit of an active peace we hear of the following: Prayers for Peace The Social Justice Committee invites you to join in a short on-line lunchtime prayer service at 12:30 on the first and third Wednesday of each month during Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Starting December 6, 20, Jan 3 and 17. As we see the death and destruction happening in Gaza and Ukraine, and so many other places in the world, our hearts break for the children, the families, the old people... all those who are losing lives and homes and loved ones. Let us bring our compassion and our concerns to God together. Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82914293327?pwd=Zy9jY2lxd3ovNThEVmJrSGhyQXZsZz09 Meeting ID: 829 1429 3327 Passcode: 242297. Questions? Contact Caro Hall revcaromail@gmail.com Friends,
The lessons today are from the Book of Jericho, where we hear of another water-stopping event when Joshua and his chosen 12 (one from each tribe of Israel) reach the River Jordan and the priests' feet go into the River which is then stopped and the waters "stand in a single heap" as predicted to show that God was among them. Note that the lesson goes on to mention that as the entire "nation" of Israel crosses over on dry ground, with the priests still carrying the Ark of the Covenant in the middle of the dry stream bed, and the stream's flow rising up in a single heap far off at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan" there are inhabited places already there in Canaan (this morning as we read the lessons, Tony(!) remarked on all the "ites" who were already dwelling there.) All this is somewhat reminiscent of today's situation with the State of Israel initiated as a modern "country" in the midst of a land already populated by other groups with the events following the Balfour Declaration in a letter he wrote to Lord Rothschild in 1917. These events have caused the Middle East to be a major international focal point since - see Psalm 107 for a poetic history which includes even an allusion to the situation in today's Negev Desert. In the Epistle lesson Paul speaks of the work he and others have done to get the Word to believers. Now some might figure the "Word" referred to the words of the scriptures as even televangelists do today, but it was nothing of the sort! Rather the passage is clear that the Word is the Spirit of God "which is also at work in you believers". (I always admire Paul for stating that the scriptures were simply "useful".) In the gospel lesson we hear of phylacteries, little boxes made of leather and worn on straps by Jewish men as a reminder of the scriptures. As with much "religious" practice, many rules have grown up around these external things (see https://www.britannica.com/topic/phylactery but Jesus tells his audience that "they do not practice what they teach." For the truly godly Word is the internal Spirit of God that dwells among us. May we all have that Word in our hearts! Our love to all Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew Events St Matthew Church in San Ardo will be meeting for Morning Prayer at 9:30am this Sunday, hearing the words but more importantly seeking the Word within each and all of us. (It is amazing how much others can enrich our understandings as we discuss the scriptures, and as relevant to today's events - evidence of the Word in us all!) Note that this Sunday we will be Observing All Saints and All Souls Day - days when we will especially be remembering "those who have gone before" with stories and recollections of beloved and friends (and even pets) who have dies - we rejoice that they are part of the Word! Come along and speak of folks beloved by you. Our friend Daphne Denny reminds us that fellow SoMoCo mission St Luke Church in Jolon will have no service this Sunday. This is because they will be concelebrating the mass with St Mark Church in King City at 10am. And their "monthly Vespers Supper Club Potluck" will be held at St. Luke's, on Wednesday, November 15, at 6 pm. Other Events Please remember to visit San Luis Obispo Deanery parish websites at www.sloepiscopalians.org for more details. Also remember to turn your clocks BACK an hour (technically Standard Time resumes at Our friends at St Luke Church Atascadero remind us that they have Evening Prayer services Tuesday nights. And they will be having a Quilt Day on Nov 18 from 9am to noon at the church - sounds like "quiet enjoyment" to us! Also relevant to folks who like "quiet enjoyment" we hear the following from St Barnabas Church, Arroyo Grande: Due to such a successful event, we will be hosting another retreat on the first weekend in March (Feb 29 - March 2nd) so mark your calendars. From the Diocese St Stephen Church in San Jose tells of an interesting free event called "God and the Machine - Living the Great Commandment in the Age of AI". Sponsored by our Diocese, several parishes as well as the Society of Ordained Scientists. The two part event will take place on 18 Nov and 2 Dec For more info go to http://www.sswsj.org/god-and-the-machine.html Today we attended Diocesan Convention via Zoom and it was a real pleasure - and even more so to be connecting with these saints near All Saints Day. No major issues today but a good reminder to all that serving in some diocesan office is not so much a burden as a wonderful chance to gather with distant friends. We thought to leave you with this bit of history and a delightful story and thoughts about All Saints Day from Fr Rich at Good Shepherd Church in Salinas (Corral de Tierra). A college professor brought his little son to the school Chapel on a bright, sunny day. The sunshine showed through the many stained glass windows. The father said to his little boy, "Those windows show pictures of the saints. Do you know who the saints are?" The little boy, looking up at the brilliant windows, thought for a while and then exclaimed, "Yes! The saints are the ones who the light shines through!" Today is All Souls Day which we now call the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. It is the final day of Allhallowtide, a three day liturgical cycle where we reflect on the lives of all those who faithfully loved and served God. Curiously, All Saints Day was not always in the autumn, it was first celebrated soon after Easter. The feast was an occasion to make pilgrimages. Such journeys reflected on Jesus' journey through death and resurrection that culminated in his homecoming at the Ascension. Commemorations became very popular and there were many pilgrims to feed. Subsequently the feast day was transferred to November 1, coinciding with harvests in the Northern Hemisphere which permitted enough food to feed the travelers. Now, in many places, observances are extremely important family times to gather at the graves of loved ones, reunite, reflect, and celebrate one's ancestors. In some ways, the power of remembrance is a gift given to the people who have gone before us. Such recollection helps us also recommit to the values they shared with us, values we continue to hold dear. Let us too strive to let God's light shine through us as we remember those whom we love but see no longer! |
WILLIAM BARTOSH
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