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Folks,
The lessons appointed for this Sunday include from Ruth, who protests the suggestion made by her mother-in-law Naomi to return her people. But Ruth objects saying she would stay on with Ruth. The epistle lesson from Hebrews continues with further useful depiction of the right kind of priest, who offers once for all, rather than an ongoing and (to us today) somewhat gory series of animal gore as was the custom at the time. Interesting to note that there seems to have progress in this branch of human spirituality as the animal sacrifice practices have been abandoned. The lesson from Ruth is quite different from the story of Job, but again an interesting focus on what might be considered an "aside" in the OT, though one replete with suggestions for caring, respect for elders, and the independence of women. As to the choice of "gods" it appears that the two women would continue following the Judaism of the era. The gospel lesson is a beautiful telling of the conversation of Jesus with some Sadducees (lawyers of the time). In it one of them asks Jesus which is the "first" (or highest) commandment. The answer still fits today: “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” One can hardly help loving that the "scribe" (writer, especially of Jewish law, which was a combination of the secular and religious) answers very directly: “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’ —this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” After such a fine response from the scribe, calling Jesus "Rabbi" (Teacher), Jesus says to the scribe "“You are not far from the kingdom of God.” I am reminded by Ruth's story of that of one of the four principal female characters in the TV show Sex and the City where Episcopalian Charlotte decides to convert to Judaism, mostly in order to marry a particular guy who's mother would insist on it. Even after that engagement is off, Charlotte decides to remain a Jew, and we are presented with the very colourful ceremonies she was taught at the synagogue, even though when she first went to knock on the temple door, saying she wants to convert, the rabbi slams the door in her face saying "We're not interested". (I have to giggle at that since Tony(!) and I once tried to visit a Russian Orthodox "Old Believers" parish in San Francisco. We knocked on the closed door as we could hear as service in progress inside, but when I said using a bit of Russian from home I had been raised Russian Orthodox a Russian nun, very old and stern, slammed the door in our faces. I have to enjoy the colour of the Judaic practices shown, both in the temple and at home. My own Russian Orthodox heritage had lots of such practices. Finally however the real spiritual centre needs to be nourished, and colour needs support from clear thinking to my mind (one of my favourite Episcopal Church ads used to run "The Episcopal Church - Where you don't have to leave your mind at the door"). All of above is NOT a criticism of Judaism, and we can easily see such clear thinking in stories like those of Ruth and Job, along with such modern Jewish theologians as Martin Buber as we all make "progress" on our spiritual journeys. But if our God is worthy of worship (again the root of "worship" is to being judged "worthy") it must be with our total personalities, including the wondrous minds God has given us. May we all worship together in body and mind and spirit and may we do so in a place that welcomes all! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matthew Parish Events St Matthew Parish will meet for Morning Prayer at our accustomed hour of 10am. It will be a bit easier this Sunday as it will be the first day of "Standard Time" where we set the clocks BACK by an hour. If you arrive early, please consider hanging around - the leaves have fallen in a big way, and could be usefully swept off the campus. Fellow missions St Luke Parish in Jolon and St Mark Parish in King City will celebrate communion together at the St Mark campus in King City, also at 10am. Other Events As we mentioned, many parishes will be observing All Saints and All Souls Days this coming Sunday. Our friend Mark Plants, at St James Paso Robles has orchestrated the photos display of departed loved ones as well as a Book of Remembrance. See your local parish websites for their observances. Epiphany Lutheran-Episcopal Parish in Marina will observe these holiday TONIGHT with a candlelight Evening Requiem service tonight. St Barnabas will observe the holy days at their Sunday services on Nov3. From the Diocese We are getting notices that it's time to register for Diocesan Convention. For full into visit www.realepiscopal.org From the Broader Church via Padre Sid of St Peter Parish in Morro Bay A New Presiding Bishop for The Episcopal Church St Barnabas Parish News tells us for info about this event go to https://www.episcopalchurch.org/investiture/ Our friend Padre Sid tells us that we can all view the event at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/investiture/investiture-stream-english/
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