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Folks,
The lessons include from I Corinthians Paul claiming that (borrowing from Fried Green Tomatoes) without the body you don't have a case (most of you know my riposte to that thinking - faith IS believing in things unseen, so a body would make no difference), and in the gospel of Luke we see the "beatitudes on the plain" very similar to those in Matthew. But for this Sunday I'd like to concentrate on the OT lesson from Jeremiah, where the writer is in typical "jeremiad" form, suggesting all manor of unpleasant outcomes following "mere mortals" yet blessed are those following the Lord. In particular I'd have focused on the last three stanzas of the poem-lesson: The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse-- who can understand it? I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. These words suggest the kind of relationship we might strive to have with the Lord, and with ourselves. We need to know that the Lord will be testing the mind of course, but to me it seems more important that the Lord searches the hearts. While we all might like to think otherwise, it seems human deviousness is a reality that fits most of us at times all too well. Yet in that searching of the heart, the Lord, and indeed we ourselves, can find the motivation to amend our "ways" and so enjoy the fruit of our doings. Indeed for many, in the process of meditation and prayer we can better search our hearts, and in so doing use the mind to begin a work of self improvement. It is this connection of meditation and prayer that seems to be beautifully reflected in the Book of Common Prayer's "Collect of the Day": O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. We pray that all will join in this effort of meditation and prayer! Our love to all, Bart (and Tony!) and for all of us at St Matt Events St Matthew parish in San Ardo will offer the service of Morning Prayer this Sunday at 10am in the chapel, corner of Railroad and Jolon. Our fellow mission, St Luke parish in Jolon, will be doing the same at the same hour, with our friend SuRay leading. As a heads-up for March, our friend Rachael tells us that Bp Lucinda will be visiting BOTH parishes on Sun, Mar 9 for a service of Holy Communion - more about that soon. Other Events Speaking of the Beatitudes, our friends at St James Parish will be studying them at a series of Kerygma Bible Studies set to begin on Wed Feb 26 at 10am St Barnabas parish in Arroyo Grande tells us they have a Barre Sculpt class every Mon and Fri at 10:30am. For full into call the parish office. St Barnabas also offers Centering Prayer every Fri at 4pm via Zoom at the following link: https://saintbarnabas-ag.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=debb1b33eb11372203a975524&id=f0bbaa2d1f&e=acee3ced34 The Spiritual Conversations at St Benedict parish, Los Osos will via Zoom will take up The Book of Acts at their regular Tuesday event at 10:30am. The Earthcare group there will also meet via Zoom at 3pm that day. The folks at St Luke parish, Atascadero are planning ahead for a "Parking Lot Sale" of plants and baked goodies on April 26. Look for more about this in future News episodes. They are also are having a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Mar 4 at 5:30pm. At St Peter parish in Morro Bay, the play Fireflies, will be performed starting Feb 21. For full details call 805-776-3287. At St Paul Cathedral in San Diego this Sun at 5pm, the Order of Evensong will take place. They describe the Order as The Order of St. John, formally the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, is a British charitable Order of chivalry dating back to the Crusades and is renowned throughout the world for its apolitical health care and first responder services in over 40 nations, upholding the St John motto - 'For the Faith and in the Service of Humanity.' And the Cathedral parish will offer "Ashes to Go" on Ash Wed, Mar 5. Contact the Cathedral Office for full info. And they are having a Newcomers Brunch on Sun Feb 23 at noon. On Tues Mar 4 at 5:45pm they will have a Zydeco Mass and Reception to begin Lent (yes, it will be "Fat Tuesday"). Good Shepherd Parish, Salinas (Corral de Tierra) will have a Jazz Service at 10am Mar 2 followed by a Pancake Brunch put on by the Scouts of the parish. Our friend Roger Wharton of Good Samaritan parish in San Jose suggests that as we celebrate with those we love on this St Valentine's Day (when I am writing this) that It can also be a "little earth day" to remind us to care for creation. Take the letters of "earth" and scramble them and you get "HEART".
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