One In Christ Jesus

Galatians 3:26-29 KJV: Why do the children of God discriminate against one another?

Mary And Martha

Reading from the Gospel of St. Luke 10:38-42 KJV Mary and Martha; practicing the presence of God with unceasing prayer no matter what you are doing.

Departed Brothers: Fr. Basil; Fr. Nicholas

Monastery at Jacob's Falls, Eagle Harbor, MI

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

                      (John 13:34-35 KJV)

I met Fr. Basil in 1997. I was the Vicar for a church without walls in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan. I had up to five services all over the Keweenaw during any given week and by weeks end I needed to be refreshed. I needed to hear the word and not just preach it so I began attending Saturday evening Vespers on the shore of Lake Superior at the Holy Transfiguration Skete, Eagle Harbor, MI; a Catholic Monastery of the Byzantine Rite. When I first began attending worship with the monks, services were held in their living room. It has since grown greatly!

  

I always left worship with the brothers rejuvenated and ready for the coming week. For those of you who have not attended one of their services, they are completely chanted, including the readings. There are no musical instruments to accompany the chanting; just voices. The words are not drowned out by the organ. I can focus more fully on the word when I can hear it. And... they didn't even mind my chanting. After I had moved away and continued to worship occasionally with them, Fr. Nicholas had commented that he always smiled when he heard me chanting behind him because he knew that I had made the trip to be with them once again. Yes, when I attempt to sing or chant people often smile. I am a preacher not a singer! But, I love doing both. Worship at the monastery is also done  mostly standing. The only time that there is any sitting down is during the readings; unless you are disabled. Whenever I hear people complaining about  standing  too much during worship; I think of Jesus being tortured and hanging on the cross for so many hours for our sakes. 

Fr. Nicholas passed away in 2017. As I was surfing the internet this morning I stumbled across Fr. Basil's obituary. He died on November 30th of this past year. It was a bit of a shock as he always seemed so healthy. 

Despite doctrinal differences, these co-founders of the Holy Transfiguration Skete were truly brothers in Christ. I do miss them. They not only  spiritually supported me and my ministry in the Keweenaw and elsewhere, they were  supporters of many people in need whether the needs were spiritual or physical even as the brothers left behind still are there praying for and helping those in need. What I have witnessed is genuine love for others through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Time has been passing here on earth rather quickly it seems. I will not be seeing brothers Basil or Nicholas again here on earth again. But, that is okay as we look to living in the Kingdom prepared for all who believe, in the presence of God, for all eternity.

May God continue to bless the brothers of St. John's Society with love and with his peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

One In Christ

Valaam Transfiguration Monastery

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

For the body is not one member, but many.

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

                                                                        (1 Cor 12:12-26 KJV)

Let all the people applaud the choir!  I have not been able to find anything in scripture that remotely tells us that we should clap our hands for anyone other than God during a worship service.  I have never understood lifting up gifts of specific individuals within a worship service for in lifting up one we neglect the others. I have never understood putting plaques on the wall in thanksgiving to the biggest givers. There is no one and there are no gifts within the Body of Christ that are more important than another.

Within the congregation the janitor is just as important as the council member. That should apply not only just within the congregation but for the world around us.  Worship is indeed enhanced by the choir - at least in most cases. What would it be like if we walked into the sanctuary and had to walk on old bulletins and candy papers; with empty coffee cups leaning up against the back of the pews? 

The pastor is not more important than the council nor the council more important than the pastor. All, every member of the Body of Christ, are needed to function properly and in unity, for the Word of God to be declared and glorified. 

We are many members. Yet, we are all one in Christ. Let us worship and serve as one that God may be glorified and not any one or group of human beings. To God alone belongs all glory!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We Are One

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:27-28 KJV)

Divisions abound! But, they do not have to. According to St. Paul's letter to the Galatians all who have been baptized into Christ are one. We are not divided rather we are united. We are one!

It does not matter who you are or what you do, we are one in Christ Jesus!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Vespers

Holy Transfiguration Skete at Jacob's Falls

"Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties."

                                                           (Psalm 141:1-4 KJV)

"Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." I have missed the Evening Prayers. I was able to attend the Vespers Service at the Holy Transfiguration Skete, a Catholic Monastery of the Byzantine Rite, last night. It has been a few years since I was able to be there. I miss the reverence of the service; the quietness of the sanctuary. The sincere sounds of confession, petititions, the affirmation of God's promises, and the melodious sound of scripture being chanted.

Simply put: I have missed the liturgy and it was a relief to be there. I have attended Vespers whenever I have been able to since 1996 when I served as a Vicar to Keweenaw Lutheran Ministries, a church without walls. At that time the sanctuary was still in the monks' living room in a little cabin on the shore of Lake Superior. With the direction and help of God, much has been accomplished over the years.  

Over the years; wherever I have lived, I have attempted to either implement a Vespers Service at congregations that I served or to find a Lutheran Vespers Service that I could attend to no avail. I miss the solemnity of the service; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

"As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." 

                                                                             (Psalm 55:16-17)

God's Peace - Pr. J

As One We Glorify God

Valaam Monastery on Lake Ladoga, Russian Karelia 

May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
   and sing praises to your name”;

and again he says,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”;

and again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,

   and let all the peoples praise him”;

                                       (Rom 15:5-11 NRSV)

Soon and very soon (like tomorrow night, Christmas Eve) our sanctuaries will be filled with people who have come to praise God. It is always a pleasure to see so many "Gentiles" gathered together to glorify His Holy Name.

St. Paul encouraged the followers to praise God and to rejoice in Him as we welcome one another. We are to welcome all people even as Christ welcomed us. It does not matter whether one is Jew or Gentile, young or old, or where they are from. Their ancestry nor their station in life matters. We are to praise God together, with one voice, so that others might hear and also glorify God.

There is no room for "me" and especially not "poor me" in the Body of Christ. We are one in Christ Jesus and are to live in harmony; lifting one another up with endurance; that all would hear what the scriptures would teach us. Paul's hope was that God would give us all "the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice we might glorify God." 

We are given the scriptures so that we might learn who this Jesus is. Hear them. Read them. Study them. We are given the Holy Spirit that we might understand and be empowered to follow this one who came down to earth to save us from ourselves (and each other). Have mercy on one another, as Christ has mercy. Love one another, as Christ loves. Enter this Christmas season with a desire to do go to our neighbors; to live in unity and peace that God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ might be glorified in all that we say and think and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Let Us Bow Down In Worship

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Come, let us bow down in worship,
   let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
for he is our God
   and we are the people of his pasture,
   the flock under his care.
                                     (Psalm 95:6-7 NIV)

Every now and then I hear someone complain that we have too much standing going on during worship. If they are relatively healthy, I remind them that Jesus was nailed to a cross, suffered and died for them and that I don't think that standing in reverence before the Lord as we worship him is really all that much to ask of us. We could kneel instead; but, then again it might take awhile for some of us in advanced years to get back off our knees.

Years ago, I attended the consecration of a Byzantine Monastery. I had also attended their Vespers Service the evening before. In addition to Vespers, since they would be busy the following morning getting ready for the consecration of the monastery and would not have time for their usual Matins, they added additional prayers to Vespers. These particular monks do not sit during their worship services. There is one pew in the back of the sanctuary for those who, due to health, must sit. The evening service was about two hours long. The service the following day was over three hours long. My legs were getting pretty wore out about half way through the dedication of the monastery and I began wondering if it was appropriate to kneel. I was standing behind one of the novices and to my relief he dropped to his knees. So did I. It was not until months later that I found out that they do not worship on their knees. When they bow before the Lord, they bow deeply; but, they do not kneel. 

God has done great things for us, the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. May all God's people bow before the Lord in worshipful praise and thanksgiving for all that he has done.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Preach The Word In All Seasons

Monastery at Valaam, Russia

Paul is anticipating his death and so closes this letter to Timothy encouraging him to come quickly to even while he gives Timothy instruction on ministry. "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction," he writes. (2 Timothy 4:2 NIV) 

Just as the many deserted Jesus in his last hours, Paul found that many had also deserted him. He warns Timothy to especially watch out for Alexander who did him great harm. There were those and are those today who have and who will turn their ears away from truth and turn aside to myths. They will listen only to what will please their itching ears. They will come up against you for proclaiming the truth. Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all duties of your ministry. (2 Tim 4:3-4)

It is not easy as one might think to proclaim the message of God in Christ Jesus. There will be many who will want you out of their lives, even dead. They do not want to hear the truth. The Word of God, is after all, a two-edged sword: one edge to stab the conscience; the other to heal the wounded soul. Be aware of those who would attack you for the truth. But, do not worry unduly about them for God is with you and for you. With patience, continue to proclaim the good news to all who would hear.

"The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all." (2 Tim 4:22)

God's Peace - Pr. J

We Are One

Valaam Monastery

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." Eph 4:1-6

It does not matter where you live geographically; if we are heirs of God's Kingdom; if we are members of the Body of Christ, we are one. We are not separate; but, one in Christ.

Many years ago, I visited Russian Karelia on a mission trip. I found the region to be very much like the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I also found the people to be very much like the people who live there, as well. They were struggling with very much the same issues; except that their poverty level was much greater than ours at the time.

It saddens me that as countries and their leaders battle for political supremacy it seems that sometimes we forget about the people who live in these countries. It is as if foreign countries or even political parties within our own country, are inanimate objects; without flesh or blood or the Spirit. We forget to consider the harm that we might be doing to others, to ourselves and the world at large when we fail to recognize that our words and actions, due to our personal egos, harm and sometimes destroy children of God, our brothers and sisters in Christ. We sometimes seem to forget the many faithful brothers and sisters that live throughout the world, outside our own little circle of friends and family (sometimes we forget or ignore even them).

The Body of Christ is beyond comprehension. The members are spread throughout the world. They are in: Syria; Russia; Cuba; Iran; Iraq; Africa; India... They are everywhere; and, yes, even here in the United States. There is only One Body. So let us not forget in our prayers the many members of that body who suffer persecution. As we form our personal political agendas; let love and concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ; as well as for all people, guide our hearts, our minds, and our actions. so that no one suffers persecution by our own hands.

God grant that we should live in peace, reconciled to God and to one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J