Category: Fr Dave

Categories
Fr Dave Lectionary Notes

Readings and Reflections for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Isaiah 40:21-31
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Psalm 147: 1-12, 21c
Mark 1:29-39

Dear Friends,

The prophet Isaiah paints a vivid contrast between the Creator of all, who “sits above the circle of the earth” with human princes and rulers.  These rulers may appear powerful in their day, but come to nothing as sure as grass turns to straw.  The prophet wonders at us, that we put such trust in human things (or persons) and disregard the everlasting God who does not grow weak, but really is able to uphold us.

Still at the beginning of Mark’s Gospel, we see Jesus as he goes throughout Galilee “proclaiming the message.”  This message is in harmony with the word from the prophet Isaiah, that the everlasting Creator comes to uphold the weak and deliver people from bondage to lesser things.  Jesus does for the people what their human rulers do not even attempt – to cure their illness and cast out the forces that cripple them, for God is near.

Speaking to the Corinthian Church, Paul describes his ministry as one who “proclaims the gospel.”  We see his unity with Jesus in this work, and the mission to “win” or “save” as many people as possible.  Paul won’t let lesser things get in the way of this work of restoring people to the sure foundation of life with God in Christ Jesus.

Comment: Anything or anyone in whom you and I place ultimate trust other than God inevitably creates disease and bondage in our physical, emotional, or spiritual being.  Jesus comes out to proclaim that message and restore people to God’s life.  “Everyone is searching,” but too often we search in the wrong places and put our hope in lesser things.  So I am very thankful for all the ways I am reminded the gospel invitation to trust God. I need to return my heart and mind to that trust daily!

David S. Robinson, Rector

Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Maple Glen, PA 19002
Categories
Fr Dave

The Bishop is coming to St. Matthew’s

The Rt Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez

The word “Episcopal” literally means “Bishop.”  We are a church with Bishops, not unlike the Roman Catholic or Eastern Churches.  Other Protestant churches often have leaders or committees with different names who offer very similar leadership to that of a Bishop.

 

The Rt Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez

Our current Bishop, Daniel Gutierrez, is still fairly new to our Diocese (the five counties of the Philadelphia metropolitan area).  And while he did make a brief evening prayer visit with us last year, he really is coming for the first time for a significant “meet and greet” aimed at the entire parish.

He wants to get to know St. Matthew’s. Of course he can visit our website, read about us, and see some pictures or videos about us.  But this is a personal meeting: he wants to be with us.  He will worship and preach at all three of our Sunday liturgies.  He will meet with 16 youth preparing to be confirmed in their faith. He will visit us at the Parish Hall reception and will meet with our Vestry.

Bishop Daniel often emphasizes that WE – meaning all the Episcopal parishes and people in them – are the Diocese.  The Diocese is not an office in the city. It is you, me, and all the other gatherings of people and clergy around us.

As our bishop, he wishes to support and encourage us in all the witness we make for Jesus Christ in our communities.  He wishes to encourage the young men and women who will be presented for Confirmation to live as people of faith, hope and love in our world.  He wants to know if there are ways the Diocesan staff can be of assistance to St. Matthew’s Church in our life and work.

The Bishop reminds us that we are not standing alone.  We belong to a great community of faith – not simply other Episcopalians – but all those who have shown Jesus Christ to the world for two thousand years.  Yes, we have our “closest relatives” in our fellow Episcopalians, but in fact all Christians are our brothers and sisters.

So come and worship on Sunday, February 4, as Bishop Daniel Gutierrez visits with us!  As you will see, you can come just as you normally would on any Sunday.

The schedule is as follows:

7:45 a.m. – Holy Eucharist Rite I

9:00 a.m. – Contemporary Eucharist with Nursery Care, Sunday School and Forum, and the Bishop’s meeting with Confirmands.

10:00 a.m. – Coffee Hour

10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist Rite II with Confirmation

12 noon (approximately) – Reception for Confirmands and Bishop, followed by Vestry meeting with the Bishop.

~Dave Robinson

SaveSave

Categories
Fr Dave Lectionary Notes

Readings and Reflections for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany

1 Corinthians 6:12-20
1 Samuel 3:1-10
Psalm 139
John 1:43:51

The boy Samuel is destined to be a great prophet of God. But he must first learn how to identify when the word of the Lord speaks and how to respond. Hearing his name in the night, he does not recognize the Lord’s call and thinks he is being called by his master, the High Priest Eli.   Eli sees this and teaches the boy how to respond to the Lord’s call upon him.

 

In John’s Gospel a new follower of Jesus named Philip brings his skeptical friend Nathanael to see Jesus.  Jesus reveals that he already knows Nathanael with a supernatural sight and Nathanael is quite impressed. But Jesus claims much more: that the very messages delivered by angels directly from the presence of God are now coming to us in Jesus himself.

 

Paul challenges the Christians of Corinth to learn how to discern what it means to be truly spirit filled people who belong to God through faith in Jesus Christ.  All of their life, including their bodily life and community life, has become a “temple of the Holy Spirit” – a place that is dedicated to the worship of God.

 

Comment:  The gift of God’s own Spirit is given to his people as God chooses and for God’s own purposes. Have you every felt that God was addressing you?  Have you ever been given “a message?”  Like the boy Samuel, and like the new Christians of Corinth, God does send his “voice” and his Spirit to engage us!  Lord, in this busy and chaotic world, full of the noise of voices and spirits that are NOT from you, help me to learn to hear your voice! Give me the courage to respond and say “Here I am, ready to hear and serve!”

Categories
Fr Dave Lectionary Notes

Readings and Reflections on the First Sunday After Christmas

Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 3:23-25,4:4-7
John 1:1-18

 Isaiah 61 celebrates with great joy the coming vindication/salvation of Zion/Jerusalem.  Vindication, because the people of Israel will be lifted from disgrace and exile and restored as a nation.  Salvation, because they will receive a “new name” as the beloved people of God who are no longer forsaken.  Originally this prophecy may have referred to the approaching liberation of the Jews from Babylonian captivity.

 Paul’s Letter to the Galatians describes the birth of Christ in the simplest of terms.  “God sent his son, born of a woman…so that we might receive adoption as children.” In the gift of Christ we have received a new kind of life as sons and daughters who have received the Spirit of Christ and live by faith.

 The Gospel of John begins with a powerful declaration of Jesus as the eternal Word of God, who is with God from the beginning of all things and through whom all things were created.  Jesus is the “light that cannot be overcome,” the one who gives “power to become children of God,” and the one who fills us from the fullness of God, “grace upon grace.”

Comment: The simplicity of Paul’s letter and the richness of John’s Gospel both declare the same message: God’s grace revealed, given, and activated in those who receive this astonishing gift in simple trust.  Perhaps more astonishing than the extravagant language of John’s Gospel that declares Jesus as eternally divine, is our persistent tendency as human beings to remain closed to the grace of God!  As I come to a new calendar year, may I continue to open my heart and mind to the simplest ways God chooses to come to me each day with gifts of grace. May I be alert to the movements of His Spirit that offer grace, and be ready to respond with faith, hope, and love to my world!

Categories
Fr Dave

Christmas This Year: A Meditation

“In the beginning was the Word…in him was life, and the life was the light of humanity. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…the true light that enlightens everyone has come into the world.” (John 1:1-5,9)

Photo by Josh Boot on Unsplash

It is very easy to see the darkness that is around us. Our news media continually points to it. But without this “help” we can easily see it for ourselves.

There is personal darkness all around us: Has a loved one died this year? Do you know a person who is undergoing a brutal chemotherapy treatment, or a young adult in treatment for opioid addiction?  Someone struggling with depression?  A job that is not working out?  It can become quite a list…and it is not the “Christmas list” we had in mind.  Has darkness overcome us?

There is social and political darkness all around us: It is disturbing to be aware of children living in poverty, without stable homes, going to ruined and chaotic schools, surrounded by violence in the streets.  We are deeply unsettled by violence unleased by mentally disturbed and embittered people and by political terrorists.  We are exhausted and disgusted by the endless, unproductive and largely self-serving political power plays in human government.  Has darkness overcome?

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, be encouraged as we draw near to Christmas this year.  If you look, you will see the light of Christ.  Christ has not been overcome.

Listen:  “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth; we have seen his glory…and from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:14,16)

This is not a make-believe “fairy tale.” It really is true that Christ has come into our troubled world.  Since this coming, men, women, and children have welcomed, honored, and loved Christ until this day.  In every generation, people have witnessed to this true light…and that witness continues even and especially where it is most dark.

YOU have been that light as you have visited, and prayed, and listened, and cared for your family, your friends, your co-workers, or for a stranger at the store.  YOU have been an expression of that true light when you have helped us give shelter to women and children, give food to the hungry, or school supplies and tuition to youth who would otherwise have none.

YOU have worshipped and proclaimed the light of Christ in song and prayer. YOU have shared Christ with others.  If you feel small and insignificant and the very real darkness threatens to overwhelm you, look at a Christmas tree.  Imagine you are simply one of the tiny lights – perhaps not so much by yourself. But you are linked to others – and not just locally – you are linked to a multitude of people.  Our lights together proclaim that the light of Christ is in the world, and the darkness has not overcome it.

A blessed Christmas to YOU!

~ Dave Robinson †

SaveSave