Hold Jesus

-

Our eyes are beholding the salvation of the world - Jesus Christ. 

Today let us spend our day in joyful celebration as we celebrate Candlemas. Simeon takes the child Jesus into his hands and rejoices. Let us take Christ into our hands, for he is the light of the world. Let us reflect how Jesus is moving in our lives. How Jesus is transforming the old into the new. Hold Jesus and then sing with Simeon:
“Lord, let your servant now rest in peace, for you have kept your promise. With my own eyes I see the salvation you prepared for all peoples, a light of revelation for the Gentiles and glory to your people, Israel.”

Along with their newborn son, Mary and Joseph brought a sacrifice of two pigeons, the offering permitted in the law of Moses for those too poor to afford a lamb (Lev. 12: 8). Despite their lack of wealth, however, these peasants from Galilee carried in their arms the salvation of the whole world. Simeon and Anna, a holy man and a devout woman of Israel, immediately recognized the incalculable value of the present they had brought. We sing “Simeon’s Song” to train our eyes to see the salvation of the world. Common Prayer: Claiborne. 

Popular posts from this blog

Bishop Daniel Gutierrez, Diocese of Pennsylvania August 28, 2018/Nuevo Amanecer

-
Image
Es un gran honor estar aquí con mis hermanas y hermanos. Mi sangre, mi fe, mi familia. This week, your work, your prayers, this community will change the church. You are co-creators and collaborators with Jesus. The Kingdom is at hand.   One of my favorite authors is Alice Walker. One of her short stories is The Welcome Table. It tells of an elderly, nameless black woman, "the color of poor gray Georgian earth," worn down by old king cotton.  Dressed in tattered rags, she makes her way one Sunday morning "down the road toward the big white church," as the story says. A church that is pale in many ways. When she walks in, the good church folks are shocked.   The preacher reminds her pleasantly that this is not her church, "as if one could choose the wrong one." Maybe she is a bit confused and in the wrong place. She shakes her head and brushes past them all and finds a seat near the back. Inside it is very cold, colder than usual. The d...
Read more

Do we look like Jesus?

-
Image
As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness. Psalm 17:15 I pray you are covered with Christ as we journey through the Holy Season of Lent. I am struggling over the lingering question: Do our churches and faith look like Jesus? Can we say yes? I am not speaking of looking like Jesus architecturally or artistically (e.g. carved in stone, Tiffany stained glass, Jesus covered in gold or European Jesus).  I wrestle with something more profound. If someone walks through our door, will they find a place where they belong? Will the person wearing dirty clothes feel they belong? Will the immigrant who does not speak English or the single mother or father with three screaming kids? Maybe that guy who smells like alcohol and needs a shave. Anyone who does not look, think, act, or talk like us. This is a time of Lenten reflection, and we all like to believe we welcome everyone.We know that despite the smiles, and the quick w...
Read more

Week 8 of the Come and See. St. Clement's, St. Mark's, Trinity, St. Timothy's

-
Image
My brothers and sisters, This past week we were part of a productive and inspirational convention.  We received many moving comments on the tone of convention and in particular the focus regarding our ministries throughout the diocese.  Together, we are living into a theology of abundance.  I invite all to  “Come and See” our diocese.  I will write on our convention later this month.  Now, we are back on pilgrimage.  I would like to describe what occurs when I return to the Diocesan Office after a visit.  The entire staff meets for a “follow-up” meeting.  If there are items that are pressing or if we can assist the congregation a staff member is then assigned to that issue.  We are working on a fluid process and always focusing on our follow up.  However, the system is not perfect.  It is a work in progress.  If there is an issue to which we have not responded, or has moved beyond the one month period, pleas...
Read more