Some times, it is rather difficult trying to figure out why God did the things God did. And, equally confounding is trying to make sense of some of the things that Jesus preached. The passages from the Book of Job and the Gospel of Mark that we have this weekend are a couple of classic examples. And trust me, because some one is ordained does not necessarily mean that they will always have the answers to the riddles that are dispersed within our Sacred Scriptures. Often times, we have more questions than we have answers. And this is okay. After all, there is a sense of humility in admitting to not having all the answers.

 

I've heard these Scripture passages many times and I have to say, I'm never comfortable with them. I suppose, because they rub somewhat against my conventional thinking and beliefs of who and what God is. As for Jesus, well, the things recorded as to what He spoke certainly do not sound like the Jesus I know and love. I have my own beliefs and thoughts of who God is and how Jesus would act and respond. Of course, this is rather bold and brazen of me; to think I could pigeon-hole Jesus in order to accommodate my own, personal beliefs and serve as my own, convenient source of salvation.

 

Then again, Jesus welcomes us to accept and embrace Him; according to what Sacred Scripture provides, according to what biblical scholars have discovered about the historical and religious figure of Jesus. And, perhaps most importantly, Jesus wishes us to love Him, to serve Him and to worship Him according to our own designs and beliefs. We are invited to make Jesus our own, just as much as we equally and without discrimination share Jesus with others. Jesus is ours, first and foremost and because we are a united people...Jesus belongs to all of us.

 

To be honest with you, my dear sisters and brothers, I don't get as worked up about these particular weekend Scripture passages and others like them as I used to. No. Rather than be "put off" by some thing over which I have no control, such as using passages like what we have this weekend in the Liturgy. Instead, I savor the opportunity to look deeper into just who this Jesus is and get a more intimate and enlightened understanding of who our God is. This is a sacred undertaking. We're given a life-time to get better acquainted, too. Certainly, it is my hope we all have the willingness and desire to get to know God the Creator and Jesus the Redeemer better and more intimately. And, isn't it better when we do this spiritual exercising together?  

  

-Manny 

manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org 

 

Saturday, Oct. 13, 4:30 pm

• Our evening with Bishop Robinson at Elmhurst College is this Thursday, October 4.
   
• A meeting for those preparing for Confirmation will take place this Sunday after the service.  
   
• All are most welcome to bring pets (and stuffed animals!) to church this weekend!  We'll celebrate a Blessing of Animals at 4:30PM on Saturday, October 6 and at 10AM on Sunday, October 7.  
   
• We'll have Evening Prayer instead of Holy Eucharist on Wednesday, October 10. 
   
• On Saturday, October 13, Bob Kalicki will begin the Stewardship Drive in a conversation with the congregation after the 4:30 Liturgy. Please plan to stay after the service and take part in this most important conversation.   
   
• We hope you'll join us at our Semi-Annual Meeting and Potluck Luncheon on Sunday, October 14 after the 10am Liturgy. Even if you don't bring a dish, please bring yourself!  Your voice matters! 

 A special reminder to all our young people who are preparing for Confirmation this December:  please make a point of visiting with Fr. Manny after the 10am Sunday Liturgy Oct. 7th.  We will meet in the church near the Baptismal Font.  While the younger children will meet with Val, we'll meet and talk about Confirmation and what will be required of you.  And I promise, the meeting will be 'to the point' and enjoyable.  Come with your thoughts and questions.  And, remember to come with your "personal story" about faith and what Confirmation means to you.  God bless.  - Manny

 

 

Richard Nordberg, Penny Mandziara's father who is in hospice: for his health, well being and God's mercy be with Richard.

Bernie, the youngest son of our Eunice Dohra.  Bernie underwent pancreatic surgery: for support, healing and full recovery for Bernie and strength and guidance for Eunice.

Peter Barlow, son of Bill and Kathy Barlow: for his safety and the safety of all our military men and women overseas.

Ethel (Corkey) Stratton, the mother of Hal Stratton

Our thanks to:

All who worked diligently and with great love for a prayerful experience at last weekend's Evening and Morning Prayer Services.

Our dedicated and compassionate Food Pantry Crew.

All who passed out bags throughout the neighborhood to help support our Food Pantry and all who went out, yet again, to collect all the bags of groceries.