|
Upcoming Events
| |
Friday, Mar 16
Hypothermia Shelter, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Mar 17
Young Lector Training, 11Am ~ 12 PM
PYM Youth Day of Service @ St. Andrew's/Arlington, 10 AM- 2 PM
Hypothermia Shelter, 7:30 PM
Sunday, Mar 18
Lenten Series Session 4,
"Mission in Laos," 12 PM
Youth (7th Grade and Up) to Franciscan Monastery, Wash DC. , 12:15 PM ~ 3:00 PM
Hypothermia Shelter, 7:30 PM
Friday, Mar 23
Hypothermia Shelter, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Mar 24
Clean-Up Day, 9 AM - 1 PM (Rain date: Mar 21)
Hypothermia Shelter, 7:30 PM
Sunday, Mar 25
UTO Sunday.
Preacher: Toua Vang.
Seminarian Committee meets after church.
Lenten Series Session 5
"Sharing on Discernment," 12 PM
Hypothermia Shelter, 7:30 PM
Friday, Mar 30
Hypothermia Shelter, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Mar 31
Hypothermia Shelter, 7:30 PM
Sunday, April 1
PALM SUNDAY
Thursday, April 5
Maundy Thursday Service, 7:30 PM
Friday, April 6
GOOD FRIDAY, services at 12 PM and 7:30 PM,
Stations of the Cross, 1:00 PM
Saturday, April 7
Broyhill Park Children's Egg Hunt, Time TBA
EASTER DAY, April 8
St. Pat's Egg Hunt, Time TBA
Resurrection of the Alleluia, 10:15 AM
Holy Eucharist, 10:30 AM
April 13-15
Sprint PYM Sr. High Weekend at Shrine
Mont
Saturday, April 14 Car Trunk Sale & Car Show at St. Pat's (Rain date: April 21st) Sunday, April 22 Guest Preacher and Celebrant: The Rev. Dr. Richard Jones. Youth & Children's Activity (4th Grade and Up) Sunday, April 29 Preacher: Toua Vang. Seminarian Committee meets after church. Odeon Concert, 4 PM Sunday, May 13 Odeon Concert, 4 PM Sunday, May 20 Preacher: Christopher Miller. Christopher's last Sunday at St. Patrick's as Young Priest Initiative Intern. Youth Activity (7th Grade and Up) Sunday, June 24 Pool Party at the Aulds, after church |
|
Birthdays
| March
15 Jane Patterson Auld (today!) 22 Victoria Parrotta 26 Donna Herbert 27 Bob Cascella 28 Keith Gardner 31 Jennifer Phan 31 Gisela Johnson-Harbers |
|
Our Prayer List
| |
We remember in our prayer:
Bob Aronstein, Harry Babatunde Benson, Kari Boeskov, Mary Anne Bogie, Mary Carper, Thomas Cascella, Marie Cosimano, Hai Dang Do, Jane Chapman, Tim Clary, Dorothy Connelly, John Davis, Donald DeVaughn, Michael Dickinson, Laura Đoàn, Loretta Dougherty, The Edsall Family, Mary Farmer, The Faubion Family, Nance Finegan, Luis Garay, Thomas Garner, Anne Goodwin, Jean Graham, Katie Grosse, Nick Giuliani, Canedo Guillermo, Katherine Hafele, Anne & Thomas Edsall, Margaret Ellis Harris, Eldon Paul Henry, Betty and Bill Henderson, Alek Hensley, Bill Herbert, Leslie Hogan, Cindy Hogman, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Michael Horn, Virginia Hughes, Lindsay Johns, Gray and Bob Johnson, Jamie Kaplon, Robert Kelley, Quinn Kimball, Jeffry King, The Kontess Family, Susan Lawrence, Bau Le, Joe Magrogan, Colleen Mavrikas, Margaret Mills, Michael Mills, Danielle Morgan, Evelyn Morgan, Que Nguyen, Chick Nixon, Keslie Nolan, Olive Oliver, Jim Owens, Gary Owens, Joann Piper, Faith Poole, William Ross, Molly Saviola, Nora Searle, Bill Sitler, Irene Skowron, Karine Simpkin, Brian Smith, Josh Smithers, Candi Stewart, Barbara Stefl, Art Stroud, Kara Stryker, Walter Sushko, Steven Talbert, George Thomas, Clara Torres, George Torres, Thelma Trout, Nhon Thanh Vo, Bryan Webber, Michael Weekes, The Westfall Family, Paula Wiech, Meredith Wiech, Donna Wolfe, Peter Kosutic, Chris, Tasha.
We pray especially for Baby Harry Babatunde Benson, Bill Herbert, Bob Aronstein and Bill Houston.
We give thanks for the successful surgeries of Danielle Morgan, Betty Henderson and Pauline Leonard.
We pray for all US personnel serving overseas, especially Garway Thomas and Cate Johnson.
We pray also for the orphans and those who care for them at Abba Home in Pakistan, and for all orphans in the world.
____
Note: If you have a loved one or friend who needs prayer please call the church and leave a message at 703-532-5656, or write to Tinh+ at
stpats3241@gmail.com or call him at 703-405-9571. Also, should a name need be removed from the list, please let Tinh+ know promptly, and give the reason.
|
|
Saint Patrick's Ministers
| |
The Ministers of Saint Patrick's Church are the People of this Parish
supported by
The Reverend
Tinh Trang Huynh, Rector
Mr. Toua Vang,
Seminarian Assistant
Mr. Christopher Miller,
Young Priest Initiative Intern
Ms. Mariko Hiller,
Music Director
Ms. Rachel Burgess,
Nursery Care
We serve our Lord as part of the Diocese of Virginia
led by
our chief pastors
The Rt. Rev. Shannon Sherwood Johnston, Bishop
and
The Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick,
Assistant Bishop
|
|
The Vision of St. Patrick's
| |
Saint Patrick's Episcopal Church is a community of care, called to be Christ-centered and multicultural in worship, Christian education and action to proclaim Christ's love to the world.
|
|
About St. Patrick's Church
| Saint Patrick's was founded in 1953 as a mission church from the Falls Church. The congregation met for the first time on January 3, 1954 in the cafeteria of the Graham Road School. The building was completed in 1956. Members of St. Pat's have been known for their involvement in outreach ministries since the very early days of the parish. In 1995, Saint Patrick's became an Anglo-Vietnamese church, a mission of the Diocese of Virginia, and has become more and more multicultural. In January of 2012, Saint Patrick's full parish status was restored and recognized at the 217th Annual Council meeting of the Diocese. Some of us say that St. Pat's is like a window through which we can see God's love. Other parishioners suggest St. Pat's is a "safe haven" for all who seek peace, a quiet place for those who want to find rest. Many in the congregation mention caring is what makes St. Patrick's special to them. Our vision statement reflects what we are in our hearts: St. Patrick's Episcopal Church is a community of care called to be Christ-centered and multicultural in worship, Christian education and action to proclaim Christ's love to the world."
|
|
Saint Patrick's
Website
| |
You are invited to visit our website. Please click here .
|
| Previous Issues of the Epistle | Please click here if you wish to see the previous issues of The Epistle
|
|
St. Patrick's Organized for Missions and Ministry
| |
Vestry Committee: Senior Warden: Tom Auld; Junior Warden: Vivian Benjamin; Registrar: Winnie Lebo; Treasurer: Kathy Oliver; Other members of the Vestry: Victoria Kennedy, Jocelyne Miller, Pierre Chanu, Chris Nicholson.
GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES
Altar Guild: Lucille Selby; Bell Choir: Mariko Hiller; Church Office: Lois Cascella; Offering Counters: Bob Cascella; Youth Ministry: Maggie Spinelli; Region VIII Representative: Felix Spinelli; Diocesan Council Delegate: Amelia Nicholson; St. Margaret's Circle: Ann Nelson; Telephone Chain: Alice King; Feed the Homeless: Amelia Nicholson; Ushers: Bill Houston; Odeon Chamber Music Series: Mariko Hiller; Westlawn Elementary School: Winnie Lebo; Falls Church Community Services: Catherine Dubas; Hypothermia Shelter Program: Felix Spinelli; Church Women United: Amelia Nicholson. The Epistle Newsletter Editors: Winnie Lebo and Cindy Rhoad; Flea Market: Chris Nicholson
|
| Join Our List |  |
|
|
|
Last Sunday's Sermon
|
|
Third Sunday in LentText: John 2:13-22 Sermon by Christopher Miller, Young Priest Initiative Intern ------------  "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. "In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle." Jerusalem is filled with Jews preparing for Passover. At Herod's Temple, those in the know convene to exchange money and to buy and sell animals with the hope of being cleansed of sin. In today's world, these antiquated forms of sacrifice might seem quite complicated. Actually, the process is simple. Step 1: Exchange your Roman coins for Temple Coins at the front door. Step 2: Exchange your Temple Coins for a dove. Step 3: You are now absolved of your sin. Jesus storms into Herod's Temple consumed by rage. Frustrated by the actions he sees inside the Temple, he uses physical force - driving animals out of the temple with a whip of cords. Challenging Jesus, the Jews ask for a sign to convince them that they should no longer use the temple as a marketplace. Jesus then says "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Impossible! Say the Jews. There is no way it would only take Jesus 3 days to rebuild a temple that took hundreds of men and 46 years to construct. Is Jesus merely speaking of the restoration of a building? This fall, as part of my discernment process, I spent about three months living and traveling in Europe. My itinerary was largely determined by the locations of old friends. The trip started in Italy, took me as far East as Serbia, and ended in England. There were two striking images from my trip, one near the beginning and the other near the end that will remain with me for the rest of my life. On the one hand, picture a beautiful neo-Romanesque  church built in 1895 in Berlin, Germany. Fast forward to the aftermath of the American bombing raid on Berlin in November of 1943 which killed 3,000 people and left 275,000 people homeless. Now imagine a neo-Romanesque church built in 1895 in Berlin, Germany with a broken steeple, no roof, and only bits of broken glass remaining where intricate stained-glass once lived. On the other hand, picture an overwhelming 14th century Gothic Cathedral in Coventry, England. Fast forward to the aftermath of the German bombing raid on Coventry in November of 1940 which killed 600 people, destroyed 4,000 homes, and damaged  2/3rds of the city's buildings. Now imagine a Gothic Cathedral built in the 14th century in Coventry, England with a damaged spire, no roof, and only bits of broken glass remaining where intricate stained-glass once lived. The remains of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin and the Cathedral of St. Michael in Coventry are 1,000 miles away from each other. The church in Berlin destroyed by a bombing raid from England and the Allies. The cathedral in Coventry destroyed by a bombing raid from Germany and the Axies. Two temples built for the same purpose - to worship God and live out the Gospel on earth - destroyed by the same sin - a lack of love for our fellow man. Within the symbolism of man's destruction of two modern day temples lies the key to our understanding of today's reading from the Gospel of John. In Berlin: a statue of Jesus fell to the ground in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church during the bombing. The right arm of Jesus was detached. Today, the statue stands in the remains of the church - missing that right arm - but resurrected from the rubble. Symbolizing the destructive power of man and the redemptive glory of Jesus. In Coventry: "in the terrible aftermath that followed the bombing, a clergy member affiliated with the Cathedral wrote the words 'Father Forgive' on the smoke-blackened wall of the sanctuary. Two of the charred beams which had fallen in the shape of a cross were set on the altar and three of the medieval nails were bound into the shape of a cross." The words "Father Forgive" have been permanently inscribed on the remains of the altar and can be seen today. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Is Jesus merely speaking of the restoration of a building, or is Jesus telling early Christians about the restoration of the soul? Is Restoration of the Soul possible? These two churches - destroyed, in a sense, by one another - now gather together to work and pray for Peace, Justice, and reconciliation around the world. They call themselves the Community of the Cross of Nails. War and Destruction are ugly. But reconciliation is beautiful. That is the resurrection of the body of Christ. That is the restoration of our souls. In this Season of Lent, isn't it appropriate for us to consider the possibility of Restoration in our lives through repentance and reconciliation? With prayer, effort and the Grace of God, restoration is possible. There is a prayer that they say at the Cathedral in Coventry every weekday. The prayer reads: "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class, The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own, Father Forgive. The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth, Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others, Father Forgive. Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee, The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women, and children, Father Forgive. The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God, FATHER FORGIVE." The prayer then concludes: "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Jesus said, "I will raise it up." Through the grace of God, WE ARE RESTORED. AMEN.
|
|
Phơtos
|
|
 Christopher Miller is greeted by Jean Wetrich after the service on Sunday, March 11, 2012  Miriam Balding and Tinh+ -- May 17, 2010 -- Miriam is now living in Houston, Texas  Bob Aronstein, Brian Dubas and Claire Dubas -- New Year Day's Celebration at the Rectory, 2004. We remember Bob in our prayer today.  Điền Nguyễn, Dật Nguyễn and Lộc Phan -- Tết Celebration 2012 |
|
Parish Notes |
- A training session for St. Patrick's young lectors
will be held this Saturday, March 17th, from 10:30 AM to 12 PM. Lunch will be provided. - PYM Spring Youth Day of Service will be held this Saturday, March 17th, from 10 AM to 2 PM, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Arlington, Virginia. The address of the church is 4000 Lorcum Lane, Arlington, VA. Youth from across the Diocese of Virginia will gather to learn about service and take part in an outreach project. For more information, please speak with Bobby Dubas when you see him at church. You can also email him at littledubas@gmail.com, or call him at 703-207-0424. - Lenten Series at St. Patrick's. Please join us. The schedule for upcoming Sundays is as follows:
March 18: Toua Vang on Hmong Mission in Laos
March 25: Christopher Miller on Discernment
 - On this Sunday, March 18th, the St. Patrick's Youth Group will visit the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, N.E., Washington, D.C. The group will depart St. Patrick's at 12:15 pm and will be back at St. Patrick's between 2:30 and 3:00 pm, with a possible stop at a McDonald's. The tour is designed for 7th through 12th graders and there is a suggested donation per person of $2. We will also need adult volunteers to drive to and from the Franciscan Monastery.
- Parish Clean-up Day. Saturday, March 24th, 9 AM ~ 12:30 PM has been scheduled as Clean-up Day at St. Patrick's. Please sign-up and come to help make the church look good for Easter. Thank you.
- Many thanks to all of you who volunteered in the Hypothermia Shelter Program at Saint Patrick's.
 - Easter Flowers. If you would like to offer flowers in "Memory of a loved one" or as an "Offering of Thanksgiving" at Easter, please send $10 to the Altar Guild. Contact the church to indicate how you would like your donation to appear in the Easter service bulletin. You may fill out the form that comes in the Sunday service bulletin, call and leave a message at 703-532-5656, or send an email to stpats3241@gmail.com. Checks should be made payable to the "Altar Guild of Saint Patrick's," earmarked "Easter Flowers," and mailed to Saint Patrick's Church, 3241 Brush Dr., Falls Church, Virginia, 22042, or dropped in the alms basin during worship.
 - Spring PYM Sr. High Weekend at Shrine Mont. April 13-15 (the weekend following Easter). Our Bobby Dubas will be one of the students running the weekend. The weekends have been a lot of fun for our youth. The food is great, the location so very beautiful, and the program a great way to focus for three days on faith and fellowship. The music's fun, too! The weekend is $150.00 for all participants, both adults and youth. Scholarships are available as needed. Registration form is available on the Diocese's website. Make checks payable to the Diocese of Virginia. Enclose a $50 non-refundable deposit per participant and mail to:
The Diocese of Virginia
Attn: Program Office, c/o Kathlyn Jones
110 West Franklin St.
Richmond, VA, 23220-5095.
For more information, please speak with Bobby Dubas when you see him at church, send him an email at littledubas@gmail.com, or call him at 703-207-0424.
 - Mark your calendar for St. Pat's Car Trunk Sale & Car Show, Saturday, April 14th, 9 am - 12 pm (rain date: April 21st). We will need a lot of volunteers. A sign-up sheet will be posted in the narthex. Rent a space ($15), clean out the basement, sell your possessions out of your car, and keep all the money you make!
|
|
Prayer Requests
| |
Please pray for Robert Aronstein, who goes in today for surgery, and for Bill Herbert's surgery on March 22nd.
"Strengthen your servants Bob and Bill, O God, to do what they have to do and bear what they have to bear; that, accepting your healing gifts through the skill of surgeons and nurses, they may be restored to usefulness in your world with a thankful heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." (Book of Common Prayer, Page 459)
|
|
Community News
| |
- Couples Education Workshop. Based on Susan Johnson's book, "Hold Me Tight," a six-session education workshop, designed to help couples deepen their connection and strengthen their relationship, will be held at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, McLean, beginning March 27th. The course is intended for couples at every stage of relationship, from pre-marital couples to couples in a long-term relationship. Some of the areas to be explored will include recognizing the dialogues and patterns that create conflict and distance, finding each person's "raw" spots, improving connection and expanding engagement, forgiving injuries, and keeping your love alive. Registration fee: $525.00. For more details, contact Gary McMichael, LCSW, 703-903-9696, ext 270 -- email: garymcmichael@gmail.com; or LuAnn Oliver, LCSW, 703-220-0951 -- luanncoliver@gmail.com.
- Seminar on Ministry to People With Dimentia. Westminster Canterbury Richmond invites clergy and lay congregational ministers to a seminar, "When Words Fail: Practical Ministry to People with Dimentia," on April 26. The seminar will highlight the physiological, emotional and spiritual effects of dementia. The cost is $20, includes materials/lunch. RSVP to Vanessa Perry at vperry@wcrichmond.org or 804-200-1502.
- New York Intern Program (NYIP) is an opportunity for young adults who have an interest in justice and social services to live in and learn from two historic Episcopal churches in Harlem: St. Mary's Manhattanville and Church of the Intercession. NYIP provides the Housing, Health Insurance, a bi-weekly Stipend, unlimited access to Public Transportation, 5 Retreats for Discernment and Reflection, and a Relocation Allowance at the end of the year. So even young adults without family financial support can do this, and also accrue connections, experience, and self-strengthening steeped in Episcopal values at the same time. For information, please visit www.NewYorkInternProgram.org
|
A Letter from our Garway Thomas in Afghanistan
| |
March 9, 2012
 Greetings from Kabul,
I hope all of you are doing well physically, mentally and have plans to enjoy the weekend. I am pretty well. I think the worst here is behind us. The conditions have improved considerably. The pandemonium and madness of last month have subsided. Things are a little nervy. After a couple of events in the news last month, there is a huge trust deficit. Speaking for myself, I am paranoid about local nationals walking behind me. I have been stopping and asking them to go pass me. We all have to implement our own personal security measures. For me, it's making sure no local national is walking behind me and looking for any abnormalities in their dress. Things are relatively safe at my location, but this is a war zone, therefore, one cannot be so sure. The temperature is indicating spring is quickly approaching. We are expecting rain showers this weekend and mid 60s next week. All the snow on our base has melted away. The mountains of the Hindu Kush(which can be seen from our location) are still covered in the white stuff. As snow disappears from the mountains, we will be looking for the rain and floods. Our working hypothesis is that as the weather/temperature improves, we could expect to see a rise in bad guys activities, but things have been surprisingly quiet. I am hoping and praying it stays that way. Maybe the bad guys are just tired of fighting. One would assume that after 30 plus years of fighting and suffering, eventually, folks would get tired of all the killings and seek a better life. Keeping my fingers cross! Just as we were bonding and working together flawlessly as a team, two members of my team (civilian contractors) will be leaving for the States. One was unhappy with the new contract his company was offering and left already and the other individual, received an offering for a posting in Germany. With the reduction, the work load has increased. However, it is a chance to learn a lot more, develop professionally and hopefully, prepare me for my next assignment, where ever that may be. With respect to the "egg race" with the Mongols, I got there late last Saturday morning. As I was leaving, the whole Mongol Horde were enjoying their eggs in the sitting area. I will try and leave my desk at 5:15 to be at the entrance when the dinning facility opens at 5:30. The food is ok and getting better. It is still better than the Meal Ready to Eat (MRE). The workout session is going on strong and some healthy competitions have developed within our office. For the past 6 weeks one individual has been leaving everyone else in the dust when it comes to running. He has had the most miles, averaging between 24 to 28 miles a week. To be fair he has been here the longest so it is possible he has acclimated to this area. He is in the Air Force and Army guys will not allow Air Force guys to talk smack about having the most miles. Let's just say the pressure is on this week. Saturday is the last day for running before we get the numbers calculated and determined the winner for this week (4-10 March). Will keep you posted on the results. And now for the most important part of the weekly update, drum roll please, the Count Down!!! According to my official going back home (Kaiserslautern, Germany) clock, I have 265 days, 6380 hours, 382855 minutes, until I am back in Kaiserslautern, Germany. As always, thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I appreciate all the emails, cards and packages. The letters, emails, cards, and packages mean so much. Those actions say you care enough to take time out of your busy schedule to write a note, email or letter. Your generosity and kindness is uplifting and a highlight of my day. Thank you!! Take care, be safe and enjoy your weekend. Until next week, so long from Kabul! Sincerely, Garway Thomas (Note: Garway is son of our Pauline Thomas. The above letter was sent by email to family and friends in the U.S., including Tinh+, and Garway would like to thank all of us at St. Pa'ts for our prayer.) |
|
Tin Tức Sinh Hoạt
| | |
- Vào sáng thứ bảy, 17 tháng 3, từ 10 giờ 30 đến 12 giờ trưa, Mục Sư Tỉnh sẽ huấn luyện các em thiếu niên và nhi đồng về việc đọc Kinh Thánh trong lễ thờ phượng. Sau giờ huấn luyện các em sẽ ăn trưa tại nhà thờ.
- Chiều Chúa Nhật, 18 tháng 8, sau lễ, anh Christopher Miller và một số phụ huynh sẽ dẫn các thiếu niên (từ lớp 7 trở lên) đi thăm tu viện Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, tọa lạc ở Hoa Thịnh Đốn. Các em sẽ rời nhà thờ lúc 12 giờ 15, và sẽ trở về khoảng 3 giờ chiều. Trên đường về họ có thể ghé vào tiệm McDonald's. Nếu quý vị có thể tình nguyện lái xe thì xin liên lạc với Christopher khi gặp tại nhà thờ.
- Flee Market, thứ bảy, 14 tháng 4, 2012 (ngày 21 tháng 4, nếu trời mưa), tại bãi đậu xe của nhà thờ. Giá một chỗ để bán hàng là $15.00.
- Xin cầu nguyện cho cụ Bob Aronstein sẽ phải giải phẫu hom nay, và cho ông Bill Herbert, giải phẫu ngày 22 tháng 3.
- Trong Mùa Thống Hối, mỗi Chúa Nhật, sau lễ, có các buổi trình bày về mục vụ, như sau:
- March 18: Ông Toua Vang, mục vụ cho người Hmong
ở Lào.
- March 25: Ông Christopher Miller, về sự kêu gọi vào chức vụ.
- Nhà Thờ Thánh Patrick cộng tác với tổ chức thiện nguyện Volunteer of America để tiếp đón người homeless cho họ trú lạnh mùa đông trong nhà thờ, mỗi weekend (tối thứ sáu, tối thứ bảy và tối Chúa Nhật) trong suốt tháng 3, 2012. Năm nay sẽ có từ 15 tới 20 phụ nữ ngủ qua đêm trong nhà thờ, bắt đầu lúc 7 giờ 30 mỗi tối, dưới sự hướng dẫn của Volunteer of America. Nhà thờ cần quý vị tình nguyện mở cửa tiếp họ vào. Tại phòng narthex có bảng ghi danh tình nguyện. Quý vị chỉ phải có mặt lúc họ mới đến vào mỗi tối, sau đó có người trông coi. Để biết thêm chi tiết, xin liên lạc với ông Felix Spinelli.
- Dâng Hoa Phục Sinh. Vào Ngày Phục Sinh, nhà thờ sẽ được trang hoàng bằng hoa huệ và hoa mầu trắng. Nếu quý vị muốn dâng hoa để tưởng niệm người thân hoặc tạ ơn Chúa về những ơn phước Chúa ban, xin đóng 10 đồng cho Ban Tế Tự. Quý vị có thể gọi nhắn điện thoại hoặc viết email cho nhà thờ, cho biết tên mình, tên người mình nhớ đến hoặc tạ ơn Chúa về một điều gì. Số điện thoại của nhà thờ là 703-532-5656; địa chỉ email là stpats3241@gmail.com. Xin viết chi phiếu cho St. Patrick's Altar Guild, gởi về địa chỉ nhà thờ là 3241 Brush Drive, Falls Church, VA 22042. Trong tờ chương trình lễ sáng Chúa Nhật cu~ng có in mẫu để quý vị điền vào và bỏ vào trong dĩa tiền dâng hoặc trao cho văn phòng nhà thờ.
|
|
Đại Ý Kinh Văn Chúa Nhật Vừa Qua
| | |
Chúa Nhật thứ ba của Mùa Thống Hối
Kinh Văn: Giăng 2:13-22
-----------------
Phúc Âm Giăng kể truyện Đức Giêsu dẹp sạch đền thờ một cách kỳ thú, song không kém phần bạo động. Cách đây hai ngàn năm, người Do Thái do lòng tin đến đền thờ ở Jerusalem để dâng cúng vào các dịp lễ. Họ đến từ cả các xứ xa xôi và tràn ngập đường phố trong dịp Lễ Vượt Qua. Họ cần chiên, bò, bồ câu để dâng theo luật Mô-sê, và vì vậy họ phải đổi ngoại tệ họ mang theo thành tiền địa phương, và đổi tiền lớn thành ra tiền nhỏ, trả một ít huê hồng cho mấy "nhà hối đoái" tại chỗ, để mua sắm và dâng cho đền thờ,. Những người có thế lực và giới chức cai quản đền thờ làm "business" ngay trong khuôn viên nhà Chúa. Hơn nữa, tại đền thờ cu~ng có kho chứa ngoại tệ từ các nơi mang đến, toàn là những đồng tiền lớn. Thấy chỗ thờ phượng Thiên Chúa biến thành nơi buôn bán, Đức Giêsu nổi giận, làm một cái roi dây, xông vào quất vào các người buôn bán, hất đổ bàn của họ, làm cho chiên bò chạy tứ tung. Có lẽ lúc ấy Chúa có sức mạnh phi thường và oai phong lạ lùng, vì trong truyện không thấy người ta chống lại hoặc có lính La Mã xông vào. Truyện nầy cho thấy cái nhìn của Chúa khác cái nhìn của con người. Người ta nghĩ rằng mình làm những điều luật cho phép là đúng, song Chúa thấy cái sai của họ. Phải chăng đây là ý chính mà người viết Phúc Âm muốn nói đến? Nếu chúng ta nghĩ một cách thiêng liêng là lòng mình cần Chúa dẹp sạch, thì chắc là bệnh tật hay hoạn nạn là cái roi của Chúa quất vào cho mình tỉnh ngộ? Lời giải thích ấy e rằng không vững. Nếu chúng ta đọc tiếp về lời đối thoại giữa Đức Giêsu và người Do Thái ở đền thờ trong truyện nầy, chắc có thể đi đến một ý tưởng hoàn toàn khác với ý trên.
Người Do Thái hỏi, "Chuyện ông làm vừa rồi là dấu hiệu chi?" Chúa đáp, "Hãy phá đền thờ nầy đi, trong ba ngày Ta sẽ xây dựng lại." Người trong truyện không hỏi, "Tại sao ông làm chuyện kỳ cục vậy?" mà lại hỏi về dấu hiệu. Một trong những tư tưởng rất quan trọng của Phúc Âm Giăng là "dấu hiệu" Các việc Chúa làm được gọi là dấu hiệu, hay là "điềm." Giăng viết rằng những dấu hiệu được chép lại để xây dựng đức tin nhờ đó ta đạt được sự sống vĩnh cửu. Có người cho rằng giây phút dấu hiệu thể hiện là giây phút đất trời gặp nhau, tại đó mắt ta thoáng thấy thiên đàng. Như thế, tác giả phúc âm đã dùng truyện Chúa dẹp đền thờ để dẫn người đọc đến tư tưởng dấu hiệu.
Câu trả lời của Đức Giêsu trong truyện tích mới đọc thấy như không đáp lại câu hỏi. Nó giống như một lời thách, song lại là một lời tuyên bố đức tin và lời dạy dỗ cho cộng đoàn tín hữu của thế kỷ đầu tiên: Chúa có quyền tái tạo -- hoàn cảnh đổ vỡ đau thương đến sự tái tạo hàn gắn. Như thế, lời tuyên bố của Đức Giêsu trong truyện tích không phải là về gạch, gỗ hay hồ xây cất, mà là về tâm hồn con người.
Vào thế kỷ thứ nhất, Hội Thánh đầu tiên bắt đầu hình thành, song những người cùng niềm tin trong Đấng Kitô không nhóm họp trong cùng một cộng đoàn. Họ ở rải rác trong vùng Tiểu Á, nói tiếng Hy Lạp, cùng niềm tin song có những quan điểm khác nhau.
| |
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Bá Linh, Đức Quốc
|
Các học giả Tân Ước tạm gọi cộng đoàn phát xuất tác giả Phúc Âm Giăng là "the Johannine Community" (Cộng Đoàn Giăng). Phúc Âm Giăng phản ảnh niềm tin của Cộng Đoàn Giăng: Đức Giêsu là Thiên Chúa, và Đức Thánh Thần đang hiện diện và hành động. Cộng Đoàn Giăng là một cộng đoàn bị bắt bớ. Mới đầu họ là những người Do Thái tin Đức Giêsu, và họ họp hàng tuần trong các nhà hội Do Thái ở Jerusalem. Sau đó, họ tản lạc đi nhiều nơi. Cu~ng giống như mọi cộng đoàn khác, Cộng Đoàn Giăng có những tranh chấp nội bộ, và những xung khắc trầm trọng. Những xung khắc có thể là về phương diện niềm tin hay là vị thế trong Hội Thánh, hay là vì cái danh dự mà người ta rất cần ở chỗ giao du hiệp nguyện. Trong bộ kinh Tân Ước, Phúc Âm Giăng, các Thư Của Giăng và Sách Khải Huyền có thể là cùng một tác giả. Thư Của Giăng nói nhiều
| |
Coventry Cathedral, Anh Quốc
|
về tình thương. Phúc Âm Giăng nói nhiều về Ánh Sáng và tình thương. Phải chăng người xưa hiểu lời tuyên bố về sự tái tạo đền thờ trong ba ngày của Đức Giêsu không phải chỉ là báo trước về sự sống lại của thân Chúa, mà cu~ng là sự tái tạo hàn gắn tương quan của người trong Hội Thánh. Theo ngôn ngữ trong đạo, Thân Thể Đức Kitô (Body of Christ) là Hội Thánh.
Trong bài giảng Chúa Nhật vừa qua, anh Christopher Miller đặt câu hỏi: "Is Restoration of the Soul possible?" (Có thể có sự tái tạo tâm hồn được chăng?). Christopher chia xẻ kinh nghiệm làm "Tây Ba Lô," lang thang ở Âu Châu hồi năm ngoái, sau khi tốt nghiệp đại học, để nhìn đời và nhìn mình, tìm một lối đi. Trên cuộc hành trình, Christopher thấy di tích hai ngôi thánh đường đổ nát trong Đệ Nhị Thế Chiến: một ở bên Anh, bị Đức và phe Trục thả bom; và một ở bên Đức, bị Anh và Đồng Minh thả bom. Cả hai phía đều theo Kitô-giáo, mà lại phá nhà thờ của nhau. Ngày nay tín hữu của hai nhà thờ họp nhau cầu nguyện cho hòa bình. Đó chính là sự sống lại của tâm hồn.
Chúng ta có thể nghĩ đến sự tái tạo khác trong đời. Chúng ta nghĩ gì về sự tái tạo liên hệ giữa người thân trong gia đình, người trong Hội Thánh, hay là đồng nghiệp tại sở làm? Câu hỏi là chúng ta có muốn nối lại mối liên hệ đế sống bình an? Chúa sẽ giúp, song ta phải hành động và thực hiện bước đầu tiên. Bước ấy là gì?
|
|
|
|
|
