Love

"Perhaps love is like a resting place, a shelter from the storm. It exists to give you comfort, it is there to keep you warm. And in those times of trouble when you are most alone, the memory of love will bring you home."

"Perhaps love is like a window, perhaps an open door. It invites you to come closer it wants to show you more. And even if you lose yourself and don't know what to do, the memory of love will see you through."  

-"Perhaps Love," by John Denver

No other subject has had more music and songs written of it than love. And why not? It is the strongest of all emotions.   Born of love are grief and anger, loneliness and exhilaration. The emotion and experience of love is what all humans have in common; that is, in variant degrees we all express, share, receive and desire love. In fact, none of us can survive, nor can we live, fully, without expressions of love shared with us and shared by us.  

Advent is a season that encourages us to prepare for the "re-coming" of the Messiah, as we celebrate the anniversary of Jesus' birth, the Prince of Peace, the Grand Designer of Love itself.   We have reached the 'half way' point of this brief, yet powerful, four-week spiritual journey. The 3rd Sunday of Advent offers us a spiritual diversion: we, as a people of faith are encouraged to change, slightly, our focus this week. We continue to prepare for our Lord's coming. However, we are also invited, in private prayer and in the Liturgy to worship and hail with joy, "the Lord is now nigh and close at hand."   The color for the week has changed from blue to rose. The clergy wear rose colored vestments and we give this 3rd Sunday a name of ancient lineage; Guadete Sunday. The term comes from the earliest of the Latin Liturgy and is spoken or chanted at the beginning (Introit) of the Mass: "Guadete in Domino semper." "Rejoice in the Lord always." This middle of Advent mirrors the middle of Lent, when on the 3rd Sunday of that six week Church season, the name given is Laetare Sunday, and again, is meant for the faithful to begin to focus on the nearness of the Lord.

My dear sisters and brothers, it's all about love. The divine love that is humanly expressed through Jesus' birth, "born of a woman;" in Jesus' life and struggles; in Jesus' ministry and healings; in Jesus' acceptance of the cross as the means of our salvation; in Jesus' triumph over the grave, glorious resurrection and ascension to full glory. If that's not love, well then, what do we call it? Again I ask, if that's not love, then why do we gather?

Simply put... we celebrate, we rejoice and we gather because we are planted with 'fertile love' for Jesus and He loves us, without any condition or stipulations. Love is love. He gave until He could give no more, dying via a criminal's punishment. I appreciate the difficulty some find with trying to comprehend letting an "only son" die for the well-being and redemption of others. To be honest with you, I've struggled, at times, with this very thing. Then again...it's all about LOVE. And some times, love is beyond our comprehension; it is too great for us to humanly and cognitively embrace.   Advent is love: a short and abridged lesson in four short weeks of the greatness of God's immense regards for us, His children and how God's only Son fulfilled the Father's promises. Let us rejoice, indeed, for our Savior is ever so near and close. Love is at hand!

manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org 

The Bishop's Committee met Sunday, December 9 -

- Bob DeHaven volunteered to represent St. Nicholas at the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce meetings.  Bob will check to see what the dues are and determine the best time to join.

- The annual meeting will be held Sunday, January 27, following the 10 am service, at which time new bishop's committee members will be elected in addition to approving the 2013 budget. 

- The date for the Chili Supper has been set as February 9 - the Saturday before the beginning of Lent.

- Fr. Jim Bullion will be the presiding priest December 15/16 while Manny is away.

- The congregation will be directed to notify Pat or Steve if there is a pastoral emergency.  They will then contact Fr. Steve Godfrey who will be on call while Manny is away.

- A banner has been purchased to advertise the Christmas Liturgies - one that can be used year after year.

- The Living Christ crucifix has been re-located from the Gathering Space to the Baptismal Font area, the site of its original home.

- A statue of St. Bede and a plaque (formerly at St. Bede's) have been placed on the wall near Mary, where the Living Christ was, designating the area as the St. Bede Chapel.

- It was decided that St. Nicholas will participate in the Nets for Life program, probably in June, to coincide with a community event.

Bishop James Allan, our Nancy Allan's relation: he has taken a turn for the worse and his health is in rapid decline; pray for his peace and comfort and strength and acceptance for his family. 

Shirley Martinez, a friend of our Scott Cummings: she is battling cancer; pray for her health and well being.   

Vivian, sister to our Thelma Malacek, who is battling ovarian cancer: for successful surgery and a full and complete recovery.  Also, Vivian's friend, Peggy, who has been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer: for strength and peace for Peggy and family. 

Linda Buzard, choral director of St. John the Divine in Urbana and a friend of Bob DeHaven, is battling breast cancer: pray for full recovery and sound health.

Marcia Kizior, sister of Bob DeHaven, who is in poor health.

Pamela Joy DeHaven, in thanksgiving for recovery and continued remission.   

Hope Smith, whose cancer has reappeared: for strength, peace and guidance.

For those in transition: those searching for work, those who are moving and those encountering changes in life.