February 16, 2017
“G-d Bless You” – It is Cold and Flu Season

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His face on you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

On this day, February 16, 600, Pope Gregory the Great decrees saying “God bless You” is the correct response to a sneeze (maybe). The origins of the phrase are uncertain and there have been several theories floated out there over the years. There are obvious religious overtones suggestive of a concern that sneezing somehow leaves one vulnerable. Here is what the historychannel.com has to say:

“One of the most compelling explanations for the origin of the phrase is that it derives from a papal decree supposedly issued during the reign of Pope Gregory I. Also known as Gregory the Great, he assumed the papacy in 590, at a time when the bubonic plague was raging through Europe. An early sign that the virus had entered a victim was a sneeze, so on or around 6 February 600 AD, the Pope is attributed with suggesting that God’s blessing be offered to anyone who sneezes in order to protect against falling ill. Another theory of uncertain origin, but perhaps dating to the middle ages, was that the act of sneezing left the body spiritually unguarded, giving an opportunity for the Devil to enter the soul. Uttering “God bless you” upon the occasion of a sneeze would provide the necessary protection from devilish intent, and ensure the soul remained clean.

A similar rationale for the blessing, also of unknown provenance, was that it safeguarded against the Devil returning into the body. Some believed that the act of sneezing actually expelled the Devil from the soul, and that uttering “bless you” would ensure that Devil could not make a swift re-entry. Whatever the true origin of the spiritual command, it has slipped into common usage, and the notion of confronting a sneeze with any other response seems entirely alien. Whether safeguarding the soul, or staving off the plague, it is the only proper way to respond to a sneeze. Even for the most zealous none-believers, saying “bless you” has become as routine as saying “thank you” in response to a door held open, or as natural as exchanging a hello with a neighbor in the street.” (history channel website, “God Bless You” Is Born)

The Lord bless you and keep you. It is an ancient blessing that originated with the Israelites – and continues to bless people today. I find it interesting that ancient people thought a sneeze was an opportune time for the devil to sneak in to snatch up your soul. There are many things that the body does, or has, that are real enigmas – like the appendix, or the ear lobe. We know today that the sneeze is an automatic reaction necessary to expel irritants from the nasal cavity. And though no one believes that the devil is involved in any way, we still say “Bless You” or “G-d Bless You”. And we should continue – because for many people, it may be the only time they hear anyone give them a blessing from G-d – which, yes, is very irritating.

Pastor Dave

February 15, 2017
Thomas Bray, Anglican Rector, Teacher of the Faith in Maryland

On this day, February 15, 1730, Thomas Bray died. You may ask “Who was Thomas Bray?” Thomas Bray was an influential presence in the growth of and instruction in Christianity in Colonial America. He was trained at Oxford and became an Anglican rector (a rector is a cleric who performs administrative leader functions in some church denominations). Bishop Henry Compton of London received a letter from the colony of Maryland requesting religious instruction in the faith. Thomas Bray was sent to investigate. Bray needed people and he needed books if he was to accomplish religious instruction. To get the books he needed, Bray organized the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK). With the help of contributors Bray was able to purchase books and send them to America.

“Bray spent only ten weeks in Maryland. He saw at once that he would be more useful as a resource man in England. While in the colony, however, he reorganized the Maryland church, established a better system for examining candidates for the ministry, set in motion a system of parochial schools, and established thirty-nine libraries. In a day when fifty books were considered a sizable private collection, the SPCK put together collections of sixty and more volumes to ship overseas.

Bray…wrote an impassioned plea for Anglican missionaries in America. “My design is not to intermeddle, where Christianity under any form has obtained possession; but to represent rather the deplorable state of the English colonies, where they have been in a manner abandoned to atheism…for want of a clergy settled among them.” His practical and foresighted plan received little attention, however. Neither did his appeals for the rights of Indians and of slaves.

Back in England, Bray founded another Society–this one for the Propagation of the Gospel. He continued his work with the SPCK. Long an advocate for placing lending libraries of religious works in all British deaneries, he saw his dream fulfilled as the SPCK and its faithful allies supplied England’s churches with books. Bray also took a leading role in prison ministries. It was he who convinced General Oglethorpe to found the penal colony of Georgia.” (Christianity.com website, Death of Thomas Bray)

Recently I have challenged my congregation to invite and bring 50 new people to worship before Trinity Sunday, June 11, 2017. The challenge has caused some buzz within the rank and file of the congregants. There are those who think it is too much of a gimmick. Others just do not believe they could ask their neighbors because they live too far away, or they do not want to seem pushy or too religious. In fact I have heard very few positive statements about my challenge, which is fine, because the work of the church is not always fun and not always easy. Thomas Bray left England because he was called to America to spread the Gospel and teach the people. He knew it was necessary to not only teach them the faith but he also needed to teach them general knowledge as well. Though he was called to America for one reason, he soon discovered there were several areas he could be a benefit to the English Colonies. Did he want to go to America? Most likely not. But he stepped out of his comfort zone to embark on the task of reaching out to people who were desperate to learn about G-d.

My friends, there are many people who are desperate to learn about G-d – people we do not know, people we live next to, and people we have just met. If we do not answer the call to reach out in faith, then who will? It may not be fun and it will not always be easy, but when someone says “Yes”, well there is no better feeling.

Pastor Dave