October 2, 2024 — Saint of the Day — Feast of the Guardian Angels:

“Guardian angels are not just for children, but adults alike. Matthew 18:10 says: “see that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of the Father.”

“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.” Matthew 18:10-14

“Saint John Chrysostom points out that the mere fact that the life of the Monk is more austere and more difficult should not make us think that Christian holiness is principally a matter of difficulty. This would lead to the false conclusion that because salvation seems less arduous for the layman it is also in some strange way less truly “salvation”. ON the contrary, says Chrysostom, “God has not treated us [lay people and clergy] with such severity as to demand of us monastic austerities as a matter of duty. He has left to all a free choice. One must be chaste in marriage, one must be termperate in meals…you are not ordered to renounce your possessions.” (Thomas Merton, “Called Out of Darkness”, Life and Holiness, p.14)

We are not all called to the ordained ministry – or rostered ministry. In fact, our churches are struggling because there are too few individuals attending our seminaries, and too many churches in need of pastors. As such, I believe our church is going through a severe austerity—perhaps a necessary reduction. However, though the calling to ministry remains for the few, salvation continues to be for the many. No matter your vocation in life—milkmaid, doctor, mailman, IT specialist or student—we all have gifts to share that may change the lives of the poor, disabled and mentally ill as well as the faithful. Not all need to go through monastic austerities—we just need to live out our faith in whatever vocation to which we are called.

Pastor Dave

October 1, 2024 — Philippians 1:1–11

“I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners in Godʼs grace together with me. For God is my witness that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:3–11

It is common for Paul to begin his letters with an expression of thanksgiving. What is interesting about this statement of thanksgiving is that Paul uses the verb “deomai” which in Greek is translated as “praying” and “prayers”. The verb praying here describes some sort of lack or deficiency, and so by extension means “to request” or “to beseech.” In this instance, we understand Paul to be praying requests for the people, although he doesn’t tell us immediately what the content of his request is. Paul then adds that he makes these requests “with joy.” This is unparalleled among Paul’s thanksgiving statements. In fact, many scholars point to joy as the hallmark of this letter. Joy, here as in all of Paul’s writings, comes with the gospel of Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit.

Another interesting use of verbiage in this expression of thanksgiving is “koinōnia” (in Greek) here translated as “sharing”. Koinonia is translated differently in various parts of the New Testament, although usually as “fellowship”. Koinōnia is a word that expresses the essence of Christianity — something held in common, as opposed to something held in private; koinōnia refers to the community and its participants. This is the body of Christ — the church — people working together to protect and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul prayed for the church in Philippi — Paul prays for our church today — for his prayer is for all people who gather to share the gospel.

Pastor Dave