TRINITY SUNDAY May 31, 2015

TRINITY SUNDAY    May 31, 2015

The concept of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, & God the Holy Spirit, can be puzzling enough to Christians;  but to those outside the Christian faith,  the Trinity is just totally confusing.  Some people, including those of a Jewish background,  believe that the Christian concept of the Trinity contradicts the First of the 10 commandments; which calls us to affirm and to and to worship  the ONE TRUE GOD.  PAUSE  J  J  J

J Once upon a time, in   the Upper West Side of NYC lived an assimilated Jewish man, who was now a very militant atheist. But he sent his son Morris to the private Trinity School.  Despite its denominational roots, it was a great school and completely secular.

After a month, the boy came home and said casually, "By the way, Dad, I learned what Trinity means! It means 'The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.'"

The father could barely control his rage. He seized his son by the shoulders and declared, "Morris, I'm going to tell you something now and I want you never to forget it. Forget this Trinity business. There is only one God... and we don't believe in him!"

Most of us have a pretty Good idea as to who God the Father & the creator & Lawgiver is. His chief activity covered most of human pre-history and history up until the time of Christ. Once Jesus, God the Son was born, Jesus was the public face of God until He died, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven.  Next, God the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples thereby establishing the one, universal, holy & apostolic church on earth.   Since then until now, the public face of God has been primarily expressed through God the Holy Spirit.

Last Sunday, we talked on how the Holy Spirit can empower us to become best friends with God.  Today, as I promised last week, we are going to reflect on other aspects of God the Spirit’s work on earth.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the coming of the Holy Spirit was that the immediately the disciples were transformed from being fearful and silent, into becoming men & women of courage, who boldly spoke the Good News of Jesus Christ. They went forth, like Philip in today’s first reading, to talk about Jesus’ love for all people.   

Through the sacrament of baptism, we all receive that same Holy Spirit; but for many of us, the Holy Spirit lies dormant.  It lies dormant because when it comes to telling others about Jesus Christ, most of us are not bold & articulate, but rather we are more timid and quiet.

Now, I am not talking about the way that former Bishop of Ct. Arthur Walmsley ONCE SPOKE about God….the same way that too many  people speak about God. Bishop Walmsley confessed at a Diocesan Convention that one day he was hammering a nail.  Well, he slipped, and smashed his thumb with the hammer. At that point, he confessed, quote, “I then uttered a theological statement— a theological statement, which was quite blasphemous—much to my shock & horror.” Of course, the bishop had not intended to use God’s name as a curse; whereas millions of Americans feel no guilt by using the Lord’s name in vain. So. I am not talking about that.

Nor am I referring to speech that occurs in our discussions about church business, or church gossips, or Episcopal Church politics, or anything like that.

What I am referring to are conversations, held outside this room, where we actually speak of God in a positive way, as we say these words: God, Jesus Christ.   Holy Spirit.  When we speak these words to affirm the goodness of God in conversations, then the Holy Spirit is working in us.

Such a practice goes against the norms of our culture.  Many of us have been taught, not by parents alone, but by society, not to talk about religion with people outside your church.

Our culture contends that only Jehovah Witnesses & other judgemental fundamentalists are the only ones who speak about God in public.

·       But it seems to me that we Episcopalians have over reacted, for fear of being grouped with those giving Xnty a bad name.  Most Episcopalians are so insecure, unsure & cautious about their faith, that we keep our personal beliefs totally hidden.  Therefore, our denomination is comprised of hundreds of thousands of closet Episcopalians who act as if Christianity is something to be ashamed of.

However, our resistance, our fears, and our objections are all overcome when one thing happens: and that’s when we become inspired.  After receiving the Holy Spirit on the first day of Pentecost, the apostles went out into the streets proclaiming the love of God in Christ.  The scripture says, “They spoke as the Spirit inspired them.”  What that means is that we can choose to speak and we will be inspired by God.

Have you ever personally been inspired before---when you been possessed with an idea, or a joy, or a dream, which seems too god to be true?

I see such inspiration from people in this parish, in this room. I see it in the lives of many of you—as it blazes & smokes and burns in your eyes, your speech, and your generosity.

For example—I see it within our Music Ministry, of which we are very proud.  Choir, please stand up.  As they sing & play their instruments, just look at their beaming faces!  JJ

I see it in our healing ministry.  Patti & Paul Doyle, please stand up.  Month after month, year after year, they offer spirit inspired prayer for one and all.  We thank you for inspiring us.

I see it each Sunday as I lift up the offering plate, filled with the pledge contributions and other donations. Over the past 4 years we have experienced growth in our cheerful giving, which we need to build on as we look to the future.  Meanwhile, we thank our 55 pledges and others who generously support this church.

Where does such inspiration come from? Jesus says, “Keep my word’—read & study my scriptures and learn from them that.” Grab one takeaway idea from one of the Sunday scripture readings or the sermon; and ponder that for 5 minutes.  Go talk to someone here whose faith & boldness you admire; and ask them how they came to be inspired.

Then, inspired by the Spirit, follow Jesus culminating message, which is, please repeat after me, SPEAK OF ME.”  Tell people in your world that “I am alive, that I care, and that there is hope through me.”

This is holy speech, profound significance.—because such speech is the basis of Christianity.   If no one speaks of Jesus, then there may be no Christian church after a couple of generations.  If those first disciples that had not been willing to tell anyone about Jesus rising from the dead—then Jesus might as well have stayed in the grave and not bothered.

However, once  those original disciples passed away, Christianity did not die like so many other shallow religions and cults .Rather, it flourished because women & men just like you and me told their friends, neighbors & families the Good News of God’s love through Jesus Christ.

What about us? Such holy speech is key to God’s activity in our day and time; for if you and I don’t talk about him—then God might as well be dead. God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit cannot be seen with the physical eye—so He is already out of sight.  And if we do not hear about Him then He will be out of mind, as well.

You see, there is a whole wide world of people out there, some of whom you know;  maybe whom you love: They need the hope , the comfort, the love and joy that we receive from Jesus. And if they do not hear about it from you, then they may not ever hear about it.  

We are not being asked to do anything which is not genuine.  There are many gentle, comforting ways that provide ample opportunity for you to make a positive comment or 2 about your faith.  For example:

·       If you know a people from a different denominations, you might ask them about their traditions and their congregations.

·       If you know someone who doesn’t go to church, then invite him or her to come of our Parish Picnic/Preach on the Beach on June 28; or to come to another service.  Make it fun by maybe taking that person out to breakfast or lunch.

·       If you know of someone in trouble, you might tell him or her that you will pray for them.  Do you know that even non-believers are comforted by prayer? Most of them do not know how to pray, and when you offer to do so, it is an encouragement.  I have seen this happen thousands of times. Try it. You got nothing to lose.

·       Also, we have some free encouragement cards for you to give away.  “They say,”O God, help me to remember that nothing will happen today that You and I cannot handle together.”  Pick up 2 or 3 from the baskets as you come up for communion.

·       Moving to twitter, Instagram, and Facebook--Repost an inspiring scripture themed message,..One which touched you.

·       Or, when amoral topic comes up, you might look at it from a faith perspective of the 10 commandments or other bible teachings.  When entering such discussions, remember this quote: “If Christianity is true, then every argument will, if pursued to the end, lead to Jesus.’

·       On a regular basis, say bedtime prayers with your family, or say grace at dinner; that way your family will know that your faith is important to you.

PAUSE

Now,  brief pause J  I know that some of you here today have doubts and uncertainties. So, please to turn to page______ Look back at today’s Gospel reading.  Some of the original disciples had doubts and uncertainties, too.  I believe that then in such circumstances, you can find one person with whom you can talk about your faith: a friend, a neighbor, a spouse, a priest, or our healing ministry.  Speak about God even in this way, and you might be surprised when you find some answers.

At this time, would you all please pass down those pencils and pens from the end of the pew?  Everyone have a pencil or pen?  Now, take out your bulletin and draw the smallest circle that you can draw.  Now, that is the size of a mustard seed.  Jesus said, “If you even have no more faith than the size of a mustard seed, then you can move mountains.”   Guess what?  The only mountain that Jesus wants you to remove is your resistance to talking about Him with others.

As we become more and more familiar with the Bible, you will find today’s message popping up all the time. So, please think about this and pray about this; and look for the opportunity to use your mouth to help build up the Kingdom of God on earth, to the glory of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

--The Rev. John Donnelly

SOME REFLECTIONS ON FRACTURED RACE RELATIONS

SOME RELECTIONS FROM THE CCQF RECTOR FRACTURED RACE RELATIONS  

on April 28, 2015             

Many of our fellow parishioners, perhaps including you, are seriously concerned about the recent racial rioting.  As I have spoken with some of you,  I have heard a variety of opinions and some heart -felt concern, along with many many questions.

Although this is not a formal paper, I would like to see if there are some things that all (or most?) of us can agree on.

1.       Sin is the root cause for all racial conflict and strife.   Therefore, all of the participants in this drama share in responsibility for the problem.

2.       There are thousand and maybe even millions of peaceful and non-violent- African Americans, who have some legitimate concerns about poverty and police relations. 

·         Acts of violence has been condemned by an overwhelming majority of these citizens.

3.       Free Speech, undertaken peacefully is a fundamental right that we all acknowledge and value.

4.       Law and Order is required. Some laws have been broken by some police officers, who are being disciplined in accordance with the law.

·         This is s not occurring as expeditiously as some people wish.

·         However, there are larger roots and underlying causes which result in fractured race relations.

·         There are other minorities with a unique set of issues.

·         However, most whites and blacks and other minorities, people of major faith groupings, are all seeking to live together in harmony; and many of us do not personally experience fractureD race relations.   These are the citizens who all stand, together, for Law and Order, which is a chief tool in achieving a harmonious society.

5.       However, as hundreds and thousands of faithful clergy and laity through prayer, deed, and speech, we humans will not solve the problem of fractured race relations alone.   Rather, they and we look to the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, who came to bring peace and good will on earth.  Christ died to and rose from the dead, that through us we might bring His healing to the world. Jesus is also the Great Physician, who can heal brokenness in in all relationships, including racial relationships.   Maybe we Christians are being challenged to pray and work more for a more harmonious nation?  I know that I am.  If we ask Jesus, He will guide us individually, and as an extended community of faith within the USA.

6.       God’s Word promises in 2 Chronicles 7: 14 that ,  If f my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  

Thanks be to God.    The Rev. John Donnelly

HOSPITALITY

So, I hope you have had a nice Valentine’s Day weekend.   You know, for some people,  there is always a down side to Valentine’s Day.  For those in love, it can be intoxicating.  For those not so lucky, it can be like a  bad hang over.

My wife and I met while were students at seminary.  Now for me, it was love at first sight; but for Ellen, well, it took a while longer for her to come to appreciate my considerable beauty, intelligence & charm. J  So during our first year of seminary in early February, I asked Ellen, “Do you have a date for Valentine’s Day.”  She replied,

·       “Yes. February 14th,” and then she hurried away.

 Well, I was devastated, but I still loved her. So by the time the next February came, I decided to try her again.  I asked her, “Do you want to go with me to the seminary Valentine’s Day dance?”

·       She replied, “I can’t. I have a medical condition?”

·       “Oh, what‘s that? “I asked.

·       She replied, “You make me sick to my stomach.” With that, she put her hand over her mouth, and then ran to the ladies Room.

Well, it took another year to heal my broken heart.  Since seminary was a 3 year program, I had one last chance to take out my true love on Valentine’s Day. So, I summoned up my courage and  asked her, “Ellen, would you like to out and see a movie with me on Valentine’s Day?”

·       Ellen looked at me and said, “No, thank you.   I have seen that one already.”

Well, I could tell that she was really beginning to warm up to me; and believe or not, my love was returned and that autumn, when we got married on Halloween.

I wonder if you have ever attended a dinner party like the one that Jesus attended in today’s Gospel. He knew nobody there; and nobody made any effort to talk to him, because Jesus was considered to be not a person, but a curiosity.

·       The hosts and the guests had already made up their minds against Him; and they were expecting to find ways to humiliate him.

·        Not only that, but the host did not welcome or even speak to Him.  Further, the host had violated the norms of hospitality by not providing a servant to wash Jesus’ feet, while that servant had washed the feet of everyone else.

PAUSE

Then, to the amazement of everybody, the town whore comes walking in.   Unbeknownst to the religious leaders, who may had previously used her  services,  she had changed her ways.  Jesus knew her, because he had previously told her of God’s love.  In turn, this woman had confessed her sins and received forgiveness.   And probably, for the first time in years, she learned that she was important to God and important to Jesus’ followers.  The Jesus followers actually cared about her and offered her the precious gift of friendship.

·       No—this women’s greeting and hospitality came straight from her heart. There was nothing casual or superficial about it. She showed Jesus extravagant love by anointing his feet in a manner fit for a king.

The Bible tells us to “Greet one another with a strong embrace” and to “practice hospitality.”   There is supposed to be a difference between the way the world shares greeting & hospitality, and the way Christians do.

·       I am sorry to admit, but sometimes the greetings and hospitality that I share are thoughtless rituals, which I do automatically, without feeling.  It is just a knee jerk response.

But the sort of greeting and hospitality that Christians are called to share, is where we make an intentional effort to connect with the other person.  Jesus calls us to use our greeting and hospitality to tell someone that he/she is are important to us, at least for that moment.  

This is what Christian greetings and hospitality are all about:  Just as Jesus greeted us and has extended the hospitality of His eternal kingdom to us, so we are called to do likewise to one another…as we seek to love one another they way Jesus loves us.

Love is not just an emotion, or a feeling, or romance, or a movie plot, or a poem or a song.

Love is action, sacrifice, serving others, giving, doing good, blessing & praying

During this sermon series, we have been encouraging to release the Love within you.  Likewise, our video says the same thing: Don’t bottle up your love, but let it pour out and change the world -- your community & your family.  With every deed, great or small, love comes to life.

You see, Jesus is challenging us to find opportunities to share love.  Each time we encounter a person is an opportunity to ennoble the other person by verbally and/ or physically reaching out to him or her, to let that individual  know that you care about him or her because Jesus also cares.

This is so crucial--- because we live in a world where people are always tearing other people down by being rude, angry, manipulative,  even apathetic.   Do you realize that when you greet someone that your encounter may end up becoming the best thing that has happened to that person on that day?  Think of that!  God can use your greeting to touch someone.    But even beyond that, who you greet and practice hospitality has a huge impact on eternity:

Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another.

⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right,

Reader: ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you .”

 “FJ—“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

 “ Jesus reader: “The King will reply, ‘truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

So, likewise,   practice hospitality/ angels

Remember, a warm greeting can have an impact on eternity.  Jennifer and John Peterson joined Christ Church 3 year ago, and have become very involved in our church.  I once asked Jenn how they came to join our church, and she told me a story about being greeted by several people on their first Sunday; and those same people greeted item again the following Sunday; and so it continued, until the Petersons were loved into joining our church family. Now, along with us, we are all together, on the road to eternity.

So, remember the words of Jesus, just as you have greeted and included the least of my sons and daughters, so you have done it unto me. Amen.

--The Rev. John Donnelly

QUESTIONS FOR CHRISTIANS ON MEMORIAL DAY

QUESTIONS FOR CHRISTIANS ON MEMORIAL DAY

[adapted from an article by  Ray Hollenbach] 

 Memorial Day is about remembrance, and the important questions we face are what should we remember and why?

Our nation may be tired of war, but we are not tired of remembering eternal values. Here are seven questions designed to transform your Sunday message:

1. What is positive about Memorial Day?   Great leadership and sacrifice, resulting in the freedom that our nation enjoys.

2. What values do Christianity and military service have in common? Memorial Day can be a great source of gospel illustrations, if they are put to their proper use. Consider this encouragement from the Apostle Paul: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

  

3. How is Jesus at the make Jesus the center? What is your personal mission? If Jesus is at the center of your life, then you want to support and uphold Godly values of service and sacrifice  of behalf of our nation . This is true for all Christians of all political backgrounds.

Thanks be to God for those who died in

 service for our nation!!!!!!!