Baptism in the Episcopal Church is offered to all who seek to become members of the Body of Christ and rest in the assurance that they have been marked as Christ’s own forever. Parents wishing to have a child baptized, or adults wishing to be baptized may make an appointment for further discussion. There are four Sundays in the Church calendar for Baptism. Additional times may be scheduled in consultation with the Priest.
An Overview of Baptism
In baptism we are made sharers in the new life of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is the foundation for all future church participation and ministry. Each candidate for baptism in the Episcopal Church is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons. Sponsors (godparents) speak on behalf of candidates for baptism who are infants or younger children and cannot speak for themselves at the Presentation and Examination of the Candidates. During the baptism the members of the congregation promise to do all they can to support the candidates for baptism in their life in Christ. They join with the candidates by renewing the baptismal covenant. Candidates are baptized "in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," and then marked on the forehead with the sign of the cross. Chrism may be used for this marking. The newly baptized is "sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever." When all baptisms have been completed, the celebrant and congregation welcome the newly administered within the eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or another feast.
The Catechism notes that "Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God." The baptismal promises are made for infants by their parents or sponsors, "who guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him" (BCP, pp. 858-859). Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, the Day of Pentecost, All Saint's Day or the Sunday following, and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany). (The Episcopal Church)
When two people desire to form a lasting, lifelong partnership with each other in God’s love, they turn to marriage. Marriage is a union, an unfolding process of intentional living and growing together. In a marriage, each person as an individual and both as a couple gradually transform and mature in God’s presence and image.
Christian marriage is a sacrament— an outward and visible sign of God’s grace bringing two persons together and nurturing their love.
Marriage is a vocation, a calling to a particular vowed manner of life over the course of a lifetime. Not all people are called to marriage, but for those who are, it is to be entered into with mutual care, respect, and delight.
All this is why a wedding in The Episcopal Church is a sacred ritual that acknowledges and celebrates, before God and the community, the desire of the couple to enter a lifelong covenant. It symbolizes the ending of former and other potential ways of life, establishing a particular pathway into the future—in which two people promise to travel together. By uniting within the context of a faith community, the couple recognize that God is active in the love they feel for one another, and they place their relationship in God’s care. The couple make their vows before God and the gathered community of family, friends and the Church. They in turn receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill those vows.
A wedding in The Episcopal Church is shaped by The Book of Common Prayer, Canon law, thoughtful and beautiful liturgical worship, and the laws of the state in which the marriage occurs. The Episcopal clergy person officiating at a wedding is responsible to provide pre-marital counseling and assists the couple in shaping a marriage service that reflects the tradition of the Episcopal church and the uniqueness of the persons who are committing to marriage. (The Diocese of Ft. Worth)
Funerals are an important aspect of the pastoral care of all members of the St. Alfred’s parish family. When someone has died, it is the duty of the church to welcome all who seek comfort and an appropriate celebration of a loved one’s life and new life in Christ.
Pre-planning your funeral is a great gift to your loved ones. To have prepared your wishes, in consultation with the Priest, ensures that your loved ones know that they are providing exactly the type of service you desire. It is never too early to make these arrangements. Click here to download Funeral Planning Guide and make an appointment with the Priest.
For those who have suffered a loss and are in immediate need of planning a funeral service we have a comprehensive check list for funeral planning. Please call the Church Office, 727-461-1717, for assistance and to let the clergy know of your loss. When the office is closed, a recorded message will provide emergency contact information. In some cases, arrangements are made through a funeral director, who will in turn consult the clergy regarding family preferences and availability of church and clergy.
In the Episcopal Church, a funeral may be held with the body present in a coffin or with the ashes present; or a memorial service may be held in the church after the remains, whether in a coffin, or ashes, have been committed to a final resting place. The clergy will be happy to discuss the theological and pastoral considerations in all these approaches, as well as in choosing the date for the service. The clergy will also be happy to provide or make referrals for grief counseling.
Following the guidelines of our Book of Common Prayer, baptized Christians are buried from the church, and we encourage a service to be held at a time when the congregation has the opportunity to be present. As with other sacramental rites in the church, funerals properly take place in the context of Christian community. You do not have to be a member of Good Samaritan in order for a funeral service to be held at the church.
The clergy will meet with the family to plan the service, including any music, in accordance with the liturgy provided in the Book of Common Prayer. Click here for our Funeral Planning Guide. There is no set fee for a funeral service at the church; families are asked to make a contribution to Good Samaritan’s Discretionary Fund, which assists people in need. Musicians will have fees for their services. Families may provide flowers arrangements for the altar. The clergy can assist in providing a referral for a florist.
Good Samaritan can provide space for a reception following a funeral; we ask that the family make arrangements for the food to be provided at the reception and pay a small fee for any extra needed clean up. Clergy will accompany the family to the cemetery to do a graveside committal service either before or after a service held in the church.
We commend to you the following description of the burial service of the Church from the Book of Common Prayer (p. 507):
“The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall be raised. The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that ‘neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord’ [Romans 8:38-39].
May God bless you in this time of mourning, lighten the burden of grief, and through the gift of grace bring you in due course to wholeness and peace.
PLEASE NOTE: The clergy are available to all parishioners to discuss funeral arrangements at any time and are happy to make preliminary plans for a service in accordance with your wishes at a time when you are healthy and able to make choices about the service.
Good Samaritan is extremely blessed to have a Memorial Garden for the interment of the cremated remains of our congregation and their families.


The Sycamore United Methodist Church has been serving people within the community and beyond since 1836. Our mission and our call is to share the love and acceptance of God with everyone.
High School Youth Group
High School Youth meet every other Sunday (see church calendar/Youth sign) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This a time that our high school youth get together to eat dinner, hang out and do a study/devotion or other activity that is set up such as our Prayer Walks that start in September.
Middle School Youth Group
Middle School Youth meet every other Sunday (see church calendar/Youth sign) from 4:30-6:00 p.m. This is a time that we get together and hang out with friends, have a snack and participate in a Bible based activity.


It seemed odd that the Anglican confession was left out. Anglicans refer to our sinful nature in pretty unambiguous terms:
We acknowldege and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable.The concept of sin is having a tough time in churches these days, as it threatens to undermine self-esteem. So the fine words in the Book of Common Prayer were skipped over, even though the paragraph in question is not marked 'optional'.
Then there was a sermon, which was introduced with the comment that people out there were peddling fear, and we should not be fearful, because God is in charge. And after that, it was all downhill, because "clear-eyed scientists have peeked over the edge of the abyss" and, well, we're doomed... Turns out most of the sermon was cribbed from this post, entitled "From apocalypse to Genesis" and if anything is going to be called fear-mongering, this would be a good place to start. The sermon, and its source material, end with a poem by one Wendell Berry, who concludes with the decidedly un-Christian line "For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free."
So once again we get to return to our theme that there is a new religion out there, but this time I have evidence. We need not confess our sins to God, we need only confess them to the Earth, and receive her grace. Our real sins are eco-sins, not the general sins of "thought, word and deed, against thy Divine Majesty". And for grace, we need but rest in the grace of the world.
There is no more true power in this new god than in any of the old idols. But there is certainly the power to turn heads and hearts.


For a perfect start to the festive season, Mayo Chamber Choir present their annual "Sing Noël" Christmas Concert under their new director Felicity McElroy.
Felicity was co-founder of the music department at Coláiste Éanna, Rathfarnham and the director of music at St Philomena’s Church, Palmerstown, Dublin. She has recently been appointed music teacher at Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh. Felicity is very excited about the future of the prestigious Mayo Chamber Choir.
Tickets: €12 / €8. Early booking advised.


Two Rivers Classical Academy partners with Christian parents to train children to love learning truth, to pursue virtue in all of life, and to glorify God in their callings.
Veritas. Virtus. Vocatio.
Name and Logo
Two Rivers has long been a geographic reference to Iowa in general, and to Des Moines in particular — where the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers converge. Playing off that theme, TRCA is a place where our priorities converge: family and community, knowledge and character, learning and service. Our logo illustrates the convergence of these ideals, coming together around a book — signifying knowledge in general and Scripture in particular.
In June of 2018, a pastor, a banker, and a lawyer walked into a coffee shop. It sounds like the beginning of an awful joke, but it was the culmination of years of conversation, research, and prayer about bringing a classical school to Central Iowa. The result of that meeting was the formation of Two Rivers Classical Academy — and a plan to share its vision with Des Moines and surrounding communities. In the months that followed, hundreds of area families provided encouragement, feedback, and support. TRCA officially launched in August of 2019 as a K-7 academy, with plans to implement a full PK-12 program in coming years.
Two Rivers Classical Academy is an Iowa nonprofit corporation with IRS recognition as a 501(c)(3) organization. TRCA is governed by an independent board of directors and is not affiliated with an individual church or Christian denomination. It is governed by its Mission and its Statement of Beliefs
Board of Directors
The founding Board of Directors is currently comprised of three fathers, and it is surrounded by many qualified advisers, a team of dedicated parents, and three very wise and patient wives. After the launch of TRCA is completed in the Fall of 2019, the Board will be expanded to take on a stronger strategic role.
Zach Dietrich is an associate pastor at Soteria Church where he oversees theological development, which is a fancy way of saying he loves teaching and books. Zach grew up in eastern Iowa but has spent most of the last twenty years in the Des Moines area. Zach has a Master of Divinity from Faith Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been reading about and researching classical education for over ten years, but his other passions are coffee. He and his wife Leah have engaged in classical home education for their five children for several years.
Andy Fogle has been in the financial services industry for nearly 15 years in a variety of capacities, including CEO of two Des Moines-based credit unions. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree and is currently a VP/Regional Director of a financial technology company based in Austin, TX. A Des Moines native, he has been involved in several for-profit and non-profit boards, including his local church and Ruth Harbor Homes. He and his wife Jenn live in Des Moines and homeschool four boys.
Andy Karas is an attorney at the Des Moines law firm of Hagenow & Gustoff LLP, where he focuses on creating and implementing strategic plans for families, businesses, and nonprofits. Prior to earning his Juris Doctorate and becoming an attorney, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree and held executive leadership roles in healthcare, banking, and higher education. Andy and his wife Melissa are both originally from southwestern Iowa. They now reside in Clive with their two children.
Nate Oppman is the operations manager of an Iowa public policy organization, as well as an adjunct professor of history. Dr. Oppman received a B.A. in political science, an M.A. in history, and an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from Bob Jones University. He speaks to a wide variety of groups regarding Christian citizenship, history, and public policy. Prior to moving to Des Moines, Dr. Oppman and his wife, Joy, resided in Washington D.C.
Two Rivers Classical Academy is an independent organization, but it benefits from relationships with organizations and similar schools across the United States. TRCA is a member of, and plans to eventually seek accreditation through, the Association of Classical Christian Schools. TRCA has networked with several sister schools, and it has greatly benefited from the wisdom and experiences of Trinity Classical Academy in Omaha, Nebraska, and Trinity Classical School in Houston, Texas.


In following the guidance of the CDC and local government leaders for the COVID-19 safety precautions, All God’s Children preschool will be temporarily closed until we have been given the ok by state officials. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
We pray for the health and safety of everyone.
Kirbyville United Methodist Church “All God’s Children” Preschool is now accepting résumé for nursery/pre-school teachers. Must be at least 18 and a high school graduate.
Please email, mail or drop off your résumé to our church office, attention: Mrs. Andrews, Director.
Drop off or mail:
Kirbyville UMC Preschool
105 W. Main St.
Kirbyville, TX 75956
Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.


It doesn’t take much honest reading of American history to realize that we are a Christian nation. No, we don’t require anyone to be a Christian to live in America, but our foundational principles, the values upon which our republic rests, are decidedly Christian.
When I see the left attempt to re-write or cover up true American Christian history, I realize that they believe it too. If they didn’t believe it and didn’t know it to be true, they wouldn’t have worked so hard for so long to make sure our schoolchildren couldn’t read or study the truth or to remove symbols of our history from our monuments and historical documents.
No, they believe it to be true too, but in their zeal to avoid any acknowledgement of God, they’d rather launch lawsuits for being offended, and keep prayer out of schools, and work to keep any display of the Christian faith out of the public arena. If the left wasn’t threatened, they wouldn’t care. In my speeches, I work to tell true and largely obscure stories of Christian faith in our history so that folks say, “Wow, I didn’t know that!”


I am beginning to see a theme here each week as God is reaching out us with a clear message. It is a very timely one for our modern times. In this week's Gospel, Jesus gives us the two greatest commandments.
The first one is love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. The second one is to love your neighbor as yourself. Last week's Gospel, we were called to remember that we are all created in the image and likeness of God.
Which commandment is easier for you to live by? Which commandment is harder?
In honor of All Saints day coming up.... here are some quotes to help us with loving others
St. Mother Teresa- " Spread LOVE everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." It's not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do that counts."
Pope St. Gregory the Great- "The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists it works great things, but when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist."
St. Catherine of Sienna- " Charity is the sweet and holy bond which links the soul with it's creator; it binds God with man and man with God.
St. John of the Cross-" To be taken with love for a soul, God does not look on its greatness, but the greatness of it's humility."
This week's prayer challenge:
I invite you to pray this scripture throughout the week:
"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."
1 Thessalonians 3:12
For Children grade k-5:
This week we will be thinking about the two greatest Commandments that Jesus gave us to live a holy life.
1. Love God with all your heart , mind and soul.
2.Love your neighbors as yourself
Sounds easy doesn't it?!
What are ways you show your love for GOD?
What are ways you show your love for others?
If we find it hard.... ask God for help. Jesus gave us the "Our Father" prayer to help us love better.
Here is a catchy song to get us to remember the two greatest commandments. It another song that you can get up and move to the music. When we sing and dance with intention it is also a way to pray and increase our joy!
For those that like to make things to help them remember the lessons: click on the link below. If anyone would lie their craft posted on our website we would love to share it!
ThFor Grades 6- 8:
This week's theme is based on the two greatest commandments that came directly from Jesus!
Its all about LOVE!
1. LOVE GOD
It is that simple! How do we show our LOVE for GOD?
How do we LOVE others?
How do we live this out.....
on the sports field
in the cafeteria
on social media
with our friends
with people that are not kind
with people who are strangers
with people that have a lot
with people that have a little
with people that do not share the same life experience
with people that do share the same life experience
with people that are struggling with addictions
with people that are suffering with poor health
with people that are not as popular as you
with people that have family struggles
with people that are anxious
with people that are not anxious
The truth is that you were made to be a SAINT! You can become a SAINT with God's help!
This week's Gospel challenges us to think about what we give to GOD.
Where do we place our focus and how do we see ourselves?
Prayer for the week:
Thank you for all the many blessings in our lives. Thank you for your patience with each of us as sometimes our lives get filled with distractions. Help us with your amazing grace to keep our eyes on you and may our very lives always reflect the light of Christ. We are are all made in your image, help us to recognize the divinity in each human you have created. Help us to love radically. Increase in us so that we may decrease.
For Children: This week's Gospel helps us think about how important it is to keep God in the center of our lives and how we were made in His image.
This next song..... I dare you to make up your own dance to the Lord and celebrate being made in his image!
For Youth: Everyone needs reminders!
One of my favorite songs that has been made popular in the secular world has such a deep meaning. It is another reminder of our identity as a CHILD of GOD made in his image. Do not listen to the messages out there or in your own head that tell you anything different!
Many of you are in Confirmation and may be looking for Saints to choose for your Saint name. Did you ever wonder why we need to learn about these amazing people? One reason is they are role models. They are role models of faith and they lived real lives in this world. We can learn from their lives how to live a holy life despite the challenges and distractions. We are all called to be saints. We all have a part to play. A holy challenge would be to pick one from the video below to learn more about!
This week's Gospel is about the invitation that GOD extends to us so that we can become "the CHOSEN". The question we all have to answer is .... how will we respond? All are invited.
The Gospel is taken from Mathew22: 1-14
ALL ARE INVITED............
We each need to look at our individual lives and see what stops us from responding to HIS invitation. It is never too late to respond. As you reflect on this invitation....close your eyes and hear the lyrics of the following by clicking on the link below.
For Children: This week's Gospel is about God's invitation to each of us. Did you know that God has invited you to a very special life. When Jesus was explaining this to his friends, he used a story about a king. Jesus often used stories to help us learn important lessons. Here is a song that tells the story about the king..... what do you think the lesson was?
Here is the answer......
For Middle Schoolers: No one likes to feel left out or uninvited. A cool fact about God is that everyone is invited!! You are never ignored or left out when it comes to God. He is not a bully. He will never force you to accept the invitation of a relationship with him. He can be your true best friend if you say "YES" to a life as a follower of Christ.
For Teens: This week's Gospel is all about your personal invitation. You are the MVP . God has invited you to an epic life with HIM.
How will you respond to His invitation?
We are all called to be Saints! You and I are called to become Saints. You can only become a Saint with God's help. No one can become a Saint on their own. There are many teen Saints...check out the story about Blessed Carlos Acutis.
This week's Gospel is really about truth. Some people seem to say one thing but do another. Some people say they follow Jesus but don't and then some people admit they aren't sure or they aren't worthy and actually do follow Jesus.
Which one are you?
For Children: Here is another get up and Dance Challenge! Worship and Praise is fun.... make your words and actions match! We would love to receive videos of kids participating .... try it and see how it lifts your spirits!
This week's question: Who are you when no one is looking?
Do you say you are a follower of Christ, but when it comes down to actually doing what Jesus would do...how do you choose? It's not always easy. Stay on the path that leads to Christ. Keep doing good things even during the pandemic. Be creative, find ways to help others safely. Please mask up... Jesus most certainly would wear a mask if it would help other people and stop a sickness.
Watch the skit below..... Do you keep God in a Box?
This week's Gospel is packed with more instances of God's love for us as grace. We don't earn it, but we are all welcome to His unfailing grace. Jesus tells the story of the worker's in the vineyard and how there were discrepancies in who did what, and how much compensation was owed by the land owner. The people that were there first thought they were owed the most and the people that were there last were given the same amount. It reminds me of the prodical son in how the loyal son was jealous of the Father's generosity to the son that left and wasted his money. I think it comes down to we are not the judge of who is worthy or not of anything that comes from God. All are welcome to God's love and grace. Thank goodness he does not only call those who "feel worthy".
A prayer that has helped me refocus my thoughts and prayers is the Litany of Humility. It hits me in the heart and maybe it will mean something to you as well.
Another important theme this weekend is..... Catechetical Sunday!!!! We are finally starting our classes in person and at home. This ministry to our families CAN NOT be done without the very large group of parents and other special people that have volunteered their time , talent and treasure to help our young people grow in faith!! We are so thankful for each and every volunteer catechist!! We have always been super blessed with parishioner's generosity in volunteering. This year despite the challenges of moving forward in a new and different way.....we really can't say thank you enough for returning or stepping up to be part of our team. St. Francis Xavier parishioners always come through to help in Faith Formation. God Bless you and your families! Thank you for being workers in the vineyard!!
Kids and families who are in person classes.... please make it a goal to find a special way to thank your Catechist! You can write a letter, make a gift, or whatever your heart tells you but make the effort to say , “ Thank you”. Your children are so loved by our volunteers and they do it because of their love and light that comes from God! Please pray for your Catechist as well... the best gift ever!!
For Parents... an object lesson on Fairness
For older youth:
This week's theme is packed with opportunity! We have the Gospel that reminds us that God is generous and we need to be more merciful and kind. The theme of forgiveness is emphasized when Peter asks Jesus ,"Lord, if my brother sins against me,how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus answers," I say to you, not seven times but seventy -seven times."
We also have so many families sending their kids back to school in one way or another.
Here is a prayer that parents can pray over their children's backpack.
Bless this backpack and my child who carries it as they begin a new school year. Help them discover and develop the gifts you have given them. Allow them to be the best student they can be,reaching out to others and setting good examples to all they meet. Help them to be peacemakers and always kind.
As they carry these backpacks may they be reminded of your love and care that surrounds them each school day whether they are at home or in person.
Give them confidence when they are anxious,and encourage them when they are tired.
Help them to be patient with themselves and others as they learn to do some things differently this year.
We pray for all the teachers,parents and school staff members as they help guide our children in faithfulness to you.
Knowing that making transitions and starting new beginnings can sometimes be challenging...here is a song to remember that God's Grace is ENOUGH
FAMILY CHALLENGE :
Start a family prayer journal. Write your first prayer together. Let everyone contribute to the words and intentions. Always remember to thank God for all the ways he has blessed them.
For Children k-5:
ANOTHER FAMILY CHALLENGE!
Tired of sitting down ....... get up and dance...here is a song/dance that is very easy to learn. Send me a video of your family learning this song/dance and I will post.
FOR YOUTH: Grades 6-12
Sometimes Forgiving is hard....have you ever thought about the effects UNFORGIVENESS has on you.
This week's Mass readings themes are loving and forgiving. The Second reading is from Romans 13: 8-10 and the Gospel is from Matthew 18:15-20.
Love your neighbor as yourself is the bottom line in the second reading. The Gospel challenges us to reconcile our differences with one another . These are such important messages yesterday and especially today.
Enjoy the musical meditation below by Brother Isaiah.
For the kids ( and adults to pray together):
Now that we are approaching the beginning of a new year in Faith Formation..... a great way for us all to stay grounded especially during a challenging period in history is to start good routines. The best routine we can give our families is one with prayer. We can also teach our kids to get in the habit of praying independently.
Check out the idea for helping prompt this routine by clicking on the link from Catholic Icing.
I selected the image of a hiker to reflect on this week’s Gospel because Jesus reminds us that following him can have some challenging moments but the view from the top will be an awesome reward. We are called to help each other get to the top but Jesus shows us the way!
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus gives his disciples a heads up to the future and what is going to happen to him. Naturally, Peter’s first reaction is to not want to accept the fact that his beloved friend would face such a hardship but Jesus quickly rebukes him to point out that it is God’s plan and no one should stand in the way. He reacts rather harshly to Peter.
He then goes on to explain what it means to follow him. It is not easy always but it will always be worth it. Jesus shows us what it truly means to love through sacrifice and he calls us to follow.
Just reflecting on this aspect of what it means to love, I recall how my Dad would say to each of us, “ I am offering up my day for you,” when he knew we were struggling with the ups and downs of life. We always felt better knowing that he was with us in this beautiful way. Now as adult children we do the same with him and our own children. What better lesson can come of love than this?
This week's Gospel , Jesus asks the disciples a direct question. He asked the disciples,"Who do you say that I am?"
Matthew 16; 13-20
The refection below is taken from Catholic dailyreflections.com
“Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” Luke 9:18c-20
Peter got it right. Jesus was “the Christ of God.” Many others spoke of Him as one who was only a great prophet, but Peter saw deeper. He saw that Jesus was uniquely the Anointed One who is of God. In other words, Jesus was God.
Though we know this to be true, we can sometimes fail to fully comprehend the depth of this “Mystery of Faith.” Jesus is human, and He is God. This is hard to comprehend. It would have been hard for those of Jesus’ time to comprehend this great mystery, also. Imagine sitting before Jesus listening to Him speak. If you were there before Him, would you have concluded that He is also the second Person of the Most Holy Trinity? Would you have concluded that He existed from all eternity and was the great I AM WHO AM? Would you have concluded that He was perfect in every way and that He was also the Creator of all things and the one who keeps all things in being?
Most likely none of us fully would have comprehended the true depth of the meaning that Jesus was “the Christ of God.” We most likely would have recognized something special about Him, but would have failed to see Him for who He is in His full essence.
The same is true today. When we look at the Most Holy Eucharist, do we see God? Do we see the Almighty, Omnipotent, All-loving God who existed for eternity is the source of all good and is the Creator of all things? Perhaps the answer is both “Yes” and “No.” “Yes” in that we believe and “no” in that we do not fully understand.
Reflect, today, upon the divinity of Christ. Reflect upon Him present in the Most Holy Eucharist as well as His presence all around us. Do you see Him? Do you believe? How deep and complete is your faith in Him. Recommit yourself to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is in His Godhead. Try and take a step deeper in your faith.
Lord, I do believe. I believe You are the Christ of God. Help me to comprehend even more what that means. Help me to see Your divinity more clearly and to believe in You more fully. Jesus, I trust in You.
Start a conversation in your family.
Who do you think Jesus is?
Make an illustration depicting Jesus..
Use descriptive words and draw what you think HE would look like. Who is Jesus? Send in your creations and we can share them. Spread the good news through art! Send to firstname.lastname@example.org
When you first read this week's Gospel, my first inclination is ,"Ouch, Jesus was unkind to the woman at first." It is not my favorite account of Jesus but if you dig deeper you see that there is more to understanding this story. He actually "SAW HER", she was on His radar. The disciples' behavior was a bit dismissive. The woman was humble, persistent and had great faith. Sometimes we are quick to judge.
Below is a reflection on this Gospel taken from: blog.franciscanmedia.org
Many people face a conundrum when reading the scene in Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus meets the Canaanite woman who begs him to release her little girl from demonic possession (15:28ff). The Lord’s first response is silence, and we are struck by how out of character that is for him. No response to a cry for help? Then the woman kneels and pleads, “Lord, help me,” to which the Lord replies that his mission is not to gentiles, but to Israel.
He then says, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” We are stunned by his words. But the woman doesn’t give up. She comes back with, “Even the dogs get the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” We feel like cheering her on in the midst of the Lord’s apparent disregard. Christ then replies, “O woman, great is your faith!” What’s going on here?
A DEEPER FAITH
Right before this scene, the disciples were caught in a storm and called to Jesus for help. He called Peter to get out of the boat and walk on the water toward him. Peter saw where he was and realized he was doing the impossible. He began to sink. Christ grabbed his arm and saved him. Coming back to the boats, the Lord chided his disciples with “O, you of little faith.” The apostles, who have seen dozens of Jesus’ healings and miracles, lose faith once they are tested in a storm.
By contrast, this Canaanite woman will not take “no” for an answer. And that is the point. When the woman first approaches Jesus, his disciples want him to send her away. She is bothering them. The apostles had just been saved from drowning, but now think nothing of walking away from this poor woman. What’s happening here is that the Lord, in his goodness and wisdom, is drawing from this pagan woman a deeper faith than his apostles had.
In a way, God's only son knows all along he is going to heal this woman’s little girl. The Lord could never walk away from this situation. But he can also see that she is a strong woman who cares for her daughter. As he talks with her, Jesus draws out from her a strong determination and magnificent act of faith. She would not give up. There are two important lessons here.
First of all, the apostles witnessed this woman display more faith than they had when faced with a critical situation. Second, it is important to remember that, in the Gospels, the most dramatic acts of faith are made by pagans rather than the Jews. Such as: 1) The centurion who said, “I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servent will be healed” (Mt 8:8). 2) The gentile woman who would not let Christ get away without healing her daughter. 3) And, finally, the Roman soldier at the cross who makes the dramatic statement, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mk 15:39).
Faith is often found in the least-expected places. Faith is a matter of the heart, not the head. And God’s grace can touch the hearts of some people we might tend to dismiss
For Elementary Age Kids:
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.
God's message is very timely as He always is , if you listen. This week's theme continues to be one of ultimate trust in Jesus to bring calm to all the storms of our life and to furthermore walk with HIM even if your mind is telling you it is impossible to go in the direction with Jesus over any obstacle. In this week's Gospel Jesus is calling us to give up our fears of the impossible and walk on. the water with HIM. The disciples were on a boat and a raging storm comes and the disciples call out to Jesus for help. As Jesus address the disciples the wind calms and the storm ceases. How many times does he do this in our lives? Then furthermore he pushes us to our limit in trust. He asked Peter to get out of the safety of the boat and walk on the water with him. Would you go? Would I go? Reflecting on the many challenges in life that we can encounter, what is our first reaction?
Recently, I have had the blessing of getting away and spending time with family near a lake. We had one extremely windy day that created waves that were very big crashing into shore. What caught my attention was this Mother Duck with her ducklings near the edge of the shore. They were getting battered around. She was doing her best to keep them together and battling the waves crashing around them. She was seemingly trying to teach them how to deal with the circumstances safely,
and keep them swimming. Later as the waves calmed down they all nestled together on the shore. She kept them together and taught them how to ride the waves!
This made me think of how Jesus cares for us. He is trustworthy and He loves us. He will see us through the storm and will teach us to walk or swim on the water. We have to let go and trust and eventually we will feel the comfort of being nestled in the shore, many of us have storms that no one is aware of and some that only our friends and those close to us are aware. I think that Jesus responds to our call to calm the storm sometimes in the form of good friend that can be counted on. May we always be open to the way God wants to work in our lives whether it be trusting more, being that good friend, or getting out of the comfort zone of the boat and walking with HIM in ways that we could never expect. Just say "yes" to God 's will and pray for the strength and grace to do so when we are feeling overwhelmed by the circumstances.
This week's prayer:
Thank you for all the blessings and ways you have extended your hand to us to trust you more. Please calm the storms in our lives. Help us to always see you in every situation. We pray for who are struggling to keep their head above the water and help us to see where they are so if it is us that are called to be the hand they need that we seize the opportunity to be an instrument of peace and calm. Help us to TRUST more. Lord , I am sorry for the times when my faith is weak and I sink.
Another way to pray through this scripture is through visio divino using Art.
With Jesus in the Storm: Rembrandt’s Meditation
Linger with Rembrandt’s masterpiece painting of this Gospel story and you’ll begin to feel the stormy gale blowing in your face and the enormous waves tossing you up and down and splashing you with freezing cold sea water! You’ll feel the force of the trials in your life that threaten to sink your boat. You’ll see yourself in the boat and the role you play in your family, work, or other group.
Most important of all, you can find in Rembrandt’s painting Jesus and his cross — you can come to experience more of his peace in the storm.
Visio Divina Spiritual directors call meditating on a picture “Visio Divina.” Applied to a Bible passage, it’s an imaginative and refreshing form of Scripture meditation that helps us to enter into the narrative of Scripture and bring ourselves to Jesus. It’s similar to Lectio Divina, but instead of quietly listening to God through words we use a picture.
In my personal devotions and in the groups and retreats I lead for pastors, leaders, and caregivers I have found that using Picture Prayers that come from the Bible can evoke deep personal emotions and needs, even things that we were not conscious of, which we can then pray about. It’s also a great tool to help us hear God’s voice, often in ways that surprise us!
It seems that a picture provides a generous space for each of us to project our unique self and life circumstances into so that we can then bring ourself to God. What you see in the picture is probably different from what others see. So also, the message you hear from God, spoken to you in part through the picture, is personal to you.
I invite you to join me in meditating on Mark 4:35-41 as it was painted by Rembrandt in The Storm on the Sea of Galilee. You can do this in a time of private devotion or share this with a prayer partner or small group.
Meditate on the Gospel PassageMark 4:35-41 tells the story that inspired Rembrandt’s painting of The Storm on the Sea of Galilee. Read the passage slowly and prayerfully. You can do that here.
What is one word or phrase that you’re especially drawn to? Remain in quiet prayer to absorb this word from God.*
Meditate on Rembrandt’s PaintingNow let’s turn to Rembrandt’s meditation on Mark 4:35-41. He painted The Storm on the Sea of Galilee in 1633. His painting of Jesus and his disciples in their boat on the stormy sea is dark, shrouded in shadows, but there is a ray of light streaming down to help us see what is going on in the boat.
You can meditate on The Storm on the Sea of Galilee using this large image of Rembrandt’s painting. (If you’re sharing this meditation with a group then you’ll want to print out copies of the picture.) Ask God to guide and direct your impressions and thoughts as you look at the painting.
What do you notice? What part of the painting or character in it does God especially draw your attention to? Quietly pray and reflect on this for a couple of minutes. [It’s best to do this part before you do the guided parts of this meditation below. Let your mind be open to whatever impressions or thoughts God may give you.]
Finding Yourself in Rembrandt’s Painting (Guided Meditation, Part 1)Let’s meditate on The Storm on the Sea of Galilee one more time. This time I will guide you. An interesting thing about the painting is that in addition to the twelve disciples who accompanied Jesus in the boat there is a thirteenth person sailing in the boat, who is that?
Rembrandt is known to have painted himself somewhere in his paintings. He’s setting an example for us to find ourselves in the Gospel, bringing to God our stress and our sin, our hurts and our hopes. (This is the way we need to meditate on Scripture. It’s also what we need to do with others when we preach or teach from the Bible.)
In Rembrandt’s painting each of the people with Jesus in the boat has their own reaction to the storm. It’s something like the different roles that people play in a family, church, or other group. (Sometimes, particularly under stress, people’s roles and reactions may be very dysfunctional!) Which person do you most identify with? (In different situations or at different times in your life you might find that you have a different reaction.)
In the boat is a man in white that is easy to miss. His back is faced to us. He’s sitting still and alone. He seems to be separated from the frightening storm and the chaos going on around him in the boat. There seems to be a shadowy figure that he’s looking at. Is he having a vision? Is it an angel?
LostA man in a blue shirt on the left side of the boat near the back is standing and holding onto a guy wire. His other hand is on his forehead as he stares blankly out at the dark sea. Maybe he’s flooded with emotion and shut down. It almost seems he is looking to us. He’s close to Jesus but he’s not looking at him.
No one is looking at Jesus, except the two angry disciples and the disciple kneeling at Jesus’ feet. Only the kneeling disciple is looking at Jesus with trust and reverence. Rembrandt has painted a halo on this disciple’s head to signify his faith in the Lord Jesus in the midst of the terrible storm.
Pray About Your Storm
Now, bring your storm into the Gospel story. Some storms that we experience, like this one on the Sea of Galilee are dangerous. Other are storms of stress or not knowing what to do.
Your storm might be a difficulty in your family, work, or ministry. Or something personal that you’re struggling with. How are you dealing with your personal storm? Which character in Rembrandt’s painting do you identify with? Pray quietly about this…*
Look at Jesus (Guided Meditation, Part 2)Look closely at Jesus. Freezing rain is pelting down on him, waves are swamping the boat, winds are whipping against him and tossing the boat around violently. Yet, Jesus is sleeping! Surely he is not unaware of the dangerous storm. Nor is he faking to be asleep. He must be napping. Certainly, he is at peace.
How could Jesus be so relaxed when he and his disciples were in such great danger? Was he planning all along to calm the storm? I doubt it. Jesus said he only did what he saw the Father doing and that always he was submitted to him.
Jesus wasn’t just in the boat — he was in his Abba’s arms. He wasn’t just in the storm — he was in the Kingdom of God. He was at peace in the storm because he trusted his Father to care for them — no matter what happened. This is the hidden miracle in this Gospel story and it’s why after Jesus calmed the storm he said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid?”
On the surface it’s a ridiculously funny question! The disciples must have looked at each other incredulously afterwards, “Let’s see. Why were we so afraid? Oh, it was the storm that nearly drowned us all at sea! Then it was realizing that we were sitting next to the Son of God with power over nature!”
Jesus was being sincere. If they learned to live with him and the Father in the Kingdom of the Heavens then they wouldn’t be afraid — even in a terrible storm. Jesus was so relaxed that God’s peace permeated his body. It was this peace in his body that he spoke into the storm.
In Rembrandt’s painting it seems that Jesus is looking to the opening in the heavens and the light that is breaking through. Most everyone else in the boat is either looking at the storm or at what they’re trying to do to secure themselves. Jesus is the only person on the boat who sees the source of light in the heavens.
Notice, that the light of God is not just coming from the heavens it’s also glowing from Jesus’s body! Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God! He is the Light of the World and the Prince of Peace! The disciple kneeling at Jesus’ feet sees Jesus’ light! Perhaps the disciple at the tiller is also is drawn to Jesus’ light.
By the way, did you see the symbol of the cross of Christ right in the middle of Rembrandt’s painting?
Listen to God.
For K- 2nd grade
For an object lesson- click on link below:
This week's Gospel is one of my all time favorites because it reminds us that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD!! It also reminds us not to worry when you think there is not enough of something because GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES. ( sometimes in the most unusual ways but our needs are met by the ONE who knows us best!) It is the story of Jesus feeding the huge crowd the loaves and fishes. (Matthew 14:13-21)
The second reading this week is epic as well! (Romans 8:35,37-39)
"Brothers and sisters; What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish,or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? NO, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us!"
This is the HOPE we need today!
The prayer coming from my heart after reflecting on the scriptures for Sunday:
Thank you for blessing us so many ways, every day of our life. Thank you for the people that you place on our path, thank you for our families, thank you for our friends, and thank you for the opportunities you give us to shine your light for others!
In this ever changing world during the pandemic....thank you for being the constant! Thank you for helping us calm the waves of insecurities for the future. Thank you for being our peace and salvation always!
Lord we lift up all who are struggling with health concerns in mind and body, all those who are mourning, parents figuring out whether to send kids to school or stay home, and all those struggling with finances. Help us to trust in you. Help us to trust that you will provide way like you did the day when you fed a crowd from a small basket of fish and few loaves of bread. We know you are with us.
Thank you for being our HOPE!
What is the prayer in your heart?
Below is a song we can reflect on the call to lean on Jesus and trust that HE knows exactly what we need!
For Preschool & Kindergarten
For Elementary ages Grade 1- 5Living Inside Out to teach kids that they can trust God to provide. Find more great Sunday school lessons to help kids grow in their faith.
Scripture: John 6:1-14
The Point: We trust God to provide.
Key Verse: “You are the God of great wonders!” --Psalm 77:14
Bible FoundationThe ProblemWord of Jesus’ miracles and life-changing teaching was spreading—he was becoming something of a celebrity. One day, on a hillside near the Sea of Galilee, a massive crowd of over 5,000 people gathered to hear him. In the midst of the crushing mass, a bad situation became obvious to Jesus’ disciples: These people would soon be hungry and clearly there was no possible way to feed them all.
More Than EnoughAndrew found a young boy in the crowd who had food—but just five loaves and two fish. Miraculously, Jesus multiplied the small meal into a feast for thousands, with baskets of leftover food. Jesus knew what the people needed and, from the start, he “knew what he was going to do.” Through this amazing miracle, he demonstrated that he could—and would—provide. And even more, Jesus showed that when he gets his hands on our stuff, blessings explode in abundance.
Coulda, Woulda, ShouldaJesus could have spoken a simple word, and food would have appeared. He could have simply thought about it, and the hunger of all the people would’ve been instantly satisfied. Maybe some people think he should’ve done it that way—it certainly would’ve been faster. But Jesus didn’t. Instead, he let the people experience hunger. He helped his disciples recognize their utter inability to solve the problem themselves, and he used a young boy’s small offering as part of his miracle.
A Deeper AgendaThe day after he miraculously fed the 5,000, the same crowd gathered again. Jesus illuminated the events of the previous day with an even deeper spiritual meaning: “I am the bread of life,” he said, “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again” (John 6:35). In the Old Testament, God communicates the same idea, explaining that he purposely allowed his people to hunger and then gave them manna to help them realize that they need him to really live and be satisfied (Deuteronomy 8:3).
Living Inside OutGod often works in this way so we realize that only he can provide for our deepest needs and hungers. He wants us to know that he will provide even when it may not seem possible to us, and that he may also want to involve us (our time, our abilities, and so on) in the process of his provision. Are you aware, in this moment, how much you rely on God? That he is the ultimate provider of your food, your water, your shelter, even the air you breathe as you read these words? Take time to give God credit for his provision. Take stock of divine provisions in your life you may have taken for granted. Praise God for the needs he meets and the lessons he seeks to teach you through your dependence upon him.
Sunday School Lesson: Jesus Feeds the Five ThousandParents - Prepare AheadOn a large sheet of butcher paper, draw a large target with a bull’s-eye and three large rings surrounding it. In the bulls-eye, write “YOU.” On the next ring, write “FAMILY.” On the next, write “FRIENDS.” On the outer ring, write “SCHOOL.” Attach the target to a wall or other hard surface
1. WelcomeSay: Jesus performed amazing miracles for many people. He prayed for people to hear and see again, helped people walk, and even raised people from the dead! Watch one amazing miracle where Jesus feeds over 5,000 people—with just a little boy’s lunch.
Have kids discuss in small groups:
2. Object LessonYou’ll need:
Say: How many corners does your piece of paper have? Allow time for the kids to count their corners.
Say: Your paper has four corners. But what if I want to give someone a corner? Cut off a corner of the paper, and hand it to a child. Hold up the paper, and say: Okay, now that I’ve given a corner away, how many corners do I have? Allow kids to answer, and then say: Wait a minute. I have five. Count the corners to the kids. Then have each child cut a corner from his or her paper.
Say: You see, the more times Jesus divided the bread and fish, the more he had to give away. Have the children count the corners on the cut-off piece they each have. Not only that, the people had more than enough. Encourage the kids to each cut off more corners, each time counting the multiplying corners.
Have kids discuss in small groups:
3. Bull’s-Eye!You’ll need:
Announce which ring the ballhits. Have everyone find a partner and share a way that God has provided for him or her in that area. For example, if the ball hits “FRIENDS” on the target, kids can talk about how God provided them with awesome friends who like the same things they do, who are fun to play with, and so on.
Choose another child to throw the ball. Have kids switch partners. Repeat several times, until each area is hit.
Have kids discuss in small groups:
4. Creative DrawingYou’ll need:
Say: You have a drawing of something ordinary. Now think of two or more ways you can use that item in a way that’s different from what it’s normally used for. For example, a spoon could help build a sand castle. A toothbrush can scratch your back. Allow about two to three minutes, encouraging kids to think creatively. There are no wrong answers.
Once everyone has finished, have kids trade their papers back and share their ideas with each other.
Have kids discuss in small groups:
For even more great articles like this in every issue, subscribe today to Children’s Ministry Magazine!
Check out the link below for more great discussion starters and talk about the miracles that you have witnessed in your life!
FOR YOUTH in Middle School
What are you hungry for? What would you want from Jesus today? Do you trust him? If you struggle with trusting ...ask Him for help. When was the last time you really prayed? How do you pray? Do you sit in the quiet or do you open the Bible, journal or use music to help direct your thoughts. Your challenge this week is to explore different ways to pray. Go to Jesus with all your heart!
For Teens and Young Adults
This is one of my all time favorite skits....... The Trust Fall. Do you trust Jesus? Do you really trust him with everything going on in your life? What can you do to increase your trust. For me, in order to really trust someone, I have to get to know them. I have to spend time with them. What about you? How well do you know Jesus? What can you do to know him better. Just some things to think about. I hope you take the plunge!
This week theme continues with thoughts on the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is trying to describe the kingdom of heaven to his followers using more parables. He gives several examples to ponder in our hearts. Let's try to break open the message a little further.
‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’
For Elementary age kids:
Parables: The Pearl of Great Price
To Remember: God's kingdom is worth all that we have
Matthew 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Matthew 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (NRSV)
Do you have one toy that you like more than all the others? Do you have a best friend? What are you willing to give up in order to have that toy or be with that friend? In these verses, Jesus describes a treasure so great, so valuable, so precious, the men sold everything they had to gain it. They did not value anything of theirs as much as they valued the chance to have the treasure or the pearl.
Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven with this valuable treasure. What Christ has offered us is so great, so valuable, that there is nothing we have that is worth keeping if it means we can't be in the kingdom. Think about the treasure in the field. If the man sold his house, then got the treasure, he would have the money to build a bigger house. The kingdom of heaven is the same way.
True or False
For Grades 6-8:
The Price Is Right
The Kingdom of heaven, what is it worth?
A package of cookies or another item of your choosing. I used Oreo cookies.
Scripture"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!" Matthew 13:45-46 (NIV)
There is a television show called "The Price Is Right." Have you ever seen it? It has been on television for more than fifty years! The contestants on the show are shown an item and then they try to guess how much the item costs. The one who guesses closest to the actual price without going over wins the prize. I thought it would be fun to play "The Price Is Right." I brought a package of cookies. Oreo cookies! Yum, yum! On the back of the package there is a tag with the price of the cookies. We will see how close you can come to guessing the price without going over the correct price.
If you think that the price of this package of cookies is MORE than $4.00, raise your hand. No, if you raised your hand, you are out of the game because these cookies do not cost more than $4.00.
If you think the price of this package of cookies is LESS than $2.00, raise your hand. If you raised your hand, you are out of the game because these cookies cost more than $2.00.
If you think the price of these cookies is MORE than $3.00, raise your hand. If you raised your hand, you are still in the game. This package of cookies does cost more than $3.00.
Next, I am going to call out a price, If I call out the price that you think is the right price of the cookies, raise your hand.
$3.39 - No, you're out of the game.
$3.49 - No, you're out of the game.
$3.59 - No! You're out!
$3.69 - Yes! These cookies cost $3.69. If your hand is up, you are a winner! You have won the cookies, but I am sure that you will want to share them with the other children when our Bible story is over.
These cookies are good, but $3.69 is a lot of money for a package of cookies, isn't it? Are they worth it? Perhaps there is another package of cookies that would be just as good for less money. Every day, we have to make choices about the value of things. We ask ourselves, "How much am I willing to pay?"
Jesus once told a story about a man who found a treasure which someone had hidden in a field. He was so happy that he immediately went and sold everything he had and bought the field so that the treasure would be his. (Matthew 13:44)
Jesus told about another man who went in search of fine pearls. When he found a pearl that he thought was the very best, he sold everything that he had so that he could buy the pearl. (Matthew 13:45-46)
These men both found something that they thought was worth giving everything they owned so that they could have it. Do you know what this thing was that Jesus was talking about? He wasn't talking about buried treasure or beautiful pearls, he was talking about the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven is the greatest treasure one could ever desire. It is more precious than silver, gold, or jewels. That is why Jesus calls us to give up all that we have and follow him. Is that too great a price? I don't think so. In fact, I would say, "The Price Is Right!"
Father, nothing we have can compare to life in the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
(taken for Sermons4kids)
Welcome to this week' blog on the wheat and the weeds! In the Gospel this week, Jesus tells the parable of the good sower that plants good seed, while behind his back the evil one plants weeds to try and ruin the crop. When the good sower is aware of the weeds he lets them grow with the wheat only to be separated in the end.This sounds ominous but it really gives me comfort. Sometimes it is frustrating when we see evil things happening in the world. What gives me peace and should give you peace is that GOD sees it all. God knows the truth! We should do our best to grow in faith, hope and love. We should do our best to not be distracted by the weeds and keep our focus on God who is loving, merciful and just.
Here is a musical reflection on this parable... "Wheat and Tares" by the Wind Talkers. Let the lyrics resonate in our hearts.
Let us Pray,
Prayer Lord of the Harvest, be with us now as we pray. May we will sow good seed by the goodness of our lives and look forward to a bountiful harvest. • For the eyes of faith to see both goodness and evil in the world. Lord, open our eyes. • For prayerful discernment in difficult circumstances. Lord, sensitize our minds. • For a focused commitment to your Word. Lord, center our hearts. • For patience and mercy as we trust in a future we cannot see. Lord, we surrender our lives. With these prayers we seek the kingdom of heaven. We make them with confidence in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Additional thoughts Ten ways...to ‘tend the field’ within each of us:
1. Be thankful for God’s blessings. Keep a gratitude journal.
2. Develop small, daily, life giving habits.
3. Ponder a little bit of Scripture each day.
4. Stay close to the sacramental life of the Church.
5. Don’t feed your mind junk food. Be discerning about what you read, view.
6. Contribute to the mission of the Church. Put your shoulder to the plough.
7. Seek guidance from a wise, spiritually mature mentor.
8. Stay focused on persons not things; on Jesus, not religious ideology.
9. “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Bringing children into the world, and raising them according to God’s teachings of love is a profound expression of gospel fecundity.
10. Over to you... from your experience, add a tenth point.
"Weeds among the wheat”-reflection
The biblical image of the ‘weeds among the wheat’ (Mt 13:24-30) is used repeatedly by Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium (‘Joy of the Gospel’). Read the passage in Matthew’s Gospel (see p.3), followed by these paragraphs from Evangelii Gaudium: “Let us believe the Gospel when it tells us that the kingdom of God is already present in this world and is growing, here and there, and in different ways: like the small seed which grows into a great tree... and like the good seed that grows amid the weeds...and can always pleasantly surprise us.” (EG, 278) “Evangelization consists mostly of patience... Faithful to the Lord’s gift, it also bears fruit. An evangelizing community is always concerned with fruit, because the Lord wants her to be fruitful. It cares for the grain and does not grow impatient at the weeds. The sower, when he sees weeds sprouting among the grain does not grumble or overreact. He or she finds a way to let the word take flesh in a particular situation and bear fruits of new life, however imperfect or incomplete these may appear.” (EG, 24) “The joy of the Gospel is such that it cannot be taken away from us by anyone or anything (cf. Jn 16:22). The evils of our world – and those of the Church – must not be excuses for diminishing our commitment and our fervour. Let us look upon them as challenges which can help us to grow... Our faith is challenged to discern how...wheat can grow in the midst of weeds.” (EG, 84)
-the above prayers and reflections came from: The Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis Evangelii Gaudium © 2013 Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Australian edition published by ST PAULS PUBLICATIONS. Scripture: New Revised Standard Version. This leaflet © 2014 MissionServices,Catholic Schools Office, Diocese of Broken Bay. www.godsmissionjoyofthegospel.dbbcso.org
For Children K- 3rd grade.... and Object lesson and craft!
For Grades 4-6
For Teens: Something to think about while living in a world full of wheat and weeds (good and evil)... finding GOOD friends helps you stay true to your true identity as a child of GOD. Sometimes we all can get mixed up along the way.Having friends that look out for your best interest will help you grow to be the best version of yourself.
For all of us... making decisions can be tricky in a world full of weeds sometimes.
Fr. Mike Schmitz gives us some great advice on making decisions.


May 16, 1931 - June 11, 2018
SIBLEY, Iowa - Teresa Nasers, 87, Sibley, died Monday, June 11, in Country View Manor.
Visitation will be from 4:30-8 p.m., with a rosary at 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 15, at Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 16, at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Sibley. Father Siby Punnoose and Father Richard Reese will co-officiate.
Arrangements by Jurrens Funeral Home Walton Chapel.


In the ancient Middle East, it was shocking and dangerous if a woman left her family and went off traveling with outsider men. That sort of thing could get people killed. But in the gospel accounts, it says that Jesus “went journeying from town to town and village to village … [and] with him were … a number of women … [including] Joanna, the wife of Chuza, a steward of Herod’s, Susanna, and many others.” (Luke 8:1–2) So, Chuza’s wife left her husband to travel with Jesus’ camp.
How did the men of these women’s families’ respond to that? If the record of Middle Eastern and church history is any guide, their fathers or husbands probably didn’t appreciate their women’s travels. In that time and place, most people assumed that any woman traveling without an escort of male relatives would almost inevitably be raped. What else could possibly happen? What else could she possibly be seeking? As Bat Ye’or explains their reality,
The sources make abundant mention of this fear which prevented women from going out and men from venturing into the fields unarmed, and which necessitated collective traveling accompanied by armed guards — a situation which remained the norm till the twentieth-century in countries overrun by nomads, particularly in Palestine, Syria and Iraq.
If a woman ran away from home, most people assumed she must be inviting other men to take her. She had to be a whore. And in the gospels we hear this accusation: Jesus “eats with whores” (Mark 2:13–20). Later, the church clergy accepted such slander against Mary Magdala. And over the religion’s first three centuries there were numerous written accounts of female preachers being pursued, threatened or killed by their male relatives (for shaming the family), or by other men (who assumed they must be available). Among these accounts we have the heroes Thecla in The Acts of Thecla, Drusiana in The Acts of John, or Maximilla in The Acts of Andrew. We also hear of male preachers being killed for leading women “astray.”
If we try to look at the women in the gospel stories, we basically get to see them only in relation to Jesus. And then the force field of dogma concerning Jesus’ superhuman status seems to overshadow everything else in the picture. The women’s subordination to their male lords seems to be replaced with submission to a higher male lord. But what if these women were making independent choices, regardless of what their fathers, husbands, or brothers thought?
We have no direct record of Jesus inviting women to join his traveling road show — only record of them coming and staying. But in that sexually segregated world, how did he find female followers? The accounts suggest that he spoke to stranger women like it was no big deal. But in that culture this was shocking: “his disciples returned, and were astonished to find him talking with a woman; but none of them said … ‘Why are you talking to her?’” (John 4:27).
Like most religious teachers of the ancient world, Jesus was an independent operator. Such preachers, teachers, or gurus tried to offer their wisdom and attract a following, and no doubt many failed to win a single student. In this kind of business, it was the student who chose the teacher, and not the other way around. So when the gospel-story women made their own choices of who to learn from, it was akin to making their own choices about who to love. And over most of Middle Eastern or church history, both those freedoms were commonly denied to women on pain of beating, banishment, or death.
We commonly assume that early Christianity stood for traditional family values. But some lines in the gospel stories seem strangely hostile to such values. Of course that culture’s pervasive language of God seems to presume acceptance of theocratic male supremacy. But what could women at the time make of this: “Do not call any man on earth ‘father’; for you have one Father, and he is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9); “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? … Whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, my mother” (Mark 3:33–35). Where many listeners felt that their main duty was to family heads, lines like these treated blind submission to family heads as a kind of idolatry. To women, this suggested that there were more important things in life than serving fathers and husbands. And some of the women who heard it left their families’ men behind.
We also commonly accept that early Christianity upheld the ancient Middle Eastern division of sexual roles, with men as providers and women as nurturers. But after Luke lists the many women traveling in Jesus’ group, he adds “These women provided for them out of their own resources” (Luke 8:3). Matthew adds, “Many women were also there … they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him” (Matthew 27:55). So women here were providers. And if even “providing” seems a subservient role when women do it, we might ask what all these women did besides “provide.” In the Mary-Martha passage (Luke 10) we see Jesus encouraging female students to leave off serving the others, and give their whole attention to his teaching. Was he expecting them to learn what the male students learned, and do what the male students did? Most male leaders of the later church basically said “of course not.” But that answer would dismiss a lot of lines in the Gospels, Acts, and Paul’s letters.
If traveling around Palestine with Jesus while paying for his mission made one a disciple, then the gospels describe a flock of female disciples. They also show Jesus gratefully accepting help from these women, who were commonly dismissed as “whores.” But by around 95 CE, a letter attributed to Clement, the bishop of Rome, contradicted Jesus’ behavior almost point by point:
With God’s help this is what we do: We do not live with virgins and have nothing to do with them. We do not eat and drink with virgins, and where a virgin sleeps there we do not sleep. Women do not wash our feet, nor do they anoint us. [Where we spend the night, t]here may not be any female, neither unmarried girl nor married woman, neither old woman nor one consecrated to God, neither Christian nor pagan maidservant, but only men may be with men.
King, Karen L., The Gospel of Mary of Magdala, p. 149.
Ranke-Heinemann, Uta, Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven, pp. 120–121.
Ye’or, Bat, The Decline of Eastern Christianity Under Islam, p. 67.
Based on sections of Correcting Jesus: 2000 Years of Changing the Story by Brian Griffith, published by the Exterminating Angel Press.
Article Written by Brian Griffith
Brian Griffith is an independent historian who’s interested in culture wars and cultural creativity. So far he’s written four books. The Gardens of Their Dreams: Desertification and Culture in World History examines how environmental degradation has affected society across the center of the Old World from ancient times forward. Correcting Jesus: 2000 Years of Changing the Story and Different Visions of Love: Partnership and Dominator Cultures in Christian History reflect on the culture wars that have raged within Christianity from the religion’s beginning down to the present. A Galaxy of Immortal Women: The Yin Side of Chinese Civilization explores the alternative traditions and religions of Chinese women, which offer the world a powerful vision for partnership, health, and spirituality. He lives in a multicultural marriage in the multicultural hub of Toronto.


3 edition of Arguments in confirmation of the Christian faith found in the catalog.
Arguments in confirmation of the Christian faith
Microfilm. Woodbridge, CT Research Publications, Inc., 1989. 1 reel ; 35mm. (The Eighteenth Century ; reel 3525, no. 6).
|The Physical Object|
|Number of Pages||96|
5. He has espoused a form of Christian nationalism, with a dash of rapture theology. In the past, Pompeo has espoused a fusion of faith and nationalism that . See also Johannes Feiner & Lukas Vischer, The Common Catechism: A Book of Christian Faith, trans. David Bourke, et.a., (New York: Seabury Press, ). This was a catechism produced jointly by Lutherans and Roman Catholics in the Netherlands. Philosophical Arguments In popular media there is an almost universal presupposition that science in general, and the theory of evolution in particular, has somehow disproved the basic tenets of the Christian faith. This is not the case at all, and we dissect the claim in this article.
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Joseph Pennells pictures of the wonder of work
Essays on historiography
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The genocide against the Armenians 1915-1923 and the relevance of the 1948 genocide convention
Sediment quality of lakes, rivers, and estuaries in the Mystic River basin, eastern Massachusetts, 2001-03
study of plastids and mitochondria in Preissia and corn
Strabismus Symposium, Amsterdam, September 3-4, 1981
My first time
Golf The confessions of a golf club secretary
Wilsons tales of the Borders and of Scotland, historical, traditionary, and imaginative
Postmodern Apologetics?: Arguments for God in Contemporary Philosophy provides an introduction to the emerging field of continental philosophy of religion by treating the movements ideas about God through its most influential proponents.
Part I provides context by examining religious aspects of the thought of the following thinkersMartin HeideggerEmmanuel Pages: Christian arguments were no longer to be hard logical structures with agreed premises and clear modes of reasoning that could be tested. The languages of theology and philosophy, which had previously been the common language of educated people, now diverged.
Antony Flew was one of the world’s most famous atheists of the 20th century. He debated William Lane Craig and others on the existence of God. But eventually his recognition of the profound order and complexity of the universe, and its apparent fine-tuning, was a decisive reason for the renowned atheist to change his mind about God’s existence.
Objection #2: The Holy Spirit brings people to faith, so argumentation is useless. Some people have objected to the use of Christian intellectual arguments due to the assumption that the Holy Spirit leads people to faith.
If the Holy Spirit leads people to faith, then why should one worry about intellectual argumentation. Reply. A revised and expanded version of the book is appearing here. God and Science (Hypertext Edition, ).
He is also editor of a new book, featuring articles by world class scientists and theologians, and illustrating the leading views on the relationship between science and religion: Faith, Science and the Future (CrossCurrents Press, ).
Answers to Arguments Against Christianity. By Mike Warren. Problem of Evil: If God is all-powerful, and He is all-good, meaning He would remove evil to the extent of His power, then evil should not exist: Straw-man argument.
The Bible does not teach that God is good in the sense that He removes evil to the full extent of His ability (cf. Rom. A virtual conversation devoted to equiping believers for the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
"Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.".
Lee Strobel was the award-winning legal editor of The Chicago Tribune and is the bestselling author of The Case for Christ, The Case for Christ Devotional, The Case for Christianity Answer Book, The Case for Faith, The Case for a Creator, The Case for Miracles, and The Miracles Answer a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a Master of Studies Format: Ebook.
What book makes the best argument against Christianity. If there was one book you could give to a Christian friend who had some intellectual doubts, what book would it be. Of course reading the Bible itself causes some people to doubt Christianity, but I'm looking for a book that takes a systematic approach in arguing against the faith.
by James A. Lindsay (on Twitter @GodDoesnt) (read the forward by Peter Boghossian to John Loftus’ book here.). Four years ago I wrote in my first book about what I called The Problem of Apologetics, making the case that the very existence of apologetics–lawyerly defenses of religious faith–is a major strike against the believability of the contents of any faith tradition employing.
Many Christian professors have probably had some serious doubts about the Christian faith. In her book Walking Away from Faith: Unraveling the Mystery of Belief and Unbelief, Ruth A.
Tucker shares her own doubt and how she overcomes it, hoping to challenge unbelievers to reconsider what they are missing. But when contemplating her own doubt.
**8.**Finally the book does have some really good arguments about christian faith and how that fits in with secular society, but those are still very much christian issues not those of secular non religious people. Indeed, being born in a Jewish or Christian centric home today is more often a precursor that the child will grow up to abandon the faith of his or her family.
The gospel doesn’t make sense: God was mad at mankind because of sin so he decided to torture and kill his own Son so that he could appease his own pathological anger.
One of the most popular introductions to Christian faith ever written, Mere Christianity has sold millions of copies worldwide.
The book brings together C. Lewis's legendary broadcast talks of the war years, talks in which he set out simply to "explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times."/5(K).
About Christian confirmation, a sacrament or rite of passage in which a baptised person strengthens their relationship with God and becomes a. Among important books in the defense of Christianity, this one has few equals.
Evidence That Demands a Verdict is an easy-to-read, front-line defense for Christians facing the tough questions of critics and skeptics. Using secular evidences and other historical sources, Josh McDowell's faith-building book is a "must read" for every Christian. 1 This argument is a personal composite and amplification of several outlines by Harold W.
Hoehner and John D. Grassmick from unpublished class notes in Romans, Dallas Theological Seminary, Spring 2 This was an abhorrent title to the Greek mind, but to the Semitic mind it was a title of honor. 3 He was set apart from birth (Gal.
Romans. Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of adherents, known as Christians, believe that Jesus is the Christ, whose coming as the messiah was prophesied in the Hebrew Bible, called the Old Testament in Christianity, and chronicled in the New Testament.
It is the world's largest religion with about billion followers. Add tags for "Arguments in confirmation of the Christian faith: with suitable directions, and motives, to live in all things answerable to it. By Samuel Savage.". By. Book of Romans Discussion. All discussion on the Book of Romans can go here.
Michael is the founder of and New Hope TV, is married to Marilena, has two girls and works as a school teacher in Australia. arguments I think I have answered elsewhere in this site. "WE" – the corporate elect – don't walk away from. The Christian Faith: An Introduction to The Christian Faith: An Introduction to Dogmatic Theology Bible bishops body called Calvin Catholic century CHAPTER Christian Church Church of England claim completely condemned Confession confirmation consecrated contrary Council Creed death Divine doctrine dogma English Eucharist evidence exist.
A sacrament a Christian rite recognized as of particular importance and significance. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites.
Many Christians consider the sacraments to be a visible symbol of the reality of God, as well as a channel for God's denominations, including the Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Reformed, hold to. Handbook of Catholic Apologetics is the only book that categorizes and summarizes all the major arguments in support of the main Christian beliefs, including key distinctively Catholic doctrines.
Also included is a Protestant-friendly treatment of Catholic-Protestant issues/5(63). Controversies of the Christian Faith St. Robert Bellarmine () was the chief Catholic theologian during the latter part of the 16th century and at the beginning of the 17th century.
His literary production was immense, since he produced books and treatises on most areas of theology, including Scripture, Christology, Sacraments, Liturgy. Unbelievers, doubters and skeptics continue to attack the truths of Christianity.
Handbook of Catholic Apologetics is the only book that categorizes and summarizes all the major arguments in support of the main Christian beliefs, including key distinctively Catholic doctrines.
Also included is a Protestant-friendly treatment of Catholic-Protestant issues/10(1). The forums in the Christian Congregations category are now open only to Christian members. Please review our current Faith Groups list for information on which faith groups are considered to be Christian faiths.
Christian members please remember to read the Statement of Purpose threads for each forum within Christian Congregations before posting in the forum. I would recommend this book to Catholics, and non-Catholics, to help understand the Catholic faith and the Biblical arguments for it.
I have wanted to read something by Scott Hahn for a while. For most of his life he was a Presbyterian, even serving /5. There are many debates within and outside of the Christian community that are just a word or two away from becoming an argument.
Christians can become engaged in discussions that move to debates and then to full-blown arguments especially concerning theological differences. I wrote earlier that an argument for faith is an argument for Christ. Faith in Motion: 7 Things Christians Believe, and 7 Things Christians Do, a part of the FAITH IN MOTION Series, [Abingdon Press] Teacher’s Manual $ Pupil’s Workbook $ The FAITH IN MOTION series, for gradeshas an easy-to-use layout for ease of planning and teaching, clear life application message, and fun youth activities.
Catholic Confirmation preparation is important to study for final perseverance. The information is actually quite simple. Catholics preparing for Confirmation usually need to memorize such facts as the Ten Commandments, the six Laws of the Church, and the Holy Days of Obligation. This booklet makes these easy to learn.
This book is riddled with contradictions, which is a huge disappointment since I found 'UnChristian' to be so powerful. The text starts out strong, with a very interesting focus on the Christian call to be counter-cultural. I think the formula 'Love+Believe+Live = Good Christian Faith' is a very compelling and strong argument.4/5.
Craig opens Reasonable Faith with a definition of apologetics: "Apologetics (from the Greek apologia: a defense) is that branch of Christian theology which seeks to provide a rational justification for the truth claims of the Christian faith." This is a simple statement of the book's purpose, but it demands scrutiny.
The book supersedes and supplants everything I've written about it in the links below. Of this test Richard Carrier has said:Though this idea has been voiced before, Loftus is the first to name it, rigorize it, and give it an extensive philosophical defense; moreover, by doing so, he is the first to cause a concerted apologetic to arise attempting to dodge it, to which he could.
“When did you make the decision to be straight?” not verbatim. I think his literal words were “when did you make the decision to like girls and not like boys?” A gay classmate asked me this when we were debating religion and what the Bible tells u. An expanded, Catholic edition of the popular book Handbook of Christian Apologetics, Handbook of Catholic Apologetics is full of the wisdom and wit, clarity and insight of philosophers Peter Kreeft and Ronald Tacelli.
This is an informative and valuable guidebook for anyone looking for answers to questions of faith and : Ignatius Press. the end, each youth wrote at least three pages for their Faith Statement, and several even wrote north of seven.
Clearly, something rather interesting and perhaps somewhat engaging was happening throughout the year. In faith, I know the same will be true for your children -- the Confirmation Class.
Thank you, and truly, I can’tFile Size: 2MB. This is the best book I've seen for introducing people to the evidence for Jesus' resurrection and preparing them to answer objections. I've never seen a book address such a large variety of objections and alternate theories: the disciples were hallucinating, the disciples stole the body, Jesus survived the crucifixion, He should have had more of an influence on the Cited by: “When these arguments were examined, through the efficacy of the abovementioned proof, and not the violent assault of arms or the promise of pleasure, and (what is most wonderful of all) in the midst of the tyranny of the persecutors, an innumerable throng of people, both simple and most learned, flocked to the Christian faith.
The best way to go about constructing a case for the Christian faith is partly the concern of this book. Not all Christians agree on where to start this task.
But we do all agree on this: non-Christian thinking, according to Scripture, is "folly" (Ps; 1 Cor–; )/5(24). (Podcast) 7 Reasons Why I Came Back to the Christian Faith On today’s podcast, host Brian Chilton discusses his personal journey back to the Christian faith.
Brian was saved at the age of 7 and was called into the gospel ministry at 16 years of age. The Sacrament of Confirmation Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments. It is the fulfillment of Baptism and makes spiritual adults out of those confirmed.
The Holy Spirit fills the confirmed in a special way, giving them the courage to defend their faith in the face of adversity.Christian apologetics (Greek: ἀπολογία, "verbal defence, speech in defence") is a branch of Christian theology that defends Christianity against objections.
Christian apologetics has taken many forms over the centuries, starting with Paul the Apostle in the early church and Patristic writers such as Origen, Augustine of Hippo, Justin Martyr and Tertullian, then continuing with.
To avoid question-begging and circular arguments, the Catholic Church needs to be assessed by objective criteria as to its authoritative status as the official teacher of Christian faith and morals. The real issue is over the legitimate authority for the Christian faith.


Most women serving as deaconesses are asked, "What is a deaconess?" on a fairly regular basis. In the Lutheran Church, the formal definition of such a servant of Christ has changed over the decades. All too often, the definition is dictated by what a deaconess DOES, rather than WHO or WHOSE she is. What needs to be remembered is that regardless of changing roles in the workplace, certain things are not altered. In particular, I mean that the expected attitude of the heart and mind - of consecration and servanthood - does not change. Having said this, I suppose those who have no personal knowledge of a deaconess still feel that they are in the dark as to her role in the church. If you are one of those people, it's probably time for you to read In the Footsteps of Phoebe.
Be knowledgeable about this profession (vocation) and how a deaconess might benefit YOUR own parish or institution. The downturn in our economy has caused many Lutheran congregations and institutions to forfeit the acquisition of more staff. Hence there are trained deaconesses who are waiting for first-time placements or who are hoping to move to a new position and are not able to do so. I challenge you today to take a creative look at your own ministry model, to see if it might be possible to put one of these waiting women to work with YOUR team, sooner than later!


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to do his will by Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom Mathew 24:14 READ the reality of the Kingdom in Mathew 11:12,Luke 16:16,ENTERING John 3:5-7,SEEKING it first Mathew 6:28-33 HENCE Reaping our Spiritual Harvest field of this world into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ John 4:35.
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Tonight I was looking for some books as presents. A couple of volumes that had been recently featured or recommended by Glenn Beck were suggested to me as appropriate for the intended recipient. I searched for them on Amazon and decided to read some of the reviews.
In both cases, the overwhelming number of reviews were accompanied by a five-star rating of each book. Seems like a no-brainer. Everybody likes these books. Must be good. Why even bother with the couple of two-star ratings and reviews? Maybe it was Proverbs 18:17 niggling in the back of my mind:
The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
In both cases, there was a very thoughtful, thorough, critical review. There was detailed analysis and no hint of ad hominem. However, it was only tonight I discovered that Amazon reviews are subject to their own reviews. Each one has its own comment section. That’s where the detailed analysis and lack of ad hominem ended. It’s just an extension of the blogosphere.
In both cases the source of the attacks was patently clear. They confirmed that I’m becoming increasingly disturbed by fortress Christian America. There is one narrow interpretation of history and anyone who questions it or one of its recognised spokesmen (I can’t use the word “scholars”) is a liberal, a secularist, and in all likelihood a homosexual. I’m just telling you what I’ve read from some very angry people.
Does this mean I’m disturbed by the idea of Christians being involved in politics at every level? No. Do I think Christians should exert their influence to bring the law at every level and in every area into conformity with Christian morality? Absolutely.
However, the idea that we can only gain the moral high ground by proving that everything of any importance in early American history was done by Christians operating out of a Christian worldview in the ultimate pursuit of promoting Christianity is wrong. It’s wrong because it isn’t necessary to operate from this presupposition and it’s wrong because it just ain’t true. I’m sorry folks. I’m happy to find Christians wherever and whenever in history I can. I’m always pleased to see those whose heart and actions were set on building the Kingdom of God, whatever their calling, including statesmanship. But the idea is becoming pervasive in certain circles, mostly emanating concentrically from people like David Barton and Peter Lillback, that if we dig deep enough we’ll find that virtually all of the Founding Fathers were trinitarian Christians with good conservative Protestant theology. If we ferret out enough quotes, partial quotes, or buzz words, that must prove something, right?
All we prove is that there are Christians who are willing to be at best shabby, and at worst dishonest, scholars. And if book sales and the Texas State Board of Education are any indication, there are a lot of people out there who don’t care. They don’t care about the shabbiness and dishonesty, that is. As the Amazon review comments demonstrated, they care very much if anyone dares to call them on it. If Glen Beck endorsed it, that’s good enough.
Christians are called to something better than this. We do not need to engage in historical re-revisionism. We don’t need to prove that Christians formed a perfect country that secularists and liberals went and messed up. We don’t need to prove Original Christian Intent. We don’t need to be afraid of review and criticism.
In reading the Amazon reviews, as well as in reading the engagement in the comboxes of much more popular places in the blogosphere, I read lots of militancy and lots of anger. I see lots of name-calling. I see the exact same behaviour that I have seen from the secularists and liberals. It doesn’t look prettier because the mud is being slung in the other face. I’ll say it again: Christians are called to something better than this.
We are not going to achieve whatever our goal may be by cheating and bullying our way there. We have to strive for what is right and rely upon Divine Providence. As a Christian and as a historian I know two things. First, God wrote the history that has already happened. We don’t have to dig around and find Him in it. It is what it is and He did it how He did it. Second, He wrote the history that has yet to happen. What is true of the Gospel is true in everything: “So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” In the history yet to be made, we labor faithfully, but God will determine the outcome of our labors.