UNITED IN CHRIST

UNITED IN CHRIST

When scripture scholars got together to present the letters of Paul to the world, there were always some doubts cast about when, where or who wrote it.  I don’t think that matters very much. I think what matters is who is reading it today.  The letter to the Ephesians, like the others, is written to Jews in areas outside of Israel; people who have embraced the Good News of Jesus.  Like all the converts, they had to keep focused on Him in order to change their thinking and their concept of God.  That was difficult to do because of all the outside influences. Paul saw it as his responsibility to keep them resolute. It is no different for us, so we can read Paul’s words and take them to heart because, even though he didn’t know it, they were written for us too.  

A case in point: Letter to Ephesians 2:19-23

“So then you are no longer strangers and travelers, but you are fellow citizens with the members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in Him you also are being built into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

The question we must ask ourselves is “Are we that?”  Do we ever think of ourselves, Christians that is, as a household with Jesus at the head?   The first time I ever saw anyone who evidenced that joy was when the first Charismatic group came to our church. They embraced each other in joy for being followers of Christ. Everyone sneered at them and called them ‘Holy Rollers’.  Which group of Christians do you think brought a smile to Jesus’s face?

I recently returned from a visit to West Point where my grandson is a Cadet. I met a man who graduated in 1967, 30 years before my grandson was born, and yet the bond between them and between every graduate or cadet, is all around you there and it is so strong it almost feels like a living thing.  It is because they all are focused on the same thing, Duty, Honor, Country.

We ought to strive for that kind of bond between all Christians.  Our focus must be Jesus Christ.  We need to ignore distinctions between religions and concentrate on the headship of Jesus.  It’s a tall order because some of those rifts go very, very deep, but the Spirit is stronger. It makes me feel very insignificant when I try to think of how we can achieve this; still, I know it is what God wants from us.  There are two types of churchgoers in the majority. There are ones who visit with everyone and the conversation, I dare say, is not about Jesus. Then there are those who sit quietly and talk to Jesus but don’t share him.  Let us pray daily that we will grow enough to take joy in a life lived in Jesus and because of it, form the bond that is so desperately needed.

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin OPA

PAUL THE INTREPID

PAUL THE INTREPID

During recent weeks the daily readings from Scripture have centered on St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians. This letter has been called the “Queen of Epistles” and was noted as Martin Luther’s all-time favorite, because Paul is so direct and so positive in his instruction on how to live one’s life in Christ. In his book, Letter to the Galatians,William Barclay writes: 

“As Paul composed his letters, he had in his mind’s eye a vision of the folk to whom he was writing and he was pouring out his heart to them in words that fell over each other in his eagerness to help.”

Imagine, if you will, how Paul went about his mission. He would enter a town or city where he was a stranger.  He would locate the marketplace. He set up his stall and then seek out the Jews of the region. He would just talk to people.

Someone asks, “What brings you here?“

He answers, “I have good news.”  And it began.  Then at the end of the day, he would go back to his rooms and write encouraging letters to the last community he visited.  

When compared with Paul and his travels, the journeys of Marco Polo and Columbus and others, pale because of what drove him.   Instead of treasure seeking, or exploration, or conquest of lands and people, he only sought to bring the Good News of Christ.  

Spreading the Good News is an integral part of our faith, but we do not do it.  We feel tongue tied or fearful we will be regarded as nutty or any excuse you can think of.  

The first step is to actually believe what you say you believe.  The second is to know the words of Paul that you can use.  Study the epistles.  Take to heart the words he used to share Christ.  

To someone who is in despair; “Who can separate us from the love of God?”   

To someone who is uncertain of their ability; “There are many ministries but the same Spirit.”

Advice to a young person going to college; “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. “

The third is to trust in the power of the Spirit.  If we really, really did trust the Spirit, nothing could stop us.

The world needs Christ so badly.  We have Him. Sharing Him and his love is our duty. We need to be like Paul. Be steadfast, speak up, fight back against racism, violence, discrimination or greed, all of which taint the world.  The Spirit is stronger than all of it. Be calm, be courageous and watch for signs.  As the prophet told Samuel, when you speak to God say; “Speak Lord, your servant is listening. 

Carol Lemelin OPA

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A LOT TO THINK ABOUT

A LOT TO THINK ABOUT

Some of John’s disciples and some Pharisees approached Jesus and asked why it was that devout Jews fasted but apparently his disciples did not.  When Jesus answered, they got more than they bargained for. 

No one mourns while the bridegroom is still with them…

No one patches a worn cloak with an unshrunken patch…

No one puts new wine into old wineskins… (Matt 9:14-17)

It is possible that Jesus did not say those things all at the same time as it is written.  It could have been a dialogue with the disciples of John and the Pharisees over a period of time.  In any event, it is a very important moment in the mission of Christ. Jesus is using homely examples that cannot be misunderstood to tell his listeners that he has come to change things dramatically.  As always, his explanations are lucid and sensible.  The problem for his enemies was that they had let fear of change drive them, so they must protest. 

Vatican II attempted to affect the same kind of thing when the Bishops of the world examined the relationships between the Church and the people and found that the emphasis was weighted on the side of obedience to rules with less emphasis on Christ.  The changes they made were intended to bring people back to a position of participants instead of spectators. It worked for the most part; certainly the number of people ministering at Mass is proof of that.  

Still, opposition to change reared its ugly head immediately.  That has to do with our desire for comfort.  We fight change because we don’t want our comfort zone disturbed, but Jesus was all for that.  He wanted them to know the old ways were over and that love and care for one another must be the main focus of everyone’s life.  His disciples and all those who came after were on fire with zeal for the changes Jesus wanted.  And when Vatican II finished up, our parishes were on fire to bring these new (old) ideas into our worship. But, Vatican II was a long time ago and we have settled again to what is familiar and comfortable.  But the world is crying out for something, and the answer is Jesus.  We, his disciples, are the ones who must remind them of Him or introduce them to Him.   Loving one another isn’t a quaint idea. Jesus put that on top of his list of changes. It must still remain on top of our list. When truth, patience, tolerance, and courage begin to disappear, we know we’ve lost our way.   The earliest disciples reflected the words of Jesus in their actions.  We can do no less.  In fact, we must follow their example.

Jeremiah 7:10-11

“If each of you deals justly with their neighbor; if you do not oppress aliens, widows and orphans, I will remain with you in this place”

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin OPA