Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, Sunday, August 23rd, 2015
Humility is a very good thing. I have learned that lesson (and re-learned it!) the hard way. Very often it seems that when my head gets too big . . . and I get full of myself . . . . without fail, it seems at that point that I do something stupid and I get knocked back down to earth. Perhaps that has happened to you a time or two. And at that point, we just stand there and shake our head and say to ourselves: "why in the world did I do that?" There is nothing wrong with being confidant in ourselves or in our ability. There is nothing wrong with even being proud of what we have done or what we have accomplished in life. But as with everything, even this must be done with moderation, number one, and for the Christian, an understanding where our strength comes from. St. Paul wrote in the Second Letter to the Corinthians: "not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves" And then he goes on to emphasize the point: " . .. . but our sufficiency is of God. . . ." (2 Corinthians 3:4) St. Paul wanted to remind the Church at Corinth that if we have riches, it is because God provided those riches; if we have abilities or strengths or skills, it is only because God has provided each one of us with what we are good at; if we have a roof over our head and food on our table every day, it is because God provides. Our Heavenly Father provides for all of His children. Those who are practicing, committed Christians acknowledge this fact. But, quite frankly, sometimes we forget or over look that fact. You see, it's difficult sometimes for us to always acknowledge God as we should because, quite frankly, we get all caught up in our busy schedules, our busy life styles. This is why I always emphasize that relationships take effort. You have to work at a relationship. In a relationship, we have to make time for our loved ones. In a relationship, we have to make time for those we love. We have to make a point to show love to those whom we love. This is true of our relationship with God as well. We have to make a point to acknowledge the gifts that God have bestowed upon us; we have to show God and tell God how much we love Him; and, finally, we have to spend time with God every day. Many of us have the tendency to only go to God when we need help with something. Make a point to go to God every day. Speak to God every day. Tell God how much you love Him every day. And, finally, take a lesson from St. Paul and never forget that our sufficiency is of God. Acknowledge the fact that everything we have: our life; our knowledge; our strengths; our health; our possessions . . . . everything we have is made possible by our Heavenly Father. Give Him thanks and show Him love on a daily basis.
There are two opportunities to hear Mass on Sunday, August 23rd, 2015:
St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church meets every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM. We celebrate Mass at the beautiful Chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.
The Anglican Church of the Holy Spirit meets every Sunday at 1:00 PM. We celebrate Mass at the beautiful, historic First Presbyterian Church, which is located at 116 South Street, the corner of Pennsylvania and South Streets in Greenfield, Indiana.
Join us for Mass as we gather together to worship Our Heavenly Father. Join us as we listen to the Word of God found in the King James Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. Join us as we hear God speaking to each one of us. And, finally, join us as we receive the Precious Body and Blood of Christ at Communion time.
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