Fourth Sunday after Easter, May 10th, 2020
The epistle appointed for the Fourth Sunday after Easter is a very brief passage. The passage appointed for the day is only four verses long. In these four short verses there is so much that St. James writes about of great importance. But I want to focus on the beginning verse of this passage because St. James writes: "EVERY good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights" (St. James 1:17) In this one verse St. James writes a powerful reminder to every single human being to remember where our priorities belong. Human beings spend their lives searching for happiness. And more often than not this "happiness" is found in the things of this world. We find our happiness in worldly possessions. We find our happiness in worldly riches. We find our happiness in what the world tells us will make us happy. Have you ever had the experience of seeing an advertisement for something which really caught your attention and you made it a point to go out and get it. Or it could be that you had to order the item and it was sent to you. In either event have you ever had the experience where you just had to have a item and then once you got it you found out it was nothing but junk? It didn't work. It wasn't worth it. You wanted your money back. But unfortunately with everything from this old world of ours "wonderful things" never last . . . they wear out . . . they rust out . . . they become obsolete . . . they bore us . . . . they don't excite us . . . we need something "better" . . . The list goes on and on. But St. James reminds us that the only perfect gift comes from above. The only perfect gift we can ever obtain comes to us from God. It is the gifts from God which should bring us true happiness. And yet it is the gifts of the world which we focus on obtaining. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (St. John 3:16) For the average human being they expect things of this earth to bring everlasting life. Two problems with this notion. First of all, nothing is this life is everlasting. Second of all, life comes from God. Life is a gift of God. It is the Almighty that gives us life. As we were reminded above God loved us so much that He gave His Son to the world. It is Christ Who gives us life. It is Christ Who gives us purpose. It is Christ Who gives us meaning. Let us spend less time searching for earthly treasures and more time searching for things of Heaven!
PLEASE NOTE: St. Margaret Church will NOT meet on Sunday, May 10th, 2020.
St. Margaret Church is still being affected, as is the whole world, by the Coronavirus outbreak. Specifically, our church is not allowed to meet as we would like due to CDC and State recommendations. But despite these recommendations, our members still continue to pray to Our Heavenly Father. Our members still continue to reach out to their neighbors and loved ones. Our members still continue to be the face and hands and instruments of the Lord throughout these troubling times. Additionally, Fr. Todd also continues to post his sermons and reflections online. So, please continue to pray for St. Margaret Church and all the Christian Churches throughout the world that we may continue to stay close to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
And please remember that you can still show support to St. Margaret Church by sharing these posts on social media . . . sharing the sermons and reflections of Fr. Todd on social media as well. In this way, despite any sort of "lock-down," you will help St. Margaret Church continue to spread the Gospel and continue to tell the world about our love for Our Blessed Saviour!
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