Second Sunday after Epiphany, January 19th, 2020

Second Sunday after Epiphany, January 19th, 2020

For my secular job, I work at a juvenile prison as a counselor.  I see disrespect on a daily basis.  Well, to be honest, I see disrespect on an hourly basis.  The pattern is always the same.  When the boys don't get what they want, then they get angry, and when they get angry this is when they become insulting to the folks they are mad at.  And at that point when they let their anger take over and that is all they care about, they don't care about any consequences.   Talk about having "thick skin."  You really get to practice "turning the other cheek" at a job like that.  But honestly in the day and age in which we live, sadly, it seems as though all of us are getting more and more of an opportunity to "turn the other cheek."  You hear about incidents of "road rage" and see it with your own eyes when you aren't moving fast enough for the person behind you in traffic.  You see it in the stores when people seem to think it is alright to be rude to complete strangers.  You certainly see it here on the internet.  People will post all kinds of hateful comments and insults when they disagree with you.  And why do they do this?  I contend it's because there are no consequences for behavior like this on the internet like there would be in the real world.  On the internet I can write down some insult to a complete stranger and nothing will happen to me.  If I do that in the "real world" I run the risk of getting punched in the mouth.  But the point is still the same, whether it is on the internet or in the store or in traffic, we seem to have our fair opportunity for people to get mad at us.  

St Paul writes in his Epistle to the Romans:  "Bless them which persecute you" (Romans 12:14)  Wow!  It would have been much easier if St. Paul had said that we should "Ignore them which persecute you."  Well, even then that might take a little doing but it would still be easier than Blessing them which persecute us.  St. Paul even goes on to say a few verses later:  "Recompense to no man evil for evil."  (Romans 12:17)  Don't we do this?  When someone does something wrong to us, don't we hope that person gets something bad done to them?  In fact we hope the other person gets it worse!   I suppose St. Paul gives this advice because Our Blessed Saviour in essence said the same thing:  "'But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."  (St. Matthew 5:44)  Wow!  St. Paul just said for us to bless those who persecute us whereas Our Lord directs us to love them . . .  bless them . . . . do good to them . . . and pray for them!  As I like to say, Our Blessed Lord never asks us to do anything that He is not willing to do Himself.  Consider the words of Our Lord while He was hanging from the Cross:  "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (St. Luke 23:34)    None of us are perfect.  Very often we will fail but that does not mean we should stop trying.  Especially when it comes to being a Christian, we should always do our best.  And doing our best means following Our Lord's commands.  We  need to bless those who hate us.  Do good for those who wish us harm.  Pray for them that despise us.  Show love to those who wish evil to you.  These are not easy things to do by any stretch of the imagination but Our Lord did these things.  Our Lord practiced what He preached.  Our Lord asks us to do the same.  No, it is not easy but Our Lord asks us to do it.  

St. Margaret Church meets each and every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM.  We worship at the beautiful Chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  We use the King James Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.  Come join us as we listen to God speak to us through His Word.  At Communion time, we receive the Precious Body and Blood of Christ to nourish us and give us strength for our journey called life.

First Sunday after Epiphany, January 12th, 2020

First Sunday after Epiphany, January 12th, 2020

In St. Luke's Gospel, we hear about the time in which the Holy Family made their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover.  And St. Luke tells us when Our Blessed Lord was twelve years old, He remained behind teaching and preaching in the Temple.  Now, of course, all of this was done without the knowledge of St. Joseph and Our Lady.  When they discovered that their son was not with them, they searched for Him frantically.  And when they finally found Him and they asked Him what in the world He was doing there, He responded:  "knew ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (St. Luke 2:49)  Even St. Luke reports that neither St. Joseph nor Our Lady understood exactly what He was saying.  After that, the Divine Child Jesus went with St. Joseph and Our Lady back to Nazareth.    

I have discovered that as human beings we are always "about somebody's business."  In other words, for example, when I am fixing something at home or putting some item up at home, I am typically about my wife's business.  When I am at work and working on a report that was due five minutes ago, I am typically about my supervisor's business.  Even when I am doing nothing but sitting around reading a good book or watching an interesting television program, I am about my business or I could say I am about the business of relaxation.  Human beings are always trying to accomplish something.  They are bout the business of earning a paycheck so that they can pay bills  . . . . they are about the business of maintaining their home so that it will look good . . . . they are about the business of pleasing our loved ones . . .  But as Christians, just as the Divine Child said, we should be about Our Father's business.  As stated earlier, whether we realize it or not, we are always about somebody's business . . . . our business .  . . . our bosses' business . . . . our children's business . . . . etc.  We are always keeping busy with day to day business as human beings.   But it is important as Christians to be about Our Father's business no matter how busy we get.  You see, this is the key.  Very often we get so involved in the, what I like to call the "busy-ness" of life.  In other words, we become too "busy" for God.  It's vital that we always keep God first and foremost in our minds, in our hearts, in our souls.  Thus, when we get into the habit of keeping God involved in all our actions, then everything we do we will be about Our Father's business.  You see, when the Child Jesus was in the Temple He was spending that time telling them about God.  And St. Luke tells us that all those in His Presence were "astonished."  So, too, when we let people know about God through what we say and what we do, people will be astonished.  Be about your Father's business and let Him shine through your actions.

St. Margaret Church meets each and every Sunday at 9:30 AM at the beautiful chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Join us as we hear the Word of God found in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and the King James Bible.  Come dedicate one hour of your week to God.  Step away from the busy-ness of the world for just one hour and focus totally on God.  Come and worship Him.  Let Him feed you spiritually.   Receive the Precious Body and Blood at Communion time.

Second Sunday after Christmas, January 5th, 2020

Second Sunday after Christmas, January 5th, 2020

I have no doubt whatsoever but I am convinced that everyone goes through the same, exact struggles at the beginning of a new year:  that is, unsure of which year to write.  We know it's a brand new year but we are in the habit of writing a different year.   Just now, for example, when I began to type the headline of this little essay, the part where I put the date, I began to type "2019" instead of "2020."  I hear a lot of people complain about this same phenomenon at the beginning of a new year so I guess I am not the only person afflicted by this ailment at the beginning of every year.  Obviously, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why this is a problem.  We do it because we are "creatures of habit."  We do things over and over again and get in a groove, so to speak, of doing it that way.  Writing down a date at the beginning of a new year is a very simple and obvious example, but let's face it, there are other things that we get into habits of doing:  getting up at a certain time; driving to work a certain route; etc.  Each one of us can come up with our own list of examples but each one of us has certain things that we are accustomed to doing and it is difficult to ever try to break those habits.   

Having a relationship with God is, for most of us, just another habit.  For many of us who go to church, for example, we may go to church on a regular basis simply because we were raised that way and it has been what we have always done:  we get up on Sunday morning; get dressed; and go to church.  No more, no less.  Now, for many, for this same group just mentioned you might factor in the fact that we were taught this by our parents because they went to church every Sunday.  Now, don't get me wrong, this is actually a good reason for going to church.  It's good to get taught this habit by our parents.  All habits are learned, whether they be "good habits" or "bad habits":  e.g., smoking; eating healthy; cursing; exercising; etc.  So even if what is described above in regards to going to church every Sunday, even if it is a "habit," then it is a "good habit."  But this is not the best reason for going to church:  simply because it is a "habit," albeit it is a "good habit."

Going to church and having a relationship with God is something much more than simply a habit.  It is a way of life.  It is a commitment.  Having a relationship with God is a dynamic, life-changing, ongoing event in our lives.  Knowing God should be the reason for our very existence.  Having a relationship with God should be our motivation for getting up each day.  Being in love with God is something that we should proclaim:  not only through our words; but also by our actions; and they way in which we regard others.  And once we realize this, once we take our relationship with God seriously, we can not help but radiate the holiness of God through our lives.  In the book of the Prophet Isaiah we hear: " . .  . because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek."  (Isaiah 61:1)  God has anointed each one of us to preach about Him.  God has anointed each one of us to have a relationship with Him.  God has anointed each one of us to grow in love with Him.  And yet not everyone does.  This is because most people don't heed the call because they are too concerned with the ways of the world.  For others, the devil has convinced them that they are not worthy to do the "things of God."  By our own merit, none of us is worthy; but with the help of God, He is our sufficiency.  He gives us strength where we are lacking.  Make God a priority in your life in this new year and throughout the year.  Make God more than just a "habit."  Make Him the very reason for your existence . . . .  because He is and He is worthy of your faithful, committed love.

St. Margaret Church meets every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM.  We worship at the beautiful chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.

   Join us as we take time to listen to the Word of God; to hear what God is saying to each one of us.  Worship God is traditional worship.  Receive His Most Precious Body and Blood at Communion time.

First Sunday after Christmas Day, December 29th, 2019

First Sunday after Christmas Day, December 29th, 2019

As I have said before . . . . but I will continue to say it because it is so true . . . . it is extremely difficult for us to know what it was like for the first Apostles and those in the early Church.  This is because we ourselves know how the story ends, so to speak.  We have the benefit of knowing about all of these events and miracles and happenings for some two-thousand years now.   That being said, it is difficult for us to understand completely the emotions  . . .  fear . . .  anxiety . . .  anxiousness . . .  confusion . . . . it is hard for us to walk in their shoes and know exactly what was going through their mind.  But try we must because in so doing the faithfulness of these early figures in the life of Our Blessed Saviour shows through wonderfully.  St Joseph is one person who comes to mind.  It benefits us to learn from the example of St. Joseph because his faithfulness is indeed legendary.  In essence, God chose St. Joseph and Our Lady to be the earthly parents of the Son of God.  Imagine the privilege  . . . . the responsibility  . . . . the heavy burden  . .   .  which they both willingly undertook.   Now keep in mind I said that they undertook.  I did not say that they understood how all of these events took place or were going to take place.  Both St. Joseph and Our Lady clearly did not understand why any of these events were happening.  They did not understand how they were to take place.  They did not even know why in the world were they chosen by the Almighty.  And yet despite all of these reasons, they still chose to say "Yes" to God.  

Let us look specifically at St. Joseph.  First, prior to the angel explaining all of these things, he still wanted to do the right thing so that Mary would not be hurt.  Again, it is difficult for us to imagine what it was like for St. Joseph because we have the benefit of knowing what is going to happen and yet for St. Joseph, he did not have that benefit.  With him he saw that his intended bride was pregnant.  And as a result he was trying to figure out who the father was because he knew it was not him.  He could not understand why Mary would do this, first of all.  Second, now that he found out, now he wanted to know what was going to happen next?  "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily"  (St. Matthew 1:19)   In other words, despite his confusion, his hurt, his not understanding why Mary would do this to him, etc.  Despite all of these emotions, he still did not want Mary to be hurt.  This shows St. Joseph was a good man to begin with.  Are there times we are wronged by another person and all we do is think about revenge?   It is certainly not easy to do but God wants us to take the "high road."   St. Joseph took the "high road."  Despite what he knew in his mind  . . .  which he later found out was wrong . . . . he still did not want harm to come to Mary despite what he thought in his head.

The second thing we need to remember about St. Joseph is that he was willing to listen to God.   "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."  (St. Matthew 1:20-21)  Yes, the angel appeared to him and St. Joseph listened.  But doesn't God speak to all of us?  Doesn't the Good Lord try to communicate with all of us?  God speaks to us when we read the Bible.  God communicates with us when we pray.  God even uses other people to speak to us.  The truth of the matter is that most people are too busy listening to the world.  Most folks are too busy listening to themselves, for that matter.  Most of the world just does what they want to do and they forget about doing what God wants them to do.  St. Joseph had everything figured out, didn't he?  He knew what he was going to do until the angel intervened.  And then St. Joseph stopped what he was planning to do and listened to God and did God's will.  And the rest is history.    

St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church worships each and every Sunday at 9:30 AM.  Please take time to join us as we gather together to worship Our Heavenly Father as a family.  We worship at the beautiful chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.

Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 22nd, 2019

Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 22nd, 2019

In the First Chapter of St. John's Gospel, we hear the encounter between St. John the Baptist and the priests and the Levites from Jerusalem.  You see, these priests and Levites were sent specifically to question St. John the Baptist to find out exactly who he was.  And they began to ask him specific questions as to who he really was.  "Art thou Elias?"  "Art thou that prophet?"  To both these questions he answered "No."  Then they finally asked him, "Well, who art thou?"  It is a profound question when you get right down to it.  "Who are you?"  If someone asks us who are you, we would typically tell that person our name.  Or we were sent by another department at our job we may tell someone what department we are from or that our boss sent us.  But who are we, really?  Going back to the encounter between the priests and Levites with St. John the Baptist, when they finally got to it and asked, "Who art thou," you may notice that he did not answer their question by telling them his name.  He answered their question by describing what he did.  "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness . . . "  We tell the world who we are by what we do and the things we do.  St. John the Baptist was indeed the "voice of one crying in the wilderness."  Everything he did in life was centered on God.  Everything in his life was done in preparation for the Coming of the Messiah. He made God his focal point.  He judged everything according to that.  What is our focal point?  Are we focused mainly on our job or career?  Are we focused on having a relationship with a certain person?  Are we focused on obtaining a certain item that we want for Christmas?  In our modern society, I would dare say that we have many priorities in life.  We have our jobs which we need to do.  We have our homes that we need to take care of.  We have our personal relationships such as our family and loved ones.  But the main focus in our life should always be our relationship with God.  And as long as we make this our main priority, all the other things just mentioned will fall into place.  Similar to St. John, if we make God the top priority in our life, we will soon point others towards God not only by our words but also by our actions.  The way we treat people .. . . we love we show towards others . . . . we will continue to show others how God is working in our life.   So as we are in the final few days before we celebrate Christmas, let us prepare our hearts for the Coming of Christ.   Let us make God the true focal point of our life.  

St. Margaret Church gathers every Sunday morning to hear the Word of God and to worship Our Heavenly Father.  We are a traditional church.  We use the King James Version of the Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.  Mass begins at 9:30 AM.  We celebrate at the beautiful chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Please join us and dedicate an hour of your week to God.  Return home to Him, the God Who waits patiently for your return.

Third Sunday in Advent, December 15th, 2019

Third Sunday in Advent (Gaudete Sunday), December 15th, 2019

Have you ever been overjoyed by something and before you knew it, the joy had worn off?  Or the joy that you had experienced had certainly lessened.  As children, especially at Christmas time, we are overjoyed at what Santa Claus will bring us.  We anxiously look forward to all the presents under the tree and try to figure out what is wrapped inside.  Or it could be the case as you had gotten older and you decided that you just had to have the latest electronic doo-dad or perhaps it is some clothing item such as a new dress or a fancy pair of boots.  And so you save your money and finally go and make your purchase and you are overjoyed at what you have obtained.  But then after a while your joy lessens because after a while your attention is turned toward the next "item" that you have set your sights on acquiring.  Let's be honest, whether as children or adults,  . . .  whether it is a gift given to us or something we have purchased ourselves  .. . .  whether it is an actual physical product or whether it is simply a good meal that we look forward to devouring . . . . the point is the same:  things of this world do indeed bring us joy for a time but then the joy eventually fades.  Even if you look at it from the perspective of someone who turns to drink or drugs to find their "happiness,"  . . . . what happens when the effect of either drink or drug wears off?  That person goes back to feeling like they did before.  The "high" feeling . . .  the "drunk" feeling only lasts so long.  Things of the world . . .  whether they be electronics .  . . or food . . . . or clothing . . .  or positions of honour . . . . or titles at our jobs . . . or booze  . . . . or drugs . .  . all these things only bring temporary fulfillment.  They do satisfy, yes, but only for a time.  The joy we find in them  is only temporary, never lasting.

For the Christian, on the other hand, the joy that is everlasting is our relationship with God.  "Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous, for it becometh well the just to be thankful." (Psalm 33)  Our personal relationship with Our Blessed Saviour will never disappoint.  Our personal relationship with Our Lord and Saviour is one that will last an eternity.  While other things in this earthly life will fade away . . .  or be consumed . . . or rust away . ..  or go out of fashion . . . . the relationship that God offers to us is forever.  God will always be faithful to His people.  "Gaudete in Domino semper" ("Rejoice in the Lord always")  (Philippians 4:4-5)  Rejoice in the fact that God loves you!  Rejoice in the fact that God sent His only Son to die for you!  Rejoice in the fact that God offers you the possibility of eternal life!  Give your heart to the One that offered His Heart to you!  Give your life to Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and rejoice in the Lord always!

The Third Sunday of Advent is referred to as "Gaudete Sunday."  And this is because "Gaudete" is the Latin word for rejoice, which comes from the first word of the introit, "Rejoice ..  . . "  As such, the Church is past the midway point of the season of Advent, and we use this opportunity to take a breather, so to speak.  Remember, the season of Advent is supposed to be somewhat somber in nature . .   . this is why the liturgical colour during this season is violet or purple as it is in Lent.  But today the Church lightens its' mood just a bit and rose coloured vestments can be worn instead of violet for today.  

We would certainly be honored if you would make a point to come worship with us this week.  Take an hour out of your busy week.  Take an hour and give it to God . . . . Dedicate that hour to God.  Spend that hour listening to the Word of God. Spend that time quietly listening to what God is speaking to you.  We use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.  We use the King James Bible.  We receive the Precious Body and Blood of Our Blessed Lord at Communion time.  We gather each and every Sunday morning at 9:30 am.  We worship in the beautiful chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.

Second Sunday in Advent, December 8th, 2019

Second Sunday in Advent, December 8th, 2019

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."  (Romans 15)

Did you ever order something or send away for something and the item finally arrived and you open it with great anticipation.  And when you finally open the package and see what you ordered, you soon discover that the item does not match up with what you thought it would be.  You were "under-whelmed," so to speak.  "This is it?!?"   "This is what I've been waiting for?!?"   As we have spoken in the past, the faithful Jews were indeed praying for a Messiah to save them.  They were anticipating the arrival of the Messiah.  They knew that God would save them and they were waiting.  But they had a preconceived notion of what the Messiah would look like.  They expected the Messiah to arrive as a great warrior riding in on a powerful horse, surrounded by a mighty army in support with flags waving and banners raised.  They expected this messiah and his army to wipe out their foes and save them from their misery.    And yet the Lord Himself has said not to base our opinions on outward appearances:  " . . . for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."  (I Samuel :7)  So often we judge solely on "outward appearances," don't we?  And so often we are sorely disappointed, aren't we?  The product we see advertised on television doesn't really match up when we see it in person.   

And yet we know that the Messiah did indeed arrive as promised but Our Saviour arrived as an innocent little baby, born to a common family, born in a lowly manger on a cold winter night  because nobody would take them in otherwise.  In fact, the actual arrival itself was so "low-key" that hardly anyone knew about it at all except for the angels and a few shepherds.  I mean let's be honest here.  In regards to anticipating the arrival of the Messiah, I am sure that none of us would picture the Saviour of the world arriving as a small baby, born to an impoverished family, with nowhere else to stay other than in a place for animals.  But, then again, if we look at a dying man hanging on a cross, if we didn't know any better, we wouldn't picture that as "victory," either.  It would seem more like "defeat" than "victory."  And yet we know through our faith that hope was born in that little manger at Bethlehem and we know that victory truly was earned on that Cross at Calvary.  Sometimes, hope is deceiving to our physical eyes.  Faith is something that we find with the heart and not solely what we see with our eyes.   The important thing for us to always remember as people of faith that we have to look at hope through the eyes of faith if we really want to see how God is working in our lives.  So, use this holy Season of Advent to look at things in a brand new way.  Look at the world with the eyes of faith.

St. Margaret of Scotland  Church worships every Sunday morning at the Chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located on the Northwest side of Indianapolis at 8140 N. Township line Road.  Mass begins at 9:30 AM.  Come join us for traditional worship.  We use the King James Bible along with the Anglican Missal and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.  We gather together to join as God's family to listen to His Word and worship Him and receive Him in His Precious Body and Blood.  Please join us for Mass and then stay with us afterward for our delicious Coffee Hour.