Septuagesima, February 1st, 2026

 

Septuagesima, or the Third Sunday before Lent, 

February 1st, 2026

On Sunday, February 1st, 2026 we celebrate Septuagesima Sunday, the beginning of what are referred to as the "Gesima Sundays," in other words, these are the "Pre-Lent" Sundays.  The Church begins to get prepared for the holy season of Lent.  In today's Epistle from the Ninth Chapter of the First Letter to the Corinthians, we hear:  "KNOW ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. . . . Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." (I Corinthians 9:24ff)  St. Paul points out that athletes get ready also.  He uses the example of athletes who train to win the competition.  They strengthen the body in order to win.  St. Paul points out that these athletes train hard to win a crown that will soon disappear, as he says, it will corrupt away.  But Christians are also in a race as well.  We are in a race to win a crown . . .  our crown, though, is eternal life with Jesus, Our Saviour.  As such, we should train even harder to win a heavenly crown that will not fade away.  Two points, here:  Number One, as St. Paul points out, everything in life takes practice and training in order to do something well.  This is certainly true when it comes to being a Christian.  We need to practice the art of being a Christian every day and we do this by: reading the Scriptures; obeying God; listening to God; and treating others as God would have us treat them.  The second point is that we always have to focus on is the fact that, as Christians, our true blessing will come in Heaven and not here on earth.  While it is true that our lives are filled with blessings:  nice cars, nice homes, nice clothes, many wonderful earthly possessions . . .  as St. Paul points out, these too shall also become corruptible and will fade away one day.   While it is nice to enjoy these things while we possess them, we are still called to keep our attention fixed on the true "prize" that we are called to win:  Eternal life with Our Blessed Saviour in Heaven.  That is where we should keep our eyes firmly fixed and not diverted by material things that we mistake for blessings.

Please make a point to join us for Mass on Sunday.  St. Margaret Church gathers together each and every Sunday at 10:30 am.  We worship at the beautiful Chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Join us as we listen to the Word of God found in the King James Version of the Bible.  We use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.  And receive the Most Precious Body and Blood of Our Saviour at Communion time.   We are all busy.  We all lead busy lives.  Take an hour out of your busy week and dedicate it to God.  Give that hour to God and spend it with Him.

Second Sunday after Epiphany, January 18th, 2026

 

Second Sunday after Epiphany, January 18th, 2026

In the Twelfth Chapter of the Epistle written to the Romans, there are many wonderful lessons emphasized such as:  being patient when things are difficult. And praying at all times.  And, as hard as this is, that we should bless those who persecute us.  But we also hear in Verse 6:  "HAVING then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us."  (Romans 12:6)  In other words, each one of us has been given gifts, strengths, skills, abilities that are specifically our own.  Some of us have been given the gift of teaching, for example.  Some of us have the gift of preaching.  Some of us know how to cook while others have wonderful musical talents such as singing or playing a musical instrument.  In short, each one of us has been given a gift and we ought to put that gift to good use.  When we give a gift to someone there are typically certain things we like to see.  First, the person who receives the gift should show some sort of gratitude.  We should show thanks when we receive a gift.  We also like to see the gift being put to use.  Have you ever given a gift to someone and the gift is not ever used?  We should make use of gifts we receive.  But how about God?  Does He bestow gifts and is never thanked for what He has given?  Did you thank God today for giving you another day?  Did you thank Him for giving you life?  We need to thank God for all the gifts He gives to us on a daily basis.  Do we use the gifts which have been given to us?  Do we use these gifts selfishly or do we use our gifts for the glory of God?   Put your God-given gifts to good use.  Make a point to bless others with your gift just as God has blessed you.  

Please make a point to join us for Mass on Sunday.  St. Margaret Church gathers together each and every Sunday at 10:30 am.  We worship at the beautiful Chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Join us as we listen to the Word of God found in the King James Version of the Bible.  We use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.  And receive the Most Precious Body and Blood of Our Saviour at Communion time.   We are all busy.  We all lead busy lives.  Take an hour out of your busy week and dedicate it to God.  Give that hour to God and spend it with Him.

First Sunday after Epiphany, January 11th, 2026

 

First Sunday after Epiphany, January 11th, 2026

Have you ever noticed very often when a teacher is checking to make sure the student's answer is correct, the teacher will not only look the answer, but will also want to know how you got  the answer?  In other words, the teacher wants to check what path you took to know the answer to the question.  I remember when I was young, going to elementary school, I remember asking the teacher how to spell a particular word and the teacher would respond:  "Look it up in the dictionary."  How are you going to look up a word in a dictionary if you don't know how to spell the word, I would wonder.  Well, the answer if obvious.  A good teacher will not only provide you with an answer but will provide you with the knowledge and the know-how to obtain an answer.  A good teacher, in other words, teaches you how to find out the answer to a question instead of simply giving you the answer.  This is because often times, in life, there are different ways to find the answer that we are looking for.

In the Second chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke, we hear the story of when Our Blessed Saviour was left behind in the Temple.  And St. Luke tells us that when Our Lady and St. Joseph returned to Jerusalem to find their Son, they found the Divine Child in the Temple, "sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions." (Chapter 2:46)  After Our Lady approaches her Son and tells Him that they were worried and looking for Him, the Divine Child responds:  "How is it that ye sought me?"  (Chapter 2:49)   As pointed out above, a teacher may ask the path you took to find the answer.  Our Lord often asks us the same question.  He wants to find out what path we took to find Him.  So often in life, people look for God in so many different places.  Sometimes the path we take to find happiness takes us down a wrong path.  Sometimes we end up feeling lost and miserable.  Often, when we think we have found happiness, we end up not feeling as satisfied as we thought that we were.  As a Christian, we realize that God is our ultimate happiness.  Other things that we think will bring us happiness and joy . . .  whether it be drink, or drugs, or money, or wealth, or honor in the eyes of the world . . . these things only give us contentment for a short time.  God, we know, gives us everlasting contentment.   Only God brings everlasting joy and contentment.  What path have you followed to find God?  Have you searched for Him in your longing to find joy and contentment in earthly possessions?  Things of the world never bring everlasting joy.  Only a true, dedicated, committed, personal relationship with God will bring us true satisfaction.  Give Him your heart.  Make Him the King and Ruler of your life.

Please make a point to join us for Mass on Sunday.  St. Margaret Church gathers together each and every Sunday at 10:30 am.  We worship at the beautiful Chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Join us as we listen to the Word of God found in the King James Version of the Bible.  We use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.  And receive the Most Precious Body and Blood of Our Saviour at Communion time.   We are all busy.  We all lead busy lives.  Take an hour out of your busy week and dedicate it to God.  Give that hour to God and spend it with Him.

Second Sunday after Christmas, January 4th, 2026

 

Second Sunday after Christmas, January 4th, 2026

I have no doubt whatsoever but I am convinced that everyone goes through the same, exact struggle at the beginning of a new year:  specifically we are unsure of which year to write.  We know it's a brand new year but we continue to write the last year instead of the new 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 "2025" instead of "2026."   Obviously, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why this is a problem for many of us.  We do it because we are "creatures of habit."  We do things over and over again and get in a habit 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:  waking 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."

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.

Please make a point to join us for Mass on Sunday.  St. Margaret Church gathers together each and every Sunday at 10:30 am.  We worship at the beautiful Chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Join us as we listen to the Word of God found in the King James Version of the Bible.  We use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.  And receive the Most Precious Body and Blood of Our Saviour at Communion time.   We are all busy.  We all lead busy lives.  Take an hour out of your busy week and dedicate it to God.  Give that hour to God and spend it with Him.

Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28th, 2025

 

Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28th, 2025

In the Gospel for today's Mass (St. Matthew, Chapter two) in commemoration of the Feast of the Holy Innocents, the scene unfolds before us: The angel appears in a dream to St. Joseph and tells him in no uncertain terms to take Our Lady and the Child Jesus to safety, saying to him:  "Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt . . . ."  The reason for this urgency is because Herod was angry.   "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem . . . . "  Herod was beyond angry.  In fact, Herod was scared, quite frankly.  He was scared that the Messiah had finally come and would replace him of his kingship.    St. Joseph did as he was directed by the angel and fled into Egypt along with St. Mary and the Child Jesus.   St. Joseph is always such a good teacher for us.  In this case, the lesson that we can learn from St. Joseph is to always take God with you no matter where you are going.  You see, if we get into the habit of having God with us wherever we go, we will always be in good company no matter the situation we find ourselves in.  In this case, St. Joseph was in the company of Our Lady and the Child Jesus.  What better company could he have chosen?  We are known by the company that we keep.  Thus, if we get in the habit of keeping company with Our Blessed Saviour, we know that He will never steer us wrong.  Our Saviour makes the best company, . . .  the best friend,  . . . the best counselor,  . . .  When we get in the habit of travelling with Our Blessed Saviour we know that we will always go in the direction that He wants us to go in.  Even when danger or trial or tribulation faces us, just as it did in today's Gospel passage, take God as your travelling companion.  He will always keep you close to Him and never leave you alone.

Please make a point to join us for Mass on Sunday.  St. Margaret Church gathers together each and every Sunday at 10:30 am.  We worship at the beautiful Chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Join us as we listen to the Word of God found in the King James Version of the Bible.  We use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.  And receive the Most Precious Body and Blood of Our Saviour at Communion time.   We are all busy.  We all lead busy lives.  Take an hour out of your busy week and dedicate it to God.  Give that hour to God and spend it with Him.

Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 21sr, 2025

 

Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 21st, 2025

Human beings seem to exaggerate at times.  This is their way of making a point or to emphasize something.  For example, if you are anything like me you might say something like:  "I am ALWAYS looking for my car keys!"   . . .  . or  .. . . . "I am ALWAYS paying bills!" . . . . or  . . . . "I am ALWAYS doing laundry!"   We say to ourselves or to others that we are "always" doing something to emphasize that we are constantly doing something"  "I'm ALWAYS tripping over that rug!"  Well, in today's epistle from Philippians 4:4 ff, we hear:  "Rejoice in the Lord always and I again I say rejoice!"  This is certainly good advice for us human beings because, it seems to me, that human beings complain an awful lot.  We like to either complain about our lot in life or focus on the negative.  Now, don't get me wrong, certainly if we look around there are things to complain about:  unemployment . . .  bills . . . . family or loved ones being sick . . . . crime . . . .  etc.  Yes, if we make the point to look for negative things in general or specifically in our own life we will find them.  But if this is true, then the "opposite" would be true as well:  we need to make a point to look for the positive things in our life as well.  Just as there are negative things that we could find in our life, there are just as many . . .  . . no, there are more  . . . .  positive things we could find in our life, if we only make a point to look for them.  And when we find them, we should rejoice in them.

Advent is a season of anticipation, of preparation . . .  We are anticipating the coming of the Christ Child.  We are preparing for His birth on Christmas day.  But, unfortunately, our society has turned the month or so prior to Christmas into anticipating what gifts we will be getting or preparing for what stores to shop in and spend our money at.  While this is very nice, I'm sure, it also has caused great stress among people in regards to worrying about what to buy and anxiety over how to pay the bills.  A relationship with God gives us something to truly rejoice in . . . . a personal relationship with our Loving Saviour gives us something to truly be thankful for . . . . a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father gives us something to look forward to in life.    There is enough negative things that try to control our life.  Let's make the effort to focus more on the positive things in our life.  And the first thing that we should focus on is that God loves us and that Our Blessed Saviour forgave our sins by dying on the Cross for us.  This alone should cause us to  . . .  "Rejoice in the Lord always!"

Please make a point to join us for Mass on Sunday.  St. Margaret Church gathers together each and every Sunday at 10:30 am.  We worship at the beautiful Chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Join us as we listen to the Word of God found in the King James Version of the Bible.  We use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.  And receive the Most Precious Body and Blood of Our Saviour at Communion time.   We are all busy.  We all lead busy lives.  Take an hour out of your busy week and dedicate it to God.  Give that hour to God and spend it with Him.

Third Sunday in Advent, December 14th, 2025

 

Third Sunday in Advent, December 14th, 2025

When St. John the Baptist was in prison.  He sent two of his disciples to inquire of Our Blessed Saviour:  "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" (St. Matthew 11:3)  Now if you read this passage it would almost sound like St. John is not sure and he wants to find out definitely.  And yet I would contend that St. John the Baptist has an ulterior motive in sending his two disciples to Our Lord.  He sent his disciples so that they could see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears.  He was already sure that the Messiah had come into the world.  He knew this through faith.  He knew this through a personal relationship with God.  He knew this through his commitment to God.  

Advent reminds us of the three ways in which Our Blessed Saviour comes to us.   The first way has already taken place.  On that first Christmas Day over two-thousand years ago Our Lord came to the world as a small, innocent Baby born in Bethlehem.  Although to our eyes He appeared as a small, innocent baby, we know through faith that this truly was the long-awaited Messiah of the world.  The second way Our Lord comes to us in in Blessed Sacrament.  Our Lord tells us in the Sixth Chapter of the Gospel of St. John:  "For the bread of God is He which cometh down from Heaven, and giveth life unto the world." (6:33)  Our Lord did come down from Heaven to give life to this world.  Our Lord continues in Verse 51 of this chapter:  "I am the living bread which came down from Heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."  Our Lord comes to us in the form of Bread and Wine when we receive Him at Communion time.  He feeds us.  He nourishes us.  He sustains us.  The third way in which Our Blessed Saviour will come to us is at the Second Coming.  We know He will appear to us at that Last Day.  He will appear to us in all His Majesty and All His Glory!  The Holy Season of Advent reminds us to be on the look-out.  Advent reminds us to prepare.  Advent reminds us to make our hearts ready. 

Please make a point to join us for Mass on Sunday.  St. Margaret Church gathers together each and every Sunday at 10:30 am.  We worship at the beautiful Chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Join us as we listen to the Word of God found in the King James Version of the Bible.  We use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.  And receive the Most Precious Body and Blood of Our Saviour at Communion time.   We are all busy.  We all lead busy lives.  Take an hour out of your busy week and dedicate it to God.  Give that hour to God and spend it with Him.