August 12, 2008

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

The athletes competing in the Olympic Games in Beijing are amazing to watch because of their great ability and grace. They can compete at this high level because they have devoted many years of practice to refine their skills. Many have overcome injury and other obstacles to achieve their goals. They are an example to us of the courage and persistence needed to follow the teachings of Christ.

THEME FOR THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

At times we may wonder if God hears our prayers. We may feel discouraged as we cope with illness and other disappointments. Like the athletes at the Olympic games we need to be courageous and persistent in our spiritual journey. The Canaanite woman in today's Gospel passage is a powerful example of persistence in prayer. Like her, we need to persevere in our relationship with God. In the Collect, we pray: "Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

In the reading from Genesis, Joseph meets his brothers again — the brothers who had sold him into slavery. Now Joseph has a powerful position in Pharaoh's court that he uses to provide food for his brothers. He said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt." (Genesis 45:1-15)

Psalm 133 is a beautiful song about reconciliation after estrangement: "Oh, how good and pleasant it is, when brethren live together in unity! It is like fine oil upon the head that runs down upon the beard, Upon the beard of Aaron, and runs down upon the collar of his robe. It is like the dew of Hermon that falls upon the hills of Zion. For there the LORD has ordained the blessing: life for evermore."

In the reading from Romans, Paul affirms the covenant of God with the Jewish people: "I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32)

In the Gospel from Matthew a Canaanite woman encounters Jesus and asks for a cure for her daughter. At first Jesus turns her away, saying, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly. (Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28)

The Canaanite woman was courageous and persistent. She is a powerful example of how we need to persevere in prayer, especially when we are discouraged and tempted to give up. The risen Christ is present in the Holy Eucharist to give us strength to face the challenges of each day. Please join us for worship this Saturday at 5 pm, Sunday at 10:30 am, and Sunday at 6 pm.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

* * * * *

Worship Services for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, August 16-17, 2008
Saturday, August 16, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Valerie Bailey Fischer
Sunday, August 17, at 10:30 am - Preacher: The Rev. Valerie Bailey Fischer
Sunday, August 17, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Valerie Bailey Fischer

* * * * *

EVENTS at All Saints Parish

• For a schedule of worship services, please click here.
• For information about the Men's Group that meets on September 20, please click here.
• For information about the Beacon Street Fellowship and their website and blog for those in their 20s and 30s, please click here.
• To see the current issue of Saints Alive, our newsletter, please click here.

We want your feedback!

Please tell us :

• if you find All Saints Weekly a helpful spiritual resource
• if you have trouble seeing this email or opening the links
• or if you do not wish to receive this e-newsletter.

Please let Barbara know at office@allsaintsbrookline.org. THANK YOU!