January 29, 2007

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Winter can be discouraging as we cope with freezing temperatures, ice and snow,colds and flu, and dark and overcast days. The apostles of Jesus also faced discouragement and obstacles. Today's Gospel urges us to put our trust in God and we will find help in our struggles and disappointments.

THEME FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY:

As we struggle with obstacles, we can confidently turn to God and ask for freedom from sin and from everything that would prevent us from accomplishing God's purpose in our lives. In today's Collect we pray: "Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen"

The reading from Judges describes a time when the people of Israel were discouraged because of military setbacks fighting the Midianites. The prophet Gideon complains, "the LORD has cast us off, and given us into the hand of Midian." Gideon receives encouragement that God will be with him and his tiny tribe and he will gain a victory.

In the epistle, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Paul speaks of himself as "one untimely born," "the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain." Paul affirms that God deserves the credit for any good that he accomplishes because "it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me."

In the Gospel passage from Luke, the disciples are discouraged after a night of fishing with no results. Jesus asks them to lower their nets again. Peter answers, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." Luke recounts, "When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats. . . ."

How often do we face difficulties, failure, and barriers - and think that we must overcome these obstacles by ourselves? How often do we feel that "we have worked all night long but have caught nothing"?  The message of the Gospels is that Christ is in the boat with us giving us the strength to "lower our nets again" and receive an abundant catch. This was the experience of Paul and the early Church who, although aware of their weaknesses, nevertheless accomplished much through the power of Christ in their lives.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

* * * * *

The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 3-4, 2007

Sermon:

For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, click here.

For a note on the Music at the Sunday 10:30 am service, from All Saints Music Director Donald Teeters, click here.

For a Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children's Youth, and Family Ministry, click here.

For a note on the Sunday 6:00 pm 'Episcopal Evening' service from Assistant Rector, the Rev. Leslie K. Sterling, click here.

To browse past issues of the All Saints Weekly, click here.

For "All Saints Smiles" and news about events, activities, programs, ministries and the staff of our parish, please click on the All Saints website: www.allsaintsbrookline.org.

Many thanks to June Santosa, design, Mary Downes, distribution, and the contributors above who produce the All Saints Weekly each week.

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