March 7, 2007
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
During Lent God calls us to draw closer in love and faithful service. The Lenten Reflection Booklet, mailed to parishioners and available at the parish, is a wonderful opportunity to reflect each day on an aspect of our spiritual relationship with the Holy One. As part of your spiritual practice during Lent, I invite you to join us for the Holy Eucharist every Wednesday at 10:30 am and 6:15 pm.
THEME FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
The parable in this Sunday's Gospel passage has been called the parable of the second chance. Even if we have not been steady in our practice of the faith in the past, God calls us again to take up the spiritual path.
In the Collect we pray: "Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
The reading from Exodus is the magnificent passage about Moses and burning bush: "The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, 'I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.' When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.' Then he said, 'Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.' He said further, 'I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God." Then God gave Moses the mission to free the people of Israel from their slavery in Egypt and bring them to a new land, "a land flowing with milk and honey."
Psalm 103 sings God's praises as the One "full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness" who cares for us "as a father cares for his children."
Paul's letter to the Corinthians encourages us to stand strong in the faith when we are tempted and tested. "No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."
In the Gospel passage from Luke, Jesus tells a parable of a supposedly dead fig tree that the owner wants cut down. However the gardener intercedes: "Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down." This has been called the parable of the second (and third and umpteenth) chance. The parable is an invitation for us to respond to God's compassion and forgiveness now - no matter how we may have failed in the past.
At times we, like Moses and the burning bush, may feel overwhelmed by our encounter with the Living God. Or God may speak to us in subtle hints as we notice a tree blowing in the winter wind and wonder if it is alive or dead; spring will tell. In ways subtle and not so subtle God seeks to enliven us and bring forth new life in us in this Lenten season.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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The Third Sunday in Lent, March 10-11, 2007
Sermon:
Saturday, March 10, at 5:00 pm: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, March 11, at 10:30 am: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, March 11, at 6:00 pm: The Rev. David A. Killian
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Please join us for the Global Awareness Series, Sundays at 9:00-10:15 am in the Guild Room.
On Sunday, March 11, the topic is the Gulf Coast. Rob Young, Volunteer with the Diocesan Katrina Relief Task Force, will report on his trips to the Gulf Coast and diocesan efforts to assist people devastated by Hurricane Katrina. All Saints Parishioners Karen McIntosh, Mina Vahedi, and the Rev. David Killian will share their experiences helping people in Biloxi, Mississippi, rebuild after the hurricanes
Not Your Father's St. Patrick's Day ... On Friday, March 16 at 8:00 pm, please join us for a special St. Patrick's event with Kevin O'Hara and Aine Minogue. Please click here for more information
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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