March 12, 2007
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
This year our Lenten Reflection Booklet is helping us to look at how we use time. We are being called to recover the ancient practice of keeping the Sabbath and to do something which is truly counter-cultural, namely to set aside one twenty-four hour period during Lent when we will keep a holy Sabbath. This "Sabbath day" could be a Saturday or Sunday or whenever we can set aside time. By entering into the Sabbath we will be led to a closer union with God and a deeper understanding of ourselves and our purpose in life.
THEME FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
The readings emphasize the mercy of God. In the first reading from Joshua, the Israelites recall God's mercy that led them through the desert and across the Jordan to the holy land. God fed the people with manna during their sojourn in the desert. Now in the new land, God feeds them with the produce of the earth.
Psalm 34 proclaims God's mercy that rescues one from distress: "I called in my affliction and the LORD heard me and saved me from all my troubles. . . .Taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are they who trust in God!"
In the epistle to the Corinthians, Paul describes how one is transformed by God's mercy: "If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
The Gospel passage is the famous parable of the Prodigal Son. It could also more accurately be called the parable of the Prodigal Father since the father in the story is prodigal in his extravagant forgiveness of the wayward son. Many believe that this parable is the purest insight into the mercy and goodness of God, since the Father holds no grudges and rejoices in the son's return.
The Gospel account is very moving: "But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe--the best one--and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate."
Lent is a season of mercy. God is calling us back even if we feel unworthy. God's goodness seems to be "too much", too extravagant, prodigal -- but this is who Jesus says our God is. Therefore, in confidence we can return to our loving God knowing that we will be welcomed, healed, and restored.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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The Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 17-18, 2007
Sermon:
Saturday, March 17, at 5:00 pm: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, March 18, at 10:30 am: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, March 18, at 6:00 pm: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
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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 18, the topic is Israel and Palestine. The Rev. Judith Stuart, Episcopal Chaplain at Boston College and Northeastern University and Priest Associate at All Saints, will give a power point presentation of her trip to Israel and Palestine with Bishop Shaw and students from our diocese.
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.
Sabbath Weekend March 24-25
For information on the All Saints Sabbath weekend, please click here for more information. For information on keeping the Sabbath, click here.
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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