Spirit of the Eagle – November 2019
Spirit of the Eagle
St. John the Evangelist ACC
Spiritual Tidbits & Rector’s Reflections for
November 2019 from Father Tim
November, the month of Thanksgiving and Praise has arrived once again. The month of November is dedicated at its beginning to All Saints (1st) and All Souls (2nd), the former celebrating all saints known and unknown, the latter celebrating those who are in the Intermediate State, or Paradise. Holy Church believes and teaches that few who die in Christ are immediately fit to enter heaven and gaze at God. There is a need for preparation, and of further purifying and spiritual development, after death. The working of God’s grace in man leads us to expect that the growth in holiness will be gradual beyond death, as it is in life here, and that those in the Paradise will pass in an orderly progression from glory to glory. As we come to the end of the Church year, we are asked to consider the end times, our own as well as the world’s. Recently I am sure you noticed the Bradford pear trees beside our church along O’Fallon came to their end times. Bradford pears are not considered long-lasting trees. Their fast-growing limbs have no strong central branch and the rapid growth leads to weak wood. These conditions lead to the branches splitting and the tree becoming an eyesore after as little as 15 years. I think ours must have been closer to 30 years old. Their spring flowers have a harsh smell and the trees shed small, terrible, sticky fruits in the fall (as we who parked our cars under them know all too well), thus it’s best to plant them away from sidewalks and garden paths (which our forefathers did not do). The Vestry will be investigating replacement trees as we begin sidewalk repairs. If our daily lives end up comparable to Bradford pears, we now know from first hand experience with our former trees that, at best, we will produce harsh sins and, at worst, bad fruit. We will not be fit to enter heaven or see God, and we will be grateful for further purifying and spiritual development. I pray your November begins with “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God,” and that each day you “bringeth forth good fruit” simply by imitating Jesus the Christ.” ~ Father Tim
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The New Testament writers speak as if Christ’s achievement in rising from the dead was the first event of its kind in the whole history of the universe. He is the ‘first fruits,’ the pioneer of life,’ He has forced open a door that has been locked since the death of the first man. He has met, fought, and beaten the King of Death. Everything is different because He has done so. ~ C. S. Lewis, Miracles, ch. 16
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Is there someone in your life who could benefit from thanksgiving and praise? Are they producing harsh sins and bad fruit to please the world around them? November is a beautiful month to invite someone to visit St. John’s. Could this November bring growth of holiness to someone you cherish? Maybe an invitation to observe our Annual Meeting and fellowship as a church family? Help someone experience a true commitment by helping them begin their own spiritual pilgrimage — which leads to the Holy Cross. ~ Father Tim
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Oh, God, to know you is life. To serve You is freedom. To praise you is the soul’s joy and delight. Guard me with the power of Your grace here and in all places. Now and at all times, forever. Amen. ~ St. Augustine
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November Spirituality Class
In November we will be continuing our transitional class with both Spirituality and Bible Study. The class in November will cover our cancelled October class material, Revelation chapter 2:12-17 The Letter to the Church at Pergamum. The study of God’s word is central to the life and mission of our parish church of St. John the Evangelist. Please join us after Holy Mass on the 24th of November for an engaging, dynamic, and informative exploration of the Holy Scriptures. All are welcome, but be warned: continued exposure to God’s word will change your life.
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St. John November Ordo Kalendar
Sunday, the 3rd of Nov. at 10:30 AM, we celebrate Trinity XX, Vestry Meeting
Sunday, the 10th of November at 10:30 AM, we celebrate Trinity XXI
Sunday, the 17th of Nov. at 10:30 AM, we celebrate Trinity XVIII, Annual Meeting
Sunday, the 24th of Nov. at 10:30 AM, we celebrate Sunday Next Before Advent, Bible Study
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November Birthdays & Anniversaries
Elsie Sams – Birthday – November 10
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Christian meets two more ill-fated pilgrims as he continues his expedition down the King’s Highway. His ability to discern a false pilgrim has been advanced since his experience with Simple, Sloth, and Presumption.
Christian immediately focuses on three things that seem out of place. First, the tumbling over the wall called Salvation without coming through Christ, the narrow gate, or experiencing any illumination by the Holy Spirit immediately warns Christian that these are trespassers. Second, their testimony of having come from the land of Vain-Glory warns Christian that they are neither humble nor burdened by sin. Third, their wish to arrive at Mt. Zion to receive praise rather than to give praise to the only one worthy of praise alarms Christian. Christian quickly discerns that the motives of Formalist and Hypocrisy are unworthy and contemptuous. ~ John Bunyon, Pilgrim’s Progress
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In the words, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you,” Jesus Christ taught that the Christian ministry is derived from above, and not from below. Of the Christian ministry, as well as that of the Jewish Church, the words of God are true, — ” I have given your priest’s office unto you.” The term clergy is now used in speaking of the Christian priesthood. This word signifies those upon whom the sacred lot has fallen,— those chosen by God to a sacred office. The clergy are not only the organs of the people, they are much more than this; they are the duty to represent God to the people as his ambassadors. An ambassador is one who represents the king who sends him. The clergy can say, — ” We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us : we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
It is most important to notice this. The members of parliament who govern our land, receive their authority from below, — from those who choose them as their representatives: they represent the people. But the ministers of the Church receive their authority by commission from Jesus Christ, whom they represent. They are the messengers, watchmen, and stewards of the Lord. Thus the authority of the priesthood of the Church of God is derived from above. The clergy are sent by God to the people. Every minister of the true Church can say, — Christ has sent me to represent him: I speak and act for him: I am his minister: I am come to minister “in the person of Christ.” It is important also to notice that when Christ sends men to be his representatives, He does not part with his power; He only puts it forth. When the deputies of the king administer law in distant lands, they do not dethrone the king; they maintain and exercise his authority. It is so with the Christian ministry. Christ keeps the power in his own hands, putting it forth by means of his ministers. This truth gives the explanation of the old saying, ubi sacerdos, ibi Christus, i.e., where the priest is, there is Christ. The very greatness of the claim of the clergy to act ‘in the person of Christ,’ is their safe guard against pride. What room is there for self-exaltation in a system in which self is merged and lost in another, and in which the man fades and the Lord is more and more? The priesthood must never lose sight of St.Paul’s teaching, — “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”~ Vernon Staley, The Catholic Religion, A Manual of Instruction for Members of the Anglican Church
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A big ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped make the annual Bishop’s Visit a success! Bishop Starks celebrated a beautiful Mass and the fellowship afterward in the parish hall was wonderful. Don’t forget our Annual Parish Meeting on the 17th of November!!! This is an important Sunday to attend and help set the direction of our parish for 2020. Lunch will be provided.
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The greatest saint in the world is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives alms, or is most eminent for temperance, chastity or justice. It is he who is most thankful to God. ~ William Law
Thou who has given so much to me, give one thing more: a grateful heart. ~ George Herbert
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The seeking of Jesus Christ, and the quest for chivalry combined, lead directly to one place only: Anglican-Catholicism. Courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help and defend the weak and the poor. Welcome to the Anglican Catholic Church. ~ Father Timothy Butler