Reflections from your Co-Pastors
August 18, 2020
“What you see is what you get!” -- Jesus could have said this to Peter. What might you answer?
Looking towards next week’s Gospel reading (Matt 16:13) what if, after Peter answered Jesus’ question of “Who do you say that I am,” Jesus added, “What you see is what you get.” In other words, I am who you think I am: I am who you perceive me to be. Beauty is in the mind of the beholder!
Every once in a while, I think of our Pastor call committee, those community members who were responsible for interviewing candidates for the position of Pastor of Mary of Magdala. Both that committee and my Discernment Committee were intensely focused and challenging. I don’t think too much was left on the table, surely not for the inquisitive and diverse Discernment Committee. I am blessed to have spent such meaningful time with members of both committees. I got to know some you, at least a little more.
During this intense interviewing time, what became clear through the questioning, is
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another question “Who do you say that I, Jane, am?” In New Jersey, we say, “What you see is what you get!” Another way of asking, “Who do you say that I am? It’s up to you how you perceive me. Here’s an occasion for you to look at Jesus in this Gospel and answer for yourself.
So, I pose this question to you in anticipation of next week’s Gospel: When Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am,” how might you answer our Christ?
Our community has asked for more interactive homilies so please send your response, regardless of how it sounds, to me at Mary of Magdala. Have no fear, all responses will remain anonymous.
For your pondering at a later time: Following your answer to yourself, your inner self, what does Christ ask of you next?
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Our Service Recordings and More
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During the service we honored Sister Thea Bowman, a Catholic nun, teacher, poet, singer and scholar. She became an evangelist among her people, assisted in the production of an African American hymnal, and was a popular speaker on faith and spirituality in her final years. She helped found the National Black Sisters Conference to provide support for African-American women in Catholic religious institutes. Bowman has been designated a ”Servant of God” on the path to canonization.
Biographical information:
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Community Prayer Requests
Please pray for -
The peaceful repose of the soul of David Heyman and comfort for his wife, MaryAnne, and their family.
Jim DeMuth and family for the loss of his sister, Pat DeMuth. For Jennifer Pfeister and family for the passing of her father, Bill McClellan.
For Courtney, daughter of Jean and Tom Christen. Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe. For the continued recovery of Linda Joyce. The Kent family whose Mother Teri (community member) and Father recently passed.
Dona Bosse - community member. Julie Schoenbauer and family for the passing of her father and for the family of Edwin White, brother-in-law of Pastor Jane.
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For the peaceful repose of the souls of Bill, Greg, and Calvin - friends of Deacon Rosean. .
For Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother. For Dani - Niece of the Cloyds. Mary Crosby – parishioner. For Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones and Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll. For Lynne Barnes and family.
And Leo Six – father of Michael Six, Mike Gudim, Margie Weitz, Suzanne King, Robert Browell.
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For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our webpage and other videos are located here.
Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection
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