Reflection from your Co-Pastors
September 17, 2020
The Gospel of Luke 7: 36-50
How do you feel when someone forgives you?
For your unkind words said in anger… for your poor decision which affected the life of others… for your lack of compassion… for your inability to be free of an addiction... or for just being an imperfect human being…
As humans, we tend to behave in ways that surely need forgiveness from time to time. That's a given.
In today's gospel a "sinful" woman enters the home of Simon, a Pharisee, where Jesus is present. She begins to cry tears that fall on Jesus' feet. She washes his feet with her tears and dries them with her hair. She kisses his feet and then she anoints them with an aromatic ointment. Simon is distressed by this, thinking, "If this man was a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner." Jesus knows what Simon is thinking yet tells the woman "Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you, go in peace."
Jesus then instructs Simon that "The one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." Imagine if all our misguided words and actions were met with only punishment, rejection, and withdrawal of love. How would we expand our own capacity to love?
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After my divorce in 1981, I took a "sabbatical" from church that lasted quite a few years.
During that time, I remember sitting alone in the sanctuary every Tuesday just praying and talking to the Divine Presence. When I finally returned to church, I made an appointment with the priest to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I entered in tears. I began with "Bless me Father for I have sinned…" and I poured out the burden that had been on my heart. The priest listened. The priest consoled. The priest affirmed my faith. And then the priest said, "For your penance I want you to meditate on the infinite forgiveness of our Lord."
In that moment, I felt my heart expand.
So today, in gratefulness and thanksgiving, let us all spend some time meditating on the infinite forgiveness of our Lord, Jesus the Christ.
Amen
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Image "The Anointing" by Laurie Gudim |
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Schedule - Sunday Services
Sept 20- Father Teri; 5:00 pm ZOOM
Sept 27 - Pastor Jane; Outdoor Service at 11:00 am
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If inclement weather, we will host a Zoom service at 11:00 am. No 5:00 pm service
Oct 4 - Father Teri; 5:00 pm ZOOM
Oct 11 - Deacon Rosean; 5:00 p ZOOM
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Read the summer 2020 edition of 'The Journey Shared'
A quarterly newsletter from the Rocky Mountain Region of the ECC. Click HERE to read
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Participate in Social Justice Efforts Benefiting our Local Community
Read about all the current opportunities to participate in Social Justice efforts posted in Friday's announcements |
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Community Prayer Requests
For Lauren Roob entering into new cancer treatment- friend of Rosanna Bateman.
Healing prayers for Dianna Padilla, sister of Lisa Jones, who underwent surgery for cancer. For Liz and Ken Zornes and family, friends of Sandra and Dick Life, whose daughter is struggling with addiction.
For Courtney, daughter of Jean and Tom Christen. Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe.
For the continued recovery of Linda Joyce. For Dona Bosse - community member and Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother.
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For Dani - Niece of the Cloyds and Mary Crosby – parishioner. For Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones and Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll. And Leo Six – father of Michael Six, Mike Gudim, Margie Weitz, Suzanne King, Robert Browell.
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For peaceful repose for the souls of those who've passed and comfort for the families.
Bob - Husband of Joyce Dehaven,
friend of Cathy Engels
David Heyman - member
Teri Kent - member
Pat DeMuth -sister of Jim DeMuth, member
Bill McClellan - Father of Jennifer Pfeister, member
Father of Julie Shoenbauer, member
Edwin White - brother in law of Pastor Jane
Bill, Greg, and Calvin -
friends of Deacon Rosean
And for Ted Boltz and comfort for Fr. Frank Quintana and family - an ECC Pastor of St. Oscar Romero, ECC in Albuquerque.
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Discovery and Perspective
An open discussion of scripture
Join in conversation and connection weekly with Pastor Jane
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Our Service Recordings and More
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#BLACKLIVESMATTER
Sunday we remembered Philando Castile, a 34 year old killed by police in 2016. After informing police he had a registered gun on his person he was shot.
Castile’s case highlights the injustice and racial prejudice in traffic stops for Black Americans. According to an NPR analysis, Castile had been stopped a total of 46 times — almost all of which were related to fairly minor traffic violations. His case also highlights the injustice in gun ownership laws for Black Americans. Gun owners are obligated to inform police that they have a weapon, yet Black owners are more often shot upon revealing this information. Today we pray for Philando and his loved ones. May he rest in power. Black lives matter.
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Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal
What are our partners in ministry here up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
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For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection
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