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Reflections from our
Co-Pastors
January 19, 2023
Throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons we spoke of Christ Consciousness. Let’s pray that a raised consciousness of Christ becomes our mantra going forward.
Our understanding of the Incarnation, the unreserved, self-emptying and all-encompassing Love of God for all creation, helps us bring our consciousness and our Light in synchrony with that of the medieval mystics yet beyond the medieval theology of sin, punishment, retribution, and violence. Can we begin to grasp this? What a wonderful, and anxious, time to be alive!
Last Sunday’s readings were the 1965 Selma, Alabama speech by our martyred U.S. African-American prophet, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Gospel reading was the Baptism of Jesus by John with God appearing as a dove. The homily was presented by our own Ruth Alexander, History Professor Emerita, CSU. (Click here for video recording).
The 1st reading, parts of the speech given Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., jump started the civil rights movement. Civil rights…rights for all citizens somehow prevented through torture and death to people of color. Civil rights…do these rights need to be fought for by our own citizens…they are civil? Are we civil? What is the white problem with Black and Brown skin, with Black and Brown bodies? Our siblings in Christ put their bodies on the line, risking death, just by stepping outside their doors.
The Gospel reading is the Baptism of Jesus, water/dove/voice of God heard. A total body immersion into the water, a seeing and a hearing… a total body story. So how important are our bodies? Just ask anyone with a chronic illness, or anyone who says, “I’m not as young as I used to be,” or anyone with a non-white body. This gospel begins the ministry of Jesus and a ministry filled with bodies, sick/blind/crippled/bleeding/possessed/adulterous/young/old/in between.
Our God seems to be drawn to people on the margins. Today, immigrants from our southern border are making a march for their lives in some way similar to the one initiated by Dr. King. They live on the margins, nearly invisible.
Both readings are of Christ: Dr. King based his non-violence, life and leadership, on the teachings of Howard Thurman, African-American theologian and pastor, and Dr. Thurman’s book, Jesus and the Disinherited. Jesus begins his ministry with John baptizing him, with an affirmation of Jesus as ‘Beloved” of God, and with an infusion of the Spirit. So Christ is in everything, everyone, everywhere, across all time and all space.
“…human dignity is not just a theological concept or a way of being church: It has real-life consequences for how we engage with poverty – and with people who experience it – in the here and now.” (from Dignity, Agency, Power).
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Another way of saying it:
“Bidden or unbidden, God is present as heartbeat, as breath, as sunrise and sunset, as sustaining and suffering love, as dear friend rejected or embraced, God is present.
Bidden or unbidden, God is present as a people created from the dust who wrestle with reality and tell stories of their struggles, God is present.
Bidden or unbidden, God is present as slaves thrown out of Egypt and nearly drowned in the Sea called Red, as wanderers in the wilderness for forty years in search of the promise land, God is present.
Bidden or unbidden, God is present as prophet, lawgiver, and guide, as smoke and fire, God is present.
Bidden or unbidden, God is present as a new born baby in a distant land, as the one around whom angels and peasant shepherds and the beasts of the stable flock and hover in adoration, God is present.
Bidden or unbidden, God is present as a child growing up surrounded by the beauties of nature and the cruelties of empire, God is present.
Bidden or unbidden, God is present as a young rabbi washed by the waters of the Jordan and blessed by a voice in the wilderness, God is present.
Bidden or unbidden, God is present in eyes that are blind or can see, in ears that can hear and do not hear, in hearts opened by love or closed by fear and wrath, God is present.
Bidden or unbidden, God is present in accusing mob and fearful friends, in hardened and broken hearts, in disgraceful abandonment, death and darkness, God is present.
Bidden or unbidden, God is present at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end, at our birth, in our daily lives, in tragedy and celebrations, and at our death, God is present.
Bidden or unbidden, God is present.”
NOTE: VOCATUS ATQUE NON VOCATUS DEUS ADERIT (bidden or unbidden God is present) is commonly attributed to Carl Gustav Jung but it is actually a statement that Jung discovered among the Latin writings of Desiderius Erasmus, who declared the statement had been an ancient Spartan proverb. Jung popularized it, having it inscribed over the doorway of his house, and upon his tomb.
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This Week at Mary of Magdala | |
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Let’s celebrate +Pablo our new ECC Presiding Bishop
Join us Saturday, January 21st - 10:30 via Zoom
(Here is the Zoom link for the blessing service. Here is the worship aid.)
And together - live and on Zoom - we will;
- lay our hands on and bless Pablo;
- share how the ECC is life-giving to us;
- & name our mutual hopes.
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Social Group Meeting - Tonight
The meeting of the "Under 65 Group" (formerly Gen X and Millenials Group) will be tonight Thursday, January 19, 6-7:30pm - Rm 8 (at end of East wing of TLC)
This event is organized by Jared Orsi, Mary Vogl, and Steve Reising.
Image by John Hain from Pixabay
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Table for 4
Your table reservation is waiting for you.
It's time to make your reservation for a “Table for 4” for February.
Once you reserve a table the Hospitality Ministry will put you with other members to complete a Table for 4. You will receive an email notifying who is at your table. Contact each other to make a plan to get together once in February/March -- for example, over a meal, coffee, a hike or whatever you decide to do.
If you want to participate, select the RESERVE TABLE button below or call Joan at 970 224-0297 by January 25th.
Those who have participated so far have enjoyed getting to know other members of Mary of Magdala in a small group setting. We hope you can join the fun this time.
If you any questions please call Joan Chapman-Smith 970 224-0297
The next Table of 4 reservation will be in April.
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Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times
+ Jim Carroll, husband of member Dori Carroll
+Everly, five years old and Kiersten, friends of Lynne Barnes, member
+ Mary Detweiller, member
+ Peter, friend of Sharon Troyer
+ Sarah Reveron and her daughter, Aliana - niece and grandniece of Rev. Jane Reina
+ Uriah - grandson of Mother Rosean
+ Joanne Gallagher - member
+ Edward for healing and Marge for hope, relatives of Ruth Conley, member
A special prayer request from Jeff Akkerman - In finding new employment. "Please contact me if anyone has connections or knows of a business looking to fill an entry level position for Python programming, Data Science, or even web development." 805-216-0702
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+ Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother
+ Suzanne King - member-
+ Harry, 11 year canine companion to Gray La Fond.
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A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the friends and families.
+ Lee Yeazell, brother of Bruce Yeazell, member
+ Miles, young friend of Ted (nephew of the Devlin's, members)
+ Sherry Shead, wife of Tim Shead, administrator at Light of Christ
+Steve Muzikar, cousin of Co Pastor Jane
+Wendell Schwarz, brother of Sr. Mary Colleen, OSB
+ John Hynes - father of Rev. Jane's children
+ Mother of Bishop Kae Madden
+ Dennis Snyder. brother-in-law of Ruth Alexander, member
+ John Crowfoot, friend of Jean Christen, member
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Please send prayer requests to marymagdalafc@gmail.com. Prayers will be listed for one month unless requested for longer. Prayers for the repose of souls will be listed for six months unless requested for a longer time. | |
Service Recordings and More | |
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Sunday Mass January 15 2023 - Celebrating Dr Martin Luther King, and 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
A video recording of the readings and the homily given by Ruth Alexander are available here.
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Mass and Service Schedule | |
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Sunday January 22 12:30 pm
- 3rd Sunday Ordinary Time
- Mass at 12:30 pm (no 5pm Mass)
- Father Michael Nicosia presiding
Wednesday January 25 - 11:00 am
- In the Fireside Room
- No Zoom available
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Sunday January 29 12:30 pm
- Mass at 12:30 pm (no 5pm Mass)
- Bishop Kae Madden presiding
- Following Mass is a Update and Q&A with Bishop Kae
- Join us for pizza and beverages
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Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’
Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.
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The 301 Faith Partners--Mary of Magdala, Trinity Lutheran, St Paul's Episcopal --have a Vision, Mission and Values statement that guides our relationships, interactions, and shared projects and ministries.
Read about our Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.
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The ECC Regional Website is now live - View here.
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Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal
What are our partners in ministry up to? Click here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin.
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