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Reflections from your Pastors

Tuesday, August 24


John 1: 47-49

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,

"Here is a true child of Israel.

There is no duplicity in him."

Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?"

Jesus answered and said to him,

"Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."

Nathanael answered him,

"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."

 

Nathanael asks Jesus, “How do you know me?” And Jesus answers, “Before Phillip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Jesus' seemingly mundane response sets off nothing less than an explosion of faith: 'Rabbi, You are the Son of God. You are King of Israel!'


This answer from Jesus has always baffled me, and I have often let my imagination loose on what exactly was Nathanael doing under the fig tree that would have identified him as a “true child of Israel” and a man in which “there is no duplicity.” How could the words “I saw you under the fig tree,” convince the skeptic Nathanael that Jesus was indeed the Messiah?


I decided to turn to Judaism for some answers on this passage and this is what I learned:


The term "under the fig tree" is an ancient Jewish idiom that means studying the messianic prophecies and meditating on scripture. The idiom stems from Micah 4:4, in a passage describing the future messianic kingdom: “Each of them will sit under his vine, and under his fig tree.”


It is presumed that Nathanael spent many hours under the fig tree in prayer with Scripture, was thoroughly familiar with its entirety, both the Law and the prophets, and understood that the Messiah had been promised and was coming.


The fig tree was a common place for prayer, especially for young rabbinic students, which Nathanael may well have been. Fig leaves provide shelter from the searing rays of the sun and the pounding rain during a downpour. Similarly, the many leaves in the canopy overhead represent the protection that the Mosaic Law provides to those who stay under it and abide by it. If Nathanael was specifically under a fig tree when Philip called him, chances are he was in prayer. This is an interesting fact, but it still does not fully explain the drama of the story. The final piece of the puzzle involves first-century rabbis' teaching about prayer. The Jewish believer was taught that “he who, when he prays, does not pray for the coming of the Messiah, has not prayed at all.”


Thus, if Nathanael had been at prayer, chances are he was praying for the Messiah. Perhaps this is why Jesus refers to him as a true Israelite; his faith was focused on waiting for the Coming. When Jesus tells Nathanael that he saw him under the fig tree, the implication is (and it is just an implication) that Nathanael put two and two together in his mind. Only one person could have known, could have heard his solitary prayer for the Messiah: the Messiah Himself! As the pieces fall together in his heart and mind, Nathanael finds himself on his knees. The true Israelite declares Jesus is the King.


Like Nathanael, it is good for us to reserve a block of time to be in the shade of the fig tree, (or in Colorado, perhaps a Cottonwood or an Aspen) to get away from people and our tasks, break away from the regular routine, sit down alone, be quiet, eliminate distractions, and spend quality time with God, not just speaking but also listening. Fig tree time can also be an excellent opportunity to read the Bible or do other spiritual reading. The options are many. The need is critical. The urgency is high. The time is now. If we sit under the fig tree, Jesus will see us, know us, and when he does, he will be well pleased.


Amen

Mother Rosean

Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash

Adapted from Judeo-Christian Research

This Week at Mary of Magdala

It’s time to Reserve a "Table for 4"

For September/October


Please consider trying this opportunity to get to know other members of Mary of Magdala in smaller groups.



  • To participate, select the RESERVE TABLE button below or call 970 224-0297.
  • Reservations are due September 5th.


If you are not aware of Table for 4: It is an opportunity for MoM members to meet in smaller groups to get to know one another a little better. Participants are put into a group of 4 and they decide whether to go out to breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, drinks, etc.


Each Table will meet one time during the two month period. Table for 4 is open to singles and couples. You do not need to join every time reservations are open... only when it fits into your schedule.


Table for 4 will be offered FOUR times a year: January/February, March/April, May/June, September/October.

Reserve Your Table

Support and Relief Efforts for Maui


Here is a suggestion of Bishop Fitzpatrick, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii, for the best ways to support relief efforts for the fires in Hawaii.


  • The Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii is coordinating immediate diocesan relief efforts to the Lahaina Fire disaster through the Diocese’s A CUP OF COLD WATER (ACCW) (a non-profit organization of the Diocese that serves the houseless on Maui). 


Make an online donation through the Bishop’s Pastoral Fund on the website of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii (the funds will be gathered and sent to ACCW).

Request for Prayers

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Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times



+Grandneice of Father Michael Nicosia

+Linda Browell, member

+Sandra Carter, friend of Mary Vogel

+Franke Lonergan, friend of Cathy Engel

+Kris Jenkins, wife of Father Scott Jenkins


+Jen Banks, friend of Mary of Magdala

+Francisco Cruz Antonio, friend of Rev. Jane

+Yvonne Keefe, member

+Jo Anne, friend of Sandra Life, member

+Grace Robinson, member


+Jerry Padilla, father of member Lisa Jones

+Janessa and Hayden, sister and niece of Jen Banks

+Kelani, Grandniece, Daughter Rachel, and Ted, family of Mary Lou Devlin, member.

+Richard Keith, friend of Janet Seahorn, member



+Betty Jones, mother-in-law of Lisa Jones, member

+Lisa Moos, member

+Mickey Bogart, friend of Cathy Engel

+Jim Carroll, husband of member Dori Carroll

+ Mary Detweiller, member


_________


A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the friends and families.


+Josy Moos, Godmother of Tom Moos

+Fr. Fred Ball, OFR, ECC priest

+Bob Colhour, father of member Mark Colhour.


+Candy Palmer, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member

+Johnny Berlyn Thomas, friend and benefactor out of his own poverty, of Pastor Jane



+Linn Zink, friend of MoM, Social Justice advocate

+Fr Don Willet, from John XXIII

+Bishop McGrath - RC diocese of San Jose, Friend of Suzanne King


 +James Ryan cousin of Mary Lyons, member

+ Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother

+ Mother Sheila Dierks, ECC priest in Boulder

+Peter Marshall, brother of Margie Karuzas, member



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

Celebrating the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time


Celebrate with Mother Rosean Amaral presiding on August 20. You can view the video of readings and Mother Rosean's homily here.



Mass Schedule

Sunday Aug 27 at 12:30 pm

  • Rev. Jane Reina is presiding. In-person and with Zoom


Weekly Mass Wednesday, Aug 30 at

11:00 am

  • Weekly mass in the Fireside Room
  • No Zoom available


Sunday Sept. 3 at 12:30 pm

  • Father Teri Harron is presiding. In-person and with Zoom


Weekly Mass Wednesday, Sept 6at

11:00 am

  • Weekly mass in the Fireside Room
  • No Zoom available


Did you miss an article or announcement?

Past e-bulletins posted here



  • ECC House of Laity, NEWSLETTER, August 2023, read here
  • Dedicating Altar Flowers? Contact Joan Stepleton at JoanStepleton@gmail.com or 864-650-2816. A $25 dollar donation is kindly requested.
  • The purpose of the Mary Magdalene Society is to financially support aspiring and current priests and encourage the development of youth in their spiritual journeys. Read more here.
  • The Summer newsletter from the Office of the Presiding Bishop of the Ecumenical Communion can be read here
  • To read the recent ECC House of Pastors' Newsletter, click here

Mary of Magdala Parish Community

All are invited and ALL are welcome to join our parish community.




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Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’

Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.


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.


The ECC Regional Website is now live - View here.

Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal  

Click here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin.