Reflection from your Co-Pastors
August 17, 2020
Matthew's Gospel 19:16-22
What do I Still Lack?
Here is a young man approaching Jesus with a question: "Teacher what good must I do to gain eternal life?" to which Jesus replies, "if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." Now that's a pretty clear answer. We are all acquainted with the ten commandments, as well as the additional command that Jesus left us in John's Gospel, to "love one another." If we keep all these, we are sure to have eternal life.
The young man tells Jesus that he has observed all the commandments and yet he asks, "What do I still lack?"
How many of us ask this question of ourselves? We have observed the commandments, we have loved our neighbors, we have worked toward compassion, love, mercy, forgiveness and justice for all, and yet we ask God, "What do I still lack?"
Well, surely, we could pursue more knowledge to further our spiritual growth and enhance our life as Christians. Or we
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could spend more time in prayer and contemplation deepening our relationship with the Divine. Perhaps we could give more to charities, or volunteer for programs that promote justice for all. All of these speak to our desire to follow Jesus.
Yet, it seems to me that the question "What do I still lack?" can be answered in one word: Trust.
For Jesus has told us that anyone who believes in him will have eternal life. (John 6:40)
So let us take count of our God-given gifts today, let us honor ourselves as made in the image of God, and let us think instead of abundance rather than lack. Our belief is in Jesus, the Christ, and He is the door to eternal life. You can trust that.
AMEN
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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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