Reflection from our Co-Pastors - October 14, 2021

Jesus’ Gentle Guidance 

This gospel reading this coming Sunday is from Mark 10: 32-45. I thought if you had time, you might want to begin reading and pondering it between now and Sunday. There are many facets, as always, in this reading. It is a testament to how complicated we humans are and how unaware we can be when we have our eyes set on some prize. Things are rarely as they seem.

The disciples have been with Jesus for quite a while now, a couple of years. They have left everything to follow him and again they don’t get it. James and John forcibly ask for the ‘gold card rewards,’ to sit on his right and on his left, to bask in his glory. They can’t even hear him when he talks about them suffering as he will suffer. They only see the glory and want to be first among all of the apostles and disciples. Doesn’t this sound like sibling rivalry? Their myopic enthusiasm results in chaos, bickering, arguing, competition.

It’s very interesting that even though they gloss over the reality of sharing in Jesus’ suffering, he continues talking about the left and right seats of honor: “… but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” There is another force at work here that is not Jesus, “…is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has
been prepared.” What thoughts does this raise? Already prepared and not to be earned, or already known who will earn or …?

And Jesus, the servant leader as always, leads the disciples and us to humble service, the opposite direction of our egos. No gold card here. Jesus calms down their anger: “Jesus called them all together and said, “You know the rulers of the Gentiles “lord” it over them, and their high officials wield power over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be servant of all. Even the Chosen One did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give up life that others might live.”

PS You might have noticed that our language at Mass no longer uses ‘Lord.’ As we draw close to the transformative power of language in the 21st C, and our theology of an expansive, loving God becomes more apparent, there may be more language changes as we move into 2022. 
Image by James Chan from Pixabay
Our October 2021 Calendar
Sunday Oct 17 - Mass at 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary and via Zoom link. Co-Pastor Reverend Jane Reina presiding

Sunday Oct 24 - Ordination of Dcn. Rosean Amaral to the priesthood at 2:00 pm. … or view live via our blessed virtual connection Zoom Browser Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4315028167
Zoom App Meeting ID: 431 5028 167

RSVP by October 16 to the in-Church Ordination Of Dcn Rosean Amaral to the Priesthood. If you are attending in person, please RSVP via this link


Sunday Oct 31 - Joint Service with our 301 Faith Partners; Trinity and St Paul's at 10:30 a.m. No In-sanctuary Service ONLY via Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89676164246?pwd=OWxUeFhSZHZaUklUdmRtcnUwY2VqUT09#success
No 5:00 pm Mass
Prayer Requests
Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times

+Harry -best friend for 11 years, praying for his healing - Gary Lafond
+Allison and Madison (Granddaughters); Cousin Nancy and Sister-in-law Judy - Dick and Sandra Life, members
+Estes Park Police Department - for processing the grief of a suicide within the department

+Dan Scace, Tom Dykers and Monte Bowthorpe - friends of Dick Life, member
+Charli - friend of Jean Christen, member
+Linda Joyce - member
+Joan Wershberger & Mary Etta Fothergill - friends of member Cathy Engel

+Abdel Illah - nephew of Mary Vogl, member
+Mickey Bogart - friend of Cathy Engel, member
+Courtney Shook - daughter of Tom and Jean Christen, member
+Dorothea Grimm - Mother of Rosanna Bateman, member

+Mary Detweiller - member
+Jerry Padilla, father and Ryan Cordova nephew of Lisa Jones - member
+Jim, husband, and Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll, member
+Aidan - grandson of Mother Kae

+Lauren Roob - friend of Rosanna Bateman
+Michael Keefe, son of Yvonne Keefe-member
+Joanne Gallagher - member
+Dona Bosse - member
+Rosemary - Fr Michael' mother
+Dani - niece of the Cloyds - members
+Jim and Lucille Bowen friends of Suzanne King, member
+Sharon Six – Mother of Michael Six, member
+Mike Gudim
+Suzanne King - member
________________________

A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the friends and families.
 
Eric Rose - Estes Park Policeman
Leo Six – Father of Michael Six, member
Dr. Barbara Immroth - sister of member Joanne Gallagher
Marie F. Bauer - friend of Joanne Gallagher
Dolores Orsi - mother of member Jared Orsi

Herman Phillip - friend of Brad Rouse
Michael Binet -Godson of member
Joanne Gallagher
Bernice Wagner - sister of
Fr. Jim DeMuth - member
Aaron - Son of Morris & Francis Burns,
past members

Adrian - Son of Joe & Ann - friends of
members Cindy and David Cloyd
Mary Crosby - member
Leon - father of Mother Cynthia
Joan Kneeland - sister-in-law of member Bill Kneeland

Rita Ortiz, friend of Deacon Rosean
Margie Weitz - member
Chris Bachman, friend of member Lisa Jones
David Heyman -member
In gratitude for all who pray for and with our community.
Service Recordings
Past Recordings, Bulletins, and Announcements

For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection with and for the community - marymagdalafc@gmail.com. And feel free to call the office at 970 493-9536.

Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal  
What are our partners in ministry up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
Who Are the 301 Faith Partners?
The 301 Faith Partners have a Vision,
Mission and Values statement that guides our relationships, interactions, and shared projects and ministries.
Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’
Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.
Read the Vision, Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.