I appreciated when Barbara described the disciples, faced with the hopeless task of feeding the 5000 men (plus women, plus children!) with a few loaves and some fish. But they did try, and they were able to make a difference.

Darlene – those photos are absolutely amazing!

A small set of photos from the weekend can be found here.

But imagine if, instead of our habitual negativity, we were able to habitually look for God and God’s message.

If you are to make real all the consequences of a prayerful life, you might well be frightened and wonder if you should dare. Then it is vital to remember that courage is also a gift from God for which you can pray.

I’m certainly praying for courage like Mary’s – what choices she had to make!

RJB

I appreciated the reminder on Sunday that we’re not looking back to the manger 2000 years ago, but we’re looking forward to Christ with us!

Maureen.

I was thinking about Jarius’ daughter and how she took no action at all. Her gift of life was just a gift – she didn’t ask for it, it was asked on her behalf. Sometimes I feel a bit like Jarius’ daughter, having been given huge gifts in my life that I don’t deserve and wouldn’t have dared ask for. It’s like the last hymn, And can it be, that I should gain?!

Maureen.

During Andrew’s sermon he noted that academic institutions are moving toward less Eurocentric names for the two primary eras of history, using the term “Common Era” instead of Anno Domini. What occurred to me as he spoke about this was that using this new term for our current age does not deny or ignore the Good News.

This is a common era, one in which all belong to the universal brotherhood of a world of salvation. These are the days in which salvation is at hand for every person should they so choose and accept it. As Paul writes, there is now neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female. We are made one in Christ, the Christ who breaks all barriers, even the barriers we ourselves have built which separate us from God.

And now here we are in a post-9/11 world and while some choose to see only division, we have seen people come together. We have seen the love and grace of Jesus Christ extended from Muslim to Christian and back again.

This is a common era, and I thank God for it.

Maureen.

I also considered the difference between the disciples and those who were called apostles. While a great many people chose to follow Jesus, the first five apostles were called by Him. Apropos of nothing He told them to follow, and they did. Why them? What did He see in those men? Was there some special talent, some ability, some potential unused that He saw in them that spurred Him to command them to follow? Similarly, what does God – and more practically the church and our fellow St. Andreans – see in us? What potential lies within us that we could use for the good of our congregation and of Christ’s Body, the church? As we consider how we support St. Andrew’s in the coming year, I’ll be thinking about what God – or the people in the pews of St. Andrew’s – might see in me that I can dedicate to Him.

- Maureen.

Also: zombies? I’m off to watch it now.

Maureen.

I’m always astonished by how Jesus’ words always start out being very nice and positive and reassuring at first blush, but after a few readings and a little critical thinking it’s all really, really challenging. It’s almost paradoxical: the call of Jesus Christ demands sacrifice and the acceptance of being hated and rejected by the world, but it’s also so easy. “You want grace and forgiveness? Take it: it’s yours.”

The other little thing that struck me was how Jesus called to the man with the withered hand. “Come here,” He said. The paralyzed man on his mat, the man with the withered hand: both took their broken body to Jesus. Jesus did not go to them. It’s interesting. I’m going to keep thinking on that and see if Mark continues to use that theme throughout the Gospel. It’ll be interesting to see what the significance of that might be.

The lesson in Mark was a necessary (to me, anyway) reminder about having the ability to choose our actions. That we can choose Good, or we can choose Not Good, but there is nothing in between. Sometimes choosing Nothing seems a viable option, or choosing Not Right Now. But no, Christ calls us to follow and it’s our choice to follow or not.

Maureen.

Maureen.

Courage to go ahead and sow seeds of goodness, hope, courage, love, however and whenever I can, knowing that it isn’t then solely or perhaps at all up to me to grow them. There are all sorts of places where such seeds can be scattered… At work, home, play…
I am thinking about my workplace and the need for mutual respect up and down the ranks of corporate hierarchy. Sowing those seeds…that command respect and show respect. Respect for the human being behind the corporate face or client. Respect for oneself and the fostering of language, attitude and deeds that are all part of the swinging arm of the sower to grow an environment that is for humans and not bottom line or corporate prestige alone.

I am thinking about my home, where the same language, attitude and deeds might germinate a more fruitful loving environment…and play…where community can prosper by more of the same.

In a world that often looks to trickery , bribery, or the manipulation of teaching, research , stories, politics to exploit or coerce… it is refreshing to know that beneath the surface, God works those other seeds, those tiny seeds of hope, love and charity that have been scattered by those who have been themselves influenced towards God’s justice and mercy (by the germination of prior seeds) to influence the world another way….ultimately His way towards a Kingdom that has roots already growing, and is promised to grow to maturity.
It gives me the courage to invite friends and neighbours to church, knowing that we have, within St Andrew’s, and the church at large, sowers of good seeds, tellers of Good News and soil that has been made ready through the generations of careful tillers. But mostly knowing that ultimately it is the Spirit of God, who decides the timing and the speed of growing that serves Him best…

I merely have to scatter.

I am sometimes myself a rocky path, a thorny field, and parched new-growth, but I thank God for all those who scattered seed my way…over and over…. Because there was some soil there…and God is good to his Word. I am germinating and growing. You are too…and we are together. We are no longer strangers. We are fellow citizens with God’s holy people. Members of His household, built on the foundations of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus himself as the cornerstone. We are being built up together, in him , into a place where God will live by the Spirit. (Ephesians)

So sow away…We can sow together… as many seeds as possible…however we can bring ourselves to do it…learning and relearning better and better ways to sow as we go…and look forward to the fruits that may come: love, joy, peace, great-heartedness, kindness, generosity,faithfulness,gentleness,self-control…and the harvest that will surely come as promised. So much from so little. So much from so many…
Thanks to God. Thanks to you.

I particularly like the idea that God is giving us seeds to sow. We often hear the analogy that God sows seeds…but where, then, do we fit into the growing of those seeds? It reminds me of Geoffrey’s post – and our subsequent comments – from back in September about how we use the gifts we are given and examining what those gifts might actually be. The seeds we are given to grow God’s world, as it were.

Maureen.

What floored me on Sunday, was the feeling of spiritual nourishment. From the dedication of the new bibles, to the anthem sung, to the offering of the baskets for the food bank… I felt like that hummingbird on the bulletin cover, being fed delicious, sustaining spiritual food, and wanting more and more!

M.

M.

It's comfortable to stay with what we know. But I have a feeling that reaching out and getting to know people outside our own circle will do wonders for a unified church. And imagine how much more clearly non-believers would be able to see Christ, if we weren't blurring their vision with our petty disagreements.

What struck me this week was the thin line between tangible and intangible. How we have a very tangible action of baptism that we use to remind us of the intangible relationship we have with Christ. I appreciate time spent at church so much, because I just don't make the time during the week to dwell on these intangible thoughts.

Maureen.

I found myself thinking about how the visit of the magi from distant parts unknown, from an untold foreign religion, is only one of the first ways in which Jesus' ministry reaches beyond the boundaries of religion and culture. Called "King of the Jews", His salvation is for all humankind. We first see that universal message in the travel of those Eastern mystics.

I found myself thinking even further into Jesus' ministry and how, over and over, the people who are 'outside' are the ones most receptive to His message or to whom His message is revealed. Women, gentiles, sinners…and we begin with the Magi. So much symbolism in the stories of our Saviour: it's wonderful to pick them apart and learn new truths, new messages of Good News every liturgical year.

I didn't attend St. Andrew's until just a few years ago, so my Christmas memories are different: a small country church, usually empty, but on that night full to the brim!

For me, the Christmas Pageant was such a big part of Christmas. My parts grew as I did, from little angel, to Gabriel, and finally to Mary. Every year memorizing lines and preparing costumes and rehearsing songs.

I don't do pageants anymore. Like you, Jon, our family's different and our traditions are changing. But it's still Christmas – the celebration of God becoming human. And we celebrate that joy together!

But even Christ chose. Considering this topic, read through the story of His time in the garden of Gethsemane. He's struggling, He's lamenting: He's looking for another option. He knows, all to well, that there is no other option, but He begs the Father for another way. And then He chooses sacrifice, torment, death. And life for us all. And I think that choice, and not just that choice, but that active choosing, is essential in the sacrifice (I'm way out of season, now!) because Christ's sacrifice must be one of both God-head *and* man. If choice is an essential part of our humanity, He needs to make the choice. Otherwise it's not ritual sacrifice, it's just murder.

I remember someone once saying to me that Mary had to be given a choice, otherwise the Spirit of God is a rapist. That's a rather extreme way of phrasing it, but it definitely puts it into an interesting perspective.

But yesterday, from my different vantage point, I was offered a new perspective. I saw the same stained glass windows, differently. The gorgeous wooden support beams, I saw them from a new angle.

I think it's the same with the Christmas story. We've heard about Gabriel's message to Mary a hundred times. Yesterday, it seemed new somehow. As Darlene pointed out, Levertov's poem is beautiful, and such a fresh perspective. Yes, Christ's birth was following a plan foretold in the prophecies, but it was carried out by a choice – Mary's choice to accept.

Darlene, I love your point above about dismissing the right choices as merely submission to destiny. But submission can be a choice, an active and path-defining choice. Let Mary be a role model for me!

"what faith does it take to imagine
an embryo of hope
being brought to life here?

what 'yes' are you able to say
for it to be born in our world?"

What struck me on Sunday was that hope is such a remarkable challenge in this world (I nearly wrote "this age" but really, our problems are no greater than they were a millenium ago, two millenia ago: they're just different). Throughout the liturgical year we are told "Be joyful! Jesus has saved you! Be hopeful and glad!" and it's just so very hard to do sometimes. I struggle with hope. I struggle with not only knowing it intellectually but knowing it implicitly, of living it in my actions and words and thoughts, of incarnating that hope.

I think what I find so helpful about Advent and Christmas is that Christ comes as a child. A child! A baby. And I can understand that. I can easily equate the near-impossibility of hope in our being ransomed and redeemed with the near-impossibility Mary and Joseph must have felt at hearing Jesus' birth foretold. Every pregnancy is almost incredible: how can this be?! How can I suddenly be two people (or three, or four…)contained in one adult body?!

I struggle with understanding that impossible, incredible, unfathomable hope of life everlasting in Jesus Christ. But the hope of a child to be born? That I can grasp with a little more clarity. And so I start with that hope, and my thought and my faith grow and evolve to eventually conceive of the hope for our eternal souls we know through our Saviour.

Darlene

I was glad for the reminder this week that Advent is about preparing – not just for Christmas, but for Christ's return.

(And R4R? That's funny, I should get a t-shirt.)

M.

It was such a lovely beginning to the week and a fabulous conclusion to our journey through the Ten Commandments.

Covetousness is indeed a difficult issue. It is hard not to desire more or not to evaluate yourself in comparison to others. I loved the antidote ; Gratitude. To be thankful for all the has been given and to focus on that. It becomes self perpetuating. I am grateful for all of the experiences I have had the privilege to partake in both with and through St Andrew's over this past year. I know that desiring more of God's good things cannot be wrong…so bring it on…. Just don't look at my plate… it has been overflowing as of late. Happy Thanksgiving. Diana

It has been so easy in this electronic age for me to continue to work, even on weeknights and on the week-end. I find myself checking e-mail, sending messages, and otherwise constantly keeping busy.

By Sunday, when I realize how many chores have been neglected, often I don't feel like attending Church Service, or visiting with friends and family.

Poor time management skills? Probably, and this is why I found this sermon so poignant.

We need to rest. We need to meditate. We need to stop and contemplate the beauty that surrounds us. Thanks to our Creator.

Oh come to the Father
Through Jesus the Son
and give God the glory,
who great things has done.

-Maureen.

The problem is that life happens and I'm going to need Paul's reminder to be anxious about nothing and to present my requests to God. I'm glad I was there to rejoice with the congregation this morning. But I'm also glad that when my daily-life anxieties come back, that the God of peace will be with me.

But I don't know. It's where real-life examples would definitely come in handy.

The sermon by Rev. Susan Clarke also touched me with its profound, inspiring simplicity. I like the comparison of an ordinary garden to the garden of our lives. It challenges me to daily seek that quiet place where I am willing to be known, nurtured, strengthened and renewed to face life's daily opportunities and challenges. I seem to cope better and have a more positive and confident attitude.

As for the Master Gardener being referred to as «She», in the Divine realm there is no gender mentioned, though God is referred to as He and as Abba among other names. We cannot really pin Our Heavenly Father down to any one definition but we can marvel with thanksgiving at His awsomeness, discovering some of His atributes and trusting that He is at work in us, as we invite Him into the garden of our lives.

It's interesting, isn't it, to consider the many aspects of the Divine. We can imagine God the Son quite clearly, flesh and blood, but God the Creator, God the Father, God the Mother is far more mysterious. Envisioning God as a gardener, God as a mother hen, God as a judge, God as a Shepherd, God as a faithful and loving spouse, can help in seeing the many elements of God.