The Seventh Sunday after Trinity

Fathers, Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Read the Epistle for this Sunday:

Romans 6:19-23
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity
of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and
to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to
righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were
free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye
are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made
free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and
the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God
is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Euripides BC 480-406, Greek Tragic Poet; "No one is truly free, they are a slave to wealth, fortune, the law, or other people restraining them from acting according to their will."
Being a slave has consequences for the one who is enslaved. In his letter to the church at Rome, the apostle Paul picks up on this idea that everyone is a slave. He contrasts what the Romans believers were like before they came to faith, "servants/slaves of sin" v.20, and what they are like now, "servants/slaves to God" v.22. The Greek word translated "servant" should really be "slave".
We could call these two journeys.
Being a slave to sin involves leading an unrighteous life. A life contrary to God's perfect will. That life is fruitless and leads to shame. Following this way ultimately leads to death, that is to say, separation from God.
Being a slave to God involves being "free from sin", v.22.
John Newton; "I am not what I might be, I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, I am not what I hope to be. But I thank God I am not what I once was, and I can say with the great apostle, "By the grace of God I am what I am."
Believers are not completely free from sin this side of glory, but there is the power to reject it and the desire to live for something else. This leads to the fruit of holiness, v22, which results in eternal life. A life lived in a right relationship with God. This starts in this life and blossoms into eternity.
We can never be truly free in the sense that our freedom will affect ourselves and other people. The exercise of our freedom could take away other people's freedom. The question, then, is what we want to be slaves of. Slaves of sin or slaves of God?
If we are slaves of sin this may bring some temporary and futile pleasures but they will separate us from God, perhaps harm other people, and even harm our eternal destiny.
To be a slave of God is to follow the ways of the one who loves everyone and has the best interest of everyone at heart
Paul encourages the Roman Christians to continue following Jesus in their lives. It is through knowing and following Jesus that we can receive the gift of eternal life, v.23. It is a gift. Freely and generously given. It has to be opened, experienced and lived out. It will involve us imitating Jesus and bring benefits for us and others. We should be determined to follow him and be a slave to God
Mother Teresa, 1910-1997, Albanian-born Roman Catholic Missionary; "We must have a real living determination to reach holiness. ''I will be a saint'' means I will despoil myself of all that is not God; I will strip my heart of all created things; I will live in poverty and detachment; I will renounce my will, my inclinations, my whims and fancies, and make myself a willing slave to the will of God."

Thanks be to God….

I wish you a blessed Sunday,

Ed Bakker

Feria

Friends in Christ,

Jeremiah 3:14-17

Nostalgia afflicts people of every age and state in life. How much better things were . . . when I was a child, free from adult anxieties . . . before I took this dead-end job . . . when we had an open friendship, before I betrayed his trust . . . when praise seemed to flow readily from my heart. . . . The people to whom Jeremiah was speaking had every reason to look back longingly on better days. After their beloved king David, and his wise and powerful son Solomon, the kingdom had been divided and ruled by one weak or corrupt shepherd after another, with only a few righteous rulers interspersed. The ten northern tribes had been decimated by the Assyrians, and now the Babylonians were a growing threat to Jerusalem. About all they had to cling to was the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God’s dwelling among his people. Who could blame them for regretting the past?
To people in these desperate straits, Jeremiah offers bold hope: “I will give you shepherds after my own heart” (Jeremiah 3:15). Not only will God dwell among them but his saving presence will attract people from every nation on earth (3:17). His presence will be so palpable that they won’t need the ark any more: “It shall not come to mind, or be remembered, or missed; nor shall another one be made. At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord” (3:16-17).
We know that this prophecy has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through him we have a new birth that can transform our stubborn hearts. Of course we worship his real presence in the tabernacle, but we also know that his dynamic presence is not limited to one time or place. Jesus moves among us every day in our brothers and sisters and in the cry of the poor.
If we continue to look back wistfully at God’s past action, we risk missing his action here and now. How is God leading and guiding me today? How is he working today to soften my selfish heart? Whom else does he long to gather today through my words of invitation and testimony? Open your eyes today, and see the Lord in your midst!
“Thank you, Jesus, for your work in my life up to this point. I am ready to encounter you and to move forward with your plans and purposes.”

I wish you a blessed weekend,

Ed Bakker

Feria

Friends in Christ,

Matthew 13:10-17
The disciples asked Jesus an interesting question, reflected in the gospel of today. They wondered why He spoke to the people in parables. In the answer Christ gave them, He is also addressing us. He compared the disciples with the other people saying that the people were not really hearing and understanding His message, as were the disciples. It raises an interesting question for us today.
Christ said the people were not hearing and seeing what He said, and did so because they did not want to change, to be converted, to be really touched by Him. We can ask this of ourselves. Are we satisfied with the "status quo" of our spiritual life, Mass on Sundays, a little spiritual reading once in awhile, not really committing any huge faults . . . and so it goes year after year? This is all good, but is it enough? Would a human relationship continue if we were only contributing the bare minimum of effort? Is Christ more than a "Christmas card friend," someone you reach out to just so they remember you? What holds us back from really leaning into the relationship that Christ longs for with us? What are we afraid of?

With every good wish in Christ,

Ed Bakker

Saint Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friends in Christ,
Of St. Anne we have no certain knowledge. She is not mentioned in the New Testament, and we must depend on apocryphal literature, chiefly the Protoevangelium of James, which dates back only to the second century. In this document we are told that Anne, wife of Joachim, was advanced in years and that her prayers for a child had not been answered. Once as she prayed beneath a laurel tree near her home in Galilee, an angel appeared and said to her, "Anne, the Lord hath heard thy prayer and thou shalt conceive and bring forth, and thy seed shall be spoken of in all the world." Anne replied, "As the Lord my God liveth, if I beget either male or female, I will bring it as a gift to the Lord my God; and it shall minister to Him in holy things all the days of its life " And thus Anne became the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The devotion of St. Anne was known in the East in the fifth century, but it was not diffused in the West until the thirteenth. A shrine at Douai, in northern France, was one of the early centers of the devotion. In 1382 her feast was extended to the whole Western Church, and she became very popular, especially in France. Her two most famous shrines are at St. Anne d'Auray in Brittany and at St. Anne-de Beaupre in the province of Quebec. She is patroness of housewives, women in labor, cabinet-makers, and miners. Her emblem is a door. St. Anne has been frequently represented in art, and the lovely face depicted by Leonardo da Vinci comes first to mind in this connection. The name Anne derives from the Hebrew Hannah, meaning "grace."

Acknowledgement :

Saint Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin. Scriptural Saint. Celebration of Feast Day is July 26. Taken from "Lives of Saints", Published by John J. Crawley & Co., Inc.
Provided Courtesy of:Eternal Word Television Network5817 Old Leeds RoadIrondale, AL 35210www.ewtn.com

All blessings for this Wednesday....... Ed Bakker

St.James the Great, Apostle & Martyr

Friends in Christ,

For James there was no indication that this was the day that his life would change. The dawn for him was not the bright beginning of a new day, but the end of long fruitless night of fishing. As James sat mending his nets in the boat with his brother John and his father Zebedee, he must have watched in wonder as his partner Simon brought in nets loaded with fish he had caught at the command of Jesus. Was he shocked when he saw Simon and his brother Andrew walk away from this incredible catch at a word from this same Jesus?
As he watched Jesus walk toward him followed by Simon and Andrew, did he feel curiosity, fear, hope, envy? Jesus didn't pass him by but, stopping by their boat, called James and his brother John to do just what Simon and Andrew had done. Without argument or discussion, James and John left their boat and even their father behind, and followed Jesus.
The first thing James saw after he followed Jesus was his teaching with authority in the synagogue and the cure of Simon's mother-in-law.
We all know that Jesus was the focus of James' life from then on, but it is also evident that James held a special place in Jesus' life.
He was chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve apostles, given the mission to proclaim the good news, and authority to heal and cast out demons. To be named one of the twelve James must have had faith and commitment.
But even among the apostles he held a special place. When Jesus raised Jairus' daughter when all thought her dead, he only allowed James, John, and Peter to come with him. Even more important when he went up to the mountain to pray, he wanted James, John, and Peter to go with him. And it was there on the mountain they were privileged to witness what no one else had seen -- Jesus transfigured in his glory, speaking to Moses and Elijah, as the voice of God spoke from a cloud.
And with Simon Peter, James and John were the only ones of the apostles that Jesus gave a special name: Sons of Thunder.
To be singled out in these ways, James must have been a close and respected friend of Jesus.
It's no wonder then that James, along with John, felt that he had the right to go to Jesus and ask him to give them whatever they asked. As a mark of his love, Jesus didn't rebuke them but asked them what they wanted. They showed their lack of understanding of his mission when the asked that he let one of them sit on his right and the other on his left when he came into his glory. He replied that they didn't know what they were asking. They didn't see the cross in his future, but an earthly throne. Could they drink of the cup he would drink of? They replied that they could. He assured them they would indeed drink of that cup.
(Matthew has their mother asking for this favor for her sons. Despite the bad reputation their mother got for this, it should be remembered that she too had followed Jesus in his travels, providing for him, and was one of the women who stayed with Jesus as he was crucified when the apostles, including her son James, had fled.)
The other apostles were furious at this request. But Jesus used this opportunity to teach all of them that in order to be great one must be a servant.
James and John did show further lack of understanding of their friend and Lord when he was turned away by Samaritans. They wanted to use their newfound authority as apostles not to heal but to bring fire down on the town. (Perhaps Jesus gave them their Sons of Thunder nickname because of their passion, their own fire, or their temper.) Jesus did reprimand them for their unforgiving, vengeful view of their power.
But despite all these misunderstandings, it was still James, Peter, and John that Jesus chose to join him in prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane for his final prayer before his arrest. It must have hurt Jesus that the three of them fell asleep on this agonizing evening.
James did drink of the cup Jesus drank of, all too shortly after the Resurrection. Acts 12:1 tells us that James was one of the first martyrs of the Church. King Herod Agrippa I killed him with a sword in an early persecution of the Church. There is a story that the man who arrested James became a convert after hearing James speak at his trial and was executed with him.
James is called James the Greater because another younger apostle was named James. He should not be accused with this James, or the James who is a relative of Jesus, or the James who was an elder of the Church in Jerusalem and heard Peter's defense of baptizing Gentiles. James, son of Thunder, was dead by then.
Legends have sprung up that James evangelized Spain before he died but these stories have no basis in historical fact.
James is the patron saint of hatmakers, rheumatoid sufferers, and laborers.
In His Footsteps What name would Jesus give you if he would describe who you are and your gifts?
Prayer: Saint James, pray for us that we may be willing to leave everything to follow Jesus as you did. Help us to become special friends of Jesus as you were. Amen

( Source New Advent )

Have a blessed day....Ed

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity

Friends in Christ,

He has . . . broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. (Ephesians 2:14)
Breaking down walls: That’s what Jesus has always been about. In today’s first reading, Jeremiah strongly condemns Israel’s political and religious leaders who have “scattered my flock, and have driven them away” (Jeremiah 23:2-3). And in Mark 6:30-34 , Jesus gathers together the people of Israel, foreshadowing a time when we will all be one people, healed of all division and everything that isolates us from each other.
These Scripture readings all invite us to ask whether we align ourselves with the Good Shepherd who unites or with the self-serving who divide and scatter. For instance, when given a position of leadership, how hard do we work at reconciling differing viewpoints and overcoming the mistrust that arises from unfamiliarity? Do we help members of a group listen patiently to each other? For example, it may not be clear how our parish should serve the poor, but we can still find a common commitment to reach out to Jesus in the least of his brethren.
What can we do to break down the walls of hostility in our world? We can pray. We can intercede. We can ask Jesus to overcome the barriers that separate us. We can ask him to mend every broken fence. Today let’s all pray for Christian unity between denominations. Let’s ask the Lord to break down every division that exists between husband and wife and between parent and child. Let’s ask the Lord to unite our parish and form us into a bright light to our community.
None of these prayers is unreasonable because they all spring from Jesus’ own prayer that we all be one—united as intimately as he is with his heavenly Father. We can trust that as soon as each of us is fully reconciled to the Father, all hostility can come to an end, and peace can reign once more.
“Father, I come to you confessing my part in creating division. Forgive me, and show me the way to live as your child, both receiving and offering your reconciliation.”
Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 23:1-6; Mark 6:30-34

As we are standing again at the beginning of another working week, may I wishin you God's blessing on all you undertake.

Ed Bakker

Friends in Christ,

How easy it is to miss the Lord when our focus is on ourselves! Mary Magdalene did not at first recognize the Lord because her focus was on the empty tomb and on her own grief. It took only one word from the Master, when he called her by name, for Mary to recognize him. Mary's message to the disciples, I have seen the Lord, is the very essence of Christianity. It is not enough that a Christian know about the Lord, but that we know him personally. It is not enough to argue about him, but to meet him. In the resurrection we encounter the living Lord who loves us personally and shares his glory with us. The Lord gives us "eyes of faith" to see the truth of his resurrection and victory over sin and death (Ephes. 1:18). The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our hope -- the hope that we will see God face to face and share in his everlasting glory and joy. Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9). Do you recognize the Lord's presence with you, in his word, in the "breaking of the bread", and in his church, the body of Christ?
"Lord, may I never fail to recognize your voice nor lose sight of your presence in your saving word."

Amen.

May I take this opportunity to wish you and all those you love and pray for a blessed weekend.

Ed Bakker.......

Saint Margaret of Antioch, Virgin & Martyr

Friends in Christ,
What does the yoke of Jesus refer to in the Scriptures ? The Jews used the image of a yoke to express submission to God. They spoke of the yoke of the law, the yoke of the commandments, the yoke of the kingdom, the yoke of God. Jesus says his yoke is "easy". The Greek word for "easy" can also mean "well-fitting". Yokes were tailor-made to fit the oxen well. We are commanded to put on the "sweet yoke of Jesus" and to live the "heavenly way of life and happiness". Jesus also says his "burden is light". There's a story of a man who once met a boy carrying a smaller crippled lad on his back. "That's a heavy load you are carrying there," exclaimed the man. "He ain't heavy; he's my brother!" responded the boy. No burden is too heavy when it's given in love and carried in love. Jesus offers us a new kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. In his kingdom sins are not only forgiven but removed, and eternal life is poured out for all its citizens. This is not a political kingdom, but a spiritual one. The yoke of Christ's kingdom, his kingly rule and way of life, liberates us from the burden of guilt and from the oppression of sin and hurtful desires. Only Jesus can lift the burden of sin and the weight of hopelessness from us. Jesus used the analogy of a yoke to explain how we can exchange the burden of sin and despair for a burden of glory and yoke of freedom from sin. The yoke which Jesus invites us to embrace is his way of grace and freedom from the power of sin. Do you trust in God's love and submit to his will and plan for your life?
"Lord, inflame my heart with love for you and for your ways and help me to exchange the yoke of rebellion for the yoke of submission to your holy and loving word. Set me free from the folly of my own sinful ignorance and rebellious pride that I may I wholly desire what is good and in accord with your will."

Have a blessed day.... Ed Bakker

( Picture today - The late Dean of St.Paul's Cathedral, Wellington, New Zealand celebrating the Eucharist, assisted by the late Rev.John Redmayne, Precenter of the Cathedral)

Friends in Christ,

Do you want to know the mind and thoughts of God? Jesus thanks the Father in heaven for revealing to his disciples the wisdom and knowledge of God. What does Jesus' prayer tell us about God and about ourselves? First, it tells us that God is both Father and Lord of earth as well as heaven. He is both Creator and Author of all that he has made, the first origin of everything and transcendent authority, and at the same time, goodness and loving care for all his children. All fatherhood and motherhood is derived from him (Ephesians 3:14-15). Jesus' prayer also contains a warning that pride can keep us from the love and knowledge of God. What makes us ignorant and blind to the things of God? Certainly intellectual pride, coldness of heart, and stubbornness of will shut out God and his kingdom. Pride is the root of all vice and the strongest influence propelling us to sin. It first vanquishes the heart, making it cold and indifferent towards God. It also closes the mind to God's truth and wisdom for our lives. What is pride? It is the inordinate love of oneself at the expense of others and the exaggerated estimation of one's own learning and importance.
Jesus contrasts intellectual pride with child-like simplicity and humility. The simple of heart are like "babes" in the sense that they see purely without pretense and acknowledge their dependence and trust in the one who is greater, wiser, and more trustworthy. They seek one thing — the "summum bonum" or "greatest good" who is God himself. Simplicity of heart is wedded with humility, the queen of virtues, because humility inclines the heart towards grace and truth. Just as pride is the root or every sin and evil, so humility is the only soil in which the grace of God can take root. It alone takes the right attitude before God and allows him as God to do all. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6). Only the humble in heart can receive true wisdom and understanding of God and his ways. Do you submit to God's word with simple trust and humility? Jesus makes a claim which no one would have dared to make: He is the perfect revelation of God. One of the greatest truths of the Christian faith is that we can know the living God. Our knowledge of God is not simply limited to knowing something about God, but we can know God personally. The essence of Christianity, and what makes it distinct from Judaism and other religions, is the knowledge of God as our Father. Jesus makes it possible for each of us to personally know God as our Father. To see Jesus is to see what God is like. In Jesus we see the perfect love of God -- a God who cares intensely and who yearns over men and women, loving them to the point of laying down his life for them upon the Cross. Jesus is the revelation of God -- a God who loves us completely, unconditionally and perfectly. Jesus also promises that God the Father will hear our prayers when we pray in his name. That is why Jesus taught his followers to pray with confidence, Our Father who art in heaven ..give us this day our daily bread. Do you pray to your Father in heaven with joy and confidence in his love and care for you?
"Lord, give me the child-like simplicity and purity of faith to gaze upon your face with joy and confidence in your all-merciful love. Remove every doubt, fear, and proud thought which would hinder me from receiving your word with trust and humble submission."

Thanks be to God

With every good wish in Christ,

Ed Bakker

Feria

Friends in Christ,

Why does Jesus describe his mission and the coming of God's kingdom in terms of conflict, division, and war? Jesus came in peace to reconcile a broken and sinful humanity with an all-merciful and loving God. Jesus also came to wage war, to overthrow the powers and principalities arrayed against God and his kingdom. What are these powers? Jesus describes Satan as the ruler of this world whom he will cast out (John 12:31). The battle Jesus had in mind was not an earthly conflict between nations, but a spiritual warfare between the forces of Satan and the armies of God. The scriptures make clear that there are ultimately only two powers or kingdoms — God's kingdom and the kingdom of darkness. John contrast these two kingdoms in the starkest of terms: We know that we are of God, and the whole world is in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19).
What does Satan seek? Satan opposes God and all who would follow his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The evil one has but one aim — the complete domination of our heart, mind, and will for his kingdom. And he will use any means to draw us from good to evil, from truth to deception, from light to darkness, and from life to death. There are no neutral parties in this spiritual battle. We are either for or against the kingdom of God. The choice is ours and God's grace is available to choose for his rule in our lives.
When Jesus spoke about division he likely had in mind the prophecy of Micah: a man's enemies are the men of his own household (Micah 7:6). The love of God compels us to choose who will be first in our lives. To place any relationship or anything else above God is a form of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first and foremost. A true disciple loves God above all else and is willing to forsake all for Jesus Christ. Jesus insists that his disciples give him the loyalty which is only due to God, a loyalty which is higher than spouse or kin. It is possible that family and friends can become our enemies, if the thought of them keeps us from doing what we know God wants us to do.
True love for God compels us to express charity towards our neighbor who is created in the image and likeness of God. Jesus declared that any kindness shown and any help given to the people of Christ will not lose its reward. Jesus never refused to give to anyone in need who asked for his help. As his disciples we are called to be kind and generous as he is. Jesus sets before his disciples the one goal in life that is worth any sacrifice and that goal is the will of God which produces real life and ultimate and completely satisfying peace. Does the love of Jesus Christ compel you to put God first in all you do (2 Corinthians 5:14)?
"Lord, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has conceived the things you have prepared for those who love you. Set us ablaze with the fire of the Holy Spirit, that we may love you in and above all things and so receive the rewards you have promised us through Christ our Lord." (from A Christian's Prayer Book)

May the Lord bless you and keep you,

Ed Bakker

For Sunday 16 July, the Fifth Sunday after Trinity

Friends in Christ,

In the Epistle set for this Sunday, being the Fifth after Trinity, St.Peter exhorts us to have compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful and be courteous.

Read 1 St.Peter 3, beginning at verse 8. We have again seen the opposite of all this in the course of the week with the war escalating between Israel and neighbouring countries, we see it in our Parliament where politicians are desperately trying to discredit one another, we even see it within the boundaries of our Churches, in partlicular in the Episcopelian Church of America, where decisions have been made, which provoke those, who are trying to keep the traditional Catholic Faith.The athmosphere in many places of work requires much to be desired. Like the well-know song of the "Seekers" " Close the door, light the light, we are staying home tonight" We want to close ourselves off from this world and try to live life in Godly quietness.It would be an ideal situation, yet it is not possible, we are in the world until we complete this pilgrimage. Can we then make a difference ourselves? We often feel powerless about the situation around us. I believe that we can... why not start on your home ground? Ask yourself in any circumstance you find yourself in:" What would Jesus do in this case" I am quite sure that when you pray about this that you will find an answer and that you will tread in the footsteps of our Blessed Lord, Who was filled with Love and Compassion.Tomorrow when we go to Mass we will be reminded once again:"This is the day, which the Lord has made, let us rejoyce and be glad in it"May this gladness help us in the forthcoming week to be full of compassion, to love others , to be courteous and to have pity on those, who need our help. We ask the Lord to be merciful unto us, let us in return be merciful to others.

Thanks be God.

May you have a blessed Sunday.

Ed Bakker.....

St.Swithin, Bishop of Winchester, translated

Friends in Christ,

What does Jesus mean when he says his disciples must be sheep in the midst of wolves? The prophet Isaiah foretold a time when wolves and lambs will dwell in peace (Isaiah 11:6 and 65:25). This certainly refers to the second coming of Christ when all will be united under the Lordship of Jesus after he has put down his enemies and established the reign of God over the heavens and the earth. In the meantime, the disciples must expect opposition and persecution from those who oppose the gospel. Jesus never hesitated to tell his disciples what they might expect if they followed him. Here Jesus says to his disciples: This is my task for you at its grimmest and worst; do you accept it? This is not the world's way of offering a job. After the defeat at Dunkirk, Churchill offered his country blood, toil, sweat, and tears. This is not the message we prefer to hear when the Lord commissions us in his service. Nonetheless, our privilege is to follow in the footsteps of the Master who laid down his life for us. Are you willing to accept hardship and suffering in following after the Lord?
"Lord, help me to patiently and joyfully accept the hardships, adversities, and persecution which come my way in serving you. Strengthen my faith and give me courage that I may not shrink back from doing your will”.

I take this opportunity to wish you and yours

a blessed weekend.

Ed Bakker.....

Feria

Friends in Christ,

Matthew 10:1-7

Jesus gave the apostles authority to cast out demons and heal every illness (Matthew 10:1). But the apostles didn’t come to that point unprepared. First, Jesus called each of them to repent and follow him (4:17-22). Then followed a period of instruction, during which he taught them what the kingdom of God is (chapters 5-7). Then through a series of miracles, he showed them what the kingdom of God is (chapters 8-9). Finally, he said to his disciples, “Now you go out and do it” (10:1).
Jesus has inaugurated the kingdom—it’s here on earth—that’s a fact. And we have been called to repent and follow him. At Mass or at home, we have his word in Scripture, the teachings of the church, and the lives of the saints to instruct us and demonstrate the life we are to live in his kingdom. As disciples, we too are called to move from the “repent-and-follow-me” stage, through the instruction phase, to the “now-you-do-it” phase. What could be more exciting?
It can be easy to want to tread continually in the instruction phase. After all, who could ever plumb the depths of the wisdom and knowledge of God? But the kingdom of God does not depend on what we know. It depends on the power of the Spirit working through us as we bring the good news of the kingdom—indeed, the kingdom itself—to those who don’t know the glory of it.
So how can you “go out and do it” today? What steps can you take to build the kingdom of God in your home or neighborhood? The first thing is to trust that the Holy Spirit will guide you and empower you. Then, in prayer, imagine sitting with Jesus and ask him, “How do you want me to bring healing or wisdom or hope or encouragement to the people in my life today?” Then think about two or three situations that you know you will encounter today and see if you can sense the Spirit’s guidance. Who knows? Today just may be the day when a friend experiences a breakthrough in his faith—and you just may be the one to help him along!
“Jesus, I want to join you as a laborer in your harvest. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, that I might bring the good news of your kingdom to those close to me.”
Hosea 10:1-3,7-8,12; Psalm 105:2-7

With every good wish in Christ,

Ed Bakker

Saint Benedict, Abbott and Monastic Founder

Friends in Christ,

What help or hope can we give to someone who has chronic distress or an incurable disease of mind or body? Spiritual, emotional, and physical suffering often go hand in hand. Jesus was well acquanited with individuals who suffered intolerable affliction - whether physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. A "dumb demoniac" was brought to Jesus by his friends with the hope that Jesus would set him free. These neighbors, no doubt, took pity on this man who had a double impediment. He had not only lost his ability to speak, but was also greatly disturbed in mind and spirit. This was no doubt due to the influence of evil spirits who tormented him day and night with thoughts of despair and hopeless abandonment by God. Jesus immediately set him free from the demon who tormented him and restored his ability to speak at the same time. This double miracle brought wonder to the crowds who watched in amazement. "Nothing like this had ever been done before in the land of Israel!" Whenever people approached Jesus with expectant faith, he gave them freedom from the power of sin and from the forces of evil and darkness.
How could Jesus’ miracles cause both scorn and wonder at the same time from those who professed faith in God? Don’t we often encounter the same reaction today, even in ourselves! The crowds looked with awe at the wonderful works which Jesus did, but the religious leaders attributed this same work to the power of the devil. They disbelieved because they refused to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Their idea of religion was too narrow and closed to accept Jesus as the Anointed One sent by the Father. They were too set in their own ways to change and they were too proud to submit to Jesus. They held too rigidly to the observances of their ritual laws while neglecting the more important duties of love of God and love of neighbor. The people, as a result, were spiritually adrift and hungry for God. Jesus met their need and gave them new faith and hope in God’s saving help. Whenever the gospel is proclaimed God’s kingdom is made manifest and new life and freedom is given to those who respond with faith. The Lord grants freedom to all who turn to him with trust. Do you bring your troubles to the Lord with expectant faith that he can set you free? The Lord invites us to pray that the work of the gospel may spread throughout the world, so that all may find true joy and freedom in Jesus Christ.
"Lord, may your kingdom come to all who are oppressed and in darkness. Fill my heart with compassion for all who suffer mentally and physically. Use me to bring the good news of your saving grace and mercy to those around me who need your healing love and forgiveness.”

Have a blessed day... Ed Bakker

Feria

Friends in Christ,

Mark 6:1-6

In life, it seems that little or nothing can be done if the atmosphere is wrong. Teachers can’t teach if the class resists. Business people can’t sell if the clients are not interested. Sports teams don’t win when there is dissension among the teammates.
Today’s gospel tells us that lack of faith can have the effect of closing the door on wonders that God may want to accomplish in our lives. Even Jesus himself could not perform any mighty deed in his own hometown because of the Nazarenes’ unbelief (Mark 6:6).
Let’s face it. We all have periods of weak faith. Abraham (Genesis 17:15-22), Moses (Numbers 11:21-23; 20:9-13), the apostles (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 16:14), and Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist (Luke 1:18-20) each had their moments of doubt. But each of these also overcame their unbelief and came back to the Lord. Their stories tell us that our faith is going to be tested and that these tests can cause us to slip into times of doubt and unbelief.
As a counterbalance to these stories of doubt and unbelief, Scripture also tells us about people who were filled with remarkable faith during trying or troubled times. The centurion (Matthew 8:5-13), a leper (Mark 1:40-44), Bartimaeus (10:46-52), and the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21-28) all kept their faith in Jesus and were deeply rewarded.
At the Last Supper, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to comfort us, to teach us, and to strengthen our faith. Every day, the Holy Spirit is with us, establishing an atmosphere of faith so that Jesus can work freely in us and through us. He is like the sun burning away the darkness or like a cool breeze blowing away the mists of doubt. All he asks is that we turn to face his light, that we open ourselves to his gentle movement. Then our doubts will fade, and our faith will grow. All we need is the right environment, and we too can see wonders in our day!
“Dear Jesus, let your Holy Spirit shine on me. I believe in you. Help my unbelief. Come and increase my faith.”
Ezekiel 2:2-5; Psalm 123:1-4; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

So we stand at the beginning of a new week, may we ask God's Blessing on all we are going to undertake.

Ed Bakker

For tomorrow, the 4th Sunday after Trinity, 9 July 2006

Friends in Christ,

Romans 8: 18

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity ( frustration ), not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

A closely sealed vase was found in a mummy pit in Egypt. In it were discovered a few peas, old, wrinkled, and hard as stone. The peas were planted carefully under a glass, and at the end of 30 days, they sprang into life, after having lain sleeping in the dust of a tomb for almost 3,000 years - a faint illustration of the mortal body which shall put on immortality.
In this short passage we have thousands of years of humankind's relationship with God.
Paul first alludes to the time when Adam disobeyed God, letting sin in the world and bringing sickness, sin, death and disorder into the created order. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity ( frustration ), not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
This refers to God allowing this disorder which was a natural consequence of humankind's sin.
The sufferings of this present time, verse 18, refer to the sufferings that everyone experiences in this life as well as the sufferings associated with being a Christian.
This is contrasted with the glory that waits for every follower of Jesus. Paul refers to the manifestation of the sons of God, verse 19.
The word refers to the removal of a covering, like the unveiling of a statue. Previously it had been a rough, unattractive piece of stone which has been transformed to reveal a beautiful sculpture.
Believers experience some of the joys of a right relationship with God in this life. Forgiveness of sins, unconditional love and acceptance, joy, peace, hope, answered prayer, the care and fellowship with fellow believers.
Yet there are still the difficulties of living in a world which is subject to sin and death, and of suffering for one's faith.
Paul uses the image of childbirth to describe this for the believer and the created order. 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
The pain of childbirth is forgotten relatively soon and replaced by the joy of new birth.
The pain of this world will be forgotten very quickly by believers when God gives them new, perfect resurrection bodies like Jesus. Bodies that are not subject to wear and tear, sickness, injury, or death. This 'glorious liberty' will free us to be the people we were intended to be. To have fellowship with God for ever, praising, serving and worshipping him.
The created order will also be renewed, Revelation 21 refers to a new heaven and a new earth.
If you make a major purchase, for example buying a car, you may need to make a deposit to guarantee the final payment.
God has given a similar guarantee to believers by giving them the Holy Spirit. He, the Spirit, is described as "firstfruits".
This looks back to the Old Testament when the Israelites brought the first part of their harvest as an offering to God. They were acknowledging that everything comes from God and showing confidence that God would provide the remainder of the harvest for them ( Exod 23:19 ).
In giving His Spirit when someone comes to faith God is making a pledge that there is more to come. He will complete the process of salvation.
Paul refers to "the redemption of our body", verse 23.
The word "redeemed" was from the market place. It meant to buy back. Christians have already been redeemed. Jesus has paid the price for our sins on the cross, something we celebrate and proclaim in this service.
Although we have been redeemed and adopted as children of God there is more to come. We are to look forward eagerly to this certain hope and patiently endure the trails of this life.
Perhaps I can illustrate our journey will Christ in this way. Imagine a train in a long, dark tunnel. We were lost, in the dark when we were without Christ.
When we came to trust in Jesus some light dawned. Someone put the carriage light on which brought us some security.
We are waiting to emerge from the tunnel. When the light will temporarily blind us and the darkness be replaced by myriad colours.

1 Corinthians 15: 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Have a blessed weekend,

Ed...

Feria

Friends in Christ,

Amos 8:4-6,9-12

It’s hard to think of anything worse than a “famine” of the word of God. What if you lived in a country where you were forbidden to worship the Lord, own a Bible, or even speak the name of Jesus? Scripture tells us that something like this did happen to the Israelites of the Northern Kingdom around 721 b.c. It seems that Amos’ prophecy was indeed fulfilled when the Assyrian army overran Israel and sent the people into exile. And, as history attests, such persecutions have happened in many other countries and at many other times, including our own.
As bad as such a famine is, there is something worse: not listening to God when he does speak. That was essentially the problem with the people Amos was preaching to. They were observant: They celebrated the Sabbath, kept the feasts, and heard God’s word regularly. But even if their ears were open, their hearts were closed. Focused on their wealth, they couldn’t hear God’s call to love the poor, needy, and unwanted.
The truth is, we can get a little hard of hearing too, in spite of the fact that we have more access to the gospel than any culture before us. We are saturated with Bibles, churches, and teachers, but that doesn’t mean we find it any easier to love our neighbor. Faced with the weakness of our flesh, we can sometimes just cave in and say, “Not today, Lord!” So how can we make sure that God’s word gets past our ears and into our hearts?
For many of us, the answer may be to cut down on the “junk food” that is spoiling our spiritual appetite. Maybe we could turn off our computers and televisions for a short time, or get up a little bit earlier, and give Scripture the chance to soak into our spirits. If we sit with one passage and take the time to let God speak to us, we may hear something new and inspiring. After all, God’s word is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). Brothers and sisters, we simply can’t live by bread alone, so let’s all decide to feed on the life-giving word of Scripture!
“Lord, I praise you for your word! May I love it more and more, and may it always give me the wisdom to live as your child!”
Psalm 119:2,10,20,30,40,131;Matthew 9:9-13

On this Saturday morning in New Zealand I would

like to take the opportunity to wish you a blessed and refreshing weekend.

Ed Bakker

Postulant

TAC New Zealand

Re-establishment of Shrine of our Lady of Walsingham in St.Mary's Church, Walsingham 1921

Friends in Christ,

Our Lady
The Most Holy Mother of God is not only the worthy mother of Our Lord, but also our own mother. Jesus Himself gave her to us as our mother before He breathed His last Breath on the Cross — as a last, most precious gift to us. Scripture is very clear that those who don't honor and love their mother will be punished severely by God. But this is not why Catholics honor Our Lady. We honor her because she is not only worthy of our honor and love, but because Christ Himself loved and honored her, as the most perfect Son should. In imitation of Christ, then, we pour forth our love and affection to the great Mother of God, Mary Most Holy. In love and gratitude to this most sweet Mother, we dedicate this page.
O Mary, conceived without original sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!

With every good wish in Christ... Ed.......

Feria

Friends in Christ,

Matthew 8:28-34

The only thing more amazing than Jesus’ powerful action in this story is the people’s negative reaction. “The whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood” (Matthew 8:34).
What’s going on here? Jesus has freed two individuals from torment. The fuller account in Mark 5:1-20 gives additional details: Before encountering Jesus, the demoniac had terrifying strength and couldn’t be restrained, not even with chains. Afterward, he was “sitting there, clothed and in his right mind” (5:15)—and the people were afraid! How can a rational person sitting quietly be more terrifying than a possessed man screaming and wrenching chains apart?
The familiar has a powerful hold on us. We can learn to adjust our lives to any number of bizarre circumstances. Often we would rather keep those circumstances as they are. We’d rather not have them restored to normal, forcing us once more to modify the way we think and act. For example, a person who is hard of hearing may resist trying a hearing aid. Lipreading and turning up the volume on the television seem easier; hearing background noises for the first time may be very confusing. A child who has lived in an abusive family often says she would rather go home than live with foster parents. A person who is prejudiced against professionals of a certain race or gender will cheerfully travel farther or pay more to avoid consulting such a professional.
Jesus is very patient with us, but sometimes he must shake his head at our quirkiness. He longs to sweep away our familiar but irrational arguments and make things new. So be sure to listen for his voice in prayer. Try your best to be open to his revelation, especially when you are confronted with a new challenge to your faith. Don’t be like the townsfolk in today’s reading, who couldn’t handle Jesus’ surprises. Instead, keep an open mind and an open heart. God really does want to make all things new—including you!
“Jesus, you have the power to make all things new, including the way I think and act. Come and shine your light on my life to show me where I am missing the freedom you offer me.”
Amos 5:14-15,21-24; Psalm 50:7-13,16-17

With every good wish in Christ,

Ed Bakker....

Saint Thomas, the Apostle

Friends in Christ,
"Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." (John 20:29)
Today's gospel is about Thomas the Apostle and his doubts. Even though he had heard Jesus speak about his upcoming death and resurrection–Thomas still doubted. Even though the other followers were gloriously living the alleluia of Jesus' resurrection–Thomas still doubted. And consequently, doubt imprisoned him in the dark grief and horror of Christ's agonizing crucifixion–all Thomas' hope remained dead and buried in the silent, stone-cold tomb where they had laid his beloved Master's broken body. It was Thomas' devastating disappointment and confusion that let doubt blind him from seeing God's ultimate purpose for Christ's death–Christ's resurrection and salvation for the whole world!
Jesus' life taught us that loving God is doing and trusting in His will. Sometimes God's will is not always our will. We want to be free and able to do just what we want to do, and have things work out just the way we want them to. Sometimes we don't understand why things don't work out as we planned. Even though we know that God's plan for us is greater than anything we can possibly imagine for ourselves–we still have doubts!
But just like Thomas, we are given a chance to believe again. For us today, that same opportunity is present, but in a different way. We are invited to touch Jesus and to believe that He is alive in our everyday lives no matter how bleak and difficult things may seem. Doubt is not the opposite of faith because to have doubts does not mean that you do not believe. Overcoming doubt and fear are an essential part of the journey. Overcoming doubt and fear is how we’re able to see Christ more clearly and share in His glorious victory!

With every good wish in Christ,

Ed Bakker

The Third Sunday after Trinity

Fathers, Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

+ In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Saint Peter, the Apostle reminds us in his Epistle 1 St.Peter 5, beginning at verse 5 that we need to be subject to one another and be humble and be clothed with humility, as God resists the proud and gives Grace to the humble. Yet if we look around us , in the workplace, amongst our friends, in our Churches we often experience the opposite of humbleness. We see ambition and aggression, we see people being overconfident and via the media we are bombarded with advertising how we can lead a perfect lifestyle. Livestyle , it is the buzzword of our times. Are you happy with your lifestyle? Am I happy with mine? Is there room for improvement or are we doing quite well? Does your lifestyle and my lifestyle allow me to live life as a humble Christian and do I and do you portray this to all those you deal with?

Jesus Himself sets us an example how to be humble. He was born under humble circumstances in a stable, He lead a humble life, cared non-stop for others, and in the end took upon Him the burden of all our sins, He was nailed on a Cross like a criminal. Another example would be the Saints, who have gone before us, Sr. Theresa is a particular Saint, who comes to my mind when I think about utter humbleness. A Parish Priest I once had was described as a humble man. And so it is. We do know what is required of us.

As we humble ourselves in Christ, we do know that we are more prone to the attack of Satan, the final of words of the Epistle of today do give us a so much courage: “ But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus, after that y have suffered a while, make you prefect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be Glory dominion for ever and ever. Amen. While I was putting together this Word for the Sunday, I was thinking back of my own confirmation in St.James’s Anglican Church in Lower Hutt by the late Bishop Henry Baines many years ago. I can still hear us singing that final hymn:

O JESUS, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be thou for ever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou are by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.

O let me see Thy footmarks,
And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
Is in Thy strength alone;
O guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end;
And then in heaven receive me,
My Saviour and my Friend.

( John Bode 1816-74)

May this be our song as we stand at the beginning of another week!

With every good wish in Christ,
Ed Bakker
Postulant TAC New Zealand

Feria

Friends in Christ,

Lord I am not worthy....

When we say, "Lord, I am not worthy," in Mass, we are speaking a fundamental truth. Alone we are nothing, nothing but the dust to which we shall return. But His love makes us lovable, and His worthiness makes each of us worthy.
So, each time we say in Mass, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed," we can be absolutely certain of the truth of it. We shall be healed and that healing shall make us worthy to be received under His roof. If we are unworthy to receive Him, then how much more unworthy are we to be received by Him? Except – He loves us and His love makes us worthy. Always remember, by myself – unworthy and faulty; with Him – a daughter or son by adoption and made worthy.
Praise God for this great gift, brought forth from the death and resurrection of Jesus and from the love of the Father and Son. The comforter, the healer, the Paraclete, the companion, the one who teaches us the words to seek – the Holy Spirit of God, third person of the Blessed Trinity, indwelling spirit of Love.

May I wish you all a Blessed weekend.

Ed Bakker