Monday, October 31, 2011

Readings for this Wednesday 11/2/11

The readings for this Wednesday are Matthew 25:1-13 and are located in Proper 27 RCL.
Regards,
Bob

Friday, October 28, 2011

Is it a Wonderful Life?

On Wednesday we discussed events in George's life that altered his plans forever. The scene with Potter and the board is illustrative. How and why he responded to these events were perhaps as much a part of his "moral compass" as a potential flaw in his character...what do you think?
Regards,
Bob

Thursday, October 27, 2011

How do we know we are following God's Will?

Great session last night. George Bailey is about as good a guy as anyone could hope to be. We agree he had a good moral compass, represented by his father, Peter and Peter's allegiance to the savings and loan and his "shabby little office." Yet, we asked, should George not have followed his dreams of travel, college and career? Didn't he fulfil his "virtual" contract with his brother and his family? Would it have been wrong for him to say "hey, it's my turn?"
This prompted a discussion of the two greatest commandments and we wondered how do we know that when we put our neighbors' needs before ours are we always doing it for the right reasons? (In last night's Gospel, Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus warns us about those people who talk a good line, and use their "power"  to cite their will as God's Law. Does this apply to George? What about some of the other characters?
We also asked a question that we will ask for the rest of our lives: How do we know we are following God's Will? The best answer I heard last night was that if we truly believe that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, and all our soul and all our mind we are doing OK. The key here is "intention." Check out 
  Loving God With All Our Parts. Look forward to your comments. Thank you
Bob

Monday, October 24, 2011

Readings for 10-26-11

Hi All,
The Gospel reading for this Wednesday evening is  Matthew 23: 1-12. As we discussed last week, we will read the assigned Gospel and "quickly" move on to the 2nd module of our movie, It's a Wonderful Life. I know it's easier said than done...Jesus' message, as he continues to set the record straight is compelling:
"And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father-- the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted."

Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday.
Regards,
Bob

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Reflection on Baptism discussion last night

We discussed that we are baptized at birth in God and are cloaked in His forgiveness:

"…babies can do absolutely nothing to earn accept or believe in forgiveness; the church in baptizing them, simply declares that they have it. We are not forgiven, therefore, because we made ourselves forgivable or even because we had faith; we are forgiven solely because there is a Forgiver. And our one baptism for the forgiveness of sins remains the lifelong sacrament, the premier sign of that fact." (Capon, The Parables of Grace p140)

It's a Wonderful Life

Great discussion last night. Here's a pivotal scene that depicts how circumstance alters life's plan.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Wednesday Night 10-19-11

Look forward to seeing you all tonight. We will be reading Matthew 22:34-46. It will be hard to limit our time, given the great Just Do It message in Matthew's Gospel, since we will also try to view the second module of "It's a Wonderful Life."

Saturday, October 8, 2011

welcome to the first entry

Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life

Friday, October 7, 2011

Prayer of Thomas Merton

As we begin this journey, let's call to mind the words of Thomas Merton.