Mark 4:33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34 he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
The reality is that Jesus never made following him easy.
To be a disciple in first-century Judaism meant finding a Rabbi and sitting at his feet to learn and be shaped by him. The Rabbi was a teacher and expert who would help people understand the truth that would lead them to Covenantal faithfulness as a Jewish person. In the past, the Jewish people had rejected the teaching of the Lord and found hope and life in other things. Largely, the Jewish people had rebelled against their covenant God and followed false idols that promised quicker results and the promise of easier access to power and protection.
Thus, the Jewish rabbis in the day of Jesus decided that the best way to avoid the judgment of God was to create an oppressive works-based religious system that would ensure the obedience of the Jewish people that would protect the nation of Israel from ever having to go into captivity again. However, the system was a fabrication of men that bypassed their need to know and follow their God even when it made no earthly and human sense. The system created by man was easily abused and manipulated by lawyers and powerbrokers. When Jesus came, he was a threat to their system and their childishness.
So, Jesus spoke in parables. But the parables were confusing. They were interesting, but in the end, it is hard to understand why Jesus would make his truth so veiled and indirect. The Answer? He challenged the large and impressive crowd that came for MANY different reasons, to seek him for the right reasons. In time, most of the crowd melted away. The disciples of Christ stayed, embraced him, asked questions, and continued to seek him, although in rough and sometimes silly ways.
However, it is those silly, childish, and needy disciples who found answers, truth, and life by seeking Jesus after the dust of his teaching had settled. Worship in Word and Sacrament together is important, but it doesn’t show us HOW to live out the truth in everyday life. For that, there must be searching, asking, reading, staying, showing up, and learning. In short, to grow strong in the faith, there must be discipleship.
Are you engaging in Discipleship? What does that look like?
More to come.
Fr. Tom
Upcoming Schedule
Adult Christian Ed Class Sunday, 9 AM.
Choir Meet/Practice
Wednesdays, 4:30 PM, in the choir/organ loft
Mass for Seating of Fr Tom
Thursday, July 11th, 6:00 PM wiith reception following
CPR and AED Training
Thursday, July 20th, 9:00 SM Please sign up.
LANDSCAPING CARE TEAM – MEETING
I am so thankful for those who have served this week in caring for our landscaping. Thank you to you all!!!! I will be meeting with those involved in landscape care briefly after the first and second services this week regarding next week’s approach to watering. We are also beginning discussions regarding how we want to fund our need for furniture, appliances, and lighting in our new outdoor finished and covered patio area. Please give Fr. Tom, Rex, and Mark Smith your ideas.
LESSER-FEAST DAY MAILING LIST
As most of you know, we use a software called “Flocknote” to send out important and timely messages (by e-mail and text). One of the ways that we use this messaging software is to disseminate articles and the corresponding scriptures related to important church fathers and figures. Here is today’s example: https://credo-life.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-feast-of-st-basil-great.html. If you would like to be contacted via this technology or would like to be put on the Feast Day mailing list, please respond to this e-mail which will go to office@stmattsblm.org, and either Pat or Father Tom will respond to you.
SIGN UP FOR SAFETY
A key focus for us this year is our improved safety and ability to respond in a crisis. As a part of that effort, St. Matthew’s has installed the new AED in the main hallway of the Parish Hall. Maggie St. Peters has the signup sheet on the board for American Red Cross training classes and CPR. The targeted date is Saturday, July 20 at 9:00am. Please sign up and join us!
CELEBRATION OF A NEW MINISTRY FOR FR. THOMAS REEVES
This August will mark the third year that Fr. Tom has been serving as the Priest of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. His contracted status most recently has been as a Priest-in-Charge, which requires a renewal of relationship/contract every 2-3 years. In May, Bishop Burgess granted Fr. Reeves approval for being “seated” as the Rector of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. This implies a more permanent contracted relationship with our parish and The Episcopal Diocese of Springfield. The Mass for the Seating of Fr. Thomas Reeves will be held on Thursday, July 11th at 6:00 PM with a reception to follow. Fr. Chris Simpson, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Lincoln, IL, and Dean of the Northern-Central region of our Diocese will be preaching. We welcome you all to attend this anticipated event.