President Thomas Jefferson, author of the phrase “Separation of church and state,” asked Congress to ratify a treaty with the Kaskaskia Indians, which they did this day, December 3, 1803. It stated: “Whereas the greater part of said tribe have been baptized… into the Catholic Church, to which they are much attached, the United States will give annually, for seven years, one hundred dollars toward the support of a priest… who will… perform… the duties of his office, and… instruct as many… children as possible.” The treaty, signed by Jefferson, concluded: “The United States will further give the sum of three hundred dollars to assist… in the erection of a church.”

William J. Federer. American Minute

The nations of antiquity
rolled away in the current of ages,
Israel alone remained
one indestructible edifice of gray antiquity...
preserved by an internal and marvelous power.
--- Isaac Mayer Wise


An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere,
while a pessimist sees only the red stoplight...
the truly wise person is colorblind.
--- Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)

... from here, there and everywhere

25     Fearing human beings is a snare;
but he who trusts in ADONAI
will be raised high [above danger].

Stern, D. H. (1998). Complete Jewish Bible-OE
: An English version of the Tanakh (OT) and
B'rit Hadashah (NT) (1st ed.). Clarksville, Md.: Jewish
New Testament Publications.

                Not by might nor by power

     And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. --- 1 Cor. 2:4.

     If in preaching the Gospel you substitute your clear knowledge of the way of salvation for confidence in the power of the Gospel, you hinder people getting to Reality. You have to see that while you proclaim your knowledge of the way of salvation, you yourself are rooted and grounded in faith in God. Never rely on the clearness of your exposition, but as you give your exposition see that you are relying on the Holy Spirit. Rely on the certainty of God’s redemptive power, and He will create His own life in souls.

     When once you are rooted in Reality, nothing can shake you. If your faith is in experiences, anything that happens is likely to upset that faith; but nothing can ever upset God or the almighty Reality of Redemption; base your faith on that, and you are as eternally secure as God. When once you get into personal contact with Jesus Christ, you will never be moved again. That is the meaning of sanctification. God puts His disapproval on human experience when we begin to adhere to the conception that sanctification is merely an experience, and forget that sanctification itself has to be sanctified (see John 17:19). I have to deliberately give my sanctified life to God for His service, so that He can use me as His hands and His feet.

Chambers, O. (1993). My Utmost for His Highest

So God spoke to her,
  she the poor girl from the village
  without learning. 'Play me,'
  he said, 'on the white keys
  of your body. I have seen you dance
  for the bridegrooms that were not
  to be, while I waited for you
  under the ripening boughs of
  the myrtle. These people know me
  only in the thin hymns of
  the mind, in the arid sermons
  and prayers. I am the live God,
  nailed fast to the old tree
  of a nation by its unreal
  tears. I thirst, I thirst
  for the spring water. Draw it up
  for me from your heart's well and I will change
  it to wine upon your unkissed lips.'

The Poems of R.S. Thomas , (Fayettesville: University of Arkansas Press), 1985

     God Does Not Want To Frighten People

     The Bible never wants to make us fearful. God does not want people to be afraid-not even of the last judgment. Rather, he wants to let human beings know everything, so that they will know all about life and its meaning. He lets people know even today, so that they may already live their lives openly and in the light of the last judgment. He lets us know solely for one reason: so that we may find the way to Jesus Christ, so that we may turn away from our evil way and try to find him, Jesus Christ. God does not want to frighten people. He sends us the word of judgment only so that we will reach all the more passionately, all the more avidly, for the promise of grace, so that we will know that we cannot prevail before God on our own strength, that before him we would have to pass away, but that in spite of every¬thing he does not want our death, but our life... . Christ judges, that is, grace is judge and forgiveness and love-whoever clings to it is already set free.

     Repentance means turning away from one's own work to the mercy of God. The whole Bible calls to us and cheers us: Turn back, turn back! Return-where to? To the ever¬lasting grace of God, who does not leave us.... God will be merciful-so come, judgment day! Lord Jesus, make us ready. We rejoice. Amen.'

  Bonhoefier's sermon for Repentance
  Sunday, November 19, 1933

Go to   Matthew 4:17     Click Here

God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas.

     The modern Lutheran martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906 -- 45), looked to the life of Jesus Christ to distinguish between "cheap grace" and "costly grace." "Cheap grace," Bonhoeffer wrote in Cost Of Discipleship," is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate."

     "Costly grace" stands in stark contrast to this: it "... is costly because it calls us to follow, and is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.”

The Cost Of Discipleship

      • The Principle of Time: Abraham’s encounters with God as they appear in the altar experiences noted in the Scriptures covered a period of at least 40 years. This is not suggesting that “every five years” God met him on an appointment basis, since eight incidents are in focus. But it should help us to see that a maturing walk with God involves God-given time for growth.

      • The Problem of Fear: Abraham’s arrangement with Sarah, that she lie about their relationship whenever they were in a hostile setting that might threaten Abraham’s life, is certainly unbecoming. Yet the patience of God with a fearful man should be noted. In short, the Bible makes clear that God’s ability to build a man of faith is not removed because at earlier points in his walk with Him the man has struggles with fear.

      • The Priority of Responsiveness: Abraham’s faith is the product of his readiness to respond to God. Though he is called the “father of faith,” he did not arrive at that title by reason of a grand exercise of mighty spirituality. All he does is simply answer when God calls. Even though he is sometimes apparently fearful and even though his development takes decades within his lifetime, the essence of his faith is in the fact that he responds to God, rather than hides from His call.

Man's Walk with God (Power to Become)

     For Maimonides, intellectual love of God does not lead to a condition of mystic union in which man transcends the awareness of his humanity. (Guttmann, Philosophies of Judaism, p. 199 ) Yirah implies that man is conscious of himself as a creature even during moments of intellectual communion. This experience of yirah, which is available to all men and which is an outgrowth of knowledge of God, is interpreted by Maimonides, in the Guide, as describing the way in which the philosophic Jew understands Halakhah: (Guttmann, The Guide of the Perplexed, p. 224 )

     This purpose to which I have drawn your attention is the purpose of all the actions prescribed by the Law.… He, may He be exalted, has explained that the end of the actions prescribed by the whole Law, is to bring about the passion of which it is correct that it be brought about, as we have demonstrated in this chapter for the benefit of those who know the true realities. I refer to the fear of Him, may He be exalted, and the awe before His command. It says: “If you fail to observe faithfully all the terms of this Teaching that are written in this book, to reverence this honored and awesome Name, the Lord your God.”

     The philosophic Jew understands Halakhah as providing a life-form for that which is present to all men only during moments of intellection. The awe and humility felt by the philosopher when he encounters God’s majesty results from reflection on God’s wisdom as manifest in nature. For the philosopher who lives by Halakhah, the consciousness of being a creature who lives in the presence of God results from the discipline of the mitzvot. Halakhah continuously sets God before the philosopher.

     This essay has attempted to make the reader aware of the mutual interaction of philosophy and Halakhah in Maimonidean thought. The discussion of Maimonides’ treatment of yirah pointed to the influence of philosophy on one’s understanding of Halakhah. At the end of the Guide, Maimonides also suggests that the halakhic consciousness influences the philosophic ideal of intellectual love of God. The concept of teshuvah, which has its source in the Halakhah and which occupies a central place in the Mishneh Torah, defines the philosophic Jew’s response to suffering.

     Because of Sinai, the halakhic Jew understands his historical condition through obedience or disobedience to the will of God. Physical suffering is interpreted as a message from God calling one to examine his relationship to Torah:

Hartman, D. (2009). Maimonides: Torah and Philosophic Quest (See all Torah Books) .

     Never underestimate the influence of your child’s heroes. Sixteen-year-old Francis Xavier moved to France from northern Spain, enrolling in the University of Paris and gained a reputation for being “charming, witty, urbane, athletic, musical, good-looking, successful with women, and somewhat vain … a complete worldling until one day he met … Ignatius Loyola.”*

     Loyola sought reformation within the Roman church. Loyola’s convictions so affected Francis that for the rest of his life he knelt when writing to Loyola or reading a reply. Together the two men established the Society of Jesus—the Jesuits—in 1534.

     In the late 1530s Loyola and Xavier set off as ministers to Venice where they preached and worked in hospitals. Then with the blessing of Pope John III, Xavier left Europe as a missionary to the Orient. Arriving in India in 1542, he walked throughout the countryside, wearing poor clothing, incessantly ringing a little bell, and calling the inhabitants to turn from paganism to Christ. He focused on the children, advising a coworker, “I earnestly recommend to you the teaching of the children … since the grown-ups have no hankering for Paradise.”

     Xavier journeyed on to Japan where he laid aside his rags, put on expensive clothing, and publicly debated Buddhist monks. Numbers of Japanese entered the Christian faith, but Xavier felt that the key to winning Japan was to first win the Chinese; so he set off for China. Waiting for an audience with the Chinese emperor and permission to preach, Xavier developed a fever, weakened and died on December 3, 1552.

     Francis Xavier is the father of modern Catholic missions. He started life spoiled, but became one of the most courageous figures in missionary history. He laid the groundwork for the Catholic evangelism of the Orient and did it all in just a ten-year period.

     Such is the power of a hero.

     Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools. You are in for trouble if you sin, but you will be rewarded if you live right. --- Proverbs 13:20-21.

Morgan, R. J. On This Day 365 Amazing And Inspiring Stories About Saints, Martyrs And Heroes

     “;See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah … has triumphed.…” Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain. --- Revelation 5:5–6.

     When the saints get to heaven, they will not merely see Christ and have to do with him as subjects and servants of a glorious and gracious Lord and Sovereign, but Christ will entertain them as friends and family. (The Works of President Edwards: Treatise Concerning Religious Affections. Justification by Faith Alone. Pressing Into the Kingdom of God. Ruth's ... of Sinners. the Excellency of Jesus Christ) This we may learn from the manner of Christ’s conversing with his disciples here on earth: though he was their Sovereign Lord and did not refuse but required their supreme respect and adoration, yet he did not treat them as earthly sovereigns are accustomed to do their subjects. He did not keep them at an awful distance but all along conversed with them with the most friendly familiarity, as a father amongst a company of children, yes, as with family. So he did with the Twelve, and so he did with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He told his disciples that he did not call them servants but friends, and we read of one of them that leaned on his bosom—and doubtless he will not treat his disciples with less freedom and endearment in heaven. He will not keep them at a greater distance for his being in a state of exaltation, but he will rather take them into a state of exaltation with him.

     This will be the increase Christ will make of his own glory, to make his beloved friends partakers with him, to glorify them in his glory, as he says to his Father: “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me” (John 17:22–23). We are to consider that though Christ is greatly exalted, yet he is exalted not as a private person for himself only, but as his people’s head; he is exalted in their name and on their account as the firstfruits and as representing the whole harvest. He is not exalted that he may be at a greater distance from them but that they may be exalted with him. Instead of the distance being greater, the union will be nearer and more perfect.

     When believers get to heaven, Christ will conform them to himself; as he is set down in his Father’s throne, so they shall sit down with him on his throne and shall in their measure be made like him.
--- Jonathan Edwards

Wallis, D. (2001). Take Heart: Daily Devotions with the Church's Great Preachers

SATURDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
YEAR 2

Psalms (Morning) Psalm 20, 21:1–7 (8–13)
Psalms (Evening) Psalm 110:1–5 (6–7) 116, 117
Old Testament Amos 5:18–27
New Testament Jude 17–25
Gospel Matthew 22:15–22

Index of Readings

PSALMS (MORNING)
Psalm 20, 21:1–7 (8–13)

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

1 The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary,
and give you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your offerings,
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices. Selah

4 May he grant you your heart’s desire,
and fulfill all your plans.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory,
and in the name of our God set up our banners.
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

6 Now I know that the LORD will help his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with mighty victories by his right hand.
7 Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,
but our pride is in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They will collapse and fall,
but we shall rise and stand upright.

9 Give victory to the king, O LORD;
answer us when we call.

1 In your strength the king rejoices, O LORD,
and in your help how greatly he exults!
2 You have given him his heart’s desire,
and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
3 For you meet him with rich blessings;
you set a crown of fine gold on his head.
4 He asked you for life; you gave it to him—
length of days forever and ever.
5 His glory is great through your help;
splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
6 You bestow on him blessings forever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the LORD,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

[  8 Your hand will find out all your enemies;
your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9 You will make them like a fiery furnace
when you appear.
The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath,
and fire will consume them.
10 You will destroy their offspring from the earth,
and their children from among humankind.
11 If they plan evil against you,
if they devise mischief, they will not succeed.
12 For you will put them to flight;
you will aim at their faces with your bows.

13 Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength!
We will sing and praise your power.  ]

PSALMS (EVENING)
Psalm 110:1–5 (6–7) 116, 117

1 The LORD says to my lord,
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies your footstool.”

2 The LORD sends out from Zion
your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your foes.
3 Your people will offer themselves willingly
on the day you lead your forces
on the holy mountains.
From the womb of the morning,
like dew, your youth will come to you.
4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

5 The Lord is at your right hand;
he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.

[ 6 He will execute judgment among the nations,
filling them with corpses;
he will shatter heads
over the wide earth.
7 He will drink from the stream by the path;
therefore he will lift up his head. ]

1 I love the LORD, because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, I pray, save my life!”

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6 The LORD protects the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return, O my soul, to your rest,
for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

8 For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.
9 I walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
10 I kept my faith, even when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11 I said in my consternation,
“Everyone is a liar.”

12 What shall I return to the LORD
for all his bounty to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD,
14 I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
16 O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!

1 Praise the LORD, all you nations!
Extol him, all you peoples!
2 For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD!

OLD TESTAMENT
Amos 5:18–27

18 Alas for you who desire the day of the LORD!
Why do you want the day of the LORD?
It is darkness, not light;
19 as if someone fled from a lion,
and was met by a bear;
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
and was bitten by a snake.
20 Is not the day of the LORD darkness, not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?

21 I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
I will not look upon.
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
24 But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

25 Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 26 You shall take up Sakkuth your king, and Kaiwan your star-god, your images, which you made for yourselves; 27 therefore I will take you into exile beyond Damascus, says the LORD, whose name is the God of hosts.

NEW TESTAMENT
Jude 17–25

17 But you, beloved, must remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 for they said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts.” 19 It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions. 20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; 21 keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some who are wavering; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies.

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

GOSPEL
Matthew 22:15–22

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” 21 They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

The Episcopal Church. Book of Common Prayer Lectionary