Trinity XVI
This Sunday, the 16th Sunday After Trinity, is sometimes referred to as “Compassion Sunday” based on the themes presented by Jesus’ actions in the Gospel reading. Curiously, the Collect does not refer to compassion at all. Or does it?
In the time Cranmer translated this Collect from the original Latin, the word “pity” had a slightly different meaning than it does today. In the context of our Collect, “pity” is defined as “compassion accompanied with some act of charity or benevolence.” So when we pray today’s Collect we are asking for God’s constant compassion. And the act of charity is God’s cleansing and defense of the faithful.
Cranmer’s original translation also used the term “congregation” rather than “church.” I suppose he was reaching back to the original Greek definition of ekklesia, meaning “assembly or gathering of people,” rather than the Latin “ecclesium” meaning “church.” “Congregation” gives the prayer a more intimate feel as if we are asking God to protect us, gathered here today, rather than the wider church. The 1662 prayer book revisers substituted “Church” in reaction to the Puritan use of “Congregation” giving the petition a more universal meaning.
And perhaps that more universal meaning makes more sense to the theme of today’s Gospel, if you consider the population of the city of Nain to be symbolic of either the Church Faithful or of all mankind.
The predominant theme of today’s Gospel is the Compassion of Christ. Jesus came to reveal all the attributes of God. Firstly, He came to show the humanity of God and the divinity of man. And in today’s reading, Jesus revealed the divine attributes of tenderness and compassion: Two things that may have seemed foreign to the conception of God held by the inhabitants of Nain. The resuscitation by Jesus we read about is a miracle of comfort, especially to the revived man’s mother. It is a touching example of Christ’s continual compassion, from which the Church may gain patience in times of trouble and tribulation. This ties in nicely with our collect today.
God’s compassion is revealed to us in today’s Gospel in 3 ways:
1. Jesus knows our pain.
2. Jesus feels our pain.
3. Jesus removes our pain.
It was not a coincidence that Jesus passed by the city gates just as this funeral procession was coming out. This reveals to us that Jesus arranges both His path and ours, and ensures that they meet. He is always right on time. He knows when our troubles come, how heavy they are, and He is at hand to lighten our load. With Christ and His relationship with us, there is no such thing as chance.
The Lord sees and knows all and that’s good. The Lord has compassion and that’s even better; but best of all is when we can hear His comfortable words, as the widow does: “Weep not.” Jesus has a love for us that is full of sympathy and understanding. He walks with us, is present with us at all times. We must be willing to accept this, even when the sorrows and pains run deep in our lives. We must learn to believe in the heart of Jesus. And if we are not quite ready to accept the reality of this intense, intimate relationship that Jesus is with us, then we must seek him. And if we seek Him we know that we will find Him.
No matter the sadness or pain, Christ will comfort us. God’s compassion for us is unwavering.
--Fr Chris Fish
All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee
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SERVICES & EVENTS
Sunday Services, 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM, & 11:15 AM (for online participation for the services go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland)
Nursery in undercroft for 9:00 AM & 11:15 AM services
Sunday School, 10:30 AM
Wednesday, 12 noon, Holy Communion and anointing for healing, (for online participation for the service go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland)
Wednesday at 7:30 PM, Bible study with Fr. Bragg on Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews (bring your Bible and for parishioners and our readers across the country who are not able to attend in person you can see it online at https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland)
Next Vestry Meeting, September 23, 7:30 PM
Men's Group, Saturday Sept 28, 8:30 AM. Breakfast, Fellowship & Bible Study, all men are invited
Annual Pet Blessing – Saturday, October 5, between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. To volunteer, please email Fr. Chris at scotlandsaints@gmail.com.
Consecration of Bishop-elect Jeffrey Johnson as Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States, Saturday October 12, 11:00 AM (11 AM is correct time not 10 AM), St. Alban's Anglican Catholic Church, 4006 Hermitage Rd., Richmond, VA 23227
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday Oct. 13, Parish Picnic at Fort Hunt Park following combined 10 AM Service, more details to follow
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UPDATED: MaRIH Center (crisis pregnancy center) Needs Our Help
MaRIH Center with its all volunteer staff provides help to mothers-to-be and mothers in need. Please provide some of the items that are needed.. (You can leave the donations where the food for the food bank is collected on the pew in the undercorft.)
Especially Needed
In Bold and with an asterisk are a critical need.
Diapers (sizes newborn, *1, 2, 3, *4, *5, & *6)
Lovies
*Baby wipes
Diaper rash ointment
Baby shampoo
Baby blankets
Bibs
*Formula: Simulac Advance Formula
Formula: other but not recalled
Wash clothes
Hooded towels
*Grocery gift cards
Food Bank Needs
Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Those we help feed are very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar). Current needs include the following:
canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
peanut butter
jelly
tuna
canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
individual fruit cups (low sugar)
canned fruit (low sugar)
canola or vegetable oil (48 oz)
boxed cereal (low sugar) and instant or old fashioned oatmeal (18 oz or 42 oz)
pasta (regular and gluten-free):
instant potatoes
single serving fruit juice
macaroni & cheese
soups: Chunky or Progresso,noodle soup; chicken broth, cream of mushroom
coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar
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