Jesus Is The Way, The Truth and The Life

Recently Pope Francis made some controversial comments where he said, “all religions are path[ways] to reach God.”  This sentiment seems to contradict Holy Writ, especially John 14:6 where Jesus proclaims, “He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Him.” What did He mean by this?  And what does it mean for us?

This broken world leaves us all lost, confused and sorrowful. However, this is not our fate. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Jesus came to comfort us and to make us rejoice . How does He accomplish this?  First He shows us that He is the Way.

Thomas the Apostle said to Jesus: "Lord, we don't know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus answers him: "Just believe in Me. I am the Way." What Way? The Way to live and to die. Jesus said "Narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it." It is narrow because it is the way of God, according to God's Word, not according to the whims and desires of this world. How does one quiet a fearful heart? By believing in God and Jesus. How does one quiet his fears about the future? By listening to Jesus who says: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, you may be there also.” And then He adds: "And where I go ye know, and the way ye know." Jesus went the way of sorrows and suffering so that we can go the way of peace and everlasting life. Therefore, Jesus is the Way, the only Way.

There is no truth in the world without God’s Truth. The world is full of lies, half-truths and violence. Evil is pulling the strings of the world causing people to be deceived. But Jesus is the Truth. He came to tell us the truth about ourselves and about God. He came to show us our sins and the need for salvation. Jesus came to tell us that no one can come to the Father in heaven except through Him. He came to tell us that He has prepared heaven for us. Jesus came to tell us that if we believe in Him, we also believe in the Father. This Truth comforts us in our sorrows, guides us in our fears and assures us that He is the Good Shepherd Who lays down His life for the sheep. Why did He rise from the dead? He said: "Because I live you too will live."

In Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, we learn that the wages of sin is death. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. And the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. All will die but Jesus has saved all and offers them eternal life. Jesus told the sorrowing sisters: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Jesus then asks the sisters if they believe this. And Mary answers: "Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."

 So there you have it, in His own words we learn that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life. He is everything.  It is our duty to reject false teaching, no matter the source.

 --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) 

Sunday School, 10:30 AM

Vestry Meeting, Monday, 7:30 PM

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)

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

Sunday Oct. 13, Parish Picnic at Fort Hunt Park following combined 10 AM Service  (there will be a 7:45 AM service). Please invite family, friends, & neighbors to picnic.  Hot dogs, hamburgers, bbq, beans & potato salad as well as some beverages provided by parish.  Please bring finger foods and desserts to share.
 
 
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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St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
1607 Dewitt Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301-1625