The Weekly 09/29/13

All Saints’

The Weekly WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 29, 2013

God’s Extraordinary Hospitality of the Life that is Really Life

By The Rev. Rick Matters

Today’s Gospel (Luke 16:19-31) features a chasm between Abraham and Lazarus in heaven and the rich man in hell.

We hear Abraham saying that no one can pass over the chasm. This imaginative parable of Jesus is consistent with our own experience of love and hate. It might help you make sense of the parable if you think of sin as separation and hell as eternal separation. Being separated from God’s love, joy, and peace would certainly be an agony.

The rich man was so caught up with himself and his own that he did not once think about Lazarus, other than to use him. He did not once say he was sorry. Isn’t this true of our own experience of people excluding or belittling us? Our own sense of distance is a good indication that we might need to restore closeness by practicing God’s extraordinary hospitality. The forgiveness Jesus offers

overcomes all distance for those who participate in it.

Jesus is the bridge whose love spans all distance and whose resurrection unites all divisions.

Scripture Lessons Today Amos 6:1a, 4-7 Psalm 146 1 Timothy 6:6-19 Luke 16:19-31

Scripture Lessons for Next Week Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 Psalm 37:1-10 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Luke 17:5-10

Recommendation:

Unearthing My Religion

By The Rev. Rick Matters

In honor of Bishop’s Mary’s visit I want to recommend her brand new book, just released by the publisher. Join me in ordering and reading it. Here is the only review of this new book that I could find. Fr. Rick Unearthing My Religion is for anyone who has questions about spirituality or religion. This book is particularly helpful for someone who has had limited exposure to Christianity and questions the value or relevance. The terms - spirituality, grace, faith, worship and community- are effectively described for those who question the meaning of these terms in today’s world. While the chapter on grace “sold me on the book” I must admit I found the remaining chapters to be excellent as well. Brief comparisons are made between the centuries as well as continents in sharing the diversity of experiences and practices. Mission-focused leaders will find this book renewing as they evaluate current practices. (Karen Kaufman)

All Saints’ • The Weekly

The Love of Money

By Robin Denney

“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” we hear in 1 Timothy.

It is not money itself, but the importance we give it, the power we let it have over us, the love we have for it, what we will do or give up for it, that can lead us down a path further and further from God. Money holds a powerful temptation. We can be convinced that it will make us happy or take away our worries or keep our families safe.

Commercials seep into our consciousness pressuring us to spend more in order to fix all those inadequacies we see in ourselves, as though if we just spend more we will be worthy of affection. When money becomes an idol, when we give it that importance in our hearts, we are distracted from the voice of God in our hearts calling us into relationship with God, telling us we are loved and called.

When we focus our love on God instead, long for God, seek God, then money falls into its rightful place and can be a tool in God’s call to us.

Highlighted Events and Meetings October 1 October 1 October 6 October 6 October 6 October 8 October 10 October 12 October 16 October 20 October 26 November 23

Diocesan Training for Eucharistic Visitors All Saints’ Book Group Evensong Confirmation classes begin Blessing of the Animals Health Fair at Health Center, Santa Lucia Local History Lecture Series: Point Sur Community Safety and Preparedness Fair Friends of St. Benedict Episcopal School Sunday All Saints’ Fall Festival All Saints’ Fine Arts & Craft Faire

Read more news online at: www.allsaintscarmel.org Join us on Facebook, Twitter and GooglePlus

Across the Chasm

By Robin Denney

What is the relationship between Lazarus and the rich man in today’s Gospel reading? Though they are both children of God, made in the image of God and loved, the rich man refuses to accept Lazarus’ humanity. Even in death, the rich man is unable to see that the wrong is not merely that he did not share his food with Lazarus, but that he continues to see Lazarus as an object rather than as a beloved child of God. Speaking not to Lazarus, but to Abraham, he says, “send Lazarus…” send him to quench my thirst or to save those dear to me. While the rich man continues to refuse to see the true life set before him, while he continues to focus on selfish desires, he continues to widen the chasm set between he and Lazarus, a chasm of his own creation. What chasms have we been building in our lives: chasms between ourselves and those we disregard, between ourselves and those we love, or even between ourselves and God? When we pick up the mantle of humility, and reach out in repentance, Jesus will show us the bridge he has built across our chasms.

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Friends of St. Benedict October 16

Our aim is to integrate the wisdom of monastic life and spiritual theology into our everyday lives as Christians. We meet the third Wednesday of every month, and all are welcome.

For more information about the Friends of St. Benedict, please contact Claudia Ward by calling 831-373-5069.

All Saints’ • The Weekly

God’s Hospitality Outside the Gate of Our Own Villages

By The Rev. Rick Matters

In 1963 I experienced a country in the flush of independence.

Seemingly in all 300 native languages, Nigerians extolled their newly discovered power in the symbol of Dick Tiger. Quick as lightening, with a powerful knockout punch, Dick Tiger was a middleweight champion and the most famous Nigerian in the world.

Sunday, October 6, 2013 Come Sunday, October 6, at the 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. services to have your dogs, cats, or other pets blessed by Father Rick.

Four years later, Nigeria was in the throes of a civil war precipitated by ethnic hatred and religious pride. In an oft-told tale that loses none of its tragic pathos for the retelling, the many Lazaruses suffered most in the Biafran War. A challenge for us is the stark contrast between Lazarus and his rich counterpart. In 1967 my family fled Nigeria, and Dick Tiger was banned from his own country. Today we cannot easily visit Syria, South Sudan, Pakistan, or Nigeria, but we can go outside the gate of our own village and care for Lazarus. The Gospel revolution Jesus continuously initiates begins with our leaving the table of sumptuous feasting and sharing life that is really life. The dismissal sends us forth.

Take Hold of the Eternal Life

By Greg Troxell

Today’s reading in 1 Timothy Paul urges his spiritual son, Timothy, to “Take hold of the eternal life.” Has life got you by the tail? What is it that you hold onto most dearly?

Summer Services at Santa Lucia Every Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

Contact the Rev. Cynthia M. Spencer to learn more: 831-667-2310

All of today’s readings aim to warn us of the dangers of spiritual complacency. Our understanding of truth, and our actions cultivate routines, habits, and even sin. Sins seem particularly innocuous and then once they have taken root and begin to show their fruit - their danger is altogether too obvious.

Avoiding evil takes an awareness of evil, as well as our good intention and wholehearted understanding of Jesus’ propitiation. Then, free of entanglements we are able to “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.”

Why settle for less? Why live life with less vigor than God intended when the Kingdom is at hand?

thevicarofbigsur@gmail.com

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Announcements Tuesday: The book group will meet for dinner on October 1, and for book discussion on October 8. Contact Anne at 625-7576 or annethibault999@yahoo.com.

Episcopal Schools Sunday will be observed on October 20 at the 10:30 service, when we welcome students and staff from All Saints’ Day School and York School.

Wednesday: Bible study from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. in Grant Hall.

ASDS Fall Festival—Mark your calendar for a day of fun at All Saints’ Day School’s Fall Festival, to be held Saturday, October 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The blessing of animals for the Feast of St. Francis will take place next Sunday, October 6, at the 8:00 and 10:30 services. Dogs, cats, and other small pets are welcome to join you in church on this day; larger animals will be blessed outside at the end of the service.

Evensong, a traditional Anglican service of music, prayer, and reflection, will be offered next Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

All Saints’ Episcopal Parish Ninth and Dolores PO Box 1296 Carmel, CA 93921 Phone: 831-624-3883 Fax: 831-624-1459 www.allsaintscarmel.org

St. Nicholas day is two months away, but planning will begin soon for our annual St. Nicholas Celebration. Contact Fr. Rick if you’d like to join a team from the school and parish to help with this annual event for all ages.

Santa Lucia Booth Sitters—Keep Mother Cynthia company in the booth at the Big Sur Health Fair on October 8 from noon to 5:00 p.m. For more information contact her by calling 831-667-2310 or email: thevicarofbigsur@gmail.com.

Are you looking for something on our website? Don’t forget to try the search function! Visit www.allsaintscarmel.org and enter a key word/phrase (like “lector” or “ice cream Sunday”) in the box in the top right corner, then click “search.”

Sunday handout deadline—To be included in next Sunday’s handout, your announcement must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on the preceding Wednesday. Most special parish events are included in the announcements for three weeks before they occur. Contact Andrea Matters at andreamatters@gmail.com or 624-3090.