St. Mary Magdalene Parish

Deacon Weaver's Homily - 8/29/2010

The stated intent for today is on Virtue.  Which is a difficult concept to really talk about because we have a tendency to think about it in terms of the things that we do, when perhaps it is better to think about in terms of things that we are.  In this way our "virtues" just are, because of who we are and the way in which we approach the world around us.

Traditionally speaking, the Virtues where associated with the Third Choir of Angels in the heavens.  They were beneath the Seraphim and the Cherubim and acted as a type of middle management taking orders from higher choirs in relation to the governing of the cosmos and interconnectedness of all things.  Seldom reveling themselves to humanity they concerned themselves with the details of the universe.  Through the efforts of these spirits, the very cosmos was maintained.  It seems as though this is directly connected to the first reading.  I wonder if from the perspective of the Virtues, they refer to themselves exclusively or if they would see us as a part of that.  I wonder if the Virtues would see us complete and connected to all of these things within the Sacred Flame.

So often we know what is right and what is wrong but we either justify doing the wrong thing through a sense of separation or we place ourselves and our problems on pedestals because we see the immediacy of our life as being more important.  If we look from the perspective of the cosmos all of our issues are very small. According to the Virtues this thinking and the actions it produces causes a breakdown in the cosmos itself, and without question it also does so in our lives. So as we ponder this intent for the day let us call to mind the times that we rushed through our lives, marginalized the people around us, or acted from the sense of separation and let us consider if the things we did, said, and felt really made or lives better.

One of the Bishops in our extended community tells a story of a person standing in line at the supermarket and becoming very angry because he feels his time is too valuable to be waiting for the person in front of them to get their act together and let him continue with his life.  It is of course something that we are all guilty of at one time or another, but looking at it logically, did any of that energy and frustration do any good?

In the gospel reading we hear Jesus again telling us to humble ourselves, to be happy with a lower placement.  While not explicit to the reading, it can be inferred that we can do this because we have built up our own self worth and we recognize, as the virtues do, that we are a part of everything.  So it is through our patience and understanding that we allow 'our cosmos' to run smoothly.  If we were to see others in the same way that we see ourselves and judge them as we judge ourselves, by their intentions rather than the actions that they are doing, we could truly follow the Lord's Golden Rule of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" or perhaps "see others through the same eyes as you see yourself."

Let us Pray:  Heavenly Father, who created the hosts and choirs of angels to minister to thy glory, pray that we might find peace in the knowledge of the Lord, that we may have faith in the cosmos above our own problems and that we may see others as you see them as whole and complete within the Sacred Flame.  This we pray in your Name... Amen!

Deacon Weaver's Homily - 8/22/2010

Today's Homily follows the intent for this the twelfth Sunday after Trinity.  That shows the intent for the day to be about the "Mystery of Christ".  Our readings today reflect some of these mysteries and as always call to us to be more and work on ourselves:  Our first reading talks about "The first mystery" as being the Mystery of Manifestation.  Manifestation came to us through the Word and embodied in the Christ.  So the Logos/Christ and the very creation have always been intrinsically linked.

John 1:3-5 tells us "All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.  What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people". The Word can then be seen as the "Light of People" and in this way the Word becomes a "Revealer" as well as a savior, not only holding a divinity for himself alone but also gives light to reveal to us the possibility of knowing the creator and in so doing illuminates the way to know ourselves. In this way John presents a Jesus who gives self understanding in the light of creation and tells us that we can know ourselves because we have been illuminated to know God.

In the Johannite book the Levitikon this verse is followed with the statement: "And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not understand it at all."  This passage is interesting because we are told clearly that the light of revelation shines on us all and that the darkness is made light to those that see; however, many do not and remain in darkness without understanding.  This makes sense from the prospective of revelation.  However, we are also talking about manifestation, so this speaks to how we all create.  Some of us create in light and some in darkness, or more appropriately, sometimes we each create from understanding of what we are creating and other times in ignorance of what we are creating.  So in this lesson let us think on those times that we feel at the mercy of the world, that we feel blown about without ability to navigate our lives, and let us pray to leave a victims mentality of darkness and pray for the light of revelation to encompass us that we may find our way.

Our reading from the Book if Isaiah tells us that there "Shall come forth a rod out of Jesse and a branch shall grow out of his root".  What does this mean?  Well as we investigate Jesse we find that he was the grandson of Boaz and Ruth and the father of David the slayer of giants and the greatest Kings.  But in the Hebrew his name is rooted in Jah, Jehova, or "I am" and suggests that when a person realizes their eternal existence of "I AM", and is firm and strong in this revelation, he is in the Jesse state of mind, and of out of this state of mind will come God's idea of man, the Christ.

Isaiah continues to say the "Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of Wisdom (Sophia) and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and reverence to the Lord.  He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after hearing his ears; but with righteousness shall he judge the poor and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth."  God tells us here that once we find this "I AM" we hold it, we believe it, and though those who are poor (in spirit) will say things and show us things we will judge for ourselves what is right and wrong through the mind of Jesse.

Let us pray to the Lord that he might give us his guidance so the light of revelation through the Word may shine upon us and guide us to the understanding of ourselves and that we may create with him and from the very foundations of "I AM".  This we pray in the the Lord's name.  Amen!!!

New Schedule of Happenings

Hi All,

 St. Mary of Magdalene's Parish is holding a lot of activity in the coming weeks and more in the coming months.  Many of the things that we have listed are in response to the growing community and services that were requested by them so that is very exciting.

 1. SERVICES: St. Mary's is now offering a weekly communion service on Sundays at 10:30AM all are welcome and communion is open to everybody that wants to partake.

 2. DISCUSSIONS: While always lively our discussion we are going to continue these sessions as a part of our ongoing commitment to education.  These will continue on the fourth Wednesday of every month with the next one taking place on the 25th of august at 6PM.  Again all are welcome.  Because of the time in the evening that this is taking place we will expand it to a pot luck session so please feel free to bring something for the group.

 3. MEDITATION GROUP:  In an effort to expand praxis we are starting a meditation group that will be exploring various forms of meditation and prayer from contemplative to guided.  This group has been scheduled for the second Tuesday of every month with the first one starting on Tuesday September 14th.

 4. CLASSES:   We are also in the process of developing and bringing in teachers and instructors to teach classes on various subjects.  From Ancient Christianity to esoteric concepts and relationship building to dream work.  So be on the lookout for these to be trickling in over the coming months.

5. CHOIR: We have wonderful music that has been composed specifically for our liturgy and we have found a Choir Mistress who has offered to help put together a group to sing the liturgies as well as other songs that she grew up with and enjoyed singing during her experiences in Choir.  This is in the very beginning stages but we are putting it out there anyway as it would be nice to start building this group.

 Again thank you all for your continued support and encouragement I hope that something is able to be built here that will really help to support the community and promote a more personal spiritual growth for everybody.

Rev. Deacon Jeremiah "Bray" Weaver

Feast of Our Patron

The feast of our patron, St. Mary Magdalene, is coming up on Thursday, July 22nd.  This is always a day of celebration but this year it's a very special day as we will be consecrating our new space at 1500 W. Littleton Blvd. in Littleton, CO.  We will begin with a liturgy that will be followed by an open house and meal.  All are invited to attend, you need not be a parishioner.  Please bring along your family and friends.  More precise details will be available soon.  We look forward to seeing you all.

Parish Staff.