Please join Lumen Christi this Tuesday, April 16th at 7:30 pm as we travel into a week made “holy” forever by the self-surrendering love of Jesus - for us all, we remember how He loved us. Whatever we do, no matter how busy or “distracted” we might be, we can let the power of this week be in the background of our daily reflections. No matter what we experience this week, we can let it become a “holy” week. This evening in New Brick, allow Lumen Christi to help you quiet the distractions and connect with the graces of this week. Through movement, reflections, and music, Lumen Christi provides a meditative evening to rest your mind and strengthen your soul.

There was so much that was heart-rending about my Mom’s descent into physical and mental nothingness – watching this lion of a woman, this commanding speaker, this extraordinary leader lose her capacities, especially her capacity to communicate, was so hard. Yet through it all, into her mostly-silence, into her not knowing where she was or whom she was with, she never stopped saying “thank you”. When her aides struggled to put on or take off her clothes, she said “thank you”. When she had to be reminded to open her mouth to be fed, she said “thank you”. When she was lifted into or out of her wheelchair, she said “thank you”. When we said “hi, Mom” and “goodbye, Mom”, she said “thank you”. When she ceased speaking any other words, my Mom still whispered “thank you”, every day, to everyone. Even when we thought Mom was no longer Mom, she was still teaching us. And so this Lent, on this year’s first anniversary of my Mom’s slipping the bonds of mortal life to take on the mantle of life eternal, I will strive with God’s help to make my most-oft spoken phrase that simple, that essential “thank you”. Amen.

Today is Palm Sunday. Readings at the Liturgy of the Palms: Luke 19:28-40 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 The Collect of the Day: Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Readings at the Liturgy of the Word: Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49 Father Manny's Sermon for Palm Sunday can be read here. Be sure to check our website each day, as we post the Daily Lenten Meditation each morning.

I don't know where to go from here It all used to seem so clear I'm finding I can't do this on my own I don't know where to go from here As long as I know that You are near I'm done fighting I'm finally letting go I will trust in You You've never failed before I will trust in You If there's a road I should walk Help me find it If I need to be still Give me peace for the moment Whatever Your will Whatever Your will Can you help me find it Can you help me find it I'm giving You fear and You give faith I giving you doubt You give me grace For every step I've never been alone Even when it hurts, You'll have Your way Even in the valley I will say With every breath You've never let me go I will wait for You You've never failed before I will wait for You If there's a road I should walk Help me find it If I need to be still Give me peace for the moment Whatever Your will Whatever Your will Can you help me find it Can you help me find it I lift my empty hands (come fill me up again) Have Your way my King (I give my all to You) I lift my eyes again (Was blind but now I see) 'Cause You are all I need If there's a road I should walk Help me find it If I need to be still Give me peace for the moment Whatever Your will Whatever Your will Can you help me find it Can you help me find it Songwriters: Jason Ingram / Ben Mcdonald / Dave Frey

If "God is love”, 1 John 4:16, and love can be re-examined, can’t “God” be re-examined? Our idea of God in trinity includes: Father Creator, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The names of God in the Old and New Testaments are set forth in “Wonderful Names of Our Wonderful Lord” (2002). A short, well-known list of such names is in the song, “For Unto Us A Child Is Born,” from Handel’s Messiah. The list is from Isaiah 9:6 “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” After the Messiah, other songs kept coming to my mind suggesting a lyrical answer to the question, may the concept of “God” be re-examined? Some more recent songs naming God follow... “We Three Kings of Orient Are” - Hymnal #128 That song links the Wise Men’s three gifts to: Roles of God: gold (King), incense (God), and myrrh (Sacrifice). Another song, “Here I am, Lord”, Hymnal Supplement #812, shows three ways that God may “call” us: God as Lord of sea and sky… as Lord of snow and rain… and as Lord of wind and flame…. Still another song “You are Holy” - or “Prince of Peace” - which occasionally appears in our Sunday bulletins attributed to Michael Smith, could win a prize for its many names of God: Lord of Lords… King of Kings… Mighty God… Emmanuel… Prince of Peace… Lamb… Living God… Saving Grace… Ancient of Days… Alpha and Omega… Beginning and End… Savior, Messiah, Redeemer, and Friend…. Background, and some questions… In all three “synoptic” gospels, Jesus tells His disciples of His coming suffering and death in Jerusalem. Then He asks them some questions: “Who do people say that I am? Who do you say that I am?” So, Reader, which of all these names of God do you like the best? Are there other names for God that you prefer?

Does it play a role in our everyday world? What kinds of love are we instructed to practice? God inspires love, awe, reverence and respect. We acknowledge His majesty, His goodness, His truth and His insight into our lives. The paths that are outlined in His Word give direction and meaning to our pursuits in life. The ‘fear of God’ described in the Old Testament gives a humble perspective to our relationship to the Creator of the Universe. Our Lord gives freedom, vision, mercy, compassion, justice, strength in times of weakness, vision to overcome our blindness, companionship for the lonely, a sense of belonging to the stranger, care for the vulnerable, encouragement in times of despair, unconditional Love, boundless hope, a promise of justice and food for the soul. God encourages us to live beyond ourselves, to extend ourselves to others and to exercise our God-given freedom to choose rightly, as Desmond Tutu explains in his book “Made for Goodness”. Learning to Give Love Connecting to others broadens your world- for me, trying to be open, to be understanding, to be a listener, and trying to learn about other people’s path through life. This happens in interpersonal relationships with family, friends, co-workers and those whom we encounter in the stores, on the roads and in the neighborhood. It also extends to our communities. Financial distress, physical and mental illness, family conflict, loss of purpose and fear of violence are present in underdeveloped countries and in Howard County. Working in Thailand and in Africa motivated me to take action to break the cycle of hopelessness. My way of trying to make a difference was in assisting at Christ Church Link and in the Susanna Ministry to women prisoners locally and in the Children of Uganda internationally. My involvement opened my heart to our society’s real problems. The gift of time and talent are so important. It’s an investment of self. Learning to Receive Love In the last 2 years, I have developed a new insight on acceptance, appreciation, perspective on life’s journey and an incredible feeling of gratitude to friends, total strangers and the unfathomable love of God. The direction of my live changed. In 2016, I viewed myself as a caretaker of two elderly and spirited Mothers, whose health was declining, but their intellect was intact. Within 10 months, I developed a chronic disease-progressive pulmonary fibrosis, with no possibility for improvement without a lung transplant. I became handicapped and in need of constant care. My loving husband became my constant support both emotionally and physically. He lived his marriage vow “in sickness and in health”, “to have and to hold from this day forward”. But in addition to my family’s love, I was showered with love from my Church. I was covered by prayer through so many wonderful people in the US and in Uganda. I received continual meals, home visits, cards, notes, phone calls and boundless encouragement. I was offered in person care, when my husband had an appointment. I never felt sidelined, but rather incorporated in the life of the parish. I also learned about the care of doctors and nurses, from the patient side. We developed a relationship with the oxygen deliveryman, my critical link to survival. Most importantly, I slowed down and turned my fate over to God. I accepted my new path and tried to stop the need to be in control all the time. God gave me tremendous peace and hope. I had a major attitude readjustment. Friendships rather than professional achievements meant so much more. I appreciated many of the simple pleasures- a meaningful conversation, a good laugh, a child’s smile or hug, a beautiful sunny day, a peaceful night, a quiet day with a good book, celebrating the change of seasons and decorating for the holidays. My To-Do List was now flexible. I did want to reflect and record my past experiences with different people and places with insights from my travels for my grandchildren. I was immersed in the present.

This past week has been incredibly awesome. Beginning on Sunday afternoon after worship, I spent some time at Savage Mill for the Chili Cook Off. I was highly impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of all the participating organizations. There were Jews, Christians, Muslims and everyone in-between. There were more chilies, different kinds of chilies than I have ever seen in my life. Most of all, it was fun to see so many people from diverse backgrounds working to help the homeless. I offer grateful thanks to Melanie Yaksich for cooking the Christ Church chilies. I promised myself that I will not taste any chili but Melanie’s, and so I did, and it was amazingly good. I said to myself, my net is full because your net is full. On Tuesday, I joined seventeen parishioners on a trip to Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA to see a wonderful, emotional, well-choreographed and moving presentation of Jesus. I have heard about Sight and Sound, but being there was more than I expected. And I believe that the parishioners who went on the trip to see this presentation was as much impressed as I was. A few years ago Mel Gibson came out with a movie about Jesus - The Passion. Many people saw the movie but for some strange reason that I do not remember, I declined to see the movie. And I never regretted not seeing it. But this production was very much unlike the commentary that I read and heard about The Passion. What I really enjoyed about Tuesday’s performance was the experience of being transported in time and space to the very place which gave birth to these stories, stories which we hold so dear because they express a value that define each of us. I have never felt so emotional, holding back tears as I heard Jesus teach the Lord’s Prayer. The story came alive to me in a very powerful and real way. I said to myself, my net is full because your net is full. As I sat in deep contemplating mood, I wondered to myself, if I am two thousand years removed from the story, and if I feel so emotional about it, how did Jesus’ hearers react to that same story, a story so powerful and life changing? How did these different and rich stories sit with them? Is it any surprise that their reaction to the Jesus story was so overwhelming that they could do nothing but to commit themselves to that very same cause for which he dedicated his life? Is it any wonder that they felt so strongly about it? Come to think of it, it is a story about a new human narrative. And that’s why my net is full. My net is full. And your net may be as full as mine, if not more. Both our nets are full primarily because when we met Jesus at the shore with our empty nets and boats a after a long night of fishing, he invited us to follow him, not as believers but as disciples. The point is, you can believe and not be a disciple or you can believe and be a disciple. A disciple follows, and he or she follows with a heart as pure and unadulterated as the love in which he or she anchors himself or herself. A disciple divorces the self from any allegiance that might hinder or pull him or her away from a profound expression of the love that he or she has come to know. A disciple believes, but the disciple only believes in the doctrine of LOVE and non-other. And when you are a disciple, you always find a new way of expressing love in all its fullness. A disciple considers it a privilege to serve, and to serve the other. More crucially, disciples serve without counting the cost. I am thankful for the many disciples that abound in our community of faith. Thank you for offering to serve. Thank you for thinking about the other. Thank you for looking beyond categories. Thank God for the burning desire that sits in each one of you and which drives you into filling your nets with acts of love. If my net is full, it is full because when I met him, he asked me to launch deep, and I did. He asked me to love deep, and I did. He asked me to serve even more deeply, and I did. And in the same way that I did, so can you. Manny.

Love can't be described. It has no shape, it has no form. Love is not an object. Love does not conform. Love enters our lives The moment we are born. From the cradle to the grave, Love's in everyone. Love burns like a candle That sometimes flickers but never dies. Love may be invisible, Although it's right before your eyes, Love can leave you empty, Love can make you whole. Love can make or break you, Love is in your soul. Love is in your heart, Love is in your mind. Love doesn't discriminate, Love is always blind. Love is universal, It encompasses the globe. No matter where you are, Love has a language all its own. Love is all around you. There's plenty of love to spare. You cannot see or touch it, But love is everywhere. Love's the greatest power, And yet it is so small. Love's a gift from God To be shared amongst us all. © John P. Read

The Dominican Republic has a long history of tension between the various ethnic groups that settled the island of Hispaniola over the centuries. Over the past 15 years in the area of Somos Amigos Medical Clinic, the tension between those of Haitian descent and the more lightly-complexioned Dominicans has gradually lessened. In the region surrounding the clinic, the farmers welcome the cheap labor provided by those fleeing Haiti, and the locals look out for each other. However, due to government policy to expel all Haitians from the Dominican Republic, there is still some tension and the Haitians are always fearful of rejection. One day during the January clinic week in El Naranjito, a Haitian mother and her 4 children were waiting for medicines from the doctor who had treated them. They had been at the clinic for many hours (as had many other patients). The 3-year-old started crying and rubbing her tummy. It was not necessary to speak Haitian Creole to understand that she was very hungry. The mother tried to comfort her. Then, one of the almost-blond-haired, Dominican children of about the same age walked away from her mother who was waiting to see a doctor and quietly handed the little Haitian girl a snack pack of crackers she had been saving to eat. The Haitian mother was overjoyed, expressing her thanks with a smile and words in Creole.

Welcome to the Fifth Sunday in Lent. The Collect of the Day: Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Readings for this Sunday are: Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8 The Sermon for today is given by Father Manny. You can read it here. Be sure to check our website each day, as we post the Daily Lenten Meditation each morning.

"The child is in me still... and sometimes not so still." ~Fred Rogers When Jesus told his followers "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3), He was pointing toward the vulnerability and openness that are essential for those of us who aren't children to inherit the kingdom of God. ~from The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers by Amy Hollingsworth