May 1, 2005
Why Make MUCH of St. James the LESS?
Today's Feast of Ss. Phillip and James the Less is a continued remembrance of the fact that the blood of martyrs is the seed of our Christian faith. The faith that you and I have inherited has been handed down (tradere) through the centuries by the lives and deaths of so many martyrs. In this free world, it is very easy to opine and think and express whatever one wants. However, we cannot let wolves in sheep clothing talk whatever they want, defiling the faith that these apostles have safely handed down to us. The apostles have taught and imparted the unique experience of Jesus, who is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. Phillip, in today's question, earnestly seeks to understand the Father. Jesus replies that he who sees HIM sees the Father.
The early fathers of the Church point to the fact that the first Bishop of Jerusalem was St. James the Less. He was recognized as the first Bishop by the Apostles themselves. When he was brought before the sanhedrin and was adjudged to be stoned to death, James spoke of the profound experience of Jesus, who ascended and is seated at the right hand of the Father and will come again to judge the quick and the dead. He was stoned to death as he testified to his faith in Jesus.
The UECNA has the Jerusalem cross on its crest and on the flag. The Jerusalem cross is one main cross surrounded by four smaller crosses on its four sides. The main cross signifies the Cross of our Savior and the four small crosses denote the four Gospels. Jesus' commission to his followers was that, beginning from Jerusalem, the Gospels must be preached to all nations.
Jerusalem is also connected in a significant way to UECNA in the line of apostolic tradition. Our Presiding Bishop, Stephen C. Reber, comes down the great apostolic line of succession which has two streams blending into one -- namely, the Canterbury one and the Welsh one. St. David of Wales was consecrated by the Patriarch of Jerusalem John III, who had his apostolic succession starting from St. James the Less himself. Although he is called St. James the Less, he is in no way "lesser" than any of the apostles in meeting with the criterion that he had lived with and seen the Risen Lord and laid down his life for his faith.
Whenever we have an opportunity to stand for THE TRUTH, THE WAY AND THE LIFE, we need to defend it with all our might. Defending the faith is also an aspect of growing in the faith, and we have St. James the Less and the other apostles to look to for inspiration.
Posted by frleo at 11:46 PM
April 18, 2005
Apologetics: The Art of Defending Faith
Our way of growing in the Faith is by knowing Him more clearly, loving Him more dearly and following Him more nearly, day by day. But there are also moments when we need to be involved in Apologetics (defense of the faith). In this regard, the following press release has been provided to the local newspapers:
What Went on at The 1977 St. Louis Congress of the Episcopal Church?
The 1977 Episcopal Church Congress at St. Louis brought about the change from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer to compromise theology and liturgy, sowing seeds for the current spiritual and moral crisis in the church today. What REALLY happened at the Congress? Come and listen to the inside story from the person who gave the opening address at the Congress in 1977. Captain Walt R. Swindells, member of the United Episcopal Church of North America, a traditional Episcopal church continuing in the faith once given to the saints, will speak this Sunday, April 24th at 9:00 am at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church (UECNA), 1803 W. Emma Avenue, Springdale. All are welcome.
Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to learn about historic events which led to the establishment of the Anglican Continuum.
Posted by frleo at 5:47 PM
October 23, 2004
Adult Education Special Session
I have placed the following announcement in the local newspapers. Please bring along an ECUSA friend to this week's Sunday School.
St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, Springdale, a traditional orthodox Episcopal church family, following the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, will hold a special session, "Windsor Report, What Next?" at this week's Adult Anglican Education class, 9:00 a.m., Sunday at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church. All are welcome. The discussion will be based on the Lambeth Commission on Communion, The Windsor Report 2004, published this week. This report gives the Anglican communion's stand on the homosexual issue that has rocked the Episcopal Church. We will review this report in terms of its orthodoxy and its relevance based on Scripture, Tradition and Reason. All those in search of traditional, sacramental, and liturgical worship are also welcome to attend the Holy Eucharist at 10:00 a.m., following the Anglican Education class.
God Bless, and I hope to see you all tomorrow at Sunday School and Holy Eucharist.
Posted by frleo at 5:33 PM