waterholes march 14 - welcome to the anam cara...
TRANSCRIPT
Forgiveness
Waterholes: 14 March 2015
Never Never Creek in Promised Land near Bellingen, NSW. Photo, Julie
Brackenreg
WelcomeWelcome to Waterholes, the Anam Cara Community newsletter for the week beginning15th March 2015.Why this newsletter? This newsletter is one of the ways by which we hope to promotecommunity. The Anam Cara Community is intended to be much more than simply a group oflikeminded people. We hope it will continue to grow into a community that is a sign of God’spresence in and love for the world, a dispersed community of contemplatives whose lives andaction bring peace and healing to all of God’s children. We are a Community of Prayer, andbelieve that as we pray together, God calls us deeper into fellowship with one another.Who is welcome? The Anam Cara Community is proud to welcome anyone, from anybackground or faith community (or none!). We are an open and inclusive community thataffirms the dignity and worth of all humans, the value of the environment, and seeks to model away of living with one another and the world that points to the love and care of God foreveryone. Individuals who wish to formally join the Community are welcome to becomeassociates.
Coming Community Events1. Quiet Day - Saturday 18th April 2015 - St Mary's Morwell - 9.30am - 3.30pm.
2. Quiet Day - Saturday 20th June 2015 - St Mark's Rosedale - 9.30am - 3.30pm.
Community news1. Servant LeadersRecently the servant leaders where sorry to accept the resignation of Nick Nagy from the AnamCara Community Servant Leadership. We wish to acknowledge Nick's contribution to theCommunity during his time in leadership. Nick brought a gift of enthusiasm and encouragementas well as his musical and IT talents to our leadership. One of Nick's gifts to the Community hasbeen the way in which he has rebuilt and maintained our website. We are thankful for his workin this area and for his helpful instructions left for us to hand on to our new webmaster. WhilstNick has had to step down from his role due to external circumstances he remains an Associateand we look forward to continuing to journey with him at Quiet Days and hope he will sometimesbring his trusty guitar along!
Web masterWe are very fortunate that Anne and Brian's son-in-law Philip Johnston has offered to becomeour web master for the time being and is happy to maintain the website for us. Philip assistedus in the difficult time when we were adjusting to Colin's sudden death and were on a steeplearning curve in continuing to connect with Associates via the online world! We are verythankful for Philip and for his generous sharing of his skills and his time. The website is a greatresource and well worth a visit, including our recently updated library catalogue. You can findus at: www.anamcaragippsland.org
2.Community LibraryDID YOU KNOW? that all seekers and searchers on the inner journey may borrow books fromthe Anam Cara Community library? This is a terrific resource! There is no fee. You simply provide your name and phone number; note the book which you are borrowing; and upon return (up to 3 months) note the date uponwhich the book was returned. The library, formerly housed in Sale, is now mobile ! Books and a catalogue will be available atall of our Quiet Days for browsing or borrowing. Books may be returned at our Quiet Days orby mail to Anam Cara Community, P.O. Box 708, Sale, 3850.The full catalogue of the books held in the library is on our website for you to browse throughit. We have recently acquired a large number of new books for the library, so watch forupdates to the catalogue in coming months.Librarian, Sue Hopkins.
For your prayersPart of the joy of the Anam Cara Community is the gift of being called to pray for others. If youwould like the Community to pray for you, or for someone else, please email or call Jane (0411316 346 or [email protected]) who will add them to the prayer list, and ensure they areincluded in our roster of prayers. At present, your prayers are asked for:
The people of Vanuatu in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Pam and for all those whoare working to bring aid.Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran their families and friends as they care for each otherand prepare for a very uncertain future. For the legal proceedings and those who willhear them and make decisions for both these men and other inmates who are on deathrow. For the efforts of all who work for mercy and an end to the capital punishmentaround the world.For all people affected by the evil of drug trafficking. For users, their families and friends.For rehabilitation programmes and professional counsellors & carers. All families around the world touched by tragedy as a result of the inhumane actions ofothers, the people of Pakistan, Nigeria, Syria, Iraq, hostages and prisoners and thosesuffering who are known only to God.Refugees and asylum seekers. For just and compassionate policies particularly in ourown country. Bishop Kay Goldsworthy and her family as they settle in to Bishopscourt and prepare forher Installation on 21st March.Philip Muston, the senior staff of the diocese, Bishop in council and the Registry staff,Annette, Danielle, Bronwyn and Lucy as they support Bishop Kay and prepare for theInstallation and beyond.The Rev'd Barb Logan and Sue Hopkins, for wisdom for doctors as they continue withtests to diagnose reasons for severe pain and illness. For relief for Barb and Sue fromthe symptoms and healing.Associates who are unwell and have asked for our prayers: Kate Bristow as she journeyswith secondary cancer. Norma and June.The family and friends of Bishop Barbara Darling in their grief.
Some of our Associates are in a place where we are privileged to offer ongoing prayers forthem:
Anne Turner as she faithfully continues her ministries of soul care and prayer andjourneys with her deteriorating body.Larissa Dial and her family as Larissa continues to struggle with relapsed ovarian cancerand receives palliative chemo.
A number of parishes in our Diocese are seeking new incumbents. I include this prayer toencourage us in our prayers for the diocese and for wisdom and discernment for all clergyappointments advisory boards.A prayer at the time of choosing an Incumbent.Bountiful God,give to these parishes faithful pastors who will faithfully speak your word and minister your sacraments;an encourager who will equip your people for ministry and enable us to fulfil our calling.Give to those who will choose, wisdom, discernment and patience,and to us give warm and generous hearts,for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
The Prayer of the Day. Everlasting Godin whom we live and move and have our being,you have made us for yourself,and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you:give us purity of heart and strength of purpose,that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing your will,no weakness prevent us from doing it;that in your light we may see light,and in your service find perfect freedom;through Jesus Christ our Lord,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Scripture Reflection The Rev'd Trish Byrne, Associate Priest, St Augustine's Anglican Church, Mentone.ForgivenessReadings:Gen 50: 15 – 21, Ps 32: 1 – 7, Coloss 3: 12 – 14, Mt 18: 21 – 35.During Lent this year our parish is taking the Lord’s Prayer and reflecting on a phrase eachweek. In week 4 we are looking at:“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us...” At the heart of Christian prayer are the words of the perfect prayer model, straight from the lipsof Jesus. We call it the ‘Lord’s Prayer’. But in actual fact it is not just the Lord ’s Prayer it mustbecome ours.The fullest version of this prayer can be found in Matthew’s gospel, 6: 9 – 15, slightly less inLuke 11: 2 - 4 and just two verses in Mark. But all of them state unequivocally, ‘forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who may have wronged us’ We assume when we come to pray that if we are seeking God’s forgiveness, we come withremorse and a willingness to make right what we can. But do we think about our ownwillingness to forgive as being connected to God’s forgiveness of us?
This is at the heart of forgiveness and God knows our human frailty around this very question. We come to God in prayer, we confess our weaknesses, we ask for forgiveness and Jesus tellsus that God forgives, and forgives and forgives, but we don’t usually understand how God’slove and grace in this matter also, every time, requires our forgiveness in turn for others. Thiscan be very costly which is not surprising as we know that discipleship is costly.The enormity of this task is being portrayed at the moment on the world stage.
There are two Australian men (and others from other countries) in Indonesia who are awaitingdeath for the crime of smuggling drugs. We are told by the world’s media that these two arevery remorseful about their crime and have worked over ten years in prison to show thatpenitence, by creating programs that are re-educating and rehabilitating other prisoners in thejail.
Much of Australia it would seem is polarised by the situation, how can these two be executedwhen they appear truly remorseful? How complicated forgiveness becomes. Over millennia ithas always been so.
In our passage from Matthew today we hear Peter asking,“...Lord, how often should I forgive?” (we can hear him dredging up his greatest generosity!), “As many as 7 times?”Imagine his surprise when Jesus replied, “No not seven but I tell you, seventy seven timesseven.”In this situation today we can begin to see how intricate the matter of forgiveness becomes.For Christians the death penalty is an anathema. God alone is the arbiter of life and death. Our Christian belief and hope in ongoing life after death has to colour our conversation aboutdeath.We need to understand that ultimately it is God’s grace, love and forgiveness that is open toall, regardless of how much in earthly terms we consider someone to be worthy or unworthy ofthat forgiveness.
There are many facets to every story. Our knowledge will only cover some of the picture. Inthe case of these two, we haven’t seen the consequences of drug taking, which will ensue fromthe drugs they smuggled in. We can’t know the reach of grief caused by them. All our prayersand best diplomatic efforts may not save their lives. So, is all lost then?As Christians believe that this earthly life is a stage in our journey with God so ultimately wehave to leave the question of reconciliation of these two, and those carrying out the sentence,to God.
What Jesus has shown us in his precious prayer to the Father is that forgiveness has to bemore personal to us and less about wider events out of our control. [Remember the log andthe speck? Jesus tells us to remove the plank from our own eye before worrying about thesplinter in the eye of another. Mt 7:3]
What does Jesus say in Matthew’s gospel? “Forgive us our sins,[ in the same way], as weforgive others the harm done by them to us.”Saying ‘I forgive you’ is merely the first step in a process of finding true forgiveness foranother. The prayer does not say, forgive us as we forgive those who say sorry to us. Theprayer asks God to forgive us who show our sincerity by forgiving others.
How we come to such a point is by realising that all people are made in the image of God. Wemust respect and show compassion to all, even those who injure us in some way.As Paul says to the Colossians 3: 12 – 14 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaintagainst another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also mustforgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfectharmony.
The central point of the plea in the Lord’s Prayer:Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us, is love.In Mark’s gospel 11:25 Jesus says, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive if you have anythingagainst any one; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” This is the task which the Lord’s Prayer gives us. Forgiveness of those who have hurt us is notoptional. We see in the words of this prayer that Jesus understands what an enormous thingthis is to ask of us. Jesus, fully human, knows the frailty of our human nature. NeverthelessGod does ask it of us. To be reconciled with God, to be in right relationship with God, we mustoffer the same unconditional consideration to others.
If we use these words given to us by Jesus, each day, we remind ourselves each day, that weneed God’s help each day. In this prayer we honour God’s name, prepare to welcome God’skingdom, promise obedience, accept God’s providence and seek God’s merciful forgivenesswhile truly forgiving others.
Come to daily prayer with these intentions in our hearts and in God’s amazing grace we will becared for as truly God’s children.
Photo Reflection
A chapel window, Dresden, Germany. Photo by Heather Toms
Other events of interest in the diocese:
1. An invitation to attend the Installation of The Right Reverend Kay Maree Goldsworthy as the 12th Bishop of Gippsland 21st March 2015 10am at St Paul's Cathedral Sale A reply is requested to Danielle Matthews or Lucy Haseldine by Monday 2 March 2015 Tel: 03 5144 2044 or [email protected]
2. Third Fridays at The AbbeyAn invitation to join with other friends of the Abbey to care for the beautiful Abbey environment.This Friday 20th March - All Welcome! We will start around 10.30am, but come when you can Join with others in caring for the environment at The Abbey During 2015 we want to restore garden areas that showcase indigenous plants and grasses develop meditative spots at the stations of the cross work to conserve the native vegetation of the lake shore
Prayer in the Chapel Prayer will be said in the Chapel at 12.30 for those who would like to participate
Community time Bring lunch and share community time together
For further information. Phone: The Abbey on (03) 5156 6580 Email: [email protected]
3. Quiet Day - Extravagant LoveMandala art and reflection with a cappella singing by 'The Harmonizers'St Mary's Anglican Church Mirboo North10am - 3.30pmbookings: Rose 5169 6707 or Geoff Pittaway 0411 639368
Support on the journeyThe Anam Cara Community’s ministry is to be a support to those who are on the inner journeyinto God. Each person’s journey is different, and we recognise that there are some for whomthe Christian tradition is difficult or not supportive. We’re committed to finding ways to hear theneeds of each Associate, and support them as we can.Contacts:• Website: www.anamcaragippsland.org• To subscribe to or unsubscribe from the mailing list contact Jane• Soul carer (Community Leader): Jane (0411 316 346 or [email protected])• Secretary / Librarian: Sue 03 5182 5542• Treasurer: Kate• Postal mail: Anam Cara Community, PO Box 708, Sale, VIC 3850• Diocesan Director of Professional Standards (to make complaints or express concerns aboutour ministries): Ms Cheryl Russell 0407 563 313, [email protected]
Love and prayers
Jane MacqueenOn behalf of the Servant Leaders
APBA & NRSV portions, TiS hymns ‘Reprinted with permission. Copyright Broughton Publishing Pty Ltd.’
Copyright © 2015 Anam Cara Community Gippsland, All rightsreserved.
unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences
Subscribe Share Past Issues Translate