Epiphany 3. 2012

Last week we talked about God’s providence. What he does for us and what we do with and for him.  I quoted St. Augustine,: “pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.

God’s providence (defined as) ‘foreseeing care’; to say simply that God exercises providence tells us nothing about the ends he brings about, nor even the means that he employs.  God not only makes the world, he makes it make itself.  Austin Farrer taught that a christian always sees God’s providence as an accompaniment, we are God’s instrument, we could call this a partnership.

In today’s Collect we pray: “In all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us”.  Remember, God helps those who help themselves.  We do not believe in……….. OR teach of a God who “interferes” or manipulates his creation as puppets, but does work with and through them.  The beginning of this prayer: “mercifully look upon our infirmities” the beginning of all prayer and of all healing, “look upon” translates heal our infirmaties, our shortcomings, our sin.  Make us spiritually whole so we can serve you and you will help and defend us.

Are any of you watching “Masterpiece Theatre” Sunday evenings at 8:00?  Mary and I are hooked on the series “Downton Abbey”, it is the English version of a soap opera, yet done in typical English style of civility and propriety.  It is the story of the Crawley family, (lords and ladies), beginning in the years leading up to world war I.  The drama centers on the Crawley family and their servants.  We are in season two, but you can still tune in Sundays 8:00 pm. You will not be dissapointed!

I bring this up because last week lady Mary Crawley, one of the three  daughters of lord Crawely is alone in her room kneeling in prayer.  Her sister lady Edith opens the door and says: “you were praying“, lady Mary responds in embarasement “ I was not”, her sister leaves and Mary kneels and resumes her prayer. (you must keep in mind, she is praying for the man she loves, Matthew and has given him her good luck piece as a magic charm to take into battle).  Lady Mary prays: “Dear Lord, I don’t pretend to have much credit with you, I am not even sure you are there. But if you are and if I have ever done anything good, I beg you to keep him safe.”

I do not want to belittle her prayer, it is a start! But I hope we can do better! Christianity is a “growing religion”.  Let me be very clear, I believe in God’s providence, and the church teaches God does help and defend us through Jesus Christ our lord.  As I have said many times, the best of Christians will get colds, the flu and yes even get hit by a car and die, But……..in God’s providence even in the worst situations that we face in this world, evil, hatred, sickness, those who stay closest to God, in His Holy Spirit through His Son, will overcome all obsticals.  Scripture teaches us: (1^st corinithians 10:13) “No temptation has come your way that is too hard for flesh and blood to bear. But God can be trusted not to allow you to suffer any temptation beyond your powers of endurance.  He will see to it that every temptation has a way out, so that it will never be impossible for you to bear it.” (Phillips)

God has the same plan for each of us, to love him and be with him forever, now his secular plan for each of us as individuals will differ, every one must pursue his own individual life, work, family, etc.  We were made to flourish on all levels of our life in preparation for eternal life!.  God will also help you find your calling and direct you and strengthen you when you do his will.

I would suggest that this week you go back and re-read the Epistles for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Epistles from (Romans 12) Phillips summarizes the 12^th chapter of Romans:

“We have seen God’s mercy and wisdom, how shall we respond.”  St. Paul tells us that we are called to make the “sacrifice” and do His will. (12:2) “Don’t let the world around you squeeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves toward the goal of true maturity in him.”  There it is: God’s providence working in and through you!  Then in the verses following; (12:9) we are taught: “Let us have real christian behaviour” ………………….true christian love!  Let us have no imitation christian love, let us have a genuine break with evil and a real devotion to good……… base your happiness of your hope in Christ.  When trials come endure them patiently; steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer”

Next week we finish our Epistles in Romans for the Epiphany season with (Romans 13) “The christian and the civil law” ending with: “love as God commands and be Christ’s men and women head to foot”

These collects, Epistles and Gospels are not just for Sunday’s, they are for daily use, help and direction, assistance and encouragement as we participate in Gods divine providence.  We need to make sure we are never out of touch with God!  And if we truly pray to him, he will uphold us by his right hand, shield us from danger, and lead us safely to our goal at last.

As recorded in the 11^th chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel:

“One day it happened that Jesus was praying in a certain place and after he had finished, one of his disciples said,

“Lord teach us how to pray, as John used to teach his disciples.”

“when you pray, our Lord answered, “you should say,”

“Our Father who art in heaven“……..”.