A Plea for Community & Genuine Connection
12 Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead, I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 2 John 12: 1
My Effort to Find My Own Chuch Community
I recently moved to a small town in Mississippi, and by chance, ( began attending a huge Southern Baptist Church there, My thought was that I could quickly make friends in that large body of people. That did not become the case. I discovered that this large body of people had already divided themselves into smaller clubs and other social packs, and that within those small packs of people, there was no room for a new outsider.. In a large group, I had many associates, but I could not find a pack where I belonged.
No doubt, I seemed to be the only person in that congregation who did not support Donald Trump and his Maga Agenda.
After Donald Trump was re-elected, I decided I needed to leave the town entirely and to move to a place where more people shared my values and opinions.
Fortunately, some members of the tiny Episcopal Church convinced me to try their congregation, and that seems to fit..
Don’t Get Lost in the Crowd
I moved my membership to that small Episcopal Church, where I no longer feel like a fly on the wall. I feel a connection with other people. I am no longer a mere associate–I am a friend–and my church family is also my body of friends.
For years, I had dreaded Sundays and putting on my Sunday hat and Churching with my Sunday “friends” — the people I saw a couple of hours each week. Now, my Sunday friends are the people I visit other times during the week–they are my friends all week long.
The People in the Early Church Were Friends Who Also Worshipped Together
A Plea for Truth
- 4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 2 John 12:4
The World Greets the New Pope Leo XIV from the Order of St. Augustine
The Augustinians Value Truth
“Augustine insists that we are to ‘teach the truth in love.’
“Markers of the presence of the value, what does ‘Veritas’ look like? – According to the Augustinians
- To tell the truth
- To search for truth in friendships
- To be serious about the hard work, self-discipline, and self-awareness that honest study requires
- To know Him who Is Truth Incarnate, Jesus Christ, and His saving message
- To know one’s worth as a child of God and the transcendent dignity of every human person
- To explore energetically the physical world and the world of ideas with an openness to the goodness of beauty and reality
- To be able to think in an orderly and critical fashion and to express one’s thoughts clearly with grace
– Midwest Augustinians
I am not Catholic, and yet, I am thrilled about the election of Pope Leo XIV. In my opinion, Pope Leo XIV will offer the world a different leadership than that of Donald Trump:
Donald Trump Is Known for His Legacy of Lies
“President Donald Trump moved at a blistering pace in his first month back in the White House. He lied fast and furious, too.
“In speeches, interviews, exchanges with reporters and posts on social media, the president filled his public statements not only with exaggerations but outright fabrications. As he did during his first presidency, Trump made false claims with a frequency and variety unmatched by any other elected official in Washington.” Daniel Dale, CNN
5 But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.
7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we[b] have worked for, but may receive a full reward. 9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; 11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.
Final Greetings
12 Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead, I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 2 John 12:2
Psalm 105
How to Pray
1 O give thanks to the Lord,
call on his name,|
make known his deeds among the peoples.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wonderful works.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually.
5 Remember the wonderful works he has done,
his miracles, and the judgements he has uttered,
Collect for Purity
“Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.” Book of Common Prayer
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread:Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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