The third Sunday after Trinity

Dear Fathers, Friends in Christ,

The Epistle for this Sunday , the 3rd Sunday after Trinity

THE EPISTLE.  1 S. Peter 5. 5
ALL of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.

Well familiar words indeed. Although they were written a long time ago still very much relevant for the times we live in. If we turn to the news on the television , then we do see the devil, our adversary, is still very hard at work. Take a look at what goes on in North Korea, Syria and other middle east countries. In our Australian politicians , at least  in a number of them humility is not to be found.
Also in the workplace where Managers make life difficult for their staff with unreasonable expectations.Sadly in the Church of God there are Bishops and Senior Clergy, who are definately not subject to one another.

I recently celebrated the 8th anniversary of my ordination to the Priesthood and like Saint Peter I am an Apostle of Christ and it is also my duty to preach the message expressed in the Epistle of today. I take this message out to the sick in my neighbourhood and whilst it is a message of reminding us to how we should be as Catholic Christians , it is offcourse also a message of comfort, that after the suffering we do we may find that Heaven is our Home, where there is no more pain and suffering, no darkness, but one equal light.

So, yes we are close to facing another working week, lets have a critical look at ourselves and see whether there is an urgent need for us to change our life style, to change it to how Christ wants us to live.

Amen

Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Launceston in Tasmania
Australia