We do have other images we might imagine for “an organic communion.” We might, for example, think about the vine and the branches. It speaks to us of growth that is rooted in Christ, but that can lead in a variety of directions. It speaks to us of fruitfulness, and can connect in our reflections to the blood of Christ, which we receive in the Eucharist and in which we are cleansed from sin.
Grant us your light, O Lord,
that the darkness in our hearts
being wholly passed away,
we may come at last to the light
which is Christ.
Before a date is set, the full body of cardinals and bishops who make up the Congregation for the Causes of Saints must approve the miracle and then submit their recommendation to Pope Benedict XVI.
“One hundred thousand Roman Catholic priests have married in the last 50 years or more,” …, “but because I was such a public persona, I had a responsibility that others don’t to tell it like it is.”
If Sloan’s family and friends can make it happen, the plantings will be the beginning of his legacy, which is to build a small organization that will continue to landscape the homes of New Orleans flood victims whose every penny went into construction costs, leaving their rebuilt homes barren outside.
May the New Year be a time to discover something of this vision in your life; a time to discover more of the meaning of another of the King James Bible’s great words – the ‘loving kindness’ we all need to give and to receive. A very happy New Year to you all.
Time invested with church employees is some of the most productive time a minister will ever spend. This is especially true for pastors who supervise a staff of associate ministers. Outside of staff meetings, staff retreats and planning meetings, spend quality time with the ministers you supervise.
The confusion, as I understand it, comes from the fact that pre-modern calendars regarded sundown as the division of one day and the next, rather than midnight. Add to that the fact that traditions vary as to whether they count Christmas Day (beginning on evening of 24th) as the first day, or the evening of Christmas day, lasting through the day time of boxing day, as the first day.
In the Celtic tradition, this daily celebration of the coming of the light of each day then became a daily reminder of heaven, of the future light of eternity: