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THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSSTHE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

During the reign of Constantine, first Roman Emperor to profess the Christian faith, his mother Helena went to Israel and there undertook to find the places especially significant to Christians. (She was helped in this by the fact that in their destructions around 135, the Romans had built pagan shrines over many of these sites.) Having located, close together, what she believed to be the sites of the Crucifixion and of the Burial (at locations that modern archaeologists think may be correct), she then had built over them the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which was dedicated on 14 September 335. It has become a day for recognizing the Cross (in a festal atmosphere that would be inappropriate on Good Friday) as a symbol of triumph, as a sign of Christ‘s victory over death, and a reminder of His promise, “And when I am lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32)

The Christian custom of tracing the sign of the cross on persons and things as a sign of blessing is very old. Some think that it goes back to the very origins of Christianity and earlier. In Ezekiel 9, we read that Ezekiel had a vision of the throne-room of God, in which an angel was sent to go through Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of the faithful few who mourned for the sins of the city. Afterwards, other angels were sent through the city to destroy all those who had not the mark. We find similar visionary material in Revelation 7:2-4; 9:4; 14:1, where the mark on the forehead again protects the faithful few in the day of wrath, and it is said to be the name of the Lamb and of His Father.

What is the significance of the sign of the cross? Well, in the first place, we often place our initials or other personal mark on something to show that it belongs to us. The Cross is the personal mark of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and we mark it on ourselves as a sign that we belong to Him, just as in the book of Revelation, as noted above, the servants of God are sealed or marked on their foreheads as a sign that they are His.

James Kiefer

Address by Crystal WaitheAddress by Crystal Waithe

Address given by Crystal Waithe at Mass on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Crystal attends Queens College and is presently completing her CAPE Exams.

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child shall lead them.

Isaiah 11:6

This sounds like the ideal society, doesn’t it? A world where everything is harmonious and all creation lives together in peace, appreciating each other’s importance and having a profound and godly love for each other.

The Painting entitled "Jesus Blessing the...

The Painting entitled “Jesus Blessing the Children” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

However, this is not the world we live in today. Unfortunately, we live in a world where we destroy our environment, seek out selfishly for ourselves and train our young to follow the same destructive path. The sad part of all this is that we repeat these negative actions in the hope of achieving positive results. The only way for positive changes to be seen is for the next generation to be properly taught. This is the only way to correct the mistakes of the past.

I often hear individuals question the behaviour of the youth as it relates to morality, violence and the like; this questioning develops into a blame game. When it isn’t the children it’s the parents, the school, the church or the government. While I do believe that we all have a basic sense of right and wrong and are therefore responsible for our own actions, I also believe that all social institutions have a role to play in the lives of children. The argument is always one of nature versus nurture and as the rector said recently “good parents generally raise good children.” Generally, this is true, but like in all things there are exceptions to the rule. However, I do not believe that parenting is the only factor which contributes to the upbringing of children.

When I was younger my grandmother used to say “it takes a village to raise a child”. This means that the entire community has an effect on its children. This would allow for a prime society for children to be raised in. But what is this prime society comprised of? Firstly, it is a society where parents instil good values in their children-respect, honesty, kindness and generosity. This cannot be done simply through words; it must be followed by action.

The rise in domestic abuse and lately bullying create problems for children. Where there is bullying in homes, it is difficult for children to differentiate between the message sent by the schools which is “stop the bullying” and the action shown at home which is abusive behaviour. The message needs to be constant on all fronts. One of the easiest ways to show appreciation to children is to be consistent. If everyone says something different it can become confusing to decide what is right or wrong, what should be done and what should not be done. The family, the school and the church must be consistent in whatever message must be sent.

Another way to show appreciation is time. Nothing too difficult, just time. Spending time with anyone can be difficult in these times. There always seems to be something popping up, something more important but children must be seen as important. We can never be viewed or treated as an inconvenience. Just talking or playing a game or coming to watch us participate in an activity is important.Time cannot be replaced with money, clothes or ipads or phones. It may seem like a good deal too some children but it can be detrimental. It causes us to place material gain over moral values. Besides, sometimes everyone feels a little alone; even children. Spending time with children alleviates this loneliness. It also makes it easier for parents to become aware of what is going on in the lives of their children. Therefore if something is going wrong within the lives of children, the easiest way for parents to discern this is by simply talking their children.

Whatever values have been instilled at home must be reinforced at school and although education is the priority, attention must be shown to children’s behaviour. Since most children spend the majority of their time at school, it can be difficult for parents to keep track of everything which goes on within their children’s lives. It can be made easier if a relationship is formed between parents and teachers. Difficulty with school work is easier to keep track of along with any issues among peers.

Children hate feeling smothered but if we are involved in the decision-making processes and made to feel as though our opinion matters, this can be avoided. Recently, the eleven plus has passed and every year we see parents and teachers who come together to encourage children to achieve the highest grades. Many of these parents and teachers also encourage students to aim to attend the “highest” schools. This puts a lot of pressure on students and those who do not do well often feel like failures. Many of these children do not have much say in how their choices for schools are arranged and so this only enhances their disappointment. This could be partially avoided if parents and teachers allow children to have more say in a process which may affect them for the rest of their lives.

Lastly, there is the church. Attending church together as a family allows for closeness in family bonds to be maintained and allows for children to become closer to the Christian faith which in turn gives them a sense of security and love. This closeness bypasses every issue that could ever develop in a child’s life, every sense of feeling unloved by parents or peers. The love of God conquers all of these and unless you know you will not be able to experience it. As children can only be aware if taught, it is important that families attend church and so bring their children closer to this love.

This appreciation for children leads to them to a lifestyle of appreciation not only towards themselves and their families but towards those around them and the environment surrounding them. This can cut down not only on the moral decline of children but the violence and crime which threaten to ruin our society today. Love and appreciation towards one another are vital for the improvement of this society and it can only begin with the relationship built between this society and its children.

As we come to the end of the observance of Child Month under the theme “Let’s Embrace and Appreciate Our Children” we must follow the example of Jesus who always had time for children. When the disciples attempted to stop those who were bringing children to Jesus for him to bless them he intervened and embraced the children as he said: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matthew 19:14). Jesus used children to teach his disciples humility and greatness in God’s kingdom (Matthew 18:4). He further demonstrated his appreciation for children by saying: “but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

The author of Ephesians writes to parents advising them to appreciate and embrace their children: “Parents, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). St. Paul also writes: “Parents, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Colossians 3:21).

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, whose Son Jesus Christ, born of a woman, sanctified childhood and shared the life of an earthly home; bless the homes and families of our nation. Give to parents a true sense of responsibility in the care and training of their children, that our boys and girls may grow up in the fear of your Name and the fellowship of your Church, for the glory of Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wayne E. Isaacs

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The Month of the ChildThe Month of the Child

English: parties to the convention

English: parties to the convention (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is a treaty which sets out the rights of children. The Convention defines a child as anyone under the age of eighteen, unless the age of majority is reached earlier in a nation’s laws. The Convention was adopted on November 20, 1989, (the 30th anniversary of its Declaration of Rights of the Child). Presently, 194 countries are signatories to the Convention.

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Micah 6:6-8Micah 6:6-8

He has showed you, o man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to love justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6: 6—8

English: Rally for social justice, Beersheba, ...

English: Rally for social justice, Beersheba, Israel, Aug 13 2001 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When one reads the writings of Micah, Hosea, Amos and Isaiah, one sees persons who have a deep concern for the injustices  present in the life of the society.

In order to appreciate the prophets’ disquiet with what was happening it is necessary to examine the social context within which they spoke. The society was experiencing a period of moral decay and religious irrelevance. The disparity in wealth widened the gap between the rich and the poor.  Economic and social policies went against the norm and violated the principles of justice. The decadent upper class exploited the poor and their luxurious living made them insensitive to the needs of the poor and needy. The courts were corrupt, the leaders, priests, prophets, and state officials were perverted in their religious and business transactions.

Into this situation came the prophets with their vehement denunciation of the nation’s social evils. The prophets protested the lack of social justice and the sanction of immoral activities. The prophets did not define justice. Justice connotes many meanings — equality, fairness, rights, goodness, honesty, impartiality, uprightness; however it is interpreted, the prophets are appealing to the community to change its way of living and do what is right.

In their call for justice, the prophets announce simultaneously Yahweh’s displeasure and annoyance of the depraved community, that is called to be holy as he Yahweh is holy. Isaiah captures the mind of Yahweh and summarises the attitude of the prophets.

When you spread forth your hands I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers p I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.  Isaiah 1:15-17

The business people were dishonest and gave false weights, (Amos 8:5—6). The priests and the prophets became corrupt, (Micah 3:11). Lying, killing, stealing and the like are prevalent, (Hosea 4:1-2). The poor are sold into slavery and the afflicted turned away; (Amos 2:6-8).  Workers were oppressed; (Isaiah 58:3). It is a society corrupted by the accumulation of wealth and riches; (Amos 4:1-2).

The appeal for justice is rooted in the character of Yahweh. The righteousness of God requires that his people be just in their relationships. Because he is just, he loves justice and frowns on conditions that promote injustice. Isaiah writes: “For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrong” (Isaiah 61:8).

Righteousness and justice are two necessities for community living. The peace and wholeness of the nation hang on the practice of justice. The absence of these two qualities from Israel’s public life was a threat to the community’s social and political organisation. Actually, the prophets  indicate that the community was destroyed for lack of justice. In highlighting the need for social justice the prophets are seeking to rebuild the covenanted community; a community built on justice and righteousness.  The cry for justice focuses attention on unhealthy practices that impede the building of the community.

There is a relationship between justice and morality. Moral persons act justly; immoral persons act unjustly. A person who is immoral will do things that are not right. What is inside a person is seen in a person’s actions. Jesus reminds us that it is not what goes into a person that defiles the person but what comes out. If the heart is sinful the person’s action will be sinful.

The way we treat people speaks about the condition of our hearts. We act unjustly when we unfair people, take advantage of anyone, when our actions make life difficult or painful for  another person, when we break our marriage vows, when we refuse to support our families, when we use people for selfish purposes, tell lies on people, refuse to help people and are unkind. We need to exchange our hearts of stone for a heart of flesh. Hearts of stone act unjustly.

This year we are invited to give of our best to the Master. At our festival Fr. Reid spoke about different aspects of giving our lives to God. In a sense he was asking us to be just, to act justly in our relationships with God and people. But without a change in our lives what he said will be of no help to us. How many of us have changed our lives because of what was said by Fr. Reid in his addresses. Is it a case that we listened but have returned to our old way of living.

I would like to suggest to you that within the context of our theme, we give of our best to the Lord when we act justly. To act justly is to do what is right.

Wayne E. Isaacs

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O Come, O Come EmmanuelO Come, O Come Emmanuel

The hymn ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel‘ is the most popular Advent hymn, It dates back to more than 1500 years and its author is unknown, It was translated into English by John Mason Neale. All the verses begin with an antiphon, a short line to be sung before and after each psalm. Each antiphon begins with the letter ‘O’ and they are known as “the O antiphons.” In churches that follow the catholic traditions these antiphons are used at Evening Prayer and Mass the last week of Advent, one for each day.

English: John Mason Neale

English: John Mason Neale (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

The antiphons are based on Isaiah: Isaiah 7:14: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Immanuel is Hebrew for “God with us.” The “Rod of Jesse” refers to Isaiah 11:1: “There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse.” Jesse was the father of David, second kind of Isreal. “Day-Spring” comes from Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, in Luke 1:78: “The dayspring from on high has visited us.” “Thou Key of David” is in Isaiah 22:22: “The key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder,” which in turn refers to Isaiah 9:6, “The government shall be upon His shoulder.” Traditionally, the hymn is sung daily from the Third Sunday of Advent.

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