

As we begin this Lenten season I invite you all, as the Ash Wednesday service says, “in the name of the Lord to observe a holy Lent”. I hope you all will be able to attend church and may this season before Easter prepare you for the glory of the resurrection.
As I reflect on our current world situation, I feel we are ourselves in a penitential time. Things are rough. There is an economic meltdown caused by greed. The secular culture around us is rejecting God. Heavens, there are advertisements on busses in London refuting God exists! Peace in the world seems fleeting. Our world-wide Anglican Communion has problems. And here at home, Quebec is the least religious place in North America, and our Anglican population in the Diocese has dropped 70% in 25 years. We at St. George’s are facing a deficit budget this year. Things are not “rosy”. Things are rough.
Does this rough time indicate that God is far away? Not at all. Quite the opposite in fact. What it does indicate is that we, as God’s people, have work to do to remind others of the good News of Christ. To remind the world of what really counts; of love, peace, relationship, compassion, worship and prayer. And rough times mean we, as the people of God, also have to also make sure our priorities are in line. In my sermon, on our Annual Vestry Sunday, I outlined the focus I feel all people in the Parish should concentrate on this year. I refer to the Five Marks of Mission as outlined by the Anglican Consultative Council.
1. To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God
2. To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
3. To respond to human need by loving service
4. To seek to transform the unjust structures of society
5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
It is, I feel, time to get back to these basics, and to stop worrying about worldly things that tend to distract us. To help us do that as Lent begins, these Five Marks of Mission will form the basis of our Lenten study this year. I will lead it along with our Curate Bob and our Honorary Assistant Fred. These Five Marks of Mission will also be at the center of the Corporation and Council goals and objectives for this next year.
I pray that these Five Marks of Mission will also be at the center of your heart and mind this year as you continue to fulfill the Lord’s will here in Montreal in 2009.
For with these at center stage, we will first of all remind ourselves once again of God’s power and of God’s redemption. Secondly, we will be able to reach out and share God’s good news with others. So, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we concentrate on these Five Marks, let us simply wait upon the Lord. Wait upon the Lord. And then, the words of the prophet Isaiah will once again be fulfilled to the glory of God. For ‘those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint.”
Let us continue to walk together in these rough times, let us be reminded again of God’s power and majesty, and let us go forth building up the kingdom of God. For God is with us, right here and right now. Thanks be to God.
Blessings.
Ralph+
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St. George’s Anglican Church
1101 Stanley Street
Montréal (Québec) H3B 2S6
Canada
Telephone: 514 866-7113
Fax: 514 866-6096
Église anglicane Saint-Georges
1101, rue Stanley
Montréal (Québec) H3B 2S6
Canada
Téléphone : 514 866-7113
Télécopieur : 514 866-6096
E-mail:
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© 2009 – Updated onMise à jour le 2009-04-02