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Kneemail from Saint James Church

5 January 2022 AD

Epiphany
(We will celebrate the Epiphany Mass at 5:30 PM today.)

It has become increasingly popular in preaching, and devotional, circles to refer to “God’s dream”.  Usually, this is accompanied by language about universal peace, justice, personal fulfillment, or prosperity. It is found across the theological and denominational spectrum.  If you simply search the internet, you can find out that God has a special “dream” for you as an individual, and a “dream” for the creation.

Far be it from me to criticize prominent and internet theologians but talking about God having “dreams” is at best lazy theology and language, and at worst, heresy.  Of course, the Scripture uses the term “dream” when it discusses revelations made while someone is asleep, but God does not sleep or daydream.  Scripture also uses “vision” to describe God’s revelation to the prophets, but it always describes the prophets’ visions of God, not God’s “vision” for the world.  Nor is the biblical word “vision” synonymous with its use in modern corporate language. And though I appreciate the desire to simplify theological language to make it accessible, but to do so at the cost of clarity and confusion is not acceptable.  While in popular parlance, “vision” and “dream” might be interchangeable, thus making it understandable that theologians do the same, however, to treat the terms interchangeably in theology is to make a category error.

To be clear, God does not have “dreams”.  God does not have “visions”.  God grants “dreams”. God grants “visions”.  Both are granted in the light of revelation for what God is going to do and are dependent upon God.  Yet it must be stated that there is no place in the scriptural, or historic theological tradition, where God is said to have dreams for us corporately, individually, or for the creation.  What God has is a plan.  God has a plan for us corporately. God has a plan for us individually. God has a plan for creation. God has a plan for salvation.

At Epiphany, we celebrate the revelation of God’s plan for salvation to the nations, to us.  Here, with Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar we come face to face with the Living God, and the fulfillment of the visions of the prophets.  God has acted in the Incarnation and has revealed his work of salvation in Jesus Christ: in the union of God and Man, the restoration of Human Nature, and the ultimate defeat of death.

Here is a vision of truth, beauty, love, and peace.  Here we see the plan of God for each of us, that we might be saved.  This is no passing dream. 
 
 


PS:  On a personal note, Amy and I are postponing our open house until a date not certain.  We will announce a date as soon as we can.  Thank you for understanding.

 

Announcements for the week of 5 January 2022

Wednesday (1/5)
5:30 Epiphany Mass (Transferred)

I Epiphany (1/9)
8:00 AM Rite I
10:00 AM Rite II
Sunday School for all ages resumes this week.

Tuesday (1/11)
12:15 PM Bible Study in the Library

Wednesday (1/12)
5:30 Mass
6:00 Dinner
6:30 Programming/Choir

BLESSING OF HOMES AT EPIPHANY. If you are interested in having your house blessed during Epiphany, please contact a member of the clergy.  If you wish to do so on your own, this form may be used.  Blessed chalk is available at the church.


Using blessed chalk, put the following as high up on the door as you can: 20 + C + M + B + 22

Meaning: 20 (Current century)

Initials are the Wise Men: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar

C, M, B also stands  for Christus Mansionem Benedicat (Christ bless this house).

Pray the “Our Father”, then:

Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE ANNUAL MEETING will take place on 16 January after the 10 AM Mass.  We are still looking for volunteers to serve as delegates to the Annual Convention.  Please let Fr. Halt know if you are interested.  Reports are due 1/13 for the meeting.

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING will be collecting diapers for outreach during the month of January.

Dear St. James’ Church Family:
 
The officers of the Texarkana, Texas Police Department and I would like to thank you for your kindness and generosity in helping provide a joyful and blessed Christmas for them as they worked the streets of our city, keeping us safe during the Christmas holiday.
 
Your caring concerned provided those officers who were working the streets on Christmas Eve, Day and Night with a wonderful Christmas spread. Additionally, I was able to make the area where they received their meals decorated with holiday cheer. I know they felt appreciated and that the people of St. James’ Church were able to bring Christmas to them, even as they had to spend Christmas away from their families.
 
May Almighty God bless you with a deeper knowledge of that Love which came down from heaven to be born as a Child in Bethlehem.
 
Again, I greatly appreciate each of you for the care you gave through your prayers and kind acts of support.
 
In our blessed Lord,
 
Fr. Richard R. Daly, SSC
 
Did you know that you can now pay your pledge or make a gift to Saint James' Church through our secure online payment system?  

See http://saintjamestxk.org/giving/ for details.
Copyright © 2022 Saint James' Church, All rights reserved.


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