St. Francis Episcopal Church
is located at
16608 Highway 76
Pauma Valley, CA 92061
Church phone and answering machine. (760) 742-1738
Mailing Address
St. Francis Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 1220
Pauma Valley, CA 92061
is located at
16608 Highway 76
Pauma Valley, CA 92061
Church phone and answering machine. (760) 742-1738
Mailing Address
St. Francis Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 1220
Pauma Valley, CA 92061
10th Sunday after Pentacost
August 14, 2022
Fire
In our Gospel this Sunday, Jesus said, “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! … Do you think that I have come to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you but rather division! (Luke 12:49f) Jesus as seen in the Gospel of Luke looks very much like a Zealot at times. Zealots were more militant in their methods of liberation. He not only is a fiery preacher and teacher, but he can also sound very agitated and angry. One of the “missing” parts of Luke that we did not read a Sunday a few weeks ago showed his fiery temper. When Jesus sent out the 70 to go everywhere he intended to go, there was much to be happy about. But there was also wrath. “Woe to you Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!... at the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. (Luke 10:13f) Jesus is angry at these whole cities where he felt they did not listen to his words. Fortunately, these seem to have been just angry words as there apparently were no real fires kindled, and of yet, no cities destroyed.
First, let me say that this is not the Jesus that I even like to think about. This is a part of Jesus that most of us don’t want to see. Luke captures a vision of a rather impatient Christ, one who had no time to waste in completing the mission of bringing salvation to the world. Luke captures the humanity of Jesus, the Jesus who is angry that there were still those who doubted his word. This is the Jesus who is more like us, more human, more real. When he comes again to judge both the heavens and the earth, there will be violence and destruction. He has told us that he would separate the sheep from the goats, many will be saved, but some will not. This is a Jesus under pressure from his own disciples and from the people who expected him to come and save them from the Roman occupation. This is the Messiah who does not come to change things by force, but who comes to show us how to love. He is the Messiah that many would not understand; a messiah who suffers, who suffers even death on a cross.
Jesus in Luke this Sunday is hard to hear. He is the bringer of division and anger. Jesus says that there will be divisions in families because his message will divide them. I can tell you that this has become true in our own families.
There is a strong division in religion in our families. Even though we are mostly Christian, we have conflicting ways of belief and practice. Some see our faith as something that divides and separates the righteous from everyone else. Some see faith as the unifier that brings all of humanity together. Some use their faith to separate and judge, while others see faith as the love that binds all wounds and forgives all faults. It always helps me to remember first, that I too am a sinner, a man dependent on the love of Christ to live a life worthy of repentance. We are not to be the ones who judge. We are to be the ones who show Christ’s love and forgiveness to this broken and divided world. It is the only thing; He is the only one who can save the world. He did it with his love and his sacrifice for us.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Michael+
Altar Guild Meeting
Mark your calendars
Anyone is welcome if you would like to help out.
Sunday, August 21 at 9:15 am
Meet in the church
Episcopal Relief and Development's Response to the Crisis in the Ukraine.
Click here for more information.
August 14, 2022
Fire
In our Gospel this Sunday, Jesus said, “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! … Do you think that I have come to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you but rather division! (Luke 12:49f) Jesus as seen in the Gospel of Luke looks very much like a Zealot at times. Zealots were more militant in their methods of liberation. He not only is a fiery preacher and teacher, but he can also sound very agitated and angry. One of the “missing” parts of Luke that we did not read a Sunday a few weeks ago showed his fiery temper. When Jesus sent out the 70 to go everywhere he intended to go, there was much to be happy about. But there was also wrath. “Woe to you Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!... at the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. (Luke 10:13f) Jesus is angry at these whole cities where he felt they did not listen to his words. Fortunately, these seem to have been just angry words as there apparently were no real fires kindled, and of yet, no cities destroyed.
First, let me say that this is not the Jesus that I even like to think about. This is a part of Jesus that most of us don’t want to see. Luke captures a vision of a rather impatient Christ, one who had no time to waste in completing the mission of bringing salvation to the world. Luke captures the humanity of Jesus, the Jesus who is angry that there were still those who doubted his word. This is the Jesus who is more like us, more human, more real. When he comes again to judge both the heavens and the earth, there will be violence and destruction. He has told us that he would separate the sheep from the goats, many will be saved, but some will not. This is a Jesus under pressure from his own disciples and from the people who expected him to come and save them from the Roman occupation. This is the Messiah who does not come to change things by force, but who comes to show us how to love. He is the Messiah that many would not understand; a messiah who suffers, who suffers even death on a cross.
Jesus in Luke this Sunday is hard to hear. He is the bringer of division and anger. Jesus says that there will be divisions in families because his message will divide them. I can tell you that this has become true in our own families.
There is a strong division in religion in our families. Even though we are mostly Christian, we have conflicting ways of belief and practice. Some see our faith as something that divides and separates the righteous from everyone else. Some see faith as the unifier that brings all of humanity together. Some use their faith to separate and judge, while others see faith as the love that binds all wounds and forgives all faults. It always helps me to remember first, that I too am a sinner, a man dependent on the love of Christ to live a life worthy of repentance. We are not to be the ones who judge. We are to be the ones who show Christ’s love and forgiveness to this broken and divided world. It is the only thing; He is the only one who can save the world. He did it with his love and his sacrifice for us.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Michael+
Altar Guild Meeting
Mark your calendars
Anyone is welcome if you would like to help out.
Sunday, August 21 at 9:15 am
Meet in the church
Episcopal Relief and Development's Response to the Crisis in the Ukraine.
Click here for more information.
Saint Francis Vestry & Staff
*************************
2023
Faith Much
Stevens Turner, Senior Warden
2024
Andre Padilla
Tomas Cerruti
2025
Eva Rosa
Dave Winebarger
Renee Meyst - Junior Warden
*************************
Treasurer: Jennie Myers
Organist and Choirmaster: Brett Michael Hauser
Priest: The Rev. Michael Carr
*************************
2023
Faith Much
Stevens Turner, Senior Warden
2024
Andre Padilla
Tomas Cerruti
2025
Eva Rosa
Dave Winebarger
Renee Meyst - Junior Warden
*************************
Treasurer: Jennie Myers
Organist and Choirmaster: Brett Michael Hauser
Priest: The Rev. Michael Carr
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Click here for weekly readings from the Lectionary from the Episcopal Church. |
The Episcopal Church is part of the Jesus Movement.
Click here for more information.
For Daily Devotions provided by the Forward Movement, click here.
The current Forward Day by Day booklet is available now in the back of the church.
Stations of the Cross - click here.
Report Misconduct
The Episcopal Church has suspended the statute of limitations for reporting clergy sexual misconduct. Until December 31, 2029, persons who believe they have been a victim of misconduct at any time in the past in our diocese may file a report with our intake officers: Equilla Luke, aequilla@icloud.com, or John Seitman, jseitman@edsd.org. If you believe you have been harmed, please make a report. Our diocesan task force on compassionate care is available to support you. Speak with the intake officers for more information.
The Episcopal Church has suspended the statute of limitations for reporting clergy sexual misconduct. Until December 31, 2029, persons who believe they have been a victim of misconduct at any time in the past in our diocese may file a report with our intake officers: Equilla Luke, aequilla@icloud.com, or John Seitman, jseitman@edsd.org. If you believe you have been harmed, please make a report. Our diocesan task force on compassionate care is available to support you. Speak with the intake officers for more information.
