May 10, The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Level 1

May 10, 2015:  Easter 5 

 Kingdom of God and the Leaven (Yeast)

 33 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”  Matt 13:33

 There are stories in the Holy Bible that contrast the image of small with big, and are usually used in order to make an important announcement: Gen 15:5 the promise to Abram of countless descendants; Micah 5:2 the prophecy of the little clan of Judah, from which shall come the one to rule Israel; Matt 18:4 Who becomes like the child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Matt 13:31-32 the parable of the mustard seed, the smallest of seeds that becomes the greatest of shrubs.

 Today’s lesson continues the theme from small to great with, the Kingdom of God and the Leaven (or Yeast).  It is a favorite of Level I:  “I want to make bread!”  Well, it’s not really making bread but to the children, the outward association is there.  Internally, there is so much more to consider. 

 The mystery of the kingdom of God is the mystery of life itself, a continual process of growth and transformation toward a greater fullness of life.  Like the leaven that expands and transforms the dough in every aspect, the presence of the kingdom of God expands and transforms the whole of creation until its ultimate and magnificent destiny. So, just how do we introduce this thought to a 3 year-old?

 The presentation involves scripture, Matt 13:3 and materials of flour, yeast, water, two empty cups and stirrers.  Three measures of flour are put into each cup, one measure of yeast is put into only one cup; the second cup with only flour is a control to see what happens when one cup has the yeast and the other without.  The same amount of water is poured into each container of flour/yeast mixture.  Stir thoroughly.  Add a little time, about 30 min.  Compare the two containers.  What do you see?  I wonder what is going on and why.

 The direct aim of the presentation is to ponder with the child the mystery of the kingdom of God in its transformative power of growth.  For a current example of this power/growth, I immediately visualize Sofia working in a tiny room, in a little Italian village, meeting with one young child, the two of them seeking knowledge of God together.  Sixty years later, CGS is represented in at least 37 countries, and houses countless atria and catechists.  

 Everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in the growth of the kingdom.  There is no age restriction or hidden fees.  The children of the COA CGS atria are participants in helping the kingdom grow.  Like the yeast presentation, it takes time and patience to see the change for ourselves.  It may take half an hour, or over the course of a lifetime.  In either case, I believe God is aware all the time.  From small to great; it’s awesome.

 Ms. Georgie 

 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:  “Level 4”

Sunday, May 3, 9:00 a.m.

Last Sunday we met David who was to replace Saul as  King of Israel.   David starts out as so insignificant that he wasn’t even invited to the family meal that his father hosted for Samuel and all his other brothers.  But, as so often happens in the Scripture, the story turns on the youngest, smallest, least likely.  It is as much a shock as the stone that hit Goliath between the eyes.   This week we’ll return to David and Goliath to explore the impact of that story on our culture, and then press on with David’s further adventures and big mistakes.  .

 Emmaus Road:  New Book:  The Imitation of Christ

Emmaus Road has concluded its reading of James Caroll’s  Christ Actually.  Participants really enjoyed it, finding it helpful in their thinking about Christology (The study of Christ) as well as both biblical and Church history.  The book ended with the idea that what really counts is our imitating Christ, his values, his actions, his way of proceeding. 

 Well, how do you do that?  To help find out, Emmaus Road will read a book by that very name.  We will be reading The Imitation of Christ, by St. Thomas a’Kempis.  This book, written in the Medieval period is one of the most read, most influential books in the entire Christian Tradition.  Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker, kept it with her at all times.  We’ll have to penetrate the Medieval thought forms to get to the heart which is timeless.  It should be fun. The book is not very long and is available from Amazon.  We’ll be using the Dover Thrift Edition which is only $4.00.   Everyone is welcome to participate. 

 Sweat the Small Stuff   Thank You Eric!

Here are some of the small things that are getting done behind the scenes. 

 Hey Fr. Bob,

Here's an update from Monday's work session.

• ·        I started filling the holes in the basement bathroom wood wall paneling just as a little prepwork for the painters.
• ·        I tested a floor polishing product, but it was a pretty big failure. But, I realized after I took my sample to the church, I forgot to shake the bottle. Let me try it one more time with the product after I do it properly.
• ·        Tightened wall bolts on altar serving shelf (Bible shelf).
• ·        Added a felt pad to brass bible holder. The holder has been set too low and the bottom set screw has been scratching the shelf. Hopefully this will fix the problem. In the future I can try to fix the finish on the shelf.
• ·        Added a felt pad to the back door to keep it from hitting into the back pew. It should dampen any noise it make too.
• ·        Cleaned and polished offering box and put new felt in the bottom.
• ·        Finished tightening bolts on pews on left hand of church.
• ·        Cleaned and touch up stained back pew as a test. I need still need to wait for the stain to dry and then I'll apply the varnish.

 Music with the Angels:  Our Own!

Parishioners Jim and Susan Stanley perform three concerts in the next 2 weeks: please come and hear them.  First, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9^th and Sunday, May 10^th, hear Jim perform the Weber Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra.  It’s a flashy piece with many moods and colors.  Also on the program are Brahms large-scale Tragic Overture,  the Ballet Suite from Sylvia by Delibes, and Massenet’s Scenes Pittoresques – Suite No. 4.  Info. on locations and Jim’s bio at www.crowncitysymphony.org.

 On Friday, May 15, 2015, at 8:00 p.m., Pasadena Community Orchestra presents Young Artist Competition winner Aubree Oliverson performing Lalo’s vivid evocation of Spain (and showcase for violin virtuosity), Symphonie Espagnole.  Called a “modern Mozart,” 17-year-old Oliverson, concertmistress of Colburn Academy’s “Virtuosi” orchestra, was featured in the NPR program, From the Top, twice, and has been performing solos and winning awards for her playing since she was 11 years old. The orchestra, led by Music Director Bethany Pflueger, also presents Haydn’s Symphony #104 (the “London”), Haydn’s last and certainly one of his most beloved symphonies. Free admission. First Church of the Nazarene, 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena.  More information at www.pcomusic.org, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pasadena-Community-Orchestra/125809577468516 and https://twitter.com/PCOrchestra.

 Parents and  Children Barbecue  Sunday June 7, 4:30 p.m.

We’ll do our first of two Annual Parent and Children Barbecues at the Rectory on Sunday June 7.  We usually do two, one at the end of school and the other right before school begins again.  Parents and children are invited to the Rectory for fun and food.  Details will follow as we get closer.

 Food For Thought:   

On the Food For Thought Table, articles that relating to ethics, particularly as we consider during the Easter season, how should we live in the light of Christ’s resurrection. 

 1.  From New York Times columnist David Brooks,  Goodness and Power.  This article raises the question, do our personal values matter in terms of how we conduct ourselves in our professional lives and in the public arena.  His focus is on politicians and what personal values have to do with public leadership.  Are these two realms separate?   Can they be separate?

 2.  From the newest issue of The Atlantic,  an article by William Cohan,  Can Bankers Behave?   This article explores some of the negative elements that exist in the culture of banking.  ( Not to pick on bankers, the culture of all professions contains some negative aspects.  For clergy that would be a desire to dominate and a sense of entitlement)  Can these negative aspects, which flow from personal attitudes be remedied by stricter government regulation, or is something else needed?   We heard something at the Easter Vigil about a New Heart and a New Spirit.

 Both articles will help us reflect on the relationship between personal morality and public action.