NEWS ARTICLE

(Lisbon) Sunseekers in central Portugal will have no excuse for missing mass this summer -- a local bishop is planning to hold services at some of the region’s most popular beaches. “Rest should not be empty time. Leisure only makes sense when it serves as a time for personal enrichment,” Bishop Antonio Marcelino of the central port city of Aveiro told the weekly Expresso. He added the initiative would “permit, during a time when people are more relaxed, a more serene reflection about life.”

Bishop Marcelino is considered to be one of Portugal’s most liberal Roman Catholic officials, having argued in the past that the Vatican should consider the possibility of ordaining women as priests.

Portuguese beaches to mix sun and sacraments
July 10, 2004. AFP – Offbeat

Comment: Maybe he just wanted to get a tan like everyone else. But on a more serious note: we certainly can worship God whenever and wherever - as long as it is in truth and in spirit. I don't agree with those who claim to worship God wherever they go -- using this 'nature worship' as an excuse not to come to God's house. They value their own meditation higher than listening to God's Word and receiving his sacraments. We cannot replace the working of the Holy Spirit with the working of our inner spirit.

A friend was in front of me coming out of the church one day, and as always the preacher was standing at the door shaking hands as the congregation departed. He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside.

The preacher said to him, “You need to join the Army of the Lord!”

My friend replied, “I’m already in the Army of the Lord, Preacher.”

The preacher questioned, “How come I don’t see you except for Christmas and Easter?”

He whispered back, “I’m in the secret service.”

Comment: All too many people think that they are in the Secret Service. But it's not God's Secret Service that they're in.

In the old days a coach driver had three fares with which he charged his passengers, first class, second class and third class. All passengers were placed in the same coach, whereupon those who had paid the first-class fare complained that they were receiving no better accommodations than those who paid less.

“Just wait,” said the driver, “and I will explain the difference.”

Soon a steep hill was reached, the driver stopped and turning to the passengers announced, “All first-class passengers keep your seats; all second-class passengers get out and walk; all third-class passengers get out and push!”

A church is fortunate that has only third-class passengers.

SOURCE: UNKNOWN

LUTHER QUOTE

I believe that there is upon earth a little holy group and congregation of pure saints, under one head, Christ, called together by the Holy Spirit in one faith, one mind and understanding, with manifold gifts, yet agreeing in love, without sects or schisms.

I am also a part and member of the same, a sharer and joint owner of all the goods it possesses, brought to it and incorporated into it by the Holy Spirit by having heard and continuing to hear the Word of God, which is the beginning of entering it.

For formerly, before we had attained to this, we were altogether of the devil, knowing nothing of God and of Christ.

Thus, until the Last Day, the Holy Spirit abides with the holy congregation, Christendom, by means of which he leads us to Christ and which he employs to teach and preach to us the Word, whereby he works and promotes sanctification, causing it daily to grow and become strong in the faith and its fruits which he produces.

Luther, Martin. Large Catechism: Apostles’ Creed – Third Article

NEW TOPIC! CHURCH

ILLUSTRATION

Our ardor frequently cools off as time goes on. It is difficult to carry our enthusiasm home and transmit it to others.

The new janitor was given instructions by the pastor in regard to controlling the heat in the old church furnace. He was told to watch the steam-gauge and when it showed a certain head of steam not to allow it to go any higher. On Sunday morning the fire was increased and the steam-gage began to mount up. Soon it passed the danger point, and the bewildered janitor undertook to reduce the pressure. All of his manipulations of the doors and dampers did not appear to affect the gauge. Becoming more alarmed he grabbed the steam-gage, twisted it off, and putting it under his coat ran down the street to the parsonage. Hastily calling the pastor he told him that the furnace had gotten beyond his control. Producing the steam-gauge and pointing excitedly to the dial when - lo, it had settled back to zero.

SOURCE: UNKNOWN

Comment: It's unfortunate that our sinful nature is quite successful in muting the enthusiasm that we experience in church. It goes to show that we also need to read and meditate on the Word of God at home.