Volume 5, Issue 17

Lent 2012 A.D.

HE DIED FOR ME THAT I MAY LIVE!

Editorial

This Lenten issue of Koinonia focuses on sin, conscience, repentance and absolution in the Anglican parlance. This may sound very basic and yet its important that we do not forget the foundations of Anglicanism thats built on Catholic doctrine, not necessarily Roman. The Sacrament of Absolution is something very Anglican, even though other reformers rejected it given the exigencies of Roman additions of indulgence, etc. Anglicanism believes in the traditional Catholic doctrine of Sin and Absolution. Father Charles Rathnasamy, Phd in Biblical Theology and Dean of Holy Trinity Anglican Seminary dwells on the biblical concept of sin. Canon Owen Loftus in Holly Hill, South Carolina writes on conscience. Bishop Jayaraj examines the concept of once saved, always saved. Fr. Mark Rowe examines Psalm 51. Vaughn Trout reflects on the Passover and Eucharist. Some wonderful contributions to this issue. In continuing the theme of sin, we are also reprinting with permission from Holy Cross Publications, NY, How to make Confession - A guide to self-examination. It was a desire of our dear Fr. Lawrence Kern of St. Gabriels Greeley, CO, to whose sacred memory we dedicate this issue, that our church members should have access to this pamphlet. The ultimate purpose of this issue is to enable us to come to terms with sin in our own life, repent and receive the Absolution that is God ordained, through the ministry of the Sacrament of Absolution. May we come close to the heart of God during this Holy Season of Lent! Also a great way of preparing for the upcoming synod in Casper Wyoming. We are grateful to Bishop Kinner and all the members of the Church of the Holy Family for hosting this years synod! -Bishop Leo and Holly, Editors.

HCCAR NEEDS PRIESTS AND DEACONS WHO ARE MEN OF GOD, EMPOWERED BY GODS WORD AND WITH ZEAL FOR HIS KINGDOM. A GOOD FORMATION ENSURES GOOD MINISTRY. HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN SEMINARY IS 501(c)3. YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. A MONTHLY DONATION OF $25 WILL GO A LONG WAY TO HELP GROW OUR SEMINARY. CONTACT YOUR RECTOR FOR DETAILS ON HOW YOU CAN HELP THIS MINISTRY.

PHONE-LINE PRAYER CALL EVERYDAY!

When two or three are gathered together in His name, petitions are granted. Ask your Rector for the phone number and password. Whenever you can, join the prayer conference in the rhythm of daily morning and evening prayer. We have dedicated clergy and postulants faithfully hosting the prayer call daily at 7:00 am and 7:00 pm central time.

SOUL CARE!

In the Koinonia masthead, the circle with the cross in the center symbolizes the paten and the diverse elements which form a whole. The Mosaic represents the great cloud of witnesses and the church tradition. The red in the letters represents the blood of Christ with the font comprised of individual pieces of letters that are not joined until the blood unifies them. Koinonia is the official publication of the Anglican Province of the Holy Catholic Church-Anglican Rite (HCCAR) aka Anglican Rite Catholic Church. It is published quarterly at St. James Anglican Church, 8107 S. Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131. Phone: 816.361.7242 Fax: 816.361.2144. Editors: The Rt. Rev. Leo Michael & Holly Michael, Koinonia header: Phil Gilbreath; email: koinonia@holycatholicanglican.org or visit us on the web at: www.holycatholicanglican.org cover picture: Hillside Shrine in Europe. Photo by Claire Kean.

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CONCEPT OF SIN & AN INVITATION TO RECONCILIATION

Rev. Fr. Charles Rathnasamy PhD

he season of Lent is a time to reflect on our spiritual life. In this issue I will explore what the Bible teaches about sin and forgiveness. Most of us dont give this subject a great deal of thought. We acknowledge we are sinners, but ignore dwelling on it. I hope, however, that our brief exploration into this subject will help us see more clearly what sin is and how God views it. In the Bible, God says He alone has the authority to define sin. Hopefully these reflections will lead us to prepare ourselves to celebrate the paschal mystery of His Passion, Death and Resurrection. Lehman Strauss wrote,Any treatment of Christian doctrine would be incomplete if the biblical statement concerning sin were omitted. Yet, modern philosophy and materialistic science may deny the actual existence of sin. Others who are not thinkers may even go to the extreme of saying that the power of sin is only a past feeling and it is more of the work of the inward spirit of God. Still, some deny the presence of sin by simply refusing to think about whether it is a reality or not. Such an attitude doesnt affect them and they remain passive about sin. Thomas Whitelaw states in his work, it is extremely doubtful whether any intelligent person whose moral intuitions have not been completely destroyed and whose mental perceptions have not been largely blunted by indulgence in wickedness, can

successfully persuade himself, at least permanently, that sin is a myth, an illusion of the mind, a creature of the imagination, and not a grim reality. Like many others, I too feel that refusal to admit the existence of sin can neither be controverted, nor challenged or obscured. The Sacred Scriptures (Old Testament and New Testament) declare sins existence and the human heart displays it. Sin is not a myth. It is not a figment of the mind. Sin is a fact and a reality. It is real as long as the bond of permanent relationship exists between God and Man and Man and Society. What is Sin? In the Bible, there are numerous special terms to describe sin. Dr. Charles Ryrie has given at least eight. Hebrew basic words: ra, bad (Genesis 38:7); rasha, wickedness (Exodus 2:13); asham, guilt (Hosea 4:15); chata, sin (Exodus 20:20); avon, iniquity (I Samuel 3:13); shagag, err (Isaiah 28:7); taah, wander away (Ezekiel 48:11); pasha, rebel (I Kings 8:50). However the Hebrew word hattah which literally means to miss the mark, is the most frequent word in the Hebrew Old Testament translated into English as sin. After hattah, another common Biblical Hebrew word that connotes sin is pasha whose literal meaning is to overstep or to rebel. Like hattah, pesha is used in Scripture beyond the context of moral wrongdoing. The New Testament uses twelve

basic words to describe sin. They are: Kakos, bad (Romans 13:3); poneros, evil (Matthew 5:45); asebes, godless (Romans 1:18); enochos, guilt (Matthew 5:21); hamartia, sin (I Corinthians 6:18); adikia, unrighteousness (I Corinthians 6:9); anomos, lawlessness (I Timothy 2:9); parabates, transgression (Romans 5:14); agnoein, to be ignorant (Romans 1:13); planan, to go astray (I Corinthians 6:9);paraptomai, to fall away (Galatians 6:1); and hupocrites, hypocrite (I Timothy 4:2). The New Testament Greek equivalent to hattah is (hamartia) which is used frequently by NT writers. These valuable and useful listings lead to certain conclusions about the nature and doctrine of sin found in the Sacred Scripture. Primarily, sin was conceived of being fundamentally disobedience to God. Sin was not simply missing the right mark, but hitting the wrong mark. Sin may be also defined as the willful transgression of a divine moral precept. Thomas Aquinas identifies sin as nothing else than a bad human act, a voluntary contravention of eternal law. However, the notion of sin in the Bible is deeper than simply a violation of law or a moral evil. In Scripture, sin entails a rupture of relationship, either between human beings or between the sinner and God. Sin is described in the Bible as transgression of the law of God (1John 3, 4) and rebellion against God (Deut 9, 7; Josh 1, 18). The breaking of the Covenant was another

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advance in the concept of sin. The covenant promises of God are contingent upon human obedience (Num 15, 30-31). Here the relationship is not to law, but to a person. Man is in a covenant relationship with God, and sin is the breaking of this covenant. The prophets have witnessed to this and insist that sin is a rebellion against God. Sin against God, or against ones fellow man, who is a member of the covenant people, is our own ethically responsible acts. The Presence of Sin in the World Who is responsible for sin in the world? Did God create evil along with human beings? These questions are not a matter of concern for us now. Certainly with respect to the entrance of sin in the human race we are confined to Gods revelation in His Words. From our Biblical point of view, first of all, sin made its appearance in the world in the angelic creation. Peter wrote, For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them in chains, of deepest darkness to be kept until the judgment (II Pet 2, 4). Later on Jude adds, And the angels who did not keep their own position, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deepest darkness for the judgment of the great day (Jude 6). Sin had its beginning with Lucifer, probably the most beautiful and powerful of the angels. Not content with his position, he desired to be higher than God, and that was his downfall, the beginning of sin (Isaiah 14, 12-15). Renamed Satan, he brought sin to the human race in the Garden of Eden, where he tempted our first parents with the same enticement, you shall be like God. We observe that the Devil and demons or the evil were not created by God as such. They were angels who rose up in rebellion against God. Exactly how such dissatisfaction and rebellion could arise in beings that God created is not revealed by the sacred writers. We assume that they possessed personality and freedom of will and thereby had the capability of making right or wrong choices. The Bible clearly and vehemently affirms that the presence of sin entered the human race through our first parents. Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans that by one man sin entered into the world (Rom 5:12). Sin is a very real and terrible fact of human life. The problem as to its earthly origin is solved in Romans 5. It came through the sin of one man, Adam, and thereby passed to all men. Lehman Strauss states, the most tragic chapter in the Bible (Gen 3) contains the inspired account of how sin came into the world. It is impossible to understand a Biblical view of sin apart from this chapter. The

point of the story of the Fall is to make clear that our destiny was shaped by this event. Because the story of Adam and Eve is inseparable from human existence, and consequently it helps us understand ourselves. How did it all happen? And God said, Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them male and female he created them (Gen 1, 26-27) God made man in Gods image, endowing man with characteristics higher and nobler than any other creature. After creating man, God placed him in Utopia. Under God, he is the supreme ruler of the world; all creation was in subjection to him. He lived in Paradise without limits or prohibitions. Apart from being given the task of caring for Gods creation, the only restriction placed on Adam was that he could not eat of the fruit of one tree. But the serpent was craftier than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, Did God say, You shall not eat from any tree in the garden (Gen 3, 1ff). The chief agent in the Fall of man was an evil spirit of unusual power and cleverness, no other than Satan himself (Revelation 12:9; 20:2 cf. II Corinthians 11:3). Satan did not appear to Eve as one writhing, slithering, hideous creature, but as a creature of grace and beauty with the power to appear as an angel of light (II Corinthians 11:14). The author seeks to make clear that the destiny of man is shaped by this event. Satan begins with a leading question as to the scope of the prohibition. Notice Eves willingness to be enticed. She said to the serpent, We cannot touch it. You cannot find from the account any indication that God said this either to Adam or to her. I cant even touch it. The serpent further argues that God does not need to be taken seriously. The desire for autonomy gives man choice, and choice is essential for any meaningful relationship. Walter Henrichsen commenting on this passage says Our first parents sinned because they doubted: a) that Gods prohibition was in their interest; b) that Gods will is unconditionally binding; and c) that there are unacceptable consequences to disobedience. The Consequences of Sin After this great fall of our first parents we observe few important changes that

not only affected them but all of us, their posterity. They became aware of their nakedness and sought to hide it. Sin created guilt feelings resulting in an endeavor to hide. Their eyes were open. Seeking to hide something isnt necessarily the result of sin, but when accompanied with guilt, it almost certainly is. As God approached them, they hid themselves because of fear of God. Later on Jesus makes this same observation For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God (John 3, 20-21) Intrinsic to sin is a sense of shame. Without sin Adam and Even had nothing to hide. People want to hide what they deem wrong. With the transgression came a loss of innocence. When a man loses his sense of shame when sinning, he quickly falls beyond the pale of redemption. When confronted, they started to blame each other and were not willing to take responsibility. One of the indicators of sin is an unwillingness to admit the truth. Although excuses are not always an indication of sin, often they are. Finally they were driven from the Garden of Eden (Gen 3, 23-24). Not only did the first parents have to live under the penalty of God, so did their progeny. When Adam and Eve fell, God put the entire human race on trial on account of this tragic story of our forefathers. The Effect of the Fall The Bible strongly communicates that sin entered the human race on account of Adams transgression. Through Adam, the inherent inclination to sin entered the human race, and human beings became sinners by nature. When Adam sinned, his inner nature was transformed by his sin of rebellion, bringing to him spiritual death and depravity which would be passed on to all who came after him. We are sinners not because we sin; rather, we sin because we are sinners. This passed-on depravity is known as original sin or some would call it as inherited sin. Just as we inherit physical characteristics from our parents, we inherit our sinful natures from Adam. King David lamented this condition of fallen human nature Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me (Ps 51,5). Further the Psalmist says The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies (Ps 58, 3). All men commit sins because all are infected with the sin principle. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (I John 1:8). That which is born of the

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flesh is flesh (John 3:6). What is man, that he should be clean? And he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? (Job 15:14). Since sin is considered as a crime against Gods love and breaking away from His personal relationship, man has to experience death. He is born to die. Death and sin are like the two sides of the same coin. They are inseparable. The Christian doctrine is very clear and definite that death is a reality which every man has to experience on account of his sinful nature. God said very clearly to the man for in the day that you eat of it you shall die(Gen 2,17). In Gods mind that was the punishment He intended. (later in the text we see that it was the devil who tried to change even Gods statement by telling a lie and said you will not die (Gen 3, 4).) And then there follows a series of statements which seem to remind man all through human history of this solemn effect of sin. The person who sins that shall die (Ezekiel 18:4). Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned(Romans 5:12). For the wages of sin is death. . . (Romans 6:23). For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me (Romans 7:11). Then when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death (James 1:15). And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Another effect of sin is what some call imputed sin. Used in both financial and legal settings, the word imputed means to take something that belongs to someone and credit it to anothers account. Before the Law of Moses was given, sin was not imputed to man, although men were still sinners because of inherited sin. After the Law was given, sins committed in violation of the Law were imputed (accounted) to them (Romans 5, 13). Even before transgressions of the law were imputed to men, the ultimate penalty for sin (death) continued to reign (Romans 5, 14). All humans, from Adam to Moses, were subject to death, not because of their sinful acts against the Mosaic Law (which they did not have), but because of their own inherited sinful nature. After Moses, humans were subject to death both because of inherited sin from Adam and imputed sin from violating the laws of God. There is still what is known as personal sin, that which is committed every day by every human being. Because we have inherited a sinful nature from Adam we commit individual, personal sins, at various levels.

This includes innocent untruths to murder etc. This is what the traditional church called venial sins to mortal sin. The gravity of sin will be judged by the circumstance and situation of the sinner. Every individual can choose whether or not to commit personal sins because we have the power to resist sin through the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, sanctifying and convicting us of our sins when we do commit them (Rom 8, 9-11) Who could free us from this state of life? The fall of Adam and Eve certainly disturbed the purpose of Gods creation as He created in His image and likeness. God was not upset, instead He respected mans freedom and choice. Temporal punishment was executed but He came out with His master plan of redemption and promised to send His beloved Son to the world to save sinners and bring justification for all. From Moses till the arrival of John the Baptist God chose and sent men with comforting words which included a warning, invitation and return to the Lord God from all evil ways so that men may receive the glory and grace of God. A relationship that was broken might be restored. God used the principle of imputation to benefit mankind when He imputed the sin of believers to the account of Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for that sindeathon the cross There could be no expiation for sin apart from the sacrifice of blood, the reason being that God so declared it without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Heb 9,22).For, as life, it is the blood that makes atonement (Leviticus 17, 11). Christ was the sinners bleeding sacrifice. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us (Hebrews 9, 12). But as it is, he has appeared once and for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself(Hebrews 9,26). Caiaphas said, You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed (John 11, 50). Paul was convinced that, One died for all (II Cor 5, 14). For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (II Cor 5, 21). Peter added, For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit (1Pet 3, 18). Imputing our sin to Jesus, God treated Him as if He were a sinner, though He was not, and had Him die for the sins of the entire world (1 John 2,2). These are but a few of the many passages which show us how the death of Christ was

Gods way of providing forgiveness for our sins. Conclusion Our study has shown that there is sin and we often commit sin due to our fallen nature therefore we all stand in need of Gods mercy. He has given His only beloved Son for our sake as a ransom for all of us. The words of Paul which we use every Sunday in our Liturgical celebration is a good reminder for all of us in this holy season, This is the true saying and worthy of all men to be received that Christ Jesus came to the world to save sinners only. The Angel said to Joseph, She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (Mat 1, 21). When Peter spoke before the Jerusalem council, he said, There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved (Acts 4, 12). Jesus is the only answer to this human situation. In this season of Lent He invites with the same first words he uttered in Marks Gospel, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news (Mk 1, 15). True repentance therefore consists in returning to the Lord with a change of heart, mind and ways of life. We need to have the same mentality as the tax collector had God be merciful to me a sinner; or like Peter who said, Lord depart me for I am a sinner or like the centurion Lord I am not worthy that you should come under my roof but only say a word I shall be healed. Let us have more faith in Jesus and confess that He is the Lord and Savior who could deliver us from this life. May this season be a fruitful one in our understanding of Christ and His words which are the sources of life, mercy and forgiveness?
Cfr. 1.Lehman Strauss, The Doctrine of Sin, www.bible.org P. 1-10 2. Thomas Whitelaw, The Biblical Conception of Sin. User.xmission.com page 1 3. Cf. Lehman Strauss, p. 1, 4. Ibid., 5.Thomas Aquinas. Summa Theologica, II-I, 9.71, a. 6, 6. Lehman Strauss, p. 2-3 7.The account of the fall of humankind in Genesis 3, a contributi6.on of the Yahwist tradition, likely the earliest written tradition, likely the earliest written tradition of the Pentateuch. Unmistakably intends to explain how sin began, even though there the terminology of sin is lacking, says S. J. DeVries. Cf. The Evolving Definition of Sin in the Bible, www.catholiccanada.wordpress. com, 8.+ Lehman Strauss, p. 2 9. Walter Henrichsen, A Biblical View of sin, http;// www. Leadershipfoundation.org

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Conscience- What is!!!

Revd Canon Owen Loftus Is is something We feel or something we sense, or both? Is conscience a matter of the head or the heart. A rational process or an emotion? There are two schools of thought. I am reminded by the comedy routine by a comedian talking to himself, saying If I dood it, I get a whippin! .I dood it! The struggle with the conscience was brief but involved both the head (If I dood it I get a whippin!) both knowing and fearing the consequences. The decisions is, of course, hang the consequences, he is going to do what is forbidden (and for which he will be punished) anyway. Conscience, then is the whole range of thought and emotions which accompany a moral decision. Conscience either makes us uncomfortable and uneasy because of the conviction that we have done something wrong, or makes us sigh with relief for we have the conviction that we have done or are doing something not wrong, but in agreement with our moral standards. In any event, it is a self-appraisal of actions which we have taken and we have measured those actions against a moral code. If a person has no morals then he or she has no pangs of conscience after an action, or qualms of conscience prior to taking an action which is generally considered to be a morally wrong action. It is a principle of moral theology that once one gets the message for example, that such a line of action is morally wrong, then one must act in accordance with the prompting of conscience. If you get the message that if I do it not that I will get a whipping (but that I know that this is something that I am not supposed to do. The comedian in his routine says I dood it meaning he is going to do that which is wrong ANYWAY. In other words, he is acting in violation of the moral standard which illuminated his conscience, whether it be a legal standard, or a moral standard, or a parental order. So then, two questions come to the fore. What principle is involved by a certain line of action? What law, civil or criminal or moral law is violated by wrong action, or upheld by right action. Secondly, is the voice which advises one of the rightness or wrongness of an action the real conscience, informed by the Bible, the Church or a holy advisor, or is Photos on both pages taken by Bishop it just well everybody does it,

Leo Michael @ the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, MO

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r I wanna,The thoughts of a clergyman or moral guide are very clear. At every waking moment, we should (1) Inform our conscience, and (2) obey our conscience. We inform our conscience by study of the Bible, the teaching of the Church, and the influence of highly moral people (whether a leader or a group whose opinions we value, such as our fellow church persons), or a person close to us who we love and who we admire because they live a generally moral life. Secondly, we should listen to it, and if we are wavering, we should reach out to God in prayer and ask for guidance that when and if we will take the action which is in question -- whatever it iswe will always follow His will as clearly taught by the Bible, the Church, or whatever God-fearing local community to which we belong.

to me and I was forever changed. Since then, Ive never doubted His love, never ceased to be amazed by His power and majesty and constant help. God knows how to lift our burdens when we confess our sins and ask him what to do. In Pilgrims Progress, Christian im-

Entering into Lent, I thank God for His whispers. I pray He will speak to my conscience, so that I canlike Christian, in Pilgrims Progress and the men of Judea awaken again and say, What shall I do? He will show the way. He always does.

REPENTANCE

Rt.Revd Edmund Jayaraj HCCAR

Holly J Michael

What Shall We Do?

ohn Bunyans character, Christian, in his novel Pilgrims Progress, reads a book (the Bible), then weeps, trembles, and cries out, What shall I do? The book references Acts 2:24, where Peter preaches a sermon to men of Judea, and all you that dwell at Jerusalem. Peter brings their sins to their conscience and says that they have crucified Christ, the son of God. Like Christian in Pilgrims Progress, like Peters congregation in Jerusalem, and like all of humanity, when our consciences are pricked and we can no longer deal with the heavy burdens in our hearts, we wonder what to do. Those words, What Shall I do? are my favorite prayer. Years ago, at the tail end of a sleepless night, I earnestly cried out those four words to God. Then, I fell asleep and landed in a horrible dream, where I lie paralyzed in fear and darkness on a cold hard floor. In the dream, I repeated the words Id said to God before falling asleep, What shall I do? Then I did the only thing I could do. I thrust my hands heavenward and prayed, I can no longer go my own way. Show me the way. Next, what I can only inadequately describe as a powerful light of unconditional love moved toward me and simply erased the darkness. Then, large hands picked me up and a voice lovingly spoke these words: You are in my family. I awakened immediately and wept. I had encountered God. He spoke

mediately feels an unbearable burden on his back, which he admits, fell upon him after reading the book. Thus began his journey to rid himself of the burden, so heavy he is certain it would cause him to sink into the grave. Evangelist, another character in the book, directs Christian to begin his journey toward the shining light in order to reach the Wicket (narrow) Gate. Christian is mocked, threatened, and abused by his family, friends, and neighbors, but given the awakening of his conscience, hes driven to get rid of his burden. Finally, after a long journey, Christian enters though the Wicket Gate. He is saved at the Wicket Gate, but still carried his burden until he reaches the cross, where he can lay it down. His burden is his conscience, his knowledge of his sin. C.S. Lewis said, God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

t is fitting that this issue of the Koinonia is dedicated to the theme of Repentance, a complete turnaround from the devil, the world and the flesh and a determination to follow Jesus as your Lord and Master all the days of your life. In sum, this is being in a state of salvation, a lifelong process that will continue till the final consummation. Till then, the image of God stamped in you, however darkened by sin has the capacity to grow into the likeness of Christ. The Church teaches repentance, amendment and forgiveness of sins as steps to receive grace for grace to carry forward then journey towards salvation which is not only remission but also eradication of sin, a lifelong process. There are no short cuts. Once saved, always saved is, a false belief born as a reaction to the corruption in the Roman Church during the sale of indulgences. In a movie, Wycliffe, the English Reformer who was preaching repentance at the countryside of England was presented with an indulgence of forgiveness of future sins by a thief. Such an attitude prevails among born again Christians that their past, present and future sins have been forgiven and are in possession of the blessed assurance of salvation. They are free from the law which has been abolished and henceforward they are under grace. In fact they now have a licence to sin. No wonder, there is no difference among them in sins and wickedness than that obtaining in the general population. The Anglican Church insists during Morning and Evening Prayer, the Communion Office and the visitation to the sick that the people confess their sins, make amendments and obtaining forgiveness. Baptism places us at the threshold of salvation. From now on grace will be available to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Tek El. thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting.(Dan5:27) Through Repentance you are given the opportunity to sorrow, make amendments, obtain forgiveness and continue on your journey towards holiness and righteousness all the days of your life.

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All May, Some Should, None Must

a variety of ways, although they are members of Christs Church. Such sin does not of necessity separate a man finally from the unity of the Church; but it raises a serious obstacle to his use of the ministrations of the Church. It makes him unfit for communion until he is reconciled by confessing his sin and receiving the forgiveness of God. 2. Penance, Absolution- what do they mean? The Sacrament we are considering is sometimes named the Sacrament of Absolution, and sometimes that of Penitence or Penance. The word absolution signifies loosing or releasing. Absolution is Gods authoritative declaration whereby the sinner is loosed from the bonds of sin. Penitence is mans preparation to receive such absolution. However to absolve is not to forgive; God alone forgives. To absolve is to unloose the bonds which sin has placed upon the soul, and to remove the bar to the receiving of grace. In raising Lazarus from the dead, our Lord pronounced the words, Loose him, and let him go. This was the part of the people towards him whom Christ raised. And so God, Who pardons the penitent, bids the priest in absolution to loose him and let him go. 2.1 God forgives, Priest absolves The Sacrament of Absolution was instituted by Jesus Christ after His Resurrection; Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whose so ever sins ye remit, they are remitted, unto them; and whose so ever sins ye retain, they are retained. (St. John 20, 19-24) By these words our Lord constituted the Apostles and their successors the ministers of Absolution. The bestowal of the power, to retain as well as to remit sins in His Name, shows that our Lord intended the Church to be the judge of the sinners penitence. 2.2 Priest absolves by the authority of Christ: In the English Church every priest is admitted to his sacred office by the bishop, who lays his hand upon the priests head saying,- Receive the Holy Ghost for the Office and Work of a Priest in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the Imposition of our hands. Whose sins thou dost forgive, they are forgiven; and whose sins thou dost retain, they are retained. And be thou a faithful Dispenser of the Word of God, and of

ave you ever carried a burden that you desired to unload? Have you wished it could be totally erased and laid at the feet of the Lord? Christ our Savior instituted a place where this unloading is possible, and by this unloading, you will be reassured of the loosening of your bonds by a representative of God, authorized by Christ Himself. Such a confession of guilt, sin and shame is sealed under an eternal oath of the confessional secrecy and it will not leave the confines of the Confessor and the Penitent. This entire process is free for the care of your soul. How do we maintain a healthy soul, the residence of God in me? One way is the Sacrament of Absolution. The following responses are excerpts from Anglican Bishops and theologians of the 19th century, in order to take us to the true teachings of Anglicanism on confession. (Below:Confessional@St.James)

Confession, Anglicanly Speaking - Rt. Revd Leo Michael HCCAR

1. The Sacrament of Penance or Absolution- do we need it at all? It has been said, The Sacrament of Penitence would not be needed if we kept faithfully the gift in Baptism: it is but a second plank given to us by the mercy of God after shipwreck. Baptism conveys remission of all sins previously committed, but since we can never be baptized a second time, the sacramental cleansing from sin after baptism takes place in Absolution. In Baptism the Church requires renunciation of the world and of all its ways as a preface to the Sacrament of Baptism; and from the moment of Baptism, the newly regenerated person should do no sin at all. But the facts fall far short of the ideal, and, in practice, men sin in

His holy Sacraments; in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.(The Ordering of Priests) The power of remitting sins, says Bishop Andrews, then, is originally in God, and in God Absolution is the Divinely-appointed means through which Gods Forgiveness flows out to the penitent: and it cannot be presumptuous to use the power which Christ has so clearly given to His priests. The words of St. Ambrose may be quoted here- Why do you baptize, if it is not lawful for men to forgive sins? In baptism there is certainly forgiveness of all sins. What difference is there between exercising the right in penitence or in baptism? The mystery is the same in both cases. (Vernon Staleys Catholic Religion) Confession to a priest is with us restored to its Primitive use, for we direct all men always to confess to God, but some also to confess their faults and reveal their doubts to the priest, especially in these three cases :-first, when we are disquieted with the guilt of some sin already committed; or, secondly, when we cannot conquer some lust or passion; or, thirdly, when we are afflicted with any intricate scruples; particularly whether we may now be fit to receive the Blessed Sacrament or no. (Dean Combers Commentary on the Prayer Book, published in the year 1684). 2.3 Seeking of and granting of Absolution is very much Anglican: The Book of Common Prayer, invites the sinner seeking Gods forgiveness to open ones hear in the confession of sin and seeking absolution of the same: If there be any of you, who ... cannot quiet his own conscience herein, but requires further comfort or counsel, let him come to me, or to some other discreet and learned minister of Gods Word, and open his grief; that by the ministry of Gods holy Word he may receive the benefit of absolution, together with ghostly counsel and advice, to the quieting of his conscience, and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness. The priest absolves the penitent saying: Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath left power to His Church to absolve all sinners who truly repent and believe in Him, of His great mercy forgive thee thine offences: And by His authority committed to me, I absolve thee from all thy sins, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen The power of Absolution does not belong to the priest personally, except as ministering on behalf of the Church.

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2.4 Confidentialitys eternal seal: According to Francis J Hall the Anglican Theologian, In the sacrament of Confession we seek a spiritual curator appointed by Christ to absolve sins which gives the assurance of Gods forgiveness, unburdening of ones soul. The priest is bound by the Confessional seal. The priest hears confessions not as a private person but as Gods representative; and the secrets which he hears belong to God, who does not will that confessions made to Him, whether directly or through His appointed ministers, shall be made public. And he continues, The seal extends not only to all the sins confessed, both mortal and venial, but to their circumstances, to the names of accomplices incidentally revealed, to the advice given and to every manner of self-revelation. Moreover, the penitents death does not remove the seal. 3. What must a Penitent do? A sinner must be repentant and repentance consists of: Contrition, Confession, and Amendment. 3.01 Be Contrite: Contrition is the basis of true repentance. No contrition, no real confession or lasting amendment or betterment of life. Contrition is the hatred of sin springing from love of God. The true penitent views sin as an outrage against the love of God; he sees in the Passion and Death of Jesus the work and the result of his sin. Contrition is the breaking of the heart in the thought of Gods love, as it is manifested in the Passion. True Contrition places the soul in a state of reconciliation and peace with God. 3.02. Go Confess: Confession is the truthful acknowledgment of sin. By confession the sinner acknowledges his wrong doing to God, as well as brings it home to himself. God demands confession as a condition of pardon; If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.(I St. John 1. 9) A willingness to confess is an evidence of contrition. The most searching confession is that made privately before a priest. It is neither prudent nor safe always to rely upon our own judgment of ourselves, for another Eye sees more of us than is discerned by our own. In the dangers of our body we consult the physician, in the intricacies of our estate we advise with the lawyer, and in the care of our immortal souls why do we not advise with our spiritual physicians? for they are appointed by Christ Himself to direct the ignorant, confirm the doubtful, and comfort the disconsolate. 3.02.1 The Manner of Confession: It is only upon such private confession, that the soul can receive the direct assurance of pardon which Christ Jesus em-

powers the priest to pronounce. The form of confession commonly used in this case is as follows :I confess to God the Father Almighty, to His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, and to God the Holy Ghost, before the whole company of heaven, and to you my father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, by my fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault; especially I confess that I have committed these sins, (after naming his sins, the penitent wilt conclude the confession with the words), For these and all my other sins which I cannot now remember, I am heartily sorry, I firmly purpose amendment; I most humbly ask pardon of God; and of you, my spiritual father, I beg for penance, advice, and absolution. Wherefore I pray God the Father Almighty, his Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Ghost to have mercy upon me, and you my father, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Amen. 3.02.2 Sacramental Confession: The Anglican Church invites sinners who cannot otherwise make their peace with God to open their grief [i.e., to reveal the sin which causes the grief), before the priest, in order that they may secure the benefit of absolution. Such confession is called by Bishop Cosin Sacramental Confession, and is a blessed privilege open to all who heartily desire it. Our Blessed Lord has given His priests power and authority to absolve from all sins, and He surely meant them to use that power. But before they can fully do so, it is needful that those seeking absolution should confess their sins. Thus we may be quite sure that private confession, as an outcome of real contrition, is a practice well pleasing to our Lord.(Dr. Puseys Statement on Sacramental Confession) 3.03 Amend your ways: Amendment, or Satisfaction as it is sometimes called, is the forsaking of sin. This is the crowning test of genuine repentance, and a sure evidence of real contrition. Amendment is the steadilysustained resolve to sin no more, and is, in a certain sense, a compensation for past iniquity. In the case of injury done to others, the idea of restitution enters in, as a necessary part of repentance. 4.The Prayer Book speaks three times of the power of Absolution. In Morning and Evening Prayer there is a declaration of this power in the Communion Office a still stronger expression of it is found; but in the Order for the Visitation of the Sick, we have the form for the actual exercise of the power of Absolution. This last

is a most solemn and direct assurance of pardon, since it can only be pronounced after a full confession of sins before the priest. The rubric directs- Here shall the sick person be moved to make a special Confession of his sins, if he feel his conscience troubled with any weighty matter. After which Confession, the Priest shall absolve him. The Church does not and cannot claim to absolve apart from its commission from God; still less to absolve of its free will, apart from the moral and spiritual conditions of the sinner. Absolution is not for those, the tenor of whose life is consciously immoral, whose life persistently defies the code of the society to which they belong; 5. Counseling and Confession: In the context of psychological counseling we seek a professional that is licensed by the state to offer such services under the strict code of confidentiality. In the sacrament of Confession we seek a spiritual curator appointed by Christ to absolve sins which gives the assurance of Gods forgiveness, unburdening of ones soul. The priest is bound by the Confessional seal. . Knowledge thus gained is official, and the priest may make no other specific use of it than is required for immediate and judicious official treatment of the particular confession involved. He may not even recur to the subject in conversing with the penitent, without his previous free consent. If possible, such information should be forgotten, although it may lawfully afford subject matter for secret intercessory prayer.(Theology of Sacrament of Confession, Francis J Hall) 6. History of Confession Since Apostles times, it began as private confession to a priest or bishop; if it was a public and serious sin public reconciliation by the bishop during Holy week. In 330 -391 A.D. penitentiaries began to be established, that is, priests of special competence were appointed to hear confessions, to impose private penance, and when this had been fulfilled to absolve and reconcile. In the English churches public penance never existed. Private confession, penance and absolution by a priest were in practice. Fourth Lateran Council brought in the practice of Annual Confession in 1215. Penance became a means of Satisfaction through acts of amendment and self-mortification to satisfy the justice of God. This lead to development of the idea of Penance into a system of indulgence, paying part of the temporal penalties which are imposed even upon reconciled sinners by divine justice. The compulsory confession coupled with

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satisfaction and indulgence brought about protestant revolution and reformation. Calvinist and Zwingli reformers abandoned the sacrament of Penance and the power of absolution and sacramental grace, altogether. Lutherans chose to keep the private absolution because of the authority that Christ gave and abandoned Satisfaction as obscuring grace of Christ. They adhered to justification by faith and ignored the sacramental virtue of ministerial absolution, and its effect in reconciling penitents to God. Anglicans maintained the power of priestly absolution, while abolishing compulsory confession. While highlighting the importance of Baptism and Holy Communion as necessary for salvation, the 24th article of religion, does not deny the supernatural power of those five commonly called sacraments, but only the divine institution in the Gospel of their visible sign or ceremony.(F.J.Hall) In conclusion, the Sacrament of Absolution is very much part of Anglican Sacramental Theology and practice. Find a priest nearby and use this wonderful sacrament where we can find spiritual growth. Let us remind ourselves on the purpose of confession by the Anglican Canon of Christ Church, Oxford: The purpose of confession is to develop true principles, and awaken dormant energies within the soul, so as to enable it to judge and act more healthfully for itself. Direction in its true sense means such help as may strengthen and assist the soul in the use of its renewed powers, not destroy them; quicken its sense of responsibility, not paralyze it. [Doctrine of
Confession in the Church of England, by the Rev. T. T. Carter. Masters. Second edition, 1869, p. 226.]

Psalm 51: A Change of Heart

Ven. Mark Rowe
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps 51:10) Psalm 51 has often been seen as a classic Psalm of repentance, confession, and a plea for pardon. God in His mercy and love continually forgives us our sins, and yet we continue in sin even after receiving forgiveness. In the previous part of the Psalm, David has been praying for pardon. He now requests that the grace of the Spirit would be restored to him. He does this as if he believes he has forfeited this by his actions. These are two separate requests, often pushed together in haste. Davis asks firstly for remission of his sins, then he petitions for sanctification. By using the word create, he seemingly is saying nothing less than a miracle could effect this change, or reformation in him. He also is declaring that repentance is a gift from God. David acknowledges that we are indebted entirely to the grace of God, both for our first regeneration at Baptism, and in the event we fall into sin, for subsequent restoration. Some may wonder, isnt David asking for too much? David has been a slave to lust, drunk with power, and stained by murder. How can he now pray for a pure heart? Isnt it too late? The answer is no. Can we be pure again once weve corrupted ourselves by sin? Yes. How can we do it? The answer is simple. We need a change of heart. David cannot imagine lasting a day without Gods clear help. Change is Gods work. This is not unique to Psalm 51. The Bible exhorts us to radical steps of holiness and yet it is not any heroism on our part which will see us through. God is at work. It is interesting to note that David prays not only for remission of his sin, but for a sense of joy in sanctification. He sees recovery of holiness not as an end to his pleasure and happiness, but rather the opposite. In verse 8 he says Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have broken rejoice. In verse 12 he also says Restore to me the joy of your salvation. David has been missing God. He has been unhappy. This is both a result of his sin as well as the reason for his sin.

Sin stems from a lack of joy. God wills all be saved and that we have abundant joy by His grace. Temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil are barely felt by a heart set on fire for God and full of Christian joy. A man who rejoices in God and indulging himself in the love and mercy of God is far less inclined to indulge in sin. So many of us are busy trying not to sin, but I suspect God is not especially enamored with people who simply seek to avoid breaking the rules. God, being our Heavenly Father, and we, being His wayward children can please Him more by trembling with joy at our salvation. May we ask this Lenten season for our own change of heart. May we not worry about what we are giving up for Lent so much as may we echo the prayer of David: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps 51:10)

A Guide for Self Examination Holy Cross Publications NY

HOW TO MAKE A CONFESSION

If you have decided to make a confession,

And the Anglican dictum regarding confession is All may, Some Should, None Must. Dont we all need this sacrament to restore our relationship with God!

Answers are excerpts from the following books on public domain Vernon Staley, Catholic Religion: a manual of instruction for members of the Anglican Church 1895 Francis J Hall D.D. Dogmatic Theology The Sacraments 1921 Rt. Rev.Thomas B Strong: A manual of Theology 1882 George Holden: Anglican Catechist - A manual of instruction preparatory to Confirmation 1885 The Book of Common Prayer 1928

DEACON FOR ALL SAINTS CHURCH, Pittsburg, KS. Congrats Dn. Martin

you have probably already gone a long way towards making a preparation. That is especially true if this is your very first, or if it is your first in a very long time. Being able to make the decision says a lot about you: it says that you have faith in a God who loves you and who wants to forgive you, who proved that desire for your forgiveness by giving his only Son to die for you; it says that you recognize his love and your falling short of the mark. Most of all, it, says you are prepared to begin once again to live the life you received at your Baptism, the life of the Risen Lord Jesus. All that, the major part of your preparation, is already behind you. Now you must get down to specifics. It is best to begin by going somewhere where you can be quiet, alone and private. Take a pencil and a piece of paper. After just sitting for awhile, being quieted inside, thank God for being the kind of God who has offered you the life of his Son to live for your very own life. There is no need to dwell on your sins, you have already repented, but now you have come to ask the Churchs official stamp of absolution, both for quieting your conscience, so that it may not accuse you, and to restore you to the sinlessness and your share in the New Life which God gave you through her at your Baptism. Say a short prayer for yourself, so

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that you may faithfully recall and confess those things which accuse your conscience, and for the priest who will hear your confession, so that he may give you courage and good advice to help you explore the possibilities of this New Life in Jesus Christ. Even if you make your confession regularly and often, it would be a good thing to have these few minutes to yourself, and to remind yourself, of all these things; every time you come to ask the Churchs declaration of absolution, you are originally renewing the Covenant between you and God in Christ which your Baptism began. Now you are ready to begin to remember your sins. Before you note them down on a slip of paper to help you remember them, keep one thing in mind: you are confessing sins, not temptations, not personal disappointments and minor failings. If these other things are disturbing you, mention it to the priest and make an appointment to talk about them after your confession. For now, just think about the things you have done, said or cherished in your heart which offended against the two great Commandments: the love of God and the love of your brothers and sisters. Write down all the things your conscience accuses you of. Go over to see if you have forgotten anything and can recall it now. After you have done that, look at the following list of offenses and see if you can honestly and certainly recall having done or been knowingly and willfully guilty of any of them since the last time you received absolution. Again, do not confess anything which you did not actually, knowingly and willfully do, realizing that it was wrong. If you feel bad about something you think was not a sin, ask to speak to the priest later. Here is a list of some common ways in which all people sometimes fail to live the New Life which is in Christians:

-refusing to pay debts when you can -refusing to return borrowed items stealing -dishonesty in business or finances -cheating on taxes or in other ways Lack of Stewardship: not taking care of and making good use of what you have Wastefulness: -personal extravagances when they hurt others or keep you from giving alms -gambling more than you can afford to lose -conspicuous consumption (keeping up with the Joneses)

Sins against truth:

Deceit: keeping the truth from others -deceit to avoid consequences of wrongdoing -deceit to manipulate others -deceit in business: fraud, false or misleading advertising -deceit by half-truth -deceit by remaining silent -deceit by using innuendo or implication Hypocrisy: pretending to be free from guilt while blaming others -pretense -making false claims for yourself or your abilities -putting on airs -not being yourself -not being real Misuse of Truth: using truth for evil ends -using the truth to hurt -violating confidence -twisting the truth to deceive

those who offend us -nursing hurt feelings -refusing to accept apologies -insincerity in forgiveness (re-opening old wounds at every fresh offense) -collecting grievances -readiness to condemn others -carrying tales -giving the cold shoulder -refusing to admit wrong-doing -refusing to ask forgiveness of those you have offended Vengeance: attempting to get even plotting revenge -carrying out vengeful plans Dishonesty: lack of candor in relationships -not being candid when offended -not attempting to clear up misunderstandings when they arise -lack of candor about feelings in general, such as might give rise to offense

Sins against trust:

Sins against justice:

Sins against generosity:

Greed: wanting more than you need or can unselfishly use. -refusal to share what you have with others -refusal to give part of what is yours for charitable purposes - lack of mercy for debtors who cannot pay back -charging exorbitant interest -refusal to share credit, praise, responsibility with others -refusal to give others opportunity for selfexpression -refusal to allow others to make contributions of talent -refusal to share love or attention with others Theft: taking or keeping what belongs to another without permission

Oppression: causing others to suffer -persecution -bullying -threatening -using force to dominate, manipulate or control others, whether physical or psychological and emotional Exploitation: profiting by others misfortunes -underpaying employees -refusing to better conditions -condoning economic exploitation of the poor at home and abroad Complicity: lack of zeal for justice -tolerating injustice by lack of opposition -refusal to help, defend, seek justice for the helpless and powerless -prejudice by act or word, or by tacitly condoning it in others Indifference: lack of concern for others in society -refusal to be responsible in seeking the welfare of society as a whole -refusal to cooperate with fellow citizens to oppose war, destruction of resources, protect consumers, etc.

Irresponsibility: lack of truthfulness or dependability -refusing to accept the legitimate demands of others -not keeping promises -refusal to keep bargains -failure to live up to your own expectations of others -advising or condoning wrong-doing Carrying the world: wrong acceptance of responsibility -accepting responsibility when you are not to blame -accepting more responsibility than you can discharge Lack of trust: failure to trust others -condescension, regarding others as inferior to yourself -regarding others as irresponsible -arrogance -argumentativeness

Sins against love:

Sins against forgiveness:

Grudges: refusing complete forgiveness to

Hatred: the opposite of love -murder, in deed or desire -violence against others, or against self need not be physical) -anger -malice, wishing evil on others -gossip, slander, murdering reputations Weakness: not striving to love -adultery -manipulation of others for emotional or physical enjoyment -refusing to keep a marriage at its best, divorce -lack of care for children, oldsters -lack of consideration for others -lack of honesty in relationships Self-injury: neglect of self-respect

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-lack of concern for health -overindulgence in alcohol -abuse of dangerous drugs -overindulgence in food -unwillingness to seek alleviation from addiction to tobacco

also a sinner. (Traditional)

Kneel down, make the sign of the Cross and say:

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. The Priest will bless you.
Then say this:

Sins against faith:

Pride: preferring other things to God -not seeking to make God first concern in your life -idolatry, in any form -refusal to keep up a relationship with God by prayer and Sacramental life -neglect of reading Scripture -neglect of trying to keep some sort of rule -neglecting the support of the Church, whether by money or time -refusing spiritual direction when available -neglect of Christian education, -not seeking to find out more about the faith of the Church -refusal to defend the faith when it is attacked Despair: giving in to opposition to the spiritual life -accepting discouragement -not fighting against despair -yielding to complacency -refusal to be honest about doubts -refusal to seek information and inspiration to dispel them -failure to call on God for help and strength when assai1ed, discouraged or in trouble If by the grace of God, you have managed to avoid all these things, still, remember Jesus words: And when you have done all, say, We are unprofitable servants. For the greatest sin of all is thinking that by our own merits we have pleased God, when the truth is that we are called his sons and daughters only because his eternal Son ever lives to make intercession for us. It is our task to glory only in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. and to live his Risen Life with joy. Go in peace then for the Lord has put away your sin.
THE RECONCILIATION OF A PENITENT Kneel down, make the sign of the Cross, and say:

I confess to God Almighty; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and to you, Father, that I have sinned very much in thought, word and deed, by my fault,by my own fault, by my own most grievous fault. And especially I remember these sins, since my last confession..
[Tell the Priest when you made your last confession unless, of course, this is your first one. Then read the sins you have written on your paper.] When you have finished reading your sins, say:

For these, and all my other sins, which I cannot now remember, I am very sorry, I promise to do better, I beg God to forgive me, and you, Father, to give me penance, advice and absolution. Now the priest will speak to you and give you Gods blessing and forgiveness. He will also tell you some prayer to say, or something to do, as a penance and thank offering to God. Afterward go back to your place in Church and say the prayer the Priest has given to you. Then thank God with all your heart. And go out determined to fight harder than ever before. Note: This article is published with permission from the Order of The Holy Cross, Holy Cross Publications. West Park, NY 12493 *Father Lawrence Kern requested this be published and distributed throughout our churches.

Answerer me when call, O God my protector: you have set me at liberty when I was hard pressed; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. Then say this: I confess to Almighty God and before his Church that I have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and in what I have left undone, by my own fault, especially ...(here read the list you have made). Therefore, I humbly beg forgiveness of God and his Church. (Here the priest may offer
counsel, direction and comfort, and then the absolution) The priest concludes by saying:

Nicole is a budding organist & shes only 10. Plays for Spanish Mass every Sunday @ St. Josephs and at ordination Service in Pittsburg,KS. Proud of you Nicole for your talent and time for the Lord - thanks to Fr. Julio & Mareus Jimenez.

From Passover to Eucharist

by Vaughn Trout, Greeley, CO
The Passover feast itself, the commemoration of Israels safe passage from Egyptian bondage, is believed by some scholars to be overlaid as a continuation of a preexisting ritual, suggested in some ancient writings, including Exodus 5.1, as a

Go in peace. The Lord has put away all your sins; and of your charity pray for me who am

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shepherding-societys festival associated with spring lambing , the changing to new pastures and sacrifice of the firstborn males as a fertility rite. As God prepared the Israelites to be delivered from Egypt after a series of unanswered demands to the Pharaoh, He instructed them to select a young ram without blemish for slaughter on the designated evening, to roast it whole, not dismembering nor breaking any bones as for boiling, to smear some of its blood on the posts and mantles of their doorways (thus directing the avenging death of Egypts firstborn to pass them over), to eat it hastily along with bitter herbs and bread prepared without time for leavening and dressed ready for travel. (Exodus 12). At the celebration of the Passover in Jesus last days he gathered his disciples together for the commemorative supper at which the Exodus story is ritualistically recounted along with the symbolic herbs, unleavened bread (Matzoh), lamb and ceremonial wine. Within the ritual the leader raises a piece of the bread and breaks it in half, dividing one portion among those present as an expression of unity, and removing the other from sight, reserving it for the final thanksgiving and blessing. During the meal Jesus tells his apostles that it will be the last meal they share with Him before the Kingdom of God has arrived. It is generally presumed that it was at the final bringing out and distributing of the reserved Bread of Thanksgiving and communal partaking of the Cup of Blessing that Christ identified these with his body and blood (which were to be sacrificed for their passage from the bondage of sin) and commended them to do as often as they would in memory of his testimony and sacrifice and thus he would always be with them. The following morning he was arrested and subsequently killed; unblemished by sin and with no bone broken. He died and passed to the netherworld where he overcame the dark powers that held our fallen, deceased souls in bondage. After his Resurrection back to Earth he declared salvation and the Kingdom of God to be at hand. The name for that final sharing of the ceremonial bread and wine was called in the Greek scriptures of the time the Eucharist, translated from the Hebrew and meaning the thanksgiving. When we read the accounts of Christians after the Resurrection and Ascension as in the Acts of the Apostles, letters to the Corinthians and elsewhere where they are meeting and sharing meals of thanksgiving, it has been often translated from this Greek term. They were following the commandment of Christ from his last moments.

OPEN YOUR MOUTH FOR THE SPEECHLESS IN THE CAUSE OF ALL APPOINTED TO DIE! (Author unknown) by Christine M. Gilbert
ier to think of the unborn baby as just a wad of tissue when you call them by these names. It is an infant child. A mothers womb is there to allow the child to grow to fruition until he or she is developed enough to live outside the womb. That takes about nine months in all. A mothers womb protects the child from all harm. But the child cannot be safe if someone goes into the womb and literally forces it out. The safety is no longer there for these children. I cant stress enough that these are babies were killing. The holocaust must stop. There were six million Jewish people killed in Nazi Germany and now were killing our own children, our precious children. Both Embryonic Stem Cell Research and abortion involve the destruction of the unborn child. Both violate the teaching that human life begins at Conception. Speaking of conception, a zygote is another scientific term. It is the union of the sperm and the ovum, the fertilized egg. This is the moment of conception itself. A zygote! What an odd name for such a beautiful thing, which Conception is. And Conception is the moment of life itself. Let me explain below. The sperm and ovum come together to make a new person. A man and a woman who become one flesh by showing their love for each other by sharing their bodies and thereby creating a unique human being out of their love. Their uniqueness is determined at Conception. At Conception he or she has the traits from the mother and the father already there. All he or she needs now is time to develop and grow inside the mothers womb. This is the way that the Creator meant for it to be. In the past many in the Pro-life movement have felt limited to protecting a life here and there by passing some limiting law to slightly control abortion in the more outrageous cases. Working from what the Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade, lawmakers can pass a Life at Conception Act declaring unborn children persons . As defined by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution entitled to legal protection, a Life at Conception Act can end abortion using the Constitution instead of amending it. This is the one thing the Supreme Court admitted in Roe v. Wade that would cause the case for legal abortion to collapse. If this suggestion of personhood is established, the appellants case, in other words the one who appeals to a higher Tribunal such as the Supreme Court, {i.e. Roe who sought an abortion} of course collapses, for the babys right to life is then

he Constitution guarantees the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Notice that Life is mentioned first. All people have an inalienable right to life. To be a voice for the unborn is to show respect for life. Movies have a lot of power to shape culture and society. In addition impure television shows and the internet corrupt our youth. Our children are being told that abortion is just another form of birth control with no consequences physically, mentally, or spiritually. Why should we declare death in the womb as something to be taught to adolescents? They dont hear that its killing. We must encourage our children and tell them that babies are a blessing and a hope for our future. What kind of future do we have with 55 million children already dead? Pro life remains a movement of love and hope and also a message of love and hope. Heres a message of love and hope quoted from Pope John Paul II: America, you are beautiful and blessed. The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless. If you want equal justice for all, and true freedom, and lasting peace, then American, defend life. There are several ways in which we can reach young people; one of the effective ways is to insist on abstinence. It brings back dignity, self respect, and a sense of duty to young people. Abstinence education is the best way to battle the AIDs Epidemic and abortion. It has been suggested that the young could be taught to wear chastity rings in order to show the opposite gender that he or she is not ready to engage in any kind of intimacy. Now I want to talk about the unborn child. At ten weeks he or she has fully formed feet. In fact, the International symbol of the Pro-life movement is called Precious Feet. As you may know, these are actually little feet that you can wear on your lapel or shirt. They show the size of a babys feet at ten weeks gestation. It shows how tiny the feet of the babies are and yet fully formed. The tiny feet symbolize the little person that is growing inside the mother. A person who at 12 weeks gestation can move, yawn and rub their eyes; who at 18 weeks gestation can open their eyes; and who at 26 weeks can smile, cry, hiccup, and do sucking movements in his or her mothers womb. This is a baby in the mothers womb. Not an embryo or a fetus. These are scientific terms. Its eas-

guaranteed specifically by the 14th Amendment. The fact is the 14th Amendment couldnt be clearer: Nor shall any state deprive any person of Life, Liberty, or Property without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law. And of course the beauty of a Life at Conception Act is that it would use Roe v. Wades own wording to end abortion on demand by guaranteeing all persons, including unborn children, are protected by the 14th Amendment Another fact is that the very Supreme Court that wrote Roe v. Wade on January 22, 1973 admitted in that decision that no such right to an abortion would exist if Congress were to establish unborn children as persons . Furthermore, the 14th Amendment states Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article: In other words the stipulations of this distinct part of a written document. The 14th Amendment is a distinct part of a written document .The Constitution of the United States of America. The National Pro-life Alliance is contacting hundreds of thousands of Americans just like you to mobilize a grassroots army to pass a Life at Conception Act. The first thing you must do is to send a petition to your Congressman. These are the key ingredients in the National Pro life Alliance plan to pass a Life at Conception Act. Theyll also organize hard hitting T.V., radio, and newspaper ads to be run just before each vote detailing the horrors of abortion and mobilizing the American people; also, extensive personal lobbying of key members of Congress by rank and file, National Pro Life Alliance members and staff, a series of newspaper columns to be distributed free to all 1,706 daily newspapers now published in the United States of America and an extensive and direct mail and telephone campaign. These little babies cant even do anything to defend themselves. They cant speak for themselves. Others, such as you and I, have to be the voice for these babies. Babies and children are precious. Their lives are precious. Not to be thrown away by a society that doesnt care about the unborn. We have to wake up not only citizens of the U.S.A. but all around the world. Were brainstorming for life. Please open your mouth for the unborn. Below, please find my E-mail address and telephone number. Christine M. Gilbert cgcgilbert145@yahoo.com 215-348-4889

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Bishop Jayaraj in India

Bishop Jayaraj presents the Ordination Certificate to Father Anbarasu at St Thomas Tamil Anglican Church, Chennai, South India on January 22, 2012. Seen with Bishop Jayaraj are The Most Reverend Samuel Gunasekaran, Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of South India. Seen also is the Right Reverend Dr. Arul Moses

Florida Missions by Ven. Mark Rowe

Happy 90th
by Vickie Scraper
Dorothy Bigelow, long-time, faithful organist at St. Joseph of Glastonbury, Wichita, turned 90 years old on Jan. 27! A reception was held in her honor hosted by family at the home of daughter, Cynthia Stiverson. Many parish members attended. Dorothy learned to play the organ several years ago in order to take the place of a retiring organist at her church. When St. Josephs was founded, her services were once again needed. She considers it her work for God and seldom misses a Sunday. St. Josephs is blessed to have such a dedicated servant. Happy birthday, Dorothy! During Advent, we had 11 Baptisms at the Mission of Saint Monica. God is truly blessing this ministry and the residents at Mission Unity. We continue to have our Healing Service and Scripture lessons on Tuesday nights with an average attendance of more than fifty people. This is followed by a class on the Sermon on the Mount taught by Seminarian James Byrom. Both the healing services and classes are very well-attended and growing. St. Monicas continues to have Mass at Mission Unity on Saturday evenings. Father Bob Biermann from Vero Beach assisted with one of the Baptism ceremonies and preached at the Mass. We are very excited for the ministry and fellowship of Fr Biermann here in Florida. Father Biermann is in the radio broadcasting profession and now has a satellite radio program A Minute with Father Bob. We are truly blessed to have Father Biermann as part of the Church helping with the Florida Missions. Father George Fuchs continues as Chaplain at the Charlotte County Jail in addition to assisting with St. Josephs in Sarasota and St. Monicas in Port Charlotte. He is an invaluable help to me in ministry. Fr. Fuchs

wife Helene, also gives of her talent by sewing paraments for the Church and taking care of the flower arrangements for the altar at St. Josephs. Saint Monicas Mission now has sponsored a softball team in a local Christian softball league. The team is comprised of residents from Mission Unity, and we are very excited at the prospects of reaching out to the community in a different way, as well as encouraging the residents to be active in positive, fun and healthy ways in the community. Saint Josephs has changed the Sunday Mass time to 9:00 am from the previous time of 8:00 am. We pray this will also help make our Church grow by providing a more mainline time of service for the area. We are also working with another recovery ministry, St. Matthews House in Sarasota. St. Matthews house is a sober living program for men in Sarasota. We look forward to helping in whatever way we can in the community as we strive to be not just a church in the community, but the Community Church. Saint Andrews Mission in Myakka City is primarily an outreach to the Hispanic dairy farm community in rural Manatee County. The owners of the dairy farms are working with us to try to erect a chapel on the dairy farm physical plant, so that we can offer services with minimal intrusion to the busy milking schedule, and so no one has to be left out due to distance, transportation, lack of suitable clothing, etc.

Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds & Mr. and Mrs. Racicot request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter,
to Mr. Alfred Sturges, son of Mr. Kenneth Sturges and Mrs. Irene David, Friday the twentieth of April, two thousand and twelve at Saint Margarets Episcopal Church, Bellevue, WA, at six o clock. Reception will be immediately following the ceremony at Saint Margarets Episcopal Church. RSVP.
Alfred Sturges is our postulant, grandson of Canon JTR David, St. Tomas Anglican Church, Bellevue, WA

Wedding Bells in Bellevue, WA

Michelle Reynolds,

HAPPY 80tH BirtHdAY

Bishop James McNeley & Archdeacon William Beaver are now octogenarians! May the Good Lord continue to bless & keep you. We thank God for you two for being such an inspiration in your zeal for Gods kingdom.

Koinonia Page 14

St. Gabriels, Greeley, CO

holds the Requiem for our beloved Fr. Lawrence Kern. (Below)Fr. Glenn Lynn preaching during the Mass.

St. Peters Albuquerque, NM

At St Peters this last January, we lost a very dear friend and member, Sue Zimple passed away the evening of Tuesday January 24th. We thank you all for all of you heartfelt prayers and notes to Richard, he was

En route South Carolina:

First Stop at Evansville, Indiana to meet with our postulant Charles McCullough who has M.Div and CPE working at the Deaconess Hospital.

Louisville, KY stop to see Fr. Drew Sack.

truly touched, and comforted, thank you. Fr. Scott and Annette were able to attend the birth of their grandson Camden Lawrence Miller, born January 26th, 9 lbs, 9 ozs. Mom (Amanda) and baby are both doing well, again, thank you for your prayers.

Corpus Christi HCCAR Rogers, AR

steps of Corpus Christi.

Confirmations on Dec 11,2012 & a happy family at the

Fr. Jack & Minnie Shrode, Elizabethtown, KY. They both are in their nineties and Fr. Shrode is still happy to be part of our church, praying for us.

Since last Ember day we have had 2 weddings, and 4 baptisms! Thanks be to God for the ability to provide Sacraments to His children! Please check out www.stpeters-hccar.com, you will observe some changes, like the addition of a Church survey, as well as HD recording of the Mass! Thank you David for all of your hard work. ~ Fr.Scott Lay

Hendersonville, NC: stopped to meet with June Pannitti, the beloved spouse of the late Ven. Frank Pannitti. Then to Holly Hill, SC to meet Canon Owen Loftus and Sylvia Loftus. Canon Owen is busy with the seminary

St. Joseph of Glastonbury, Wichita

The Hispanic congregation(below) and the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 10, 2011 thanks to Fr. Julio Jimenez, Clergy and the regular members of St. Josephs.(left) Sunday School in progress at St. Joes

program for HCCAR while Sylvia is busy knitting prayer shawls: A few years ago, she saw a book about prayer shawls. She began crocheting some for people who were ill in my church. The project was expanded to include people she heard about through friends and

family. She also crochets blankets for babies when she hears news of a birth.

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THIS LITURGICAL YEAR...

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With all the propers: Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Tracts, Offertory, Communion ; 5 DISCS to cover the Liturgical Year, Digitally Mastered with Cathedral Effect: Disc 1 Advent - Sexagesima, Disc 2 Ash Wednesday- Trinity, Disc 3 Trinity 1-Trinity 19, Trinity 20- Annunciation, Disc 5 St. Philip - Appendix. A Great Gift to your church Its priced at $75 + $5 Shipping CONTACT: St. James Anglican Church, 8107 Holmes, Kansas City, MO 64131

Anglican Liturgical Chants Through the Year

HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN SEMINARY

GOOD FORMATION ENSURES GOOD MINISTRY! The Holy Catholic Church Anglican Rite is working on its seminary program which will encompass online as well as on campus studies. Let us implore the Lords blessing on this initiative that we may raise up shepherds after Gods own heart (Jeremiah 3:15), who in turn will tend His flock.

Publication of the Anglican Province of the Holy Catholic Church Anglican Rite St.. James Anglican Church 8107 S. Holmes Road Kansas City, MO 64131