Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?"

[Betty]

Hi to all in Rev Jamie's pastoral email land,
 
Back from vacation time, all rested and relaxed (ha ha).
Vacations never seem to be long enough do they?
You just get settled down into a rested routine and bingo it's back to work once again...
for a long period of time before another vacation time.
 
Only a couple more weeks before the big routine starts up again with 'back to school' time.
 
I suppose the big summer draw for a lot of people currently are the Olympics.
I have always been a bit ambivalent about the Olympics.
Ah yes I love the sense of training and competitive nature and going into something with the sense of doing one's best.
But oh, the cost of the spectacle is so astronomical.
The cost of the Olympics alone is larger than the economy of most of the countries that take part in them.
That just doesn't seem right.
 
Another news item that doesn't seem right is that 300 plus bibles were seized by Chinese customs officials and kept until a group named "Vision Beyond Borders" from Sheridan, Wyoming went back home. (at which time they were returned to them.)
 
The state controlled religion system does not allow anyone to proselytize in China and only materials for personal use can be brought into the country.
All materials and religious institutions are controlled by the communist government of China.
Even their bibles are printed up by the government printer.
 
This is of course part of many peoples ongoing concerns about China's repression of personal and religious freedoms.
 
This weeks gospel lesson from Matthew 16, has Jesus asking his disciples the question, "Who do you say that I am?"
The Christian people of China have to keep to themselves their thoughts surrounding that question.
The government controls their religious institutions in such a way that the "Good News" wouldn't spread out too far into the countryside. For if the spread of religion goes unchecked, believers might ultimately challenge the Communist Party's authority.
 
We are blessed as people who have freedom of religion in our country.
That means that we can go down to our street corner (if we so wish) and ask people going by, "Who do you say that Jesus is?" without fear of reprisal from the state authorities.
 
Unfortunately for most people in Canada they treat freedom of religion as meaning they are free to not be involved in any sort of religious activity in their lives.
 
What a shame!
Taking freedom for granted instead of coming to a place where they can live within and engage that question for themselves, in their lives.
A place where the spiritual self can be nurtured.
A place where faith can become a journey of exploration.
 
You are invited, to come and hear and share in my thoughts surrounding that question this Sunday.
9:15 in Hastings.....  11:00 in Roseneath.
 
Hope to see you.
Jamie
 
Prayer:
God we praise you for this wonderful day set out before us.
May we feel your blessing resting upon us as we go about our days activities,
Knowing that your Spirit is a presence to us, in all ways, at all times, in all we do.  Amen.
 
Rev. Jamie York
Hastings Roseneath Pastoral Charge
The United Church of Canada