Sunday, January 27, 2019

FEMALE DEACONATE MINISTRY REVITALIZED


THE FEMALE DEACONATE MINISTRY CONTINUES TO UNDERGO DYNAMIC REVITALIZATION. 
Women ministered with competence as deacons within the early church: holy Paul gave written commendation regarding Saint Phoebe, a Cenchrean deacon,  to the Christians in Rome. 
(Romans 16:1)

A number of women served as leaders in the house churches which sprang up in Roman Empire cities - the list includes Priscilla, Chloe, Lydia, Apphia, Nympha, the mother of John Mark. [1]
Clement of Alexandria made mention of Paul's reference to deaconesses in 1 Timothy 3:11, and Origen commented on Phoebe, the deacon Paul mentioned in Romans 16:1-2. [1]
Incontrovertible evidence that women served as deacons in the early church abounds. 

FEMALE DEACONATE REINSTATED
Patriarch Theodoros II and the Greek Orthodox Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria reinstated the order of deaconesses in late 2017, Alleged News. [2]
Orthodox liturgical theologians supported the move, "The reinstitution of the female deaconate does not constitute an innovation, as some would have us believe," the theologians said, "but the revitalization of a once functional, vibrant, and effectual ministry," Alleged News. [2]

CONSECRATION OF WOMEN DEACONS
Theodoros, pope and patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, consecrated five women to the deaconate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, primarily to assist in missionary churches: Alleged News. [2]
Orthodox theologian Carrie Frederick Frost who sits on the board of the St Phoebe Center for the Deaconess [3] noted that the women were chosen "to help with missionary work. The church is growing ... in Africa right now; there aren't enough priests, there aren't enough people on the ground ... and they desire to deputize these women to teach, catechize and lead services," Alleged News. [2]

DEACONESSES IN THE CHURCHES
The Japanese Orthodox church from its inception in the later half of the nineteenth century had deaconesses. 
St Nicholas Kasatkin, bishop of Japan, had a number of deaconesses during his tenure, Alleged News. [4]
The Russian Orthodox church, mother church of Japan, reportedly always had deaconesses, Alleged News. [4]
The Lutheran church has a deaconess ministry, Alleged News. [5]

Commission on deaconate of women
Two speakers at the event on "The Future of Women Deacons" are members of a commission on the diaconate of women established in August 2016 by His Holiness Pope Francis in order to review the theology and history of the office of deacon, Alleged News. [6]
The group met over a two-year period and submitted its report to the pontiff in late 2018, Alleged News. [6]

Author and senior research associate Phyllis Zagano, a member of the papal commission, said women served as deacons until the 12th century in the Western church and somewhat longer in the Eastern church; Alleged News.
Dr Zagano's research included examination of church manuscripts from the fourth to 16th centuries which are housed in the Vatican library; Alleged News.
Dr Zagano said the liturgical ceremony used by bishops to create women deacons included all the elements of sacramental ordination according to the criteria established by the Council of Trent: Alleged News. [6]

 [1] Pope Francis calls for study on 'reinstating' female deacons, Alleged News
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2016/05/pope-francis-calls-for-study-on.html

 [2] Orthodox move for women deacons is 'revitalization' not 'innovation', Alleged News 
https://www.ncronline.org/news/theology/orthodox-move-women-deacons-called-revitalization-not-innovation

 [3] St Phoebe Center for the Deaconess
https://orthodoxdeaconess.org/

 [4] Deaconess, Alleged News 
https://orthodoxwiki.org/Deaconess

 [5] Deaconess Ministry, LCMS World Relief and Human Care, Alleged News 
https://www.lcms.org/how-we-serve/mercy/deaconess-ministry

 [6] Ordaining women deacons is 'about ministry,' not 'power,' says speaker: Alleged News
http://catholicphilly.com/2019/01/news/national-news/idea-of-having-women-deacons-about-ministry-not-power-says-speaker/

 Pope Francis institutes commission to study women deacons: Alleged News 
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2016/08/pope-francis-institutes-commission-to.html


 With thanks to ncronline.org, orthodoxdeaconess.org, orthodoxwiki.org, lcms.org and catholicphilly.com
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Monday, January 21, 2019

GSC MODULE 60: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

The light of Christ spreads out to the whole world

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY
MODULE 60
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT:
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

A LIGHT IS MEANT TO BE SEEN - AND SEEN VERY CLEARLY INDEED.
It enlightens the path, brightens the darkness, and warms the heart with its simple warm beauty.
Many light candles, swing burning incense, burn fires and light beautiful lamps.
The love of light is intrinsic in every human being, with its connotations of warmth, safe shelter and sustenance.
The light that God brought to the darkness during creation is the very symbol of His action. 
Light is, in essence, a mark of sanctity and religion.

The houses in Palestine of the time of Jesus were dark with only one small circular window perhaps about eighteen inches across.
The lamp was a little clay sauce-boat shape filled with oil, the wick floating therein.
If a lamp went out, it was not easy to enkindle it at a time prior to the swiftness of matches and firelighters.

The lamp usually stood on a lampstand, sometimes as simple as a shaped wooden branch.
When people left the home, they removed the lamp from its stand, and put it under an earthen bushel measure.
This was in order to ensure that the lamp might burn without risk of fire until their return.

Christ mandated us not to hide the radiance of our faith as the light was hidden under a bushel. 
Instead, our inner light is meant to shine boldly out to all as witness to the Christ Whom we follow.

This light is manifested in various ways.
The way we treat others, from unborn infants to the deeply senior, should reflect deepest respect.
Our business practices, our home lives, the way we speak to - and treat - parents, family and friends should show we are Christians: caring, faithful, loyal and loving.

The language we use, the way we speak to God, the time we give Him in worship, the literature we view, all should indicate honor to the Highest God and His all-holy Son, Jesus Christ.

We have been given a powerful mandate from Jesus; He did not tell us to be merely a light in the church; He commanded us to shine our personal inner light before the entire world.

Our light proves further a guide, and at times a warning light - such as that of a lighthouse. 
The Christian is required to make the road to God clear to others. 
Sometimes it is necessary for the dedicated disciple to have the moral strength and courage to warn others who are on the wrong road.
This is not always a comfortable venture: however, it is an indispensable one.
Many are the moral shoals on which another may shipwreck their life, and put their eternal salvation at risk.
The true light-giver disciple of Christ cannot hide the light of warning under a bushel.

At Easter candles are lit from the large candle symbolizing Christ the Light of the world. These in turn pass the light from candle to candle until a stream of living fire breaks the darkness of the night.
In the same way we too are called, as disciples, to become witness to the living light Who is our Christ, the supreme Saviour and Witness to Truth before the world.
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GSC MODULE 59: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: THE SALT OF THE EARTH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTO7-Jarl-E

 GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY
MODULE 59
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT:
THE SALT OF THE EARTH

JESUS KNEW HIS DAYS ON EARTH WERE NUMBERED. So he continued preaching steadfastly, even though nightfall began to near.
The Master told the crowd, "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Gospel of Saint Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 13-16). 

 Even today we compliment another's solid worth and sincerity with the words, "People like that are the very salt of the earth." 
In the ancient world, salt was highly valued.  
Some of the rations of Roman soldiers was paid in prized salt. 
Salt is a pure condiment, bringing irreplaceable seasoning to food. 
Salt also acts as preservative, preventing food from spoiling. Salt may be used as antiseptic agent and healer. 

 Jesus was pointing out that disciples have a role on earth. 
As salt flavors the meal, heals and prevents denature, so disciples are to flavor society with their strength of faith and ardent preaching of the message of Christ. 

 Light of the world
In ancient Palestine, the oven was typically situated outdoors. 
Built of stone on a base of tiles, the hearth provided the background to preparation of meals.  In order to retain the heat of the stove, a thick bed of salt was laid under the tiled floor.

 Eventually the salt would perish, upon which the tiles would be taken up and the salt thrown away. Sometimes the salt would be disposed of on the road outside the doorway of the home. 1

 Jesus would possibly have seen His mother Mary carrying out this homely task of ensuring good meals for her family. 
As a little boy He would have noticed that once the power of the salt to retain heat within the oven had perished, it was no longer fit for any purpose but to be thrown away and sometimes trampled upon. 

 In similar fashion, if a disciples loses faith: if strength of belief fails and witness falters, that very characteristic which made the disciple so effective - so 'salty' with faith ' - is no more.
The disciple is no longer imbued with love for Christ, lacks the ability to effectively witness. 
The disciple may prove derelict in duty, and evince failure to follow God's call to action. 

 The disciple has lost that essence of discipleship - much as the salt in the old-fashioned ovens lost their savour. 
The believer who has lost belief and passion for the call of God is as little use in the work of the mission of the heavenly kingdom as salt which has failed.

 Jesus thus emphasized how important it is that we, as disciples, maintain our integrity: pursue our passion, for the kingdom of God.
If we lose our motivation, we risk losing the very essence of our being.
To follow God is the very breath of the disciple.
Once vigorous discipleship is lost to malaise and the embrace of worldly values in place of that which is Christ-like, we become as failed salt - no longer fit for the mission of discipleship with which we were entrusted.

 1. E.F.F. Bishop: Jesus of Palestine - Explanation of Miss F.E.Newton

 With thanks to youtube
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Sunday, January 20, 2019

A CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT BY LUMIERE IN REMEMBRANCE OF IRISH DOCTORS AND NURSES


A candle has been lit by Lumiere in remembrance of Irish 
doctors and nurses in moral distress regarding protection
 of  conscience concerns with regard to the new abortion 
law in Ireland: Alleged News. [1]

[1] Dozens of Irish Doctors storm out of meeting after they've 
been told they must participate in abortions, Alleged News

With thanks to lifenews.com


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AFRICA: NIGER SHUTS DOWN MARIE STOPES, KENYA ORDERS 'CEASE AND DESIST'; ALLEGED NEWS



AFRICA; NIGER HAS SHUT DOWN TWO FACILITIES RUN BY THE UK-BASED MARIE STOPES INTERNATIONAL (MSI) FOR CARRYING OUT ABORTIONS CONTRAVENING A 2006 PRO-LIFE LAW; ALLEGED NEWS. [1]
Niger only allows abortions deemed essential to save a mother's life, Alleged News. [1]
Governmental inquiry
A government inquiry found that MSI locations in Niamey capital and the city of Maradi had been engaged in "manual vacuum aspiration [abortions] for a fee of 30,000 CFA francs (46 euros/$52)," as reported by the Daily Mail, Alleged News. [1]

Niger's Health Minister Idi Illiassou 
"We have decided to close this charity on grounds of a 2006 law which bans abortions," Niger's Health Minister Idi Illiassou said, Alleged News. [1] 
"Our inquiries have shown that this non-governmental organisation is enabling the voluntary interruption of pregnancy," something the agreement of Marie Stopes International with the government "does not authorise", Alleged News. [1]

The health ministry apprised that legal action against people involved in illegal abortions will be pursued, Alleged News. [1]

Kenya orders MS 'cease and desist'
The move in Niger followed a decision by the Kenyan government ordering Marie Stopes to "immediately cease and desist offering any form of abortion services in all its facilities within the republic", Alleged News. [1]

Africa locations closed
Marie Stopes closed hundreds of locations across Africa in 2018 pursuant to the reinstatement and expansion of the Mexico City Policy, now named Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance which bans foreign aid money to any entities which commit or promote abortions; Alleged News. [1]
UK-based Marie Stopes International closed 22 of its 62 Madagascar based outreach teams, 17 of its 35 in Uganda, 600 of its 1 200 in Zimbabwe; Alleged News. [2]
International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) closed 22 programmes in sub-saharan Africa, Alleged News. [2]
Both MSI and IPPF were to cancel programmes in Togo, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast and Burkino Faso: Alleged News. [2]

[1]Niger shuts down Marie Stopes facilities for committing illegal abortions, Alleged News

[2] Trump funding ban forces international abortion giants to cut African operations, Alleged News

Pro-life victory: Kenya orders Marie Stopes to 'cease' all abortion services; Alleged News
Board orders Marie Stopes to stop offering abortion services; alleged News

Niger suspends Marie Stopes clinics over abortions, Alleged News

With thanks to lifesitenews.com, nation.co.ke, theeastafrican.co.ke
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'Images of Mary'by Dr Luky Whittle



IMAGES OF MARY

In the Marian Praise poetry of American religious seekers with specific reference to the second quarter 
of the twentieth century
by Dr Luky Whittle

During research for this book, I studied under the supervision of Dr Margaret Mary Raftery, a specialist in medieval English in whom I found a kindred spirit. 
Dr Raftery instantly recognised my need to resuscitate the then mainly dormant corpus of Marian praise poetry of ages past; an endeavour in which she actively supported me. 

My search for twentieth century examples of Marian praise poetry led me to the United States, where at the Marian Library of the University of Dayton, Ohio, I was welcomed with infinite kindness, courtesy and hospitality as well as the utmost intellectual support by the staff, certain of whose members and associates are recognised world authorities on Mariology. 

My thanks are due to the poets whose work was used in this research. The earliest Marian poetry we are aware of in English in its Anglo-Saxon form was composed in the seventh or eighth century by the poet Cynewulf, who drew heavily on the impressive rhetoric of the existing Latin and Greek songs of praise of the Blessed Virgin. 

In the spirit of Cynewulf, the authors of the poetic utterance that comprises the bulk of this study are described in the title as "religious seekers", an appelation used in the contemporary terminology of the United States inter alia to describe women religious who make vows of lifelong poverty, chastity and obedience. 
These seekers render themselves more freely available in the service of the spreading of the Kingdom of God. They are referred to in this study as nun-poets.

The work of a few outstanding exponents of the genre of Marian praise poetry such as Robert Southwell and the Victorian priest Gerard Manley Hopkins have been included. 

This study was undertaken at a time when there are signs of a resurgence of interest in the Blessed Virgin Mary. The concern has a universal rather than a religion-based orientation.  
"Two thousand years after the Nativity, the mother of Jesus is more beloved, powerful and controversial than ever,"  proclaimed the front page of Life Magazine's Christmas 1996 issue. 

'Images of Mary' serves as an introduction to the work of the nun-poets, much of which deserves further individual consideration. 
It is hoped that it will open doors for future scholars to explore a school of literature that deserves far greater exposure than it has apparently received for several decades.

Please refer to the following link for 'Images of Mary'

WhittleLA.pdf - University of the Free State

 

scholar.ufs.ac.za:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/11660/7986/WhittleLA.pdf?...1...y
by LA Whittle - ‎1998
Apr 24, 1983 - Lucia Antonia Whittle. A thesis submitted in ..... The images of Mary as drawn by pre-Conciliar religious seekers of the twentieth century echo ...

Life Magazine Christmas 1996 issue
https://www.oldlifemagazines.com/december-01-1996-life-magazine.html

Life Magazine Christmas 1996 issue
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Magazine-Monthly-December-Virgin/dp/B008JG4O4K

With thanks to University Free State, South Africa, Life Magazine and amazon.com
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