HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-06-07, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2012.
St. Anne’s athletes excel at
regional competitions
By Pastor Brent Kipfer,
Brussels Mennonite Fellowship
Not long ago, a man told me that
he thinks faith is a good thing, but so
far he has not found a convincing
reason to believe in God. You
probably know the famous words of
Thomas, responding to the news that
Jesus had risen from the dead:
“Unless I see the nail marks in his
hands and put my finger where the
nails were, and put my hand into his
side, I will not believe.”
Is Jesus really alive? For Thomas,
it comes down to one piece of
evidence: the scars. Why is a scar
important?
A scar tells a story about a wound
that has been healed. I can see a faint
mark on the back of my left hand
and remember standing around a
heap of burning trash on our farm as
a child, poking around at it with my
younger brothers. At one point, a
metal bar with a glob of melted
plastic stuck to the end accidentally
landed on my hand. My scar
confirms my memory; it is a witness
to an event that actually happened.
When I see it, I know that I did not
dream the whole thing. At the same
time, a scar also speaks of healing.
What used to be a blistery open
wound has been long-covered with
new skin.
Thomas knows the damage done
to Jesus on the cross: spikes
damaging the tendons and nerves of
his wrists, maiming his hands into a
claw shape, the gash in his side, the
weight of his body suffocating him.
Thomas knows the story of
suffering. Few people have trouble
believing this chapter in the
experience of Jesus. The world is all
too familiar with pain: violence,
cancer, broken families,
earthquakes, job losses, betrayal.
The scars of Jesus speak of God,
who gathers up all of this suffering
into himself. On the cross, Jesus
carried the sin and suffering of all
history – from creation to the end of
time. So his scars speak of love, God
willing to die for us - but more than
that; they also speak of victory.
Thomas wants to touch the scars
of Jesus because in those healed
wounds, there is a promise of our
own healing, our own resurrection.
In a memorable encounter, Jesus
gives him an opportunity. As Jesus
turns to Thomas, there is no scolding
or condemnation in his voice: “Put
your finger here; see my hands.
Reach out your hand and put it into
my side. Stop doubting and
believe.”
In the end, Thomas does not
actually need to touch him. It is
enough to see Jesus and to hear him
speak. Doubt melts away and he
exclaims: “My Lord and my God!”
Sometimes Christians assume that
the path to faith should be simply,
straightforward, easy. We may get
frustrated by disbelief. Why do
others not see Jesus as we do?
Sometimes we are not as honest
about our own doubt as Thomas. We
might adopt the appearances of faith,
but below the surface, remain
unconvinced, perhaps wanting to
believe, but not quite sure if we can
put our whole weight on this faith
we profess. We, too, need to see the
scars of Jesus – but unlike Thomas
we cannot literally touch them or
bring friends or neighbours near to
see...or can we?
Christians believe that Jesus has
been exalted to the right hand of
God; we are waiting for his return in
glory. At the same time, the apostle
Paul tells us that we are the body of
Christ on earth. Where would the
world look to see the scars of Jesus
today? On us – his disciples! “As
the Father has sent me,” Jesus says,
“I am sending you.”
Teresa of Avila once prayed: “God
of love, help us to remember that
Christ has no body now on earth but
ours, no hands but ours, no feet but
ours. Ours are the eyes to see the
needs of the world. Ours are the
hands with which to bless everyone
now. Ours are the feet with which he
is to go about doing good.”
Some days, though, we do not
carry the marks of Jesus very well.
Jesus is full of compassion; I am
impatient. Jesus is wise; I get
distracted by silly things. Jesus
walks on water; I get stuck in the
mud.
There is always a gap between our
highest intentions and the reality of
our daily lives. How can we show
the marks of an authentic follower of
Jesus? We cannot do it on our own.
It calls for a miracle that requires our
death: surrender to Jesus so that our
old self can die and we can be born
again. Paul describes the result in the
second chapter of Galatians: “I have
been crucified with Christ, and it is
no longer I who live, but Christ who
lives in me. And the life I now live
in the flesh I live by faith in the Son
of God, who loved me and gave
himself for me.”
Later, in the same letter, Paul says,
“I bear on my body the marks of
Jesus.”
In one sense, our crucifixion with
Christ is a single revolutionary
event; in another sense, it is ongoing.
We bring ourselves to the cross of
Jesus again and again, saying, “I
give up. Take charge of my life, Lord
Jesus.”
Can others see his marks on us?
By Madelaine Higgins
The 2011-2012 school year at St.
Anne’s Catholic Secondary School
is quickly coming to an end and
final evaluations are taking place in
each classroom. On Monday of this
week, the girls’ and boys’ rugby
teams attended WOSSAA in
London and the Goderich Tennis
Tournament was held at the
Maitland Golf and Country Club.
Tuesday was the annual co-op
career fair where each co-op student
presents a display and gives the
opportunity to other students and
staff to learn more about each
current placement. The co-op fair
often intrigues students in lower
grades to do a placement of their
own and encourages them to learn
more about possible career
endeavours.
Thursday, May 31, student cabinet
members, both retiring and new,
attended a retreat day. Both groups
had an opportunity to share their
ideas based on the outcome of this
school year, and possible changes or
improvements for the coming year.
On Friday, the track and field team
travelled to Windsor to participate in
West Regionals in the hope of
moving on to the next level of
competition. Senior level gym
classes headed to Woodlands Links
for golfing days, and student cabinet
organized a student versus staff
soccer game buy-out during period
two, where classes have the chance
to attend the game and support their
favourite teachers or fellow
students.
Sunday, June 3 was Graduation
Mass in celebration of the students
leaving St. Anne’s this year and
student cabinet continues to
organize the final events for the
school year. Starting next week,
gum will be sold leading up to a
bubble-blowing contest to be held
on Wednesday, June 6. Additionally,
next week will mark the final
school-wide event and dance for the
year. Have a great week.
Worship Service & Sunday School at 11 a.m.
CORNER OF DINSLEY & MILL STREETS
MINISTER
Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div.
All Welcome
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed.OFFICE: 519-523-4224
JUNE 10 ~ All Actions, Good or Bad, Have Consequences
JUNE 17 ~ Lessons From A Bike Trip
You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship
Hwy. 4, Blyth 519-523-4743
www.blythcrc.ca
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00 am
Evening Service 7:30 pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
June 10: 1 Sam. 2:1-10
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill
Tuesdays 7:30 pm - Wingham Bible Study
Thursdays 7:00 pm - Truth Project Small Group at Dows’
Evangelical Missionary Church
Truth
Project #12:
Community
Involvement:
“God Cares,
Do I?”
250 Princess St., Brussels
Pastor Brent Kipfer
519-887-6388
www.bmfchurch.com
Guests Welcome
Jesus Is Lord!
Worship Service 10:00 am
Sunday School 11:15 am
Brussels
Mennonite
Fellowship
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, June 10
Brussels Public School
at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Sunday School for children
4 to 11 years of age at 9:30 a.m.
Childcare provided for infants and
preschoolers during the sermon.
Coffee & cookies after the morning service
For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621
Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - beunitedchurch@gmail.com
Sunday, June 10
Brussels United Church
Worship Service and
Sunday School - 11:00 a.m.
Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Elwin Garland
SUNDAY, JUNE 10
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-9017
10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
119 John’s Ave., Auburn
519-526-1131
www.huronchapel.org
Rev. Mark Royall, Sr. Pastor
9:25 a.m.
Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m
Morning Worship Service
From the Minister’s StudyEvidence was key to believing for Thomas
Have A New
Addition?
Call for prices and details
519-523-4792
or 519-887-9114
Let everyone know about
your new bundle of joy!
The
Citizen