Today, we remember St. Remigius, who converted Clovis, King of the Franks, and today is the first day of Tabernacles:
Remigius was born about 438 and made Bishop
at the ripe old age of 22. He served as Bishop of Rheims during the time
of the Barbarian invasions and the Arian conflict. In fact it is indeed possible that Remigius
changed the history of Europe as he witnessed to Clovis, King of the Franks, who became
Catholic Christian as opposed to becoming Arian as did the Goths and the Vandals. Clovis was
baptised Christmas day 496 with about three thousand of his followers, and as
the Franks were to make big changes in Europe. In fact the Franks prevented the Muslims from
taking over France
under Charles Martel, and under Charlemagne consolidated power. The Franks also converted the Visigoths so
that the Arians no longer had military hegemony over the area. I t should also be noted that Clovis’s descendents
helped lead to the conversion of some English royal families during the time of
the heptarchy.
I particularly like Remigious’ words to Clovis, “Burn what you
worshipped, and worship what you burned.
Once, Clovis
was baptised, Remigius was free to proclaim the Gospel to the Franks, which he
did, founding may churches and dioceses. Remigius, like several other saints was known
to have a way with animals, sparrows would eat out of his hands as he ate. Chiefly though we remember Remigius for his
fine work converting Clovis
and the Franks.
Collect:
Heavenly Father, as you empowered
your Bishop Remigius, to witness the Gospel of our Lord Yeshuah to Clovis, King
of the Franks, and to convert him and
the Frankish nation, empower us to reach out to the leadership of the nations
that they may acknowledge you to be the true sovereign of this world, through
our Lord Yeshuah haMoshiach, who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach
haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.
Amen. (white)
Sukkoth or Tabernacles:
September 30, at
Sundown, marks the feast of Sukkoth, or Tabernacles. During this feast the
Jewish people build tabernacles or huts, and have all their meals in them and
sleep in them as well. Sukkoth was the autumn harvest time and was a type of
Jewish thanksgiving. As well, it commemorates the forty years in the desert,
and God’s provision. We note in passing, according to Nehemiah, during the
forty years in the desert, their clothes did not wear out, in other words,
along with manna and water, God provided for all the rest of the people’s
needs.
Many Jews today see the Succoth or hut as a sign of God’s protection as well, because God protected the people in the desert as well.
We too, see that Yeshua completes this feast as he does all the others. He provides for us, if we seek the kingdom, and he will protect us. He will not let us be tempted past what we can bear.
As Christians, we too can keep the feast, setting up a tent or dining fly, and having our meals in it. We also set up tents and sleep in them as well, as well as cooking at least lunch and dinner outside. Good time for brisket and smoked turkey as well. We do this in remembrance of the forty years in the desert, and remind ourselves that it took forty years for the children of Israel to become true people of God. Even Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness, and St. Paul spent three years in the wilderness. We might think of it as camping out with God.
During Sukkoth, we remember that becoming a Christian is not an overnight thing, but a process: a process in which for some is quicker, for some is slower, but nevertheless a process in which we learn to apply God’s work to our lives; a process in which we learn to overcome temptation; a process in which we learn to be Yeshua’s hands, and feet and eyes, and mouth; a process in which we learn to trust God; a process in which God builds us into better Christians. As the tent surrounds us, so does God’s provision and protection surround us. We have talked about this process before. The Eastern Orthodox Church refers to it as theosis, that is becoming more God like. As Christ is in God, so we are in Christ. As we become more Christ-like, we become more like the father, for Jesus was his perfect reflection. As Yeshua told Phillip, if you have seen me, you have seen the Father.
It is also a time of thinking. Of the six hundred three thousand plus men to cross the Red Sea and were delivered from slavery in Egypt, only two, Yehoshua (Joshua) and Kalev (Caleb) actually made it to the Promised Land. Yeshua tells us, many are called, but few are chosen. St. Paul tells us to run to win the race, and that the bones of the Israelites littering the ground were given as an example for us to learn. Let us look at this and tremble.
God has called us. Will we follow? Will we trust him to provide for us? Will we speak out for him when it is not popular? Will we call others to follow the Lord Yeshua? The entire Exodus process is something that every Christian must go through, from being baptized to learning in the desert. There will be trials and temptations. God will test and prove us in order to make us strong. After all, God wants people of good character to reside with him forever.
Let us as we celebrate this holiday, analyse where we are in our relationship with Yeshua. Are we crying for meat and melons, or are we advancing for the Kingdom of God? Are we wondering where Moses went, or are we preparing for the battle? Let us pray for all Christians, that they would grow in love, knowledge and obedience to the Lord Yeshua haMoshiach (Jesus the Christ), and let us pray for all Yehudim (Jews) that they would see how Yeshua completes the feast and recognise him as Messiah, and may we trusting in his protection, guidance, power, and providence go to war against Satin and those forces which attempt to enslave us.
Readings:
Monday:
Numbers 29:12-16
John 1:1-14
Tuesday:
Deuteronomy 8:1-5
John 7:1-9
Wednesday:
Deuteronomy 29: 2-6
John 7:10-24
Thursday:
Nehemiah 9:9-15
John7:25-31
Friday:
Deuteronomy 16:13-15
John 7:32-36
Saturday: John 7:37-39
Sunday: (At Matins if not used in the Eucharist)
Ezekiel 38:18-39:16
I Corinthians 10:1-11
Collect for the day: Heavenly Father, as we remember that you caused the
Israelites to dwell in tents, and as their clothes and shoes did not wear out,
grant that we may rest assured of your protection and blessings. This we ask in
the name of our Lord Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and reins with you and Ruach
haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting. Amen. (white)
Many Jews today see the Succoth or hut as a sign of God’s protection as well, because God protected the people in the desert as well.
We too, see that Yeshua completes this feast as he does all the others. He provides for us, if we seek the kingdom, and he will protect us. He will not let us be tempted past what we can bear.
As Christians, we too can keep the feast, setting up a tent or dining fly, and having our meals in it. We also set up tents and sleep in them as well, as well as cooking at least lunch and dinner outside. Good time for brisket and smoked turkey as well. We do this in remembrance of the forty years in the desert, and remind ourselves that it took forty years for the children of Israel to become true people of God. Even Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness, and St. Paul spent three years in the wilderness. We might think of it as camping out with God.
During Sukkoth, we remember that becoming a Christian is not an overnight thing, but a process: a process in which for some is quicker, for some is slower, but nevertheless a process in which we learn to apply God’s work to our lives; a process in which we learn to overcome temptation; a process in which we learn to be Yeshua’s hands, and feet and eyes, and mouth; a process in which we learn to trust God; a process in which God builds us into better Christians. As the tent surrounds us, so does God’s provision and protection surround us. We have talked about this process before. The Eastern Orthodox Church refers to it as theosis, that is becoming more God like. As Christ is in God, so we are in Christ. As we become more Christ-like, we become more like the father, for Jesus was his perfect reflection. As Yeshua told Phillip, if you have seen me, you have seen the Father.
It is also a time of thinking. Of the six hundred three thousand plus men to cross the Red Sea and were delivered from slavery in Egypt, only two, Yehoshua (Joshua) and Kalev (Caleb) actually made it to the Promised Land. Yeshua tells us, many are called, but few are chosen. St. Paul tells us to run to win the race, and that the bones of the Israelites littering the ground were given as an example for us to learn. Let us look at this and tremble.
God has called us. Will we follow? Will we trust him to provide for us? Will we speak out for him when it is not popular? Will we call others to follow the Lord Yeshua? The entire Exodus process is something that every Christian must go through, from being baptized to learning in the desert. There will be trials and temptations. God will test and prove us in order to make us strong. After all, God wants people of good character to reside with him forever.
Let us as we celebrate this holiday, analyse where we are in our relationship with Yeshua. Are we crying for meat and melons, or are we advancing for the Kingdom of God? Are we wondering where Moses went, or are we preparing for the battle? Let us pray for all Christians, that they would grow in love, knowledge and obedience to the Lord Yeshua haMoshiach (Jesus the Christ), and let us pray for all Yehudim (Jews) that they would see how Yeshua completes the feast and recognise him as Messiah, and may we trusting in his protection, guidance, power, and providence go to war against Satin and those forces which attempt to enslave us.
Readings:
Monday:
Numbers 29:12-16
John 1:1-14
Tuesday:
Deuteronomy 8:1-5
John 7:1-9
Wednesday:
Deuteronomy 29: 2-6
John 7:10-24
Thursday:
Nehemiah 9:9-15
John7:25-31
Friday:
Deuteronomy 16:13-15
John 7:32-36
Saturday: John 7:37-39
Sunday: (At Matins if not used in the Eucharist)
Ezekiel 38:18-39:16
I Corinthians 10:1-11
No comments:
Post a Comment