5th Sunday after Easter – 28st April 2013

Dear Readers,

My name is Fr. Franz Devantier of Saint Titus, Independent Old Catholic Church (IOCC) of Africa, operating in South Africa, and also creator of this blog.  My background was that of a liberal Catholic Priest, and a Traditional Catholic Priest in South Africa, and then an independent Priest in the Catholic tradition.  I was incardinated into the IOCC by Archbishop-Primate Emeritus Maurice McCormick founder of the IOCC of America.  

IOCC of America

Primate Archbishop George Le Mesurier,  IOCC of America
Primate Emeritus Archbishop Maurice McCormick, IOCC of America
+++

IOCC of Africa

Bishop George Otieno Odhiambo, IOCC of Africa

+++

Saint Titus IOCC South Africa

Saint Titus IOCC Newsletter

Father. Franz Devantier, IOCC South Africa

In nomine Patris, et Filii, + et Spiritus Sancti.  Amen   (In the name of the father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen. )

5^th  Sunday after Easter  –  28^st  April 2013 (Colour of Celebration – White)

Traditional Catholics:

The Church continues to exalt the risen Christ and exhorts us to unite with her in prayer.

Liberal Catholics:

Lord Christ, whose wondrous triumph thy faithful people year by year do celebrate, we pray thee that, as the years roll on, we also may triumph over sin and, following thy glorious example, may rise unto the fullness of our spiritual heritage, O thou who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God throughout all ages of ages. Amen.

Roman Catholics: (Sixteenth Sunday of the Year)

God himself is my help.  The Lord upholds my life.  I will offer you a willing sacrifice; I will praise your name, O Lord, for its goodness.

Lord,

be merciful to your people.

Fill us with your gifts

and make us always eager to serve you

in faith, hope, and love.

Commemoration of the Saints, for the coming week

April 28^th, St Paul of the Cross (Confessor)

-> St Paul all his life had a burning love for Jesus.  He founded the Congregation of Passionists.  He and his brethren were preachers of “the mystery of the Cross and of devotion to the Passion”.  He died A.D. 1775.

April 29^th, St Peter (Martyr)

-> St Peter of Verona was a famous preacher of the Dominican Order.  From childhood he was conspicuous for his refutation of heretics and his singular innocence.  He longed to die for the faith, and his prayer was heard.  A.D. 1252

April 30^th, St Catherine of Siena, (Virgin, Doctor)

-> St Catherine of the Order of St Dominic, led a life of great penance.  She received the stigmata, but at her urgent prayer they did not show externally.  She died A.D. 1380

May 1^st, St Joseph the Worker (Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Confessor)

-> Work, imposed on man as a penalty, is transformed into a blessing through his communion with the life and work and death of Jesus Christ, a communion effected by the active part he takes in the Sacrifice and Communion of the Mass – with St Joseph as model and patron.  This Feast was instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1956.

May 2^nd, St Athanasius (Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church)

-> Bishop of Alexandria, St Athanasius opposed Arius with admirable zeal.  He has left us several works in defence fo the divinity of Christ.  He suffered frequent persecution.  He Died A.D. 373.

May 3^rd, Commemoration of SS. Alexander and Companions

May 4^th, St Monica (Widow)

-> St Monica first converted her pagan husband, and then, by her tears and unceasing prayers, her son St Augustine, who is regarded as one of the greatest Doctors of the western Church.  She died A.D. 387.

Announcements:

We are still collecting names for submission as Marriage officers, under Saint Titus.  If you would like to become a marriage officer under Saint Titus, then please contact Fr. Franz  devantierf@gmail.com

News:

…

Sacred References:

James, Chapter 1, verses 22-27

John, chapter 16, verses 23-30

Genesis, chapter 18, verses 1-10

Colossians, chapter 1, verses 24-28

Luke, chapter 10, verses 38-42

Acts, chapter 2, verses 22 onwards

Mark, chapter 16, verses 9 onwards

Homily:

We take the story up again when Jesus had risen on the third day, after being slain on the cross.  The first person he appeared to was Mary Magdalene, the same Mary whom Jesus the Christ had cast seven devils out of.  Sometimes I think that Jesus appeared to Mary first, because she was ready to meet the risen Lord Jesus Christ, more than any of the other Disciples at the time.  I am sure that Mary Magdalene had spiritual insights like you can’t believe, to share with the other disciples.  Even in a strongly Patriarchal world she had shone through, as being spiritually very special, despite the fact that she was a woman.

Mary Magdalene went and sought out the disciples as they wept and mourned for the loss of Jesus Christ.  Mary told them the story of how she had met the risen Jesus Christ, and what he had said, what she had said etc.  However at the end of it all, they did not believe her, and rejected the notion that Jesus had risen from the dead.

On another occasion the risen Jesus Christ appeared to another two disciples as they walked along the road.  They had long discussions with him, and as Mary Magdalene they believed he was the risen Jesus Christ, and so they rushed off to tell the residue of the disciples that they could find.  They explained the whole experience in detail to them.  Again at the end of it all, those that they told, did not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples.  Remember that we had lost Judas as a disciple during the recent events, with the crucifixion etc.  This was the core of the disciples that Jesus Christ had built up, during his work on this earth.  They were not an easy bunch of people to convince.  We think of one of them in particular Thomas.  Doubting Thomas as he was known as, could not seem to believe even although the risen Lord stood before his eyes, with the holes in his hands and his feet and his side.  Thomas asked if he could just put his hands or his fingers in the holes in the risen body of Jesus Christ, and then he would believe.  Many of us are in some ways like doubting Thomas, which is not always a bad thing, we get there in the end.  At the end of it all the eleven believed with all their hearts that they were in the presence of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ.

If we think for a moment how Thomas had wanted to put his fingers into the hands of Jesus Christ, and some well meaning Christians will point out that the nails were not hit into the palms but in fact more into the wrist or just above the wrists.  Perhaps the exact location could have been as much as 10 cm or about three inches, from where most of us conceived it to be.  This is a small point, but it does illustrate a big point.  Personally I don’t believe that it is of major importance whether the holes in the body of the Christ were through the palms of the hands or a little bit higher through the wrists.  With the light not being all that good, and blood and dirt smeared all over the place, I don’t think that it would have been easy in any case to see the difference.  The nails had definitely in any case being nailed through that general area.  Now if we start to think about why this slight difference, and even slightly inaccurate point was perpetuated through the centuries, then think of this problem.

The new testament was written in Aramaic, which is an ancient form of Hebrew.  From here is was translated into Greek, and then eventually into our native tongues.  Most of the original Greek manuscripts are still available so that technicalities in the translation can be examined and understood in better ways.  However the source documents are largely no longer available.  They were written in an ancient and forgotten language Aramaic.  So any interpretation between Aramaic, and the Greek spoken at the time of the translations has been lost in antiquity.  For all we know the word for palm may have had an equivalent in Aramaic that included the palm and the wrist, maybe even a slang term in Aramaic at the time.

So we have lost the fine detail on this particular aspect through translating from one ancient and forgotten language to another ancient remembered language.  So you will just have to live with it, it does not really matter, and there is no way of really knowing anyway.  What we do know is that Doubting Thomas reached for the holes in the hands/wrists of Jesus Christ, and he believed.

  

Now once the eleven believed; Jesus Christ gave them the great commission.  This commission was not just for the Jews, but for the gentiles also.  You see at the time from their perspective there were two types of people on Earth, there were the Jews, the oppressed people in Jerusalem, and the Gentiles, the Romans that had occupied the beloved Jerusalem.  Of course everybody else in the world would also have been a Gentile.  If a man was to accept the gospel in those days, then his entire household would typically have accepted it with him, including the servants.  Also the beasts of burden, and the other animals and creatures that were part of the household, would have experienced a different approach towards them, after the conversion.  So in the broader sense, all of God’s creatures would have been directly or indirectly benefitting.    

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”.

Some time later we take up the story again, but this time it is from a much more mature group of disciples, a group of disciples who believed in the risen Jesus Christ, a group that had devoted them- selves to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world, as far as they possible could at the time.  So now it is more of an academic discussion, a discussion that will reveal to those that are listening, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Did not Jesus of Nazareth do many miracles, wonders and signs amongst you here in Jerusalem? Signs and wonders that had been orchestrated by God the Father, and executed by God the Son.

Wicked hands have taken the Son of God and crucified him, and slain him.

Now come’s the Gospel for those who had gathered to listen to what the disciples were talking about:

God in the form of Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.  Death did not corrupt his soul not his flesh.  The disciples can all bear witness to that, because they had all seen him in the flesh, after he was slain.

Jesus Christ ascended into heaven in his earthly body, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

Jesus was raised from the dead, so that all of us who believe in Jesus Christ, can also be raised from the dead.  At this point in time the disciples could have presented a sort of “Billy Graham” type of alter call.  Many souls were won for Jesus Christ in those times back then, many churches were established.  The work was in fact so successful, that two thousand years later there are literally by some accounts billions of Christians in the world, and the church of Jesus Christ is still going strong.

Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name:  Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation.  But deliver us from evil.

[Protestants can optionally add:  For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.]

Amen.

Benediction:

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, Christ our Lord; and the Blessing of God almighty, the Father, + the Son and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always.  Amen.

Love,

Rev. Fr. Franz Devantier of Saint Titus, IOCC, South Africa,

devantierf@gmail.com

Financial support for Saint Titus IOCC (win-win alternative)

Join the carefully selected and tested cash-flow generating program below to support Saint Titus, and at the same time potentially create a residual or annuity type income for yourself.

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4th Sunday after Easter – 21st April 2013

Dear Readers,

My name is Fr. Franz Devantier of Saint Titus, Independent Old Catholic Church (IOCC) of Africa, operating in South Africa, and also creator of this blog.  My background was that of a liberal Catholic Priest, and a Traditional Catholic Priest in South Africa, and then an independent Priest in the Catholic tradition.  I was incardinated into the IOCC by Archbishop-Primate Emeritus Maurice McCormick founder of the IOCC of America.  

IOCC of America

Primate Archbishop George Le Mesurier,  IOCC of America
Primate Emeritus Archbishop Maurice McCormick, IOCC of America
+++

IOCC of Africa

Bishop George Otieno Odhiambo, IOCC of Africa

+++

Saint Titus IOCC South Africa

Saint Titus IOCC Newsletter

Father. Franz Devantier, IOCC South Africa

In nomine Patris, et Filii, + et Spiritus Sancti.  Amen   (In the name of the father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen. )

4^th  Sunday after Easter  –  21^st  April 2013 (Colour of Celebration – White)

Traditional Catholics:

Our Lord Jesus Christ is risen from the dead; the power of God is made manifest and is exalted.

Liberal Catholics:

O Christ our Lord and Master, grant that as thou hast risen from the dead, thy people may rise from ignorance to the firm ground of true knowledge and thence press onwards towards the mount of heavenly wisdom, where fair peace forever dwells; thou who livest and reignest throughout the ages of ages.  Amen.

Universal: (Wesak Meditation: April 25^th 17:58 [GMT 19:58] New Moon)

Reflect on the seed thought:  I see and when the Eye is opened, all is light.

From the point of Light within the mind of God
Let Light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.

From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ return to Earth.

From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men-
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.

From the centre which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.

Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.

Commemoration of the Saints, for the coming week

April 21^st :St Anselm, (Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church)

-> St. Anselm, the famous Archbishop of Canterbury, was a Benedictine monk, who fought intrepidly for the faith and liberty of the Church.  Hi is one of the greatest philosophers and mystics of the eleventh century.  He died A.D. 1109.

April 22^nd :  SS. Soter and Caius, (Popes, Martyrs)

-> St. Soter was martyred in the second century under Marcus Aurelius A.D. 174, and St. Caius was put to death  A.D. 296.

April 23^rd : Commemoration of St. George, (Martyr)

-> St. George, of an illustrious family, having reproached Diocletian for his cruelty, was subjected therefore to atrocious torments and was finally beheaded.  A.D. 304.  He is venerated as the patron of Christian soldiers, and is the Patron of England.

April 24^th : St Fidelis of Sigmaringen, (Martyr)

-> St. Fidelis was at first “ the Advocate of the poor”.  He then entered the Order of Friar Minors, preached the word of God, and was stabbed to death by Protestant soldiers A.D. 1622.

April 25^th : St. Mark, the Evangelist

-> St. Mark was a disciple of St. Peter and the author of the second Gospel under inspiration of the latter.  He was martyred at Alexandria A.D.80.

April 26^th :  SS. Cletus and Marcellinus, (Popes, Martyrs)

-> St. Cletus, the third Pope, was martyred under Domitian A.D. 91. St. Marcellinus was beheaded under Diocletian A.D. 304.

April 27^th : St. Peter Canisius, (Confessor, Doctor)

-> Peter Kanis, born at Nigmegen in Holland, after brilliant studies at Cologne and Louvain, entered the Company of Jesus, of which he is one of the chief glories.  The wisdom of his controversy, his eloquent preaching, his instructive writings (for example the first Catechism) caused him to be called the Hammer of Protestantism.  He died at Fribourg in Switzerland. A.D. 1597.  

Announcements:

We are still collecting names for submission as Marriage officers, under Saint Titus.  If you would like to become a marriage officer under Saint Titus, then please contact Fr. Franz  devantierf@gmail.com

News:
We go into the 4th Sunday after Easter with 9 trainee Priests, some of them are actually going to follow the Order of Mary.  http://www.sainttitus.za.net/

Sacred References:

James, chapter 1, verses 17-21

John, chapter 16, verses 5-14

Deuteronomy, chapter 30, verses 10-14

Colossians, chapter 1, verses 15-20

Luke, chapter 10, verses 25-37

Acts, chapter 13, verse 27 onwards

Mark, chapter 16, verses  1 onwards

Homily:

We pick up the story with Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James, and Salome, who were walking towards the Sepulchre where Jesus the Christ had been buried.  It was three days ago that the Christ had been crucified and buried.  They were carrying with them sweet spices.  The intention was to ask somebody to help them to roll the stone away that sealed the entrance, and to anoint the dead body of the Christ with the sweet spices.

Now you may ask yourself, why had they not listened to all the instruction that Jesus the Christ had given them concerning his death and resurrection, and who he really was, the Son of God.  They like us were consumed in physical reality, and were determined to administer this symbol of love on their dearly beloved Jesus Christ.

Then things started going wrong from a point of view of physical reality.  You see from a point of view of Spiritual reality, they were going according to plan, but they were not tuned into spiritual reality at that point in time.  Grief which they had all experienced had overwhelmed them.  When they got to the Sepulchre, the very heavy stone had been rolled away.  This was the first indication that things were not as they had expected them.

Next they went into the Sepulchre, and the body of Jesus the Christ was no longer there.  A well-groomed angel was sitting and waiting for them.  What a shock this must have been for them, to find an Angel instead of the body of the Christ.  You see they were still holding onto physical reality, and so even although spiritual reality was manifest in the form of an angel, and the body of Jesus Christ was no longer in the grave, just as he had told them, and as it was written; they were still shocked at what they found.  They wanted to anoint the body of the Christ with the beautiful spices that they had brought with them; they were not ready for the Good News that awaited them.  Justification by Faith, salvation for everyone in the world, this was beyond what they had come to do, and what they had expected, and what they could understand at that moment in time.

The Angel spoke to them, he told them that Jesus Christ was risen from the dead, and that he was alive.  Jesus Christ had beaten death, our brother had beaten death, and by the same token we now had the ability to beat death.  This is a mind-boggling concept, but there it was, about two thousand years ago.  This was a spiritual experience supreme, but the three ladies were stuck in Physical reality, and so although the news sounded absolutely wonderful, they had to receive it with their physical senses.

The Angel went on to tell them, that Jesus would see them in Galilee, as he had arranged with them before his ordeal.  Can you believe that they had all forgotten this, what with the crucifixion and everything that was happening at that time.  I can believe it, the shock and the grief must have been almost too much to bear, and the reality of what had happened far outweighed the arrangements that they had been told about before it all started.  This was probably the last thing on their minds.  Yet the Angel had told them, that they would meet Jesus Christ in Galilee, as arranged.

The Angel instructed the three ladies to tell the Disciples what they had witnessed, at the Sepulchre, and especially to tell Peter.  Peter the rock, the one that Jesus Christ would build his church on.  Peter was the first bishop, the first equivalent to the first Pope.  It was Peter that the Angel had mentioned was so important to be told these things.  You see Peter had been prepared for a very special role/function in the time to come, and the Angel wanted to make sure that they did not leave Peter out of this.

Jesus Christ was alive, after his death, he had risen from the dead.  He would move among his disciples in the days and weeks ahead, and answer all their questions.  You see the New Testament had not been written yet, in fact the disciples were going to play a big part in writing it, so you can imagine that they had many questions that they needed answers to.  After a period of time he would ascend into Heaven in his physical body.

If we just step through those events very quickly again.  He had to be slain, because it was written in the books of the law and the books of the prophets.  Pilate was the instrument, willing or unwilling he had no choice, he had to go through with it, in order to fulfill all of the writings about the Christ.  He could wash his hands symbolically of the proceedings, but ultimately it was his influence that set everything in motion.

Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins and for our salvation, according to all the writings about the Christ.  Everything that was written about him was fulfilled.  When he was dead, he was taken off of the tree, the cross, and laid in a sepulchre. 

After three days he arose from the dead, and after spending a time with his disciples here on Earth he ascended into heaven, to sit on the right hand side of the Father, to share the great Throne of God with his Father, and the Holy Ghost.

All the writings were completely fulfilled, that referred to the Christ.  Perhaps the lessons, the teachings that came out of what happened are even more profound, then the physical occurrences.  Jesus the Christ atoned for all of our sins, past present and future, by dying on the cross.  Here again we need to see things in terms of three dimensional time, or a ball of time, to really get a grip on it.

Jesus Christ has atoned for all our sins, so that we can be pure and spotless in front of God, which means that everyone of us in this world can be in the presence of God.  Of course we have been created with free will, so we have the choice of accepting or rejecting it; what is your choice?  Everyone can do it, if they were to accept what Jesus the Christ has done for them.  We are the sons and daughters of God, we have a spark of the divine within us, we can all be in the presence of God, and grow into our fullness.  We can ascend into heaven; most of us will do this after our physical body has passed, and we will ascend in our spiritual body.  However the possibility is there that you could ascend even in your physical body.  Jesus Christ was not the only one mentioned in the bible, who ascended into heaven in their physical body.

Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name:  Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation.  But deliver us from evil.

[Protestants can optionally add:  For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.]

Amen.

Benediction:

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, Christ our Lord; and the Blessing of God almighty, the Father, + the Son and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always.  Amen.

Love,

Rev. Fr. Franz Devantier of Saint Titus, IOCC, South Africa,

devantierf@gmail.com

Financial support for Saint Titus IOCC (win-win alternative)

Join the carefully selected and tested cash-flow generating program below to support Saint Titus, and at the same time potentially create a residual or annuity type income for yourself.

Traffic Wave - Free Report:  You can maintain unlimited lists, with unlimited members.  No extra costs.  Email marketing or newsletters on steroids.  Nice residual income program built in.

3rd Sunday after Easter – 14th April 2013

Dear Readers,

My name is Fr. Franz Devantier of Saint Titus, Independent Old Catholic Church (IOCC) of Africa, operating in South Africa, and also creator of this blog.  My background was that of a liberal Catholic Priest, and a Traditional Catholic Priest in South Africa, and then an independent Priest in the Catholic tradition.  I was incardinated into the IOCC by Archbishop-Primate Emeritus Maurice McCormick founder of the IOCC of America.  

IOCC of America

Primate Archbishop George Le Mesurier,  IOCC of America
Primate Emeritus Archbishop Maurice McCormick, IOCC of America
+++

IOCC of Africa

Bishop George Otieno Odhiambo, IOCC of Africa

+++

Saint Titus IOCC South Africa

Saint Titus IOCC Newsletter

Father. Franz Devantier, IOCC South Africa

In nomine Patris, et Filii, + et Spititus Sancti.  Amen   (In the name of the father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen. )

3^rd  Sunday after Easter  –  14^th April 2013 (Colour of Celebration – White)

Traditional Catholics:

Let us shout with joy to God; let us sing a psalm to His Name, because out Lord Jesus Christ is risen again and has given His life for us.

Liberal Catholics:

 O Lord Christ, as though didst at this season rise from death into the wondrous power of an endless life, so may we by thy most gracious help rise from the darkness of sin into the ineffable splendour of conscious life in thee, O Light of light, who livest and reignest for evermore.  Amen.

Roman Catholics: (Fourteenth Sunday of the Year)

Within your temple, we ponder your loving kindness, O God.  As your name, so also your praise reaches to the ends of he earth; your right hand is filled with justice.

Father,

through the obedience of Jesus,

your servant and your Son,

you raised a fallen world.

Free us from sin

and bring us the joy that lasts for ever.

Commemoration of the Saints, for the coming week

April 14^th:  St. Justin (Martyr)

·         St Justin was converted from pagan philosophy to Christianity.  He became the most illustrious opponent of pagan philosophers.  He addressed to Apologies to the persecuring emperors.  He died A.D. 165.

April 17^th:  Commemoration of St. Anicetus (Pope, martyr)

·         This Pope governed the Church under Marcus Aurelius from 155 to 166.  He suffered so much for the faith that, although he did not shed his blood he was given the title of martyr.

Announcements:

·         We are still collecting names for submission as Marriage officers, under Saint Titus.  If you would like to become a marriage officer under Saint Titus, then please contact Fr. Franz  devantierf@gmail.com

News:

…

Sacred References:

Colossians, chapter 2 & 3, verses 6 onwards

Luke, chapter 24, verses 36 onwards

Isaiah, chapter 66, verses 10-14

Galatians, chapter 6, verses 14-18

Luke, chapter 10, verses 1-20

Peter, chapter 2, verses 11-19

John, Chapter 16, verses 16-22

Homily:

Today we see a similar story to the one of last week.  Jesus stands in the midst of the Disciples.  This week we are looking with a slightly different perspective.

Jesus the Christ explains in detail how all the things that were written about him, right from the Books of Moses, all the way to the books of the prophets, and to the psalms.  All these things had to be realized.  As he spoke to them, their understanding was opened, and they understood what he was teaching them.  Keep in mind that these people, the disciples were not novices on the subject, they had gone through the boot camp, to get where they were now.  They just needed to be reminded of the significance of the recent events, that had left them confused and unsure.

Jesus went on to explain that in the same way as all these things were written, he had to do the practical side.  He had to suffer and die, and rise from the dead on the third day.  These things he had done to fulfil the prophesies.  But the disciples needed to understand that this was just the first step.

The next step was also a practical step, but it was now their turn to do something.  They had to go throughout all the world, to all the nations of the earth, and preach the good news of repentance, and the remission of sins.  They were to begin at Jerusalem, which was probably not the easiest place for them, given the circumstances.

Some years later we meet with far more mature disciples, who have been doing what was required of them.  In the process they have come to deeper understandings of things, from which everybody can benefit.

We see how Jesus is described as having the fullness of the Godhead within himself.  The Godhead is the Trinity of course, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  They are able to see Jesus as possessing all aspects of the Trinity.  This is true in the sense, that if you know the Son, you know the Father, if you know the Son, you know the Holy Ghost.

If you know the Son, you are complete in Him, who is representative of the almighty God, who is in fact the Almighty God.  We are Sons and Daughters of the Father, Brothers and Sisters of Jesus the Christ.  So in him we are elevated to tremendous heights in a spiritual level.  In physical reality we are still who we are, and we still need to go about the daily duties and chores for surviving on earth.

The teachings go on to describe just how enmeshed one has become with the Godhead or the Trinity, the Almighty God.  We are buried with him in baptism, and Risen with him through Faith.  So on a spiritual level we are right up there at the highest possible level.  But there is a catch to it, we are still stuck on this earthly plain; and we are still proving our worth in this earthly existence.  So we can’t afford to say, that we have practically become spiritual beings, and forsake all thought of earning a living to support yourself or your family.  We in fact need to perhaps focus even more seriously on these physical aspects, because they are the aspects that are going to trip us up on the spiritual level.

So the right approach to receiving these insights on just how high we have progressed or potentially progressed spiritually, is to focus more on the physical in order to achieve a healthy balance.  Set up a budget, and try to work according to it and stick to it as far as is possible.  Make sure that you do your expected amount of work for your employers, so that you do not diminish your heavenly spiritual levels, by these mundane physical concerns.

You will have to do much more than that in fact.  You will have to go the extra mile.  You will have to spend time and effort, and your creativity, in finding and executing carefully thought out plans to improve your physical and financial situation here on earth, and hopefully to benefit some of your fellow men in the process.  Remember the physical and the spiritual are a reflexion of each other; so the better you do down here on earth, the better you will do on the spiritual level in heaven.  Dedicate all you do to God, not in the sense of donating all your money to God, but in the sense of donating your effort as a child of God to improving the lot of yourself and others on this earth that god has made for us.

For every job well done, for every act of charity to a fellow being, for every prayer to God, for every good thing you do on earth.  For every bit of progress you make towards developing your own talents, your own financial well-being; you are improving your spiritual treasures in heaven. 

Don’t be confused by people who accumulate wealth in the wrong way by disadvantaging other people along the way; they have severely decreased there treasures in heaven.  You should be doing it in the right way.  Of course you can’t take it with you to heaven, but you can take the lessons with you, you can take the achievements with you on a spiritual level.  You can tell God, that you had two talents, and through hard work you increased them many fold, you uplifted many people around you.  Then you will be given residence in a mansion in heaven that is appropriate for the effort and goodwill that you produced while on earth.  Of course you don’t have to do anything to get into heaven, besides being justified by faith, but then you will just get into heaven , and that is all.

Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name:  Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation.  But deliver us from evil.

[Protestants can optionally add:  For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.]

Amen.

Benediction:

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, Christ our Lord; and the Blessing of God almighty, the Father, + the Son and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always.  Amen.

Love,

Rev. Fr. Franz Devantier of Saint Titus, IOCC, South Africa,

devantierf@gmail.com

Financial support for Saint Titus IOCC (win-win alternative)

Join the carefully selected and tested cash-flow generating program below to support Saint Titus, and at the same time potentially create a residual or annuity type income for yourself.

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2nd Sunday after Easter – 7th April 2013

Dear Readers,

My name is Fr. Franz Devantier of Saint Titus, Independent Old Catholic Church (IOCC) of Africa, operating in South Africa, and also creator of this blog.  My background was that of a liberal Catholic Priest, and a Traditional Catholic Priest in South Africa, and then an independent Priest in the Catholic tradition.  I was incardinated into the IOCC by Archbishop-Primate Emeritus Maurice McCormick founder of the IOCC of America.  

IOCC of America

Primate Archbishop George Le Mesurier,  IOCC of America
Primate Emeritus Archbishop Maurice McCormick, IOCC of America
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IOCC of Africa

Bishop George Otieno Odhiambo, IOCC of Africa

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Saint Titus IOCC South Africa

Saint Titus IOCC Newsletter

Father. Franz Devantier, IOCC South Africa

In nomine Patris, et Filii, + et Spititus Sancti.  Amen   (In the name of the father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen. )

2^nd Sunday after Easter  –  7^th April 2013 (Colour of Celebration – White)

Intent: Solemnity

Traditional Catholics:

This Sunday is often called Good Shepherd Sunday:  the Gospel tells us of the Good Shepherd.  Jesus is indeed the Good Shepherd of our souls.  He came to give his life for us.

Liberal Catholics:

 O Lord Christ, the sun of righteousness, who as at holy Eastertide didst rise from the darkness of death to shine with exceeding glory upon thy people, grant unto thy church so to prepare and make ready thy way that the earth may be filled with thy glory even as the waters cover the sea:  thou who livest and reignest ever in the unity of the Father and of the Holy Spirit, God throughout all ages of ages.  Amen.

Roman Catholics: (Thirteenth Sunday of the Year)

All nations, clap your hands.  Shout with a voice of joy to God.

Father,

you call your children

to walk in the light of Christ.

Free us from darkness

and keep us in the radiance of your truth.

Commemoration of the Saints

April 11^th:  St. Leo I (Pope, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church)

·         St Leo the Great saved Rome from the invasion of Attila.  He defended the rights of the Holy See, condemned Nestorianism at the Council of Ephesus, and the Monophysites at the Council of Chalcedon.  He died A.D. 461

o   Nestorianism:  Is a doctrine advanced by Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople from 428-431.  The doctrine emphasizes the disunion between the human and divine natures of Jesus.

o   Monophysites: In Greek monos means “only single” and physis means nature.  It is the position taken that, after the union of the divine and the human in the historical incarnation, Jesus Christ, as the incarnation of the eternal Son of God, had only a single “nature” which was either divine or a synthesis of divine and human.

April 13^th: St. Hermenegild (Martyr)

·         Son of the King of the Visigoths in Spain, he was put to death by the Arians out of hatred for his faith in the consubstantiality of the Word of God with the Eternal Father.  A.D. 586.

Announcements:

·         We are still collecting names for submission as Marriage officers, under Saint Titus.  If you would like to become a marriage officer under Saint Titus, then please contact Fr. Franz  devantierf@gmail.com

News:

…

Sacred References:

John, chapter 5 verses 4 onwards

John, chapter 20 verses 19 onwards

Kings, chapter 19, verses 16-21

Galatians, chapter 5, verses 1-18

Luke, chapter 9, verses 51-62

Peter, chapter 2, verses 21-25

John, chapter 10, verses 11-16

Homily:

On this second Sunday of Easter our attention is focussed quite strongly on Jesus the Christ, and the possibilities of the afterlife that were revealed to the disciples around this time.

There are three parts to God, the Holy Trinity, and each part of God is keeping watch over us and keeping records of what we are doing.  Records kept in triplicate, but not exact copies, but accounts from three different perspectives.  How do you think God the Father would record our doings here on this earth plain.  Jesus the Christ who walked this earth and experienced our human weaknesses.  Do you think his account of us would be different to the account recorded from the Father?  Then there is the record keeping done by the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost.  This account is taken from the perspective of the female perspective, the mother perspective, the comforting perspective.  Do you think that these records would be a little different to the other two.  Imagine how interesting it will be to combine all three accounts together, to create a comprehensive account, from three different perspectives.  I would imagine that this would be the complete perspective, the comprehensive perspective of what we are doing down here on earth.  Maybe if we could read, just a little part of this special record, we would be able to understand ourselves so much better.

Then we get to the concept that God has given us eternal life.  Because the son of God came down to earth to save us, we can accept the concept that; he that has the son hath found eternal life.  He that has not the son hath not eternal life.  Let’s imagine that it is really on a bit broader basis.  Let’s say that if you recognise the teachings that were given by the Son of God as the truth, then you can have life or eternal life.  Let’s define it a little bit further;   Let’s say that if you discover this truth and follow this truth that you will have found life or eternal life.  Lets just broaden it all the way out and say:  If you are in any of the Christian churches, then this is for you.  Now that definition would include all the protestant churches, the Catholic church, the Orthodox churches, in fact all of Christendom.  If you believe in the message of truth you can be saved and enjoy eternal life.  Of course in your spiritual body.  We would not imagine living forever in an imperfect and decaying physical body.

So this means that wherever you are in the world, and lets make it even broader.  Where-ever you are in the world, whoever you are, and whatever you may or may not believe; and you hear the message of Jesus the Christ.  The message that you can be saved, and you follow this truth, regardless of who you are, or what religious organization you currently belong to, you can be saved.  You can have eternal life, you can live forever in your spiritual body.  This is truly a message for everybody on earth, and not just for Christians.      

We find the disciples assembled together behind closed doors, afraid to go outside, because of what might happen to them, because of the proceedings of the last period, ie Passover, the crucifixion, the resurrection from the dead.  People were confused, people were upset, we can understand that.

Imagine this, suddenly Jesus is right in the middle of this group as they hide away from the world around them.  Peace be unto you he says, and shows them his hands, and his side, where the sword pierced him.

Now remember all the teaching had already been delivered to this group of disciples, what they were receiving now was like a master class. Jesus says to them “As my father sent me, even so send I you”.  So Jesus the Christ was the son of God, and the Father sent him to earth to save us.  The disciples of, and/or by implication we, are the brothers and Sisters of the Christ, or the sons and daughters of the Father.  Jesus says “even so send I you”.

Wow, what does this mean.  Where is Jesus sending us.  Well Jesus came to spread the message of truth to all the world.  Jesus is sending us to continue this work, and spread the message of truth to all the world.  Strangely almost everyone you meet will have heard about Jesus Christ at least once in their lives.  They may claim not to believe at all, but if something goes wrong then they will use his name.

Many years ago I was in a light aeroplane, a Dakota with about fifteen people who had all unsolicited claimed to be atheists, agnostics, non-believers or members of all sorts of exotic belief systems.  I had not said much, but found the whole thing quite interesting.  About two hours into our trip the weather picked up, and we hit an air-pocket and dropped out of the sky like a stone.  Altogether we fell at least four thousand feet, and seemed to get pretty close to the ground, before the wings were able to provide any lift again.  I looked around me and witnessed a group of men suspended half way between their seats and the roof of the aeroplane, almost as if they had overcome gravity.  All of them down to the last man was praying desperately to Jesus, at the top of their voices.  “O Jesus please save us”.  I could have been in a very on-fire Pentecostal prayer-meeting, instead of a group of self confessed atheists, and agnostics, potentially falling to our deaths in a Dakota.  When we did not crash, I could see all of them giving thanks to God.  I had been so fascinated that I had forgot to become afraid with the situation.  When we finally landed the plane, the Pilate came to talk to us, he was a seasoned man in his forties who still looked green in the face from the flight; he told us that he really did not think that we were going to make it that day.

So at the end of the day, just about everybody seems to have heard about Jesus Christ.  The great commission is to take the message of truth to all the world, the message of Jesus Christ.  You will find that the Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and many other religions acknowledge Jesus Christ in some sort of way.  It is like everybody seems to know about Jesus Christ, but somehow have not accepted the truth, and found eternal life.

Now I am going to leave you with this one:  How should we go about doing it, given the circumstances?  Is there something else that we should be doing, instead of asking, “Have you heard about Jesus Christ”?  Are you saved?  Are you going to heaven or to hell, when you die?  In the meantime, the people that we are talking to have heard about Jesus Christ many times in their lives before, and chosen not to follow the truth that was presented to them.  Our approach does not seem to make much difference to them. 

What is it that we all seem to have missed?  I am purposely not going to attempt an answer, firstly because I don’t have a definitive answer, and secondly, because I would like you to give it a go.  Why not send me an email with your solution, if you find one?

Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name:  Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation.  But deliver us from evil.

[Protestants can optionally add:  For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.]

Amen.

Benediction:

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, Christ our Lord; and the Blessing of God almighty, the Father, + the Son and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always.  Amen.

Love,

Rev. Fr. Franz Devantier of Saint Titus, IOCC, South Africa,

devantierf@gmail.com

Financial support for Saint Titus IOCC (win-win alternative)

Join the carefully selected and tested cash-flow generating program below to support Saint Titus, and at the same time potentially create a residual or annuity type income for yourself.

Traffic Wave - Free Report:  You can maintain unlimited lists, with unlimited members.  No extra costs.  Email marketing or newsletters on steroids.  Nice residual income program built in.