Matthew 22:15-22 Jesus said, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” In our Gospel reading today, there was some controversy over some of the teaching of Jesus. The Pharisees were trying to trap him saying something that would get him in hot water. His answer is simple; “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the
October 11th, 2020
For Many are Called, but Few are Chosen
For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:1-14 This is a ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ parable, which is the sort that Jesus told when he wanted to make a very important point about life and death. If you have an interest in the afterlife, it’s important to take note. Jesus told many parables that involved the marriage customs of his day. This was something that was familiar to his
September 27th, 2020
The Last shall be First, and First shall be Last
Matthew 21:28-32 Last Sunday we heard a parable from our Lord about the landowner and his workers. Remember the last line? “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Today we heard a parable about a man who had two sons. Which son did the will of his father? Those who were listening to him said, “The first.” Then Jesus lets them have it! He says,
September 20th, 2020
The Kingdom of Heaven is like…
Today we heard a parable about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus was fond of using parables to communicate with his disciples. Some listened and understood what he was getting at, but most of his hearers must have thought he was a little kooky. This is one of those that made no sense to those with a mind for business. The land owner was hiring laborers all day long to work
September 13th, 2020
No Forgiveness, No Peace
These readings about forgiveness resonated with me today. So many stories I read have something to do with anger and the lack forgiveness. Why is it so hard to forgive? I understand that there are some resentments that have piled up over generations of people. People with power have abused the powerless. This is nothing new of course. Since Cain killed Abel there have been those who have abused others
September 6th, 2020
Never Flag in Zeal, be Aglow with the Spirit, Serve the Lord
We are living in a time of great conflict, which of course is no news to you, but it affects all of us. I don’t know about you, but I hate conflict. I go out of my way to avoid it. I know that is not always a good thing. Sometimes you have to confront things head on for the good of all concerned. The scripture readings today give us
September 4th, 2020
Requiem Mass – Nolan Bell
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of a long time member of St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Nolan Bell. A Requiem Mass will be held on September 11 @ 1PM at St. John the Divine Anglican Church. The family will be accepting visitors Thursday evening at 6PM – 8PM at Owens & Brumley, Burkburnett, Texas. The family asks in lieu of flowers you make a
August 30th, 2020
For the Son of Man is to Come with his Angels
“For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.” If you will recall from last week, Bishop Reed talked about St. Peter, or Rocky, as my NT professor liked to call him. Some like to put him on a pedestal, but it is obvious from our studies of the Bible that
August 23rd, 2020
Bishop Reed visited the Catholic Church of St. John the Divine
On the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Bishop Ryan S. Reed, of the Diocese of Fort Worth, visited The Catholic Church of St. John the Divine here in Burkburnett. Pictured with the Bishop are Fr. John Munson, vicar, Zac Leonard holding his daughter Emmy, who was received into our branch of the Catholic Church, Laurie Munson and Jill Penney who reaffirmed their faith before the Bishop, and Fr. Randy Rogers, assisting
August 21st, 2020
Reaching out and reaching up, by Bishop Ryan S. Reed
There are two lessons from the pandemic that I have learned over the last six months that I would like to share with the whole Diocese. The first is the need for the saints of God to reach out. Probably at no other time since the Spanish flu has this need for Christians to reach out to others been so urgent. My neighbor is a nurse in the Covid ICU at
