February 9, 2009

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Healing is central to the ministry of Jesus. Over and over again in the Gospels Jesus heals people afflicted with various physical and psychological ailments. The spirit of Jesus heals and gives comfort today. At All Saints Parish we pray daily for those on our prayer list. At the 10:30 am service on Sundays, we offer prayers with the laying on of hands for those who request healing for themselves and others.

THEME FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

In Sunday's Gospel Jesus heals a man afflicted with leprosy. The word of Jesus' healing powers spread far and wide and people came from great distances to seek healing. Today, the Church continues this healing ministry by offering prayers for people dealing with physical, mental, and emotional illnesses. In the Collect we pray: "O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

The reading from 2 Kings tells the story of Naaman, a commander of the army of the king of Aram, who, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. Naaman comes to the prophet Elisha, who tells him to bathe in the Jordan River. Naaman at first refuses, but then bathes as directed. "So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean." (2 Kings 5:1-14)

Psalm 30 praises God for the restoration of health: "O LORD my God, I cried out to you, and you restored me to health. You brought me up, O LORD, from the dead; you restored my life as I was going down to the grave ... Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning."

In the reading from 1 Corinthians, Paul uses the example of an athlete to make his point about perservering in the spiritual path: "Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

The Gospel from Mark records the healing ministry of Jesus: "A leper came to Jesus begging him, and kneeling he said to him, 'If you choose, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, 'I do choose. Be made clean!' Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean." (Mark 1:40-45)

All are welcome to send their prayer requests to All Saints Parish at office@allsaintsbrookline.org and to come forward for Prayers for Healing with the Laying on of Hands at the Sunday 10:30 am worship service.

Sincerely, David A. Killian Rector

For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, click here. Please note that the we are now using the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) reading. For Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry, click here.

worship services for

The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
February 14-15, 2009
Saturday, February 14 at 5:00 pm - Sermon: Mr. Randy Callender
Sunday, February 15, at 10:30 am - Sermon: Mr. Randy Callender

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All Saints Parish • 1773 Beacon Street • Brookline, MA 02445 • 617-738-1810