tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post4735944743227932981..comments2024-03-29T04:31:15.219-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Now that things have calmed down in the parish. . .Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-62189790506085280662015-04-25T19:13:08.806-05:002015-04-25T19:13:08.806-05:00Dixie, thanks for that quote! Law and Gospel in re...Dixie, thanks for that quote! Law and Gospel in reference to Christ's parable. A stab at my black heart, too for not wanting to let the 11th hour people in to the feast!Janis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-77469218432590281982015-04-25T12:59:16.462-05:002015-04-25T12:59:16.462-05:00I used to be one of those, too, who criticized the...I used to be one of those, too, who criticized the C&E's and those that came to Church so infrequently...or came late all the time in what appeared to be an effort to just go to coffee hour. But...I was taught a big lesson and proven shamefully wrong by a lovely old Greek yia-yia. Now I try not to judge anymore - it is not so easy, but I try. <br /><br />From St. John Chrysostom's Pascal Homily: "If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in nowise be deprived thereof. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; he gives rest unto him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who has wrought from the first hour."Dixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08511317203353075644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-79962280519521120682015-04-25T10:41:21.540-05:002015-04-25T10:41:21.540-05:00May our Lord move in their hearts to give them str...May our Lord move in their hearts to give them strong and active Faith!<br /><br />My suspicion is that as the American church suffers more and more castigation/persecution, two things will happen. Well, maybe three: 1) Those who do go to services regularly but aren't really there in Faith will begin to drop out. 2) The seeker-sensitive and emerging churches who are so hip on style, but empty on doctrine will continue to grow and become more Apostate. 3) God will grant revived Faith to those who have let it wane to the point of coming to Divine Service only on Christmas and Easter.Janis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.com