Ceasar's Work or God's?

In today's New York Times the Opinion section has a blog on campaign issues. Today's installment has an interesting piece on the religious views of John McCain and how his perspective is often in conflict with the more reactionary views of the conservative, right wing "Christians" who make up a vocal portion of the republican party. While a prisoner of war, Mr. McCain lead many worship services for his fellow prisoners. One day, preaching on the Gospel, he said this, regarding the work of God and the work of humanity (Caesar):

Here’s Mr. McCain’s description of a sermon he delivered :

One day I talked about the parable of when they asked Christ whether they should pay taxes and he held up a coin and said, “Render unto Caesar, etc.” My point was and still is that when we were flying in combat, we weren’t doing God’s work. We were doing Caesar’s work. So for us to go to prison and then ask God to get us out was not fair to God, to our religion, to our beliefs and to ourselves. It wasn’t a miracle that sent a SAM [surface-to-air missile] to hit my airplane. It was a guy, a technician at a SAM site.
I think it was important, a little bit for the stability factor, that it wasn’t God who was going to perform a miracle, end the war and bring us home. It was men. It was Caesar. I think the majority of those guys felt the way I did but we just had some, just as people turn to faith healing and that kind of stuff, we had some of that. A lot of times I would pray for strength and I think sometimes I got it. Pray for patience to get through the next minute when things were bad. I just don’t think it’s fair to expect too much out of what is basically not the Lord’s business."

Interesting.

Bisons Game and Sunday

Hi all,

The Bisons game is this Friday. I have the tickets so you caneither pick them up from me before Friday or meet us at the cathedral at 7pm.

On Sunday, Fr. Paul wants to discuss icons with you, meet in his office at 10:15 AM.

I was approved for ordination the priesthood (yahoo!) so mark your calendars for September 28 at 3pm. I am looking for volunteers to serve as acolytes, let me know if you are interested!

UPDATES UPDATES UPDATES

• This Sunday is the Unity Walk. Father Paul and I are walking and we would love some company. We'll leave from the cathedral after the 11:15 Eucharist.
• Bisons Game is Friday the 27th at 7:35 pm. I have the tickets so if you want to meet us at the game, pick your tickets up form me on Sunday or stop by the office during the week. So far I know that the following folks want to attend: Allie, Fr. Paul, Jayson, Kathie and Tim, Eli and his step-dad John, Doug, Casey and their folks,Cullen and maybe two friends of his, Juliette, Ellie, Greyson, Jordie and their mom and dad, and two new people at the cathedral, Chris and Jen. anyone else? all it costs is a $10 donation to the National Federation for Just Communities. Call or email me ASAP if you want to attend.
• It's summer and I would love to see you in any of your sports events---but I need your schedules!

well it rained. And I cried

Clearly we are snake bit when it comes to kite flying....but after all the hoopla only two of you came last night, so I guess our Sunday evening gatherings need to be retired for awhile.
We will next gather for the Bisons game, against the Scranton/WB Yankees on June 27 at 7:35 pm. If you are planning on attending, let me know ASAP. Thanks.

Go Fly A Kite

We have Youth Group this Sunday, June 1 from 4:30-6:30. We will fly kites. If it rains, I'll cry.
Hey I am preaching Sunday morning, so come to church too and let me know what you think.
Allie completed the Buffalo Marathon. 3 cheers for her!

An interesting quotation

Nothing is so important as human life, as the human person. Above all, the person of the poor and the oppressed... Jesus says that whatever is done to them he takes as done to him. That bloodshed, those deaths are beyond all politics: They touch the very heart of God.-

Oscar Romero

March 16, 1980

J2A Information

Hi all,

Too bad we got rained out of our kite-flying extravaganza, but never fear we have rescheduled for June 1 at 4:30.
On June 22 we will join Father Paul and some of the 20's 30's group in the NFJC Walk for Unity. The NFFJC is the National Federation for Just Communities and it works locally to combat racism, bias and discrimination in schools, the workplace and the church (yes even the church has racism bias and discrimination. Sad but true.) It is a 3.5 K walk around Elmwood Village. see me on Sunday for brochures and pledge sheets.
Also, the Bison's game outing for this year has been set: June 27th. It is a Friday night so there will be fireworks afterwards. I will have a notice in the Bulletin beginning this week.

Finally, THIS SUNDAY May 18, Mother Liza will present the adult forum on the differences between Rite I and Rite II. Instead of meeting in the Youth Room, we will meet in the Walker Room to hear her presentation. The Youth Room will not be open during this time.

See you Sunday!
Cathy