Before I Forget...

< According to Matthew 25, "Nobody gets to heaven without a letter of reference from the poor." 

< No one ever has it "all together." That's like trying to eat "once and for all."   

Now that the 2004 election is over, can we get down and get back to the Sacred Scripture as Christians?  Although Christians do not and will not agree on many issues, we ought to be able to agree that according to Sacred Scripture, God cares for the poor and God expects people of faith to do the same!  In the U.S.A., the wealthiest nation in the world, why do we have people living in poverty?  I want President Bush; Governor Pawlenty; our Senators, Dayton and Coleman; and all our elected representatives to address the poverty all around us.  Is that too much to ask in this country?  I don't think so.  And, as your pastor, I hope and pray that you will be concerned about our poor in our lives.  Why?  It is our mandate from the Scriptures.  God hears the cries of the poor.  Do we?  Do we?  Will we hold our elected officials to the task about caring for the poor?  Especially those who feel they have a relationship with God? 
This election wasn't about poverty, nor about the poor who are loved by God, but it was about abortion, stem-cell research, and same-sex marriage, and the claims of some Roman Catholics that these were "non-negotiable" issues for Catholics.  One bishop from Colorado said, "Abortion outweighs every other issue."
As people of faith, can we come to different conclusions about the issues of 2004:  abortion, stem-cell research, and same-sex marriages?  As your pastor, I need to tell you that all the parishioners of St. John's are not on the same page! 

As I read the Sacred Scripture, and as you read the Bible (and I hope you are reading the Word of God), how should we be acting as a "biblical people?" Read the Bible!  One out of sixteen verses in Scripture is about poverty -- one out of nine in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  If we call ourselves Christians, we better be concerned about the poor! If we think we live in a Christian country in 2004, we must be concerned about the poor.  This isn't Bill Murtaugh writing to you, but it's the Word of God.   So, what's your answer to the Word of God?  Are you concerned about the poor?  If not… can you call yourself a Christian? 
In this great country, there are 36 million who are poor, 45 million without health insurance, and 25.5 million who are hungry.  The average age of a homeless person is less than nine in the Midwest. 
You are reading this… hopefully. I write as a follower of Jesus. How about making the lives of the hungry, the homeless, and those without healthcare the important issues now and next year? Do you really care about the poor?  Let's get back and get down to the Word of God.

If you would like to remember someone who has died, or honor someone special in your life, we invite you to donate in their name(s) to the Christmas Plant, Wreath & Tree Fund. Please complete the form below and send it with $20.00 (suggested amount) to the Parish Center, or drop it in the Sunday collection. Donations will be accepted through Christmas, and we will acknowledge loved ones in The Forerunner. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY.

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Attn., Bennies & Johnnies!

CELEBRATE THE SEASON with music for Advent and Christmas at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis on Saturday, December 4, at 8:00 p.m. This concert is a production of the Fine Arts Programming of the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) & Saint John's University (SJU) in Collegeville, Minnesota. Participating groups include: CSB/SJU Chamber Choir; CSB Campus Singers; SJU Men's Chorus; Saint John's Boys' Choir; Kantorei; Amadeus Chamber Symphony; CSB/SJU Brass Choir; Dr. Kim Kasling, organist; and conductors Dr. Axel Theimer, Ms. Teri Larson, Br. Paul Richards, and Dr. Dale White. Tickets are $16 for adults; $14 for children (12 & under) and seniors. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, call (320) 363-3577.