Trinity VII

Grace and Peace be unto you. In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

In this Sunday's Collect, it says that the Lord is all power and might. He is the author who can write what our lives will be and give us all the good things we need. He can place in our hearts the love of his Name. He can increase in us true faith, and nourish us in all the goodness of this life, and keep us steady in the faith through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In this Sunday’s Epistle, Paul says our flesh is weak because we yielded ourselves to uncleanliness and iniquity unto iniquity. Moreover, the wages of sin is death. But he then says be free from sin and be holy because the gift of God is everlasting life.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we read Mark 8:1 on the feeding of the 4000. Let’s contrast this with Mark 6:30-44 on the feeding of the 5000. They are about the same but there are some major differences.

First, Mark 8 is located on the Eastern side of the Sea of Galilee at Deacapolis. It is to feed 4000 men - not women and children though. The disciples had 7 bread & few small fishes. The people followed for 3 days. All the people sat on the ground. Jesus gave Thanks, Brake, and Gave the bread & the fishes. They had 7 baskets leftover. And the feeding of the 4000 were for the Gentiles.

Second, Mark 6 is located on the Northern side of the Sea of Galilee. It was to feed 5000 people. The disciples had 5 bread & 2 fishes. The people followed for 1 day. All the people sat on the green grass though. Jesus looked up to Heaven; he Blessed, Brake, and Gave the bread and the fishes. They had 12 baskets leftover. And the feeding of the 5000 were for the Jews because it was near to Passover.

Third, what is significant here is the disciple. We are very much like the disciple. Jesus had performed the miracle in feeding the 5000 earlier. And the same disciple in feeding the 4000 had the same doubt as before. The disciple asked “From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?” This shows that no sign is sufficient, even with the previous miracle. This is the state of man.

Fourth, in Mark 6, the people followed Jesus for 1 day. So after the teaching, they broke bread. In Mark 8, the people followed Jesus for 3 days. Here, this was more about the3 days teaching rather than a 1 day talk.

Fifth, Jesus blessed the bread in Mark 6 but thanked in Mark 8. In either case, this is the Pre-Holy Communion that is to follow.

Sixth, with our Lord, there is always something leftover in abundance. The people were hungered but they were filled and had leftover. This shows that in following God there will be abundance after our needs have been taken care of. Our lives will be fulfilled and God will give more later on.

--Fr. Anton +
 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Please click here to donate to St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland

Upcoming Events

Sunday Services, 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM, & 11:15 AM (for online participation for the services go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland/ )

Sunday School will resume in September

Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion and anointing for healing (for online participation, check info under Sunday Services)

Next Vestry meeting September

Annual Parish Picnic, Sunday October 8 at Fort Hunt Park, following a 10 AM combined service (no 9:00 AM or 11:15 AM services that day) , more details closer to event.

Food Donations 
Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Christ House is very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar).  Current needs include the following:
• canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
• peanut butter
• jelly
• tuna
• canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
• individual fruit cups (low sugar)
• canned fruit (low sugar)
• cereal (low sugar)
• pasta (regular and gluten-free)
• instant potatoes
• Macaroni & cheese kits
• Coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar 

The list for MaRIH Crisis Pregnancy Center's needs was recently updated.  The items in bold type are in critical need.  If you can, please donate those items.
 
Updated List of Needs for MaRIH Center (crisis pregnancy center)
MaRIH Center with its all volunteer staff provides help to mothers-to-be and mothers in need.  If you can provide some of the items that are needed, please do so. (You can leave the donations where the food for the food bank is collected on the pew in the undercorft.)

Especially Needed
 In Bold and  * are a critical need.

Diapers (sizes newborn, 1, 2, 3, 4*, 5*, & 6*)
Lovies
Baby wipes*
Diaper rash ointment
Summer clothing: Newborn, 3-6 mo.,6-9 mo., 9-12 mo.,12-18 mo,, 18-24, 2T*
Baby shampoo
Baby blankets
Sleeping -- Pack-n-Play*
Formula: Simulac Advance Formula*
Formula: other but not recalled
Wash clothes
Hooded towels
Grocery gift cards*
 
Copyright © 2023 St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
1607 Dewitt Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301-1625