Saturday 2nd June

Good day my brothers and sisters. I have just been crying and will write shortly, that which I read to bring the tears that are still in my eyes.

I just want to say that the following which comes first, gave me more comfort for taking my elderly mother and my young sons to worship on a Sunday.

June 1   JUSTIN MARTYR c100 - c.165
 A native of Samaria who was a philosopher before he was a Christian, he
taught afterwards in Rome, and gives this account of the Eucharist:

On the day called Sunday all who live in the city or in the country gather in
one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets
are read as long as time permits; then when the reading is finished, the
president in his own words exhorts and invites us to imitate the good things
what we have heard. Then we all rise to pray and, as I said before, when the
prayer ends, bread, wine and water are brought, and the president in like
manner prays and thanks God to the best of his ability. The people assent,
saying Amen, and a distribution is made for participation of those things
over which thanksgiving has been pronounced. To those who are absent
the deacons take a portion. Those who are prosperous and willing give as
much as each one thinks fit; and this collection is deposited with the
president, who takes care of the widows and orphans, and of those who are
in want through sickness or any other cause, of those who are in prison and
of strangers who sojourn among us. In short, he is the protector of all who
are in need. We all hold this gathering on Sunday, Since this is the first day
on which God, by making a transformation of darkness and chaos, made
the universe, and on the same day Jesus Christ our Saviour rose from the
dead.

Now, its the following of which I earlier wrote:
June 3 ST CHARLES LWANGA AND OTHER MARTYRS OF UGANDA

 In October1884 King Mwanga of Uganda succeeded his father, Mutesa. In
 May 1886 he came into conflict with most of his pages, who refused to
 submit themselves to be partners in his sexual vices. Many of these had been
 enrolled as learners by Anglican and Roman Catholic missionaries.

He asked all those of his pages who had accepted this Christian status
to confess themselves. Immediately thirty youths came forward, both
Anglican and Roman Catholic. Mwanga gave them the choice between
submission to his will or being burnt alive. All chose martyrdom. They
were trussed and thrown into a slow fire; yet not one saved himself by
submission.

Some of us today can learn a strong lesson from this. Calling oneself a Christian is not enough. We have to stand up against evil and never submit to that which goes against the teachings of our Master, Jesus.


This is the wrong way round. Sorry, but try to look at it with the left side of your face down!

 

Have a good day my brothers and sisters. We are all loved and to fully realize it must pass it on, especially to those who have not yet heard! Blessings be upon us all. Peter.