Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels - September 29

Attention: This is very important: Human beings cannot – repeat – cannot – become angels. Angels are a created order of their own. No human being dies and “goes to be an angel.”

Everything I needed to know about angels, I learned from the Bible:

Psalm 8 – We humans are made “a little lower than the angels, adorned with glory and honor.”

Angels and Jesus:
The Angel Gabriel predicts the birth of John the Baptist: Luke 1:19
The Angel Gabriel predicts the birth of Jesus Christ: to Mary: Luke 1:26-38;
The Angel of the Lord predicts the birth of Jesus Christ to Joseph: Matthew 1:18-25
Angels announce the birth of Jesus Christ: Luke 2:8-15
The Angel of the Lord directs Joseph to escape
to Egypt with Mary and Jesus: Matt. 2:13-15
Angels minister to Jesus in his temptation: Matthew 4:11, Mark 1:13
Angels minister to Jesus before his crucifixion: Luke 22:43-44
Angels announce the resurrection of Jesus: Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-7

The relationship of angels to humans:
Angels are “ministering spirits.” See Hebrews 1:14 (see also Hebrews Chapters 1 and 2 for the relationship of angels to Jesus and those he came to save.)

Angels, incense and prayer:
See Revelation 8:3-5. (Angels are especially featured in the Book of Revelation as doing the bidding of God.)

Okay - so I learned a little about angels from Pseudo-Dionysius, who categorized the nine ranks of angels. (See also Hymn 618, The Hymnal 1982)

In the fifth or sixth century, a scholar named Pseudo-Dionysius did a careful study of scripture (Old Testament and New Testament) and outlined for all time the nine ranks of angels discussed in the Bible. His work was the basis of subsequent commentaries by medieval scholars Thomas Aquinas, Duns Scotus, and Peter Lombard. They agreed with Pseudo-Dionysius that there are nine ranks of angels, divided into three sets of threes as follows:

1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Thrones
4. Dominions
5. Authorities (Virtues)
6. Powers
7. Principalities
8. Archangels
9. Angels

The first three – Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones are a three-fold hierarchy of equal status. They are the ones closest to God. (See Isaiah 6:1-13 for the classic description of Seraphs. Also see Ezekiel 10 for a description of Cherubim.)

The second three - Dominions, Authorities, and Powers are the ones next closest to God (See Ezekiel chapters 9 and 10. Also see Colossians 1:16). Dionysius thought that Angels knew clearly their rank. Their primary job is to attend God, absorb all the wisdom and light they can from God, and to pass this on to the next lowest rank of angels.

The third three - Principalities (See Ephesians 1:21, 3:10), Archangels (1 Thessalonians 4:16) and Angels (see page 1) are the lowest rank. There are four archangels mentioned in the Bible: Michael, Raphael, Uriel and Gabriel. Gabriel appears in the New Testament writings (Luke’s Gospel). Michael is mentioned in the Old Testament in Daniel 10:13 and in the New Testament in Jude, verse 9, and again in Revelation12:7, 8. St. Michael is pictured as contending with the devil and always winning. Raphael and Uriel are mentioned in Jewish apocryphal literature—Tobit 5:4 and I Enoch 20, respectively.

It is agreed by scholars that only the last two ranks of angels (Archangels and Angels) have an immediate mission to humans. It is also generally agreed among the medieval schoolmen that angels are intelligences only. They are not created to be united to a body. Therefore they differ from a human soul.

One medieval argument that still gets a few smiles is “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” The answer is: “an infinite number, because they do not have bodies. They are ministering spirits.”

Angels talk to humans and announce God’s messages to them, but humans do not speak with angels as intermediaries. Jesus Christ is our only mediator and advocate, We go to God through Jesus Christ through the power and grace of the Holy Spirit. We as human beings go straight to God with our prayers.

Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, 244)


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church-Episcopal
http://www.holycrosschurchbillings.org/
406-208-7314
photo: Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery
St. Simons Island, Georgia

Getting around the road construction

Eventually it will benefit all of us - this road construction on the West end. The road crews are working on Rimrock all the way to 54th Street, and they are still working on Shiloh south of Poly Drive.

Please do not be put off by the sign at Rimrock and Shiloh that says "Road closed to thru traffic." If you are coming to Holy Cross Church you are "local" traffic so you can come past the barriers in the lane that is open.

Please join us for joyful worship at 10:00 a.m. as usual. It's worth your efforts to get there.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church-Episcopal
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
406-208-7314
photo: Shiloh south of Poly
09 26 08

The Beartooths at close range

Today after lunch I headed west on Highway 212 into the Beartooth Mountain Range. I wanted to see that part of "the last best place" before snow makes travel impossible for me. In fact I did see some patches of snow in the higher elevations, but mostly I saw those trees turning gold and heard the roar of the water flowing in Rock Creek (so aptly named).

As I drove along engulfed in all this natural beauty, it was impossible to get away from what is on the minds of so many people these days: the welfare of these United States of America. As always, The Book of Common Prayer has a word for us:

O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and gracious, and whose law is truth: We beseech you so to guide and bless our Senators and Representatives in Congress assembled, that they may enact such laws as shall please you, to the glory of your Name and the welfare of this people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (p. 821)


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church-Episcopal
http://www.holycrosschurchbillings.org/
406-208-7314

photos taken 09 26 08

Beauty is everywhere

I promised that on this blog I would share good thoughts. These beautiful flowers were blooming beside a store in Wrangell, Alaska in late June. The mural of a mermaid reflects the culture of this island fishing village.

And speaking of beauty, here is one of our Psalms for today at Morning Prayer. Psalm 117:

Praise the Lord, all you nations;
laud him, all you peoples.

For his loving-kindness toward us is great,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever.
Hallelujah!

In these turbulent times, may your life be anchored in God, the source of all truth and beauty.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church-Episcopal
http://www.holycrosschurchbillings.org/
406-208-7314

Is this a great place, or what?

Since I am a newcomer to Billings, I am trying to take in community activities as much as I can. Sunday afternoon I treated myself to the Rimrock Opera's presentation of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. It was a feast for eyes and ears - beautifully done.

Last night I went to the Montana State University-Billings' United Campus Ministries' annual dinner. I found myself seated at a table with pastors, artists, and a spiritual director. As if that were not enough, astronaut Frank Borman was our featured speaker. First we got an audiovisual replay of his reading a portion of the Book of Genesis on December 24, 1968 as he and two other astronauts circled the moon. He said that the NASA authorities had told him to "read something appropriate."

What I remember most about his speech is that he said earth was the only thing in space that had any color to it. Everything else was black and white. I'll have to think about that some more.

All this, and on Sunday mornings I get to officiate at worship services in the beautiful chapel pictured above. Life is good.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church-Episcopal
http://www.holycrosschurchbillings.org/
406-208-7314

Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Yesterday, September 21, was the feast day of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, whose name is attached to the first book of the New Testament. Matthew's day got bumped on the church calendar to today, because every Sunday is a feast of Jesus, and nothing trumps a feast of Jesus. So today we celebrate Saint Matthew on this day of the autumnal equinox - speaking of which, did we not used to celebrate the first day of fall on September 21? Something has changed.

But back to Saint Matthew and his Gospel of Jesus Christ -- Matthew was a tax collector in Capernaum, one of Jesus' favorite villages. A total of five of the original twelve Apostles claimed Capernaum as home (Matthew, Peter, Andrew, John, and John's brother James).

We are preaching our way through Matthew's gospel this year, but frankly it preaches itself. Let's see . . . there's the birth narrative, the Sermon on the Mount, which includes the Beatitudes, the parables . . . read chapter 13 for all those "The Kingdom of Heaven is like . . ." comparisons. Matthew's detailed account of the trial, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus is the stuff of great musical compositions.

Here's one of my favorite quotes from Matthew's Gospel, Chapter 11, verses 28-30, quoting Jesus:

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church Episcopal
http://www.holycrosschurchbillings.org/
406-208-7314

photo: Autumn at Duncan Gray Conference Center

Canton, Mississippi

Alternate route to Holy Cross

If you have driven north on Shiloh Road this week, you know that you can't get there from here. It is closed from Poly Drive to Colton Drive as part of the COP Construction work on the Shiloh Road Corridor.

The best way to detour around the work, which is expected to last until October 10, is to drive south on Shiloh from Rimrock. Go to the "Road Closed" sign at Shiloh Road and Poly Drive (private) and enter the north parking lot or circle around to the south parking lot.

I assure you that Holy Cross Church-Episcopal is open, even though part of the road around it is closed. See you Sunday.

In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church-Episcopal
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
406-208-7314

Getting in the way of the view

I have just gotten back from Great Falls, where for a day and a half I met with other pastors who are new to Montana. The Montana Association of Churches, of which the Episcopal Diocese of Montana is a member, hosted a very informative, often entertaining, look at Montana from the perspective of cradle Montanans.

Yesterday's featured speakers included prominent political personalities and a literary expert who gave us a list of books by Montana authors. These will keep us busy until our Lord returns. Our speaker today was Hal Stearns, who has served as a high-ranking military officer and university professor, and is also a noted historian (On The Trail With Lewis and Clark in Montana).

Hal said that once he was at a speaking engagement in Kansas and his host introduced him as being "from Montana where the mountains get in the way of the view." On my way home I stopped and took these pictures along I-15 from Great Falls to Helena. Of course they do not do the views justice because that drive is like an hour-long Albert Bierstadt painting.

Like our literary expert, Hal gave us assignments for a crash course. We are to visit every history center and art museum in Montana, memorize the map, read five journals and three Montana magazines each month, attend every high school and college athletic event as well as the Sheep Drive in Reed Point, and finish that book list. The bottom line? Welcome to Montana!


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church - Episcopal
http://www.holycrosschurchbillings.org/
406-208-7314

The earth is the Lord's

Today at Morning Prayer we get Psalm 24. Here are verses 1-6:

The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it,
the world and all who dwell therein.

For it is he who founded it upon the seas
and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep.

"Who can ascend the hill of the Lord?
and who can stand in his holy place?"

"Those who have clean hands and a pure heart,
who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,
nor sworn by what is a fraud.

They shall receive a blessing from the Lord
and a just reward from the God of their salvation."

Such is the generation of those who seek him,
of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church-Episcopal
http://www.holycrosschurchbillings.org/
406-208-7314
Photo: Petroglyph Beach at
Wrangell, Alaska June 2008

Holy Cross Day

Tomorrow, September 14, Holy Cross Church gets to celebrate Holy Cross Day. By next year we hope to turn September 14 into an annual festal celebration with a special dinner together.

Our Gospel for Sunday contains these words of Jesus: "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (John 12:32) He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. (verse 33)

Jesus definitely draws all people to himself, and he graciously lets us participate in lifting up our hearts to worship him. Come and join us for joyful worship at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays.


In Peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church-Episcopal
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
406-208-7314

May the Lord . . . prosper all your plans

At Morning Prayer the Psalms are often my favorite part of the readings. Here is Psalm 20, which is not appointed for today but is one of my favorites. The first five verses embody my prayer for you:

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble,
the Name of the God of Jacob defend you;

Send you help from his holy place
and strengthen you out of Zion;

Remember all your offerings
and accept your burnt sacrifice;

Grant you your heart's desire
and prosper all your plans.

We will shout for joy at your victory
and triumph in the Name of our God;
may the Lord grant all your requests.

Now I know that the Lord gives victory to his anointed;
he will answer him out of his holy heaven,
with the victorious strength of his right hand.

Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we will call upon the Name of the Lord our God.

They collapse and fall down,
but we will arise and stand upright.

O Lord, give victory to the king
and answer us when we call.

In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church - Episcopal
http://www.holycrosschurchbillings.org/
406-208-7314
Photo taken May 2008: copper specimen at
The Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman

Taking time to remember

Father of all, we pray to you for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

[from The Book of Common Prayer]



In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church-Episcopal
http://www.holycrosschurchbillings.org/
406-208-7314

Fishing for people

Matthew 4:18-22:

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he [Jesus] saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea - for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."
Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.


Yes, fishing is great.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church-Episcopal
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
406-208-7314

Photo taken June 2008

Home for Helpless Pets

This is Sophia. She has no front claws and is, in many ways, helpless. When I first saw her she was also homeless. I adopted her from the shelter called "Help for Homeless Pets." She had a name I could not remember, so I renamed her Sophia - the Greek word for wisdom. Who would not want to live with wisdom?

I miss the cats I had to leave behind in Georgia - Thaddaeus, Barnabas, and Maximus, but I left them in the loving care of friends. I have discovered here that there are many lovely animals that also need a good home. Sophia's other human had to go to live in a nursing home, and Sophia had no one to comb her long fur. She allows me the privilege on a daily basis.

If you adopt from Help for Homeless Pets, you receive a month's free pet insurance so that you can make sure your new animal gets appropriate veterinary care. Sophia is off to another good start, and looky there -- I have windowsill that fits her exactly. It feels right to provide a home for a helpless pet.


In peace,

Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar
Holy Cross Church - Episcopal
http://www.holycrosschurchbillings.org/
406-208-7314

Seedtime and harvest

This morning I postponed my walk until the sun was higher in the sky - about 7:45 a.m. As I walked past the temperature sign on 32nd street, I was informed that it was 36 degrees F. at 8:00 a.m. It was also foggy and misty - a different kind of morning as we approach autumn.

This changing of the seasons reminds me of a wonderful verse of scripture (Genesis 8:22):

As long as the earth endures,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
day and night,
shall not cease.

The picture above shows the property at 54th and Grand on which we propose to build Holy Cross Church. That's me, out standing in our field.

For several years a large chunk of this property (about 25 acres) has been leased to a wheat farmer. We have a world to feed, after all, and we can't let seedtime and harvest go by without doing our share. There will come a time - soon, I hope - when we will cut back on the wheat farmer's activity and begin to build. In the meantime, we are planting seeds of a church that we trust will bring a lovely harvest to the glory of God.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church - Episcopal
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
406-208-7314

My soul is content

A portion of our Psalms at Morning Prayer today is Psalm 63:1-8:

O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.

Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place,
that I might behold your power and your glory.

For your loving-kindness is better than life itself;
my lips shall give you praise.

So will I bless you as long as I live
and lift up my hands in your Name.

My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness,
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,

When I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the night watches.

For you have been my helper,
and under the shadow of your wings I rejoice.

My soul clings to you;
your right hand holds me fast.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar
Holy Cross Church - Episcopal
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
http://holycrossbillings.blogspot.com
406-208-7314
photo: Yellowstone Nat'l Park
Memorial Day, 2008

Forgiveness leads to fellowship

Our Gospel for tomorrow (Matthew 18:15-20) speaks of forgiveness in a specific way. It is forgiveness between members of the church. The members of Christ's Body the Church - the Ecclesia - the "called out ones" are expected to behave toward one another in a mature way. This Gospel reading gives a step-by-step formula for the working out of issues among those of us whom God in Christ has forgiven.

When we live out the Gospel in this particular way, something wonderful happens: Jesus is present to us. This portion of Matthew's Gospel ends with: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."

Read it for yourself and see what you think. Or come to church tomorrow and hear my sermon and tell me what you think. If you don't like my sermon, I'll forgive you.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar
Holy Cross Church-Episcopal
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
http://holycrossbillings.blogspot.com

Thirteen Saint Bernard Puppies

O.K. I admit it. I have no theological reason to blog these pictures, except that God surely loves puppies because God gave them such a precious child to play with.































In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar
Holy Cross Church Episcopal
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
406-208-7314
Photos: 9/3/08 at Wal Mart
parking lot - West Billings
taken with permission

Signs of the times Part Two

At 6:50 this morning I was out walking when I received a call from Sign Products. "The guys are on their way to 54th and Grand to put up your sign." I drove out there right away and watched as they dug three feet into the ground to set the poles, leveled the signs, and got them installed by 8:15. That was in time for even more traffic to go by and for the people in those vehicles to see the sign.

The sign says "Future home of . . ." and we hope it will not be so very far in the future.











In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar
Holy Cross Church Episcopal
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
406-208-7314

Signs of the times

We are in the process of getting our signs around town. Here is the latest one that shows we are worshiping in the chapel located at The Lillis Center of St. John's Lutheran Ministries.

If you park in this parking lot at Shiloh Road and Poly Drive, please come into the building and down the stairs to the Kathy Lillis Chapel.

Soon we will have a site sign on our property at 54th Street and Grand Avenue -- one of those "future home of" signs. There are a lot of those going up around Billings and we are excited to be a part of the growth.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar
Holy Cross Church-Episcopal
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
406-208-7314

Putting parentheses around my summer

Even though the calendar contradicts me, I think summer consists of that period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Maybe the thermometer is with me on this one, because last week on Monday the temperature was a record 103 degrees Fahrenheit in Billings, and yesterday the temperature was 47 degrees Fahrenheit.


Since I am new to Montana, I have been trying to see all of the West that I can see in a short time. Some of my old friends from Georgia got the same idea. On Memorial Day I caught up with Janice and Robert McElreath from Marietta. They gave me a grand tour of Yellowstone Park, including a close-up of a grizzly bear, which I will post on a later blog.

For Labor Day I had the special treat of getting to spend time with Mary Kay and Ron Lindquist from South Georgia. Here we are at a Mexican restaurant in Bozeman.

Our common denominator as friends is that we have worshiped together in churches and we feel that distance does not really separate us. We can catch up with each other anywhere and take up the conversation right where we left off last time.

I believe this is how first-century Christians spread Christianity and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. Once the bond of fellowship and community is established, it goes on forever, and we have such Good News to share, we cannot keep it to ourselves.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar
Holy Cross Church-Episcopal
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
406-208-7314