New Testament 101: 1 Peter

(The authorship of 1 Peter has traditionally been attributed to the Apostle Peter because it bears his name and identifies him as its author (1:1). Although the text identifies Peter as its author, the language, dating, style, and structure of this letter have led many scholars to conclude that it is pseudonymous.)

Before you begin reading, I feel it pertinent to advise that this is not my theology but is presented as a learning tool for those interested in the early writings of the New Testament. - Beryl

In this letter, Peter has much to say about suffering.  He shows how it can be a way of serving the Lord, of sharing faith and of being tested.  (Unfortunately, over the centuries, glorifying suffering has also been used as a means of control and abuse.) The letter was written to Christians scattered over the northern part of Asia Minor.  In this part of the Roman Empire, many Christians had already suffered mistreatment from those who did not believe in Jesus. And they could expect to suffer more.

Peter was quick to offer encouragement.  His letter reminds the reader that some of the Lord’s followers may have to go through times of hard testing – but this should make them glad (?) because, as Peter declares, it will strengthen their faith and bring them honor on the day when Jesus Christ returns (1: 6, 7).

Peter reminds them that Christ suffered here on earth and when his followers suffer for doing right, they are sharing his suffering (2: 18-25, 4: 12-17).  In fact, Christians should expect to suffer for their faith (3: 8-4, 19).

But, because of who God is and because of what God has done by raising Jesus Christ from the death, Christians can have hope in the future.  Just as Christ suffered before he received honor from God, so will Christians be tested by suffering before they receive honor when the Lord returns.  Peter uses poetic language to remind his readers of what Christ has done:

Christ has died once for our sins.
An innocent person died for those who are guilty.
Christ did this to bring you to Gods, when his body was put to death and his spirit was made alive.        (3:18)

A Quick Look at This Letter

1. Greetings and Prayer (1: 1-2)
2. A Real Reason for Hope (1: 3-12)
3. Living as God’s Holy People (1: 13-2:17)
4. The Example of Christ’s Suffering (2: 18-25)
5. Being a Christian and Suffering (3: 1-4, 19)
6. Advice for Church Leaders (5: 1-11)
7. Final Greetings (5: 12-14)

New Testament 101: James

Letter of James, also called Epistle of St. James the Apostle, abbreviation James, New Testament writing addressed to the early Christian churches (“to the twelve tribes in the dispersion”) and attributed to James, a Christian Jew, whose identity is disputed because this writing was traditionally attributed to James, the brother of Jesus (James the Just).

This letter is a good example of a general letter because the recipients were Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. Though written as a letter, it is more like a short book of instructions for daily living.

For James, faith means action!  In fact, the entire book is a series of examples that show faith in action in wise and practical ways.

His advice was clear and to the point: If you are poor, don’t despair.  Don’t give up when your faith is being tested.  Don’t get angry quickly.  Don’t favor the rich over the poor.  Do good things for others.  Control your tongue and desires.  Surrender to God and rely on God’s wisdom.  Resist the devil.  Don’t brag about what you are going to do.  If you are rich, use your money to help the poor.  Be patient and kind, and pray for those who need God’s help.

A Quick Look at This Letter

1.  Greetings (1: 1)
2.  A Life of Faith and Wisdom (1:2-18)
3.  Hearing and Obeying God’s Message (1: 19-27)
4.  Don’t Favor the Rich and Powerful (2: 1-13)
5.  Faith and Works (2: 14-26)
6.  Wisdom and Words (3: 1-18)
7.  Warning Against Friendship with the World (4: 1-5.6)
8.  Patience, Kindness and Prayer (5: 7-20)

Pastor Beryl

Time Change October 31st

Halloween is a Saturday this year, and it is also the night we turn our clocks back one hour. Officially the return to standard time from Daylight Saving time starts at 2am on Sunday November 1st, but we can cheat and make the change before bed on Saturday. Early risers will be pleased to see the sunrise by 6:30am the next day. The flip side of course is that sunset will come an hour earlier on November 1st.

Need Glasses?

The “nomadic opticians” are back at Verdun Elementary School, in the old SouthWest Mission space. Philippe Rochette, aka Bonhomme à lunettes and his team offer affordable eyeglasses at service points throughout the city, often located in community organizations. Currently, their clinics in the school are Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. Their website says you don’t need an appointment but in these Covid times, I would call ahead just in case anything has changed. 514 303-4315.

Please note they are not optometrists. You still need to see one of those to get a prescription for glasses, and for most, there will be a charge for the visit. The Bonhomme a lunettes team is there to get you the best deal on lenses and frames.



Music Notes: Autumn Leaves

The sky was lit up with brilliant sunshine yesterday, and the dazzling colours of an autumn unleashed. Stand back in wonder, nature called out; be thankful for the chance to behold such beauty, a beauty that is so achingly familiar and forever astonishing.

It is so fleeting, and maybe that is why it always hurts a little. We are bathed in these glorious golds, reds and orange hues for such a short time; nature’s poignant reminder that so much life will pass before us before we behold it once more.

That sounds sad, and I don’t mean it to. Introspection is thoughtful, and, if these days, our thoughts wander more often to those people we miss, or concerns both global and at home, that is simply a reflection of the times we are living through.

There is a song, there is always music! This song – Autumn Leaves – ran through my mind the other day as I was walking through the field, with a delicate mist at my feet, as the sun made its final stretch to daylight. It’s a beautiful song, and so many musicians have made it their own. I prefer the simpler versions, and although jazz greats, such as our own Oscar Peterson, have recorded spellbinding instrumental riffs and variations on the tune, there are a few singers who bring to it the beauty and the poignancy I treasure.

‘Les feuilles mortes’ was composed in Paris by Joseph Kosma just after the Second World War, with lyrics by Jacques Prévert. Yves Montand sang it many times, but it is this later version, many years after his first interpretation in 1950, that I like the most. You can hear how much he has lived through the song. Memories and experience are the cushion that truly great musicians bring to the performance of a piece of music that has accompanied them throughout their lives. It is not to say that great musicians can’t be young! And once in a while, we’ll talk about a young musician or singer with an old soul!

Here is Yves Montand in a live recording:


Johnny Mercer wrote the English lyrics just a few years later, and the song was made hugely popular by Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, and my favourite, Nat King Cole.

There are a few recordings of Eva Cassidy singing Autumn Leaves. She was and will forever be young, a beautiful singer who died far too soon. An old soul? She has a haunting voice, and I haven’t been able to decide which version to include – the video with the London Symphony Orchestra, or the live recording where she accompanies herself on guitar. So here are both, in that order:

Ah, the seasons of life.

In a few days, two to be exact, Steve Scales will be interred. The funeral originally planned for the same day was postponed to next spring, not cancelled. If you’d like to pause for a moment at 11 am on Saturday, however, that would be a fine thing.

Till soon, very soon,

Sarah

 LES FEUILLES MORTES
paroles: Jacques Prévert
musique: Joseph Kosma

Oh! je voudrais tant que tu te souviennes
Des jours heureux où nous étions amis
En ce temps-là la vie était plus belle,
Et le soleil plus brûlant qu'aujourd'hui
Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle
Tu vois, je n'ai pas oublié...
Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle,
Les souvenirs et les regrets aussi
Et le vent du nord les emporte
Dans la nuit froide de l'oubli.
Tu vois, je n'ai pas oublié
La chanson que tu me chantais.

REFRAIN:
C'est une chanson qui nous ressemble
Toi, tu m'aimais et je t'aimais
Et nous vivions tous deux ensemble
Toi qui m'aimais, moi qui t'aimais
Mais la vie sépare ceux qui s'aiment
Tout doucement, sans faire de bruit
Et la mer efface sur le sable
Les pas des amants désunis.

Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle,
Les souvenirs et les regrets aussi
Mais mon amour silencieux et fidèle
Sourit toujours et remercie la vie
Je t'aimais tant, tu étais si jolie,
Comment veux-tu que je t'oublie?
En ce temps-là, la vie était plus belle
Et le soleil plus brûlant qu'aujourd'hui
Tu étais ma plus douce amie
Mais je n'ai que faire des regrets
Et la chanson que tu chantais
Toujours, toujours je l'entendrai!

REFRAIN

 

Translation
AUTUMN LEAVES (Johnny Mercer)

The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sunburnt hands I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I’ll hear old winter’s song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I’ll hear old winter’s song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall


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