THE CENTERPIECE
January, 2006
The newsletter of the
Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind
535 North Neville Street
Pittsburgh, Pa 15213
PHONE: 412 682-1800
Bob Mates, Director
Sherri Crum, Associate Director
The Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind seeks to reach out to the visually
impaired of Pittsburgh, feeling their needs, and touching them with the love of
Jesus, that they may reach out and touch others with the love of Jesus.
THE CENTERPIECE is available in Braille, large print, and on cassette tape.
You may also read it online, at our web site: www.plcb.net.
Terri Winaught, Editor THE CENTERPIECE January, 2006
FROM THE EDITOR
In the October CENTERPIECE, I mentioned a pro-life organization called,
Priests for Life, and made references to an article about Terri Schiavo
entitled, "Atrophy of Compassion."
Since January 22nd of this year marks the 33rd anniversary of the Roe Vs.
Wade Federal supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, and January 23rd is
when this year's annual March for Life will take place in Washington, DC, I
thought that this would be an excellent time to share in its entirety Father
Pavone's article, "Atrophy of Compassion":
Atrophy of Compassion Fr. Frank comments on Terri Schiavo autopsy
The autopsy of Terri Schiavo has been released to the public, bringing
attention once again to this sad and tragic case, and reigniting so many of the
debates surrounding her life and death. Does the autopsy shed any light on
this tragedy? Does it change anything?
The autopsy, of course, is a medical document about Terri's physical
condition. It is filled with complicated medical terms and statistics.
In and of itself, it tells us simply the details found upon examining Terri's
body. An autopsy is not a crystal ball either into the past or the future.
Nor is it a moral evaluation of the worth of a human life.
The big temptation is to stretch the autopsy beyond its purposes, and
somehow get it to do more than it can do. Some, indeed, wonder whether
this autopsy was, from the beginning, a political tool worked out by the
euthanasia advocates to advance their agenda regarding Terri. Whether or
not that is the case, the autopsy will certainly be used by such advocates to
further de- humanize Terri and rob her of her claim to care and protection.
But let's presume that those who conducted this exam did so objectively
and honestly. What, then, do we learn?
For one thing, the autopsy shows that all the media reports that so
confidently asserted that Terri collapsed because of "an eating
disorder" or "a heart attack" should not have been so confident.
In short, the autopsy does not provide a basis for those claims, and leaves the
cause of her initial collapse in 1990 a mystery.
Was Michael Schiavo at all responsible for her collapse? The autopsy does
not answer that question. Perhaps Michael should.
What the exam does tell us, however, is that Terri died from dehydration.
Of course, we knew that already. She wasn't given any water the last two
weeks of her life, and we know why. Michael, and those acting in concert
with him, insisted on that and got the courts to enforce their wishes. We
don't know if Michael was responsible for Terri's injury, but we do know he was
responsible for her death.
The autopsy goes on to say that Terri's brain was "profoundly
atrophied," and only half the normal size. Fine. If that's what
the experts tell us, there is no problem believing them. But what does
that mean, that she was only half-human, only half a person, or that she had
only half the rights that the rest of us have? That is the conclusion that we
must never accept. That is a conclusion that does not come from an
autopsy, but from a callous disregard for human life.
Terri did not die from atrophy of the brain. She died from an
atrophy of compassion. Too many people, starting with Michael, were
unwilling to accept the fact that profoundly injured people require profound
compassion and care. Even if this autopsy report showed that Terri was ten
times more damaged than she was, our moral obligation to respect and protect her
life would not change at all. We don't have to pass a test to qualify for
our human rights. An autopsy is a measure of physical damage, not of human
rights.
The autopsy says Terri was blind. That is not the morally relevant
point. The point is that we are blind -- blind all too often to the fact
that even the disabled and the severely injured have the same dignity and worth
as the rest of us, and show forth the image and glory of God, even in their
brokenness.
The autopsy says that Terri was beyond repair or rehabilitation.
But that does not mean we are supposed to throw her away, like we throw away a
car that is beyond repair. Again, there is no problem accepting this
medical conclusion. But morally speaking, our compassion is not beyond
repair. We can build a society that respects and protects all our brothers
and sisters, recognizing that their value does not come from how well they
function, perform, or produce.
I will never forget my hours with Terri, both before and after her
feeding tube was removed. She responded to me, and she responded to others
who visited her. She laughed, she tried to speak, she returned her
parents' kisses, she followed us with her eyes, she closed her eyes when I
prayed with her and opened them when we were finished. Medical examiners
can offer their conclusions because of what they saw, but none of that changes
what we saw. But both we and the medical examiners were looking in from
the outside. Any honest medical expert will admit that there is so much
about the human brain we still don't know. What Terri experienced on the
inside is a mystery that only she and God know.
The challenge at this moment is simply this. Whatever she
experienced, to whatever extent she was damaged, and even if she were totally
unresponsive, Terri was one of us. She was our sister, she was a child of
God, she was fully in possession of her human rights, and nothing can ever
justify what was done to her.
Terri Schiavo was murdered, because she was deprived of food and water.
We've done the examination on her body. Maybe it's time for an examination
of our souls.
As we begin a new year--and perhaps still do some reflecting on the
old--I hope and pray that your bodies and souls had a blest holiday season and
that you will have a happy, healthy New Year.
Always remember that your ideas for this column are welcomed and
encouraged, so if you have any suggestions, please contact Bob Mates at
412-682-1800 or e-mail Bob at bluesbob at earthlinkddnet.
Many rich blessings,
Terri Winaught
next
DECEMBER's MEAL After welcoming meal attendees and outlining the menu,
Bob Mates mentioned how saddened we all are by Bob Taylor's passing. The
Director shared what an active part of the Pittsburgh blind community Bob was,
even though he had not lived in Pittsburgh very long. Director Mates also
mentioned Bob being a Christian, and shared Bob's activity with the LUTHERAN
Center. After the meal, Bob thanked regular volunteers Cindy Fenger and
Debra Terhune, reminded meal attendees about the Bible studies at the Center on
Wednesdays, and Moorhead Towers every other Thursday. Bob also mentioned
the possibility of a Braille group at the Center, and the possibility of a LIFE
group, also at the Lutheran Center.
Bob then presented a devotion, the theme of which was Jesus Christ being
the greatest Christmas gift we have ever or could ever receive. Bob also
made the point that if we don't understand Jesus Christ as the greatest
Christmas gift of all, then whether we say Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday
really doesn't matter.
Then we went into our Christmas program with Bob's introduction of Ayn
Apelman as a great poet, several of whose poems have been published. (The
poem which Ayn read entitled, "It Must have Been," was truly both
excellent and meaningful.
Ayn's inspirational Christmas contribution was followed by Louise Chuha
contributing to the evening's program by reading what was described as a
beautiful story. While we were waiting for Louise to begin, however, Jean
Rossi had some very nice things to say about Bob Taylor, the most meaningful of
which, to this editor, was God needing Bob Taylor up there.
After various remembrances of Bob were shared, Louise then read a story
entitled, "The Old Ones."
This beautiful story described the unbearable grief which an elderly
couple experienced when they thought that their beloved goats died in a blazing
barn fire. Before this heartbroken couple becomes uplifted by the joyous
discovery that their goats escaped and survived, we are told touchingly by the
writer how determined this couple was to thank God in their sadness for what
they still had. (Louise both chose a beautiful story and read it
beautifully.)
Our Dashing Director then lifted up meal attendees' concerns in prayer
(see Prayer Requests at the end of this newsletter).
We then sang Happy Birthday to Lois Briggs, Angela Hadbavny, Rich Lynch
and Milette Reid. With our voices now warmed up, we next sang Silent
Night, and O, Come All Ye Faithful. As is always the case with Lutheran
Center meals, the extra-special evening of food, fellowship, and spirituality
was concluded with a Vespers service as only Pastor Spittel can lead it.
Regarding these services, a long overdue Thank You to Bob Mates and anyone else
who generates Vespers materials in Braille and Large Print.
next
IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH by Kathy Susany
For two months now, Kathy Susany has written excellent articles that have
dealt with various aspects of having a pet.
Although it was possible that Kath would have no column this month
because her computer is sick and her BrailleNote is in a coma, she has, in fact,
resurrected an article she wrote about Addison's Disease for a previous low
vision newsletter.
With the knowledge that this article will be an excellent accounting of
what it's like for Kathy to have the rare disorder that Addison's Disease is,
I'm ready to say, "Here's Kathy!"
A PARADOX OF RARITY
by Kathy Susany
Living with chronic, rare disease is a conglomeration of positive and negative
emotions and experiences.
To complicate the situation even further, I also have a visual impairment;
actually, I am legally blind, but my sight loss is not total.
This situation has existed since shortly after I was born; my Addison's disease
was diagnosed in 1990, although it probably has been coming on for years.
I guess that the main, or primary, commonality that comes to mind is the feeling
of living in a kind of "no-man's land", or grey area. In effect,
I am "blind", yet "seeing" simultaneously; also, my adrenal
insufficiency renders me "sick", yet "healthy" at the same
time. Of course, I am referring to my ability to live and/or function in
this world, not just my physical status. Due to the lack of space, I
intend to concentrate on my life with Addison's disease since it has had less
public exposure than has blindness or visual impairment. One of my biggest
aims is to inform and educate people about medicine in general and adrenal
insufficiency in particular. When I was first diagnosed, I felt relieved,
yet there were also some feelings of isolation as well. It took many years
for my condition to develop into full-blown adrenal insufficiency. Because
my disease was difficult to diagnose, I experienced intermittent, vague symptoms
for many years before doctors were able to get a han
dle on my problem. I knew that something wasn't quite right with me, but
no one could figure out just what the trouble was for a long time. My
clinical and laboratory data suggested health, but my functional abilities and
capacity didn't agree with this medical picture. It was as if my
subjective feelings and symptoms were "all in my head". This
paradoxical situation brought about feelings of frustration and mystification on
my part. Why didn't anyone believe me? Why couldn't anyone find a reason
for my complaints? Could it all have been really psychosomatic? These questions
kept nagging at my peace of mind. When I finally found out I had Addison's
disease, my many questions were answered. Things suddenly began to make
sense to me. My problem actually had a name. It was a recognized,
although rare, disorder; it was not all in my head. This explains my
feeling of relief to know of my condition. However, there is another
aspect to this situation. Since my condition is fairly
rare, it becomes difficult to find others who have this disorder and with
whom I can commiserate. (Not that I must always interact with only
Addisonians.) However, when you are different, especially when that difference
stems from a rare condition, it is nice to know that there are others in the
world who have the same thing and who know what you are going through; also,
such cohorts can offer tidbits and suggestions to help you better get through
life's tribulations and exigencies. At any rate, my thoughts of being the
only one who could possibly understand what was happening led to some feelings
of isolation and of being "left out". As if all this weren't
enough, there is the matter of living with an illness such as adrenal
insufficiency. Actually, things aren't all bad. I feel that life is
worth living. Half the fun of it all is surmounting obstacles and meeting
challenges both good and bad. That's how we as individuals, and humanity
collectively, progress and grow. At tim
es, though, living can give rise to inconvenient and/or annoying and even
maddening experiences. Probably the most troubling aspect of living with
any chronic illness, but especially a rare one, gets back to the paradox I
addressed earlier: you can be "sick" and yet "well" at the
same time. Other people don't always quite know what to make of this
conflicting idea. It can be difficult to make some long-term plans because
it's hard to predict when the body will cooperate with your intentions and when
it will decide to quit; there may be good days and bad days, and it's impossible
to know for sure which days will turn out to be good or productive. This
inability to absolutely predict my body's whims can either drive people crazy or
engender a feeling in them that I am unreliable and can't be counted on to
follow through with a planned idea or activity. The heck of it is: at
times, this very thing happens because, to use an analogy, my batteries can run
down when I least expect, or
when I don't want them to do so. What complicates the issue, though, is
that my functional status can change rather abruptly not just from day to day,
but during the same day as well; I might feel "lousy" in the morning
and better as the day wears on, and vice versa--I often run out of gas later in
the day or after performing certain tasksstactivities. It can be hard for
people to understand this. People tend to think in extremes; they don't
usually realize that one can be in the middle and not at one extreme or the
opposite one. Space precludes me from elaborating further on this theme.
One other consideration worth mentioning is how our culture deals with
disability and illness--particularly prolonged illness. We demand
productivity from our work force that, often, may encourage behaviors and
lifestyles that are detrimental to the health of such workers. We are
expected to do our jobs and yet maintain an active social life, as well as take
care of our activities of daily livi
ng and household chores. To do part-time work doesn't always seem to be
good enough; you are either considered to be working--as in full-time work--or
idle, and, as such, a "lazy bum". The part-time worker is often
in a "no-man's land". He is often precluded or prevented from
receiving health nd other benefits. People are expected to be constantly
"on the go" in a fast-paced, mind-boggling world. Need I say
more? An additional confounding circumstance concerns our cultural views of
drugs and drug-taking. The term "chemical" has almost become a
dirty word in our society. Not only is drug consumption frowned upon, but
many drug rehab programs do not allow clients to take any
substances-prescription or otherwise; such programs demand that users completely
abstain from anystall drug-taking. One is supposed to be able to go
through life's ups and downs without relying on the solace or "crutch"
of drugs. No matter that you might have a medical or psychiatric disorder
or disability.
You should be able to "tough it out" and "just say
no" to drugs. It's interesting, though, that we do rely on stimulants
such as caffeine to make it through the day and enhance our productivity and use
depressants such as alcohol to relax us and escape from the rigors of reality.
This is yet another paradox or grey area involved here. Anyhow, when I
tell people that I take steroids daily, some insist that I should get a second
opinion because steroids are bad and they will kill me; never mind that I
absolutely need them to replace what I am unable to make myself. It's a
very frustrating state of affairs. I have barely scratched the surface
when it comes to living with a rare, chronic condition. I have not even
mentioned the perils of inadequate health care for long-term patients or the
occurrences that flow from societal attitudes concerning people with
disabilities. Life is not all negative though; it is worth living--as
fully as possible. My illness affords me the golden o
pportunity to inform others about it and to use it to improve everyone's lot in
life. This idea engenders in me a feeling of satisfaction and pride.
If I am able to help just one person, I will have fulfilled an important purpose
for mankind.
next
A LITTLE HUMOR ... VERY LITTLE
by Bob Mates.
Since nobody does it better than our Dashing Director, I'm going to defer
to his submissions first.
Only after Bob has entertained us with juicy jokes and sensational
stories will I then share humor from my cousin, Ruthie, in the form of some
interesting 2005 headlines:
Stupid Criminal Acts
1. When his 38-31liber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim
during a hold-up in Long Beach, California, would-be robber James Elliot did
something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and
tried the trigger again. This time it worked.
And now, the honorable mentions:
2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a
meat-cutting machine and, after a little hopping around, submitted a claim to
his insurance company. The company, expecting negligence, sent out one of
its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and lost a
finger. The chef's claim was approved.
3. A man who shoveled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car
during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his Vehicle to find a woman had taken
the space. Understandably, he shot her.
4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus
driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from
Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the
driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride.
He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that
the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The
deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.
5. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious
head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received
the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he
could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.
6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the
counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the
man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk
promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving
the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the
drawer...dd15. (If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a
crime committed?)
7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He
decided that he'd just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab
some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his
head at the window. The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be
thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was
made of Plexiglas. The whole event was caught on videotape.
8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man
grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman
was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within
minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and
drove back to the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and told
to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, "Yes, officer,
that's her. That's the lady I stole the purse from."
9. The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into
a Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at 5 a.m., flashed a gun and demanded
cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash
register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk
said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked
away.
A 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD WINNER! 10. When a man attempted to siphon
gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he
bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled
up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that
the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline and plugged his siphon hose into
the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined
to press charges, saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had.
In the interest of bettering human kind please share these with your
friends and family... unless of course one of these 10 individuals by
chance is a distant relative or long lost friend. In that case be glad
they are distant and hope they remain lost.
2005 Headlines
Crack Found on Governor's Daughter [imagine that!]
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says [no, really?]
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers [now that's taking things a
bit far!]
Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus? [not if I wipe thoroughly!]
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over [what a guy!]
Miners Refuse to Work after Death [no-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-sos!]
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant [see if that works any better
than a fair trial!]
War Dims Hope for Peace [I can see where it might have that effect!]
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile [you think?!]
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures [who would have thought!]
Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide [they may be on to
something!]
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges [you mean there's something stronger than
duct tape?!]
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge [he probably IS the battery
charge!]
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group [weren't they fat enough?!]
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft [That's what he gets for eating
those beans!]
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks [Taste like chicken?]
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half [Chainsaw Massacre all over again!]
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors ! [Boy, are they tall!]
And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Did I read that sign right?
next
DEVOTION by Bob Mates
I don't know how our dedicated director keeps coming up with such filling
and fulfilling bowls of spiritual chicken soup, but come up with them he does.
To see what Bob is going to feed us this time, let's ladle up the love
and blessings that God always puts on Bob's heart when he inspires him to write
his always Bible-based, excellent and informative devotions:
THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS
by Bob Mates
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government
will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, [6]
Or Wonderful, Counselor] Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He
will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of
the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
The "war on Christmas" is over, and we have won! It was not a victory
wrought by people saying "Merry Christmas!", rather than "Happy
holiday.". It was not won by right-wing, ratings-hungry talk-show
hosts, railing against the "liberal menace". It wasn't won by
Jerry Fallwell, James Dobson or Bob Mates. Yet, there's no doubt that the
victory is ours. In fact, we celebrate the victory twice a year: on
Christmas and Easter.
This war has been a very long, drawn-out war. It started in the Garden of
Eden, when the Serpent deceived Eve, by telling her that nothing would happen to
her, if she ate the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Of course, we know what happened: she ate, got Adam to eat, and they both died.
No, they didn't die physically, but they did die spiritually. From that
day forward, sin, sickness and death came into the world. That was the
first volley of the war, and Satan must have felt pretty good about things at
that moment. However, what he couldn't have known was that God had already
devised the plan for victory.
That plan was implemented with the birth of a little baby, in a manger in the
town of Bethlehem. He certainly was not the first child to be born in les
than favorable circumstances. However, this was no ordinary little baby.
His mother was a virgin, and His father was God. He was the Messiah,
Jesus! We celebrate this great victory every Christmas!
How Satan must have quaked, when he realized what had happened. Yet, he
fought on: trying to tempt, discredit, and otherwise stymy His earthly ministry,
but to no avail. When Jesus was crucified, how satan must have smirked!
Not only had this enemy of his been killed, but he'd even gotten one of His own
disciples to betray Him! What a fool was Lucifer! He didn't know, indeed,
couldn't know, that this was all a part of God's great plan to bring forgiveness
and salvation to the world! Satan's smirk disappeared, when Jesus rose from the
dead. We call that day Easter.
Christmas and Easter; Easter and Christmas. You can't have one day without
the other. They're both days which signify Jesus's victory, and thus, our
victory, over sin, death and the devil.
Yes, the war on Christmas is over. Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh didn't
win it. Jesus won it for us, and we can all rejoice in the victory!
>From all of us, at the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind, to all of
you, goes our wish for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year, full of God's
many rich blessings.
Amen.
Even though Bob is always a tough act to follow, I'm going to do my best by
submitting to this column yet another Father Pavone Priests for Life reflection.
Because we celebrated Christmas so recently, and also because our Eastern
Orthodox brothers and sisters celebrated Christmas this month, I thought that
the following column, entitled, "No Room in the Inn," an appropriate
addition to this month's devotions:
"She wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7).
The fact that there was no room for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in the inn at
Bethlehem on the first Christmas should make us wonder, because the birth of
Christ was foreseen and planned by God from all eternity. Hundreds of
years before it happened, the prophets announced he would be born of a virgin
(Is. 7:14) and that Bethlehem would be his birthplace (Micah 5:2).
Many other details of his life and death were also foretold. Did God,
then, forget to make room for his only Son? How is it possible that there was no
room, when the child born at Christmas owns the inn, and Bethlehem, and the
world, and every inch of room in the whole universe?
Obviously, God did this on purpose. There was no room in the inn,
because this demonstrates that the world has rejected God. The world makes
no room for the God who created it. There was no room in the inn because
God wanted to show that His Son comes as a Savior, to reconcile a world that is
at enmity with God. Being turned away from the inn foreshadows the fact
that the Savior himself will be rejected, despised, and ultimately crucified,
and that all this was part of God's plan from all eternity. Ultimately,
the lack of room in the inn symbolizes the lack of room we make for him in our
hearts. When our hearts are filled with all kinds of other desires than
God, we gradually crowd him out altogether.
No room at the inn also means that we fail to make room for our brothers
and sisters. The first great commandment is to love God, and the second is
like it: Love your neighbor. Christ willed to be left out, because he is
always in solidarity with those who are left out, shut out, and crowded out.
That is the position of the unborn children today. They are crowded out of
the busy schedules of so many people doing so many good and important things,
but who don't have a finger to lift to protect the lives of these children from
abortion. They are crowded out of legislative agendas, preaching
schedules, career plans, and volunteer activities. There's just too much
going on already; there's no room in the inn.
Christ comes at Christmas to change all that. Today, he does not
seek an inn; he seeks room in our own hearts and lives. And he asks that
as we welcome him, we welcome everyone whom he welcomes, including the children
most defenseless and forgotten. We welcome the Divine Child, and in doing
so, we welcome every child. As we celebrate Christmas, we sing in "O
Holy Night" the words, "Chains shall he break, for the slave is our
brother, and in his name all oppression shall cease." Amen! Let oppression
cease and let Christmas come for the unborn!
next
LUTHER's SMALL CATECHISM: Part Five
This is the fifth part in our six-part series, in which we reprint Martin
Luther's Small Catechism. In this part, Luther examines confession and
forgiveness of sins.
The confession of one's sins, and indeed, one's sinfulness, is an important, and
in fact, a necessary aspect of one's Christian life. Without confession,
there can be no forgiveness. With confession, forgiveness is assured.
(1 John 1.9) In the Lutheran church, we have public confession and absolution as
part of the liturgy. AS a congregation, we confess that we are sinful,
deserving God's "temporal and eternal punishment." But we beg Him to
have mercy on us, and forgive us. Then, the pastor announces that, as
"a called and ordained servant of God," forgiveness is granted.
It isn't the pastor who forgive us, of course, but God.
We also have private confession, in which one may confess his or her sins, and
receive forgiveness. Again, it isn't the pastor who forgives, but rather,
God does it, according to His Word and His promise. Here, then, is part
five of the Small Catechism.
V. How You Should Teach the Uneducated to Confess
What is confession?
Confession has two parts: First, a person admits his sin Second, a person
receives absolution or forgiveness from the confessor, as if from God Himself,
without doubting it, but believing firmly that his sins are forgiven by God in
Heaven through it.
Which sins should people confess?
When speaking to God, we should plead guilty to all sins, even those we
don't know about, just as we do in the "Our Father," but when speaking
to the confessor, only the sins we know about, which we know about and feel in
our hearts.
Which are these?
Consider here your place in life according to the Ten Commandments.
Are you a father? A mother? A son? A daughter? A husband? A wife? A servant? Are
you disobedient, unfaithful or lazy? Have you hurt anyone with your words or
actions? Have you stolen, neglected your duty, let things go or injured someone?
Please suggest to me a simple way to confess.
You should speak to your confessor this way:
Honorable, dear Sir: Would you please hear my confession and pronounce
forgiveness according to God's will.
He will respond: Yes. Please go ahead.
Then say: I confess in the presence of God that I am a poor sinner and
guilty of every kind of sin. I specifically admit to you that I am a
servant, maid, etc., but I'm afraid that I have served my master unfaithfully.
greater-than From time to time, I have not done what I was told to do. I
have angered them and caused them to swear at me. I have neglected my duty
and allowed damage to be done. My words and actions have been shameful.
I have been angry with my peers. I have complained about my master's wife
and sworn at her, etc. I am sorry for all of this and ask for grace.
I want to do better.
A master or a lady of the house should speak this way: I specifically
confess to you that I have not faithfully led my children, servants or wife to
God's glory. I have cursed. I have set a bad example with my obscene
words and actions. I have hurt my neighbor and spoken evil things about
him. I have charged him too much, cheated him and sold him badly made
goods.
Let him also confess any other sins against God's commandments and his
place in life, etc.
If a person is not burdened with sins such as these or greater sins, he
should not look for other sins or invent them, because that would turn
confession into torture. Instead, he should mention one or two that he
knows about. For example: specifically I confess that I once cursed.
Once I used inappropriate language. Once I neglected to do this or that
thing, etc. Let that be enough.
If you do not know of anything you have done wrong (which does not seem
possible), do not say anything in specific, but receive forgiveness based upon
the general confession you make to God in the presence of your confessor.
After this, the Confessor will say: May God be merciful to you and
strengthen your faith!
Then he will ask: Do you also believe that the forgiveness I give is
God's forgiveness?
Then you will answer: Yes, dear sir.
After this, he will say: May what you believe happen to you. And by
the command of my Lord Jesus, I forgive your sins in the Name of the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit. Amen. Go in peace! The confessor will know how to
use additional passages to comfort and to encourage the faith of those who
sorrow, are troubled or whose conscience is greatly burdened. This is only
meant to be a general confession for the uneducated.
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PERSONAL PROFILES by Terri Winaught.
Never before have I profiled someone whom I could not interview, but
today, in honor of Bob Taylor's passing on December 11th, 2005, I'm going to do
just that by interviewing Carol, Bob's wife.
Question: How did Bob first hear about the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for
the Blind, and when did he start attending monthly meals?
Answer: Since I started coming to the Center before Bob did, he learned
about it through me.
Bob started attending the monthly meals in September or October of 2000.
Question: In addition to attending monthly meals, with what other
ministries was Bob involved?
Answer: Bob also really enjoyed the Bible studies: In fact, Bob enjoyed
the Bible studies so much that he attended not only the pre-meal one but also
the one that took place at the Center Wednesday or Thursday afternoon.
(With Bob's back trouble, though--and especially as it worsened--it got harder
and harder for him to sit for very long, and that sometimes made attending these
studies difficult.)
In addition to the Bible studies, Bob also attended the Guide Dog Users'
group.
Question: As you know, Bob Mates always states in THE CENTERPIECE that
the Lutheran Center's mission is to touch the blind community of Pittsburgh with
the love of Jesus. How did the Center accomplish that mission in Bob's
life, and what else did Bob think that the Center could have done?
Answer: I know that Bob would have liked to see the Swissvale
Center--also known as Living Water Ministries--become more active. What
else he thought the LUTHERAN Center could have done, I'm really not sure.
Question: What would you like CENTERPIECE readers to know about Bob, and
what do you think he would have wanted to share about himself?
Answer: Bob was active in many organizations which included both Lutheran
Centers in the Pittsburgh area, Western PA BOLD, and the Radio Reading Service
for the Blind (Radio Information Service). Bob was also a ham radio
operator, and he used those skills to volunteer at his local volunteer fire
department.
Question: What final things, if any, would you like CENTERPIECE readers
to know about Bob Taylor?
Answer: Because of the different parts of the country where Bob has lived
and performed his blue grass and country music, Bob was known by people
throughout the country. More than that, there wasn't anyone who met Bob
who didn't like him.
Not only am I grieving--so are both of our guide dogs, because to know
Bob was to love him and he will really be missed.
Would you like me to tell your story? If you would, I'd love to tell
CENTERPIECE readers about you, so if you'd like to be profiled in a future
column, call Director Bob Mates at 412-682-1800 or e-mail him at bluesbob at
earthlinkddnet. Remember: the most brightly shining star in this column is
YOU!!
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BIBLE BITS The best way for us as Christians to grow in our walk with Christ is
to read the Bible. The God whom the Bible teaches us about and helps us to
grow closer to is a God who is truly the light of the world. God's Son as
the light of the world is the theme on which this month's Bible study is based.
To develop this theme, we will be taking verses from Genesis and John.
Let's now stoop down, and drink the living water that is God's Living word:
1 John 1:7-10 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from
all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth
is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we
have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His Word has no place in our
lives.
"LET THERE BE LIGHT" AND THERE WAS LIGHT, GOD SAW THAT THE
LIGHT WAS GOOD.... Genesis 1:3-4
This is the message we have heard from Him (Jesus) and declare to you:
GOD IS LIGHT!! 1 John 1:5
While I am in the world, I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD John 9:5
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
1. Because today's world is so troubled with poverty, hunger, war
and hate, is it sometimes hard for you to have the hope that comes with Christ?
Does thinking of God and His Son as the "light of the world" renew a
spirit of hope in you? (Yes, there are times when I find myself feeling much
less than hopeful even though I know that with God, all things are possible.
It's good to read that reminder in John about God being the light of the world
because of the renewed hope it gives me despite outer appearances.) 2. In
addition to telling us that God is the light of the world, John also tells us
that if we confess our sins, we will be forgiven and purified. Have you
ever forgiven a sin for which you felt you could never be forgiven? (Many years
ago, I made what I have come to consider the worst mistake in my life which was
also a sin for which I was sure I would never be forgiven, and, in fact, did not
deserve forgiveness. Although I still feel that I did not deserve
forgiveness,
I am so glad and feel so blest that God forgave me anyway, not because I did
anything to deserve or earn it, but because of who God is.)
3. Have you ever met anyone who acts as if there is no need for
forgiveness because that person seems to think that he or she is perfect?
(Although very rarely, I have come across people who seem to think that they do
no wrong. There have been times, in fact, when I have come across to
others as some perfect saint who thinks I do no wrong, even though, deep down, I
always knew better.)
4. What additional thoughts or reflections do you have about the
above verses? (Although I currently have none, I am sure that I could if I
thought long and hard enough.)
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LOOKING ahead
January's meal, at which sausage lasagna will be served, will take place
at the Lutheran Center from 5 to 7 PM on Saturday the 28th.
To sign up for what always promises to be an evening of great food and
even greater fellowship, call Bob Mates at 412-682-1800 or e-mail our dedicated
director at bluesbob at earthlinkddnet.
When placing your reservation, remember that seating is limited to the
first 25 people who sign up.
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A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
At November's meal, before I read a poem about Thanksgiving, I gave a
brief presentation about the Warm Line which the Peer Support and Advocacy
Network operates.
Because I believe so strongly that this resource has the potential to
help many meal attendees, some of whom may often feel isolated due to mobility
and/or other blindness-related issues, I am including the Warm Line fact sheet
in this newsletter with the hope that you will feel free to utilize this new
service. Thanks to Bob Mates, this fact sheet is now available in Braille.
WARM LINE FACT SHEET
, Need someone to listen? The Warmline begins operating November 15th,
2005.
The initial hours of service are 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM (7 days a week).
The phone number is: 1-866-661-WARM (9276).
Peer support operators will provide support and information, and ...
always a friendly voice.
NOTE: The Allegheny County Peer Support Warm Line service is provided by
Peer Support And Advocacy Network (PSAN) in partnership with Allegheny County
Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health and Community Care,
Behavioral Health.
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PRAYER REQUESTS
As you lift the following intentions up to a gracious God and loving
Lord, remember that you--and the people for whom you will be praying--were
minted, mined, formed and fashioned in God's unconditional and everlasting love.
1. For Lois's mother who is now in a nursing home and for everyone
in that facility.
2. Thanks be to God and Jesus, God's Son, for strength Peggy didn't
know she had to be a hospice volunteer. Peggy also asked for prayer for a
specific hospice resident.
3. For the repose of Bob Taylor's soul: May he rest in peace at
God's table of plenty in paradise.
4. For Christ's comfort and consolation for Carol Taylor as she
copes with and grieves her husband's passing.
5. Praise and thanksgiving for the wonderful Christmas feast and
gathering so many enjoyed at the Lutheran Center for the Blind on Saturday,
December 17th.
6. For comfort for the family members of a friend of Milette's who
had been very sick and recently died.
7. For Jim, whose grandmother recently died. (Since several
Jims attend monthly meals, I am unsure what Jim experienced this loss.)
8. For Ayn Apelman to continue to heal from the fall she had at the
November meal.
9. A prayer of thanksgiving for Angela because she now has Jaws and
other supportive services from Blindness and Visual Services (BVS) for her
computer after having waited for a year.
10. For Reege to have safe travel during the Christmas season to
his brother's in Ohio and for good health.
11. That God would be with and bless all who will be traveling.
12. For God's blessings on those who are less fortunate (prayer
requested by Rich Lynch).
13. Praise and thanksgiving for a Savior who loved us so much--even
when we were unlovable--that He came into the world as one like us--an infant
King to redeem and save us from our sins.
14. For Arlene Mates' recovery: She has been very ill lately, has
been in the hospital, and is now temporarily in a nursing home to continue her
recovery.
15. For Ethel's daughter-in-law, whose recovery from surgery has
been very slow.
16. For the repose of the soul of John Neubauer, a Moorhead Tower
resident, who was found dead in his apartment on Christmas Eve.
17. For the repose of the soul of Marva Brown, a former Moorhead
Tower resident who died on January 6th; also for comfort for her daughter and
grand-daughter.
18. The following is a New Year's blessing that I received from
good friend Ray Reiman. This prayer expresses what I hope and pray for
meal attendees better than I ever could:
NEW YEAR BLESSING
May your New Year be a time of Peace, Joy and Serenity!
May each day bring you closer to Christ and more loving to those in your
community!
May each week see you advancing in faith, hope and charity!
May each month give to you the aid, comfort and strength you need from
God!
May the march of the seasons make you appreciate and be grateful to God
for all the good things you enjoy!
May the end of the New Year find you happier, healthier and holier than
you have ever been!