tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62849523348035792832024-01-12T10:44:03.407-05:00On the WayWith the drawing of this Love and the voice of this Calling
We shall not cease from exploration....
T. S. EliotKen Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.comBlogger401125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-16707813073287085522019-12-29T12:31:00.000-05:002019-12-29T12:38:26.478-05:00Light and Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="376">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
mso-themecolor:hyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYxxtZeu8FauqvsLJQeryGJGRkg7mS5g0vJhcleKjo26qIDLbT22d_asNjqxcvPUNOruVab73lei-XwCWPMuIIJ3Dx8hO8SmOiSk7aJ8-H5ezoCiMErKnygccy4vTWO7Xlm4Bszpap5lc/s1600/Gerard_van_Honthorst_-_Adoration_of_the_Shepherds_%25281622%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYxxtZeu8FauqvsLJQeryGJGRkg7mS5g0vJhcleKjo26qIDLbT22d_asNjqxcvPUNOruVab73lei-XwCWPMuIIJ3Dx8hO8SmOiSk7aJ8-H5ezoCiMErKnygccy4vTWO7Xlm4Bszpap5lc/s400/Gerard_van_Honthorst_-_Adoration_of_the_Shepherds_%25281622%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Gerard
van Honthorst (1592-1656), <i>Adoration of the Shepherds</i></span><!--EndFragment--></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">John 1:1-5, 10-14</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">First Sunday of Christmas</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The lectionary reading
for this first Sunday of Christmas or Christmastide is Jesus’ flight into Egypt
in Matthew 2, followed by Herod’s fury that the magi tricked him, which
resulted in the killing of every boy under two years of age, remembered as the “holy
innocents” (Mt. 2:12-23). In Western churches, the Feast of the Holy Innocents is
on the fourth day of Christmas, December 28, and, today, December 29 in
Orthodox Churches. It’s a disturbing text, reminding us that the birth of Jesus
generates an enormous amount of resistance. It reminds of the cost involved in
sending the Son into the world. The coming of the light increases darkness. It reminds
us that sometimes we don’t want to be servants of the light or bear witness to
the light or even encounter the light. We prefer darkness. And this is a dark
story.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">And that’s the primary
reason why I decided </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">not</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> to preach on the Matthew text today. I’ve never
preached on this text. I thought about taking it on this year, but something in
me was pushing against this idea. Yes, it’s a story that needs to be told.
There was a very moving op-ed piece in </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">The New York Times</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> on Friday by </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/27/opinion/christmas-feast-of-innocents.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Esau
McCaulley</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">, an Anglican priest. There’s something about this story that speaks to
where we are these days as a nation. It’s a reminder McCaulley writes, “that we
live in a world in which political leaders are willing to sacrifice the lives
of innocent on the altar of power,…it’s a world with families on the run, where
the weeping of mothers is often not enough to win mercy for their children,…the
story of the innocents calls upon us to consider the moral cost of the
perpetual battle for power in which the poor tend to have the highest casualty
rate.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[1]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is why, McCaulley makes clear, “The very
telling of the Christmas story is an act of resistance.” We don’t often think of
the Christmas story in this way, we have tamed and domesticated the story and
radical implications of Christ’s birth. But it is an act of resistance against
the powers that be that continue to thwart God’s justice and love and peace in
the world.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">That’s why I decided not
to preach on Matthew 2 this morning. I couldn’t handle it. These are difficult
and divisive times, people are scared and anxious. Everything seems to be
unraveling all around us. That’s why I felt drawn to John 1, to the life and
light of God enfleshed in Jesus of Nazareth. Yes, we cannot avoid the darkness
of the age and the suffering occurring at the hands of the superrich and
powerful.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">But we also need to sit with
the light of Christ for a season.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">We
need light. Stars. We need epiphanies. We don’t exactly know when Christ was
born. But for the first Christians, his birth was the bright morning star (Rev.
22:16) giving new light to the world. The celebration of his birth was placed
near the darkest time of the year (in the Northern hemisphere). Now, while it
is not historically true to say Jesus was born on December 25, it’s </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">symbolically</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> true.
The early Church had a brilliant idea to place the birth of Jesus around this
time of year, near the winter solstice, when, as the ancients believed, a new
sun was born. The Church, around 350, formally placed Jesus’ birth
near the longest night of the year (north of the Equator), among days
associated with two Roman solar festivals. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">On Wednesday, we
celebrated the birth of Christ our light. On Christmas Eve, relying
on the light coming from the Christ Candle, I read John 1 in the dark. We
heard, “What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of
all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did
not overcome it” (John 1:4-5). In his carol “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,”
Charles Wesley (1707-1778) beautifully captured this image: “Light and life to
all he brings/ risen with healing in his wings.”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> <span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title="">[2]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Light. Light
as source of life. Christ’s life as light. Light that
allows us to see and be seen. Life and light, surrounding us and
filling us. If you think of it, right now, we are being bathed in
light. We are </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">in</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> the light. The light from the sun
allows us to see, but as we see, and </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">right now</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">, we are also in
light. As the psalmist said, “In your light,” O God, “we see light”
(Psalm 36:9). We are </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">in</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> the light of God. And the
light of God (1 Jn. 1:5), this life, this presence of God—</span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">shines</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">The seventeenth-century Dutch
painter, </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Gerard van Honthorst (1592-1656),
painted many biblical scenes. His nickname was Gherado della notti, “Gerard of
the night,” as he was known for painting night scenes containing artificial
light. In his piece <i>Adoration of the Shepherds, </i>the infant Jesus
literally shines. Jesus is the source of light in the painting, the light
originates in him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">I love this piece because
it’s a reminder that the light of Christ shines </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">in</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> the
darkness! I take enormous comfort in knowing this. We’re so prone to
think dualistically in terms of light vs. dark, of light casting away
darkness. But that’s not John’s understanding here. That
wasn’t his experience of the Risen Christ. Christ shows us that the
light shines </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">in</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> the darkness—which means darkness is never
completely dark. There’s something of God’s light and life present
even in the darkest moments of our lives. And the good news is that the
light of Christ shines in the darkest times and the darkness hasn't power to
overcome it. Christ is </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Solus Invictus</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">: Unconquered Light.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">So, while it might not
be historically true to say that Jesus was born on December 25, it’s definitely
true at a deeper level, symbolically, theologically, psychologically, it’s true
experientially that the light of Christ shines even in the darkest days and the
darkness, in the end, has no power over the light, for the light of Christ
cannot be defeated. And, we could say, with Christina Rossetti
(1830-1894)—who died on this day in 1894—that in the bleak midwinter Christ’s light
shines all the brighter.</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;" title="">[3]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Rossetti’s midwinter
should not be taken literally. It, too, is a symbol, a metaphor for
an </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">interior</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> midwinter, a life filled with short days, longing
for light, longing for life. She’s waiting for something new to be
born in her, the birth of new life in the frozen places of her
heart. Rossetti once wrote, “What would I give for a heart of flesh
to warm me through, instead of this heart of stone, ice-cold whatever I
do!... What would I give for tears! Not smiles but scalding tears, to wash the
black mark clean, and to thaw the frost of years…”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[4]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">She’s waiting for a thaw, for the warmth of fire, the warmth of
life. She’s waiting for light to be born again in her, to bring
her into a new day, a new life, a new world. She hopes, like we all do, to be
able to give the warmth of our hearts—heart of flesh, pumping with blood and
life and passion—to Christ, the Christ whose light was born in Bethlehem and
still shines brightly in the world, and maybe all the more brightly in the dark
places of our lives and our world. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the good news of
Christmas! God’s light has come into the world. To tell this story—to affirm
it, to live it—is always an act of resistance against the powers that be. As we
move into the new year, may we seek after that light and walk in the light of
the Lord (Is 2:5). Amen.</span></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><span style="font-size: large;"><br clear="all" />
</span><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Esau McCaulley, “<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/27/opinion/christmas-feast-of-innocents.html">TheBloody Fourth Day of Christmas</a>,” <i>The New York Times</i>, December 27, 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> First included in
<i>Hymns and Sacred Poems</i> (1739).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Rosetti’s poem “A
Christmas Carol” was first published in the January 1872 issue of <i>Scribner’s
Monthly</i>. The poem was later set to music by Gustav Holst (1874-1934) and
given the name “In the Bleak Midwinter.” The carol was included in <i>The
English Hymnal</i>, published in 1906.</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Cited by Jan Marsh, <i>Christina Rosetti: A
Literary Biography</i> (New York: Faber and Faber, 2012), 24.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-26720131985005038822019-12-24T13:27:00.000-05:002019-12-30T12:21:33.159-05:00With Us - Never Without Us<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="376">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
</div>
<br /><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6h_Bo2Puq0L9zrigxJE9ZM32zsjtFCIbem6PEPlACyFcFt6KozerQu2Mqls5IYcbpQHvcekVl0DQbp1NQkncUEnwLjVDKPp3XhIX75lURNpAd7jVvdVQET7FLPq2ABqj_2FCqoFjz3jR5/s1600/Nativity_Guido_St.Peter-56728b2b3df78ccc15f40de6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1600" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6h_Bo2Puq0L9zrigxJE9ZM32zsjtFCIbem6PEPlACyFcFt6KozerQu2Mqls5IYcbpQHvcekVl0DQbp1NQkncUEnwLjVDKPp3XhIX75lURNpAd7jVvdVQET7FLPq2ABqj_2FCqoFjz3jR5/s400/Nativity_Guido_St.Peter-56728b2b3df78ccc15f40de6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Christmas Eve</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">On this holy night, we gather to hear
the ancient story when God in love sent the Son into the world, not to condemn
the world, but to save it. The story of our salvation, a song of breathtaking joy,
a story and song of light and hope.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">We
come for different reasons. We’re here to worship and fall on our knees in
gratitude and praise. We’re here because it’s tradition, we like the light and
shadows of this service, we want a silent night, a moment of calm to pause and take
stock of our lives, remember Christmases long ago, the people we miss this
night. Maybe you’re here because this has been a tough year, the world seems
especially dark these days, the nation is divided and we’re bracing for the
year ahead, maybe things appear to be falling apart on the inside or on the
outside, and you’re looking for some light—even just a glimmer of light—a little
hope.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">I can’t give you that light or hope.
No pastor or priest can. No church can, either. This light or hope is not in
any pastor, priest, or church. But we can do is point toward it, we can bear
witness to it and that’s ultimately what we’re doing this evening. We preach
tidings of great joy. We tell the story—again and again. “Do you see what I
see? Do you hear what I hear?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Do you
know what I know?” Can you see what we see? Can you hear what we hear? Do you
know what we know?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Do you know it—really
know that to you a savior is born. To </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">you</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">—to all of you, to </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">y’all</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">—is
born a savior. The text is plural, which means it includes everyone. To us, for
us, with us, a savior—to </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">you</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">, for </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">you</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">, with </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">you</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Do you know—really know in the core
of your being, not your head, in your heart, in your gut—the savior’s deep and
abiding, fierce and tenacious love for you? This is the tidings of great joy
the angels sing about. And, to be honest, it pains me, it breaks my heart, actually,
to meet people who have never heard this good news, or can’t hear this news, or
have forgotten this part of the gospel, or know and have rejected it because
they think they are somehow unlovable. As John wrote in his Gospel, as he knew
in his bones, “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world,
but in order that world might be saved through him (John 3:17). Yes, God sent
the Son because God is love (1 John 4:8), </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">and</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> God sent the Son because you
and I are worth the journey, we’re worth saving. The two go together. Contemporary
writer Sue Monk Kidd gets to the heart of the matter. She discovered in her
journey into God, that: </span><span style="background: white; color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“God’s
love is so immense and powerful,” she says, “so tender and dazzling with joy,
that most of us have only felt the hem of it. We have underestimated its power,
its availability, its passion. Likewise, we have underestimated our ability to
tap into it.”<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title="">[1]</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Why is it so difficult for the “the
soul to know its worth”?</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> I
know far too many Christians who struggle to hear this word, and I know folks who
used to be Christian but are no longer because they never heard about the love—the
judgment, yes, but never the love—people who never really heard the angel’s announcement
to the shepherds, never heard good news, the </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">evangel</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">, a word that is really
evangelical (in the truest meaning of that word), people who never heard from a
pulpit or in Sunday School or in their family about their inherent worth and
value as children of God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">You and I matter in the eyes of
God. We are worth the risk, the hurt, the rejection, the suffering
of the Son because the Son risked the hurt and rejection and suffering and even
death to show us that we are the </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">object</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> of God’s love, the
apple of God’s eye (Psalm 17:8). What if when we sing </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Joy to
the World </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">we remember that we, too, are the joy of God’s world? You
and I matter. Are we broken and wounded and fragile and imperfect
and selfish and insecure and fearful? Sure. Of course. Absolutely. But that
doesn’t matter. All of this might be true at any given moment, but it doesn’t
replace or remove what is </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">always</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> true—that nevertheless, we bear the
image of God. The birth of Jesus means that being born, being </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">human</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">,
is holy. You are worthy of love</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> because God’s love makes you worthy. To reject our worth is to reject God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your humanity, your existence, right now,
matters to God. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">In
fact, as theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968) reminded us again and again, the
astounding message of Christmas, of God’s Incarnation, is this: “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">The
divine being and life and act takes place with ours,” he wrote, “and it is only
as the divine takes place that ours takes place. To put it in the simplest way,
what unites God and us men [and women] is that [God] does not will to be God
without us,…”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a>
<i>God does will to be God without us.</i> With us—never without us.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">The good news is that God isn’t
aloof, apart, or separate from us. God has come close and always wants to get close, to share our
breath, our hopes and dreams, to give us life, to awaken us and call us to
life—</span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">why?</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">—so that we know our inherent worth as children of God—</span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">why?</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">—so
that our lives can then be given for the world, for our neighbor in love,
especially in this dark days. For, like the child we celebrate this night, none
of us were born for ourselves to do whatever we want; like this child, we were
created to reveal the glory of God and reflect that glory, reflect God’s light
with our lives, as souls, by God’s grace, who know our worth. When this happens
others might come to know what we know and celebrate this holy night. It’s the
gift God continues to give through you and me. So, joy to the world.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Joy to you!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Image: <i>The Nativity</i> by Guido da Siena (c.1250-1300).</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> Sue Monk Kidd, <i>God’s
Joyful Surprise: Finding Yourself Loved</i> (HarperOne, 2016), 2.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> From </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“O Holy Night,” music by Adolphe Adam
(1803-1856). Original text by poet Placide Cappeau (1808-1877). John
Sullivan Dwight (1813-1893) revised the text for English in 1855.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Karl Barth, <i>Church
Dogmatics</i> IV/1 (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1994), 7.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-10868257540463831612019-12-22T17:12:00.002-05:002019-12-24T08:18:21.682-05:00Genesis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYouMofBQTKPWuuCW2h2WY4dzC8UzvXg-Bc55UGzb7oAihmfOZAoiR9uqxKcX9Jf0qQmCwRYuW8mgNdNqQafAxNAvE3AXBXpeAFLAPKcw0CHJr2Xo1BE-zETh71yFPiaCsIdGRESjl8Y9/s1600/josephs+dream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="954" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYouMofBQTKPWuuCW2h2WY4dzC8UzvXg-Bc55UGzb7oAihmfOZAoiR9uqxKcX9Jf0qQmCwRYuW8mgNdNqQafAxNAvE3AXBXpeAFLAPKcw0CHJr2Xo1BE-zETh71yFPiaCsIdGRESjl8Y9/s400/josephs+dream.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Alexander Ivanov (1806-1858), <i>Joseph's Dream</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: white; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">(1855)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Isaiah 7:10-16 and <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=444050873">Matthew 1:18-25</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Fourth Sunday of Advent</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We start at the beginning. Not the beginning of the Bible, but
there is a genesis to celebrate. In order to “hear” what Matthew is trying to
say to us, we need to start at the beginning of his Gospel.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Don’t worry, I’m not going to read the genealogy in Matthew 1.
Its long sixteen verses contain, in the language of the King James Version, forty-one
“begats.” “Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob,” and so on, father to
son forty-one times across forty-two generations down to Joseph. Spend some
time there and you’ll see that it’s an odd family tree. It has unknown
personalities. It’s not accurate; it leaves out some and includes others one
might want to exclude from a family tree. Even Jesus had skeletons in his
closet.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">The way Matthew tells it, the lineage soars and reaches a starry
height with David, and then everything starts to fizzle out. After David you
have the misery of the Babylonian exile for fourteen generations, the return
from Babylon and more misery under and after Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE),
followed by a whole slew of Caesars for another fourteen generations. It’s not
a pretty story. And we have the inclusion of four women in the genealogy who
were not models of virtue and respectability, introducing a taint in the
ancestry of Christ: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: #222222;">[1]</span></sup></span></sup></span></a><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I won’t go into the details. It’s almost Christmas, after all, and there are
children present. But Matthew doesn’t hold back. The entire genealogy is a sad
one; actually, it’s scandalous—which is interesting, given that later in Matthew
we learn that Jesus is associated with scandal. “Blessed is anyone,” Jesus
said, “who is not scandalized by me”(Matthew 11:6).</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">So go back to the beginning of Matthew, which reads, literally,
“A book about the </span><i style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">genesis</i><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"> of Jesus Christ” (Mt. 1:1) </span><i style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">Genesis</i><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"> can
be translated, “generation,” or “genealogy,” as in the NRSV, or “origin;” it
can also mean “lineage,” “descent,” “nativity,” “birth,” even “nature, life,”
and </span><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">“existence.” And so after forty-two
generations containing scandal here comes a new one. Joseph, the last
descendant, a “son of David” the King, has nothing royal about him, he’s a poor
craftsman</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: #222222;">[2]</span></sup></span></sup></span></a><sup style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</sup><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">who would have remained invisible to history but for the birth of a son—who
is not technically his son, but the son of God. If you think about it, Jesus is
neither Joseph’s son nor David’s nor Abraham’s. The bloodline is dead. The
blessing that comes with the bloodline is missing. The lineage peters out and appears
almost meaningless.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: #222222;">[3]</span></sup></span></sup></span></a><sup style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</sup><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">And </span><i style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">that’s</i><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"> scandalous. That’s tough to hear, especially when
you’re suffering under Roman rule and wondering why God won’t save you from
them.</span><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">Matthew wants us to know all of this
to prepare us for what comes next.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">Here’s where the narrative continues, at verse 18: “Now the
genesis of Jesus the Christ took place in this way” (Mt. 1:18). The NRSV reads
“birth,” but in the Greek is reads </span><i style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">genesis</i><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">, as in Mt 1:1, thus linking
us back to the beginning of the Gospel. It’s only then (!) does Matthew give us
the story of the birth of the Christ. For Matthew, Jesus is a new genesis, a
new beginning for God’s people and for the world. The birth of Jesus is set
within the continuity of God’s determination to save us and be with us, and yet
his birth is also a radical break from the way God has acted in the past. Something
new is breaking forth into history with this unique birth. And Joseph doesn’t
know what to do with all it—and if we’re completely honest, neither do we.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">Joseph is scared. It’s one of the main takeaways of Matthew’s
account. Luke’s Gospel, by contrast, tells about Mary’s favored status and bravery
and willing consent to God’s plan, then breaks out in a song of praise and
protest, as we saw </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://catonsvillepres.org/sermons/singing-all-the-way/">last
week</a></span><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"> (Luke 1:26-56).
Joseph is scared. Sure, we’re told that he’s a “righteous” man. And Matthew
wants us to know this, because righteousness is important to Matthew; he uses
some form of the word twenty-six times in his Gospel. Righteousness is what is
expected from a disciple of Jesus. Righteousness is essentially doing the will
of God—however discerning the will of God is difficult and it’s even more
difficult actually doing it. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Throughout Matthew, Jesus is the truly righteous
one who comes to do the will of God. In Matthew, Jesus is calling his followers
to be righteous. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,”
Jesus preached, “for they will be filled” (Mt.5:6). And it’s essential to know
that righteousness does not mean being morally pure or perfect or blameless.
Instead, righteousness describes one who does the will of God, who treasures
the will of God and hungers for it, who then puts one’s heart into doing it (Mt.
6:21). God doesn’t want your perfection—but your heart. Doing the will of God
requires a heart that is open and alive and aligned with God’s desire for
wholeness and justice and mercy.<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title="">[4]</a></span></sup></span></sup></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">So, yes, we’re told that Joseph was a “righteous” man. Then why
is he so <i>afraid</i>? Why is he so fearful? The text suggests that it’s
Joseph’s way of being righteous, of trying to be faithful, trying to do the
will of God, which might be triggering his fear, thus standing in the way of
God’s plan of redemption.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: #222222;">[5]</span></sup></span></sup></span></a><sup> </sup>Joseph is scared and nervous. He’s in a
terrible bind.</span><span style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"> And
now <i>he’s</i> caught in a scandal. Mary is pregnant and they’re not
married—essentially married, but not officially. It was shameful, humiliating,
disgraceful and immoral in the eyes of Jewish society, for Joseph and Mary. And
Joseph was righteous, which, again, doesn’t mean that he was a nice guy or a
good man or a gentleman, but that he’s trying to follow God’s Law, he’s “scrupulous
about keeping the commandments of God, the Old Testament law, striving to live
his life in harmony with the will of God, to follow to the letter all of the
provisions of the Mosaic law.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129;">[6]</span></sup></span></sup></span></a><sup>
</sup> We would say he’s a religiously
conservative man, a traditionalist. And he’s facing a profound ethical
crisis. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He’s afraid—afraid of getting it wrong, anxious about getting it
right, worried about God’s judgment, nervous about how he and Mary and even the
child will be perceived by society. And when he finally comes up with a plan to
save himself and his reputation, and possibly Mary’s and the child’s, it’s a
decision driven by fear. How do we know this? Because he has a dream—and it’s
in the dream that we discover just how fearful he really was.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;">For a power greater than Joseph confronts him
in the darkness of the night: “Joseph, son of David…” Now we might hear this as
a title of honor, but given the long genealogy we just heard about and the sorry
state of the Davidic line, one has to wonder if that’s the intent and if that’s
how Joseph heard it. </span><i style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;">Joseph, son of David….</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;">What if he heard this salutation and said to
himself, “Yes, I am the son of David, and of Bathsheba, …I am the offspring of
adultery and murder”?</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn7" name="_ednref7" style="text-indent: 0.5in;" title="">[7]</a></span></sup></span></sup></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What if he realized, then, that he had nothing
to be proud about, that he couldn’t claim the righteousness of his family line?</span></span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129;">Remember who are…and where you come from,
Joseph. You’re not as righteous as you think you are. But fear not. Fear not.</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"> “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,
for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She is to bear a son,
and you are to name him Jesus,”—meaning “Yahweh saves”—for he will save his
people from their sins” (Mt. 1:20-21). Look, Joseph, look what God is about to
do! Don’t be afraid. “God is with you.” This Jesus has another name, Emmanuel.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn8" name="_ednref8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2129;">[8]</span></sup></span></sup></span></a>
God has not abandoned you or God’s people.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Joseph has to accept the scandal. He has to
accept that Mary’s motherhood is the will of God. Indeed, God is about to do
something new through this child, through this birth, through this one. Emmanuel
is a new beginning—God’s new genesis.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Emmanuel is our new being.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Emmanuel is always our genesis.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;">And when Joseph awakes from the dream he rises
from sleep a new man. He leaves the darkness of night and steps out to walk in
the light of the Lord (Is. 2:5). Now, it’s a genesis for him. He discovers that
being righteous is not about being pure or perfect or trying to behave like a
good little boy or girl, trying to make and keep God happy, but joining one’s
heart with the heart of God and being about God’s redemptive work in the world.
Deciding and acting from his heart, Joseph knows what he has to do, no matter
the cost to him or his reputation or ego or pride. He understands, now, how he fits
into the genealogy, he discovers his task, he accepts the work of his life. “And
he took his wife,” Matthew tells us. He didn’t dismiss her. Joseph obeyed. He
could have ignored his dream. Instead, Joseph yields to a force greater than
himself. He accepts his destiny, the burden of his call, the vocation of his
life, to help God "father" into the world the Christ, the savior of all people.
And Joseph—</span><i style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;">Joseph</i><span style="color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;">—names him Jesus (Mt. 1:25).</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So thanks be to God for Joseph and all the
Josephs in the world and the “Joseph” in you and me. Confronted by God’s
scandalous ways of loving the world, Joseph discovered something that is true
for each of us. He discovered in the dream that, deep down, your life is not
your own. It doesn’t belong to you to do as you wish. We have been entrusted
with life so that our lives can help “father” God’s hope into the world—and “mother”
that love, bear that love into the world. Our lives—as small and seemingly
insignificant as they are or seem to be—are embedded in a much larger story or drama
of God’s mission of redemption and reconciliation. We are essential characters
in God’s ongoing nativity play. We are part of this story that’s still being
told.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; text-indent: 0.5in;">And Joseph shows us there comes a time when we
have to give up our plans for our lives and our personal agendas, face our
fears, swallow our pride, confess our arrogance and ignorance, and question
everything we thought we ever knew about God and what God expects from us, to
prepare the way for Emmanuel, to listen to the voice of the ages, and obey, and
consent to the scandalous summons of the Living God—to yield and bow and
ultimately kneel </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">before
the mystery of the Incarnation.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">God with
us. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our genesis.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br clear="all" />
</span><br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup>[1]</sup></span><!--[endif]--></span></sup></span></a> <span style="color: #222222;">Tamar (incest), Rahab (a harlot), Ruth (a
foreigner/outsider), and Bathsheba (adultery and murder).</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup>[2]</sup></span><!--[endif]--></span></sup></span></a>
<span style="color: black;">Matthew 13:55 tells us that Joseph was a</span><i><span style="background: white; color: black;"> tekton, </span></i><span style="background: white; color: black;">often
translated as “carpenter,” although it is more accurately rendered as
“craftsman” or “builder” with either wood or stone.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: black;">[3]</span></sup></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></sup></span></a><span style="color: black;">This is an unconventional
reading of the text by German psychologist Fritz <span style="background: white;">Künkel
(1889-1956), which I find persuasive.</span> See <i>Creation Continues: A
Psychological Interpretation of the Gospel of Matthew</i> (New York:
Paulist Press, 1987), 34-35. This sermon is informed by <span style="background: white;">Künkel’s provocative approach to Matthew’s Gospel.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: black;">[4]</span></sup></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></sup></span></a><sup><span style="color: black;"> </span></sup><span style="color: black;">See Jonathan T.
Pennington, <i>The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing</i> (Baker
Academic, 2018), 73ff.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: black;">[5]</span></sup></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></sup></span></a><sup><span style="color: black;"> </span></sup><span style="color: black;">Alyce M. McKenzie, <i>Matthew</i>
(Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2002), 15.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn6" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref6" name="_edn6" style="mso-endnote-id: edn6;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: black;">[6]</span></sup></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></sup></span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Thomas
G. Long, <i>Matthew</i> (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press,
1997), 12.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn7" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref7" name="_edn7" style="mso-endnote-id: edn7;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="color: black;">[7]</span></sup></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></sup></span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: black;">Künkel, 36.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn8" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref8" name="_edn8" style="mso-endnote-id: edn8;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup>[8]</sup></span><!--[endif]--></span></sup></span></a> <span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">Mt. 1:24, citing Isaiah 7:14.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;
mso-endnote-numbering-style:arabic;}
</style>
--></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-22471866387113446832019-04-14T19:38:00.000-04:002019-04-14T20:14:29.017-04:00The Narrow Gate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.45pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.45pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;
mso-endnote-numbering-style:arabic;}
</style>
</div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-W-mFIQKMfTkYOjHBhFr9ye5cP27vYoWFzAL6knMX96YNyZpuefKPkOYFJgMEwoH5xl6-gYlIdPOTlvPdVf3Ytre-EiXza0Ciuq8eZ99GGcxjDDMwELsAb4XNv5sZxtuEZxb0p0dIPfI/s1600/Palm-jesus-silhouette-enter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="499" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-W-mFIQKMfTkYOjHBhFr9ye5cP27vYoWFzAL6knMX96YNyZpuefKPkOYFJgMEwoH5xl6-gYlIdPOTlvPdVf3Ytre-EiXza0Ciuq8eZ99GGcxjDDMwELsAb4XNv5sZxtuEZxb0p0dIPfI/s640/Palm-jesus-silhouette-enter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Matthew 7:13-14 & Matthew 21:1-17</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Palm Sunday</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We don’t usually hear these two
texts together, side by side: Jesus’ teaching about the wide and narrow gates
and his entry into Jerusalem through a gate, probably the Eastern or Golden
Gate, the one nearest the Mount of Olives.
But there is a connection between the text. In fact, I would suggest, one
edifies and illuminates the other. To
see this, we need fresh eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As we’ve seen in this Lenten sermon
series on the Sermon on the Mount, there are many verses in the Sermon that are
taken out of context, and therefore carry distorted meanings. We like to lift
out and isolate texts—such as “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father
is perfect” (Mt. 5:4)—and then develop warped understandings of what we think
God expects from us (as we <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/wholeness-not-perfection.html">explored several weeks ago</a>). The same is true for:
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that
leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow
and the road is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it”
(Mt. 7:13-14).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These verses have
suffered from centuries of abuse, especially from preachers warning about
dissolute, depraved, and degenerate living. “Wide,” “easy,” “broad,” have become
Christian-code for loose morals. The “narrow” and “difficult” way is the way of
moral perfection, piety, and purity. Because we’re prone to reduce the
Christian gospel into a moralistic code of behavior, we assume that Jesus is warning
against bad behavior. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or we assume that
only those who are good make it through the narrow gate, that they’re the ones
that get to heaven, which means that because the road to destruction is wide,
most of humanity is destined for hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This, too, is another way the text has been read.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Every text of scripture has a
context. So if we put this text back into the context of the Sermon on the
Mount, which is the foundational text of Jesus’ preaching and teaching about
the kingdom of God, then everything changes.
And what does Jesus say earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, which we
<a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/04/setting-priorities.html">explored last week</a>? “Strive first, therefore, for the kingdom of God and God’s
righteousness” (Mt. 6:33).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Now what I’m going to say might sound
extreme, but I stand by it. It’s impossible to make any sense of Jesus’
preaching and teaching, impossible to make sense of his life, impossible to
make any sense of Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter, without seeing that the
kingdom of God was at the very heart of Jesus’ mission and life. The </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">basileia tou theou</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">, in Greek. </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">Basileia</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> is difficult to translate.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Kingdom</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: 36pt;"> is correct, but because we
have no understanding what it’s like having a king or living in a kingdom, and
as Americans we have desire to have a king or live in a kingdom, the word
doesn’t mean much to us. It sounds
exotic, romantic, like something out of a fairytale.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Because of its masculine associations,
some like to drop the “g” out of “king” and refer to it as the </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">kindom</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> of God.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">That helps some, but I think it domesticates
the real power of this word; I understand its use and use it now and again, but
</span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">kindom</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> sounds a little too folksy.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">A better word might be </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">realm</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">. This picks up the spatial element
of the Greek; the root of the English word “basilica,” a building that has an
apse.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">However, an even better translation, probably
the best translation is the word </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">empire</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">.
Now, I can’t imagine the Church ever using this word, but it’s crucial for us
to think of the kingdom in this way—especially when we’re praying, “Thy kingdom
come, thy will be done” (Mt. 6:10), for we are essentially praying for God’s
empire to come. That’s what Jesus wanted for us.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus came proclaiming the empire of God,
he invited his disciples to flourish in God’s empire, he invites us to live in
God’s empire, and the Church itself was created to serve this empire.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">God’s empire is a power at work in the world,
an alien power that is always at odds with and stands against the powers that
be. Life in God’s empire is about justice and wholeness and healing, it’s the
way of love and redemption and human flourishing and welfare. God’s empire is
about life—all that makes for life and gives life, true life, calling people to
life, saving people from everything that hinders us from coming alive, or
threatens our lives or tries to destroy us. It’s a life of service, a life of
suffering love, a life of compassion, and kindness, and joy.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">And it’s </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">this</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
life, the life of the kingdom, the life of God’s empire, which is the narrow
way, the narrow gate!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">The Greek word “narrow,” </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">stenos</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">, can have a spatial dimension, but
it also has other association, such as cramped, confined, distressed, troubled,
even groaning.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">“Narrow” is also linked
in the Greek to the word “difficult,” which has associations of oppression,
affliction, and persecution.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[1]</span></span></span></a><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
If this is what “narrow” and “difficult” mean, then it suggests that striving
after and entering the kingdom of God will entail affliction and struggle, and
even persecution from the powers that be who are always threatened by the power
of God. Didn’t Jesus say in the Beatitudes, “Blessed [or flourishing] are those
who are persecuted for righteousness, because theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Blessed [or flourishing] are you
when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against
you falsely on my account” (Mt. 5: 10-11)? </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">And we need to remember that in these blessing
statements, as well as everything in Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is talking
about himself. </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">We learn who Jesus is
through his teaching; and he </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">is</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> what
he teaches.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">So that when Jesus talks about
the narrow gate, he’s really talking about himself. </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus is the narrow gate. His life is the kingdom way, the empire way, the
difficult way, and we are summoned to enter it!</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZNGnUkEhSbUGLYol0WU9iwbd1_8sPGHi8rFKH5c-CGI1kHLNDs1N3izUETrnn73TmlC4ZF-TyG4uaYZ5n-KGVTiUwWshFCqaLEzaBttr6mU2dbdGpzW3s9QEP5u-kHr9eIggoCHw1tJt/s1600/CostofDisc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZNGnUkEhSbUGLYol0WU9iwbd1_8sPGHi8rFKH5c-CGI1kHLNDs1N3izUETrnn73TmlC4ZF-TyG4uaYZ5n-KGVTiUwWshFCqaLEzaBttr6mU2dbdGpzW3s9QEP5u-kHr9eIggoCHw1tJt/s320/CostofDisc.jpg" width="208" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1909-1945) took this
summons seriously. In his classic book </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">The
Cost of Discipleship</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">, a kind of training manual for seminarians in the
resistance movement against Hitler and the Third Reich (and note that “Reich”
is German for empire or kingdom.), we see that Bonhoeffer also understood the
entrance to life equated with Jesus and the demands he makes on us. “To confess,”
said Bonhoeffer, “and testify to the truth as it is in Jesus, and at the same
time to love the enemies of that truth, his enemies and ours, and to love them
with the infinite love of Jesus Christ, is indeed a narrow way.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">To believe,” said Bonhoeffer, “the promise of
Jesus that his followers shall possess the earth, and at the same time to face
our enemies unarmed and defenseless, preferring to incur injustice rather than
to do wrong ourselves, is indeed a narrow way. To see the weakness and wrong in
others, and at the same time refrain from judging them…. [This is a narrow
way.] The way is unutterably hard, and at every moment we are in danger of
straying from it.”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[2]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus said, “The road is difficult that leads
to life.” And this in this week that we call Holy, we see the cost of Jesus’
own</span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">discipleship to the kingdom. His journey
toward life begins on the other side of that gate. If we were traveling by foot
during Jesus’ time, imagine approaching a city far off in the distance, and
that city was your destination. To reach the gates of the city would mean in some
sense that you had arrived.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus tells
us, however, that when we approach the city that there’s a new destination on
the other side of the gate, something called “life.”</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">We see this notion brilliantly illustrated in
John Bunyan’s </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">Pilgrims Progress</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
(1678, 1684).</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Bunyan turns things inside
out. Pilgrim, the main character, approaches a gate, and with allusions to
Mathew 7, where Jesus says, “Knock, and the door will be opened for you” (Mt.
7:7), Pilgrim knocks at the gate and enters.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">The gate marks not the end, but the beginning of a road, the beginning
of the journey.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus is the narrow gate; he walks the
narrow way. Because his way is at odds with the powers of this world, his way
is the difficult and demanding way, the way of persecution, struggle,
resistance, and suffering.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">And during Holy
Week it all comes to a head, as we witness the clash of empires. And it’s Jesus’
</span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">heart</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">—all that he is, body and soul,
thought and will and feeling and desire—his passion for God’s empire that
compels him “to set his face toward Jerusalem,” (Lk. 9:1) to walk through its
city gates, to take on the powers that be, to go straight to the temple, to
take on the religious leaders who were making a mockery of God’s demand for
worship and justice, to take on the hollow righteousness and false piety of the
Pharisees, to take on the leaders of the temple who were quick to placate the
Romans, and who were, thus, collaborating with empire, the empire of Rome.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">And so, the </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">political </i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">dimension is everywhere in this text, but it’s not
evident to us because we don’t expect to see it, maybe don’t want to see
it.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">For many years I didn’t see it, but
it’s there.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">We’ve been taught that this week
is about spiritual things, such as sin, and taking away the sin of the world
(Jn. 1:29). But we’ve forgotten that sin always has a public, social, political
dimension, as well as being personal or individual. The Church has a bad habit
of spiritualizing and sanitizing things, especially on Palm Sunday. It’s easy
to forget that, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” has enormous political
overtones.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">“Look, your king is coming to
you…” (Mt. 21:5)!</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">This is an explosive
statement to make in a city that was already tinderbox. </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">We think of “hosanna” as “praise,” but it’s a
Hebrew word that means “save” or “rescue.” </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">So the crowds are shouting in the streets,
like at a demonstration:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Save us! Save
us! Rescue us! Son of David. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Save us! Save
us! Rescue us! Son of David.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Save us! Save
us! Rescue us! Son of David! </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And
who was David? The shepherd-king. And who are they asking to be saved or
rescued from?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The oppression of the Roman
Empire. [3]</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And, remember: crucifixion was reserved for those who posed a threat to
the empire. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Full stop.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">So, sure there’s a spiritual dimension to
this week. Yes, the Spirit is at work—the Spirit is at work in and through
Jesus who suffers as king on behalf of this kingdom, to show us the way of God’s
kingdom, God’s empire, whose power the Caesars of the world, both then and now,
cannot see and will never understand, even though they give lip service to God
and sound religious and pious, surround themselves with people claiming to be
religious—they are not serving the kingdom. The Caesars cannot see and cannot
understand because the throne of King Jesus is not made of iron.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">It’s not an iron throne—and he’s not playing
games.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[4]</span></span></span></a><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">His throne is a cross, and he wields his
power where Caesar least expects it: in weakness, in human brokenness, in cries
of dereliction and abandonment, in love that suffers, even in death—there, too,
he reigns and death has no hold over him.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Scripture tells us, “For the sake of the
joy that was set before him he endured the cross” (Heb. 12:2), high and lifted
up (Jn. 3:14-16), he took on the power of death and the grave (1 Cor.
15:54-55), as Paul tells us. On the cross, Christ was fighting against the
“principalities and powers,” as Paul said, fighting against “the rulers, against
the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Philippians 6:12), against
the dark demonic forces that are always hell-bent on destroying and enslaving
and dehumanizing and even caging God’s people.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">That’s what this week will bring.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: 36pt;">It’s an enormous struggle of cosmic
proportions that continues to play itself out, even today. And resurrection or
Easter will mean little or nothing for us without knowing again (or perhaps the
first time), the cost—<i>all</i> that was
required for life, the demanding, difficult way of Christ: the narrow gate who continues
to lead us into <i>life</i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: 36pt;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddDgaoMSAJzRbxpQc6DMmqtAkIgjg_WJ5io69O1HxPoOpDWYVEYGxBH0_Jg76e4nIqNbsbhCNQaWppZZrDQvsDVhynOSUhaKgw8WhQ9jY-_KG8cnKuCP3Uhvoz5vol4gkPEQwlgE8upzD/s1600/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="981" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddDgaoMSAJzRbxpQc6DMmqtAkIgjg_WJ5io69O1HxPoOpDWYVEYGxBH0_Jg76e4nIqNbsbhCNQaWppZZrDQvsDVhynOSUhaKgw8WhQ9jY-_KG8cnKuCP3Uhvoz5vol4gkPEQwlgE8upzD/s400/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marc Chagal (1887-1985),<i> Le Christ et le peintre </i>(Christ and the painter), 1951 (Vatican Museum)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: 48px;"><b>Following Jesus: The Sermon on the Mount</b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">March 10: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/are-you-flourishing.html" style="color: #a19c7c;">Are You Flourishing?</a></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 17: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/becoming-salt-light.html" style="color: #a19c7c;">Becoming Salt & Light</a></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 24: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/wholeness-not-perfection.html" style="color: #a19c7c;">Wholeness, Not Perfection</a></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 31: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/matters-of-heart.html" style="color: #a19c7c;">Matters of the Heart</a></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">April 7: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/04/setting-priorities.html">Setting Priorities</a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">April 14: The Narrow Gate</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Jonathan T.
Pennington, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sermon on the Mount and
Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary</i> (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic,
2018), 273-274.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Dietrich
Bonhoeffer, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Cost of Discipleship</i>
(New York: Scribner’s Sons, 1961).</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">[3] John Dominic Cross, <i>God & Empire: Jesus Against Rome, Then and Now </i>(HarperSanFrancisco, 2007).</span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Yes, this is
an allusion to George R. R. Martin’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Game of Thrones</i>. The eighth and final season of the HBO production begins
on Palm Sunday evening, 14<sup>th</sup> April 2019.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-77686618945152269892019-04-10T10:21:00.000-04:002019-04-14T19:33:25.354-04:00Setting Priorities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.45pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.45pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;
mso-endnote-numbering-style:arabic;}
</style>
</div>
<br /><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFQgOeSKVe_Ul81pRc9GeWt2Uw3Q2i8yIvnFdbOshpOuLVZNJutmYzLLOV-1k9KYN9VYAr0NDwFS4YNLESRZnVS65Ze537qSFK3qno3QONSjrC5xrQR0XF0FVFUzjXkC7b3dPbIVNDtV6/s1600/1_FLZrn15ppHIWIn08yb10JQ.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFQgOeSKVe_Ul81pRc9GeWt2Uw3Q2i8yIvnFdbOshpOuLVZNJutmYzLLOV-1k9KYN9VYAr0NDwFS4YNLESRZnVS65Ze537qSFK3qno3QONSjrC5xrQR0XF0FVFUzjXkC7b3dPbIVNDtV6/s640/1_FLZrn15ppHIWIn08yb10JQ.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Matthew 6:25-34</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Fifth Sunday in
Lent</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">It's so easy for us to be
pulled in ten thousand directions. There's much that distracts and diverts us
from the things that matter most. And we worry. About the present and the future.
About paying the mortgage, making car payments, buying groceries, and saving
enough for college tuition. About having enough for retirement. About our
health. We worry for our loved ones, our children, grandchildren, our parents. We
worry about our nation, and the state of the world. Along with countless other
things that make us restless, and anxious, and keep us awake at night. In this
section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus invites us to put things into
perspective. He calls us to set priorities. There's only one thing to strive
after, </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">first</i><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">, then everything else
finds its place. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">But we don’t stop worrying
simply by being told, “Don’t worry.” We can’t talk ourselves into stopping. And
when we hear someone say to us, “Don’t worry about it” or “Stop your worrying,”
well, that just raises our hackles and increases our level of frustration. So,
how do you feel when you hear Jesus saying to you, saying to us, “Do not worry
about your life”? On the one hand, we might think or feel: Jesus as Lord of
life knows more than I do, so I should probably do what he says.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">On the other way, it’s easy to fall into
guilt and self-judgment because, depending upon one’s temperament, we do worry—and
maybe worry a lot—and might feel, therefore, that we’re poor Jesus-followers.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">It doesn’t help that Jesus starts
talking about birds and wildflowers. Sure, look at the birds, look at the
lilies; yes, but look at the bills!</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus isn’t suggesting that
human beings are like birds or lilies. Jesus is using a common rhetorical
device used by rabbis called “light and heavy.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">[1]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">If the lesser is true, then the greater must
be even more true, more important, more significant. “Compared with human
beings, birds are insignificant creatures and lilies are trifling weeds (“the
grass of the field”). If God cares so lavishly for inconsequential creatures,
how much more will God provide for human beings.”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[2]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">And so Jesus calls us to
look—really look at the birds.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">And
consider—really ponder the lilies of the field. These are very strong verbs in
Greek. Look. Consider. Enter into it. Bring yourself into the world of nature.
Become fascinated by it, learn from it, and then consider how much more God
loves and cares and provides for you—for what you are called to do in the
world, for the work that is placed before you.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">You’re not called to be a bird—although some days you might really wish
you were a bird.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">And you’re not a
wildflower—although you might want to be, without a care in the world, just
basking in the sun. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">You have a different
calling.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">You have a different task. We need
to put our focus elsewhere.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">As we have seen in this series on Matthew 5-7, one
of the major themes running through the Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ concern
for the integrity of the human heart; it’s a steady current that runs through
the entire sermon. We saw this two weeks ago in our exploration of Jesus’ call
to </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/wholeness-not-perfection.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: blue;">wholeness, not
perfection</span></a></span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">. Jesus summons us to be whole, even as God
is whole. We also saw that Jesus, as a teacher of wisdom and physician of
the soul, is a kind of cardiologist: he wants healthy hearts for us. More
than an organ that pumps blood or the seat of emotions, the heart was
understood as the totality of one’s self, the source of thought, emotion, and
will or action. Jesus understood the pain and destruction caused when hearts
are divided, when we are at war with ourselves, or when our outer life is not aligned
with our interior life. </span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus came to heal divided, broken hearts, to lead
us toward wholeness, toward a life that flourishes in the Kingdom. “Flourishing are the pure in heart,” Jesus
said, “because they will see God” (Mt. 5:8).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our text this morning is the culmination of Jesus’
teaching, everything that comes prior in chapter 6: teaching on how to pray
(Mt. 6:7), praying for the God’s kingdom to come here in us, among us
(Mt.6:9-13), his teaching on fasting (Mt. 6:16-18), the treasures of the heart
(Mt. 6:19-21), having a good eye or a bad eye (Mt. 6:22-23), and warning
against the dangers of serving two masters, God and wealth (Mt. 6:24). Then
comes, “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life…” (Mt. 6:25).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">So, first, Jesus tells us not to worry. In Greek, </span><i style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">merimnate</i><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">, from the </span><i style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">merimnao</i><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">, meaning “concern” or “anxiety.” We find the same Greek word
elsewhere in scripture. Peter says, “Cast all your anxiety on God, because God
cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6) or Paul writes to the Philippian church, “Do not
worry about anything…” (Phil. 4:6). This word is also related to another Geek
word, </span><i style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">merizo,</i><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> meaning “to divide,” or
“to draw in different directions,” or “to distract,” or “to have anxious care.”
</span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s the word Jesus uses when he says to
Martha that she is “distracted about many things” (Lk. 10:41), or, in Matthew,
in the parable of the sower and the seed, the “distractions” or “cares of the
world”—the things we worry about—prevent the seed from taking root and growing
(Mt. 13:22).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus isn’t just saying “stop worrying,” as if we can
turn it off by an act of will. Worry and anxiety have their origins, in part, in
the many things that divide our hearts and distract our attentions. Anxiety can
be a symptom of double-mindedness, a divided soul, a divided heart. However, Jesus
summons us to wholeness, to singularity of purpose. And in love, Jesus commands
us to turn our focus away from the things that worry us and redirect our focus,
our vision, our attention toward what the heart desires. He commands us to
reorient our hearts and strive first for the kingdom of God. Or, because we’re talking
about the life of the heart here, Jesus wants us to </span><i style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">desire </i><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">the kingdom of God. He invites us to long after the kingdom </span><i style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">and</i><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> God’s righteousness, </span><i style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">first</i><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">.</span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">In a Communion Discourse, Sören Kierkegaard (1813-1855) once prayed, “Father
in heaven, longing is your gift.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #141414;">[3]</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">
We need to pay attention to what our hearts desire, what we long for.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">“First” here doesn’t refer to chronology, but in
terms of emphasis, priority, aim, goal, dedication.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #141414;">[4]</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><i style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">This</i><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">—kingdom and righteousness—is our
vision for being in the world as Jesus’ followers.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">This is what we were created to crave for, this is
what the human heart truly desires, it’s what we hunger for: God’s kingdom,
God’s realm, God’s way of life and love and redemption and justice and
wholeness and healing.</span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is God’s righteousness—one of the major themes
running through the Sermon on the Mount—which refers to the quality of life
found in covenantal relationship with God, when our lives (all that we are,
heart, soul, mind, strength) are aligned with God’s desire for us and all God’s
people, within us and within the world, and what God desires is justice,
wholeness, human flourishing. That’s righteousness. Did not Jesus say in the
Beatitudes, “Flourishing are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
because they will be filled” (Mt. 5:6)?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And so, Jesus gives us this table of bread and wine
to remind us, but not merely to remind us, he invites us to enter in and
experience our hunger and our thirst for righteousness, for God’s realm, a
hunger for the kingdom, a thirst for wholeness and justice, for the things that
make for life, to hunger and thirst after, desire for, strive after God’s
presence.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Casting care and worry and anxiety aside, with
singular devotion, we turn our hearts toward God and lift our hearts to the
Source of everything we need for life. “Flourishing are those who hunger and
thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled.” Filled, indeed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This sermon is part of a six-week Lenten series:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: 48px;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: 48px;"><b><br /></b></span>
Following Jesus: The Sermon on the Mount</b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">March 10: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/are-you-flourishing.html" style="color: #a19c7c; text-decoration-line: none;">Are You Flourishing?</a></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 17: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/becoming-salt-light.html" style="color: #a19c7c; text-decoration-line: none;">Becoming Salt & Light</a></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 24: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/wholeness-not-perfection.html" style="color: #a19c7c; text-decoration-line: none;">Wholeness, Not Perfection</a></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 31: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/matters-of-heart.html" style="color: #a19c7c; text-decoration-line: none;">Matters of the Heart</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">April 7: Setting Priorities</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> In Roman
rhetoric, it is called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a minori ad maius</i>,
from the lesser to the greater.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Tom Long, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matthew</i> (Louisville: Westminster John
Knox Press, 1997), 75.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Cf. the
title of Kierkegaard’s devotional classic, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Purity of Heart is To Will One Thing.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Jonathan T.
Pennington, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sermon on the Mount and
Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary</i> (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Academic, 2018), 249.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-67828322394824024682019-03-31T13:26:00.000-04:002020-01-17T08:44:42.575-05:00Matters of the Heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
p.MsoFootnoteText, li.MsoFootnoteText, div.MsoFootnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Footnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.FootnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Footnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Footnote Text";
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.45pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.45pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;
mso-endnote-numbering-style:arabic;}
</style>
</div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVCZ2dvB8CIZApX7UTFSKJ5GHpv8i48-KcatHLWvCQ7RNL-DN0cK7BWKNYcNjL4eGZcw5QyyL6IjY_QzviijgHZu-Re8aGrayf6ioenz1bu-jVnlkjtI5jQjnq1lS19L9g1D48QXBg9sy/s1600/heart.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="299" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVCZ2dvB8CIZApX7UTFSKJ5GHpv8i48-KcatHLWvCQ7RNL-DN0cK7BWKNYcNjL4eGZcw5QyyL6IjY_QzviijgHZu-Re8aGrayf6ioenz1bu-jVnlkjtI5jQjnq1lS19L9g1D48QXBg9sy/s640/heart.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Matthew 6:19-24</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Fourth Sunday in
Lent</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">One of the major themes running through
the Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ concern for the integrity of the human heart;
it’s a steady current that runs through the entire sermon. We saw this last
week in our exploration of Jesus’ call to <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/wholeness-not-perfection.html">wholeness, not perfection</a>. Jesus summons us to be whole, even as God is
whole. We also saw that Jesus, as a
teacher of wisdom and physician of the soul, is a kind of cardiologist: he wants
for us healthy hearts. More than an
organ that pumps blood or the seat of emotions, the heart was understood as the
totality of one’s self, the source of thought, emotion, and will or action. Jesus
understood the pain and destruction caused when hearts are divided, when we are
at war with ourselves, or when our outer life is not aligned with our interior
life. As we saw this morning in adult
education, </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus came to heal our divided, broken hearts, to lead us toward
wholeness, toward a life that flourishes in the Kingdom, and that this healing,
this desire for wholeness is directly related to how we understand
salvation. “Flourishing are the pure in heart,” Jesus said, “because
they will see God” (Mt. 5:8).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">These verses before us today put a spotlight on how
we move from the inner to the outer expression of our walk with Christ.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He wants us to pay attention to the divisions
we carry within us and the way they get in the way of kingdom living.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And often, our divided hearts come into focus
when we reflect upon the things that we treasure, whether we are serving God or
wealth. Instead of using a Greek word, Matthew uses an Aramaic word in the text,
</span><i style="color: #141414; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">mamona</i><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> or “mammon,” which means
property, possessions, or money. </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Mammon
is difficult to translate into English. It refers to “physical money,” as well
as everything that money can buy, all the goods of the world, as well as
everything that one owns. Implicit to “mammon” is all the privilege and power
and security that then comes with having money.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Mammon is extremely seductive and wields an enormous influence over our
lives; even when we don’t consider ourselves especially materialistic, it has a
hold over us, we’re in its grip, just by living in a society such as ours that
worships mammon as a god. New Testament scholar, Jonathan T. Pennington reminds
us, “One cannot flirt with money as if it has nothing to do with one’s inner
person.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #141414;">[1]</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
Did not Paul say, “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim. 6:10)? </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">With this allusion to love we are brought back to
the heart.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We can’t serve two masters.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We might think we can.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We might think we can hold our attitude
toward money and wealth apart from our hearts and what God requires of us, but
we can’t.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">That’s a lie.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus, who knows us better than we know
ourselves, knows that we can’t serve two masters, we can’t live a full, whole,
flourishing life with divided loyalties, for “we will either hate the one and
love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Mt. 6:24). We
can’t be both servants of money, wealth, property, and possessions and servants
of the Living God.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus was enough of a realist to know that matters
of commerce, trade, wealth, and the desire for financial security come with
being human.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What he’s concerned about
is the way our anxiety around these things, our proclivities to hoard and save,
worries about “having enough,” our greed, our obsession with wealth and money
and things as if they were gods—and our obsession and fascination with those
with lots of money and things, blitz and bling—are, together, unhealthy,
neurotic, and sick.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Chief Sitting Bull
(c.1831-1890), the Lakota leader, said of the European settlers, said of most
Americans, in 1887, “…the love of possession is a disease with them. These
people have made many rules that the rich may break and the poor may not.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #141414;">[2]</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
It’s a kind of disease that eats away our souls. In the end these “treasures”
will be taken away by moth and rust, or thieves, or, in the end, death
itself.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">So, why not put your treasure in something of
ultimate value and worth? For the sake of your heart, put your treasure in the
things that make for life. Doesn’t that make more heart sense? Where you place your
treasure says something about who you really are in the core of your
being.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What you treasure most tells the
tale of who you really are.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This is a tough teaching to hear.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus is intentionally turning up the heat here,
</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">upping the ante. But Jesus offers this,
not to make our lives more difficult, but because he loves us and knows what’s
best for us.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He knows what our hearts
require.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He wants to help your inner
life to flow out, to shine out for the world to see.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Let your light shine before others,” Jesus
said, “so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in
heaven” (Mt. 5:16).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And to shine we need a good eye. Today, we know
that light enters the eye and allows us to see. In Jesus’ time, the eye was
understood as a kind of lamp or torch, and the light of the lamp flowed from
deep in the core of one’s being. The source of light was within. The science
might be all wrong in this text, but the spiritual and psychological truth is
as true as it ever was.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We see with the
heart.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Antoine de Saint</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">-Exupéry’s
(1900-1944)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> <span style="color: #141414;">classic children’s story <i>The Little Prince</i>, the fox says to the little prince, “It is
only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to
the eye.”</span> <span style="color: #141414;">We see with the heart.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">To have a good eye means there is light
within.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“A good eye is proof of inner
light…Inner light makes eyes shine.” In the Judaism of Jesus’ time, if someone
said, “You have a ‘bad eye,’” it meant that you’re selfish, covetous, that you
carry an evil or envious disposition, </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">that you “see” with hate. If someone says,
“You have a ‘good eye,’” it meant that you were generous, you had an attitude
of giving, that selflessness flowed from the light of the heart.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #141414;">[3]</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus wants us to have healthy eyes, or, better
translated, he wants us to have “whole” eyes.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Whole eyes produce generous eyes, and generous eyes lead to generous
lives.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #141414;">[4]</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">St. Augustine (354-430) knew the value of a whole
heart. And he knew that faith is born in the heart. In his journey to becoming
a Christian, as told in his </span><i style="color: #141414; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Confessions</i><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">,
Augustine came to a critical moment when he realized that his life didn’t
belong to him, he became conscious of just how anxious and confused and divided
his intentions were, his heart was “restless;” focusing here and there, following
one diversion then another.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Then he came
to see that the human heart can only find its true home when it finally rests
in God.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And so, he confessed, “You have
made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in
you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s difficult for a disordered, divided heart to
wholeheartedly serve God. But when our hearts are ordered, whole, they can then
be placed in service to something and someone larger than ourselves.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Then the kingdom, God’s love and justice,
becomes our treasure, which we “invest” in with our hearts. We put our hearts
into it, put our hearts behind it. We place our hearts in service to the
kingdom, which is what Jesus did with his life, which is what Jesus calls us to
do with ours.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Like John Calvin
(1509-1564), we can offer our hearts up to God, promptly and sincerely.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> <i>Core meum tibi offero, Domine, prompte et sincere.</i> (I offer you my heart, Lord, promptly and sincerely.) </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenKvUcAvBs595hxzsudMJBzdJcecHZjINrl0KCL2AAgfHRVvyIxTxdWNIa0llJEhRMmI1hTknSh4xOhcHgbV8XrZlM0qt4xYWcJgkM6KGFLme3Ay9ax0wsl9aUEv2cBzx5gf0SizE396T/s1600/seal-of-john-calvin-coin-300x148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="300" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenKvUcAvBs595hxzsudMJBzdJcecHZjINrl0KCL2AAgfHRVvyIxTxdWNIa0llJEhRMmI1hTknSh4xOhcHgbV8XrZlM0qt4xYWcJgkM6KGFLme3Ay9ax0wsl9aUEv2cBzx5gf0SizE396T/s400/seal-of-john-calvin-coin-300x148.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This was his personal motto. And he came up
with an image, a symbol to go along with it: an upturned open palm holding a
heart.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He offered
up his heart, a heart on fire, a heart alive to God.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Isn’t this what we’re called to be as a
church?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Shortly, we will invite women and men, called by
this congregation, to be ordained and installed as Elders, Deacons, and
Trustees.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The call to serve is a call to
offer one’s heart, promptly and sincerely, wholly and completely, to God and
God’s desire for this church.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">My prayer
is that you will lead this congregation from your hearts—may you serve with all
that you are, thought, feeling and will, the totality of your self, give it
your all.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">May you put your hearts into
this work and into this beloved people of God.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">As we consider matters of the heart on this Lord’s
Day, it’s fitting for us to dedicate our new website.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">A lot of heart went into the creation of this
new site, our new online home on the internet: <a href="http://www.catonsvillepres.org/">www.catonsvillepres.org</a>.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This website is a mirror that reflects back to us something of who we
are, it reminds us who we are.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And this
website is also a window that allows our neighbors to look in and catch a
glimpse of who we are, to see something of our hearts, to see where our
treasure is, to see and even feel how we love one another and try to love this
hurting, troubling, yet beautiful world.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Something of our heart is there.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">But, ultimately, the website is not about us, it’s
about the heart of God’s love pulsating with life and passion and joy through
us—and, to be honest, if we’re not reflecting the heart of God as a church,
then tell me, why are we here?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">May our prayer be that whoever looks at us, whether
online or offline, sees something in us of the heart of God.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><i style="color: #141414; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">May it
be so.</i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"> * * *</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This sermon is part of a six-week Lenten series:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 48px;"><b>Following Jesus: The Sermon on the Mount</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">March 10: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/are-you-flourishing.html">Are You Flourishing?</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 17: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/becoming-salt-light.html">Becoming Salt and Light</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 24: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/wholeness-not-perfection.html">Wholeness, Not Perfection</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 31: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/matters-of-heart.html">Matters of the Heart</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Jonathan T.
Pennington, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sermon on the Mount and
Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary</i> (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic,
2017),244<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Mark
Diederich, ed., <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sitting Bull: The
Collected Speeches</i>, (Coyote Books, 1998), 75.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Dale C.
Allison, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sermon on the Mount:
Inspiring the Moral Imagination</i> (New York: Crossroad, 2016), 143.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Pennington,
241.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-632856327188454042019-03-24T10:59:00.000-04:002019-04-02T13:57:02.417-04:00Wholeness, Not Perfection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:1;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
</div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8JgoZirJ_srz2r4s8EGm7A-BN6oxOU-e3W8a2SiMyDNQMOzAfjq0_h1ielFFE9JlKvurETeR5rB8ztdUCsMLLOXxD-oV23mQ1-_U-feGwfrT_PKs5ENx2E7EBXZf3_9nFTtZjlerBzXR/s1600/kintsugi-piatto-blu1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8JgoZirJ_srz2r4s8EGm7A-BN6oxOU-e3W8a2SiMyDNQMOzAfjq0_h1ielFFE9JlKvurETeR5rB8ztdUCsMLLOXxD-oV23mQ1-_U-feGwfrT_PKs5ENx2E7EBXZf3_9nFTtZjlerBzXR/s640/kintsugi-piatto-blu1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Matthew 5:48</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Third Sunday in
Lent</span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When I was a boy I believed that God
expected me to be perfect. I’m not sure how I came to think this this way, but
it emerged early in my life. I’ve spent a lot of time and money over the years
in psychotherapy and analysis trying to get at the source of this idea, to
understand it. A child’s image of God is often shaped by parental
relationships. My parents weren’t authoritarian or unusually demanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no memory of them ever saying to me, “Kenny,
you have to be perfect.” I never felt I had to measure up to high, unrealistic
expectations. But this feeling, this thought was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God wants me to be perfect, perfectly good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Errors, faults, mistakes were
unacceptable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God will judge me every
time I miss the mark. That’s what sin is, as I learned in church school; to sin
is to miss the mark. It’s an old archery term for missing the bullseye, for missing
the “gold” at the center of a target. To miss the target is to sin. I had a
very legalistic view of God and the world, and a moralistic view of
Christianity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Christian must follow
the rules, never mess up. I remember boasting to a friend, I was around 11
years old, that I had kept all Ten Commandments, that I never broke one. That’s
what I thought it meant to be a Christian. Following the rules. Being a good
boy. Pleasing people, pleasing God by never making a mistake. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Such a fool. How naïve. Sad, really, to be
burdened with this kind of expectation.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">And then I read in my Bible, “Be
perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." There </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">it is: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I must be perfect—the Bible tells me so</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To a child there’s nothing ambiguous about
the word “p</span><span style="background: white; color: #141414;">erfect.” I knew it meant never making mistakes, being
morally upright, pure, sinless, beyond reproach. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">The hearing of this verse distorted a lot
of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hindered my ability to
hear anything about God’s love. I had no understanding of grace. Looking back
now, I see that my psyche coopted this text and then used it to reinforce,
justify, even “sanctified” my skewed perspective of things.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Looking back no</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">w at age 55, I wish I knew
then what I know now, that there is nothing holy about living this way.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;">Today, I can’t go back and change anything,
and, contra Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), there are limits to how much we can
discern about the origins of our personalities. Sometimes it doesn’t help to
know the cause or try to issue blame. I agree with Carl Jung (1875-1961), who
questioned Freud’s approach; today I know that that kind of thinking doesn’t always
serve me. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;">Instead, I’ve come to see that
my wrestling with these issues is part of my life-task, it’s the summons of my
soul, it’s the call of the Spirit. This struggle has shaped my personal and
theological development and growth as a pastor—especially when people expect
pastors to be perfect.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">I have come to see that the desire
to be perfect, as well as expecting others to be perfect, and perfectionism
itself, are often masks for a deeper anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have come to believe that there’s nothing holy or sacred or even “Christian”
about being perfect—it might be anti-Christian, even anti-Christ. A lot of
damage has been done by imposing this expectation on God’s people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agree with writer and fellow-Presbyterian,
Anne Lamott. </span><span style="background: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">“Perfectionism,” she said,
“is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you
cramped and insane your whole life, ....”<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">[1]</span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><!--[endif]--></a></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Brené Brown is also helpful here: </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Perfectionism is not the same thing has striving to be your best. Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame. It’s a shield. It’s a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it’s the thing that’s really preventing us from flight.” [2]</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So what do we do with this verse? Do we cut it out from
the Sermon of the Mount, like Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), who took a scissor
to the passages in the Gospels that he didn’t like? It’s known as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Bible">The Jefferson Bible</a></i>
(1820).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cut out all the miracle
stories, the birth stories, the resurrection accounts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should we just ignore this verse? Did Jesus
get this wrong? Are you going to tell him he got it wrong? Should we really expect
Jesus to be a psychologist? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Maybe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In fact, what if Jesus was, psychologically-speaking,
very astute?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what if this verse has
nothing to do with perfection? And what if the word “perfect” is a terrible
translation of what is, in fact, there in the Greek? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I can’t tell you how liberating it was for me to learn,
when I in seminary and read this text in Greek, that “perfect” is a poor rendering
of what’s in this verse! The word “perfect” doesn’t fully reflect the richness
of the Greek word in the text. And that word—that beautiful word—is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">teleios</i>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Teleios</i> is an adjective derived from the Greek word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">telos</i>, meaning “end” or “purpose” or
“goal” or “fulfilment” or “realization” or “fully grown” or “complete”—and only
in this sense does it mean perfect, as in lacking nothing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Teleios</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #141414;">, the adjectival form of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">telos</i>,
doesn’t mean moral perfection, but describes completeness, or living an
undivided life. Or, better, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">teleios</i>
means—and this is what matters most—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wholeness</i>.
Jesus is not saying, “be perfect,” he’s calling his disciples and the crowd, he’s
summoning us to follow in his way, the way of wholeness and wholeheartedness, a
life of greater integrity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background: white; color: #141414;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When Jesus said, “Be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">teleios</i>,
therefore, even as your heavenly Father is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">teleios</i>,”
the crowd would have heard echoes of what God said in the Hebrew scriptures,
“You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2; 20:26). The
call to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">teleios</i>-ity found throughout
the Sermon on the Mount is essentially the same call to be holy, and holiness
does not mean moral perfection, but wholehearted orientation toward God.<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: #141414;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #141414;">As we have seen the past two weeks, the Sermon on the
Mount is a call to <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/are-you-flourishing.html">human flourishing</a>. Our text, Matthew 5:48, is a summation of
everything that comes before it. Jesus wants for us what God wants for us, and
what God wants for us is to be whole, with hearts that are in the right place. </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The heart is
more than an organ that pumps blood through our bodies. In first century
Judaism, the heart symbolized the totality of one’s being, the total self, all
that we are: thought, feeling, and action. <span style="background: white;">Jesus
is concerned about the health of our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">To be whole means that our inner life is aligned with our outer life.
Jesus summons us to be whole and complete, just as God is whole and
complete—for how can God not be whole?</span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">God’s heart is not divided, but whole in its desire to love and to save.
Jesus invites us to live out our end or purpose, just as God fully lives out
God’s end or purpose. Just as God is undivided in God’s intention to love, so
Jesus summons us to live undivided in our intention to love.</span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">The call to wholeness is essentially a call
to integrity.</span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus doesn’t want us to
be at odds or at war with different parts of ourselves. He knows the dangers of
living with a divided heart.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">When Jesus judges the practices of the Pharisees in Matthew’s Gospel
he’s not judging or rejecting Judaism—Jesus remained a Jew throughout his life
and he certainly wasn’t Christian. However, Jesus was troubled by the way many were
practicing their faith, living out the requirements of the Jewish Law in an
obsession with external obedience, purity, and ritual cleanliness.</span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> It was too
one-sided; they were preoccupied with outward behaviour, outward religious
piety and practice. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">What about the inner life?
What about the heart?</span> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">That’s
why Jesus calls the Pharisees white-washed tombs.</span> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">On the outside, they look pure and holy, but on the inside,
they’re rotting away (Mt. 23:27).</span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s in love
that Jesus said this to the Pharisees, it’s love that Jesus speaks to the crowd
listening to the Sermon, because he knows what happens when we live divided
lives. Having a disordered, divided heart is extremely dangerous, it’s destructive—for
oneself and for the wider society. And it makes one neurotic. Neurosis is
essentially a split in the soul where we are at odds with ourselves, when our
inner and outer lives are not aligned, or when we are at odds with different
parts of ourselves. </span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">Living a divided
life makes us sick—as I painfully know in my own life.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;">Living a divided life is costly. We might be
righteous (or appear to be so) on the outside, but inside we’re seething with
hate and jealously. We might act in ways that appear kind, loving, and just and
nice in the church or community, but inside we’re full of rage, judgment, and self-loathing
toward our neighbour or toward ourselves. We might appear “holy” or “religious”
or “devout” or “Christian,” but inside we’re an anxious sea of conflict and confusion.
The result is a split in our personality, a split in the heart, a lack of
integrity. We Christians say we value grace and compassion, but do we extend
the same grace and compassion toward ourselves? And if w don’t—there’s the
split, there’s the division.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">What about “in here,” in us?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">What about the heart?</span> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Jesus wants us to view our lives holistically. This,
for me, is the Christian life, and it’s the work of a lifetime. Jesus wants us to live whole lives, where our
inner life is in harmony with our outer life. And when the inner and outer parts
of our lives are whole, when we have moments, glimpses of that happening in us,
when we sense that our hearts are aligned with the heart of God—do you know
what happens then? The doors of the kingdom fling open wide before our eyes,
and we discover we’re in new and wondrous place; we are standing on holy ground!</span> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">That’s </span><i>teleios</i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">!</span> That’s when we discover what a <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">flourishing life looks like and feels like. But woe to
us when our hearts are divided, when are hearts are not behind our actions, when
we lack intention, when our hearts are not aligned with God’s vision for us,
when our actions do not flow from the heart. “Where your treasure is, there
will your heart be also” (Mt. 6:21).</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">The only other place in Matthew’s Gospel where we find the word
“perfect” or </span><i style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">teleios</i><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> is in Matthew
19.</span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s the story of the young man who
went to Jesus asking, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”
(Mt. 19:16). Jesus tells him to keep the commandments. The young man says, “I
have all kept all these; what do I still lack?” Then Jesus goes straight to the
heart of the matter. “If you wish to be perfect,” Jesus said, “go,
sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven; then come, follow me” (Mt. 19:21). Note that the young man
never asked to be perfect, but Jesus knew what his problem was. Jesus knew what
was missing in his life. Jesus said, “If you want to be </span><i style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">teleios</i><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">”—if you want to be whole—“go sell your possessions, and
give the money to the poor….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">Given the way things turned
out for the man, we might think this is a warning against materialism, against
accumulating things, and having wealth.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> It’s not. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Yes,
there is a danger when an obsession with things and wealth takes over our
lives.</span> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">This might have been
the case for the man, we don’t know.</span> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Jesus does go on to say, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich
person to enter the kingdom of heaven…it is easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God”
(Mt. 19:23-24).</span> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Jesus says
this, not because being rich or having wealth is necessarily bad or evil. The issue,
as Jesus knew, is that many rich and wealthy people have a heart problem.</span> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The problem for the young man was not that his heart
was, like the Grinch, “two sizes too small.”</span> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">It wasn’t a question of size. There’s a deeper issue. He had a divided heart. It was split.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus was a great psychologist—a true physician of
the soul.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">He knew what our souls long for,
he knew what calls us to life, and he knew what we crave: we were born to be
whole. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">It was psychologist Carl Jung, who
stood in the shadow cast by the brilliance of Christ, who said, “Wholeness is
not achieved by cutting off a portion of one’s being, but by integration of the
contraries.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #141414;">[4]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">We could also say Jesus was a great cardiologist
because he came to heal our divided, broken hearts, to lead us toward wholeness,
toward a life that is flourishing in the Kingdom. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">“Flourishing are the pure in heart because
they will see God” (Mt. 5:8).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but whole, one, complete. I’m not
called to be perfect—which is gospel, good news for my soul. Jesus wants me to
be whole; he has shown me and given me a still more excellent way.</span><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">God wants us to be whole, and shows us the way to live wholeheartedly.
And then can live the way we really want to live, giving all of ourselves, not
part of ourselves, all of ourselves to the faithful living out of our lives—with
</span><i style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">joy</i><span style="color: #141414; text-indent: 36pt;">, with integrity, with single-hearted
devotion, and a passion for God’s kingdom!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;">So, may this, then, be our prayer as we follow Christ:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Give me a whole heart, O God, an undivided heart.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Make me whole.</span></i><br />
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #141414; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">* * *</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This sermon is part of a six-week Lenten series:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 48px;"><b>Following Jesus: The Sermon on the Mount</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">March 10: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/are-you-flourishing.html">Are You Flourishing?</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 17: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/becoming-salt-light.html">Becoming Salt & Light</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 24: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/wholeness-not-perfection.html">Wholeness, Not Perfection</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 31: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/matters-of-heart.html">Matters of the Heart</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">Image: Kintsugi "golden joinery" pottery, a </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Japanese art form in which breaks and repairs </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">are</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> treated as part of the object's history.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[1]</span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" title=""><!--[endif]--></a></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"> Ann Lamott, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bird By Bird: Some Instructions on Writing
and Life</i> (Anchor, 1995), 28<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">[2]</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Brené Brown,</span><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/7261277" style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><i style="color: #333333;">Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think </i><i style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are</span></i></a><span style="font-size: medium;"> (Hazelden Publishing, 2010), 56.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[3]</span></span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">Jonathan T. Pennington, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sermon on the Mount and Human
Flourishing: A Theological Commentary</i> (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2017),
78. I am grateful to Pennington’s excellent exposition on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">teleios</i>, and the centrality of wholeness as a theme running through
the Sermon on the Mount, 69ff.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Parker J. Palmer, who was
influenced by Jung, makes a similar claim: “Wholeness does not mean perfection;
it means embracing brokenness as an integral part of life.” Parker J. Palmer, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an
Undivided Life</i> (Jossey-Bass, 2004)</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-82782119366123944802019-03-17T17:47:00.000-04:002019-04-02T13:57:34.253-04:00Becoming Salt & Light<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
mso-themecolor:hyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0cm;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
</div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_YWFKMsK0XBOmvglZ4zC74ATCJrtDurd7kyMKwMJoGVql4VHKJnazOKRzYu523jDOL5sQZirKhKqJb9DSJ-vtDHP79kANZ-tqguK9j3MCARqSc4HD5MVdNm2-OtrmpFj1pmv7Wt64p6S/s1600/1079456737_spotlight-page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_YWFKMsK0XBOmvglZ4zC74ATCJrtDurd7kyMKwMJoGVql4VHKJnazOKRzYu523jDOL5sQZirKhKqJb9DSJ-vtDHP79kANZ-tqguK9j3MCARqSc4HD5MVdNm2-OtrmpFj1pmv7Wt64p6S/s640/1079456737_spotlight-page.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Matthew 5:(3-12) 13-16</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">S</span></i><i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">econd Sunday in
Lent/ 17<sup>th</sup> March 2019</span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Salt and light. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are they tired metaphors for the Christian
life today? Perhaps salt really has lost its saltiness and light its luster?
Salt is essential to life, of course; we would die without it. Although too
much salt, we know, is not good for us. And as for light, although marvelous and
necessary for life, we kind of take it for granted. It’s there at a flip of a
switch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We carry around flashlights on
our phones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The daily rising of the sun
doesn’t fill us with the same kind of awe as it did for our ancestors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The natural world has become disenchanted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In Jesus’ time, salt
was an extremely valuable, essential commodity. The Roman Empire issued its
soldiers “salt money,” a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">salarium</i>, money
for a soldier to buy salt. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Salarium</i>
is the root of the English word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">salary</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Salt was and is a rich metaphor, but Jesus
never really says in what way we are salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I say “we” because Jesus is talking to the crowd, to the disciples. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “you” is plural. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All of you</i>, or, better, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">y’all.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Y’all
are the salt of the earth; y’all are the light of the world.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, Jesus never says in what way y’all are
salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we a preservative? Are we here
to enhance the flavor and tastiness of the earth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Salt doesn’t really lose its saltiness; it
endures, so the metaphor doesn’t really work. Perhaps we’re meant to be a
purifying agent? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">But we shouldn’t push
the salt metaphor too far because it doesn’t stand on its own in the text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Salt goes with light; they’re tied together—which
is easier to see in the Greek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Light
features prominently throughout Matthew’s Gospel, and his allusions to light
are rooted in the Hebrew scriptures, especially Isaiah 9, 42, and 58. Light
suggests revelation, instruction, the law, righteousness, God’s presence.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Salt and light, together, reflect God’s
covenant with Israel and God’s commitment to the world, through God’s people. In
earlier cultures, salt was used in covenant making ceremonies. In Leviticus
(2:13), Numbers (18:19), 2 Chronicles (13:5), and Ezra (4:14), salt was eaten
by itself or with bread when committing to a covenant agreement. The Roman
Catholic Church often uses salt in the sacrament of baptism. Salt and light
signal that God is doing something new in and through Jesus, and that to be his
disciple is to be a herald of a new and lasting covenant effected by Jesus.</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[2]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">To be his disciple is to be salt and
light.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Still, Jesus never really says
how, except that we are light set on a hill for all to see, and that we are to
shine.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But how? And what does that mean
for us in a world that has a very different relationship with light? Did Jesus
leave us without any instructions?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The answer is yes, but
they’re often overlooked because these verses are usually lifted out from the flow
of the sermon and taken out of context. Look at what comes before verse 13 and
you’ll see Jesus’ blessing statements, the Beatitudes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we discovered <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/are-you-flourishing.html">last week</a>, behind the
English word “blessed” is the Greek word <i>makarios</i>, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">which</span> can be translated as
“blessed,” but it can also mean “blissful,” “happy,” “fortunate,” or
“flourishing.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We also discovered another problematic
Greek word in the text; it’s the word </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">hoti</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, often translated
“for.” “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom”
(Mt. 5:3). The use of the word “for” in each statement creates the
impression that these descriptions of blessedness will be experienced one day,
in the future. It’s also easy to read or hear these verses as
saying: </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">If I am poor
in spirit, God will bless me, and then I will enter the kingdom. If I am
meek, then I will inherit the earth, </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">etc<i>.</i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> If
I live this way, I will be blessed. If we took a poll, my guess is
that most us have read it this way. If “p,” then “q.” But this is a flat,
we could even say </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">boring</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> way
of reading this text. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The Greek word </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">hoti</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> (for) can also
be translated “because.” And hen we translate the Beatitudes this way, using “flourish”
instead of “blessed,” everything changes: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Flourishing are the poor in spirit
because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Flourishing are the mourners because
they will be comforted.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Flourishing are the humble because
they will inherit the earth.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Flourishing are the ones hungering
and thirsting for righteousness <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">because they will be
satisfied. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Flourishing are the merciful because
they will be given mercy.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Flourishing are the pure in heart
because they will see God. </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Flourishing are the peacemakers
because they will be called the children of God.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Flourishing are the ones persecuted
on account of righteousness</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">because the kingdom of heaven is
theirs. </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Flourishing are you whenever people
revile and slander you and speak all kinds of evil against you on account of
me.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <i>Rejoice
and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven, for in the same way they
persecuted the prophets who were before you.</i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Y’all are the salt
of the earth…Y’all are the light of the world</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">You see, the
salt and light metaphors belong to the Beatitudes.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">They flow out from the blessing statements,
they’re a continuation of what comes before them.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus wants his disciples to see that when we
live this way, live the way he lived, we will come to see what a flourishing
life looks like; and when we are flourishing in this way we are being salt and
light in the world. Something happens to and in the world through us, because
of us.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What’s
striking about Jesus’ teaching is that he wants us to see that we are salt and
light—already. The late Eugene Peterson reminds us that, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Scripture does not present us
with a moral code and tell us ‘Live up to this,’ nor does it set out a system
of doctrine and say ‘Think like this and you will live.’ Rather”—and this is
crucial—“the biblical way is to tell a story and in the telling invite: ‘Live
into this—this is what it looks like to be human in the God-made and God-ruled
world; this is what is involved in becoming and maturing as a human being.”<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title="">[4]</a></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Live into this. Live into this vision.
Live into thinking of yourself as salt and light. What if we leaned forward
into it? What if we allowed the symbol to shape us, inform us, touch us, spark
something in us, teach us, lead us as a church? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Live and serve this way and we’ll soon find
ourselves being changed, becoming salt and light. Jesus has already said we are
salt, we are light. Now become who you are. Become who are, already!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Go ahead: Shine! “Let your light shine
before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your
Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:16).</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Go ahead,
let your light shine. Shine, Church, shine! Don’t hide your light under a
bushel. Don’t be afraid. Don’t hide who you are. The world cannot afford for us
to be timid.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Don’t be afraid to shine!
Flourish! Become who you are!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In love, Jesus calls us out and invites
us to shine. That’s what love does. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Love makes your soul crawl out from
its hiding place.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;">[5]</span></span></span></a> That’s
how Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) put it, the African-American author and
anthropologist. “Love makes your soul
crawl out from its hiding place.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus calls us to shine. But what does this mean for us, we who have a
different relationship with light? There’s
still, God knows, plenty of darkness in the world. What does it mean for us to
be light today? Jesus tells us we’re light, but we know that we’re not the
source of light. I’m not. You’re not. The Church is not. But perhaps we can be the conduit for light,
the channel of light. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">As servants of the Light, we
are called to help each other see more clearly: to see who we are (and aren’t),
to see our neighbors—truly see them, not our fearful and false projections, but
who they really are; to see the world around us, and to see more clearly who
God is (and isn’t) and what God is calling us to be (and not be) and calling us
to do (and not do).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What if these days we’re called to be
more than a shining light on a hill—static, stationary, emanating light?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">That feels kind of passive. The church must
be active. We need to shine. As disciples of the Light, we need to use the
light that we have, that we are, to illumine the dark places in the world. We
need to bring more light into the world. As the slogan or motto of </span><i style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The Baltimore Sun</i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> reads “LIGHT FOR ALL.”
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">That’s who we are. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;">But how? Our Envision Fund is
certainly one way, hopefully, we’re bring more light into the world. The board
is meeting today to vote on their grant recommendations to Session. More than
$140,000 will soon be available to help shed some light in dark places.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But, instead of being a stationary
light for all to see, what if we were more like search lights or headlamps?
Consider what it’s like driving down a dark road at night.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The headlamps on the car illumine the road so
we can make our way through the dark, but we know that the darkness is still
there, just beyond the range of our high beams, and we’re careful because we
never know what’s lurking in the darkness about jump out in front of us.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The more light we have the easier our way
through the woods.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The Church is called to shine its light
in the dark places of the world. We must not be afraid to discover what hides
in the darkness.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The Church is called to
be a spotlight on all that lurks in places and people that are enemies of the
light. Isn’t this how we expose injustice in the church and in society? Don’t
we have to shine light on it to see it? Otherwise it hides in the darkness and
shadow and it works its diabolic deeds of division and destruction. When we
shine a light on injustice or a wrong, we see it, and then we can name it. We
call it out. Isn’t this what our teenagers were doing at Friday’s </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/15/climate/climate-school-strikes.html" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Global
Climate Strike</a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, demanding climate change reform? They were shining light on
an issue, to help more see what many continue to deny, those who live in the
darkness of denial. This is holy work.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">To act this way means that we must be
confident about who we are.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It requires
courage.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It requires strength.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And it requires grace and love and mercy to
shine the light on the dark and shadowy places in our lives and in the world
that hinder God’s children from flourishing, that hinders their future.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The Church needs to shine a stead, strong
light on racism within our hearts and in the Church and institutions, and shine
the light on the Church’s own complicity in racism, and expose the sin of white
supremacy and white nationalism. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Princeton
Theological Seminary recently completed a comprehensive </span><a href="https://slavery.ptsem.edu/" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">historical audit</a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> that shines a strong
light on its complicated and complex relationship with slavery in the nineteenth
century, and how it benefited from the enslavement of African-Americans.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I was shocked and disturbed to read the finds
of this report about an institution near and dear to my heart.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And, given the horrific attack in Christchurch,
New Zealand, the Church must continue to call out Islamophobia whenever we see
it.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And we need to call out anti-semitism.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We need to shine the light on places,
people, relationships, situations of human cruelty and abuse, systemic
injustice.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In today’s </span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">New York Times</i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> there is a feature
article, “<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/12/magazine/baltimore-tragedy-crime.html">The Tragedy of Baltimore,</a>” on the rise of violent crime in Baltimore
City, especially since Freddie Gray’s death in 2015. It’s written by Alex
MacGillis, who worships at First and Franklin Presbyterian Church, downtown. A
lot of light is needed to expose the death-dealing systems tearing the city
apart, and taking the lives of God’s children.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;">And the Church needs to shine the light
on evil. We must name it evil, and expose it, and say it for what it is—in us,
in our families and communities, in our churches, in government and the highest
halls of power.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Y’all
are light,” Jesus said! Don’t be afraid. Go ahead, shine! And when we do, all
our good works will point back not to us, but to the source of light itself.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And we’ll give God all the glory.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">* * *</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This sermon is part of a six-week Lenten series:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 48px;"><b>Following Jesus: The Sermon on the Mount</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">March 10: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/are-you-flourishing.html">Are You Flourishing?</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 17: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/becoming-salt-light.html">Becoming Salt & Light</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 24: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/wholeness-not-perfection.html">Wholeness, Not Perfection</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 31: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/matters-of-heart.html">Matters of the Heart</a></span></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Jonathan T.
Pennington, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sermon on the Mount and
Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary</i> (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic,
2017), 163-164.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Pennington,
165.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> This
Pennington’s translation of Matthew 5:3-12, 143-144.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Eugene
Peterson, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Eat This Book: A Conversation
in the Art of Spiritual Reading</i> (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009), 43-44.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Nora Neale
Hurston, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Their Eyes Were Watching God</i>
(HarperPerennial, 2006).</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-49207940671667990472019-03-10T13:15:00.000-04:002019-09-24T15:27:41.333-04:00Are You Flourishing?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="375">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
</div>
-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeXvkPZ0bg75mczS7X-CymeXNkF7RMTuE_51f-BfMDa2bCLdeIHf8TFC5KZ5tZTaZG7rtCueq0iAufOAf8Z39ALSX-FMw9YkfSvOgiIhyk38IE9L5r2lCbj4Q1aWIxP5L0iFQs0cQm5Uu/s1600/sermon+on+the+mount.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="640" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeXvkPZ0bg75mczS7X-CymeXNkF7RMTuE_51f-BfMDa2bCLdeIHf8TFC5KZ5tZTaZG7rtCueq0iAufOAf8Z39ALSX-FMw9YkfSvOgiIhyk38IE9L5r2lCbj4Q1aWIxP5L0iFQs0cQm5Uu/s640/sermon+on+the+mount.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Following Jesus: </span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A Sermon Series for Lent</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Matthew 5:1-12</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">First Sunday in Lent</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We
know these words well, maybe too well.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">On the surface, these words of blessings, these Beatitudes sound so unassuming,
seemingly harmless, comforting, assuring. We find them on plaques and
refrigerator magnets, offering inspiration, aspiration, offering hope.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Depending upon the occasion we can lift out
the verse that we need to hear or offer that truth to someone who needs to hear
it.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“Blessed are those who mourn, for
they will be comforted” (Mt. 5:4).</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”
(Mt. 5:9). Each of the blessing statements can stand on their own.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The Beatitudes are made for Twitter; they’re
eminently Tweetable. Each one fits quite nicely into a tweet.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Go
below a surface reading of the text, however, go into the Greek, connect the
text to the rest of the Sermon of the Mount, connect the sermon to the rest of
Matthew’s Gospel, and we discover that things are not that simple—or harmless
or all that comforting. Well, they are comforting, but not in the way we
usually expect.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Behind
the English “blessed” is the Greek word </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">makarios</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">,
which is notoriously difficult to translate.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Makarios</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> can be translated as
“blessed,” but it can also mean “blissful,” “happy,” “fortunate,” or “flourishing.”</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Blessing-statements or </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">macarisms</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">, as they’re known, were not unique to Jesus; they were
widely used in Second Temple Judaism of the first century, as well as throughout
the Greco-Roman culture. The Greeks used the word </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">makarios </i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">in their mythology to describe the life of a human being
who lives like the gods, beyond care, beyond labor, beyond death.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[1]</span></span></a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">In other words, </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">makarios</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> describes what a blessed or happy life looks like.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">There’s
another reason to know the backstory of this word, </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">makarios</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">. Between 300-200 BC, the Hebrew scriptures were translated
into Greek, into what is known as the Septuagint. This Greek translation was
used widely by Hellenized Jews shaped by Greek philosophy and culture, although
it was considered inferior to the original Hebrew text. This is because, in
part, the Jewish worldview does not sit easily within Greek culture. The early
Christian theologian Tertullian (160-220), aware of our roots in Judaism, famously
asked in his </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Prescription Against the
Heretics</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">, “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?”</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Nevertheless, Greek ideas shaped Jewish (and
later Christian) thought.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We can see
this in Psalm 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Happy are those who do
not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread” (Ps.
1:1). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Happy” could also be translated
“blessed.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we need to know is that
in Hebrew there are two words for “blessing”: there’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beraka</i>, which is God’s act of blessing, and there’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">asre</i>, which describes the happiness, the
blessedness of human life in relationship with God, walking in the way of God.
Here in Psalm 1, the Hebrew <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">is </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">'<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ašrê. </span></span></i>It’s
describing a life that is in relationship with God. And when the Hebrew scriptures were
translated into Greek, they chose <i>makarios</i>
for <i><span style="background: white;">'ašrê</span></i>. It’s
important to know this because, as Jonathan Pennington reminds us that the “English
term ‘blessed’ is so heavily loaded with the narrower sense of ‘divine favor’
that the sense of human flourishing is almost always lost.”<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title="">[2]</a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The
Judaism of the Second Temple, the Judaism of Jesus and Matthew, was heavily influenced
by Greek thought, was driven by this question: what does a good life look like?
</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">What does a flourishing life look
like?</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">And here in Matthew’s Gospel we
find Jesus offering “blessing statements,” but reframes their meaning in light
of his vision and mission proclaiming the coming realm of God.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">In other words, Jesus wants his followers to
know that when we follow him, yes, we will be blessed, but more significantly,
we will discover what human flourishing looks like—but remember, too many, human
flourishing, from Jesus’ perspective, will look odd, bizarre, different, even
scandalous.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">And
there’s another problematic Greek word here; it’s the word, </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">hoti</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">, often translated “for.”</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs
is the kingdom.”</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The use of the word
“for” in each statement creates the impression that these descriptions of
blessedness will be experienced one day, in the future.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">It’s also easy to read or hear these verses
as saying: </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">If I am poor in spirit, God
will bless me, and then I will enter the kingdom. If I am meek, then I will inherit the
earth. If I am pure in heart, then I
will see God, etc.</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">If I live this
way, I will be blessed. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">If we took a
poll, my guess is that the majority of us have read it this way.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">If “p,” then “q.” The problem, however, is
that this “if-then” approach is a “flat,” one might say even </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">boring</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> way of reading this text.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">So,
what if we translate </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">hoti</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> (for) as
“because,” which would also be correct. When we translate the Beatitudes this
way, and use “flourish” instead of “blessed,” everything changes. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Flourishing are the poor in spirit because
the kingdom of heaven is theirs.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Flourishing are the mourners
because they will be comforted. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Flourishing are the humble because
they will inherit the earth. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Flourishing are the ones hungering
and thirsting for righteousness because they will be satisfied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flourishing are the merciful because they
will be given mercy. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Flourishing are the pure in heart
because they will see God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Flourishing are the peacemakers
because they will be called the children of God. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Flourishing are the ones persecuted
on account of righteousness <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">because the kingdom of heaven is
theirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Flourishing are you whenever people
revile and slander you and speak all kinds of evil against you on account of
me.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rejoice
and be glad…</i>.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[3]</span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Now!</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Why? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Because
right now that future, God’s future is already on the way and is at work in us
when we live this way, because it’s at work in Jesus, and he wants us to know
what human flourishing looks like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">But
it’s a tricky word, flourishing. Some might define flourishing as achieving
wealth, property, power, influence, possessing many things in a process of
endless growth. It’s a word easily coopted by prosperity gospel preachers.
However, the counter-cultural element is clear in what Jesus is saying.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We
are flourishing when we are poor in spirit because we are acknowledging our
spiritual poverty, confessing what we lack, what we need, that we are all
beggars before God.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We
are flourishing when we mourn—that’s a tough word to hear. Many who mourn don’t
see themselves as flourishing.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">However,
Jesus is calling his followers to a different kind of mourning, mourning for
the present state of things, grieving for the injustices in the world, for what’s
happening to children and families at the border, grieving for our communities,
our families, mourning for the poverty of Baltimore City, mourning for those
who have sold their souls to wealth and possessions. We will be comforted
because this kind of mourning and grieving, ironically, can lead us to a fuller,
richer life because it calls us to action, to change.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We
can go through the rest of the beatitudes with this view, especially
“Flourishing are the peacemakers because they will be called children of God.” We
flourish when we are advocating for peace, making peace real, suffering for the
sake of mercy, hungering for righteousness. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">And if we’re not living this way, then from
Jesus’ perspective we’re not flourishing at all—and we’re probably wasting our
lives.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We’ve
been working through the Sermon on the Mount on Thursday mornings. I’ve been
blown away by Jonathan Pennington’s new study, published last year, which has
opened my eyes to the meaning of the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus
not only tells us, he shows us what a flourishing life looks like.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">And
Pennington opened my eyes to see what I had never noticed before.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Each of these beatitudes also describe the
life of Jesus. He lived a flourishing life because he was poor in spirit, and
he mourned and grieved for our waywardness and ignorance and inability to
flourish; he was meek, and he hungered for righteousness, for justice; he was
merciful and lived with a single-hearted devotion to God’s claim on his life;
he was a peacemaker, and he was persecuted because he was a servant of the Most
High; he was ridiculed, mocked, and eventually killed for wanting to show us
the things that make for life, for real life, for </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">joy</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">. Yes, even </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">joy</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">.
Scripture calls us to look to him, “…who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising its shame, and is seated at the right hand of the
throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). Jesus invites us to follow him into a richer, fuller
life, and he enables us to actually live this way.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">And
all of this is all connected, as we shall see in this series, to what might be
(and I think that it is) the linchpin of the Sermon, Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect,
therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Except, the Greek should not be
translated “perfect”—“perfect” is an unfortunate translation of the Greek </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">teleios</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">. This word is better understood
as meaning “whole” or “complete.” What Jesus wants us to be whole-hearted, even
as God is whole-hearted. Jesus tells us that when we live this way we discover
what a flourishing human life looks like, can be like.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I
agree with Pennington who believes, “A close and careful reading of the Sermon
of the Mount will help the church recover the profound and pervasive theme of
human flourishing in God’s redeeming work in the world.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[4]</span></span></a>
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #181818; text-indent: 0.5in;">Christianity, like Judaism, is a way of life—it
must not be reduced to doctrine and ideas and concepts, on the one hand, or
reduced to moralistic “do-goodism,” on the other. To follow Christ, to claim
him Lord, is to follow in his way; it’s it about the totality of a life in
the life of the Kingdom. We’re called
into the kingdom of God, here and now; and in the Kingdom we discover </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">what a human life looks like when
it’s flourishing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This
is what Jesus is summoning us toward.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">It’s the same call that summons us, every day.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Not to “live up to this” way of living, or
“think like this or that, and then we’ll live well.” It’s easy to slip into a
works-righteousness and think it’s all about what we have to do. Yes, grace
always comes first. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">But, then virtue, the
good life, a richer life itself follows in its wake.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">And,
so, Jesus invites us to live into this vision, lean into grace, lean into this
future, and when we do we’ll discover what human flourishing looks like. It
will be unique for each person, but it will definitely stand in sharp contrast
to a world (and, yes, sometimes even the Church) that doesn’t understand mercy
or justice or peace or a heart devoted to God’s vision of wholeness.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We might even be persecuted for living this
way, we might be laughed at and mocked and ridiculed. Some might even consider
us scandalous.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Probably will. But, so
what? Who cares, really?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Don’t
worry.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">When we’re flourishing, as we’ll
see next week, </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">we get to be</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> salt and
light in the world in the world.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We get
to be visible signs and heralds God’s new world that is on the way toward us
and now is. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">And this is what matters
most.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 48px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">* * *</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This sermon is part of a six-week Lenten series:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 48px;"><b>Following Jesus: The Sermon on the Mount</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">March 10: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/are-you-flourishing.html">Are You Flourishing?</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 17: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/becoming-salt-light.html">Becoming Salt and Light</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 24: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/wholeness-not-perfection.html">Wholeness, Not Perfection</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">March 31: <a href="https://kekovacs.blogspot.com/2019/03/matters-of-heart.html">Matters of the Heart</a></span></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br clear="all" />
</span><br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[1]</span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Jonathan T. Pennington, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary</i>
(Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2017), 46. Throughout this sermon, I am heavily
indebted to Pennington’s recent scholarship on Matthew 5-7.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[2]</span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Pennington, 50. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[3]</span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> This is
Pennington’s translation of the Beatitudes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[4]</span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Pennington,
309-310.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-45936983180645698512019-02-24T20:33:00.002-05:002019-02-24T20:33:18.226-05:00Struggling to Love the Enemy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRCVnQVzDdbZDfjFHRoDLn1r7EYh8Smc9zS_0tN8Krh_hWcp8vfikpQV6afkn3vtWg7FmsGWClDrLrYRsofQyvgmiQo-tspaq8mHsEdranJpV6RUej87YfoYCES5EeTGlAahPJ_FmIRTo/s1600/love+enemies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="472" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRCVnQVzDdbZDfjFHRoDLn1r7EYh8Smc9zS_0tN8Krh_hWcp8vfikpQV6afkn3vtWg7FmsGWClDrLrYRsofQyvgmiQo-tspaq8mHsEdranJpV6RUej87YfoYCES5EeTGlAahPJ_FmIRTo/s640/love+enemies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">A Word about this Scripture Reading:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">This text includes Jesus' exhortation to love our enemies, and even to pray for those who abuse us. Unfortunately, this passage has been twisted for centuries to justify abusive relationships and those who instigate them. While this sermon does not take up this topic directly, please know that I condemn the use of scripture to justify abuse. If you are in an abusive relationship, tell a trusted person. </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Help is available:</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">National Domestic Abuse Hotline 1-800-799-7233.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Maryland Abuse Hotline 1-800-917-7383.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=418057701" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: x-large;">Luke 6:27-38</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Seventh Sunday after
Epiphany</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman";">There’s no way to avoid it—this is a
difficult, demanding text.</span><span style="color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman";">It could go
in the category: Things I Wish Jesus Never Said.</span><span style="color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman";">You know, that would make for an interesting
sermon series: Things I Wish Jesus Never Said.</span><span style="color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman";">It would be challenging to preach and to hear, but that kind of honesty
is required, I think, when it comes to a text such as this.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Sure, we know what Jesus asks of
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know what the Bible says. But,
often, we ignore what he says, ignore this verse, conveniently forget it or
look the other way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a nice ideal,
we think, something we should all aspire toward. But then our realistic, or,
worse, cynical voice breaks through and says, “ But who could really live this
way?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus, of course; but he was
“perfect,” we say, he was sinless, he’s the Son of God, it’s easy for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loving our enemies?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you serious?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No way—not today, not with what I’ve
experienced, not with what I’ve seen, not with what’s been done to me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">So, then what do we do as followers of Jesus?
Can we pick and choose the verses we like, the teachings that confirm our
worldview, the commands that we like, and set aside the more difficult ones? The
English playwright, G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936), famously said, “The Christian
ideal has not been tried and found wanting.</span><span style="color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It has been found difficult; and left untried.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1f1917;">[1]</span></span></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">I get what Chesterton is getting at,
about it being difficult and left untried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But Jesus never offered his teaching to his disciples as an ideal, that
is, something to be aspired toward but never fully realized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">expected
</i>his disciples to live this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
he knew what we’re capable of, with God’s help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Love your enemies,” Jesus said, “do good to those who hate you…” (Lk
6:27). He also called us to forgive whose we hate (or who hate us).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Still, it’s tough to hear this
text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s tough to preach on this
text—because it’s so complicated: theologically, psychologically, emotionally.
It’s a text that is prone to misunderstanding and abuse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we must be careful that we hear the
spirit of the text and not get bogged down in a literal reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Bless those who curse you,” Jesus says,
“pray for those who abuse you” (Lk. 6:28).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sadly, this verse can so easily be taken out of context.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this climate of #MeToo and greater,
needed, awareness of abuse, when the evils of abuse are being exposed in so
many corners of our society, including within the walls of the church—we could
also say #ChurchToo—Jesus’ command to love, to bless, to pray for the abuser
sounds unethical, even cruel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider
how a text such as this spoken at Pope Francis’ summit on sexual abuse in the
Roman Catholic Church, held this past week at the Vatican.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The abused, if he or she is a Christian,
might feel compelled to forgive. But what if that is not possible, not yet—or
not ever, maybe—will that, then, not generate more guilt or feelings of
inadequacy for a Christian? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">This is difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, we, know what the text says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus calls us to love our enemies, and to
forgive. “Forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given to you”
(Lk. 6:37b-38a). Jesus is extremely radical here and suggests that the standard
by which we judge another human being, the degree to which we withhold
forgiveness, the degree to which we withhold blessing is the same standard, the
same measure God uses toward us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
you give (or don’t give) is what you get (or don’t get). This, too, is tough to
hear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">A disciple of Jesus loves the enemy and
offers forgiveness.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But Jesus doesn’t
say, </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">when</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, or how soon.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And I’m grateful for this because I have
found that sometimes Christians forgive too soon.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I’ve known Christians who think they need to
go straight from wrong to forgiveness, right away.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But there’s a problem with this, because
forgiving too soon preempts our ability to be angry, it hinders us from
honoring the hurt, recognizing the wrong that was done, and acknowledging how
we feel. Dissociating the wrong from the feelings associated with it is not
good.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Years ago, I came across a book with a
great title, </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Don’t Forgive Too Soon</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, written
by Dennis, Sheila, and Matthew Linn, counselors/therapists who are also
faithful Christians.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We often rush to
forgiveness because we think it’s the “Christian” thing to do, and because we
really don’t want to sit with our hurt.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Sometimes we move too quickly through the forgiveness process, and then
we discover later that we’re still harboring resentment and anger, because the
wound is still there.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We need to
remember that anger can be a gift in that it “locates our wound, helps us
defend ourselves and energizes us to correct what needs correction.” This is
especially true with regard to abuse.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“In
an abusive situation,” they suggest, “we have no right to forgive until we have
honored our anger.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Anger at abuse and
injustice is an expression of our integrity and our dignity as human
beings.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We must honor our anger before
we forgive because authentic forgiveness comes from the same place of integrity
deep within us.”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[2]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This is why I am always cautious
here.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I rarely tell a person they need
to extend forgiveness.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I have come to
know from my own life, dealing with hurts and wounds, and my enemies, that the
only way we can move beyond hate, alienation, and separation is to learn to
love more deeply, and, in God’s good time—and with God’s help—extend
forgiveness.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I might suspect or even believe
that forgiveness is ultimately the way forward for someone, but I would
never—or rarely—say someone should, right now, forgive.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We need to get to that place of forgiveness
on our own, when the timing is right, when we have honored our anger, when we
have become clear that we can’t do anything about the one who hates us or
wronged us. There comes a time when we have to let it go.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In Anne Lammott, in her spiritual memoir </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Traveling Mercies</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, in her typically
vivid, provocative fashion, says withholding forgiveness is like drinking rat
poison and then waiting for the rat to die.</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[3]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The maverick Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber
<a href="https://www.makers.com/videos/5b0dd9e77cce6e349079ac04">suggests</a>, “Maybe retaliation or holding onto anger about the harm done to me
doesn’t actually combat evil. Maybe it feeds it. Because in the
end, if we’re not careful, we can actually absorb the worst of our enemy, and
at some level, start to become them. So what if forgiveness, rather
than being a pansy way to say, ‘It’s okay,’ is actually a way of wielding
bolt-cutters, and snapping the chains that link us? What if it’s
saying, ‘What you did was so </span><i style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">not </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">okay, I refuse to be
connected to it anymore.’? Forgiveness is about being a freedom
fighter. And free people are dangerous people. Free
people aren’t controlled by the past. Free people laugh more than
others. Free people see beauty where others do not. Free people
are not easily offended. Free people are unafraid to speak truth to stupid. Free
people are not chained to resentments. And </span><i style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">that’s </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">worth
fighting for.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But, love your enemies? Forgive them?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Who is your enemy?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Do you have enemies? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Who is Jesus talking about?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Just prior to the morning’s text, in what’s
known as the Sermon on the Plain—Luke’s version of the Beatitudes, filled with
both blessings and woes—Jesus said, “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for
that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets” (Lk. 6:26). Did you
hear that? Woe to you when people speak well of you, when they like you, admire
you, approve of you.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Is Jesus suggesting
that we’re supposed to have people who dislike us, who are our enemies? And
then in the next verse, Jesus says to love the very ones who hate him and hate
his followers.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus is talking about
loving those who hate them </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">because</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
they are followers of him. At the time Luke was written, Jesus was considered
cursed for being crucified, and Luke is saying his followers should expect the
same.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In other words: Expect people to hate you
for serving the Lord of love; expect people to despise you for extending mercy
and compassion and grace because you’re his follower; expect people to despise
you for exposing their self-serving ways, and casting light on dark places, for
exposing abuse and suffering and injustice; expect people to denounce you for
preaching prophetically and seeking justice and equity for all people; expect
people to consider you an enemy and a threat for claiming your identity Child
of the Most High and giving this claim your highest value.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And when they hate you and despise you and
consider you a threat because you’re a Jesus follower, then go deep and love
them all the more.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Unbelievable.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“If you love those who love you, what credit
is that to you? …love your enemies, do good, and lend, and expect nothing in
return” (Luke 6:32, 34).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nothing in
return</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">. In Jesus’ time, in the Greco-Roman world,
reciprocity was the norm. This was the
rule: I give so that you will give back to me.
Tit for tat. <i>Quid pro quo</i>. As you can see
in this text, Jesus’ teaching questions this way of acting; it’s extremely
challenging and places extra demands on us because he expects us to go beyond
mere reciprocity.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[4]</span></span></span></a> He commands us to break, to cut, to stop the vicious
cycle of reciprocity, of wanting to get even.
The ethical standard is very high here.
Jesus was going against the norm, going against the grain—then and
expects the same from us today. Because that’s
what <i>God’s </i>love always does. That’s what God’s love can do. It’s not
rational or reasonable, it’s not natural; it’s something else.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Like so much in Jesus’ teaching, it comes
down to love—understanding the risk and the cost of love, the difficulty and
the joy of loving in this way. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Henri Nouwen (1932-1996), the Roman Catholic
priest, theologian, and writer, reminds us, "Forgiveness is the name of
love practiced among people who love poorly."</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus is always calling us toward mercy. Jesus
is always calling us toward greater compassion (Lk. 6:36).</span><span style="color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He wants, he expects us to be people of mercy,
people of compassion.</span><span style="color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1917; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But sometimes,
often, it’s just too much for us, we know the cost, we know what is required of
us to love this way. And so, we need to be taught and guided by the Spirit, we
need to be empowered to love more deeply, love more fiercely, love more courageously,
until we discover that the one needing to be forgiven, the one who is our
enemy, is also, at his or her core, worthy of God’s love, the object of God’s
love, the focus of God’s love, just like you and me. For how can we, who have
been forgiven by God, who know God’s mercy and compassion, remain reluctant to
extend that same mercy and grace that has already been extended to us— again and
again and again and again?</span></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><span style="font-size: large;"><br clear="all" />
</span><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> G. K.
Chesterton, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What’s Wrong with the World</i>
(London: 1900).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Dennis Linn,
Sheila Fabricant Linn, Matthew Linn, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t
Forgive Too Soon:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Extending the Two
Hands That Heal</i> (New York: Paulist Press, 1997), 42.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Anne
Lammott, Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith (Pantheon, 1999), 134.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Timothy Luke
Johnson, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Gospel of Luke</i>
(Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1991), 108-113.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-56552912525841172722019-02-03T09:42:00.001-05:002019-02-03T14:02:38.678-05:00Do not say, "I am only..."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
mso-themecolor:hyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNterYF09TYFWADsiYbg8Fl68fteMkPAXNClK22yJBlsCj0gyJ7TOgv4NMisYC6BV-byIlF_dbeupK63wUToeb0wnknanl0WZQ7_Po_w3ZdY_hnEOjYwODZ50JcfkIdxXm-0tZrXoOrsDk/s1600/the-prophet-jeremiah-michelangelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="900" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNterYF09TYFWADsiYbg8Fl68fteMkPAXNClK22yJBlsCj0gyJ7TOgv4NMisYC6BV-byIlF_dbeupK63wUToeb0wnknanl0WZQ7_Po_w3ZdY_hnEOjYwODZ50JcfkIdxXm-0tZrXoOrsDk/s640/the-prophet-jeremiah-michelangelo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Jeremiah 1:4-10</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Fourth Sunday after Epiphany</span></i></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’ve
never met anyone who wanted to be a prophet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve never heard a teenager say she was going to be a prophet one
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t major in being a prophet
at college. They’re not in hot demand at career fairs. You won’t find online
job postings on Indeed or Ziprecruiter for prophets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve known aspiring artists, musicians,
writers; I’ve never known an aspiring prophet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve never met anyone at midlife, searching for a new career, who woke
up one morning and said, “I’m going to be a prophet.” And I’ve never heard someone
looking back upon their lives say with regret, “I should have been a prophet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">No
one really wants to be a prophet—and if you know someone who does, be worried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By prophet, I’m not talking about someone who
predicts the future, like Nostradamus (1503-1566).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"> was more of a seer or visionary, not a prophet in the biblical sense. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wise rabbi and theologian Abraham Heschel
(1907-1972) offered an excellent description of what makes a prophet a prophet,
especially a good one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">“A
prophet's true greatness,” Heschel said, “is his ability to hold God and man in
a single thought.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> A
prophet speaks on behalf of God to the people, and because the prophet loves
God’s people and loves God, the prophet speaks a word of judgment and warning,
but also hope. In a recent <a href="https://sojo.net/media/what-does-it-mean-be-prophetic-today">interview</a>, Kenyatta Gilbert of Howard University
Divinity School, in Washington, DC, asked <a href="https://sojo.net/media/what-does-it-mean-be-prophetic-today">Walter Brueggemann</a> what does it mean
to be a prophet. “A prophet,” Brueggemann said, “is someone that tries to
articulate the world as though God were really active in it. And, that means on
the one hand, to identify those parts of the world that are contradictory to
God, but on the other hand, it means to talk the will and purpose that God has
for the world that will indeed come to fruition, even in circumstances we can’t
imagine.” Did you hear that? Judgment
and hope. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But who would be sane enough
to want that job?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">We don’t wish to become
prophets. Prophets are chosen. Prophets are summoned. God speaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God speaks from out of nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God speaks a word and then gives a word, and
the next thing you know you’re a servant of the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there’s little you can do about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an affliction, really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a great responsibility, and you could
say it’s an honor and a privilege, but it’s also an affliction, a burden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Take Jeremiah, for example, he’s
straightforward about his struggle, and he’s not afraid to complain to
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s known as “the prophet of doom,”
because of the message God gave him to say to Judah. People mocked him, laughed
at him, didn’t want to hear from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was painful. So he tried to remain silent, he tried to give up speaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he couldn’t do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “If I say, ‘I will not mention [God]
or speak any more in [God’s] name, then within me there is something like a
burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot”
(Jer. 20:9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Jeremiah confessed this
only after being a prophet for a while, this was not his initial response. At
first, Jeremiah was a reluctant prophet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">One day, out of
nowhere, unbidden, the word of Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah. “Before I formed you
in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed
you a prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:4-5).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jeremiah was elected, chosen for this particular task in the larger work
of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was summoned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">But Jeremiah tried to
wiggle and reason his way out of the call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had some inkling, no doubt, of what his life would be like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to
speak, for I am only a boy” (Jer. 4:6). God would hear none of this. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall
go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do
not be afraid of them”—the kings and priests of Judah—“for I am with you to
deliver you” (Jer. 1:8).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God does accept
his excuses or allow his fear to stand in the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we’re shown what makes a prophet a
prophet, we’re shown how prophets are made. “Then Yahweh put out his hand and
touched my mouth,” Jeremiah tells us, “and the LORD said to [him], ‘Now I have
put my words in your mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See, today I
appoint you over nations and over kingdoms to pluck up and to pull down, to
destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jer. 1:9-10).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judgment and hope. Then Jeremiah began to
speak.</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We're not all called to be prophets<span style="text-indent: 0px;">—thank, God</span>. But if
we’re honest, there is a little Jeremiah in each of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know him, know him well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can hear his voice in you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s the voice that says, “I do not know how to…, for I am only….”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know that logic, that sequence, that
response. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Now, it might be true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might be true that you don’t know how to…,
for you are only…. It’s surely a sign of wisdom and humility to know what you
know and don’t know about yourself, know what you can and cannot do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
might be true, but it might also be an excuse. Jeremiah assumes that he is
inadequate for what is being asked of him because, he says, he’s “only” a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Only</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This word is like the word “just.” “I am
‘just’ a child.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just” and “only,” they
can be such soul-crushing words. Aren't they? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Sometimes our excuses are reasonable, we know what
we’re incapable of, and so they protect us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, sometimes our excuses keep us in the dark where we can hide in our
illusions, in the dark we can protect our illusions. That’s why <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">disillusionment</i>
is essential to the life of faith. </span><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Barbara Brown Taylor reminds us,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Disillusionment is, literally, the loss of
an illusion — about ourselves, about the world, about God — and while
it is almost always a painful thing, it is never a bad thing, to lose the lies
we have mistaken for the truth.”<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #111111; font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title="">[2]</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Sometimes our excuses keep us from living into the
truth, the truth regarding what we are capable of. And so we hide behind our perceived
inadequacies.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> And so </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">often it’s fear that
holds us back. We are reluctant to claim the capacity that lies dormant within
us. My friend, James Hollis, a Jungian psychoanalyst, says, “Fear of our own
depths is the enemy.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">[3]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
I think he’s right. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">God’s call to Jeremiah was an invitation to live beyond the
confines of his self-imposed limitations, a call to live beyond his fear, into a more
expansive, purposeful, extremely demanding, yet fulfilling purpose for his
life. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Very often, to say, “I am only…” is
to choose for something less than what God desires for us; it is to choose
against God’s call in our lives, it is to deny and resist the summons.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">C. G. Jung (1875-1861) said people often “live as
though they were walking in shoes too small for them.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The good news is that God knows who we really
are, and what we’re capable of, and invites us to fill larger shoes.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">That’s what God, that’s what God’s </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">word</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> is always doing: summoning us into
a fuller life, a more expansive life, a more just and compassionate and loving
and love-giving life. The good news is that we don’t receive the summons or fit
into those larger shoes without God’s help. God tells us who we really are.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And we are always more than who or what we
think we are. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Do not be afraid…for I am with you….”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">God reaches out to touch our mouths, our
words, our hearts, our lives, and works through us and calls us forward into
life. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Do not be afraid…for I am with you….”</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is God calling you toward? Can you hear the
summons? You can be confident that God is still speaking. Are you hiding? Full
of excuses? Afraid? All of this is natural and normal when it comes to
listening to the depths. The fearful child in us says, “I do not know how…for I
am only….” But the assurance and promise given to Jeremiah holds true for us,
“Do not be afraid…for I am with you….” That’s the voice that frees us to live
into the call.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKiUN0dN36PYt25nM6u7r7wwQB_eOpp8onTTU5krlelJs9jKIehUQCthkMU26gH56q_KBzokrlvYwycpTLxyVmJB9gEfFDUbesDYa9ojtzIEaTQnlTidnU1w0Im2QiYKmqQXyvSWVGbp2/s1600/sistine-chapel-ceiling-the-prophet-jeremiah-pre-resoration-michelangelo-buonarroti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="900" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKiUN0dN36PYt25nM6u7r7wwQB_eOpp8onTTU5krlelJs9jKIehUQCthkMU26gH56q_KBzokrlvYwycpTLxyVmJB9gEfFDUbesDYa9ojtzIEaTQnlTidnU1w0Im2QiYKmqQXyvSWVGbp2/s640/sistine-chapel-ceiling-the-prophet-jeremiah-pre-resoration-michelangelo-buonarroti.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">Image: The Prophet Jeremiah by Michelangelo (1475-1564), Sistine Chapel, Vatican City.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title="">[1]</a></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><!--[endif]--></a></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Abraham Heschel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Prophets</i>
(Harper Perennial, 2001), 25</span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Barbara Brown Taylor, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God in Pain:
Teaching Sermons on Suffering</i> (Abingdon Press, 2008), 20.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">James Hollis, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Middle Passage:
From Misery to Meaning in Midlife</i> (Toronto: Inner City Books, 1993), 106.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">C. G. Jung, “Analytical Psychology and ‘Weltanschauung,” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Collected Works</i>, Vol. 8 (Princeton:
Princeton University Press, 1969), par. 739.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-74114851735595651812019-01-27T20:10:00.000-05:002019-02-21T14:12:11.625-05:00A Liberating Word<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5XhMaI1IKt2OcjRbKAA3GtkmDryMPLqTiFQfdpSE_6UkHQ95KVtqJ6-zLjC8nCicl5DAOyDqTp4-I_o4dAuQ9BwU41vcw99B_YgRgvWGtJ66IArOgpbq6wxfNVrtnSG3Ne7gKrYlNkC1/s1600/douglass-39edeb4b1a4b4ca03a72bd3ba1dcc74d-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="640" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5XhMaI1IKt2OcjRbKAA3GtkmDryMPLqTiFQfdpSE_6UkHQ95KVtqJ6-zLjC8nCicl5DAOyDqTp4-I_o4dAuQ9BwU41vcw99B_YgRgvWGtJ66IArOgpbq6wxfNVrtnSG3Ne7gKrYlNkC1/s640/douglass-39edeb4b1a4b4ca03a72bd3ba1dcc74d-.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Luke 4:14-18</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: large;">Third Sunday after Epiphany</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born into slavery on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, in Talbot County, Maryland, around 1818, but no one knows for sure. In early March 1826, Frederick received word that he was being sent across the Chesapeake to Baltimore to live with the Auld family in Fells Point. Sharing the deck with a flock of sheep, Frederick boarded the </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sally Lloyd</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">, around March 18.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">He moved to the bow of the sloop and, as he wrote years later, “spent the remainder of the day in looking ahead.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[1]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> After a brief stop in Annapolis (he was not allowed to go ashore), Frederick arrived in Baltimore on a Sunday morning.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">He approached the city in a state of awe as he looked out and saw two- and three-masted sailing ships, steamers, church spires, four- and five-storey buildings and warehouses, and landed at Smith’s Wharf in Fell’s Point.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">He lived with Hugh and Sophia Auld in their home on Aliceanna Street, just up from the harbor.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: large;">Frederick arrived in one of the most thriving and growing port cities in North America. It was the largest trading center for tobacco, wheat, flour, coffee—and, sadly, slaves. The city had 80,000 people: 60,000 whites, four thousand black slaves, and more than fourteen thousand free blacks—the largest concentration of free persons of color in the United States. Frederick entered a new and wondrous universe—of technological innovations and culture, an intellectually diverse and sophisticated society, a cosmopolitan city linking him to a larger world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: large;">Frederick couldn’t read, but he was bright and intellectually curious. He was obsessed with words, and not just any words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sophia used to read aloud from the Bible as Frederick slept under a table near her feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He became obsessed with the Bible. He wanted to read, and Sophia started to teach him privately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Hugh discovered this, he rebuked her and told her to stop, because literacy was unlawful in Maryland for slaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hugh said, “Learning would do [Frederick] no good, but probably, a great deal of harm—making him disconsolate and unhappy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if Frederick was taught to read the Bible, Hugh said, “there will be no keeping him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would “forever unfit him for the duties of a slave.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Frederick went to church with Hugh and Sophia, Wilk Street Methodist Church; there he heard the sermons and the stories.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He heard from the pulpit that, “All men…bond and free” were sinners in need of redemption. Frederick was befriended by a black lay preacher, Charles Johnson, who taught him to pray and awakened his heart and led him to confess “faith in Jesus Christ, as the Redeemer, Friend and Savior.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[3]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> After that, Frederick saw the world, he said, “in a new light.” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He said he “loved all mankind—slaveholders not excepted; though I abhorred slavery more than ever. My great desire now was to have the world converted.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[4]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Frederick developed an insatiable hunger to hear more from the Bible. And he wanted to read the Bible for himself—and so he secretly taught himself to read.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: large;">In 1833, Frederick was sent back to the Eastern Shore (because of a feud between Hugh and his brother, Thomas), and forced to live in a cruel, sadistic setting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around this time, Thomas had something of a “conversion” at a camp meeting revival in St. Michael’s, but he continued to brutally beat his slaves, including Frederick, and didn’t see the hypocrisy in that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frederick <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">saw</i> it and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">felt</i> it; he came to see the hypocrisy in the entire Christian slaveholding universe.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[5]</span></span></span></span></a> With his knowledge of the Bible, he knew what scripture really says about redemption and liberation for all God’s children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Frederick eventually escaped from slavery, headed north, changed his surname to Douglass, and became one of the greatest writers, orators, humanists, and Christian prophets of the nineteenth century. As historian David W. Blight argues in his recently released (and outstanding) biography, Douglass became, “one of abolition’s fiercest critics of proslavery religious and secular hypocrisy.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn6" name="_ednref6" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[6]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> Douglass felt in his soul and body, the “blood-chilling blasphemy,” he said, at the heart of proslavery piety, these “professedly holy men” who owned his body and tried to own his mind.</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn7" name="_ednref7" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[7]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And it was the Bible, but not just the written words of scripture, it was the witness of scripture, the voice that comes through the text, God’s world-creating, world-judging, world-renewing, radical, liberating, life-giving Word carried by the words of the text, which told him who he was, and who his neighbor was, and gave him a vision of what God desired for all people.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: large;">That’s the power of God’s Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what God’s Word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not talking about words, but the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Word</i>, and by Word, I don’t mean the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m talking about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i> Word—the creating, redeeming, sustaining, life-giving Word that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> God, the God who speaks, the God who said, “Let there be….,” and it was. I’m talking about the God who spoke in the beginning, who spoke and caused the beginning, and spoke the universe into being. The same God still speaking and causing new beginnings. The Divine Voice is dynamic and purposeful and continues to act and move and shape us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Divine Voice spoke to Isaiah, and Isaiah listened to the Word, and the Word turned him into a prophet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God told Isaiah, “My word shall go out from my mouth: it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Is. 55:11).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then, in God’s good time, the Word became flesh, and lived among us, “full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Luke’s Gospel, the Word made flesh begins his ministry in Nazareth. Where? In a synagogue. And what is Jesus doing there? Reading scripture, and not just any text. He’s reading from the Isaiah scroll, and just not any reading, but these words: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Lk. 4:18).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">According to Luke, when Jesus was finished reading, he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. Sitting down, Jesus does something bold and daring—and arrogant, but for the fact that Jesus was who he was—and says, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Lk. 4:21). Jesus claimed for himself and his mission the prophetic stance of someone like Isaiah. In fact, Jesus is saying that this mission will now be embodied in and through him. The Spirit of the living God is upon him and empowering him to act on God’s behalf. And then that same Spirit sends him into the world, calling disciples to follow where he leads.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">To be a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, to bear the name “Christian,” means we, too, are being led by the same Spirit who anointed Jesus, led by the same Spirit-anointed Jesus, led by the same Holy Spirit who continues to speak through the pages of scripture and calls us to offer a liberating word.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">There is a direct line from the prophetic voice of Isaiah to Jesus of Nazareth to countless other prophets throughout the centuries, to Frederick Douglass, to preachers, writers, poets, reformers, to scientists—heck, anyone anointed by the Spirit of God to bring good news—not bad news or negative news, and certainly not fake news—but good news to a world that desperately needs to hear it, especially the poor.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This is what God’s Word continues to offer in the world.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What we say, what we preach, how we live, how we treat our neighbors and strangers, our gestures should be proclamations of release, they should release people from what binds them—not bind them further, not throw them into greater captivity.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We are to be about offering insight and light so that people can see and see clearly. We are to be about helping people who are blind come to see God’s desire to liberate all people. We are to be about helping those who are oppressed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We can only be about this work when we realize that it’s not really our work, but the work of God at work through Jesus and, therefore, at work in us. We can’t begin to offer good news until we have heard (and continue to hear) God’s good news to us. And we can’t begin to offer good news to the poor without having some understanding of what it feels like to be poor, perhaps remember what it felt like to be poor, to have not.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We need to be empathic toward those who have less (often through no fault of their own). What would be good news for the poor? What if we asked them and listened to them, instead of assuming the answer. Perhaps we need to acknowledge our own impoverishment, the things we lack, or the things that impoverish us which, ironically, might just be our wealth and privilege.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Similar questions can be raised around releasing the captives, recovering sight, letting the oppressed go free.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Where in your life, as a follower of Jesus, where has God released you from captivity or recovered your sight or freed you from oppression?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where have you heard God’s liberating Word? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">For it’s only because we have heard and experienced the liberating Word that we are able to offer a message of good news and liberation. That’s what God wants for us: </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">liberation</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">You can easily see why the Bible is no friend of dictators or enslavers or oppressors or tyrants. You might have <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/12/09/674995075/slave-bible-from-the-1800s-omitted-key-passages-that-could-incite-rebellion">read</a> about (or seen) the recent exhibition of the so-called Slave Bible at the <a href="https://www.museumofthebible.org/">Museum of the Bible</a> in Washington, DC. It was a redacted Bible, published in 1807 in London by the Society for the Conversion of Negro Slaves. It omits 90 percent of the Hebrew Bible and 50 percent of the New Testament. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Its pages include “Servants be obedient to them that are your masters,” from Ephesians (6:5), but omits the portion of Paul’s letter to the Galatians that reads, “There is neither bond nor free … for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). I went online to read the text, myself, and was surprised to learn that Luke 4:18-19 was included, although slightly modified. Instead of “let[ting] the oppressed go free,” it reads, “set at liberty them that are bruised.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The words of the Bible can be so easily manipulated by cruel people bent on keeping poor people poor, keeping captives captive, gaslighting the truth and keeping people in the dark and blind, and making sure there’s always someone around to oppress or marginalize or frighten.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This is why we need the help of the Holy Spirit to help us hear God’s Word in and through the words, this is why we need the Spirit to help us see what God is trying to do in the world.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s only because the Spirit is at work in us that we can bring good news in Jesus’ name.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s fitting that this text is today’s gospel reading, given that we will have our Annual Congregational Meeting following worship this morning. This text is a good reminder about what we are called to as a church, and what are lives are to be about individually.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This is what Jesus came to do, it’s what he did, it’s what he </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">does</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, and it’s what his church still does, because we are his.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And the text is also a good reminder of something else we need to remember as a church: </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">nothing happens apart from the movement of God’s Spirit.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> The Spirit anoints us and empowers us to do this work, and to do this ministry with joy and gratitude. It’s often easy to think that the effectiveness of our ministry, the growth and vitality of the church, the financial health of this congregation are all exclusively dependent upon us, upon the gifts and skills and treasures of the membership and the staff, dependent on our passion and commitment, dependent on our wisdom or knowledge. All this is good and helpful and useful. But apart from the work of the Spirit in us, through us, among us, we don’t have any news worth sharing—we have nothing, absolutely nothing.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Without the Spirit, we’re completely ineffective and, then, thrown back upon ourselves, left to trust our own resources to serve or save the church, to serve or save the world from the mess that it’s in.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s not about us. It’s never about us. And if the church becomes about us, then something is seriously wrong. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">As the Scots Confession (1560) reminds us, with words that are sobering, and eloquent and true, “human beings are dead, stupefied, and trapped in disobedience until and ‘unless the Spirit of the Lord Jesus,’ enlivens, enlightens, and breaks their captivity.”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn9" name="_ednref9" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[8]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">One of the oldest hymns of the church is </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Veni, Creator Spiritus</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, from the ninth century.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Come, Creator Spirit.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> And, so, may this prayer be the prayer of this congregation.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Come, Holy Spirit.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Create and recreate us.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Speak to us and give us something to speak to your people.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shape us, move us, shake us, God,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and send us out beyond these beloved walls with your good news.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Make us hearers of your Word and doers of your Word—your liberating word.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman";">May it be so</span></i><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman";">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqKcgqxg4zdUrPo1GLtFE3kKtlWhMvR_lVYwR4SLp2-pnA6d0zXfkwvMKPWsRKIOATtZz7w9_EoyjAzuB2cJf6H4HpEOt7e-hORVkPWAr209li7QaCf4_83Wrhl3LIM3WxxoIyYau5Unl/s1600/frederickdouglass1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqKcgqxg4zdUrPo1GLtFE3kKtlWhMvR_lVYwR4SLp2-pnA6d0zXfkwvMKPWsRKIOATtZz7w9_EoyjAzuB2cJf6H4HpEOt7e-hORVkPWAr209li7QaCf4_83Wrhl3LIM3WxxoIyYau5Unl/s640/frederickdouglass1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 153.4pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br clear="all" /></span>
<br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Frederick Douglass, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Bondage and My Freedom</i>, originally published in 1855.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cited in David W. Blight, F<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom</i> (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2018), 36.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Recounted by Douglass in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Bondage and My Freedom</i>, cited in Blight, 39.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[3]</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Douglass, cited in Blight, 52.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Douglass, cited in Blight, 53.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[5]</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Blight, 58.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn6" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref6" name="_edn6" style="mso-endnote-id: edn6;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[6]</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Blight, 59.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn7" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref7" name="_edn7" style="mso-endnote-id: edn7;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[7]</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Blight, 59ff.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn8" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?rinli=1&pli=1&blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref8" name="_edn8" style="mso-endnote-id: edn8;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[8]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grateful to Philip G. Ziegler’s reference to and paraphrase of the </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Scots Confession</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">, pertaining to the Holy Spirit,</span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> in Militant Grace: The Apocalyptic Turn and the Future of Christian Theology</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic Press, 2018), 76. See also article 12, Presbyterian Church (USA), </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book of Confessions</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">.</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-82169405780537102822019-01-20T19:17:00.000-05:002019-02-02T19:23:16.429-05:00There Must Be Something in the Water<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgd4s4kLqAd5ENCWqGXFBoFzQw5GBHIYefR9RKrIvbvPAVujRv2JOFxNH4SPh_KUcrrF_7FB_EkKt58-uz7wJGku3Yg1CYq2E9qcCOYr-66slo0d7k7KRbaMiHFbnCwAcBywjfWTvCxpG/s1600/water-wallpapers-28099-4872244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgd4s4kLqAd5ENCWqGXFBoFzQw5GBHIYefR9RKrIvbvPAVujRv2JOFxNH4SPh_KUcrrF_7FB_EkKt58-uz7wJGku3Yg1CYq2E9qcCOYr-66slo0d7k7KRbaMiHFbnCwAcBywjfWTvCxpG/s640/water-wallpapers-28099-4872244.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Luke 3:21-22</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Baptism
of the Lord</span></i><i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Welcome to the life of the church.” That’s
what I say to an infant (or child or adult, usually an infant) after being
baptized.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s how we often think about
baptism, as initiation into the church—emphasis on </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">church</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, the
community of God’s people.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">John Calvin
(1509-1564) himself said, “Baptism is a sign of initiation, by which we are
admitted into the society of the Church, in order that, being incorporated into
Christ, we may be numbered among the children of God.”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[1]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Now, I certainly don’t want to contradict
Calvin. And I don’t want the heresy police coming to my study or people
questioning my theological orthodoxy, but there’s a problem here. There’s something
missing with a one-sided view of baptism. The problem comes into focus
when we take this initiation-into-church view of baptism and then read the
accounts of Jesus’ own baptism. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The dilemma
is staring right at us. Was baptism as initiation-into-church true for Jesus
when Jesus, himself, wasn’t baptized into a church? And he certainly wasn’t
baptized </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">by</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> the church.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">John the Baptist wasn’t out in the wilderness
baptizing Jews into the Christian church.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">At Jesus’ time, baptism was a ritual used by radical Jews who were fed
up with the abuses of the religious authorities in Jerusalem, who wanted to be
purified or cleansed of those abuses to be more fully faithful to the ways of
God. Those who went out to see John in the wilderness didn’t want to be associated
with the Temple community in Jerusalem; they wanted to separate themselves from
it, distance themselves from the Temple and the Temple’s alliance with Roman
Imperial authorities. Instead, those seeking baptism wanted to identify
themselves with </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">God</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">When we read the account of Jesu’s baptism in
this light, setting aside our churchy view of initiation, we begin to see that
for Jesus baptism was less about initiation, than it was </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">identification</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">.
It was about </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">identity</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">—Jesus’ identity as the son of God and being identified
with God’s mission or kingdom in the world. In his baptism—going down
under the water and coming up out of the water—Jesus participated in a profound
ritual that helped him come to grips with who he was. In these waters
Jesus was aligning himself with the Baptist’s mission of radical reform, of the
need to focus more clearly upon ways of God. When Jesus came up out of the
water, he entered a new life, determined to embody his call and embark on the
mission and purpose of his life. After his baptism, Luke tells us, while he and
the others who had been baptized were praying, the Holy Spirit “descended upon
him in bodily form like a dove.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And a
voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well
pleased’ (Lk. 3:22). </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">You are my beloved Son. You are my beloved.</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
A designation of identity.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Therefore, “With </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">you</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> I
am well-pleased.” </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Can you hear this in
your heart? Can you feel it? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In this divine declaration we begin to see that being baptized
has something to do with identity, with who we really are in the core of our
being. It seems to me that we also discover something about what our
baptism can mean for us, whether or not we remember being baptized. What we
discover when we consider the meaning of our baptism, not into the Church, but into
our call as people of God, is something akin to what Jesus discovered about
himself in the waters of his baptism.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s a designation of identity.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Baptism tells us who we are.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Not
that we are mini-Messiahs, because we’re not, but that a similar designation—</span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Beloved</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">—belongs to us as God’s children.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s a designation, a claim, and identity
that we need help remembering all our lives. This means that baptism is never
an event that occurs once in our lives (whether as infant, child, or adult),
and then we move on, but an event, or, better, a truth that we need to live </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">into
</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">day after day, year after year.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">During the stress and strain of the Reformation, attacked on all
sides, Martin Luther (1483-1546) took great comfort in knowing he was
baptized. He would repeat to himself, over and over, “Remember your
baptism. Remember your baptism. Remember who you are.” Luther
said of baptism that is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that takes our entire
lives to complete.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;">[2]</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He’s correct.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We’re not “done” and then we’re “in.” It’s an experience that yields
saving, personal knowledge. And the knowledge we gain of ourselves in
baptism, when we come to see who we really are, a knowledge that takes a
lifetime to fathom and acknowledge and live out and really claim to be true in
our heart of hearts is like what Jesus learned in the divine declaration, the
truth that defined and determined his mission, and it’s this: we too are beloved
children of God, daughters of God, sons of God, with whom God is
well-pleased. Your name is Beloved—Beloved Child.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I wonder, though, why is it so difficult to hear this, to accept
this, to believe this? I believe it’s truly tragic that someone can spend their
entire life in the church and never hear this, never able to accept it, never
able to view themselves this way, as Beloved. Sometimes we know, but then
we forget, and we need help remembering. Sometimes we hear other messages,
voices that tell us something else, voices from family members, or at school,
at work that tell us we’re something else—unwanted, unaccepted, unlovable.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Or it might be those negative, piercing
voices of judgment and recrimination that we say to ourselves, the voices that
are less than kind or compassionate or graceful.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We’re surrounded by a cacophony of voices
competing for our attention.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who tells you who you are? Who has the authority to tell
you who you really are? Who grounds your identity? Do we look to our
families, our neighbors, our friends to tell us who we are? Your
colleagues at work? Your boss? Is it the culture with its distorted drives
and wayward passions that we turn to guidance? There’s no way to live
apart from these voices. But we need to remember that there’s only one
voice that truly counts, only one who speaks with authority, only one who knows
you—through and through—the only one who can tell you who you really are.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Several years ago, we saw </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The Lion King</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> on
Broadway. Amazing production; amazing show; amazing story,
really. There’s one scene in which Simba—son of the great king of Pride
Rock, a son in exile from his father who lost his way without the courage to
fulfill his life’s mission—receives a visitation by Rafiki, a priestess
offering wise counsel. Rafiki is a Swahili word for “friend,” related to an
Arabic word for “companion.” She’s a kind of Holy Spirit-like figure
offering guidance to Rafiki. She tells him to look at his reflection in the
waters of creation, to see himself and to remember who he really is—he’s the
son of the king. Rafiki sings,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">He watches over <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Everything we see<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Into the water<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Into the truth<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">In your reflection<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He lives in you.</span></i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Simba
begins to see a vision of his father long dead who speaks words of assurance,
of affirmation, of identification, like what Jesus heard from the Spirit: Remember
who you are.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we are in exile and far from home,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">when we have lost our way in the world,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">when the future looks scary,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">when nothing seems to make any sense,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">when the pressures and anxieties </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">and pain and immense sorrow of
the world overwhelm us, </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">and we forget our place in the universe,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus invites us back—again and again—to the waters,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">the waters of new creation,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">to remember who we are.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But it’s so easy to forget. That’s why we need people who love
us and remind us who we are. It’s also what the church does when the
church is really being the church: we remind each other who we are.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">You’re a beloved child of God. That’s
what a sacrament is meant to do, it helps us remember. That’s what we need
to hear whispered in our ears whenever we approach a baptismal font, whether
it’s this baptismal font or any other font anywhere in the world.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">When the great St. Francis of Assisi (1181/1182-1226) was called
by Christ in a vision to enter a world of poverty and care for the poor, his
father, Franceso, a leading public figure in the town of Assisi, Italy, was
furious. His father publicly shamed Francis in the public square. And
Francis shamed his father for taking his call seriously. Francis lived in
a small hut in the plains below the town of Assisi (you can still go there
today). When he had to walk up the hill to town, he was deeply fearful of
meeting his father in the street.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">His
father cursed at him publicly and rejected him again and again as his
son. Francis carried a lot of guilt about this and the relationship with
his father remained broken for the rest of his life. One day Francis had
to go up into town and feeling fearful, invited a beggar from the streets to
join him.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He invited the beggar to walk
by his side and protect him. And Francis instructed him, “When my father hurls
curses and abuses at me, I will hear them painfully in one ear, but I ask you
to walk on my other side, and whisper God’s favor into my other ear, ‘Francis,
you are my beloved son. You are a son of heaven and a son of God.’ Just
keep repeating it until I can believe it again.”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[4]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">That’s what our baptism continues to say to us today. The font
reminds us who we are. In its waters we see our reflections. Here we discover
our true names. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #14171a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Rachel Held Evans said it
so well. “The great struggle of the Christian life is to take God’s name for
us, to believe we are beloved and to believe that is enough.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> That’s the only voice and the only name we need to hear. Against the many competing voices telling us
otherwise, we need to hear the voice of truth, and hear it repeated in our ears
again and again, until we believe it and know it. At the font, God’s Spirit
whispers to us again and again, and won’t stop until we really believe it, know
it, feel it in our souls<i>: You are my child. My daughter. My son. You are my
beloved.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">One final thing, this identity…it’s
never an end in itself.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s important
to know who we are so that we can faithfully live out our lives, serving God,
and fulfilling the purpose of our lives.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The well-loved poet Mary Oliver died this past week.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">She knew who she was as a child of God and
lived out her life to the fullest.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">She
said, “Love yourself. Then forget it. And love the world.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;">[5]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Indeed.</span></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><span style="font-size: large;"><br clear="all" />
</span><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">John Calvin, <i>Institutes of the
Christian Religion</i> (1559), Book IV, XV,1.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cited in Anthony Robinson, <i>Transforming
Congregational Culture</i> (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Press, 2003),
37.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The French Confession (1559),
written by Calvin, says, “We hold…that although we are baptized only once, yet
the gain that it symbolizes to us reaches over our whole lives and to our
death, so that we have a lasting witness that Jesus Christ will always be our
justification and sanctification.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Lion King</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">, Music and Lyrics by Elton John & Tim
Rice.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Legend of the Three Companions,” <i>St.
Francis of Assisi Writings and Early Biographies: English Omnibus of the
Sources for the Life of St. Francis</i>, cited in Richard Rohr, <i>Wild
Man to Wise Man: Reflections on Male Spirituality</i> (Cincinnati,
OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2005), 78.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Mary Oliver,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Evidence: Poems</i> (Boston: Beacon
Press, 2010).</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-10389873945119678162019-01-06T21:34:00.000-05:002019-01-07T21:35:42.208-05:00Wonder, Beauty, Light<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qfh2VpbZbQkxbIwurMeHUEefOzCFbj5hxIGhKsi0v2fUCuMaPC2_f5Rc1OfCTVBxmOAtyzNDbcbajzJEbq4Jew74hG0nTT2_d4unR9j4oj2fL0AzBHHRc3sA7RbJLNgb4_PwuwsaSiKF/s1600/Adoration+of+Magi+-+Duncan+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="640" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qfh2VpbZbQkxbIwurMeHUEefOzCFbj5hxIGhKsi0v2fUCuMaPC2_f5Rc1OfCTVBxmOAtyzNDbcbajzJEbq4Jew74hG0nTT2_d4unR9j4oj2fL0AzBHHRc3sA7RbJLNgb4_PwuwsaSiKF/s640/Adoration+of+Magi+-+Duncan+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Matthew 2:1-12 </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Epiphany</i><br /><br /><i>“Star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.” </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (1820-1891) wrote this carol, in 1857, for his nieces and nephews to sing in a Christmas pageant (and was later published in 1863). A gifted hymn writer, music teacher, Episcopalian priest, he gave the eulogy at the funeral of Ulysses S. Grant in 1885.<br /><br />Hopkins brilliantly shines a light on the star by turning it into a character in his nativity pageant. In this respect, he takes his cue from Matthew, because in Matthew’s gospel the star is the driving character in his birth narrative. The star is alive, it has a kind of personality; it has wisdom, it has a will, it has purpose, it moves. It’s dynamic. Where would the magi be without the star? The star summons them and sends them and leads them and guides them to a greater light, the star’s “perfect light,” the source of the star’s brilliance, the source of all light. <br /><br />Epiphany. From the Greek <i>epipháneia </i>(ἐπιφάνεια) meaning “manifestation” or “appearance.” The word is derived from the verb <i>phainein</i> (φαίνειν), meaning “to appear.” In classical Greek the word was used to describe the appearance of dawn, or the arrival of an enemy in battle, but it was also used to describe what it felt like to be in worship and encounter a manifestation of the divine. Such an experience was also known as a theophany, the appearance of a god or God. And so, epiphany and theophany could be used interchangeably. The Feast of Epiphany had enormous significance in the early Church, especially for Orthodox Christians in the Eastern Church (which continues to this day). Orthodox Christians also call it The Theophany. Epiphany predates Christmas as the day to celebrate the birth of Christ, as it celebrates the coming of God’s light into the world. It’s also known as The Day of the Lights or, simply, The Lights. <br /><br />The brilliance of the star led the magi to the birth of a greater light. The epiphany or manifestation of Jesus was so astonishing, so astounding, that the nations of the world (represented by these magi, these Gentiles, these wise ones from foreign nations), they could see in his birth the dawning of a new day for all people. The prophet Isaiah wrote long ago as if he had a glimpse of this moment in time, “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around…Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice…” (Isaiah 60:1-5b). <br /><br />You shall see and be radiant. Your heart shall thrill and rejoice, Isaiah said. The same could be same of these magi who followed the star that led them to the source of light, these magi who witnessed with their own eyes his luminous face as it transfigured and transformed them. In the presence of such light their hearts thrilled and rejoiced. Matthew tells us that when the magi saw that the star stopped moving they knew they had arrived, they were where they were supposed to be, and Matthew tells us “they were overwhelmed with joy” (Mt. 12:10). <br /><br />Overwhelmed with joy. This is a remarkable construction in Greek. It reads “<i>…echaresan charan megalen sphodra.</i>” Perhaps you can recognize familiar words embedded in the Greek. Did you hear char/a? The Greek word for “joy” is <i>chara</i>; the Greek word for “rejoice” is <i>chairu</i>; and the Greek word for “grace” is <i>charis</i>. Grace, joy, and rejoice all share the same root. Mega, is familiar, the Greek word for “great” or “exceeding.” So a literal rendering would be, the magi “rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” And an even more literal translation would be, “…they were joyed with exceeding great joy.” They were joyed. Joy happened to them. They were touched by joy. <br /><br />So, pause for a moment and pay attention to the images rising up within you right now. Can you imagine the magi’s arrival, feel their joy? Enter into the story and imagine what that joy must have felt like. We always says, “Hear the Word of God….” but we also need to feel the Word of God. Enter the feeling. What’s rising within you as you enter the story? Can you sense their joy? And because they were joyed, due to their en-<i>joy</i>-ment, overwhelmed by this epiphany before them—they began to kneel. They knelt down, they fell down, and worshipped him. And they opened to him, on bended knees, the treasures. <br /><br />It’s astonishing what can happen when we follow a star and begin the journey, a journey that leads to the place where we are overwhelmed by joy, the place where we are invited to kneel, and open the treasures of our hearts. If you think about it, for all their wisdom, it’s kind of foolhardy to follow a star, to put trust in astrological events, leave home, leave family, leave the familiar, and venture off on a journey because of ancient prophecies and stories about a child who would be born king of the world. There’s nothing rational, logical, or sane about any of this. It’s dangerous and risky. Would you do that? Could you do that? It’s ludicrous, if you think about it. <br /><br />But maybe we shouldn’t think about it, at least not too much. What if we put thought aside? What if we silence reason and logic and free ourselves from all the ways they hinder and constrict us? What if something else led our way, something more akin to wisdom? What if we hitched our wagon to this star and allowed ourselves to go where it wants to lead, trusting that it will lead us to Christ, to the place of new birth, our birth, our rebirth? What if we are still summoned by that star? <br /><br />What if we allow the star of wonder to lead the way in our lives? Amazement. Mystery. Wonder, like God, is endless in its capacity to re-enchant the world. In the end, it’s wonder that leads us and calls us and challenges us and startles us. What if we allowed ourselves to be led by wonder? What if wonderment led the way? Just imagine where the Spirit could take us! Just imagine what we would experience of God’s love and grace and joy. <br /><br />And what if we were summoned by beauty, led by beauty? What if we were transfixed by the beautiful, instead of the ugly or cruel or negative or destructive forces all around us? Beauty beatifies. What if we allow beauty to lead? If we as Christians, as the Church were led by beauty, just imagine where the Spirit could take us, and what the Spirit could do with us! Just imagine how our lives, our experiences of God’s goodness would cause us to delight with joy. Just imagine being overwhelmed by the beauty of God, transfixed by God’s beauty, the beauty of grace and love. And, what if, then, overwhelmed and dizzy, we find ourselves falling to our knees in adoration, worship, and praise? The poet T. S. Eliot (1888-1965) said it best: <br /><br /><i>You are not here to verify, <br />Instruct yourself, or inform curiosity <br />Or carry report. You are here to kneel</i>.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1">[1]</a> <br /><br />And what if, then, in worshipful joy, we offer Christ the treasures of our hearts? What if…. Just imagine! <br /><br />Wonder and beauty summon us to the light of Christ’s presence. In his light, when we are close to his light, are lives are transfigured and transformed. And when this happens, like the magi, our lives are never again the same. How can they be? Remember, the magi returned home by another road, not the same old road (Mt. 2:12). <br /><br />Where would be without the star? The star summons us and sends us and leads us and guides us to a greater light, wonder and beauty serve the “perfect light,” because it’s the source of the star’s brilliance, the source of all light. And the Light still summons us and calls out to us: Come! Follow! This way! <br /><br />I was struck by wonder and beauty this past week. It was in a very short poem by the contemporary Polish poet Adam Zagajewski. It spoke to me deeply, reflected my experience, gave voice to my hopes in the coming year. And then I thought of the magi, imagined what their experience might have been like; and I sensed that this—yes, this—this is what epiphany looks, feels like: <br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I’ve taken long walks <br />craving one thing only: <br />lightening, <br />transformation, <br />you.</i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2">[2]</a> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Image: John McKirby Duncan (1866-1945), "Adoration of the Magi" (1915)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">T. S. Eliot, “Little Gidding,” Four Quartets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Adam Zagajewski, “Transformation,” in <i>Without End: New and Selected Poems</i>,
trans. Clare Cavanagh et al. (New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 20020, 214.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
text-align:justify;
text-justify:inter-ideograph;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
text-align:justify;
text-justify:inter-ideograph;
line-height:115%;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style></div>
</div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-61082781624365434622018-12-23T21:12:00.000-05:002018-12-23T21:37:51.143-05:00The Coming of the Light<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !supportAnnotations]-->
<style id="dynCom" type="text/css"><!-- </style></div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs274HP4SR8JJU8_ig0D9nToqrPyamU8GFioQ9K_jAvmz52mu5pUYDoALL0usk9IkgSFp2lZ6x-OyWCn4WdOfcz9ZjEDQQhGKeuEB4SAUmp6_qU0KS3GOW4j9tKWcq5hC22UtNwVGxrW-V/s1600/first+light.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs274HP4SR8JJU8_ig0D9nToqrPyamU8GFioQ9K_jAvmz52mu5pUYDoALL0usk9IkgSFp2lZ6x-OyWCn4WdOfcz9ZjEDQQhGKeuEB4SAUmp6_qU0KS3GOW4j9tKWcq5hC22UtNwVGxrW-V/s640/first+light.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=412616934"><span style="font-size: large;">Luke 1:67-80</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<i style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<i style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Fourth Sunday in Advent</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I was afraid of the
dark.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Like most children, I was afraid
of places absent of light.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Although there’s
nothing childish about this.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Who isn’t
afraid of the dark? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We need the light
and we fear its absence.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Light allows us
to see, of course, it allows us to perceive and discern. It illumines and
allows us to know what’s around us, it allows us to know our surroundings,
whether we’re in a safe or threatening place. Light helps us to know. It reveals.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It opens things up. Light holds the dark,
holds back the dark.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And light allows us
to receive the loving gaze of another, and to see the face of one’s beloved.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">When I went to sleep as a
boy, my mother closed the door to my bedroom door, but not all the way, so that
the light from the hallway would enter the room.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I remember lying in bed, staring at the
darkness, looking at the door which, although brown, appeared black.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Around the door was a thin sliver of orange
light.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The door was framed in light, and
made the door look darker than it really was.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I was comforted in knowing that the light was still there, was always
there, on the other side of the door. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">As
a boy, I was fascinated by the relationship between light and dark.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And it struck me this week, reflecting on my
memory and on that of the image of the dark door, that the light was framing
the darkness, holding the darkness, keeping it at bay, and therefore I felt safe
to sleep, safe until the rising sun pushed away the night.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">At our Christmas Concert
Service last Sunday, we heard Luke's account of the annunciation (Lk. 1:26-38),
Mary's song of protest and hope (Lk. 1:46-56, the Magnificat), and the tidings
of joy to the shepherds (Lk 2:1-20). On this last Sunday in Advent, I would
like to go “off script,” or, actually “off lectionary.” I would like to focus
on a text never found in the lectionary: Zechariah's prophecy regarding his
son, John the Baptist. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And I would like
to zero in on one image in particular.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s fitting on this last
Sunday of Advent, on the cusp of Christmas Eve, that we put the spotlight on
the John the Baptist—the main man of Advent.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">You’ll recall that Elizabeth and Zechariah, up in years, were told that
they would have a son, and that they were to name him John. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Zechariah was a priestly, faithful man, yet even
he couldn’t believe the news Gabriel brought to them.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">So he was struck mute until after the birth
of the child. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Zechariah was unable to
speak all through Elizabeth’s pregnancy, he was silent for the birth of their
child, mute until the child’s eighth day, when he was presented for circumcision.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Still silent, Zechariah wrote out on a tablet:
“His name is John” (Lk. 1:63).</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Yochanan</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, in Hebrew, meaning “Yahweh has
been gracious.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Fear came over their
neighbors. “What then will this child become?” they asked (Lk. 66). </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And then after all this time being silent,
Zechariah cried out offering a song of praise and prophecy, leaving us with
this remarkable canticle of promise, hope, liberation, and most of all, </span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">light</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“And you, child,” Zechariah
said, speaking to his son, you, “will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of
salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins” (Lk. 1:76). John will
become the one who prepares the way for the coming of the light.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“By the tender mercy of our God,” Zechariah
sings, “the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who
sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of
peace” (Lk. 1:78-79). John is the one who prepares for the coming one, the one
who brings light to the world.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Yes, Jesus was sent “to give
light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death….” In many
respects, this isn’t anything new.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">God
was always viewed as the light of Israel; God’s presence is luminous. It’s
essential for us to know that the coming of Jesus was continuous with this
past, but it’s also different.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Now, in
the birth of Jesus, the light of God comes among us and fills time and space in
the flesh. God comes close—uncomfortably close. God enters into the brokenness
of the world, in order to bring light to those who sit, who are stuck in
darkness.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But how?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Where?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Light and dark. These are
rich metaphors, archetypal in the way they tap into the deepest recesses of the
human psyche.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Although, we tend to be existentially
removed from them today because most of us never really spend a lot of time in
total darkness, we’re not afraid of the dark, we just flip on a switch or press
an app on our Smart Phones and we have light. What does it mean, then to say
Jesus is light to those who sit in darkness?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Does this image still have the capacity to mean anything to us?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">If so, it will have to mean something
different for us.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What, then, might it mean
for us? Sometimes we hear talk of the battle between the forces of light and
dark.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But it’s more complicated than
that. The dark, which is part of God’s good creation, is also good.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We’re told in Exodus that God dwells in the
darkness, that’s where Moses encountered God (Ex. 20:21).</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The Psalmist reminds us, “God made the
darkness his dwelling place” (Ps. 18:11). Or, “Darkness is not dark to you, and
night shines as the day. Darkness and light are but one” (Ps. 139:12).</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But darkness is </span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">really</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> dark to you and me, darkness is
absence; for us, the absence of light, deep darkness, disturbs us profoundly.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Maybe because we know there’s still quite a
bit of darkness in this world—and there’s quite a bit of darkness in the human
heart, at times devoid of light.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I
recently came across a quote from <a href="http://www.littleheartsbooks.com/">L. R. Knost</a>, editor of the </span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Holistic Parenting </i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">magazine. She writes,
“Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break. And all
things can be mended.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Not with time, as
they say, but with intention.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">So go.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Love intentionally, extravagantly,
unconditionally.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The broken world waits
in darkness for the light that is you.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I
like this reminder.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">She is a Christian
and she writes to offer hope.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In many
respects, she’s right. I like how she makes the connection between light and
love. The broken world waits in the darkness for the light that is in you.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">There’s more light in us, created as we are
in the image of God, than we often suspect.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">But
not always. I wonder whether this is true for everyone.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">What
if you feel so broken, so wounded that you can’t see the light within yourself?
What if you can’t love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally? What then?
What if your pain and sorrow, your anxiety, maybe depression, your concern over
the current state of the world the stress that comes daily with one more “breaking
news” story that leaves us speechless?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What if all of this makes it difficult to see light, let alone be
light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What then? What if asking to be
light is just too much for us?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">There
are far too many who can’t see or feel any warmth within themselves.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">They can’t see themselves as bearers of the
light.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Maybe that’s what they were
taught as children.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Maybe life has been so
tough for them that it’s difficult to see the light. It’s just how they feel.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Or maybe you feel there’s some light in you,
but not enough light to confront a world that feels dark.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Perhaps you feel overwhelmed by the dark.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The bright spark is tenuous.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I
was Christmas shopping this past week at Macy’s in Towson.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I struck up a conversation with the
salesperson at the register.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I had
several bags in my arms, so she asked, “Is all your Christmas shopping
finished?” “Almost,” I said.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“So you can
go home,” she said, “have a quiet evening and a peaceful holiday.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I smiled and said, “Well, sort of….”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I “outed” myself and said, “I’m actually a
pastor, so it’s kind of a busy, stressful time.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Episcopalian?” she asked. </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What does an Episcopalian look like?</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> I
thought. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“No, Presbyterian.” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What
does a Presbyterian look like?</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Then
she said, “Say a pray for me and all of us working behind registers in malls
this season. There are a lot of people who are just plain mean and nasty. I go
home and pray for them, and try not to take it personally.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But it’s tough.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I tried to joke with her a little, make her
laugh, and then as she gave me my purchase, I looked her in the eye and wished
her a strong, heartfelt, “</span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Merry Christmas</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The Sufi mystic Rumi (1209-1273) wisely said, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“The
wound is where the light enters you.” As
a Muslim mystic, Rumi had a profound insight into the workings of God, and had
a better understanding of the incarnation than many Christians. It’s our wounds, the places that hurt, the
places that appear devoid of light and love, it’s in our weaknesses and
struggles and all that comes with the fragility of being human, the flesh—that’s
where God’s love chooses to enter our lives. That’s where God chooses to be
born, in the messy muck of a stable and feeding trough which is sometimes our
lives. The light of God enters the world
through the weakness and wounds of the flesh, not apart from them. The Gospel
of John says it even better, “The light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:5). Did you hear that? Listen to that: Light shines<i> in</i> darkness. God’s light shines—not our light, but <i>God’s</i> light—shines not apart from the
darkness, but in the darkness, in the darkest places in us and in the world,
which means we don’t have to be afraid of the dark.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In Anthony Doerr’s novel </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">All the Light We Cannot See</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">,
we are drawn into the lives of two children just before the Second World War.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Marie-Laure in lives Paris and Werner lives
about three hundred miles to the east, near Essen, Germany. The
novel is written in such a way that we imagine the world through their eyes,
what we imagine them seeing and experiencing as Europe is about to be swallowed
by darkness.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Marie-Laure, however, is
blind. Her world is always dark and yet she “sees” through her
imagination, and we begin to view the world as we imagine for her what’s
unfolding around her. Werner lives in an orphanage with his sister,
Jutta. Light is a theme that runs through the novel. Late
one night, after Werner and Jutta were supposed to be asleep, Werner pulls out
an old shortwave radio, hooks the antennae out the bedroom window, and soon
hears “scratchy broadcasts” coming from Russia, London, Rome, Berlin, and one
coming from somewhere in France.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">A man
is talking with a French accent, talking about light.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The voice says: “The brain is locked in total
darkness, of course, children….</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It
floats in a clear liquid inside the skull, never in the light. And
yet the world it constructs in the mind is full of light. It brims
with color and movement. So how, children, does the brain, which
lives without a spark of light, build for us a world full of light?” “…</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Open
your eyes</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">,” concludes the voice in the night.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;">[1]</span></sup></span></sup></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
The mystery of light and darkness in us, embedded within us, the fact that light
shines in darkness, and darkness can even generate light, allowing us to see,
just consider how awesome this is!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">One of my favorite writers
is </span><a href="https://www.english.cam.ac.uk/people/Robert.Macfarlane/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Robert
Macfarlane</a><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">. </span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Fellow at Cambridge
University, he has written remarkable books on walking, following old paths, a
book on our fascination with and relationship to mountains and mountain
climbing.</span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">He’s mesmerized by words, especially
forgotten words in Old English, Scots, and Gaelic used to describe the natural
world.</span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">I follow him on Twitter, where he
posts a word a day.</span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Several weeks ago,
he introduced me to a new word: “quaquaversal,” meaning, literally, “wherever-towards.”
It means “dipping or emanating in all directions from a central point.” It was
originally a geological term; but a person, thought, event, artwork, etc., may
also be said to be “quaquaversal.” </span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Macfarlane says, it’s, “A relishably precise
term for a radiant quality.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">A person, thought, or event
emanating in all directions from a central point. It emanates from a central
point and moves “wherever-toward” everything else.</span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><i style="color: #14171a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Quaquaversal</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">.</span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">As it emanates, and moves out and moves in, it
fills every available space, not unlike light, which breaks forth upon us like
the dawn and fills all in all.</span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">I love this image and this
word, because it resonates, or, better, illuminates what the birth of Christ might
have meant for his first followers, what it could mean for us today. It illustrates what his birth—and his entire
life—meant for those who encountered him, those who allowed themselves to be
filled with the quaquaversal-quality of his light. There was something then—something
still—about the birth of this child that brought and still brings light to our
lives, a light that pushes the darkness away.
Or, perhaps better, it’s the kind of light that illuminates and holds
the darkness, frames the darkness, fills the darkness, and helps us to see what
previously </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">was lost in shadow. And his
light has the power to illuminate all things because the source of his
brilliance is <i>love</i>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #14171a; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Love and light are always linked. Because it’s
really love that brings all things to light and, therefore, to life. The
naturalist John Muir (1838-1914) once said, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“One can only see by loving; love makes things visible and all
labor light.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;">[2]</span></sup></span></sup></span></a> Love brings us to light.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And
this light, this love, this life cannot be wished or forced or controlled or
earned or manipulated. The ever-wise
Annie Dillard put it so well, “I cannot cause light, the most I can do is try
to put myself in the path of its beam.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><sup><span lang="EN-US">[3]</span></sup></span></sup></span></a>
That’s all we can ever do. We place
ourselves in the way of Christ’s light.
His light, the path of his beam is always coming toward us, is always
about to dawn upon us, and fill us. As
Zechariah knew, this light, this love, this “tender mercy of God” (Lk. 1:78),
is freely given by God, it’s all grace.
And as Mary modelled for us so well, for both women and me: “</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me
according to your word’” (Lk. 1: 38). Like
Mary, we are invited to put ourselves in the path of his light. Like Mary, we </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">are
called to be receptive to what is always coming toward us, to what is being given
to us, to what is being offered to us, to what of God is being born in us and
through, to that new horizon of hope and liberation and salvation about to open
before our eyes by the light of God’s love.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“For
in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus…”—in those dark days of
Caesar, the dark days of Caesar oppression sword, in those days, a light was
born, to “guide our feet into the way of peace” (Lk. 1:80).</span></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><span style="font-size: large;"><br clear="all" />
</span><br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" title="">[1]</a></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" title=""></a></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Anthony Doerr, <i>All the Light We Cannot
See</i> (London: Fourth Estate, 2014), 48. </span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">Cited in James B. Hunt, <i>Restless Fires: Young John Muir’s
Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf in 1867-68</i> (Macon: Mercer University
Press, 2012), 49. And on</span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> the luminosity of darkness, see Jungian analyst Melanie Starr Costello’s reflection <a href="https://www.jung.org/blog/5631417">here</a></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[3]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;"> Annie Dillard,
<i>Pilgrim at Tinker Creek</i> (Harper Perennial Modern Classic), 38.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="mso-element: comment-list;">
<!--[if !supportAnnotations]-->
<br />
<div style="mso-element: comment;">
<div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_1" language="JavaScript">
<div class="MsoCommentText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<!--[if !supportAnnotations]--></div>
<!--[endif]--></div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-43657728938245533652018-12-09T20:02:00.000-05:002018-12-11T13:00:52.093-05:00The Wilderness Calls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8dc3hCkylw8vHpWkaKGYGWY7O2MW6zx6SyrilSdY9Yn_M57x82e5TGI4FPABiUXvBTiomTq32Hp4NPyy0EE_inM126EcOwWQyhSVbA4Dhy657AFEo-CdK9skxNrBEZMWrbzQKYrUfWOG/s1600/34th+st.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="800" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8dc3hCkylw8vHpWkaKGYGWY7O2MW6zx6SyrilSdY9Yn_M57x82e5TGI4FPABiUXvBTiomTq32Hp4NPyy0EE_inM126EcOwWQyhSVbA4Dhy657AFEo-CdK9skxNrBEZMWrbzQKYrUfWOG/s640/34th+st.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luke 3:1-6</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Second Sunday of Advent</span></i></div>
<div align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Most
Saturday mornings he was there in the center of town, near the Victorian fountain
in Market Street, not far from the cross-mark in the cobbled street where
reformers were burned for heresy during the Reformation. On Saturdays, the
streets of St. Andrews, Scotland, are busy; they’re bustling with shoppers,
townsfolk and country folk, farmers in town to do their shopping for the week;
there are book stalls and bake stalls and food stalls set up in Market Street,
the main street of St. Andrews, the center of the community. Most Saturdays
Jeremy was there in Market Street near the fountain, dressed smartly in a tweed
jacket and waistcoat, with a bendy-Bible in one hand and the other outstretched
as he proclaimed a word of warning and repentance. He was a member of the Gospel Hall, an
evangelical mission, which has been in St. Andrews for decades. There he stood,
like a modern-day John the Baptist, preaching a word of warning and judgment,
calling people to repent and accept Christ as savior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I
know his name because Jeremy lived in David Russell Hall, where I too lived at
the University of St. Andrews. We were
about the same age. We were both
postgraduates; he was studying English literature. We had meals together, often
on Sunday afternoons. He was from England. He was a nice guy. Kind. He walked
with a slight limp. We were never close. We never talked about theology or church.
He knew I was a minister. He walked or cycled, almost daily, on his way into
town, right past the church that I served in Hepburn Gardens/</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes
I would stop and listen to him from a distance. I was curious.
To be honest, he was a bit of a curiosity. The other guys in the dorm didn’t know what
to make of him—they didn’t know what to make of me, either, but in a different
way. I was a conventional minister
(although, that, too, was certainly odd). I did my “thing” on Sunday mornings behind a
pulpit within the safe confines of a very traditional, established Church of
Scotland. Out of sight, out of mind. He did his “thing” on Saturday mornings, out
there in public for all to see, exposed, vulnerable to suspicion and judgment,
and sometimes even ridicule. We were very different, still brothers in
Christ. We were both preachers. But he was the evangelist. “But am I not also an evangelist?” I wondered. Sure, in a way. But isn’t that what I’m supposed to do, too? Could I do what he did on Saturday mornings?
Not with the same message, mind you, but a different message. Could I imagine my voice echoing through
Market Street? I don’t think so.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For
most, today, the image of a street-corner preacher pronouncing God’s judgment is
a caricature, a curiosity, an oddity, not unlike the character of John the
Baptist. John doesn’t seem to fit
anywhere. Sure, we know he’s an integral part of the story, but how many of us
take him very seriously? He’s on the stage for a while, moves the narrative
along, then he decreases so that Jesus can increase (Jn. 3:30). John drifts
away into the shadows and just stays there out in the desert. Episcopalian preacher-writer-theologian Fleming
Rutledge says of John the Baptist, “After two thousand years, he still stands
there, irreducibly strange, gaunt, unruly, lonely, refractory, utterly out of
sync with his age or our age or any age.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Mark%20Dunham/Downloads/The%20Wilderness%20Calls.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">[1]</span></span></span></a> Rutledge calls John, “the main man of Advent.” </span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">John and Advent: they make a good pair.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We don’t know what do with John, like we
don’t really know what to do with Advent. Both make us uncomfortable.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Perhaps we would be more receptive toward the
season of Advent if it didn’t come right before Christmas. Advent has morphed
into a season of preparation for the coming of Christmas—we’re guilty of doing
of this, just listen to way we talk about Advent as getting ready for the baby
Jesus—instead of it being a season that’s supposed to stand on its own, which
prepares us to live in this in-between time, live in ordinary time, as we wait
for Jesus to come again.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> In
fact, Fleming Rutledge suggests in her latest book <i>Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ</i>, that, “o</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">f all the seasons of the church year, Advent
most closely mirrors the daily lives of Christians and of the church, asks the
most important ethical questions, presents the most accurate picture of the
human condition, and above all, orients us to the future of the God who will
come again.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Mark%20Dunham/Downloads/The%20Wilderness%20Calls.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[2]</span></span></span></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Advent, like John the Baptist, calls
us to wake up and see who we are and calls us to repentance. It’s a call to
change: <i>For the love of God and all that
is good, change!</i> Come clean. To be
honest about ourselves and the state of the world that we find ourselves in. Take
off our blinders. It’s time to confess our
complicity in the world’s injustice, confess our sin and brokenness and
rebellion against God’s desire for the world.
It’s time to acknowledge our divided, wayward, crooked hearts that can’t
find the way that leads to salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">When we prepare for Jesus’ coming, we need to
remember that John and Jesus are cousins (Lk. 1:5-24; 39-45), they share a common
lineage, they are a team, one leads the way to the other.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">In order to receive Jesus when he comes, in
order to receive his joy, we need to hear John’s message, again and again.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">John’s brutal realism, his honesty about the often-grim
reality of our lives leads the way for Jesus, he reminds us why a savior has
been given to us, why we need a savior in the first place.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But we often want Jesus without
John, Jesus without the judgment. We
don’t really want to hear his message; maybe in Lent when we’re supposed to wallow
in our sin, not weeks before Christmas joy. Instead, Advent whisks us away into
the wilderness with John, far from visions of sugarplums and “all is bright,
all is calm,” deep into the wilds of Judea.
Luke wants us to know something essential: the only place we can prepare
for the coming “salvation of God” (Lk. 3:6) is in the wilderness, which means that
we have to go there, to the wilderness, in order to hear this word of promise
and hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In Brené Brown’s recent book <i>Braving the Wilderness</i>, she helpfully
describes what we know the wilderness to be.
“The wilderness is an untamed, unpredictable place of solitude and
searching. It is a place as dangerous as
it is breathtaking, a place as sought after as it is feared. But it turns out
to be the place of true belonging, and it’s the bravest and most sacred place
you will ever stand.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Mark%20Dunham/Downloads/The%20Wilderness%20Calls.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
If you’ve spent any time in truly wild, remote places, you know this to be
true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Yes, sometimes, often, we need to go to the wilderness to hear the
Baptist's call.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We can’t hear his voice
in the tamed places where we live, in safe, comfortable, predictable, familiar
places.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The voice of God is often best heard
in wild, unfamiliar, even hostile places, beyond our control, on the edge of
things.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">That’s where the prophets lived
and preached, out there on the edge; even today, the prophets are out there on
the edge of things.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Perhaps only there
can we prepare for the coming of our salvation, only there can we hear the
Baptist’s voice, clearly hear his word of warning, but also of hope.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">So, what are we supposed to do? Spend Advent in the dessert? (That
sounds nice, actually. Maybe at a desert spa?) Do we have to go off to a
secluded place, live in isolation? Go to the mountains? Spend time in a
monastery?</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Not in Advent—we’re too busy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">~ ~ ~</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">What if the wilderness is nearer than we suspect? What if you step
out into the wilderness the moment you cross the threshold of this sanctuary? Let’s
flip things around. What if the church is the familiar place, the tame place,
the well-ordered and civilized, comfortable and predictable place? What if the
church has become the place where it’s tough to hear the Baptist’s cry, and
difficult prepare for the coming of our salvation? Within the walls of the sanctuary we’re easily
cordoned off, safe from “the world.” Here
we do our “church” thing, I’m hiding behind a pulpit, you’re tucked in the comfort
and familiarity of your pews, maybe lulled to sleep by the routine of our
rituals. Yes, sometimes it’s tough to hear the Baptist’s voice in the
church. What if the church is not the
best place to prepare for Jesus’ coming?
What then? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Maybe Jeremy has something to teach us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">I write the sermon most weeks in my study in the Church House;
sometimes at home, but usually in the Church House. This week, for some reason,
I felt drawn to write away from the church. I wrote this on Friday afternoon on
the second floor of <a href="https://www.atwatersfood.com/shops/catonsville/">Atwater’s</a>, the coffeeshop not far from here on Frederick
Road. It’s a very different experience
writing a sermon in a public place; perhaps that’s where a sermon should be
written, in a public space.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Luke tells us that a voice cries in the wilderness, “Prepare the
way of the Lord.” And we hear that voice best in the wilderness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">So, what if the wilderness for Christians these days is just out
beyond the walls of the church, beyond this community, simply living and
learning and listening for the voice in the wild beauty of the secular, in the
world, in the ordinary, seemingly Godforsaken irreligiosity that surrounds us
all the time? What if that’s the
wilderness for us these days? What if we
prepare for Jesus’ coming beyond the walls of the sanctuary, beyond the Church
House, beyond the confines of my study, beyond the boundaries of “church,” out
there in Market Street or Main Street or any street, right there on the street
where you live? What would that look
like? Our society these days—where we
work, where we shop, where we go to school, where we live—is the wilderness, feeling
untamed and wild, dangerous and breathtaking, confusing and overwhelming, out
of control, maybe even hostile—all at the same time. The wilderness is the
place where, right now, we are being challenged, where our beliefs are being
tested, living on the edge, feeling unsure, unsettled, maybe brought to our
limits. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">It’s here—or, rather, </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">out</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">there</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">, in those places, beyond the
walls of the sanctuary—where we need to really listen for the Baptist’s voice,
where we need to search for the highway, the way upon which God’s salvation is
coming toward us through the deserts of our lives. It’s out there, in the so-called “secular” spaces
that we need to listen for the voice, find the sacred, where we need to listen
for the coming birth of Christ, even in places of apparent Godforsakenness—like
a shopping mall on the Saturday before Christmas Eve, even in the chaos of the
crowds, in all the materialism and crass commercialism of this season—and
there’s a part of me that loves all of it!—we can hear the Baptist’s voice and prepare
for Christ’s coming among us.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Let us be brave and step out into the wilderness. How will you prepare for his coming in the
wild places of your life? Right where
you live, at the crossroads of your life, can you hear the Baptist crying out
to you? </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Image: Christmas Lights on 34th Street, Baltimore, Maryland.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Mark%20Dunham/Downloads/The%20Wilderness%20Calls.docx#_ednref1" title="">[1]</a></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Mark%20Dunham/Downloads/The%20Wilderness%20Calls.docx#_ednref1" title=""><!--[endif]--></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> Fleming Rutledge, <i>Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus
Christ</i> (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2018), 277.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Mark%20Dunham/Downloads/The%20Wilderness%20Calls.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[2]</span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> Rutledge, 1-3.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Mark%20Dunham/Downloads/The%20Wilderness%20Calls.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[3]</span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> Brené Brown, <i>Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to
Stand Alone</i> (Random House, 2017), 36<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU12OKTYFCY3OaDqlvkZ7nWG9RafgvtRKCvV5n8hD3OLVcIeXwJcQvyOKtY__RR_LAlHInIRrlkTv_Mg0QnaYWAT5D3bAmTe3P2W4Lk4qwYc8MtboeV3LbVVQPnwz-iP1NnPGVo8s_RrGd/s1600/desert+wilderness+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="640" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU12OKTYFCY3OaDqlvkZ7nWG9RafgvtRKCvV5n8hD3OLVcIeXwJcQvyOKtY__RR_LAlHInIRrlkTv_Mg0QnaYWAT5D3bAmTe3P2W4Lk4qwYc8MtboeV3LbVVQPnwz-iP1NnPGVo8s_RrGd/s400/desert+wilderness+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-14083463167316824452018-12-02T18:01:00.003-05:002018-12-02T20:37:00.969-05:00Learning to Wait<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
p
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0cm;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;
mso-endnote-numbering-style:arabic;}
</style>
</div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjm-4hbMT9I9CeBEshpcQEeFQn3zoGHABIsLpVNNJ_BZx6FSN5sW0inT_KTG_n2EYoByNYvTVnOo9CVLXB_yXLFetB1jkhsZCN8KXxpUWCEotBp3_e4AC5Lg2r5GPMBx6rtKNH9YQ10d8P/s1600/train+platform+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="488" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjm-4hbMT9I9CeBEshpcQEeFQn3zoGHABIsLpVNNJ_BZx6FSN5sW0inT_KTG_n2EYoByNYvTVnOo9CVLXB_yXLFetB1jkhsZCN8KXxpUWCEotBp3_e4AC5Lg2r5GPMBx6rtKNH9YQ10d8P/s640/train+platform+.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Luke 21:25-36</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">First Sunday in Advent</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">During my recent stay Zürich, I
spent a lot of time waiting: waiting for trains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stayed in the town of Erlenbach, about five
miles from the city center along Lake Zurich, and commuted daily to Küsnacht,
about a mile away, where the <a href="https://www.junginstitut.ch/english/">C. G. Jung Institute</a> is located. I never waited
very long, because trains arrive every fifteen minutes or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you spend some time in Switzerland, you
know that the trains there are amazing, they’re an engineering marvel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Swiss are obsessed with their trains. Images
of trains show up in their dreams all the time. Many Swiss dream about being
late for the train or just missing a train as it moves away from the platform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have good reasons to be proud of their
trains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re quiet, beautifully
designed, fast, clean, and they run exactly on time—well, most of the time. But
when a train is late, even two or three minutes late, Swiss Rail apologizes—profusely.
I was in Basel one afternoon and planned to take the train back around 7 p.m.
The train, coming from Germany (it was a German train) was late fifteen minutes—fifteen
minutes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swiss Rail apologized to us as
we waited on the platform, another apology came once we were on the train, and
as we approached Zürich we received yet another apology—they apologized for
making us wait.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">How we hate to wait.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Waiting makes us uncomfortable, uneasy,
anxious, frustrated, even angry.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">We’re
obsessed with speed, in love with the instant, the moment. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">There’s a little Veruca Salt, from </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman";">Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">, in
each of us.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">“But Daddy, I want it NOW!” Instant
gratification.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We
often fail to acknowledge the value of waiting, of being patient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a theme often found in Grimm’s
fairytales (which were actually written for adults, not children).<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">Consider the story of Cinderella,
she has to wait for her prince to come, and the prince has to wait to find his
princess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waiting can’t be avoided
or shortened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These tales teach us that all
kinds of violence and pain occur when we can’t wait, when we rush ahead, when
we take matters into our own hands, when we try to force something to occur on
our time schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes we need to
wait because we’re not ready for the tension of waiting to be resolved, because
we’re not mature enough to hear the wisdom of the tale, because we’re not wise
enough, humble enough, vulnerable enough to receive what we are anxiously
waiting for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Advent is a season of waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But who likes to wait?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps that’s why Advent is often
overlooked, ignored, or shortened—we give Advent two weeks, by the third week
we want to sing Christmas carols in worship—because we can’t wait to get to the
Christmas. How many times did we say as children, “I can’t wait ‘til Christmas”?
How often do our children say it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
wait was excruciating, wasn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost
painful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the night before Christmas,
going to bed on Christmas Eve, we were sleepless, nervous with anticipation,
hoping against hope that time would somehow speed up overnight to bring us
faster, closer to Christmas morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Advent is no longer waiting for the
birth of Jesus. We already know he was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We might try to rehearse what it was like for Mary and Joseph to prepare
for his arrival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We begin our countdowns
to Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if Advent is only looking
back to what led up to the birth of Christ, we fail to honor another dimension
of Advent, which is looking toward the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Advent calls us to be alert for God’s presence coming toward us, from
the future, encountering us here and now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">Three times in Luke 21, Jesus warns
us that something is near: “your redemption is drawing near” (Lk. 21:28), a new
season is “already near” (Lk. 21:30), <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the “kingdom of God is near” (Lk. 21:32). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something is on the way—redemption, the
kingdom of God—approaching from the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But how near? Jesus’ said, “…generation will not pass away until all
things have taken place” (Lk 21:31).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
we are many generations beyond that time. Did we miss it? It’s confusing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We
never learn how near. How long must we wait? </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Why must we wait? Near, and yet so far away. How
long are we supposed to wait for redemption to be real?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Where is this kingdom?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">On
Friday, I attended Baltimore Presbytery’s dismantling racism training,
facilitated by <a href="https://bmoreantiracist.org/">Baltimore Racial Justice Action</a>.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This was an eight-hour workshop now required for all ministers in the
presbytery. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">(Baltimore Presbytery is the
first presbytery to require such training.) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We looked at the origins and history of racism
in the United States, the structures of racist policies and laws that have
contributed to racial inequity in Baltimore, we wrestled with definitions of prejudice,
white supremacy, white privilege, we shared our racist assumptions and
behaviors, we acknowledged the shameful and sinful actions of the church
(including the churches of this presbytery), and we heard the pain of those who
have been victims of racist attitudes and policies.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We looked at the past and we talked about
what’s happening today in the U.S.—Ferguson, Charlottesville, Baltimore—and I
felt myself saying, “How long?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">How long?
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It never ends. Will we ever learn? I’m
tired of waiting for things to change. I can only imagine how my
African-American brothers and sisters feel.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Writing from a jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama, Martin Luther King, Jr.
(1929-1968) wrote, “Justice too long delayed is justice denied.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Justice
delayed is justice denied. This is true, but if we move too fast, if we’re not
ready for justice, for healing, ready to confess the sin of racism, even more
damage could result.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Waiting too long
leads to despair; failing to wait until the time is right can lead to more
violence and injustice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But
one thing we do know:</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">God is
coming.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“The days are surely coming…when
justice and righteousness will spring forth in the land” (Jeremiah 33:14-16).</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Contemporary
writer, scholar Richard Williamson, Jr. says, reflecting on Luke 21, Advent
should “<a href="https://robertwilliamsonjr.com/advent-should-upend-world/">upend the world</a>.” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">“A </span></span><span style="border: 1pt none; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; padding: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;">future-focused Advent recognizes the
deep injustices in the world that remain to be rectified. Indeed, according to
the text, the arrival of the Son of Man will be a wrenching experience for
those deeply invested in the status quo. It will make the earth tremble. It
will shake the heavens. It will fill the Empire with fear and foreboding—for
the times are about to change.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Everything takes place in God’s good
time, and so we wait.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Not passive
waiting, not the waiting of indifference or resignation, not “I-can’t-do-anything-about-it,-so-why-try?”.
We wait actively, we cannot allow ourselves to be indifferent or distracted. We’re
engaged, expectant, vigilant, actively looking for what is coming toward
us.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s like standing on a platform
waiting for the train.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">That’s active waiting.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">You see the train is on its way toward you, you
can imagine what is far off coming closer to you, filling in the space between
you and the approaching train.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">As you
anticipate its coming, you’re already, at the same time, participating in its
arrival.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">When Jesus tells us to look for
what is coming, to be “on guard” (Lk. 21:34) and “be alert” (Lk. 21:36), we are
already participating in what is coming toward us.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We are then shaped by this experience. That
experience, that is Advent.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">The Presbyterian minister and writer
Frederick Buechner captures the experience of waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says, “</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman";">The extraordinary thing that is about to
happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent
is the name of that moment,” the “moment just before it happens.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s that moment of anticipation that
something new is about to be born in us, in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buechner says, “… if you concentrate just for
an instant, far off in the deeps of you somewhere you can feel the beating of
your heart. For all its madness and lostness, not to mention your own, you can
hear the world itself holding its breath.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
We hold our breath and—breathe. Breath gives way to new breath.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This
mystical season, this time-between-time, teaches us something invaluable about
the Christian life: the importance of active waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All birth takes time.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">hat is waiting to be
born in you?</span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859) collected their
tales (Märchen), not fairy tales, in the early nineteenth century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Complete Grimm’s Tales (</i>New York: Pantheon Books, 1972).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See also Marie-Louise von Franz, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Interpretation of Fairy Tales</i>
(Boston: Shambala, 1996).</span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> <span style="color: #1d2129;">Frederick Buechner, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whistling in the Dark: A Doubter’s
Dictionary</i> (HarperOne, 1993), 3.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-50474191445466959352018-11-25T18:48:00.000-05:002018-12-22T11:20:54.439-05:00Alpha and Omega<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;
mso-endnote-numbering-style:arabic;}
</style>
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXguquB4Yha9xroMGHYuGkNBGChSgw6p7W_Z25wxW9HtOw7N6mylXmPX1eWvYCLfZqnzNI8mHVvN4ukLtkASQE1kCSJf6qJ4_5WOt4GGiU_lgrCMmQQqzUBX0TLaSwdjQVmn9aCHDrwX9u/s1600/Jesus-Alpha-and-Omega-in-Catacombs-of-Commodilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXguquB4Yha9xroMGHYuGkNBGChSgw6p7W_Z25wxW9HtOw7N6mylXmPX1eWvYCLfZqnzNI8mHVvN4ukLtkASQE1kCSJf6qJ4_5WOt4GGiU_lgrCMmQQqzUBX0TLaSwdjQVmn9aCHDrwX9u/s640/Jesus-Alpha-and-Omega-in-Catacombs-of-Commodilla.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Revelation 1:4b-8</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Reign of Christ Sunday</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Preaching
on this Sunday is challenging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ
the King. Reign of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is the
culmination of the liturgical calendar, a year modelled on the life of
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It begins with the promise of
his coming, followed by his birth, his life, death, and resurrection,
ascension, the season of Pentecost, which eventually leads us to Christ the
King. But, what does it mean to say that Christ is King today, when kings and
monarchs are a relic of the past?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can
modify the language a little and talk about the Reign of Christ, to get away
from the monarchial, and masculine aspects of Kingship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, what does it mean to affirm the reign
of Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can sound so arrogant and
even pompous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see why it’s often
overlooked or bypassed, especially in years when Reign of Christ is the Sunday
before Thanksgiving instead of the Sunday after Thanksgiving, like today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Presbyterians are free to use or not use the
liturgical calendar and the accompanying lectionary and are, therefore, free to
focus on this day, or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it’s
easier to celebrate Thanksgiving and sing, “Come, Ye Thank People, Come,” than
focus on the Kingship of Christ and sing (like today), <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Crown
him with many crowns, <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the
lamb upon his throne, <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">All music but its own:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Awake, my soul, and sing</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Of him who died for thee,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">And hail him as thy matchless king</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><i>Through all eternity.</i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Talk about kings and crowns and thrones
sounds like we’re lost in a Grimm’s fairy tale.</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Liturgically-speaking,
theologically-speaking what this Sunday means for us, though, must be taken
seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The theological heft of this Sunday can be seen in today lectionary readings, such as John
18:33-39, where Pilate asks Jesus, “Are you king of the Jews?” (18:33). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re king of the Jews, Jesus, then where
are your armies? And then there’s the reading from the opening of John’s
Apocalypse, from Revelation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">When John
received his revelation—his </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">apocalypse</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">—on
the tiny island of Patmos, in the Aegean Sea, he was in exile. Eusebius
(263-339), the fourth-century church historian, records an early Christian
tradition that Emperor Domitian (51-96) banished John to Patmos in AD 95.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">The Roman historian Tacitus (c.56-c.120) tells
us that there were three small islands (Gyaros, Donoussa, Amorgos), near
Patmos, which were used for political exiles.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Tacitus doesn’t name Patmos, but we know there were islands where people
were banished by the empire, or islands inhabited by people who sought to flee
the empire.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Read the Book of
Revelation very closely and you’ll see Rome everywhere.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">And you’ll discover that John’s apocalypse is
not really a prophecy for the end of the world, the so-called “end times.”</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Instead, you’ll see that John is writing a
pastoral letter to followers of Christ who have sold out to the idolatry of the
Roman Empire, he’s writing to encourage Christians to “come out” from the
collective, come out from the empire and stand up for Christ, step away from
the crowd and be faithful to the Lamb, to Christ.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">John challenges and offends anyone who
supports Roman rule, those who prefer to follow the Anti-Christ, who is none other
than the Roman Emperor himself.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Yes, John
was in exile—either he fled there to save his life or he was sent there by Rome.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Either way, the Roman Empire is the stage
upon which John’s vision unfolds.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">The Book of Revelation
is challenging, to be sure, and there are a lot of wacky interpretations out
there.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">What we need to remember is that
Revelation is essentially a </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">book of
worship</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">; not a book about worship.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Revelation is a liturgical drama, written in such a way to invite you
into worship, calls you to enter the divine drama, become part of the liturgy, join
in the chorus of praise of the Lamb; it’s something to be experienced, not
analyzed to death.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">And, remarkably,
unlike any other text in the New Testament, John intentionally links </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">worship</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> with </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">politics</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">He believes they
are inseparable.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">It begins with a
liturgical blessing, “Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and
who is to come” (Rev. 1:4b).</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Within two
verses, John is talking about a “kingdom,” a </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">basileia</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">, a “realm,” or better, “empire,” which belongs to
God.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">John talks about how we in the
church have been made into a new empire, with “priests” that serve God, and God
alone (Rev. 1:6). </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Did you hear
this?</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Worship and power.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Religion and politics. </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Politics and religion converge in acts of
worship, and worship always shapes our </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">allegiance</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">You see, worship is always a political
act.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Worship focuses our attention on
God, and in worship we remember who is God and who isn’t God.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Worship is always about allegiance, where we
place our trust and our hope.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">And one of
the central themes that’s running through Revelation is the question of
allegiance.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">So, why was
allegiance relevant to the seven churches in Asia Minor addressed by John?</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Because the imperial cult, that is, the worship
of Caesar as divine, was widespread and extremely strong in Asia Minor.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">The Emperor demanded their allegiance; the
emperor demanded their worship and adoration because the emperor was considered
divine; one of his titles was “son of God.” The Emperor expected to be thanked,
relentlessly, excessively, for all the benefits bestowed upon his people, for
all the great things done for his people.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Knowing this, the Book of Revelation becomes a clarion call for
believers to avoid giving ultimate allegiance to any person or power other than
God and the Lamb.</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[2]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">New Testament
scholar Elizabeth Schüssler Fiorenza suggests that Revelation is asking one
central question: “Who is the true Lord of this world?”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[3]</span></span></span></a><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Is it the emperors of Rome as the Roman
Empire would want its citizens to believe?</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Is the emperor of Rome to be worshipped, as was his desire? Is the true
Lord found in powers and institutions, including the merchants and shipbuilders
of the empire, that support the empire?</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">The entire book makes the case that Jesus Christ is “Lord and God and
King of the world,” not human emperors or empire-builders. Jesus Christ is “the
faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the
earth” (Rev. 1:4b), as John said.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">You see,
this is, at the same time, both a theological claim and a political claim—and they
can’t be separated This means that if Christ is the ruler of the rulers of the
earth, then Caesar is not really Caesar.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">From the perspective of the powers that be, from the perspective of
Rome, from the perspective of Caesar, such a claim is both heresy and sedition,
and worthy of death.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">John wants us to
look at the Lamb.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">John sees Christ as
the Lamb who has ransomed us from sin.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">John
is calling for repentance.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">But the sin
John has in mind is not what we ordinarily consider sin. For John, the most
pernicious sin is the sin of accommodation. “[John] wants those who are
accommodating themselves to cultic practices [of the Roman imperial cult], [the]
social affiliations, economic buy-ins, and demonstrations of political loyalty
that acknowledge, celebrate, and support the lordship of Rome to repent from
such activity. Sin, then, is specifically tied to affiliation with Rome and the
Roman imperial cult and its practices.” The lordship of God and Christ requires
a greater loyalty.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">This means that following
Christ makes you part of the opposition.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">John is essentially calling for nonviolent resistance against the powers
that be.</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[4]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">And John sees
the Churches in Asia Minor as the first line of resistance.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">He writes to the seven churches—Ephesus,
Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyratira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea—each with its golden
lampstand.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">(Notice the seven lamps
carved into the apse behind and above the pulpit.) Seven is significant because
it is, for John, the number of completeness.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">These seven churches represent the Church as a whole. And, not by
chance, each of these cities had a Roman law court where believers could be
forced to testify about allegations that they were Christ-believers.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">John is intentionally taking on the imperial
court, which includes the imperial cult, the worship of Caesar as divine.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">These citied owed their prosperity solely to
the emperor’s beneficence. </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">The
revelation John received forces him to take all of this on.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">We could say that Revelation is a liturgical
text that amounts to a theological and political manifesto.</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[5]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">God desires the
Church to become a witness against the sins of the empire.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Caesar is not the true ruler; God is the true
ruler. The implications of this are obvious, as Brian Blount makes clear: “if
God uses God’s power (Spirit) to contest Roman control of human history, </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">and</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> God also uses God’s power to empower
the churches to whom John is writing, then it must also be the case that John’s
churches will form one of the principal mechanisms through which God will win
the fights against Rome.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">This </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">Holy</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> Spirit, then, is very much a </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">political</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> Spirit.”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn6" name="_ednref6" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[6]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">John writes, “Grace
to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come.” “Who is, who
was, and who is to come.” There is no other place in the New Testament where
Christ is described this way.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">There is
no other place where God is described this way.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">A threefold formulation was a commonplace way of celebrating a deity’s
eternity and immutability.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">It was said,
for example, “Zeus was, Zeus is, and Zeus will be.”</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Athena also claimed this title.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Plutarch (45-127) tells of a statue to Athena
containing these words on the base, “I am all that has been, and is, and shall
be.” But John does something subversive here. He refers to Christ as one “who
is, who was, and who is to come.” John hijacks the formulation, and then adds,
is </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">coming</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">, Christ is coming, bringing
the supernatural order to the natural realm. And John messes with the flow of
time; he changes the order.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">It’s Christ
who is—</span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">now</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">—because he was, and is now
coming, for he’s always on the way.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus said to John of Patmos, "I am the
Alpha and the Omega." The beginning and the end. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Again, John refers to him as the one, “Who is
and who was and who is to come, the Almighty" (Rev. 1:8). Not one or the
other, but both-and. A text such as this lifts up the cosmic Christ. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">To call this Cosmic Christ “lord” is to oppose
the empire’s teaching that Caesar is “Lord and Savior.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn7" name="_ednref7" style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">[7]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Christ embraces every aspect of time, and yet
we experience him in time, in our time, in our lives. On this Reign of Christ
Sunday, the culmination of the liturgical year, we remember that, always, we
live in the wide embrace of Christ. He is our beginning and our end, and
everything in between. The Alpha, the Omega, the Almighty.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Christ as “Almighty,”
</span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">pantokrator</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">, in Greek, means Christ
is the ruler of the human realm, not the powers that be, not Caesar, not kings
or queens or prime ministers or presidents.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Those who pierced Christ will soon discover that he’s the one who holds
all time in his hands; he’s Lord of everything that occurs through time, in
time. Even the designation “Almighty” becomes a title of resistance, which,
then, makes his “coming” a political claim. His coming means that the present
ruler will have to give way, the present aeon will have to yield to the new
moment breaking into time.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">The coming of
Christ is always an event destabilizing the present order in order to make way
for the new emerging order.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">As Caesar
discovered, the birth of Christ meant the end of the old order. He is alpha and
omega, beginning and end.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">He is our
beginning and our end. Christ says, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Rev.
21:5). </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Whenever we encounter Christ who
is always coming toward us, the old order of our lives passes away.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">God’s new age is always coming and is now;
now and always on the way. You could say that we exist in a perpetual Advent.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">The German
theologian Rudolf Bultmann (1884-1976) concluded his sermon from December 12,
1943, preached in Germany in the middle of the war: “To be a Christian means to
be one who waits for God’s future.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Hence
for the Christian perhaps all seasons are essentially an Advent season.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">For Advent is characterized above all by this
note of expectation…It is intended to remind us sharply of what we so easily
and so often forget, namely, that as Christians we are expectant.”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn8" name="_ednref8" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[8]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">As we wait and
expect, we need to remember that Jesus is Lord.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus poses a political challenge to every ruler that defies the reign
of God.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Who is your “Lord” is always a
political question.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">In other words, who
has power?</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Who has ultimate authority in
your life?</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Who reigns over our decisions
and choices as a church? And as we wrestle with these questions, which can take
a lifetime, we must never underestimate the power of anti-Christ which seeks to
block and hinder his coming. We must never misjudge the power of the force that
seeks to resist God’s reign.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">On March 24,
1980, Archbishop Oscar Romero celebrated the Eucharist at the chapel of the Divine
Providence Cancer Hospital in San Salvador.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">In the preceding months, Romero had summoned the people of El Salvador
to nonviolent resistance against a repressive military regime.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">In this sermon, he said, “God’s reign is
already present on our earth in mystery.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">When the Lord comes, it will be brought to perfection.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">That is the hope that inspires
Christians.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">We know that every effort to
better society, especially when injustice and sin are so ingrained, is an
effort that God blesses, that God wants, that God demands of us.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn9" name="_ednref9" style="text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[9]</span></span></span></a><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">
As he finished his homily, a single bullet from an assassin ended his life.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Worship is always
a political act.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">The gospel, God’s good
news—if it truly is </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">God’s</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> good news—
is always political, because as Mary and Elizabeth and Joseph, the shepherds,
the Magi-Kings, and Simeon and John the Baptist, and everyone came to know, God’s
glad tidings of great joy (Luke 2:10) announce the coming reign of God!</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Come, Lord Jesus.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Come!</span></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2XX4KwXNbmULlc1GsLJDA6BR0aNibSNl2FKthY38b9uX1KNS7wD3DRbrNniBfrwPR1mtECyCQac8jJr6gEJTiWtxyljDv-MbMECxPc-r3KokQh_tR7nHLcc0ZhhYtZ_yaQKGQ6VvVcRt/s1600/Christos+Pantokrator+Montreal+Cathedra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2XX4KwXNbmULlc1GsLJDA6BR0aNibSNl2FKthY38b9uX1KNS7wD3DRbrNniBfrwPR1mtECyCQac8jJr6gEJTiWtxyljDv-MbMECxPc-r3KokQh_tR7nHLcc0ZhhYtZ_yaQKGQ6VvVcRt/s320/Christos+Pantokrator+Montreal+Cathedra.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br clear="all" />
</span><br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Images:</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Christ as Alpha and Omega, fresco from the Catacombs of Domitilla, Rome; Christos Pantokrator (12th century) in the Cathedral of Monreal, Sicily.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title="">[1]</a></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" title=""><!--[endif]--></a></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> The hymn “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kPkjghup8E">Crown Him with Many Crown</a>” was written by Matthew Bridges (1800-1804) and Godfrey
Thring (1823-1903), in 1851. It’s set to the tune DIADEMETA, composed by George
Job Elvy (1816-1893).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> J. Nelson
Kraybill, A<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pocalypse and Allegiance:
Worship, Politics, and Devotion in the Book of Revelation</i> (Grand Rapids,
MI: Brazos Press, 2010), 33.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Elizabeth
Schüssler Fiorenza, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Invitation to the
Book of Revelation</i> (Garden City, NY: Image Books, 1981), 72.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Brian K.
Blount, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Revelation: A Commentary</i>
(Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009), 37<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Blount, 34.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn6" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref6" name="_edn6" style="mso-endnote-id: edn6;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Blount, 35.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn7" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref7" name="_edn7" style="mso-endnote-id: edn7;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> See Matthew
Fox, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The
Healing of Mother Earth and the Birth of a Global Renaissance</i> (HarperOne,
1988).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn8" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref8" name="_edn8" style="mso-endnote-id: edn8;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Cited in
David W. Congdon, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rudolf Bultmann: A
Companion to His Theology</i> (Cascade Books, 2015), 157. I’m grateful to David
for the rich phrase “perpetual Advent.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn9" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref9" name="_edn9" style="mso-endnote-id: edn9;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> James R.
Brockman, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Church Is All of You: Thoughts
of Archbishop Oscar Romero</i> (Minneapolis: Winston, 1984), 110.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-84170504649373631762018-10-21T11:30:00.000-04:002018-10-21T12:53:53.641-04:00A Servant's Heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
</div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3aHMmjKyclo3I21bVlXoAMGdDgWSqbTIawa_Y1ELyqXM33sbcuZA8-3LOWpW7LkndvG8zywuyy_IXi-XPk_rLqNXcD31OzPjz4Z6YHkeKslTEWuWqpjurx_Dvc-CXOtP3bB89XUzsZ9z/s1600/hands21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="800" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3aHMmjKyclo3I21bVlXoAMGdDgWSqbTIawa_Y1ELyqXM33sbcuZA8-3LOWpW7LkndvG8zywuyy_IXi-XPk_rLqNXcD31OzPjz4Z6YHkeKslTEWuWqpjurx_Dvc-CXOtP3bB89XUzsZ9z/s640/hands21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark 10:35-45</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Twenty-second
Sunday after Pentecost</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“A visible sign of an invisible
grace.” The great theologian Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
gave us one of the best definitions of a sacrament that we have. “A visible
sign of an invisible grace.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">As we know, most Protestants celebrate two
sacraments, baptism and the Lord’s Supper; our Roman Catholic brothers and
sisters consider five additional acts or rites as sacramental. But if we
used Augustine’s definition to guide us, there may be many signs that make
grace visible to us. If we were to add to the list of sacraments—I’m not
suggesting that we do so, but </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">if</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> we did—perhaps Protestants and
Roman Catholics, as well as Orthodox Christians, would all agree that acts
of </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">service</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> can also be sacramental. Why? </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Because
service, when done in love, can be signs of God’s grace and reign in the
world. Service, when done in love and joy, can convey to the world, like
baptism and the Lord’s Supper, that God is near. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">A sacrament allows the invisible grace of God
to become visible, even tangible in our lives. Sacraments allow something of God
to come into focus, become more accessible to our senses and therefore
more </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">real</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">. We experience this in baptism and in the Lord’s
Supper, but the definition works for any moment, any activity that reveals the
presence and love of God. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Isn’t this what Jesus is saying here, much to
the consternation, frustration and confusion of the disciples?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Whoever wishes to be great among you must
become your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave (or
servant) of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to
give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43-45).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">A statement such as this must have confused
and troubled the disciples. For us, perhaps these words are familiar; maybe too
familiar. They sound, so…well, </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Christian</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">. Don’t
they? Jesus as servant. Jesus as servant of all. The Christian
is called to serve. That’s what we do (or, at least, what we’re supposed to do):
we serve one another. For some, this is what it means to be
Christian. Christians do good in the world. Christians do nice
things for people. It’s the Christian thing to do.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We need to put some caution around this.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Christians need to remember that Christians
don’t have the market on doing good. Being a follower of Jesus is
about more than trying to be a good person. Simply doing good does not a
Christian make. What Jesus is saying here, what he’s expecting from his
disciples requires something more than a willingness to do good.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Just before we read about James and John
asking to be the teacher’s pet, their teacher tells them, “See we are going up
to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and
the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over
to the Gentiles; they will mock him, and spit on him, and flog him, and kill
him; and after three days rise again” (10:33-34). </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Then</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> we
find James and John, not paying attention, not listening—or listening, but not
hearing, ignoring, denying what he said—but instead asking Jesus for a favored
position when he sits in glory. There’s only room for two, they think,
one on the left and one on the right. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
don’t know what you’re saying,” Jesus says. <i>You really don’t know
what you’re asking, do you? You have no idea. You have no idea what
I’m about, do you?</i> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sure, we do. Pick us. You’ll
see. We’re better than the others. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">When the others heard James and John, they
became angry. So Jesus called them all aside and said, look, “You know
that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over
them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i>You know that among the Gentiles…</i></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> Who is Jesus talking about here?
Who are the rulers of the Gentiles? The <i>Roman </i>governor.
He’s also the ruler of the Jews because the Roman Empire occupies
Palestine. You know how the Romans operate, Jesus says, their rulers lord
it over them and subjugate everyone, including their “great ones,” which is
probably a veiled reference here to the Emperor himself.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">How does Rome act? With brute force and
power. Those at the top have all the power; those at the bottom have
none. Those on the bottom only exist to serve those on the top.
Those without power are destined to serve those with power—and those at the
bottom are powerless to do anything about it. Those with more honor, more
glory, more power expect to be served by those with less, by those who are
beneath them. That is the Roman way.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But it’s just not the Roman
way. There’s something oddly familiar about all this, isn’t there? It’s
a human way, a fallen, sinful way, the way of false ambition and the almost
Darwinian struggle to be on top of the heap, to be the best, to have the place
of honor, the recognition of the crowd, the glory. If we’re honest,
there’s something of James and John in each of us. We each have our
ego needs and we look to wealth, power, influence, rank, position, achievements,
authority, honor, glory, and status to help prop up our fragile egos. To be
clear, wealth, power, influence, etc., are not inherently bad, but they can
easily become hurtful and destructive, petty and small, ugly and dishonoring,
toxic, even evil if all we’re worrying about is our ego needs, if we’re only
worrying about ourselves, if we </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">use</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> people and power and
privilege—and yes, even religion (!)—to get ahead in the world.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">“But it is not so among you,”</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> Jesus says.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">One of the wisest and most honest writers I
know is Parker Palmer, a Quaker, an educator, philosopher. Early in his career
he was offered the presidency of a small educational institution. He
wanted the job, and he thought he should take it. He gathered a
half-dozen trusted friends and formed what’s called in the Quaker tradition a
“clearness committee.” A clearness committee helps one discern what the Quakers
call </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">way</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, helps one determine whether <i>way</i> is clear or
closed. They gathered around him, not to offer advice, but to ask honest,
open-ended questions of Palmer to help him discern the call. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Halfway through this three-hour meeting a
friend asked Palmer what he would like most about being president. He
mentioned several things he wouldn’t enjoy, like wearing a tie. But one
friend said, you’re not answering the question. Palmer says he then “gave
an answer that appalled even me as I spoke it: ‘Well,’ I said, in the
smallest voice I possess, ‘I guess what I’d like most is getting my picture in
the paper with the word ‘president’ under it.’” Palmer shares, “I was
sitting with seasoned Quakers who knew that though my answer was laughable, my
mortal soul was clearly at stake! They did not laugh at all but went into
a long and serious silence—a silence in which I could only sweat and inwardly grown.
Finally, my questioner broke the silence with a question that cracked all of us
up—and cracked me open: ‘Parker, can you think of an easier way to get
your picture in the paper?’ By then it was obvious, even to me, that my
desire to be president had much more to do with my ego than with the ecology of
my life.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_ednref1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">[1]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> That moment of clarity led him to
withdraw his name from the search.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“</span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But it is not so among you….”</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">When Jesus offers these words he’s leading
his disciples down an entirely different path. It’s not the way our
selfish, fearful egos usually want to go. It’s not the way that comes
naturally to us. And it’s certainly not the way one chooses to go if
one’s ego is fragile and insecure, when it’s full of worry and anxiety, when
the ego “dominates, exploits, and manipulates others for its own advantage.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_ednref2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">[2]</span></span></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-size: large;">“<i>But it is not so among you….”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">If you want to be considered great in the
kingdom of God, you must become a servant, and whoever wishes to be first among
you must be servant or slave of all. Jesus is talking about </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">mutual</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> servant-hood
here, one serving the other, seeking to serve the other; one who does not seek
to “lord it over” the other. Equal to equal.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But how? Jesus didn’t have to grab for
glory or wealth or power or authority or status in order to affirm who he
was. He knew, in his heart, who he was. In the absolute best sense
of the phrase, </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus was truly full of himself</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, that is, clear
about his identity and purpose. And it’s from that state of fullness, of
completion, knowing that he was participating in the love and generosity of God
that he was then </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">free</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">—not compelled, but free—to serve and to
give. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I believe that the way of Jesus is available
to us through him. From Jesus’ perspective, “only the strongest sense of
self, a self that neither grovels nor grasps, can resist chasing counterfeit
notions of greatness.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_ednref3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">[3]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">When we have a strong sense of self, of
who we really are as children of God, value who we are at the core of our
being, deeper than our egos, when we have awareness of who we are in all
of </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">our</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> fullness as children of God, then we are free to serve
and give in a new way, we are even free to give ourselves away.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">When we serve and give in this way—when we
see it happening toward others, when we’re the ones doing it, when we’re the
ones receiving this kind of generosity—it becomes and looks and feels </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">sacramental</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">.
There’s something holy and good about it. Something of God is present in
those moments because that is the way God is, that’s how it’s done. And,
I believe, it’s possible for us to live and serve this way, not by our own will
and determination alone, but when we know who we are, when our identity is
firmly grounded in the One who created us, loves us, redeems us, and empowers
us to act.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Whether we’re putting together Safe
Motherhood Kits for IMA World Health, collecting food for CEFM, preparing
Thanksgiving dinners with Grace AME Church, walking in a CROP Walk, advocating for
justice and fairness, transforming the world through our Envision Fund,
clearing weeds from the Woodland Sanctuary, loving a Syrian refugee family, making
the world safe for our children, baking and selling cookies for the Santi
School in Nepal, sitting beside someone who is scared, lending an open ear and
an open heart, or giving space and time to the things and people that really
matter.” We are serving. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be
your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of
all" (Mark 10:43-45). Jesus had a servant's heart. To love him, to follow
him is to serve him. And we serve him today in serving one another. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> When
we serve in love because of the One who loves us, then service <i>become</i>s
sacramental. In those moments we know that something of the heart of God is at work in us and through
us. In those moments we know that God is near. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We become
visible signs of invisible grace<span style="background: white;">—and then comes the joy. The Lebanese Christian poet Kahlil Gibrán (1883-1931) said it
beautifully: "I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw
that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy."</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><span style="font-size: large;"><br clear="all" />
</span><br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Parker
Palmer, <i>Let Your Life Speak</i> (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass,
1999), 44-46. I’m relying on Daniel D. Clendenin’s helpful summary of
Palmer’s account found on his website <a href="http://journeywithjesus.net/Essays/20121015JJ.shtml">Journey with Jesus</a>.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri";">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><a href="http://journeywithjesus.net/Essays/20121015JJ.shtml">Clendenin</a>.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Clendenin
makes this point <a href="http://journeywithjesus.net/Essays/20121015JJ.shtml">here</a>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-55067866192152681442018-10-14T19:45:00.001-04:002018-10-14T19:52:21.832-04:00Possessed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;
mso-endnote-numbering-style:arabic;}
</style>
</div>
<br /><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3t8qU-vaQVDTLiWtBM_a6Y-2HVTbPTirzkbGWB_u-m9Ld0A_PzUkbtu5X7cpnt3X1NvERwGX_4p3krnLxRh1yToZInjRTL0TkbqT0_kSSY7hznkSwy9eOdfHapdbma-OctmXl_rpEA1Pq/s1600/Hoffman-ChristAndTheRichYoungRuler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="608" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3t8qU-vaQVDTLiWtBM_a6Y-2HVTbPTirzkbGWB_u-m9Ld0A_PzUkbtu5X7cpnt3X1NvERwGX_4p3krnLxRh1yToZInjRTL0TkbqT0_kSSY7hznkSwy9eOdfHapdbma-OctmXl_rpEA1Pq/s640/Hoffman-ChristAndTheRichYoungRuler.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Matthew 19:16-22</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: large;">Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Don’t be quick to judge. Assuming he’s telling the
truth—and nothing in the story suggests otherwise—the man is a pious and
faithful Jew. The story of this man appears in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and is
often called the story of the rich, young ruler.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Only Luke describes him as a ruler, and only
Matthew portrays him as young.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">They all
agree that he had money, he was rich. He had authority, influence, and
privilege, all of which comes with wealth. There’s nothing inherently wrong
with being rich. As far as we know, he came to his wealth honestly. He was a
religious man. There’s no suggestion that his question to Jesus that day was
anything less than sincere. He honestly wants to know what is necessary to
enter eternal life. By “eternal life” he doesn’t mean the afterlife. The young
man genuinely wants to know how to live a good life, a life of blessing and
goodness, a life that is holy, that reflects the goodness of God.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">So, we mustn’t be quick to judge him. And, if truth
be told, I think we would discover that he’s not that different than us, the
average Presbyterian who is trying to live a good life, a faithful life, a life
that reflects the goodness of God. And we are rich. Some of us are wealthier than others, that’s
true; but just by virtue of being an American, the majority of the world would
consider even the poorest American, rich. That said, by American standards, Presbyterians
are wealthy. We need to be honest about this. Of course, there are poor
Presbyterians. And most Presbyterians are not extremely wealthy. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/10/11/how-income-varies-among-u-s-religious-groups/">Presbyterians </a>compete with Episcopalians
for the crown of the wealthiest Christians in the United States and the world. With wealth comes responsibility. “To whom much is given,” Jesus said, “much
will be required” (Luke 12:48). Presbyterian
institutions are among some of the best supported and most highly endowed in
our country: congregations, colleges, seminaries, the <a href="https://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/">Presbyterian Foundation</a>, which was founded in 1795.
So, yes, Presbyterians have more in common with the rich young ruler
than we might suspect. But we must not let a focus on money and wealth get in
the way from seeing what’s going on here, from seeing what’s at stake for this
faithful man.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal
life?” (Mt. 19:16). </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus, being a good
teacher, makes him suffer a little, he throws a question back to him and raises
the tension.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Why do you ask me about
what is good?</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">There is only one who is
good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Mt. 19:18). Notice
how Jesus says, “enter into life,” not “eternal life.”</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus says if you want know how to live, keep
the commandments. God did not give us the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), the
Decalogue, to make our lives difficult.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">As every faithful Jew knows, the Law is a gift, a form of grace, given
by a loving God to show us how to live rich, holy, meaningful lives.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The Law is given in love.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But the man wants to be sure that he’s
following the correct ones. “Which ones?” he says.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He’s anxious to get it right.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">So Jesus recites a portion of the Law, not
all of it, mind you.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“You shall not
murder; You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal.”</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus doesn’t even mention the first Law, “You
shall have no other gods before me.”</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It
doesn’t matter, because as we’ll see, Jesus is not really concerned about the
commandments—he is, but he isn’t.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The young man says, “I have all kept all these;
what do I still lack?”—and, now we get to the heart of things.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus goes straight to the core issue.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your
possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in
heaven; then come, follow me” (Mt. 19:21).</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And what happens next?</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We’re told
that, “when the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had
many possessions” (Mt. 19:22).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus answered his question, but it wasn’t the
answer he wanted to hear. He went away grieving. You could say he was possessed,
possessed by his possessions, which prevented him from entering the richer,
fuller life Jesus was inviting him to experience as a disciple. As we know all too well, it’s very easy to be
possessed by our possessions. We talk as
if we own things; but often things own us.
Peace Pilgrim, otherwise known as Mildred Norman (1908-1981), the
twentieth century spiritual teacher, who walked more than 25,000 miles back and
forth across the United States advocating for peace, said, “</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Anything you cannot
relinquish when it has outlived its usefulness possesses you, and in this
materialistic age a great many of us are possessed by our possessions.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Now, given the way things turned out for the man,
it’s easy to think that this story is a warning against materialism, against
accumulating things, and having wealth.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">There is a danger when our obsession with things and wealth and riches
take over our lives.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This might have
been the case for the man, we don’t know.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus does go on to say in the next couple of verses, “Truly I tell you,
it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven…it is easier
for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to
enter the kingdom of God” (Mt. 19:23-24).</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus says this, not because being rich or having wealth is inherently
bad or evil. It’s not.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The issue, as
Jesus knew, is that so many rich and wealthy people have a heart problem.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The problem is not that their hearts are,
like the Grinch, “two sizes too small.”</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s not a question of size. It’s a deeper problem.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We get a clue to what Jesus is aiming at when he
says, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions….”</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><i style="color: #141414; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">If you
wish to be perfect</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s easy to
skip right over this phrase, but it’s critical to hearing this text
correctly.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And it’s easy to miss because
English is often incapable of capturing the meaning behind Jewish and Greek
words and concepts. The clue should be the use of the word “perfect.”</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The rich young ruler said nothing about
wanting to be perfect.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He didn’t say,
“Rabbi, what good deed must I do to be perfect.” Jesus introduces the word because
that’s what Jesus wants for him, because Jesus knows what’s really behind his
question, because Jesus knows that he is motivated by a deeper desire, a more
profound search and hope for something.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The clue is the use of the word “perfect.” The only
other place in Matthew’s Gospel where we find the word “perfect” is in the
Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect as your heavenly father is
perfect.” This is no mistake. It’s very intentional.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The English word “perfect” can trip us up. We
hear “perfect” and think of never making mistakes, being morally pure, sinless,
beyond reproach. We hear moral overtones in the word. Unfortunately, “perfect”
doesn’t accurately render the richness of the Greek word in the text: </span><i style="color: #141414; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">teleios</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">. </span><i style="color: #141414; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Teleios</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> is better rendered as “wholeness,” “undivided,” “complete”
(and only in this sense does it mean perfect, as in lacking nothing).</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s perfection, but perfection in the sense of
being wholehearted, integrated. It’s related to another Greek word, </span><i style="color: #141414; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">eudaimonia</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, which means human well-being
or flourishing.</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: #141414;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[2]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">As we discussed last Thursday morning in our Bible
study, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus doesn’t summon his disciples to moral
perfection but to a wholehearted orientation toward God.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus wants us to be whole, complete, just as
God is whole and complete. Jesus invites us live out our end or purpose, just
as God lives out God’s end or purpose. That’s what it means to be “perfect” as
God is “perfect.”</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Just as God is
undivided in God’s intent to love, so Jesus summons us to live undivided lives.
When Jesus judges the practices of the Pharisees in Matthew he’s not judging
their faith, he’s concerned about the way they’re living out their faith, the
external practices of living out the law, their obsessions with external
obedience and cleanliness.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s
one-sided.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What about the inner life?
What about the heart?</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">That’s why Jesus
calls the Pharisees white-washed tombs.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">On the outside they look pure and holy, but on the inside they’re
rotting away (Mt. 23:27).</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What about “in here,” in us?</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What about the heart?</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus wants us to view human life
holistically.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus wants us to live
whole lives, where the life of the inner person, the heart, matches the outward
life, so that the inner and outer life are in harmony.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">When the inner and outer parts of our lives
are whole, and when the heart is aligned with the heart of God—do you know what
happens then?—the doors of the kingdom open wide before our eyes.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">That’s </span><i style="color: #141414; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">teleios</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">That’s perfection.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We experience human flourishing. But woe to us
when our hearts are divided, when our inner lives are not aligned with our
outward actions, when are hearts are not behind our actions, when our hearts
are not aligned with God’s vision for us, when our actions do not flow from the
heart. “Where you treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt. 6:21).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">That was the rich young ruler’s issue.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He had a heart problem.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It wasn’t a question of its size.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He had a divided heart.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">His heart was split.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He lacked integrity.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s because Jesus loves him and wants the best for
him—if you want to be perfect, if you want to be whole, if you want to be complete—that
he tells him to sell his possessions. What Jesus does in that moment is reveal
his divided heart to him. Jesus unveils
what the man cannot see on his own. In a moment of grace, Jesus helps him to
see what he cannot see on his own, see what’s preventing him from entering into
life. Jesus shows him that he is not <i>teleios</i>.
Being rich isn’t his problem. He has a divided or disordered heart, that’s
his problem. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“His heart is disordered in that he ultimately values
wealth more than entering the kingdom, his treasure on earth more than his
treasure in heaven…The issue is not money per se but wealth as a possible
preventer of the heart-level wholeness required to be a disciple of Jesus.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[3]</span></span></span></a> Jesus is offering a richer, fuller life
through serving the kingdom, following his way, being his disciple or student.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But just imagine
what might have been.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What if he came to
value the kingdom, the way of Jesus, more than his wealth? What if he became
possessed by the kingdom? A heart made whole and reordered could have resulted
in his wealth being placed in service to the kingdom of God. He could have put
his heart, along with his wealth, in service to kingdom work.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But that prospect was too much for him.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">His divided heart got in the way.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He valued his wealth more than the kingdom.
And he went away grieving.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And we grieve
with him. And we grieve for ourselves, because we know that his struggle is our
struggle too.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">For him, it was
wealth.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">For you, it might be wealth or
it might be just about anything.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We know
what hinders us from the richer, fuller life of God.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Our divided hearts betray us, again and again
and again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus wants us to be whole, one,
complete. He wants us to live wholeheartedly and to give all of ourselves. So
that this should be our prayer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Give me a whole heart, O God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give me an undivided heart.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Several weeks ago, Rev. Susan Beck
led our adult education class in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’s pastor of the <a href="http://www.stdysmasmd.org/">Community of St. Dymas</a>, a Lutheran congregation
within the Maryland State correctional system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Susan shared that in worship, when it comes time for the offering, that
the inmates, because they don’t have money to place in the offering plate, offer
themselves up to God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They become the
offering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminded me of a story told by another
Susan, the Rev. Susan Andrews, former moderator of the General Assembly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her father was a pastor, and she remembered
that as a little girl her favorite part of worship service each week was the offering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She imagined herself curling up into an
offering plate and offering herself up to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus invites us to give all of ourselves, not only
part of ourselves, to the work of the kingdom. When we live wholeheartedly, we
flourish.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And you and I were created to
flourish.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And when we are flourishing,
God is glorified. Then our lives—every part of us— become a thank-offering.</span></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><span style="font-size: large;"><br clear="all" />
</span><br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;">Image: Heinrich Hoffmann (1824-1911), Christ and the Rich Young Ruler (1889).</span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Jonathan T. Pennington, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary</i>
(Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2017), 74ff.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Pennington, 80-82.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-38548987793726634352018-10-07T09:47:00.000-04:002018-10-09T10:02:57.861-04:00Only Connect<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;
mso-endnote-numbering-style:arabic;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBdJRAKg8ReDzYPbHiTa0Pw2t2nNRrYxjnlGZ9dxLT0OVADoG_NLAhu0hvIJC4c1Chs72aIfJHZGheBhNxR3_Z8D32TCotgFgwhE1Fn-aNNj2gbKp_ziGvfOPcO5ESGMzlFR6HeWa5Yj9/s1600/grapevines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="675" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBdJRAKg8ReDzYPbHiTa0Pw2t2nNRrYxjnlGZ9dxLT0OVADoG_NLAhu0hvIJC4c1Chs72aIfJHZGheBhNxR3_Z8D32TCotgFgwhE1Fn-aNNj2gbKp_ziGvfOPcO5ESGMzlFR6HeWa5Yj9/s640/grapevines.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">John 15:1-17</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">World Communion Sunday</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">On this World Communion Sunday we celebrate <i>connection</i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #403f42; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">—with </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Christ, with neighbor,
with creation. Jesus said, “Abide in me as I abide in you” (Jn. 15:4).
Today, we are conscious of our connection to the global church. To be part of the church of Jesus Christ
means we are all connected, whether we like it or not. We’re in this
together. And we need each other to be faithful to Christ. We can’t “do”
church or “be” church on our own. We can’t be faithful to Christ on our
own. We need each other.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">When describing the Christian life, Latin American liberation
theologians often talk about <i>convivencia</i>. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><i>Con-viva.
With life. Convivencia</i> means,
literally, “living-with.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">[1]</span></span></span></a></span><u style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Convivence is what
sustains us individually and together, as a community. We are living with one
another and living with the Lord.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Before Jesus died, he gave his followers an image to hold on to,
especially when things get rough.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He gave
them the image of vines and branches. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s a powerfully dynamic symbol. Jesus
invites us to abide in him, as branch to vine, because he wants to abide in
us. “Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit; apart from
me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). He is the life force, the love that
energizes the growth and brings about the yield, the fruit. And the
relationship itself is fructifying.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In August, Mark and I were on vacation in California.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We spent a lot time in and near vineyards, visiting
wineries in Napa Valley and in the Foothills of the Sierra Nevada, and we were
invited to attend the <a href="http://www.independentnews.com/blessing-of-the-grapes/collection_675d286a-a677-11e8-a06d-97103decde34.html">Blessing of the Grapes</a> ceremony hosted by the Livermore
Valley Winegrower’s Association, an annual event held the beginning of harvest
season.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">They already had their clergy
line-up for the event, but I was added to the program.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">There was one rabbi, one priest, and </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">two</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> Presbyterian ministers.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It was a lot of fun.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I’ve never done anything like this
before.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Even the local NBC affiliate
showed up.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The blessing was held at
<a href="https://murrietaswell.com/">Murietta’s Well</a>, a beautiful winery in the Livermore Valley, followed by a
marvelous luncheon.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We each shared a
little about the importance of grapes and vine in our respective traditions.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I spoke about my experience walking on the Camino de Santiago in
Spain, two years ago around this time. In the Rioja region, the Camino cuts
around and sometimes straight through acres upon acres of
vineyards. On Sunday, September 25, I left </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Logroño</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> when it was still dark. The city
was recovering from its annual Rioja Festival, a weekend revel to the grape,
worthy of Dionysius or Bacchus. On the way, I walked through and along and
around many vineyards, as far as the eye could see. As I walked,
this text in John came to mind. Up close to the vines, I could see the
green, leafy branches were full of deep, purple grapes.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The branches led to old, knotty vines that thickened
at the base where they sunk down deep into the soil. I went to
worship that morning, but not in a church.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I worshipped and prayed and sang my way along the way, out there among
the vines and branches. “I am the vine and you are the
branches.” I plucked off several grapes to eat; they were juicy and
sweet. I could feel the vitality of life all around me. As I
walked, I reflected on the nature of the vine. I considered the power of the
vine—the source of life, the source of vitality for the branches. I considered
the energy, all the life flowing through the vineyards, moving from the roots
and stretching out along the branches and eventually bearing
fruit. Then I considered all the wine these grapes would eventually
produce, barrels and barrels. It felt as if wine was flowing all
around me. I was swimming in it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The Greek verb </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">meno</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, translated, “abide,” also means
“to remain” or “remain on,” “hold,” “attach, “keep.” It’s found in 16 of
21 chapters in John’s Gospel, used more than forty times. Abide.
Remain. Stay. Connect. Jesus says earlier in John, “Those who eat my flesh and
drink my blood abide in me, and I in them” (Jn. 6:56). Jesus uses a
relational figure of speech and gives it to the disciples—gives to us—to
encourage them, encourage us, to stay close to the vine. He wants us to stay
near the Source of Life. Stay. Remain connected. Rest. Abide.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">When Jesus says, “I am the true vine,” he is essentially saying,
“I carry the roots.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">[2]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He provides access to something deeper, deep
in the soil. He conveys through his roots the stuff of life, which
generates growth. Through him the branches are generated, branches that
intertwine and reach out in every direction. We are the branches, tangled
together, connected to each other and to the root. A branch can’t
survive cut from the vine; a branch can’t access the roots except through the
vine. A branch can’t go it alone, without withering and dying. And
a branch can’t choose to not be a branch, it can’t sever itself from the vine,
because the branch is an outgrowth of the vine. A branch cannot even
hope to bear fruit apart from the vine—only when the branch is in service to
the vine, in relation to the vine, when life pours through it and branches out,
only then does it yield fruit.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The
branch exists to bear fruit, to produce a yield, but it can’t do so apart from
the vine.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In the novel</span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> Howards Ends</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> (1910), E.
M. Forster (1879-1970) writes of the protagonist Margaret Schlegel, her
life-philosophy was simple. “Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon.
Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human
love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer.” Only connect.
Forster was skeptical and, at times, hostile toward Christianity (for good
reasons). Yet, here he certainly captures what’s at the heart of the Christian
life: </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">only connect</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What became clear (or clearer) in that moment of grace, walking
through the vineyards that Sunday in Spain, and again in California, is that
every blessed thing is pulsating with life and that life is pouring through the
vine and bringing life to the branches (to you and to me), and we get to be
part of it all. We get to be part of it all!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And when I was in California for the blessing of the grapes, I realized
that the vineyards bless us.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Vineyards,
grapes, wine tap into a deep desire in the human soul, they speak to our deep
longing to be rooted in and connected to something bigger than ourselves.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">They bind us all together.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And this gives life. This life flows through
the church, here, and there, and everywhere. Through Christ, the Vine, we are
connected to every branch; every branch is connected back to the Vine. This is
why, for all of its faults, the church of Jesus Christ invaluable today.
Perhaps this is why I love World Communion Sunday, and find myself so grateful
for the joy and privilege of meeting and visiting with Christians all around
the world, with sisters and brother sin Christ. I need to be connected to the
global church.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The global church has
much to teach North American Christians how to be better followers of Christ. Yes,
we are part of a large family. We’re all related.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">we’re all connected.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">And there's no better symbol of our connection than Communion. So
let us come to the Table of the Lord, remembering again what is always true:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Christ there is no east or west,</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #403f42; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">in him no south or north,</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #403f42; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">but one great fellowship of love</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #403f42; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>throughout the whole wide earth.</i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">[3]</span></span></span></a></span></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cited in David Congdon, <i>The God Who
Saves: A Dogmatic Sketch</i> (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2016), 42.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jaime Clark-Soles, <i>Reading John for Dear
Life: A Spiritual Walk with the Fourth Gospel</i> (Louisville: Westminster
John Knox Press, 2016), 101.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> From the
hymn “In Christ There is No East or West,” written in 1908, by John Arthur
Dunkerley (1852-1941), otherwise known as John Oxenham.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-61408781030264137782018-09-30T13:59:00.000-04:002018-11-13T15:29:05.126-05:00Giving Our All<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:1;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
</div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAes6cjTy-Q5genwjL_HzuZu45DHf2OdExLnZLSypHkrbzuOeoN0BwPJRwi-OEnmqo55IF1QOSTyp6_hSK7pa7oqJhqw6qLG8BAgXyQlOl2Rt-XjLNbwRnPFifqMCVro_BpSOslVjp7wBm/s1600/offering-hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAes6cjTy-Q5genwjL_HzuZu45DHf2OdExLnZLSypHkrbzuOeoN0BwPJRwi-OEnmqo55IF1QOSTyp6_hSK7pa7oqJhqw6qLG8BAgXyQlOl2Rt-XjLNbwRnPFifqMCVro_BpSOslVjp7wBm/s640/offering-hands.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=409135415">Deuteronomy 6:1-13</a> and <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=409140883">2 Corinthians 9:6-15</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">In 390 BCE, the Gauls, an ancient Celtic
people, sent an army to take the city of Rome.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">The Gauls tried to sneak into the city early one morning. Near the
sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Juno, on the Capitoline Hill, lived a flock
of geese, kept in a courtyard.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">As the
Gauls approached the geese were startled and began to honk loudly.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">The captain of the guard, sleeping near the
courtyard, heard their ruckus and woke up.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">He spread word about the impending invasion, brought in more troops, and
saved the city.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">Juno, the wife of
Jupiter, was considered the queen of the gods and the most powerful
goddess.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">She was originally the goddess
of marriage and childbirth, the protectress of women, patroness of female
virtue, and the patron goddess of Rome.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">The Roman General Marcus Furius Camillus built a temple on the hill in
gratitude for protecting the city.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">She
was known as Juno Moneta, from </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman";">moneo</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">,
which means “to warn.”</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">Geese soon became
symbols of Moneta, the goddess of warning—from which we get the English word </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman";">money</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">Around 290 BCE, the first Roman mint was built adjacent to the temple to
Juno Moneta and the coins, struck with the head of Juno Moneta, were called </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman";">moneta</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">She became known as the protector of money and the guardian of finances.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Money and mint both evolved out of
this ancient temple and mythos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The myth
taps into or reflects the way money is viewed as a god.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The myth also reminds us there’s something
about money that is inherently alarming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Ever since the invention of Money, people have had to guard and defend
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now there was something worth
stealing and an alarm to be sounded that we all must heed.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">We remain enthralled to this myth,
even if we don’t believe in the gods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Money is a god.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s worshipped and praised by many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we’re not worshiping money or wealth, we
certainly know the anxiety we feel around money, and alarm that it brings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re anxious about having enough, about where
it’s going to come from, and we worry about it being taken away or stolen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes people who have more than they need
and are at little risk of losing it are the most anxious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who have little or nothing have a
different kind of anxiety, anxiety and fear that are justified and real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear and anxiety over money can be
devastating and dehumanizing and producing a lot of shame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Our two texts this morning, from
Deuteronomy and 2 Corinthians, are two of many in the Bible that offers a very
different attitude toward money and wealth and giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They form the foundation for a theology of
stewardship that calls into question our views of money and wealth that trade
in anxiety; these texts offer a different way, a way that is liberating and
life-giving. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">We begin, not with money, but with
God.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">God is always the starting point.
We started with the great Shema, “Hear, O Israel, The LORD is our God, and the
LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all
your soul, and with all your might” (Deut. 6:4-5). Write this on your
heart.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">Inscribe it on your forehead.
Mark it over the lintel of the door.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">Don’t forget.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman";">Remember.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What should we remember?</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Remember what the LORD—Yahweh—has done for
you, remember the promise he swore to your ancestors to Abraham and Sarah,
Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Rachel and Leah.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">When you enter into the land of promise,
which did not belong to you, which was given to you as gift, and live in large
cities, which you did not build, houses filled with all sorts of goods that you
did not fill, hewn cisterns that you did not hew, vineyards and olive groves
that you did not plant—and when you have eaten your fill, take care that you do
not forget the LORD, who brought you out of the place of slavery. The LORD you
shall fear, the LORD you shall serve, the LORD and the LORD alone is owed your
loyalty (Deut. 6:10-13).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This text, and others like it, reminds us of
the </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">givenness </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">of things, of all that
we have but didn’t earn, is, like grace, a gift.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We are reminded of the prevenience of grace,
the fact that grace is always prior, it always come first. The gift, that which
has been given to us, is always first.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We don’t create the world, we are born into a world that is already here.
When you consider the world, the gift of human existence, the gift of your
life, the gift of God’s grace which has saved you and continues to save you and
redeem you and make you whole, when you consider all that has been given to
you—do not forget the Adonai.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Then let
your worship, your life, your service be in response to the prevenient grace,
to what has already been given to us. Give of yourself.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“The one who sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly,” Paul said, “and the one who sows bountifully will also reap
bountifully.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Put in a little, then
expect little.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Invest generously, expect
a generous yield.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">How you give, what you
give is between you and God, whatever you decide, whatever your conscience
dictates.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What matters most is that we
give not reluctantly or under compulsion, not because it’s what’s expected of
us, not because we have to, but because we want to.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This might not sound all that radical, but it
was.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Because what you need to know is
that in Roman society, which was extremely patriarchal and hierarchical,
generosity and gratitude were often forced.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">People were expected to express their gratitude to the emperor for what
the emperor provides.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In this patron-client
system, a patron provided protection, money, access to power in exchange for
the client’s loyalty, allegiance, and thanksgiving.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Giving was not free.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It had conditions.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Protection, money, and access were given only
when you promised loyalty and gratitude.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black;">[2]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It was an even exchange. The amount given was
proportional to the response received.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">However, what
Paul is suggesting here about giving undercuts, even undermines the
patron-client system.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We don’t give
reluctantly, not because we must to be safe and secure.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">That’s not motivating us. We give because we
want to, because giving should be a matter of the heart.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Where’s
your heart? Is your heart in it? God want us to give—whatever we give—from
love. God wants us to give because we want to, because it brings us joy knowing
that through what we give we are bringing joy to the world.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The Greek is actually </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">hilaritas</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In the
Greco-Roman world, the goddess Hilaritas was the personification of
cheerfulness, rejoicing, and mirth. She’s often seen holding a cornucopia, a
horn of plenty, signifying abundance.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This is the root of the English word </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">hilarity</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">A better translation would be, “God loves a
hilarious giver.” God wants your hilarity. You know what’s it’s like to be
around someone who is hilarious, she causes you to laugh and laugh, and when
you’re laughing with joy, it just flows and flows from a deep place; it’s there
in abundance.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">That’s
what giving is like in the Christian life.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">The apostle Paul is often described as the theologian of grace because
he knew, first-hand, the transforming power of God’s grace, made real for him
in the face of Jesus Christ.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">When Paul
experienced the enormous generosity of God’s love and grace toward him, it
released something enormously generous and generative in him.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">When we encounter this grace, when we
experience it, when we’re pursued by grace, we discover that we are free to be
generous because there’s more than enough to go around, there’s never any risk
of losing what we have, because, technically-speaking, we don’t have anything
that really belongs to us.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">We’re
drinking from cisterns that we haven’t hewn. So we are free to share.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">“And God is able,” said Paul, “to provide you
with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of
everything, you may share abundantly in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Grace and
gratitude.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black;">[3]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> These two words pretty
much sum up the Christian life. The more we experience God's generous grace
toward us, the more our hearts are moved to respond with gratitude. Just as
grace is experienced in a variety of ways in our lives, so, too, is gratitude.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But
sometimes there’s a “gratitude gap.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">That’s what contemporary religion scholar Diana Butler Bass describes in
her recently released book </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Grateful: The
Transformative Power of Giving Thanks</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">. This past week The Presbyterian
Foundation hosted a stewardship conference in St. Louis where Bass was one of
the keynote speakers.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I wish I could
have been there, but I followed online.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Back in 2015, she came across a disturbing statistic in a study
conducted by the Pew Forum.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The survey
indicated that 78 percent of Americans said they had experienced gratitude
within the past week.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Seventy-eight
percent is an extraordinarily high number,” she said.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“I sat for a moment with that and thought,
‘Wow that’s really wonderful that eight out of 10 Americans say they’ve felt
strongly grateful in the last seven days.” She said, “Wow,” but then asked, “Am
I one of the 78 or one of the 22?”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black;">[4]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> This began her
exploration of gratitude; she wanted to be more grateful in her life.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">There are
two important aspects of gratitude that she unearthed in her research.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">First, she found that American men are
uncomfortable with the concept of gratitude. Why? “Being strongly indoctrinated
in the importance of being ‘self-made,’ men find it an insult to be told they
didn’t accomplish their feats alone. “No one gives me anything.” “I do it
myself.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“I earned it myself.” “I don’t
owe anyone anything.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This is the prize
narrative in our culture and has influenced American men. This attitude has
shaped how we view gratitude. But, remember, we live in cities that we didn’t
build, drink from cisterns that we did not hew, enjoy the fruit of vines which
we did not plant.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">For all of
us, Bass believes, there is within American society a “gratitude gap.” Most of us
know that gratitude is good. Being grateful is actually good for us.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Still, there is a gap between our desire to
be grateful and our ability to behave gratefully. We might feel personally
grateful, but we fail to convey our gratitude in a public way, and this is
adversely affecting our personal and public lives.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Bass has found that, “Being grateful does not
appear to make much difference in our larger common life.” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This has enormous implications for society and
institutions, including the church. How do we move from private gratitude to
public gratitude?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2hjihi8jUkd8ZWF2yEgk9M6-LQgWUv8Lucz-sM5NxK8GTVFqBzHp26RFUi3yTH_RK9VIeCbcn7MPHZBFAN4LgjcRWviHdgxHjrpoXDmi5Dq4RtZLzsvzNJNYzkd_9shkU96cKjUMjWep/s1600/gilead_cover_101415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="426" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2hjihi8jUkd8ZWF2yEgk9M6-LQgWUv8Lucz-sM5NxK8GTVFqBzHp26RFUi3yTH_RK9VIeCbcn7MPHZBFAN4LgjcRWviHdgxHjrpoXDmi5Dq4RtZLzsvzNJNYzkd_9shkU96cKjUMjWep/s400/gilead_cover_101415.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">In
Marilynne Robinson's novel </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gilead, </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">the ailing
Congregationalist minister John Ames tells his son, “There is more beauty than
our eyes can bear, precious things have been put into our hands and to do
nothing to honor them is to do great harm.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black;">[5]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">I love this sentence.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">I love </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gilead</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">,
it’s one of my favorite novels.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">I love
Marilynn Robinson’s writings, she’s a person of deep faith and searing insight
and a great lover of John Calvin (1509-1564)—she understands Calvin better than
most.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">Calvinist or Reformed theology is
imbued throughout her works, including </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gilead</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">,
especially this one sentence.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">This
sentence beautifully sums up the Reformed claim that grace and gratitude are at
the heart of the Christian life. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">And
Calvin wrote quite a lot about beauty.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn6" name="_ednref6" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black;">[6]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">Beauty is all around us, more than our eyes
can bear, beauty not of our own making, prevenient beauty. Given to us.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">Indeed, much—so much—has been given to
us.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">Precious things have been put into
our hands, entrusted to us, and to do nothing to honor them, to fail to
acknowledge them, to use them, to share them, even to give them away, is to do
great harm.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">This is a profound
insight—and it haunts me, actually. To withhold our gratitude, to not be
generous with what has been placed into our hands, into our lives, into our
bank accounts, especially when we have the capacity to be more grateful and
generous, is to do great harm. We cut, we sever the grace-gratitude connection,
and our souls suffer as a result.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, and the
LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all
your soul, and with all your might” (Deut. 6:4-5). All.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Not some.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Not a little. Not enough. All.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">With
gratitude, we are call to be good stewards of our time, talent, and
treasure.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Being a good steward is to
honor what has been given to us.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It
means not holding back.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We are free to be
hilariously generous with our time, talent, and treasure. But woe to us when we
prefer to be too cautious, when we hold back, when we withhold, when anxiety
and fear take control of our lives.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Where in our lives are we holding back our time, our talents, and our
treasure?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Where can we be more generous
with our time? Not because we have to, but because we want to?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Where does the heart want to be more
generous? </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">How can we be more generous
with our gifts—to really use them and not hide them under a bushel? Where can
we be more generous with our financial resources to do more good in the world?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What harm are we doing, often
unintentionally, by holding back or withholding our time, our talents, our
gifts, our love?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Gratitude takes many forms. What
matters most is that we respond to the gift of grace, and not hold back.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgnV-Dys3AW1GM8AqPvVlwDWCYtS4Q3rpovsT7hOKT2q2FUmnOOP4PRdQlYxa6UHdkMHJatS82VqGHhAz9Dnin405UH2nwY9oauIhXmXtEW5UXj8v94OvOxcfLPl4BezlkvXc-6p4FQAb/s1600/Christ+pantocrator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1120" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgnV-Dys3AW1GM8AqPvVlwDWCYtS4Q3rpovsT7hOKT2q2FUmnOOP4PRdQlYxa6UHdkMHJatS82VqGHhAz9Dnin405UH2nwY9oauIhXmXtEW5UXj8v94OvOxcfLPl4BezlkvXc-6p4FQAb/s320/Christ+pantocrator.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Aaron R.
Kipnis, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Midas Complex: How Money
Drives Us Crazy and What We Can Do about It</i> (2013).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Diana Butler
Bass, <i>Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving</i> (HarperOne, 2018).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> See Brian
Gerrish’s brilliant text <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grace and
Gratitude: The Eucharistic Theology of John Calvin</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Presbyterian
Foundation, <a href="https://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/author-diana-butler-bass-unpacks-gratitude-at-stewardship-kaleidoscope/">Stewardship Kaleidoscope</a>, September 25, 2018. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Marilynne
Robinson, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gilead</i> (Picador Books,
2006), 290<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn6" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref6" name="_edn6" style="mso-endnote-id: edn6;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> On beauty in
the Reformed tradition see Belden C. Lane, <i>Ravished
by Beauty: The Surprising Legacy of Reformed Spirituality</i> (New York: Oxford
University Press, 2011).</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-65385707544115674062018-09-23T18:58:00.000-04:002018-09-23T21:22:05.583-04:00Welcome the Child<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
</div>
-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-xoWeEHrZi2e_hyphenhyphenhD2bcKUfuavRhxFuQCAgaed6zuDg1dujL95NKtbsdL3cB6l8PEcJAO_S2DhNnNNybResyJoN9nParE_KBXuOoWW6n1Ie8HZetdeyaWMrZ8KqaJthImNfAfaHz2fro/s1600/welcome+child+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="800" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-xoWeEHrZi2e_hyphenhyphenhD2bcKUfuavRhxFuQCAgaed6zuDg1dujL95NKtbsdL3cB6l8PEcJAO_S2DhNnNNybResyJoN9nParE_KBXuOoWW6n1Ie8HZetdeyaWMrZ8KqaJthImNfAfaHz2fro/s640/welcome+child+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mark 9:30-37</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: large;">Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Before we rush to judge the disciples
for arguing over who was greatest, we need to chill and step back. If you lived
in Palestine during the Roman occupation, you would have asked this question
many times. Roman society was rigidly
hierarchical. It was also built upon a shame-honor dynamic, which feels
very foreign to us today. Your sense of
honor or shame was contingent upon how you were viewed by the larger community,
particularly those in your social level. Public humiliation was one of
the most painful experiences one could endure. To lose a sense of one’s
honor, to be publicly shamed, to be dishonored felt like death. And many
a Roman preferred to take one’s own life instead of face dishonor or shame.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Organizing
a society this way cultivated growth in civic participation, aspiring people to
live honorably in the eyes of the wider society. <i>Honor virutis preamium</i>,
the Romans said. Honor is the reward of
virtue. This was the positive side of the shame-honor system. However,
human nature being what it is, this approach inevitably led to secrets and
schemes to keep the shame-producing truth from ever seeing the light of day. “<span style="background: white;">In shame
cultures it is the group that has the conscience, not the individual. Thus,
when a group accuses one of violating its standards, deep shame is the result.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_ednref2"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">[1]</span></span></span></a> This
sounds eerily familiar today as we see the shaming of victims who speak out,
often courageously, to report abuse or sexual harassment or crime. The shame felt by the victim is overwhelming
and paralyzing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s quite natural for the disciples to be curious about where their movement placed
them in the wider social context and, individually, they would have wanted to
know who was the “greatest” among them. Status meant everything.
Status brought power, honor. Status meant height, being “high” above
others who were below you. Once you figured out where you were in the
pecking order you were encouraged to stay there. That’s what was meant by
“being humble.” It meant “staying within one’s inherited social status,
not grasping to upgrade oneself and one’s family at the expense of another.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_ednref3"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span style="mso-bookmark: _ednref3;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _ednref3;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>In
Jesus’ world, you knew who was at the top—the emperor—and you knew who was on
the very bottom—the slave—and somewhere in between (probably close to the bottom)
was you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">All of this is important to keep in mind because what’s going on in this text
is radical. What Jesus is up to here is astonishing. In the privacy of
this house, not out in the public, Jesus doesn’t judge them for their
discussion. Instead, he intentionally undermines their societal assumptions
of how the world “really works” and shows them a still more excellent
way. He challenges their assumptions about what matters and doesn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He destabilizes the foundation, the
structural core of their moral universe. That’s why Jesus is radical, because
he gets to the root, the core of what matters. He does this by lobbing at
them the curve ball of all curve balls, something so counter-intuitive,
something they would never have considered valuable or possible or sane or even
desirable. Jesus unmasks the power structures of his society and the
disciples’ aspirations for power and privilege, and then undermines, undercuts
their value system. It’s as if Jesus is taking on or hoping to heal all the
damage inflicted upon a society based on shame and honor. How does he do
this? Where? “<i>Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and
servant of all</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">” (Mk. 9:35)<i>.</i></span>
That would have left them speechless. It still leaves us speechless.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">This is the grand reversal of the gospel.</span>
<span style="background-color: white;">This is what the kingdom of God is and does and what we’re called to
embody. This is what grace does. This is the way the world ought to be and is
becoming. This is justice. Jesus reverses the pecking order.
The Gospel </span><i>always</i><span style="background-color: white;"> questions the
prevailing morality of any culture. Jesus challenged the moral assumptions
of his society. The first shall be last and the last shall be first (Mark
10:31). If you want to be first, if you want to be great, if you want
something to feel honorable about, then give up your status, move in the
opposite direction of where you are, choose downward mobility; instead of
wanting to be served, serve—serve all, especially those who are below you or
those you consider below you. If you want glory, then be who you were
created to be—serve one another.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">And with that Jesus reaches over and places a little child among them and puts
his arms around the child (Mark here uses one of the most unique verbs found in
the New Testament).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He takes the child
in his arms and says: <i>See, like this</i>. This is where you
start. This is how you do it. Even this gesture is wildly radical
and subversive. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Unfortunately, we have domesticated the
text. We have our images of Jesus welcoming the children, gathered at
Jesus’ knee, smiling, innocent, well fed, well dressed, well behaved, clean,
and cherub-like. These images are seared into our brains. </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">But I wish we could get rid of them or forget
them or cast them aside. We mustn’t romanticize this text; we mustn’t romanticize
children. And we mustn’t dehistoricize this text by lifting it out of
Jesus’ time and placing it in ours or, worse, taking our views of children and
projecting them back into the text. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
said earlier how slaves were at the bottom of the rung. Well, children were
just a little higher than slaves. Like slaves, they had no status, no
rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were invisible. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Childhood in antiquity was a time of
terror. Infant mortality rates sometimes reached 30 percent.
Another 30 percent of live births were dead by age six, and 60 percent were
gone by age sixteen. Children were the first to suffer from famine, war,
disease, and dislocation, economic deprivation, and in some areas or eras few
would have lived to adulthood with both parents alive. The orphan was the
image of the weakest and most vulnerable member of society. Childhood was
thus a time of terror.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surviving to adulthood was cause for celebration.
That’s why rites of passage ceremonies were so important in earlier cultures, they
meant one survived childhood. “Children had little status within the
community or family. A minor child was on a par with a slave, and only after
reaching maturity was he a free person who could inherit the family
estate.” To call someone a child could also be a serious insult (Matthew
11:16-17). This is not to say that children weren’t loved and
valued. They were. Having children promised continuation of the
family, as well as security and protection to parents in old age.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_ednref4"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span style="mso-bookmark: _ednref4;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _ednref4;"> </span>Still, it was a dangerous time.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Jesus
embracing a child was a symbolic action demonstrating the core of his ministry,
declaring what matters most in the kingdom of God.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">[5]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: white;">
We should not be arguing who is the greatest. Instead, we are called to
question the moral structure of society that fails to care of the “least of
these” (Matthew 25:40). What is more, we must work against that structure
if society is not willing to care for the “least of these.” We are not called
to serve the rich and powerful, those with status and honor in the eyes of
society, we are called to serve the “the least,” the child, children. Embrace
them.</span> <span style="background-color: white;">Care for them. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) said, “The test of the morality of a
society is what it does for its children.” It is true that as people of faith
we are called to ensure that our children are safe and secure, that they are
cared for, that they are offered the prospect of a future to grow and develop
and love. </span> <span style="background-color: white;">Jesus was obviously talking
about children, but he didn’t consider children the way we do today.
Jesus is really talking about welcoming, embracing, and holding close to our
hearts the most vulnerable segment of society: the weakest, the marginalized,
the ignored or excluded, those without power, the poor. These are the people we
are called to love and to serve, the least of these among us, be they children
or adults, or adults who are as vulnerable as children. This is kingdom work.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">In his last speech, vice-president Hubert H. Humphrey (1911-1978) was
channeling this kingdom ethic when he said, </span><span lang="EN-US">"...the moral test of government is how that
government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who
are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life,
the sick, the needy and the handicapped.” In other words: the most
vulnerable. Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) caught the vision of the kingdom when he
said, “A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” Marian
Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund,
tirelessly reminds us, “If we don’t stand up for children, we don’t stand up
for much.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">But Jesus is not first talking to nations or
governments, he’s talking to the </span><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">church,</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> to the people of
faith who are in seats of power and have authority in government—whether in
Annapolis or Washington, DC.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">And people
of faith who through their voice and actions have enormous power and influence
upon the way we care for the most vulnerable in our society, for the
marginalized, for those women and men and children who are invisible to us,
whose plight is unknown to us because we have not stepped into their lives, or
maybe have not stooped down low enough on the social ladder to consider their
plight. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">There are many vulnerable segments
of our society we could highlight here, our “children” in need our care and
love.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Children made up 52 of the refugee
population in 2017, according to the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/06/19/children-refugee-population-syria-afghanistan-south-sudan/702806002/">United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees</a>, up from 41 percent in 2009. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Consider the number of immigrant children being detained in the USA.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">At the end of May 2018, the number was
10,773.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">The most recent number is 12,800
children, both unaccompanied and separated from parents.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Closer to home, according to the <a href="https://www.hchmd.org/homelessness-baltimore">U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development</a>, on any given night in 2017, 2,669
experienced homelessness in Baltimore City. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2d2a2a; text-indent: 36pt;">The 2018 <a href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines">poverty threshold</a> for a family of four in the United States is $25,100. In <a href="https://www.hchmd.org/homelessness-baltimore">Baltimore City</a>, 21.9% live below the poverty line. More than 1/2 of poor
residents live in deep poverty, meaning they live at or below 50% of the
federal poverty line; more than 1/3 of children in Baltimore City live in poor
households. In <a href="https://datausa.io/profile/geo/baltimore-county-md/">Baltimore County</a>, approximately 9% of the
population lives below the poverty line; in <a href="https://datausa.io/profile/geo/howard-county-md/">Howard County</a>, 4.66% live below the
poverty line.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2d2a2a; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2d2a2a; text-indent: 36pt;">I can throw
disturbing statistics around all day. They’re helpful to a degree, however,
statistics remove us from the situation at hand; they depersonalize and dehumanize. It’s tough to embrace a statistic. It’s tough to wrap your arms around a
statistic. Each statistic has a beating
heart, made of flesh and blood. Jesus
calls us to wrap our arms around a fellow-child of God. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: 36pt;">To welcome a “child”—to embrace the most vulnerable in our society—means
that we are at the same time welcoming Jesus: to welcome him is to welcome and
embrace the One who welcomes and embraces us all. <i>This</i> is
what the kingdom of God is all about. <i>This </i>is the Gospel. <i>This</i> is
what we’re called to. It’s tough. It’s not popular. It
requires courage. And, yes, it even has political implications for the living
out of this vision. The gospel is always
political, because the gospel is concerned with power and people and ensuring
that people are empowered and loved and cared for.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus loved children. And
I imagine children knew they were loved by him. Jesus said that whenever we
welcome a child we welcome him; to neglect, hurt, or exclude a child is to
neglect, hurt, and exclude him. Today, Jesus continues to call us to welcome
the “child,” to extend hospitality, welcome, and sanctuary to the most
vulnerable among us: the weak, the neglected, the marginalized, the ignored or
excluded, the powerless, the economically vulnerable, living from paycheck to
paycheck, meal to meal.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">It might be difficult to
empathize with the marginalized or most vulnerable.</span><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">But if we want to be considered “great” in
the Kingdom, we know what we must do. The burden of responsibility is upon us, both
collectively and individually as people of faith, to welcome the child. The
kingdom, the gospel, Christ requires nothing less from us. Then and now, it’s a
radical step to take. When we take this step, whenever we live this way, it
will leave the world speechless.</span></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> See Bruce J. Malina and Richard L.
Rohrbaugh, <i>Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels</i> (Minneapolis:
Fortress Press, 1992), 237-238.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Malina and Rohrbaugh, 237.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Malina and Rohrbaugh, 237<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Malina and Rohrbaugh, 238.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> See Ched Myers, <i>Binding the Strong
Man: A Political Reading of Mark’s Story of Jesus</i> (Maryknoll:
Orbis Books, 1994), 260ff.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn6" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div id="edn9" style="mso-element: endnote;">
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-33816373796312779502018-09-16T18:57:00.001-04:002018-09-17T09:02:47.995-04:00Oremus - Let us pray<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;
mso-endnote-numbering-style:arabic;}
</style>
</div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5OGjZ19OHpN5CJ7hxr4ppQ-VgMnYLKyXBcDIzsGoCbRIq8oFM-t7CD3v1SP02vRIpxqTFVTp3BWOBgr6EOvqbAQ6Yl3eKBq3-qFyQAOGqXwh13w_bhHqRmAlb_IJR-K9Zrt4T7oH0QAE/s1600/prayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5OGjZ19OHpN5CJ7hxr4ppQ-VgMnYLKyXBcDIzsGoCbRIq8oFM-t7CD3v1SP02vRIpxqTFVTp3BWOBgr6EOvqbAQ6Yl3eKBq3-qFyQAOGqXwh13w_bhHqRmAlb_IJR-K9Zrt4T7oH0QAE/s640/prayer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Matthew 6:5-13</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Prayer. It's often described as the
gateway to the Christian life. It's essential for a vital faith. And, still, so
many of us struggle with the nature of prayer, how to pray, when to pray, where
to pray. We question its effectiveness. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
provided wise counsel: go to your room, shut the door, and pray in secret.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">There’s a place for praying with others,
of course.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">There’s a rich liturgical
tradition of public prayer within Judaism.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Traditionally, Jews prayed three times a day, morning, late afternoon,
and early evening.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus is not
rejecting public prayer; he’s condemning those who seek attention by their
manner of praying, using empty phrases, words that are hollow and do not come from
the heart.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He judges those who like to
use lots of words, who try to impress others with their piety or poetry or
erudition.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">They are the hypocrites, who
say one thing but do another.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">They’re
actors.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">They want to be viewed as holy
or good or pious or righteous. They pray to convince others, even God, that
they are holy or good or pious or righteous. We need to be on guard for false
piety in ourselves—others often see it before we do, children and teenagers
always see right through the act, and God certainly sees us for who we are.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“When you are praying,” Jesus said, “do
not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be
heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what
you need before you ask him” (Mt. 6:7).</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Why is Jesus picking on the Gentiles or pagans?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Because they liked to use a lot of words to
bribe their gods—a little verbal bribery.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Pagan prayers were loaded up with all kinds of names with the hope hitting
the right one, getting the right god’s attention to fulfil their wishes.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">So Jesus sends us to our rooms. “Shut the door and </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">pray
to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward
you in secret (Mt. 6:6). Why does Jesus
say this to us?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Maybe because, first, we need to
remember the real audience for prayer. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">When we are in that private place we remember
the true object of prayer, that our focus is on God—and God alone. This means
we must work to remove all that distracts us.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Go to your room and shut the door.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), the French mathematician, writer, Catholic
theologian, said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from [our] inability to sit
quietly in a room alone.”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #010000;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[1]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Go to your room.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Go to your prayer closet. Create one. Find
one. I know people who have actual prayer closets or rooms set aside in their
homes reserved for prayer. Jesus spent a lot of time in the crowds, hanging out
with all kinds of people, people who made considerable demands on his
soul.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But he also spent a lot of time
alone, apart, away from the demands of the crowds, away from his disciples,
sometimes for days and weeks at a time.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In
John’s Gospel we read that after feeding the five thousand, the crowd wanted to
“use” him for their own ends.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">John says
that, “Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force,
withdrew again to a mountain by himself” (Jn. 6:15). Jesus needed to be alone
with God.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">My friend Tom Long (Tom was my preaching
professor at seminary) summarized Jesus’ words in Matthew this way: “When
you pray, go into the deepest part of the loneliest place you know, hide behind
the tallest tree where not even the birds and squirrels can see you.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Then, in that secluded and unseen place, you
will know that all true prayer—whether it occurs in the quietness of your
bedtime, in the middle of rush-hour traffic, or in unison in a vast
congregation—is spoken only to the secret depths of God.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #010000;">[2]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I suspect there’s another reason why
we’ve been sent to our rooms. While the object or direction or focus of prayer
might be God, to be in the presence of God, there is always a <i>subjective</i> dimension to prayer, which
cannot be ignored but often is. </span><span style="font-family: "times"; text-indent: 36pt;">Søren</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
Kierkegaard (1813-1855) reminds us that “Prayer does not change God, it changes
the one who prays.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #010000;">[3]</span></span></span></a> You see, there is always a personal,
subjective, even psychological dimension to prayer. To be in a room alone with
God means that we are also alone with ourselves, and for many this is tough. The
French philosopher and Christian mystic Simone Weil (1909-1943) said, “To wish
to escape from solitude is cowardice.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #010000;">[4]</span></span></span></a> Harsh, perhaps, but true.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">With no one to distract us, with no
one to impress we are left to ourselves, confronted by ourselves, and we are
now free(r) to be ourselves.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">If we can
approach God without trying to be holy or righteous or perfect, just
authentically being who we are, saying what’s on our hearts, voicing our loves
and our doubts and fears, this is truly liberating. We are then free to pray
from an even deeper, more secret room that we carry around within us wherever
we go: the secret room of the heart, the heart of hearts.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">When we withdraw for a season to that inner
room and pray from there, then the Father who sees in secret will reward you in
secret, will reward you there, in that secret place.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We must, therefore, not be afraid of
interiority. There’s a way to go to that interior place without being
narcissistic or selfish or egocentric. Honest prayer from the inner room is not
being narcissistic or egocentric.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The narcissist
and the egocentric have considerable difficulty being alone, looking inward,
becoming self-conscious; they are often unable to confront and acknowledge the
hurting, broken, insecure parts of their souls. A good way to overcome
egocentricity is to pray secretly in our innermost room, and that means, as
much as we can, see ourselves before the light and presence of a loving,
compassionate God.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #010000;">[5]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">E</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">xamining our needs, our fears, desires,
ambitions in the presence of God, we begin to name our innermost burdens and
hopes and confess them to God. When we are free to be authentically ourselves
in the presence of the one who looks upon us with compassion, we are gradually changed
over time, we become </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">more</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
authentic—and we don’t have to worry about impressing anyone, including God.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The English word “prayer” comes from
the French, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">prier</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, meaning “to
ask.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Sadly, this is the extent of what
prayer means for many, asking and asking and asking God for a lot. This kind of
prayer turns God into a genie or magician tending to our every whim, want, and
wish. Yes, there’s a place for asking in prayer.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">But sometimes what we wish for is not exactly
what we need.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And sometimes our
petitions are just giving God a lot of bad advice. I want a castle in the
highlands of Scotland—its doesn’t have to be a big one, mind you, I’ll be perfectly
happy with a simple tower with several turrets, it doesn’t even have to have a
moat. But this doesn’t mean that I’m going to get one. And while I would like a
castle (I really would), having a castle might not be a good thing for me.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">So, yes, there’s a place for asking, but
prayer is so much more than throwing up a long list of petitions. And, no, I’ve
never asked God for a castle.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I recently heard the story of a
minister who was on a spiritual retreat.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The participants met together for a time, they would talk, and then they would
go to their rooms and pray.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Then they talked together again and then go to their rooms to pray. And in his room he was always
talking to God.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And at one point, during
his long talks to God, he heard a voice say, “</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Shut up—and let me love you</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">.”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #010000;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn6" name="_ednref6" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[6]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Sometimes, probably often, we just
need to be quiet.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Sit in the presence of
God and listen and let God love you. Listen with your ears, but also listen
with your heart, listen with your body, listen with your gut, listen for what the
silence says. Be attentive.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Pay
attention.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Listening is a kind of
sacrament; we could say that listening is sacramental.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn7" name="_ednref7" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #010000;">[7]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In listening we become attentive to the
impressions that touch us, the voice of God that echoes in the silence, the
rhythm and movement of the soul as it gradually comes alive in the warmth and
light of God’s presence. And sometimes in the quiet, when we are silence, we discover
what is being asked of us.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">This week I discovered the writings
of the Irish poet and Roman Catholic theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama. He’s also the leader of the <a href="https://www.corrymeela.org/">Corrymeela Community</a>
in Northern Ireland. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Corrymeela
was begun in 1965 by Ray Davey (1915-2012), a former chaplain in World War II, and a group
of students from Queens University in Belfast. During the war, Ray was captured
and incarcerated in a prisoner of war camp in Dresden and there bore witness to
the Allied bombing of that city, which was devastating. This experience
profoundly changed him. He returned to work as a chaplain in Belfast and became
concerned with the tensions brewing between people of different political,
religious and ideological differences in Northern Ireland. Corrymeela grew out
of this concern. It became a place of reconciliation and peace for Protestants
and Roman Catholics during “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland. Today, Corrymeela offers space for analysis
of the underlying dynamics of conflict, fracture, scapegoating and violence
that we see across so many spheres of our world today. </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s
a community that knows the importance of language, the essential value of
naming fears, naming hates, naming wrongs, naming prejudices, and staying in
community.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Ó Tuama remembers, “Once, I
was sitting with more zeal than sense in a church, praying with fervour for
something like holiness, or righteousness, or some other term I still don’t
understand.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">All of a sudden, the
question came:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What do you actually want?</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">” </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">He was “shocked by its clarity. It was a blunt
question that demanded truthfulness, not devotion.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">I couldn’t answer it,” he said.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“I got up, I walked out.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The prayer came with me. I’m still answering
it.”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #010000;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn8" name="_ednref8" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[8]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">In a beautiful short essay on
prayer, titled </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Oremus</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, Ó Tuama reminds
us that prayer is essentially giving voice to something; it entails the
liberation of our voice, to say what needs to be said, to say what we’ve been
reluctant to say, to say what our tongues have been fearful to name, but are
crying out to say, whether it’s praise and adoration or pain and anger and
disappointment. </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Oremus</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, Latin for
“Let us pray,” is both an invitation and an imperative.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">The Latin word </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">oro</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">, from which we get </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">oremus</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">,
is related to an old Sanskrit word for “mouth.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Let us open our mouths.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">What
do you actually want?</span></i><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> Often it takes going to that secret
place to start listening for the answer to a question such as this. There are times in the life of faith when we
are summoned and told exactly what we need to do: go there, do this. But there
are also times when God intentionally steps back, and asks this question of us,
and then waits—waits for us to step in with an answer, away from distractions
and the influence of the crowd, to listen to the heart. This kind of prayer sends us deep, below the
surface of things and impressions. It requires silence and then out of the
silence we begin to speak, as we struggle with language, as we try to find
words to wrap around the heart. Answering this question requires focus,
attention, particularity, exactness. To answer this question requires language,
<i>your</i> words from your mouth, not the
words of your pastors, your parents, your spouse your church, the society that
surrounds you. Your language, your
words, which are always inadequate articulations. Always inadequate, but they are you
inadequate articulations. And, so, nevertheless we strive to name it all. God
wants us to say: what do you actually want?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What do you hope for?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">What is the deepest desire of your soul? Not
the surface stuff of our fearful egos, but soul stuff, core stuff, core
desires, what your soul really wants and needs. We can bring—we need to bring—all
of this into our prayer.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We wrestle with
it all and with God. We bring every aspect our lives into the struggle.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">All the joys, all the fears, all the pains,
all the burdens, all the things that trip us up and hurt us, all the sorrow that
we carry.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">They’re all valuable. All of
it.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Listen and name. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And in the listening and naming and asking and
wrestling, do you know what happens?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">We discover who we are and then we find
ourselves stepping </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">into</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> our lives in
new ways.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">And in good time, we discover
that our desires have slowly become aligned with what God desires, for what our
souls truly desire is what God desires for us…</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Your kingdom come. Your will be done</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> (Mt. 6:10). The more we listen
and name and listen and name, all within the presence of God, we are being formed
and reformed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pádraig Ó Tuama summons us to pray this way: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">“So
let us pick up the stones over which we stumble, friends, and build
altars.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Let us listen to the sound of
breath in our bodies.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Let us listen to
the sounds of our own voices, of our own names, of our own fears.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Let us name the harsh light and soft darkness
that surround us.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Let’s claw ourselves
out from the graves we’ve dug, let’s lick the earth from our fingers.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Let us look up, and out, and around.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The world is big, and wide, and wild and
wonderful and wicked, </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">and our lives are murky, magnificent, malleable and full
of meaning.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Oremus.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: 36pt;">Let us pray.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn9" name="_ednref9" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #010000;">[9]</span></span></span></a></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Blaise Pascal, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">Pensées</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thoughts</i>), paragraph 139. First
published in 1670.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Thomas G. Long, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matthew</i>
(Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997), 69.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">Søren
Kierkegaard, <i>Self-Examination/ Judge for Yourself</i> (Princeton:
Princeton University Press, 1991). See also Perry D. LeFevre, <i>The
Prayers of Kierkegaard</i> (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1976).</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Simone Weil, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity and Grace</i>
(New York: Routledge Classics, 2002), 67<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Fritz Kunkel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Creation Continues:
A Psychological Interpretation of the Gospel of Matthew</i> (New York: Paulist
Press, 1987), 88. See also Ann Ulanov and Barry Ulanov, <i>Primary Speech: A Psychology of Prayer </i>(Wesminster John Knox Press, 1982).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn6" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref6" name="_edn6" style="mso-endnote-id: edn6;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Recounted by Marilyn Nelson in “</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman";">Pádraig
Ó Tuama</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> <span lang="EN-US">and Marilyn Nelson: Choosing Words
That Deepen the Argument of Being Alive.” The full interview may be found here: <a href="https://onbeing.org/programs/padraig-o-tuama-marilyn-nelson-choosing-words-that-deepen-the-argument-of-being-alive-sep2018/">Onbeing.org</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn7" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref7" name="_edn7" style="mso-endnote-id: edn7;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’m
grateful to </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman";">Pádraig Ó Tuama for this insight in
his essay, “Oremus,” in </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">
(Norwich: Canterbury Press, 2017), xvi. Indeed, this sermon was inspired by Krista
Tippett’s recent <a href="https://onbeing.org/programs/padraig-o-tuama-marilyn-nelson-choosing-words-that-deepen-the-argument-of-being-alive-sep2018/">interview</a> with </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman";">Ó Tuama,
which led me to “Oremus.” </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn8" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref8" name="_edn8" style="mso-endnote-id: edn8;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman";">Ó Tuama</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";">, xx.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn9" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref9" name="_edn9" style="mso-endnote-id: edn9;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman";">Ó Tuama</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">, xx.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /></div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6284952334803579283.post-38436125204543394192018-09-09T20:04:00.000-04:002018-09-12T20:06:47.696-04:00The Generous Welcome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQubIzs1cZn0tzRtP1xL5fEBZ6HSjCGV4iys4auF7MMGg6PcPnjReGtkJ8_V_xqru-vevpQcT-1h2JgA1wgO-TqP9Pr4uZhg7Xwcpy4R167j3DT0A_eIU5ES6fuAITw9AbWVoNcOiwvnbS/s1600/doors+welcome+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="640" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQubIzs1cZn0tzRtP1xL5fEBZ6HSjCGV4iys4auF7MMGg6PcPnjReGtkJ8_V_xqru-vevpQcT-1h2JgA1wgO-TqP9Pr4uZhg7Xwcpy4R167j3DT0A_eIU5ES6fuAITw9AbWVoNcOiwvnbS/s640/doors+welcome+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Luke 14:(1-14) 15-24</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">So, there was that time when
Jesus spoiled a sabbath meal, offended his host, and insulted the other guests.
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">I doubt the leader of the Pharisees ever
invited him back for dinner after that, certainly not on the sabbath.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">The scene, recounted in Luke 14, was fraught
with tension.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Luke tells us that the
other guests “were watching him closely” (Lk. 14:1).</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus knew what to expect. As if on cue, a
man appeared in front of Jesus suffering from dropsy or swelling, what we call
an edema today, often associated with congestive heart failure. We don’t know
for sure. But what we do know is that Jesus used that occasion to make a point
and being a little cheeky, to use a good British word, asked the religious
leaders, “Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?” (Lk. 14:3).</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">Crickets.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> Nothing.
Silence. They didn’t say a thing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus was asking for
trouble, and he knew it.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">He knew the answer
to his question.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">He really didn’t care
what they thought.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">He was concerned for
the man who was suffering.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus knew
what the sabbath was for.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">So Jesus took him
aside, healed him, and sent him away.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Then Jesus said, “If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen
into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on the sabbath?” (Lk. 14:5).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">Crickets.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> Nothing.
Silence. They didn’t say a thing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus wasn’t finished.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">This was obviously a gathering of extremely
wealthy and influential people.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">He saw
how the guests chose the place of honor. They wanted the adoration, the
accolades, the praise, all that comes with the designation of being special.
Several walked in and took the place of honor, assuming the place was reserved
for them, assuming themselves to be the most honorable among the guests.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus told a parable.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Show some humility, he said. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Stop being so arrogant.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Instead of seeking the place of honor, “Go
and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to
you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all
who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled,
and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Lk. 14:10b-11).</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus was quite the dinner guest. Would you want
to sit at table with him?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus wasn’t finished. He next
turned to his host, the one who invited him.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus had problems with the guest list.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Here it gets really tense, even painful to hear.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">“When you give a luncheon or a dinner,” Jesus
said, “do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich
neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">But when you give a banquet, invite the poor,
the crippled, the lame, and the blind.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you, for you will be
repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Lk. 14:12-14).</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">In other words, Jesus said to his host: </span><i style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">You only invited these people for what you
hope to get from them, for what they can do for you. You give them a fancy meal and the best wine
and they get to socialize in the leaders’ house only because you want to use
them, to make your life better, gain more wealth and influence. Your hospitality is hollow. If you were truly
hospitable and generous and kind you would invite people who could not possibly
ever repay you, people who own nothing, people who are powerless, people who
can give you nothing in return.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Overhearing this, one of the
dinner guests shouted to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat bread in the
kingdom of God!” (Lk. 14:15).</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Now, it sounds
like he’s agreeing with Jesus, but he isn’t.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">He’s taking Jesus to task.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Within
Judaism at that time there was the belief that at the great banquet with God at
the end of time, the eschatological feast, only certain people would be in
attendance.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">In the Dead Sea Scrolls,
written by the Essenes, a Jewish sect that lived at the time of Jesus in
wilderness east of Jerusalem along the Dead Sea (discovered near Qumran between
1946 and 1956), we read that the lame, the blind, the poor, and crippled will
be excluded from participation in God’s holy banquet.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">[1]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">So if you’re breaking bread in the kingdom of
God that means you’re special, you’ve arrived. It means that you’re not poor,
lame, or crippled.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">The comment from the guest
about eating in the kingdom was too much for Jesus, so he unleashes the devastating
Parable of the Great Dinner.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">A host
invites his extremely wealthy friends to a banquet. At the last minute, his
guests come up with all kinds of lame excuses why they can't attend—and they
are lame excuses.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Because they are
obsessed with their possessions—property, purchases, and even marriages, which
was an economic arrangement in Jesus’ time, the wife was “property” (there’s
even sexual innuendo and a joke embedded in the parable)—their choices close
themselves off from the banquet.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">[2]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Because they’re only worrying about
themselves, they cannot see the needs of others.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Determined to throw a party, the host tells
his servants, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring
in the poor, the crippled, the blind, the lame” (Lk. 14:21). The new guests
soon arrive, but there's room for still more to attend. So the host says, “Go
out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house
may be filled.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">For I tell you, none of
those who were invited will tasted my dinner” (Lk. 14:23)—and </span><i style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">that’s</i><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> when Jesus drops the mic. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">BOOM. And throws some holy shade.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">“Blessed is the one who will
eat bread in the kingdom of God!”</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Blessed, indeed. But according to Jesus, who will be at the table? Who
will be given the place of honor?</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Who
will be lifted up?</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">The poor.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">The crippled.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">The blind. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">The lame.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">The kingdom,
the banquet is for them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s all part of the divine
grand reversal found throughout Jesus’ teaching, especially in Luke’s
Gospel.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">You see, in the kingdom of God
all the rules are different.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Everything
is flipped.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Those who are often
uninvited—left out, cast aside, forgotten, invisible to most, sleeping under
the hedgerows or under an overpass—will in the kingdom experience the generous
feast of God, and because they are not too proud or distracted by too many
things, like the wealthy, will accept the invitation. This is how the kingdom
works.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Earlier in Luke’s Gospel,
John the Baptist sent his disciples to Jesus to enquire if he was the promised
one or should they wait for another.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus
said, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their
sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are
raised, the poor have good news brought to them. And happy is anyone who takes
no offense at me” (Lk. 7:22).</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Happy is anyone who takes no offense at me.</i><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Offense.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><i style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Skandalizon</i><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> in Greek.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">A scandal. This is telling, because Jesus
assumes that the kingdom of God will, in fact, be a shock to our senses and to
our sense of decorum, he knows that the ways of the kingdom are offensive, even
scandalous, especially to those with wealth and privilege. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">And instead of discriminating who is or is not
eligible to sit at table in the kingdom, the welcome of God is
indiscriminate.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">The invitation is
extended to everyone, anyone.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">As we say
when we break bread and share the cup of communion, “The people will come from
east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God” (Lk.
13:29). And the next verse in Luke reads, “Indeed, some are last who will be
first, and some are first who will be last” (Lk. 13:30).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus shows us through this
parable what God's kingdom is like. There's room for everyone. God's welcome is
generous, broad, and expansive. When this happens, when barriers are removed, when
we set aside our power and privilege and make space for those without power and
privilege, then we are practicing humility.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Did you know that in the Greco-Roman society humility or lowmindedness
was considered a vice, not a virtue?</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">[3]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Humility became a virtue for the Christians.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">We choose humility because it’s the way of
Jesus.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">In fact, this way of being is a
sign or proof that the kingdom of God is at work in us and among us in the
world, “not in some heaven, light years away,” as sang this morning, “here in
this place new light is shining; </span><i style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">now</i><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">
is the kingdom, and now is the day.”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;" title="">[4]</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; text-indent: 36pt;">The good news is that God is
gathering us into the kingdom and there's always room for more! The Lord sends
us out to invite people to the feast.
The welcome is there. There’s
plenty of room. But are we inviting
people? I’m not talking about inviting to
join the church. The church and the kingdom
of God are not synonymous, but related.
Jesus rarely mentions the church, but he certainly has a lot to say
about the kingdom of God. In fact, the
church exists to serve the ends of the kingdom, not to serve itself. We serve
the Lord of the kingdom, who extends a broad, indiscriminate welcome to all
people to share in the abundance of God’s love and justice. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; text-indent: 36pt;">The kingdom welcomes all the people society leaves behind,
overlooked, forgotten. The kingdom
receives and gives a honored place at the table to those society has discarded
and disregarded. That’s because the
heart of God radiates radical hospitality.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">When the church is really serving
the ends of the kingdom, the church is holy, and beautiful, and awesome.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">When the church fails to serve the kingdom,
the church becomes hollow and ugly and mean-spirited; it has sold its soul. The
church can actually stand in the way of the kingdom. Sometimes the church
withholds the invitation, or prefers only certain people in its
fellowship.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">This means that we need to
be clear about our mission.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Who we are?
What we’re being called to do?</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">The
Mission Committee will be meeting this morning after worship and will be
wrestling with these questions.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We need to continually ask
ourselves as a church:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Are we serving the kingdom or serving ourselves?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Are we broadly extending the invitation to experience God’s
love or are we intentionally or unintentionally welcoming people who look like
us, dress like us, think like us, believe like us to share God’s love, to be
part of this community?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What do people experience when they cross the threshold of
the sanctuary? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Does the church feel like a club or a closed religious society?
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;">Are we
putting up barriers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">Do
people know it’s safe to worship here without judgment and shame?</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Jesus said to invited the poor, the blind, the
crippled, the lame—those on the margins, with no authority or power, those
wounded by society and the church, economically disenfranchised, because they
need to know they have a place in God’s kingdom.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Are we doing this in concrete ways?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">What about the most vulnerable in our
communities, especially children?</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">What
about refugee children?</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Do they know
they’re invited to the party?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What about the religious seeker, someone who
likes Jesus, but not sure about the people who claim to love Jesus? Do they
know they’re welcomed to the party?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">What about gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered,
queer folk, do they know it’s safe to worship here, that’s it’s safe to
encounter God’s love and acceptance here in this sanctuary. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">Do they know they’re welcome to the party,
that the kingdom is for them?</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;">How will
they know unless we say so?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And are we extending radical
hospitality to each other? Are we nurturing the faith of our children?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we nurturing their souls and preparing
them to be “offensive” in their living out of the gospel, offering love,
extending hospitality? Are we making space for one another? How are we doing
caring for one another, supporting one another, reaching out to stranger in our
midst, the child of God who shares your pew?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This, too, is kingdom work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
how can we care for our neighbor if we’re not properly caring for one another
and caring for ourselves?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“Compel people to come in,” Jesus
said, “so that my house may be filled.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He sends us out to extend that
invitation to everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;">T</span><span style="background-color: white;">here’s plenty
of room.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Come, taste and see, that God
is good.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">For, “Blessed is the one who
will eat bread in the kingdom of God.”</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">May our opening hymn remain our
prayer:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Gather us in and hold us forever;</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">gather us in and make us your own;</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">gather us in, all peoples together,</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">fire of love in our flesh and our bone.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">May
it be so.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("/Users/kennethkovacs/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/msoclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;
mso-endnote-numbering-style:arabic;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br clear="all" />
</span><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> These
disqualifications are found in the Qumran Scrolls at 1QSa 2:5-6a, cited in Luke
Timothy Johnson<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, The Gospel of Luke</i>
(Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1991), 225.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Leviticus 21:17-21, we find that the lame,
the blind, and crippled are excluded from the priesthood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> See <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jewish Annotated New Testament</i>,
Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler, eds. (Oxford: Oxford University Press,
2017), 147.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> See, for
example, the work of Stoic philosopher Epictetus (55-135), in his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Discourses</i>, cited in Johnson, 224.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6284952334803579283#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> “Gather Us In,” written
by Marty Haugen, <i>Glory to God: The
Presbyterian Hymnal</i> (Louisville: John Knox Press, 2013).</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Ken Kovacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15001348587110646110noreply@blogger.com0