Click the link to hear my newest episode of Pastor Mark Cast, my reflections on the carol, “I heard the bells on Christmas Day” in light of the strife in the Holy Land.
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Pastor Mark Cast
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” makes sense to me
Monday Ministerial Musings
By Rev. Mark William Ennis
2023 Blog #50
December 18, 2023
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” makes sense to me
Since I can remember I have loved the Christmas Carol, “I heard the bells on Christmas Day.” I don’t know what attracted me to this carol when I first heard it, but somehow it spoke to me, and it quickly became one of my favorite songs of the Christmas season. It was later that I learned the history of the carol and liked it even more.
It was written, of course, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the famous writer of the 1800’s. He was a war correspondent during the American Civil War, and he knew personal suffering. His wife was killed in a kitchen fire. He attempted to rescue her and was badly burned in the same fire. He grew the beard that he is now famous for, because of the scaring on his face because of the fire.
If this was not enough suffering, his son was a soldier in the Union army who was severely wounded in the war. Longfellow was unsure if his son would live or die. This anxiety added to the grief he felt for his deceased wife, and the physical scaring that he had received.
As Christmas approached, he knew the horrors of war and the suffering that war caused. The loud sounds of battle seemed to compete with the sounds of church bells ringing in the celebration of Christmas. His carol is a carol of hope that the Christmas bells of hope would ultimately win against the sounds of violence and suffering.
I think about this carol whenever I hear news reports of the Israeli/Hamas war that is so much a part of our current news reporting. The Holy Land is in flames as the war continues. Civilian deaths escalate, and Israeli hostages have now been reported to have been killed by Israeli soldiers. This Christmas we will celebrate while the noises, deaths, and destruction will continue. The violence has even escalated as the Israeli military has increased even in the occupied West Bank.
Little more than a year ago, just six weeks before Christmas, I spent time on the West Bank. I remember thinking that Christmas was only a short time away as I overlooked the fields where it was said that the shepherds were tending their flocks when angels appeared and announced the birth of Jesus. Behind us was the place where it is said that Jesus was born. It was a peaceful place then, but I can only imagine how much strife and injuries are occurring in that formerly, quiet place.
Thinking of the military operations in the West Bank, and the major war being conducted in Gaza, I can better understand the conflict that was within Longfellow as he heard church bells amid war, fear, and grief. The world is often in conflict with the peace and justice that we look forward to.
We, who strive to live faithfully, often mourn that God’s righteous kingdom is so slow in coming. We hear the evil noises of the world even as we listen to the quieter sounds of God’s kingdom. Longfellow lived in hope, that the sweet music of the church bells would ultimately win over the sounds of war, and he celebrated this hope by writing this carol.
In the same way, I live in hope. I live believing that God’s light will ultimately overcome the warfare of this world. We who are faithful hold on to this hope and continue to be lights in a dark world and the joyful sounds of God’s music during the evil noises of the world. Let us be faithful being the joyful sounds and bright lights in a world that needs both.
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#BergenCounty #BergenfieldNJ
#Gaza #Bethlehem
#Westbank #Longfellow
To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please look at his website:
A new episode of Pastor Mark Cast
In this episode, Pastor Mark celebrates a Christmas play that transcended culture and language as well as kept the focus on Jesus.
Go to this link to hear the podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/pastormarkchat/1261227/
Pastor Mark is a Christian Pastor, author, blogger, and sometimes background actor. He brings all of his years of life experience to ask spiritual questions about the ordinary events of life.
A Christmas Play Transcending Language and Culture
Monday Ministerial Musings
By Rev. Mark William Ennis
2023 Blog #49
December 11, 2023
A Christmas Play Transcending Language and Culture
For thirty-nine years, as pastor, I have been part of Christmas plays in various congregations. Prior to Pastoring during these plays, I participated in many others as a child. I played various roles. I was a drummer boy, an angel, a shepherd and one time a Magi.
In all the plays that I have participated in, none of them have gone smoothly. There is always something that goes wrong. It is a joke among clergy that Christmas plays are “Christmas Disasters.”
I remember one year when half our cast caught the flu. We postponed the play for a week. The following week, the other half of the cast had flu symptoms. By the time everyone was healthy, Christmas had passed.
Before one performance we lost the doll who was to be baby Jesus. We searched but never found it. Instead of a baby Jesus doll, we had a rolled blanket, wrapped in another blanket, pretending to be a baby.
I remember the first Christmas play that I coordinated as a pastor. It was in 1984 in Hoboken. Most of the Sunday School was composed of immigrants from Northwest India. Some spoke English better than others. Being a director was difficult with such a cast, but it seemed like the most authentic play that I have been a part of. The complexions of the children from India, was darker than mine. They probably had complexions closer to that of Jesus. They looked more Middle eastern than Anglo children did.
Yesterday was the last Christmas play that I have been a part of. It was a little different, and it was magnificent. Some of our cast members were natives of this country. Others came from Ecuador and Columbia. One is bi-racial, Anglo and African American. We came from different cultures and races. Not all of us could speak to one another as we had language difficulties. The music and the art transcended our cultures and languages. We all could understand the Christmas story when we looked at the manger. The music spoke to all of us, even those who couldn’t understand the lyrics. The love of God in Christ has a way of rising above differences.
The first nativity play that we know of was presented by St. Francis of Assisi. He presented the story for people who were illiterate and were not able to read the Bible story themselves. Art, drama, and music communicated the story of God’s love in ways that language and culture cannot. Yesterday in church we continued St. Francis’ tradition. The story of Jesus, and God’s love, is for everyone. I am pleased to be part of this tradition begun by St. Francis, as well as having the chance to welcome new immigrants to our congregation and join with them in sharing the gospel of Christmas.
I have participated in dozens of Christmas pageants. This one was the best. God blessed us richly with newcomers who have differences but are united in the love of God in Christ. How much better can Christmas be. Difference become meaningless when we focus on Jesus. I can’t help but think that what we did was a little sliver of what Jesus meant when he prayed that his disciples would all be “one.”
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#BergenCounty #BergenfieldNJ
#ChristmasPlay #Bi-lingualWorship
#Hispanic #Immigrants
To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please look at his website:
Pastor Mark Cast
In this episode, Pastor Mark talks about the suspension of Monsignor Gigantiello in Brooklyn and asks why priest who have perpetrated sexual abuse were not dealt with as harshly and quickly.
Go to this link to hear the podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/pastormarkchat/1250426/
Pastor Mark is a Christian Pastor, author, blogger, and sometimes background actor. He brings all of his years of life experience to ask spiritual questions about the ordinary events of life.
The Brooklyn Archdiocese Suspended a Priest for What?
Monday Ministerial Musings
By Rev. Mark William Ennis
2023 Blog #48
December 4, 2023
The Brooklyn Archdiocese Suspended a Priest for What?
I recently read in the New York Times that there was discipline done to a priest, Monsignor Jamie J. Gigantiello. The diocese of Brooklyn removed him from his administrative duties because he allowed a music video to be filmed in his congregation, Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He was disciplined just a few days after his “crime” was seen publicly.
What was his crime? He allowed a pop singer, Sabrina Carpenter, to film a music video inside the sanctuary. Part of the music video shows coffins on the altar of the church as Sabrina dances and sings. Apparently, the church hierarchy was offended by her song or having coffins on the altar. I watched the video and didn’t see anything to be offended about. You may watch it here if you like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLbn61Z4LDI
What amazed me was the rapid response in relieving the Monsignor of his duties. For two decades now I have been counseling victims of religious abuse. A number of these victims were sexually abused by priests. Most recently I have worked with a group “My Sanctuary Healing,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWVzWYqGKvU&list=PLTOsN58Bh3VXkYo8S-22DS9ATTllz1-P6
I have found a pattern amid such abuse victims: they all report the slow response of the church to discipline priests who have perpetrated sexual abuse. Often, instead of discipline, these perpetrators are moved, parish to parish to be given “another chance.” Of course, such perpetrators commit other crimes against innocent people.
The feature film, “Spotlight,” chronicles how a few priests perpetrated sexual crimes for decades and never received the same discipline that Monsignor Gigantiello received. One must wonder why he received harsher discipline than priests who are, or have been, sexual predators. One only has to do a web search to see how many priests in Brooklyn alone were sexual predators but were not disciplined for years or decades. What makes this music video so offensive that a Monsignor had to be disciplined over it? Is allowing a music video, which was offensive to some, more offensive than sexual offenses against children? Such offenses against children ought to enrage all of us. I believe that I can safely say that God is enraged over children being hurt.
When the church disciplines a priest for allowing a music video to be filmed in church, faster than it reacts to child sexual abuse, the church, I believe, is not listening to Jesus. I am reminded of the book published by Jimmy Breslin several years ago entitled, “The Church that forgot Christ.” Protecting children and adults from abuse must be a higher priority than being concerned about a music video that offended some but not others.
According to the media, this music video by Sabrina Carpenter was viewed 9.7 million times on You Tube. The diocese of Brooklyn ought to congratulate Monsignor Gigantiello for finding a way to get 9.7 million people to see the inside of the church. Perhaps the church should make some music videos to attract a wider audience but above all, the church must keep abuse from happening and swiftly prosecute those who hurt others.
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#BergenCounty #BergenfieldNJ
#MonsignorGigantiello #SabrinaCarpenter
#BrooklynDiocese #ProtectingChildren
To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please look at his website:
Pastor Mark Cast: a new episode
In this episode, Pastor Mark talks about the history behind Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Day proclamation and requests that we all show more gratitude each day, not one per year.
Go to this link to hear the podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/pastormarkchat/1241104/
Thanksgiving Controversies
Monday Ministerial Musings
By Rev. Mark William Ennis
2023 Blog #47
November 27, 2023
Thanksgiving Controversies
I had a great celebration for Thanksgiving Day this past week. The food was great, and family and friends gathered. There was no controversy, no political conversation, but a lot of eating, playing with my Grandsons, and feeling very thankful.
I know that for some, Thanksgiving becomes controversial. I have heard that some parents don’t want children to be taught about the Native Americans and the Pilgrims when being instructed about the first Thanksgiving. Many historians believe that the narrative of friendly natives and friendly pilgrims eating a feast together is really a false narrative. I have also ready social media posts from Native Americans who wish to protest Thanksgiving, as well as Columbus Day, because these are holidays that celebrate white oppression over native peoples.
I wish that we would return to the Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1864 authored by Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln kept us focused when he made the fourth Thursday of November a day of giving thanks. I encourage everyone to read it: https://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm
In this proclamation, Lincoln does not discuss natives nor pilgrims. Neither does Lincoln discuss politics. Lincoln, in his proclamation, given while the Civil War still raged, and families in the north and south of our nation mourning deceased loved ones, simply focused on giving thanks. That is a simple message that often gets hidden in the controversies that surround this holiday.
If anyone had a difficult life, it was Lincoln. He was born in poverty, had a wife who might have been bi-polar. Perhaps he himself suffered depression. By the time of his Thanksgiving proclamation, he had buried two of his sons from disease. In addition, his beloved nation was at war during his whole presidency. He didn’t have an easy life. And yet, despite all the suffering he endured, he could still find things to be thankful for, and call all Americans to be thankful.
If any of us feel that we have lives where there is nothing to be thankful for, I encourage us to look a bit farther. Even the least prosperous of us have things to be thankful for. If we think our lives are hard, would we rather be living in Ukraine, Sudan, or Gaza? All of us have a great deal to be thankful for. Let us continue to be thankful, not just on the Day of Thanksgiving, but every day of the year.
Let us wake up each morning thanking God for all our blessings. Our feelings of gratitude will translate into our acting our best selves and others will notice how graciously we treat others.
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#BergenCounty #BergenfieldNJ
#Thanksgiving #Traditions
#AbrahamLincoln #ThanksgivingHistory
To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please look at his website:
Pastor Mark Cast
In this episode, Pastor Mark talks about the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner that his congregation hosts every year but celebrates the cultural differences that the dinner will have this year.
Go to this link to hear the podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/pastormarkchat/1232396/
Pastor Mark is a Christian Pastor, author, blogger, and sometimes background actor. He brings all of his years of life experience to ask spiritual questions about the ordinary events of life.
A Different Thanksgiving This Year
Monday Ministerial Musings
By Rev. Mark William Ennis
2023 Blog #46
November 20, 2023
A Different Thanksgiving This Year
Since long before I became pastor of the congregation I serve, there has been a custom around Thanksgiving. I inherited this custom and have enjoyed it thoroughly. This custom is to hold a Thanksgiving Dinner for congregation members on the day before Thanksgiving.
This tradition began decades before I ever heard of this congregation and, I am told, was originally begun for people without families to go to for the holiday. It was established for single people who would have spent this festive day alone and was meant to give fellowship, and good food for people who might otherwise have spent the day by themselves.
I must say that I am happy to have inherited this tradition. It has brought me joy over the years to have welcomed people to this festive dinner. Unlike most of our fellowship meals, this one is elegant, using China dishes instead of paper plates, glass stem-wear instead of paper cups, and even candles lit on the tables. Visitors from outside our congregation who have attended this event have commented that it is fancier than they have seen in church facilities. I consider that to be quite a compliment.
The turkeys are always supplied by two sisters who are part of the church. One of these two also supplies corn pudding. People attending bring dishes to pass. Of course, over the years, these have been rather traditional Thanksgiving dishes. Mashed potatoes, vegetables, stuffing, and gravy have all been on the menu. This year I suspect that our menu might be a little different.
Beginning in January, a Hispanic church planter has been working with us and we now have a new, Spanish Speaking congregation nested within our congregation. Many of those folks will be attending this Thanksgiving dinner. For some folks, this will be their first Thanksgiving in the United States. They don’t know about Turkeys, stuffing, or mashed potatoes but they will be bringing dishes to share at the dinner. I don’t know what food they will be bringing but I suspect it will be very different from the kind of foods that we think of when we Anglos think of Thanksgiving. I don’t know what additions to expect but I do expect a few surprises.
Yes, our tradition continues, and we will be sharing food, enjoying fellowship with new friends and old friends. This year our tradition won’t change but our menu will. Some people, who have attended this dinner for years will be guests again, but newcomers will also be there. It will be the same but different and I suspect that it will be better.
I look forward to this event more than I have in the past. I suspect it will be a blessing to all.
#ReformedChurchInAmerica #PastorMarkAuthor.com
#BergenCounty #BergenfieldNJ
#Thanksgiving #Traditions
#Immigrants #Hispanic
To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please look at his website:
Pastor Mark Author 