Book of Lenten Meditations Christ Church RochesterNY

8/2/2019 Book of Lenten Meditations Christ Church RochesterNY

1/35

Meditations for Lent

Christ ChurchRochester


2/35

Preface

TheparishionersofChristChurchofferthesereflectionsforourLentenjourney. Theyrangefromthoughts

aboutgivingsomethingupversustakingsomethingon,thoughtsaboutthedayscelebratedsaint,thoughtsaboutthe

daysreadings,

and

thoughts

about

atheme

in

the

readings.

The

guidelines

were

purposefully

loose

to

invite

many

voices,styles,andperspectives.

ThisisthefirstyearChristChurchhasdonethis;westartedrecruitingwritersabitlaterthanweshouldhave,so

wedonthavemeditationsforeveryday. Readersareinvitedtosupplementthesereflectionswithreadingsfromthe

onlinesite(http://www.lectionarypage.net/CalndrsIndexes/Calendar2012.html)andreadingsfromtheDailyOffice

Year2intheBookofCommonPrayer.ShirleyRicke

Edito

Thankstothecontributorswhoare:

Contributor Meditation Contributor Meditation

Alonzo,Lucy April7 Liddell,Kyle March24

Anstey,Jennifer March16 McCutchon,Joe April2

Barnes,Bob February23 Pedersen,Jean March7

Bement,Jim March19 Reynolds,Beau February29

CollinsBohrer,Padriac March17 Ricker,Shirley March13

Collins,Sarah March3 Schultz,Mary March14

Cushman,Laura March9 Sconfitto,Joe March12

Fields,Noah March2 Sconfitto,Margaret April4

Henshaw,Richard February22 SweetPage,Marilyle April5

Hilton,Ron February27 Talley,Claire March21

Hilton,Sharon March6 Tompkins,Christine March23

Kristoffersen,Peg March31 Urban,John March10

Least,Wayne March27 Vukman,Mary March26

Lechman,Theodore March9 Vanderbilt,Deborah March20

Liddell,Kristy March1 Wiersma,John March5

SpecialthankstoNoahFieldsforhisphotographs


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Wednesday,February22,2012AshWednesday

Joel2:12,1217orIsaiah58:112*2Corinthians5:20b6:10*Matthew6:16,1621*Psalm103

Ilike

the

season

of

Lent,

and

look

forward

to

it

every

year.

It

gives

me

something

Ilong

for,

some

discipline

in

mylife,adirectiontogo,andachancetoconfrontthistopsyturveyworldheadonbydoingsomethingaboutit!We

needallthehelpwecanget!

FormanyyearsIhavefollowed,alongwithothersofmystudents,aselfimposedRULEOFLIFEtoguideme

duringLent,givingmeadailyrhythm.Itisverysimpleandgoessomewhatlikethis:

1) GiveprayerfulthankstothegoodLordeveryday,foraddingonemoredaytoyourlife,saideitheratthe

beginningorat theendoftheday.

2) ReadaselectionoftheBibleeveryday,followingthelectionaryorapassageofyourownchoosing,and

pauseafterwardsandmeditateforsometimeonapassagethattouchesyou.Listen,listentowhatitsays.

3)Do

agood

deed

every

day:

ahandout,

asmile,

ahello,

atelephone

call,

avisit,

aletter

or

email,

to

someone

youmeet,someoneyoulove,orsomeoneyoudontlove.

4) AttendchurchatleasteverySunday.

ThisRULEwillhopefullyputintoyourlifethespiritofLent,daybyday.Itwillmakeyoumorewhole. Itwillgive

youawaytodealwiththecontradictionsyoumeetateverycrossroad.Somenewdecisionmustbemadewiththese

differingdemands.Whatisittobe?

TheRULEwillallowyoutoact,toconfronttheforceswhicharepullingyouthiswayandthat,sometimes(you

laterfindout)nottotheyouthatyouwishdeeplytobe.(ThanksforsomeoftheseideastoEstherdeWaal,world

renownedBenedictine

layperson.)

ReverendRichardHenshaw


4/35

Thursday,February23,2012FeastofPolycarp,BishopandMartyr

Revelation

2:8

11

*

Matthew

20:20

23

*

Psalm

116:10

17

or

34:1

8

or

121

Godis

everythingthatisgood

andthegoodness

thateverythingpossesses

isGod

JulianofNorwich

Bibliography

MeditationswithJulianofNorwich

LentwithSt.Francis

LentwithEvelynUnderhill

TheabovebooksgivethoughtfulmeditationsforeachdayinLent

BobBarnes

PhotographbyNoahFields


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Monday,February27,2012FeastofGeorgeHerbert,Priest

1Peter5:14*Matthew5:110*Psalm23or1

Matthew5:8 Blessedarethepureinheart,fortheyshallseeGod.

TodaywehonorGeorgeHerbertpriestandpoetwholivedtobeonly40yearsold. BornwhenShakespeare

hadjustbegunhisactingandwritingcareer,Fr.Herbertbringsreadersupshortwithhisimages,hisferventfaith,and

thesometimesoddshapeofhispoems. ThosewhoattendedChristChurchFridaynightsuppers20yearsagoorsowill

rememberthelateJosephSommersintroductiontoHerbertswork. HerbertwasoneofJoesseveralspecialtiesasa

UniversityofRochesterEnglishprofessor.

Herbertsfaith

was

his

passion,

and

he

wrote

passionately

about

it.

Never,

it

seems,

uncertain

about

Gods

placeintheworld,hesoughtinhispoetrytoworkouthisplaceinrelationshiptoGod.

Someofhismostintriguingpoemsattempttoreplicatethesubjectmatterintheformofthepoem. Hence,one

titledTheAltarleapsoffthepageintheshapeofanaltar,andEasterWingsappearsintheshapeofwings. Then,

rightinthemiddleofTheAltar,arelittleshortcoupletswhosepungencyknowsnoequal:

Aheartalone

Issuchastone,

Asnothingbut

Thypowerdothcut.

Whereforeeachpart

Ofmy

hard

heart

Meetsinthisframe,

Topraisethyname.

LetusthisLentreachacrossthecenturiestojoinwithHerbertinpraisingGodsholyname.

RonHilton


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Wednesday,February29,2012Deuteronomy9:1321*Hebrews3:1219*John2:233:15*Psalm119:4972

Psalm119:45

Ishallwalkatliberty,forIhavesoughtyourprecepts.NRSV

TheseasonofLent,tomany,isquicklyequatedwithaperiodofsolemnpenance,abstinencefromexcess,and

hymnssunginaminorkey.Lenthascommonlybeenapproachedwithasighofresignation.

ThePsalmistgivesusacontrastingviewofthelifegovernedbynotonlythemoralprinciples,butalsothemore

challengingandambiguousidealsofspiritualpovertyandhumility,presentedtousthroughthewordsofChrist.

Blessedarethepoorinspirit:fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven(Matt5:3).Fromthisperspective,thepracticesof

spiritualpenitenceandreflectiondonotleadtoamiserableexistencecharacterizedbysorrowandrestriction,buta

libertyof

being

that

extends

to

all

aspects

of

our

existence.

This

liberty

is

the

direct

result

of

the

resurrection

effected

on

Eastermorning,thatwhichwearepreparedforduringthefortydaysofLent.Ourinwardpreparation,whichsome

mightviewaslimiting,freesustoexperiencetheliberationofEaster.

Duringthisnightofthesoul,thisseasonofLent,letusalwayskeepthefreedombroughttousbyChristinour

viewaswereflectonourlives,repentofourtransgressions,andamendourwaysforourgoodandthegoodofthose

aroundus.

BeauReynolds

PhotographbyShirleyRicker


7/35

Thursday,March1,2012

FeastofDavidofWales1Thessalonians2:2b12*Mark4:2629*Psalm16:511or96:17

DavidofWaleslivedduringthemidtolatesixthcentury.Inhisyouth,hefoundedamonastery,wherehe

intendedtolivebyastrictruleofquietmeditation,selfdenial,andhardworkfortherestofhislife.Thisdidn'tworkout

exactly.

Hewasdragged(IquoteHolyWomen,HolyMen)toanassemblyofbishopstofightPelagianism,amovementthatchallengedthedoctrineoforiginalsinandarguedthathumansarecapableoffreelychoosingbetweengoodand

evilwithoutdivineaid.DavidspokesowellthattheArchbishopchosehimashissuccessorasPrimateofWales.He

foundedelevenothermonasteries,madeapilgrimagetoJerusalem,andwasmentortoseveralIrishsaints.

Hebecamelegend,hislife'sstoryembellishedinaneleventhcenturyhagiographywrittenbyRhygyfarch,ason

ofthebishopofSt.David's(thismaterialisnotinHolyWomen,HolyMen).Inthisimaginativebiography,Davidissonofanunwhowasforcedtomarryaprince,possiblyarelativeofKingArthur,fulfillingaprophecySt.Patrickhadheard

fromanangel.StoriestellthatDavidadvisedWelshsoldierstowearleeksintheirhatsinbattlesagainsttheSaxonsso

theycouldtelltheirfriendsfromtheirenemies.Theysaythathismonkstriedtopoisonhim,butanIrishsaintrodeto

Walesovernightonthebackofaseamonsterandblessedthepoisonedbread,whichtheyatetogetherwithnoill

effects.And,inmyfavoritestory,whenDavidgoes(orisdragged)totheSynodofBrefitodebatethePelagians,sucha

crowdgathersthatGodraisesupahillunderhisfeetsothateveryonecanseeandhearhimandknowforwhomhe

speaks.

Ifthat

change

doesn't

illustrate

deep

anti

Pelagianism,

Idon't

know

what

does.

Five

hundred

years

later,

people

wantedasaintwho,regardlessofhowwellhecommunicatedorhowothersrespondedtohismessage,hadtobe

revealedastheagentofdivinetruthbythegroundmiraculouslyrisingunderhisfeet.Itissohardtotrustourselves(or

others?)tobeconfidentinwhatwe'vediscoveredthroughsomequietinteriorprocess,orasacommunityweneed

ourtruthstobeselfevident.

Ican'tuntangledoctrinesoforiginalsin,grace,andfreewillatthemoment,andIwon'tvouchforthehistoricity

ofRhygyfarch'saccount.Butthishillstoryspeakstomeanyway.Itspeakstoourhumanhopethat,regardlessofour

innerstateorthecrowdsaroundus,truthwillappear,miraculousandindisputable,inthemiddleofcontroversy.Ilike

thiskindofthing.Wecelebratethosetruthsweimmediatelyrecognize,theonesthatareatourcorebecauseweare

madein

God's

image:

Love

one

another;

do

justice;

love

mercy.

ThisiswhyIneedthereminderintoday'sreadingfromthegospelofMark:[Jesus]alsosaid,Thekingdomof

Godisasifsomeonewouldscatterseedontheground,andwouldsleepandrisenightandday,andtheseedwould

sproutandgrow,hedoesnotknowhow.Theearthproducesofitself,firstthestalk,thenthehead,thenthefullgrainin

thehead.Butwhenthegrainisripe,atoncehegoesinwithhissickle,becausetheharvesthascome.

Epiphanypasses.Assoonaswestarttotrytoliveoutthosetruths,there'saLentenwildernesstowanderin,

andwhoknowswhatgrowsinit,orhow.WefindothermountaintopexperiencesinourLentandPassiongospel

readings,buttheyarenotplaceswhereconflictdissolves. TheyareplaceswhereJesusislonely,tempted,afraid,


8/35

sorrowful,dying.Theyareplaceswhereproverbsandeasyanswersfalldeadtotheground,andGodwithusaskswhy

Godhasforsakenhim.

I'mtwentyseven.DearGod,I'dlovejustoneplainhill,withaprophetorsaintwiththeHolySpiritmanifestedas

adoveonhisshoulder,andI'dwearaleekinmyhateverydayifhe'djusthandmesomestonetabletsthatsketchout

somemajorlifeeventsandtellmewhereIshouldfocusmyenergyandwhatIshouldjustletbe.Instead,Iusuallyfeel

likeI'minamountainrangewithamillionpeopleshouting,Lookatthiswar,lookatthesefamines,lookatthis

oppression,lookatthisgreed,lookatthiscycleofviolence,lookatourprisons,lookjustacrossourborders,lookaround

thecity,lookthroughthesidedoorofthechurchaftercoffeehourormindyourownbusiness,beanadult,lookat

morejoblistingsanddon'taskwhytherearesomanyopeningsfordebtcollectors.Thewholeworldseemstoecho

withgroansofinjustice,suffering,anddivisionandtohavealwaysgroanedinwaysthatI'veonlyjustnoticed.InLent,

thattruthhasitsownhill,andwestandwhenitisnamedinthePalmSundayreadingofthePassion.

Sowegofromhilltohill,scatteringthoseselfevidenttruthsintoreality(thatrocky,thornyplace),andwesleep

andrise,nightandday,waitingforwhathasdiedtosproutandgrowwedonotknowhow.Butwearepromisedwe'll

recognizetheripeharvest,thekingdomcome.

KristyLiddel



9/35

Friday,March2,2012FeastofChad,BishopofLichfield

Philippians4:1013*Luke14:1,714*Psalm84:712or23

butwhenyougiveabanquet,invitethepoor,thecrippled,thelame,andtheblind.Andyouwillbe

blessed,becausetheycannotrepayyou,foryouwillberepaidattheresurrectionoftherighteous... Luke

14:1314

WefindJesusteachingataplaceoffood,ataplaceofthesharingoffood.Atthisbanquet,Jesustellsthehost

toexpectblessedness,toexpectrepaymentintheresurrectionoftherighteous,werethehosttoinvitethedestitute,

diseased,anddisabledintothebanquetandforegotheusualguestlist:friends,family,neighbors.

Jesusinjunctionposesaradicalexchange:giveupthefamiliarity,connection,andsafetyoffamilyandfriends,

andsupplantitwithpeoplewhomonedoesnotknow,whocarrydiseasethatstillfrightenstoday,whoinsomecases

cannotwalk,eat,orsee,andwhowillalmostcertainlyneverhosttheirowncommunalmeals.Thisradicalexchangeof

guests,however,

also

promises

areward

to

the

host:

repayment

in

the

resurrection.

Itgetsmeonedgewhenanactofselflessnessiscondonedandencouragedthroughappealtoselfishness.I

worryaboutthepsychologyofsuchanethicaltransaction.IfIgiveupsomethingIdesireinthepresentforapresumably

muchgreaterrewardintheresurrectionoftherighteouswhateverthatmaybeisntthegoodofmysacrifice

merelyacommodifiedgoodinatransactionofworldlydivineeconomy,destinedtoreapareward,andtherefore

actuallybereftofethicalsignificance?IknowthatIstandtobenefitbysacrificingsafetyandfamiliarity,sowhy

wouldntIbeawillingtradingpartner?Jesussetsupamutuallybeneficialeconomyofreception;thehostwalksaway

withblessednessandtheforgottenvagrantsoftheworldfeastatabanquet.

Ontheotherhand,thewelcomingoftheunfamiliar,thediseased,andthepossiblyharmfuloverthethresholdofadoorwayseemssorifewithimplicationsforourexperienceandthemeaningofexistencethatitalmostprecludesunderstanding.Therefore,

Iwilljustconclude:

PerhapsJesusdoesntgiveahootaboutthepsychologyofethics,normaybeevenselflessness,norselfishness.

Inthisteaching,atleast,hejustcramstheeternal,vague,andmajesticrighteousnessoftheresurrectionrightdowninto

aroomabouttobechockfulloflepers,theblind,andtheirfrazzledhost.Jesusaffirmsthataninvitationto

participation,extendedtotheneedy,toHim,willberewardedintheresurrectionoftherighteous,whichtomedenotes

ataminimumtheincredibleideathattheactionswetakehaveimmediateandultimatesignificancebothtoourfellow

beings

and

to

God.

Moreover,

it

is

action,

and

not

the

baroque

ethical

tumult

of

the

mind,

that

reaps

blessedness

and

righteousnessintheresurrection.Ourmotivations,fears,andthefearsofourmotivationspaleinsignificancetothe

crossingofnewthresholds,andtothewelcomingofstrangersacrossthresholds.

NoahFields


10/35

Saturday,March3,2012FeastofJohnandCharlesWesley

Isaiah49:56*Luke9:26*Psalm98:14or103:14,1318

FromtheCollectfortheday:

LordGod,youinspiredyourservantsJohnandCharlesWesleywithburningzeal,andendowedthemwith

eloquenceinspeechandsong.KindleinyourChurch,weentreatyou,suchfervor,thatthosewhosefaithhas

cooledmaybewarmed.

ThehymnsofCharlesWesley(17071788)havewarmedtheheartsofmillionsofworshippersforthreehundred

years.Overhislifetime,Charleswroteovereightthousandhymns.SomeofthebestlovedhymnsincludeChristthe

LordisRisenToday,Christ,WhoseGloryFillstheSkies,ComeThouLongExpectedJesus,Hark,theHeraldAngels

Sing,Jesus,LoverofMySoul,Lo!HeComeswithCloudsDescending,LoveDivine,AllLovesExcelling,Ofora

ThousandTongues

to

Sing,

and

Ye

Servants

of

God.

OftheGreatFourAnglicanHymns(alistingbasedonasurveyin1885ofthehymnalsofallthechurchesinthe

AnglicanCommuniontheGreatFourhymnsappearedinallofthehymnals),twowerewrittenbyCharles:Harkthe

HeraldAngelsSingandLo!HeComeswithCloudsDescending.

Thepowerofhispoetrytokindlethefiresoffaithinthebreastsofmenandwomeninourcynicaltwentyfirst

centuryunitesuswithfellowworshippersacrossthreecenturies.WhenwesingChristtheLordisRisenToday,

Alleluia,weparticipateinanexperiencethatunitesusinspiteofdifferencesincenturyandinlanguage,culture,and

finerpointsofbelief.TogetherwewilljoinonEastertoSingyeheavns,andearthreply,Alleluia!Thenletussaya

prayerofthanksgivingforthelifeofCharlesWesleyandthepowerofhishymnstokindlethefervorthatwillwarmthe

faiththat

has

cooled.

SarahCollins


11/35

Monday,March5,2012Genesis41:4657*1Corinthians4:820*Mark3:719a*Psalm64or65

AwisepriestoncetoldmethatLentisnotaboutgivingsomethingup;itisabouttakingthingson.

Thatmademefeelbetteraboutnotgivingupchocolate,butthenleftmestymiedastowhatIshouldtakeon.

Aftersomethoughtandreflection,IrealizedIamnotapatientperson,andmytoleranceforother

people'sdissentingopinionsisalmostnil. Iknow,thiscomesasashocktothosethatknowme. SoforthisLenten

season,Iammakinganefforttotrytounderstandthatpeoplearewhotheyareduetothejourneythattheyhavemade

throughthislife. PerhapsapersonfindsMTV's"TheJerseyShore"tobeaqualityprogrambecausetheywereraisedby

wolves.ItcouldbethatthepersonwhofindsthemusicofKe$hainspirationalsufferedahearinglossasachild.Maybe

thepeoplewhodon'trealizethesuperiorityofdarkchocolatetomilkchocolatewerebefriendedbyacowearlyinlife

andarejusttryingtoremainloyaltothedairyindustry.Youjustneverknowthesethings.

JohnWiersma

PhotographbyNoahFields


12/35

Tuesday,March6,2012Genesis42:17*1Corinthians5:18*Mark3:19b35*Psalm68:120,2436

Jesussfamilytookchargeofhimbecausepeopleweresaying,hesgonemad. GoodNewsBible

CharlesMenninger18621952andsons,andWilliamMayo18611939andsonsarehonoredtoday.

Episcopalianscelebratethosewholivedalifeofpietyandpurpose,thoughnotcanonized(intheusualsense)byany

otherchurch.

Drs.MayoandMenningerfoundedongoinginstitutionstoassisthealingandhealth. Dr.Mayoandhissonswere

responsiblefor

founding

the

Mayo

Clinic

which

at

the

outset

was

anot

for

profit

hospital

and

clinic,

and

Dr.

Menninger

foundedtheclinicwhichbearshisnameandwasthefirstgrouppracticeofpsychiatry.

Dr.Mayocametotheaidofvictimsofan1883tornado,andduringit,workedwithsistersofSt.Franciswho

weretrainedasteachersandnotasnurses. WeareremindedinMarkthataradicallydifferentwayoflivingisrequired

inHiswayoflifeandisoftennotunderstoodbyothers. Drs.MenningerandMayofollowedthisinspirationalwayto

helplivesofordinarypeopletohealthandhealing. LetusrededicateourselvestotheseaimsduringthisseasonofLent.

SharonHilton


13/35

Wednesday,March7,2012FeastofPerpetuaandhercompanions

Hebrews10:3239*Matthew24:924*Psalm34:18or124

PerpetuawasayoungRomanmotherwhowenttoherdeathinthearenaattheageoftwentytwobecauseshe

wouldnotoffersacrificestoEmperorSeptimiusSeverus. Sheleftherinfantson,resistedtheappealsofherloving

father,andriskedherentirefamily'sreputationbecauseshewouldnotrenounceherbeliefthattherewasonlyone

God,themakerofheavenandearth,creatorofallthingsvisibleandinvisible. Theprisonmemoirthatshewroteasshe

wasfacingjudgmentandexecutionrecountsthevividdreamsthatcametoliftherspirits:agoldenladderreachingto

heaven,avastexpanseofgarden,acakeofcheese,agobletofwater,agreenbranchwithgoldenapples. Shediedwith

hercompanionsonthisdayintheyear203.

IhopethatIwillneverhavetofacePerpetua'schoices lifeordeath,mycountryormyconscience,myfamilyor

myfriends. IdonotknowifIwouldhavehercourage.

ThecontemporaryspiritualwriterNoraGallaghertellsastoryaboutadinnerconversationwiththegreatactivist

bishopDanielCorriganthathasgivenmeadifferentwayofthinkingaboutwhatitmightmeantogiveyourlifeforyour

faith. "Whatwouldyoudiefor?"ayoungpriestaskedthebishopataretreat. "Waterrights,"heanswered. "Theboy

satbackinhischair,"Gallagherwrites. "Dansmiled. 'Whynot?'heasked. ... 'Youdon'tactuallygetuponemorning

anddecidetodieforsomething. Youputyourfootonapathandwalk. Onedayyoulookback,maybefiftyyears,and

say'That'swhatIgavemylifefor.'" (NoraGallagher,ThingsSeenandUnseen:AYearLivedinFaith[NewYork:Vintage

Books,1998],pp.1314).

Wedonotalwaysknowwhereourpathswillleadusatthestart,butweknowthatGodwillbewithusevery

stepoftheway. Lentgivesusthechanceeveryyeartoreviewourlives,toseeifwehavecomewherewewanted,to

reflectonGod'sgrace,todecidewhereweshouldcontinueonourcurrentwayandwherewemightwanttoheadoutin

anewdirection. Thisyear,IamlearningthatthesewordsfromtheBookofCommonPrayercanbegoodtravelingcompanions:

OGOD,bywhomthemeekareguidedinjudgment,andlightrisethupindarknessforthegodly;Grantus,inall

ourdoubtsanduncertainties,thegracetoaskwhatthouwouldesthaveustodo,thattheSpiritofWisdommay

saveusfromallfalsechoices,andthatinthylightwemayseelight,andinthystraightpathmaynotstumble;

throughJesusChristourLord.Amen.

JeanPedersen


14/35

Friday,March9,2012FeastofGregory,BishopofNyssa

Wisdom7:2428*John5:1924orJohn14:2326*Psalm19:714orPsalm119:97104

"HewhoseestheChurchlooksdirectlyatChrist Christbuildingandincreasingbytheadditionoftheelect."

GregoryofNyssa,CommentaryontheSongofSongs,Sermon13.

ThisfamousquotationofGregoryofNyssa'sclearlyshowsushowsalvationthroughChristhappensthroughtheChurch,

throughthegiftsoftheHolySpirit.Asthe"CommunionofSaints"(thenintharticleoftheApostles'Creed),Christ

HimselfbecomesrevealedastruthnotINacommunity,butASacommunity.[1]Withinthisunderstanding,theliturgy

mustbeviewedinthesenseofmakingpresentoreventhecontinuationofChrist'ssalvificlife.Christ'slifemustbeseen

asliturgicalandthechurchasparticipatinginthisverylifethroughtheliturgicalprocess.Throughtheliturgyofthe

churchweareinfusedwithanewsharinginthedivinelifebyChrist,theGodman,conjoininghisownbodywiththe

bodyofthechurch.[2]

Humankindwascreatedforcommunion,buteverywhereisdivided.[3]Wearealldivided,atomizedandmonetarizedby

socialandsecularconcerns which,weareconstantlytaughttopresume,aretheactual,realandpragmaticconcernsof

humankind withchurchandliturgybeingrelegatedtothestrictlyprivateconcernsofindividualsontheirownfree

time.Asaconsequence,wefeelalienatedfromeachother,wenolongerfeel"athome"intheworld,andseethevery

foundationsofsocialdemocracy(laborunions,socialsecurity,healthcare,pensions,education,socialintegration,

humanrightsandworldpeace,etc)beingdissolvedinthenameofmarketefficiency.

InthistimeoftheLent,maywekeepGregoryofNyssa'steachingsinmindasweparticipateintheSignofPeaceandthe

LiturgyoftheEucharist,tohelpuscometoagreaterappreciationofourhomewithinthecommunionofthechurchand

thesalvificrolethechurchcanandmustplayintheworld.

GregoryofNyssa(c.335c.395) wasbishopofNyssa,insouthcentralpresentdayTurkey,from372to376,andfrom

378untilhisdeath.HeisveneratedasasaintinAnglicanism,RomanCatholicism,EasternOrthodoxy,Oriental

OrthodoxyandLutheranism.Gregory,hisbrotherBasilofCaesareaandGregoryofNazianzusarecollectivelyknownas

theCappadocianFathers.GregoryisknownforhiscontributionstothedoctrineoftheTrinity,hiscontributionstothe

NiceneCreed,hisOrigeniandoctrineofUniversalSalvationandhisneoPlatonicphilosophicalorientation particularly

ofthatofPlotinus.Hehasbeentreatedasaminortheologanuntilabout1950whenhiseschatologyaswellashis

prefigurementofpostmodernismgainedwidespreadattention.[4]

LauraA.Cushman

TheodoreW.Lechman

References

[1] BeingasCommunion:StudiesinPersonhoodandtheChurch,JohnD.Zizioulas,St.Vladimir'sSeminaryPress,1985,p.115.

[2]"LiturgyandtheSenses",CatherinePickstock,fromPaul'sNewMoment:ContinentalPhilosophyandtheFutureofChristianTheology,JohnMilbank,SlavojZizekandCrestonDavis,editors.,2010BrazosPress,p.128.[3]"TheCity:BeyondSecularParodies",WilliamT.Cavanaugh,fromRadicalOrthodoxy:ANewTheology,JohnMilbank,CatherinePickstockandGrahamWard,editors,1999Routledge,p.182.

[4]GregoryofNyssa,WikipediaEntry,"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nyssa",Feb15,2012.


15/35

Saturday,March10,2012Genesis43:1634*1Corinthians7:1024*Psalm23or27

Psalm27

PsalmistDavid,

WhyareyousoconfidentthatGodwillprotectyou,

OpenHishousetoyou,

Shelteryou,

Liftyouaboveyourenemies,

Hearyouwhenyoucall,

Offeranunconditionalhome,

AndshowHERgoodnesstoyouwhileyoulive?

Or,

ShouldYOUbeseeking

Howtoserve

God?

DoesS/HEliveforyou

or

YouforHIM?

JohnUrban


16/35

Monday,March12,2012FeastofGregorytheGreat,Bishop

1Chronicles25:1a,68*Mark10:4245*Psalm57:611orPsalm33:15,2021

Mark10:4245

ButJesuscalledthemtoHimselfandsaidtothem,Youknowthat

thosewhoareconsideredrulersovertheGentileslorditoverthem,

andtheirgreatonesexerciseauthorityoverthem.

Yetitshallnotbesoamongyou;butwhoeverdesirestobecome

greatamong

you

shall

be

your

servant.

Andwhoeverofyoudesirestobefirstshallbeslaveofall.

ForeventheSonofMandidnotcometobeserved,buttoserve,

andtogiveHislifearansomformany."

Jesushadthisthingaboutexpectingtheimpossiblefromus. ItsironicthattheOneWhocreatedallthings,

includingus,wouldseeminglynotunderstandhumannature. Wehaveanobsessionwithauthority. Wemodelour

societies,ourgovernment,evenourfamilystructureswithauthorityinmind. Wecraveit,withallitstrappingsoffame,

powerandwealth. Anditdoesntneedtobeinthebigthingseither. Ihavearighttoexerciseauthorityovermytime

whichismyown;mymoneywhichIhaveearned. ButtheugliestrightistheauthorityIexerciseoverwhoIthink

deservesmytimeandresources. Ithinkthatsagoodexampleoflordingitoversomeone.

Iwasshamed intorealizinghowshort IcomebyanewscommentaryaboutElenaDelleDonne. Anextraordinary

athlete,shemostlikelycouldhavenamedherpriceatanycollege. Alreadythebesthighschoolbasketballplayerinthe

country,herroadwaspavedwithpromisesoffameandglory. Sheleftitalltobewithheroldersisterborndeaf,blind

andwithcerebralpalsy,andinthewordsofthecommentator,onlyknowsherkidsisterbythespecialwayshetouches

her,byherhugsandkisses,andbyherscent.

Yetitshallnotbesoamongyou;butwhoeverdesirestobecomegreatamongyoushallbeyourservant. Itseems

tome

that

Elena

Delle

Donne

is

destined

for

greatness.

http://www.npr.org/2012/02/08/146514859/forloveandthegameastarshinesindelaware

JoeSconfitto


17/35

Tuesday,March13,2012

FeastofJamesTheodoreHolly,Bishop

Deuteronomy6:2025*Acts8:2639*John4:3138*Psalm86:1117

Whatdoesbeingadisciplemean? Whatdoesbeingadisciplepromise? Discipleshipandtherelatedideaof

selfdiscipline

are

themes

in

todays

scripture

.

Ifrequently

think

about

self

discipline

when,

for

example,

Ive

said

somethingIregret. ButIveneverthoughtmuchaboutdiscipleshipexceptinitsacademicsense. Ibecameadisciplein

collegewhenIfinallydiscoveredwhatIwantedtomajorinandsettleddowntoreadHomerinGreekwithaprofessor

whobecamemymentor. Forme,thisprofessordidntjustteachGreekhetaughtlife. WhenIstudiedwithhim,doing

theworkseemedajoyratherthananythingthatrequiredalotofselfdiscipline. InafirstcenturyChristiancontext,I

thinkofdisciplesasmenandwomen1pouncingonJesusseveryword,askingwhatdoesitmean,teacher? Them

tryingtounderstand,sometimesgettingitright,sometimesgettingitwoefullywrong.

InDeuteronomywehearmuchabouttheIsraelitesgettingitwrong.Sobadly,infact,thattheyalmostlose

Israel. ThepromiseheldouttothemliesjustacrosstheRiverJordanwhich,inverses6:2025,theyhavenotyet

crossed.

There

Moses

reminds

them

that

there

are

conditions

for

inhabiting

this

new

land:

to

keep

their

Covenant

with

GodandtokeeptheTenCommandments. ThisnewlandrequiresfollowingGodsplan. Onesoldwayoflifewont

workhere. TheIsraelitesfinallydocross,butthejoyonefeelsforthiswanderingpeopleismitigatedbythegriefof

realizingthatMosesisnotallowedtojointhem:

theLordspoketoMosesandsaid,GoupthismountandlookoutoverthelandofCanaanthatIam

givingtotheIsraelitesfortheirpossession. Onthismountainyoushalldieandbegatheredtoyour

fatherskin,justasAaronyourbrotherdiedonMountHor. Thisisbecausebothofyouwere

unfaithfultomeatthewatersofMeribahbyKadeshwhereyoudidnotupholdmyholinessamongthe

Israelites.YoushallseethelandfromadistancebutyoumaynotenterthelandIamgivingtothe

Israelites. (Deut.32:5052)

Thisendingtemptsamodernreaderatleastthisonetoattributeitsharshnesstoacultureinwhich

retribution,ratherthancompassion,wastheexpectedresponsetofailedfaith. Iseeamessagethatyourmentorcan

onlytakeyousofar. Atsometimeitwillbetimeforyou,thedisciple,totaketheleadthus, forme, theresgreat

poignancyinthecontinuationofleadershipbyJoshua. JustasMosesreluctantlypickeduptheyoke,sotoomustJacob.

So,too,mustwe.

CertainlythemenandwomenwhofollowedBishopJamesTheodoreHolly(18291911),thefirstAfrican

Americanbishop,totheirpromisedlandofHaitiweredisciples. Thiswasin1861 atimewhensomeAmericansofboth

racesbelievedthatthebesthopeoffreedomforAfricanAmericanswasinthecreationofablacknationinAfricaorthe

Caribbean.In

his

first

years

in

Haiti,

Holly

lost

his

wife

and

four

children

to

the

plague.

Nonetheless

he

continued

his

ministrywhilecaringforhistwosmallsons. 2

IthinkaboutmyownnewfoundjoyworshippingwiththecongregationofChristChurchafterfortyplusyearsof

absencefrombothChristChurchandfromanyworshipatall. Ifoundmyoldwayoflivinglackedsomething. Perhaps

thatmakesmeadisciple,aswell. ShirleyRicker

1 Im thinking here of Lukes 70 disciples rather than just the 12. After these things the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent

them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was to come. (Luke 10:1)2 Holly, James Theodore. Facts about the Churchs mission in Haiti: a concise statement.

(http://anglicanhistory.org/usa.jholly/facts1897.html).


18/35

Wednesday,March14,2012

Genesis45:1628*1Corinthians8:113*Mark6:1329*Psalm81or82

WhenIreadtoday'slessons,Ifoundstrongthemesoffood,somethingIlove. Itmademethinkabouthowwe

observedLentathomeandatChristChurchwhenIwasachildinthe1950s. Athome,myparentsalwayswentona

diet,andweneverhadanythingfordessertexceptgrapefruit. Mypoormotherhadtocutaroundeachsectionineach

half,andthenwekidswouldjustcomplain,"Oh,no,grapefruitagain?" AthomeandatSundayschoolchildrenwere

instructedto"giveup"somethingforLent. Ishouldhavegivenupgrapefruit,butIdidasIwasurgedandgaveupcandy

Mymotheralwayssaid,"JustthinkhowgooditwilltasteonEaster,"anditdid, eventhoseyears,asIwasgettingolder,

whenIcheatedabit. Later,IlearnedthatwhatIamdoingforLentmaybemorerewardingthanwhatIamgivingup.

ThisyearIhavetheChristChurchLentmediationbooklettoenhancemyLenten"doing."

InanyEpiscopalChurchchoirthereisatleastonesingerwhosays"Ugh,Lentenhymnsaresuchadrag,theyare

sominor." You'llhavetocometochurchtoheartheminorkey,butIleaveyouwithverses3 5ofHymn142.

Asthoudidsthungerbearandthirst,soteachusgraciousLord,

todietoselfandchieflylivebythymostholyword.

Andthroughthesedaysofpenitence,andthroughthyPassiontide,

yea,evermore,inlifeanddeath,Jesus!withusabide.

Abidewithus,thatso,thislifeofsufferingoverpast,

anEasterofunendingjoywemayattainatlast.

Claudia

Frances

Hernaman

(1838

1898

MarySchultz


19/35

March16,2012Genesis47:126*1Corinthians9:1627*Mark6:4756

SomeofyoumayknowofmyinterestintheOldTestament,soIlloffersomethoughtsIhavehadonChapter47

ofGenesis.Josephintroduceshisfather,JacobIsrael,tohisboss,Pharaoh,andcontinueshisjobofkeepingEgypt

functioningat

atime

of

potential

economic

collapse.

JosephsfamilyhasmovedtoEgypt.Itsonlyforalittlewhile,theywontbeintheway,andtheyrenotreally

bloodthirstycannibals.FromPharaohspointofview,hecanaffordtobeniceaboutit,since,afterall,Whatarethese

Asiaticstoyou,OAmun,thewretchesignorantofgod?1Pharaohgenerouslyofferedpostsofresponsibilitytothe

cowboys,astheyseemedtohim. HeleftittoJosephtodecide,sincehealwayslefteverythingtoJoseph. Asitwas

before,inthehouseofhisownerPotiphar,everythingprosperedunderJosephshand,fromourpointofviewbecause

hewasnotignorantofGod,andexceedinglyblessedbyGod.Theirconversationalsofollowedtheadviceofthe

millenniumorsoprevious(IthinkJosephisaround2100BC),fromTheInstructionAddressedtoKingMerikare: Enrich

theyoungmenwhofollowyou,Providewithgoods,endowwithfields,Rewardthemwithherds.2

JacobIsraelwastherulerofthefirstpartofJosephslife,butPharaohruledoftherestofit. Pharaohaskeda

questionthatweonlyasklittlechildren,Howoldareyou? Whetheritwasrudeornot,Jacob,beingveryold,tookthe

opportunitytocomplainabouthisage,insteadofboasting. TheGreekstootendedtodespairoveroldageratherthan

revereit. Intermsofnumerology,JacobIsraelsage,atthispoint(130)orathisdeath(147),wasnotaperfect

number,andthatmayhavebeenwhathewasupsetabout.

Josephstillhadabigjobtodo. Thedreamoraclehadpredictedafamineofsevenyears,andearlierwewere

toldthatonlytwohadpassed.Uptillaround2200BC,theFertileCrescentregionhadbeenexperiencingwhatgeologists

calltheClimaticOptimum,sinceabout5200BC,withwarmweatherandsteady,seasonalrains.Withtheclimate

disrupted,thegreatmigrationshadbegun.3 PharaohwascountingonJosephsadministrativeskillstopullthewhole

countrythrough.

Joseph

ended

up

with

all

the

peoples

herds

of

all

kinds

of

cattle.

For

both

the

Hebrews

and

the

Indo

Europeans,thewordforcattlewassynonymouswithwealth,or,property.4

Weshouldnotlookasthisstoryassomeprecisehistoricalnotebutreaditmoremetaphorically. Hereweare

toldwhythelandbelongstotheking,becauseJosephwangledit. EveninAmerica,wetalkaboutrealestate. Thereal

isderivedfromthewordroyal,assumingthatthelandbelongstothecrown. Thisisnotalwaysthecase,however,as

canbeseenbytheresistanceputupbytheIcelanders,5andintheBiblicalprophecieswarningtheIsraelitesagainstthe

formationofamonarchy.Josephalsomovedpeoplearound,adivideandconquerstrategy,foreshadowingthestory

oftheBabyloniancaptivity,andinstitutedapercentagetaxsystem,foreshadowingthetitheandpropertyexceptions

madefortheLevites.

JenniferAnstey

1 Lichtheim, Miriam, Ancient Egyptian Literature: A Book of Readings, Volume II, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1976, p.

652 Lichtheim, Miriam, Ancient Egyptian Literature: A Book of Readings, Volume 1, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1975, p.

1013 Winkless, Nels III and Iben Browning, Climate and the Affairs of Men, Harper's Magazine Press, New York, 19754 The Hebrew word for cow also means wealth; The Rig Vedas hymns constantly ask for wealth in numbers of cattle, horses and

children5 The Sagas of the Icelanders: A Selection, Penguin Books, New York, 1997, throughout (no authors, many translators)


20/35

Saturday,March17,2012FeastofSt.Patrick

1Thessalonians2:2b12*Matthew28:1620*Psalm97:12,712or96:17

AsaPadraic,SaintPatricksDayhasalwaysbeenspecialdayforme. Eachyear,mySaintPatricksDayisfilled

withgreattraditionalIrishmusicandtimewithmyfamilyandfriends. Whilegrowingupitwascommontoarrivehome

fromgradeschoolandfromhighschoolduringtheweekssurroundingMarch17thtofindseveralofRochestersfinest

traditionalIrishmusiciansplayingliveinmylivingroom. Thesemusicianswouldbepracticingtuneswithmymother,a

hammereddulcimerplayer,andhavingasplendidtime. TheywouldbepreparingfortheannualIrishmusicconcertthat

mymotherandfatherproducedinDowntownRochesterfrom1988to2008. Whileitmademehappytolistentothe

brightsoundsoffiddles,banjos,guitars,andaccordions,Ifeltthemostjoyinwatchingthesmilesofthehundredsof

Irishmusicfanswhocametotheconcertstohearandseethesemusicians,alongwithIrishdancers,eachyear. These

concertswereagiftofloveandmusicfrommyparentstotheRochestercommunity.

MyfavoriteSaintPatricksDayhymnisSt.PatricksBreastplatewithwordsattributedtoSt.Patrick. AsaboyIfirst

fell

in

love

with

this

hymn

because

of

its

majestic

melody

and

each

of

its

seven

long

verses.

As

Igrew

Ibegan

to

listenmorecloselytothewordsandlearnedmoreaboutSt.PatricksloveofGodandofJesusChrist.

TheverseofSt.PatricksBreastplate:Christbewithme,Christwithinme,Christbehindme,Christbeforeme,

Christbesideme,Christtowinme,Christtocomfortandrestoreme,

Christbeneathme,Christaboveme,Christinquiet,Christindanger,

Christinheartsofallthatloveme,Christinmouthoffriendandstranger,

hasbecomethemostimportanttomeasIdailydiscernmycalltobeapriestintheEpiscopalChurch. LikeSt.Patrick,

whofaithfullyprayedandsangthesewordsduringhistravelswhileintroducingChristianitytotheIrishpeopleca.428

CE,IamalsocomfortedtorememberthatJesusChristisalwayswithinmeandisalwaysallaroundmealongmy

journey.

PadraicMichaelCollinsBohre


21/35

Monday,March19,2012FeastofSt.Joseph

2Samuel7:4,816*Romans4:1318*Luke2:4152*Psalm89:129or89:14,2629

He

always

seems

to

be

in

the

background,

and

scripture

doesnt

record

a

single

word

of

Jesus

foster

father,hisearthlyfather,hishumanfather,thismanJosephborninBethlehem,c.90BCE1.

LukesGospel[1:2638]tellsusofMarysvisitbytheangelGabrielandherresponseBehold,Iamthe

handmaidoftheLord;letitbetomeaccordingtoyourword. Andlater[1:4655]theGospelrecordsthat

beautifulCanticleweknowastheMagnificat,MysoulmagnifiestheLord,

andmyspiritrejoicesinGodmySavior,.

MatthewsGospel[1:1825]tellsusthatwhenJoseph,whowasbetrothedtoMary,foundoutthatshewas

withchild,hewantedtoresolvethesituationquietly. ButJosephwasalsovisitedbyanangeloftheLordwho

appearedtohiminadreamandtoldhimthatthechildwasconceivedoftheHolySpirit;sohetookMaryashis

wife. Butnotasinglewordisrecorded!

BothMaryandJosephsubmittedtothewillofGodbuttheonlyspokenwordsscripturerecordsare

thoseofMary. Why?

Forthatmatter,whydidJesusneedanearthlyfather? Ifwearewillingtoacceptthethoughtsof

ThomasAquinas2itwasanecessarypartoftheplanfortheincarnationbecauseifMarywereunmarried,the

Lawwouldhavesubjectedhertostoning. Also,theinfantJesuswouldneedthecare,nurturing,and

protectionofahumanfather.

Jesusheavenly

father

wanted

his

son

to

have

the

support,

the

nurturing,

and

the

protection

that

a

humanfamilycouldprovidetakingintoconsiderationthemoresofthetime.

Josephcarriesouthisresponsibilitiesasafosterfatherprovidingforhisfamily,protectinghisfamily,

teachingJesusthefamilytrade,andworryingaseveryparentdoesuntilhisdeathinNazareth,20July18CE.

JosephwasapiousJew,adescendantofDavid,andacarpenterbytrade. AsJosephtheCarpenter,

heisconsideredthepatronsaintoftheworkingperson,onewhonotonlyworkedwithhishands,buttaught

histradetoJesus. ThelittlethatistoldofhimistestimonytothetrustinGodwhichvaluessimpleeveryday

duties,andgivesanexampleofalovinghusbandandfather.3

JimBement

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Joseph2The childhood of Christby Thomas Aquinas, Roland Potter (transl.), 2006 ISBN 0521029600, pgs. 110-1203Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2006, pg. 200


22/35

Tuesday,March20,2012FeastofCuthbert,Bishop

2Corinthians6:110*Matthew6:2433*Psalm23or1

IchosethisdatebecauseitwasthefeastdayofSt.CuthbertofNorthumbria,oneofthemedievalsaintswitha

coolfact:whilehewaslivingasahermitontheFarneislands,hegotlawspassedtoprotecttheducksthatnestedonthe

island. Anearlyconservationist! Anyway,hewasashepherdbeforehejoinedthemonasteryandbecameamonk,so

the23rdPsalmisperfectforthedayofSt.Cuthbert.

JustlastweekIshowedmyBibleasLiteratureclassthefilmKingDavid. ThefilmshowsDavidasaboy,fresh

fromtakingcareofhisfamilysflocks,playinghisharpandsingingthispsalmtosootheKingSaul.Itsabeautifulsetting

forthepsalm,allowingmetoseetheshepherdDavidtalkingaboutthingsheknowswell:thegreenpastures,thestill

waters,thepathsthesheepfollow,therodandstaffthatheusestoguideandhelphissheep.

WearemadeintheimageofGod,sowhowearecanalsohelpusunderstandGod.Davidisagoodshepherd,

andthereforehepicturesGodtakingcareofhiminthesamewaythatDavidtakespleasureincaringforhissheep. This

ideathattheloveofGodcanbeglimpsedthroughwaysinwhichweveexperiencedhumanlovehascomfortedme

sooftenintimesofsadnessorwhenIamfocusingonmyownfailings. Icanlookatwhatisbestinme,forexample,the

deeploveIhaveformychildren,andbeassuredthatitisexactlythatkindoflove,andmore,thatGodfeelsforme.IfGodisthegoodshepherdtoDavid,Godisthegoodmothertome.IfIcancontinuewiththeparentanalogy,Ive

preparedatableplentyoftimesforthekids;Iveanointedtheirheads(OK,withshampoo,notoil,butstill...)andIve

certainlyfilledtheircupsmany,manytimes.Iwantedtodoit;itwaspartofhowIshowedhowmuchIcherishedthem.

ForDavid,theseareprobablyactsofhospitality,notthoseofaparent,butIstillhearDavidbaskinginthecare,the

physical

care,

God

provides.

They

are

acts

of

love.

This

psalm

encourages

me

to

trust

that

God

has

that

kind

of

love

for

me,andIshouldbaskinit.

DebVanderbilt


23/35

Wednesday,March21,2012FeastofThomasKen,Bishop

Philippians4:49*Luke6:1723*Psalm34:18or145:813

ThomasKen,BishopofBathandWells(16371711)

WhenIwasapproachedlastweektoparticipatewithaMeditation,IagreedtodosomethingonThomasKen.

Atthattime,hisnamewasnotfamiliartome. BishopKenisrememberedonthe21stofMarchintheLiturgical

Calendar. TheprayerassociatedwithKen,speaksofhimasonewhohadthegraceandcouragetobearwitnesstothe

truthbeforerulersandkings. SometimesthiscourageorsayingwhathethoughttobetruemeantthatKenfelloutof

favorinthecourt. Kenwasordainedin1662. HelosthispostasRoyalChaplaintoPrincessMarywhenhepublicly

disagreedwithherhusband,WilliamofOrange. Perhaps,hisbestknownactofdissentwaswhenherefusedtosupport

KingJamestheSecondsDeclarationofIndulgence. Kenwasoneofthesevenbishopswhorefusedtopublishthe

Kingsdecree

which

would

have

opened

up

various

public

offices

to

non

Anglicans.

Ken

and

six

other

bishops

were

imprisonedintheTowerofLondonandthenfreedbyanoutragedmob. JamestheSecondendedupfleeingintoexile.

WilliamofOrange,thenewKingofEnglandandhiswife,Marythencameintopower. Hereagain,Kenchose

nottotakethepathwhichwouldhavemadehislifeeasier. SincehehadalreadyswornanoathofallegiancetoJames

theSecond;underthecircumstances,heclaimedhecouldnotswearanotheronetoWilliamandMary. In1691,

becauseofthisdecision,KenlosthispositionasBishopofBathandWells. Hethensteppedoutofthepublicrealmand

atage54wentintoretirement. HeiscelebratedinhisFeastdayprayerasonewhoconstantlydefendedwhatisright

andwhowaswillingtosufferfortruthssake.

Today,wearemorefamiliarwithBishopKenthroughthepresenceofhismusicintheliturgy. Iwillclosewith

hisdoxology

or

song

of

praise.

It

is

the

final

stanza

of

three

of

his

most

well

known

hymns.

PraiseGodfromWhomallblessingsflow.

PraiseHim,allcreaturesherebelow.

Praisehim,above,yeheavenlyhost.

PraiseFather,SonandHolyGhost.

ClaireTalley


24/35

Friday,March23,2012FeastofGregory,theIlluminator

Acts17:2231*Matthew5:1116*Psalm33:611or98:14

Gregory,theIlluminator

AsPaulwandersthroughthestreetsofAthens,confrontedwithpagangods,heistakenabackbytheinscription

ToanunknownGod. AlthoughPaulmayhavehadverydifferentintentionswhenintroducingthisunknownGod,

thesewordsremindmeoftimeswhenGodhasfeltunknowntome. DoyourecognizethisGod?TheOnethatseems

absentduringdifficulttimes,theOneweseekinmomentsoflonelinessanddarkness.

Ourfaithcanbeuniquelychallengedinmomentsofsufferingandhopelessness. Whetherconfrontedwiththe

lossofalovedone,sufferingofothers,orourownhealthissues,ourfaithcanbecalledintoquestion. Inthese

momentsweareremindedthatourfaithcantfixthepainweareexperiencingorremovethesenseofabandonment

thatbesetsus.

HowshockingwasittolearnthatevensomeoneassaintlyasMotherTeresa,aniconofcharityandselflessness,

felttheabsenceofGodinherlifeandherwork. InletterswrittenwhileperforminghumanitarianworksinCalcutta,

India,thefounderoftheMissionariesofCharityandrecipientoftheNobelPeacePrizeexpresseddoubtsaboutthe

presenceofGod. Writinginconfidence,sheshared:Asforme thesilenceandtheemptinessissogreat,thatIlook

anddonotsee,listenanddonothear. Thetonguemoves[inprayer]butdoesnotspeak...1

Imustadmit,therehavedefinitelybeentimeswhenIwonderedhowGodcanallowinjusticestoexist. Ihave

questionedhowasupremebeingcanpermitextraordinarysufferingandtragediestoexistintheworld,andinmyown

life.To

read

the

sobering

confessions

of

Mother

Teresa

reminds

me

of

her

complete

humanness.

AsIbecomemoreintrospectiveovertime,Inowrecognizethatthosetimesofprofoundspiritualcrisiswere

indeedtimesofgreatestspiritualawakening. IrecognizenowthattheunknownGodwasalwaysbesideme. Itwas

mewhohadclosedmyhearttotheMercyofGod.

Onthisday,wecelebrateSaintGregory,theIlluminator,whobroughtChristianitytotheArmenians,makingit

thefirstnationtoadoptChristianityasanofficialreligionin301AD. Inhishonor,wearereminded,asweareinthe

Acts,toremainopentotheSpiritwhoignitesthelightwithinus. KnowingthatGodistheauthorofnewbeginnings,of

orderoutofchaosandlightoutofdarkness,wecanremainconfidentthatthisGodofhopeandgracewillnever

abandonus,evenwhenourpathseemstotakeusintotheveryheartofdifficultyanddespair.

Christine Tompkins

1BrianKolodiejchuk,MotherTeresa:ComebemyLight.(NewYork:CrownPublishing,2007),288.


25/35

Saturday,March24,2012FeastofOscarRomero,ArchbishopandMartyrsRevelation7:1317*John12:2332*Psalm31:1524

OscarRomero,ArchbishopofSanSalvador,1980,andtheMartyrsofElSalvador

ThosewhosurrendertotheserviceofthepoorthroughloveofChristwilllivelikethegrainofwheatthatdies. Itonly

apparentlydies. Ifitwerenottodie,itwouldremainasolitarygrain. Theharvestcomesbecauseofthegrainthatdies.

Weknowthateveryefforttoimprovesociety,aboveallwhensocietyissofullofinjusticeandsin,isaneffortthatGod

blesses,thatGodwants,thatGoddemandsofus. OscarRomero,March24,1980

OscarRomerowasbornin1917toapoorfamilyinElSalvador. Whenhewas13,helefthometoattenda

seminary,firstinElSalvador,andlaterinRome. Hewasordainedin1942,andremainedinRometobegindoctoral

work,butwassenttoSanMiguelinElSalvadortoserveasapriest. Duringhisserviceasapriest,hewasfairly

conservative,andsometimeshadpoorrelationshipswithotherclergy. Hewasparticularlyconcernedwithpersonal

pietyand,

in

his

notes

from

discussions

with

his

psychiatrist,

felt

that

he

was

never

quite

dedicated

as

he

should

be.

In

1970,hewasconsecratedastheauxiliarybishopofthearchdioceseofSanSalvador. Inthisposition,hefeltquite

unsureofhimself,andataretreathewrote(translatedinJamesBrockman'sbiographyofRomero)Imustbemore

naturalandspontaneousinaffection.Imustovercomemyselfandexpressmyopinions.Especially,Imustdefendthe

faithandthechurch'steachingwithcourage. In1974hebecamethebishopofSantiagodeMaria,aruraldiocesethat

includedhisbirthplace. Finally,onFebruary23,1977hewasappointedasarchbishopofSanSalvador. Hewas

consideredtobethesafe,uncontroversialchoiceasarchbishop,ashewassupportedbythegovernmentandthemore

conservativevoicesofthechurch. Theantigovernmentorganizationsandthoseintheliberationtheologymovement

weredisappointedinthischoice.

Atthis

time,

the

situation

in

El

Salvador

was

very

tense,

due

to

class

inequality

issues

and

apoor

economy.

Mostofthecountrywasextremelypoor,andalmosthalfofthelandwasownedbyjustthirteenorfourteenfamilies.

Themainexportinthe1900swascoffee;in1931,therewasacrashincoffeeprices,leadingtounemploymentand

poverty. Inlate1931,therewasamilitarycoup,whichpromotedthefascistvicepresidentofthecountrytothe

presidency. In1932,leftwingandcommunistgroupsjoinedwithsomeoftheindigenouspeopletoattemptto

overthrowthenewgovernment. Theystartedanuprising,killingaboutahundredpeople,buttheywerequickly

defeatedbythearmy. Thegovernmentannouncedameetinginapublicsquaretodiscusstheissuesandinvited

membersoftheinsurrectiontoattend;whentheyarrived,thearmyopenedfireandkilledtensofthousands(estimates

rangefrom10,000to40,000)ofpeople.Thegovernmentthenbeganemployingdeathsquadstohuntdownanyone

suspectedofbeingpartofthemovement,andanyonewholookedlikeanindigenousperson. Theconflictwounddown

overthe

next

few

decades,

until

more

economic

trouble

arrived

in

1970.

The

government

used

the

army

and

special

police,andsupporteddeathsquads,inordertokeepthepopulationundercontrol. ThegovernmentsofElSalvadorand

theUnitedStateswereconcernedthatacommunistrevolutionwouldtakeholdthroughoutallofLatinAmerica. Clergy

andotherreligiousleaders,unionmembersandorganizers,andsuspectedcommunistswerekilledforyears. Outofits

fearofcommunism,theUnitedStatessupportedthegovernmentwithmilitaryadvisors,militarytrainingintheUnited

States,andmoney. In1978,about700werekilledbythegovernmentalignedforces;thenextyearalmost1800were

killed. Finally,inOctober1979,amilitaryjuntaoverthrewthegovernment,promisingtoworkforlandreformandother

popularpolicies. However,theymadeverylimitedchanges,andsufferedseveralchangesinleadership,beforefinally

dissolvingin1982. Bythistime,thecountrywasinacivilwarthatwouldclaim75,000lives.


26/35

Asarchbishop,Romeroseemedtointendtocontinuetheexistingpoliciesofthechurch:advocateforunity,and

workwiththepoor,whilemaintaininggoodrelationshipswiththegovernment. However,onlyafewweeksafterhe

wasinstalledasarchbishop,hisclosefriend,apriestnamedRutilioGrande,wasridingwithacoupleofpeasantfarmers

whentheywereattackedandkilledbyadeathsquad. AfewweeksbeforeGrandewaskilled,oneofGrande'sfriends,

anotherpriest,waskidnappedandthenexpelledfromthecountry. Grandegaveasermonwherehesaid:

IamfullyawarethatverysoontheBibleandtheGospelswillnotbeallowedtocrosstheborder.Allthatwill

reachuswillbethecovers,sinceallthepagesaresubversiveagainstsin,itissaid.SothatifJesuscrossestheborderat

Chalatenango,theywillnotallowhimtoenter.Theywouldaccusehim,themanGod...ofbeinganagitator,ofbeinga

Jewishforeigner,whoconfusesthepeoplewithexoticandforeignideas,antidemocraticideas,andi.e.,againstthe

minorities.IdeasagainstGod,becausethisisaclanofCains.Brothers,theywouldundoubtedlycrucifyhimagain.And

theyhavesaidso.

RomerowenttocelebrateafuneralmassforGrande. Romerosaid:"WhenIlookedatRutiliolyingtheredead,I

thought:iftheykilledhimfordoingwhathedid,thenItoohavetowalkthesamepath". ThepeoplethatGrandewas

tryingtovisittoldRomerotheywerecertainthatGodwouldsendsomebodytotakeupGrande'swork. WhenRomero

returnedtothecapital,hebegantobreakwiththegovernment. Heannouncedthathewouldnottakepartinany

governmentfunctionuntilGrande'sdeathhadbeeninvestigated. (Thisneverhappened.) Hecanceledallservicesat

churchesthroughoutthecountrythenextSunday,exceptforasingleserviceinthecapital,where100,000people

attended. Hespokethroughhissermonsandwritingsandradioshows,callingforpeaceandencouragingpeopleto

worktogetherandstoptheviolence. Theconflictstillcontinuedtoworsen. Hereceiveddeath threats;theseseemed

tobotherhimgreatly. AtaretreatattheendofFebruary1980,hewrote

...Iaskhimtomakehislove,hisjustice,histruthshinethroughmemoreeasily.Iamafraidofviolenceto

myself.Ihavebeennotifiedofseriousthreatsforthisveryweek.Ifearbecauseoftheweaknessofmyflesh,but

IpraytheLordtogivemeserenityandperseverance andalsohumility,becauseIalsofeeltemptedtovanity.

Healso

wrote,

ThusdoIexpressmyconsecrationtotheheartofJesus,whowaseverasourceofinspirationandjoyinmy

life.ThusalsoIplaceunderhislovingprovidenceallmylife,andIacceptwithfaithinhimmydeath,however

harditbe.Idonotwanttoexpressanintentiontohim,suchasthatmydeathbeformycountry'speaceorour

church'sflourishing.Christ'sheartwillknowhowtodirectittothepurposehewishes.Formetobehappyand

confident,itissufficienttoknowwithassurancethatinhimismylifeandmydeath,thatinspiteofmysinsI

haveplacedmytrustinhimandIshallnotbeconfounded,andotherswillcarryonwithgreaterwisdomand

holinesstheworksofthechurchandthenation.

Hereturnedtohisworkandreadinghissermonsontheradio. OnMarch23,1980,inhissermon,heaskedthe

armytostopkillingcivilians:

Brothers,youarefromthesamepeople;youkillyourfellowpeasants...Nosoldierisobligedtoobeyanorder

thatiscontrarytothewillofGod...InthenameofGod,inthenameofthissufferingpeople,IaskyouIimplore

youIcommandyouinthenameofGod:stoptherepression!

Onthe24th,hewasatahospitalchapel,celebratingamassforthefuneralofafriend'smother. Whilehewaselevating

thechalice,hewasshotandkilled.


27/35

Hissermonthatdaywasontoday'sgospelreadingtheopeningquotationcamefromthatsermon. ElSalvador

didnotseepeaceafterRomero'sdeath. Acivilwarensuedthatlasted12years. Thousandsofpeoplewerekilled,

includingRomero,religiousworkersandpriestsbeforehim,andafterhim,eventhoseworkingtonegotiatewiththe

antigovernmentgroups. WhiletodaythereisnocivilwarinElSalvador,thereisstillmuchpovertyandhighcrime.

Mostofthepartiesinvolvedintheviolencethegovernmentforces,andtherevolutionaryforcescametogetherfor

peace. Butmanyofthoseresponsiblefortheviolencehavecertainlynotbeenputtoshameinsteadtheyhaveheld

positionsinthenewgovernment.

SomeofthemweretrainedintheUnitedStates,attheSchooloftheAmericas,wheretheywereinstructedthat,

inordertopreservethenationalgovernment,theyshouldtargetforcounterintelligenceactivitiesthoseteamsor

hostileorganizationswhoseobjectiveistocreatedissensionorcauserestlessnessamongthecivilianpopulationinthe

areaofoperations. Isupposetalklikelyinglipsandletthewickedbeputtoshame;letthembesilentinthe

gravecouldcauserestlessness. WhileIknowIshouldfindtoday'sreadingstobecomfortingandencouragingwhich

Icertainlydotheyaresometimeshaunting. Thisisperhapsmywayofobsessingoverpersonalpiety(maybetheonly

thingIcancountonhavingincommonwithRomero). It'shardtoread

...theonewhoisseatedonthethronewillshelterthem.

Theywillhungernomore,andthirstnomore;

thesunwillnotstrikethem,

noranyscorchingheat;

fortheLambatthecenterofthethronewillbetheirshepherd,

andhewillguidethemtospringsofthewateroflife

whilealsoknowingthatmygovernmentprintedamanualfortheSchooloftheAmericaswhichstatedthatindicators

ofinsurgentscarryingoutpsychologicaloperationsinclude

(a)Clergyembracingliberationtheology

(b)Clergyinvolvedinactivitiesconcerningpolitical,ruralorlabordiscontent.

(c)Adultmenreceivingrefugeorfoodfromclergyorhelpfromthem.

WhatcanIdotokeepthisfromhappeningagain? WhatmeaningfulactionscanItaketomakesureI'mnothelpingto

speakagainsttherighteous?

KyleLiddel


28/35

Monday,March26,2012FeastofTheAnnunciation

Isaiah7:1014*Hebrews10:410*Luke1:2638*Psalm45or40orCanticle3or15

March26,theFeastoftheAnnunciation,transferred

Inthe1970's,IwasamemberofTheTreesCommunity. Bygooglingit,youcanlistentoourrenditionofPsalm

45(butbepreparedforsomethingunusual). WealsosanganAnnunciationsongwrittenbyoneofourmembers,(I

cannotfinditonlineatpresent),whichbegins,

"Cameanangelinthenight,

Asuddenbrightandfierylight,

Likeastarthrownfromthesky

To

the

place

where

Mary

prayed.

'Allhail,sweetMary,whydoyouweep?

Godhaslookeduponyouwithfavor

Hispromisestokeep.'"

Psalm45isaweddingsong. Thecastisalittlehardtofollow,buttherearedefinitelybridesmaids. Ithasbeen

readasametaphorforChristandHisBride,theChurch. In"TheChristTree,"amusicalmeditationbeginningwiththe

soul'sthirstforGodinPsalm42,weusedPsalm45torepresentthesoul's"marriage"orcommitmenttoGod. Theline

thatkeepscomingbacktomeinthinkingaboutthisLentenmeditationisverse11,"Listendaughter,forgetyournation,

yourancestralhome. Thekingdesiresyourbeauty. Heisyourlord;bowdownbeforehim."

Thatis

what

Mary

did

when

she

said,

"Here

am

I,the

servant

of

the

Lord;

let

it

be

with

me

according

to

your

word." IntheMagnificat,weseeherfullofhopesforhernation,butshedidnotrealizethatwiththischild,Godwas

startinganewnation. WearepartofthatnewKingdom,broughtintoitbyourbaptism. AsweprepareinLenttorenew

ourbaptismalcommitment,letusrememberthatGodhaslookeduponuswithfavorhasdesiredthebeautyofour

souls;letusbowdownbeforeHimand,continuallyseekingtheunionofourwillwithHis,say,"Letitbewithme

accordingtoyourword."

ChristmasinLent?

MaryVukman


29/35

Tuesday,March27,2012

FeastofCharlesHenryBrent,BishopEphesians4:17,1112*Matthew9:3538*Psalm122or133

FromthelettertotheChurchatEphesus:

... EachofuswasgivengraceaccordingtothemeasureofChristsgift.

Thegiftshegavewere...toequipthesaintsfortheworkofministry,forbuildingupthebody

ofChrist...

Havewethoughtrecentlyaboutthegiftswehaveallbeengiven,tobuildupthebodyofChrist(theChurch)?

Perhapswehavebeengiventhegiftofteachingormaybethegiftsofacraftspersonorartist. Letusrememberthatwe

arenotonlycalledtobepresentatworshipontheLordsday,buttotakeactiontobuilduptheChurch. Duringthe

Lentenperiod,

let

us

all

consider

how

we

might

use

these

gifts

more

purposefully

to

enrich

the

life

of

the

Church

and

alsohowwemightreachouttootherswithgenuinehospitality.

WayneLeast

Photograph

by

Noah

Fields


30/35

Saturday,March31,2012FeastofJohnDonne,Priest

Wisdom7:248:1*John5:1924*Psalm27:511or16:511

TodayisthelastSaturdaybeforeHolyWeekbegins.WehavebeeninvitedtoexperienceaHolyLent,atimeof

reflectionandpenitence,preparationforthenewlifewhichburstsforthinEaster.Thereadingstodaytakeustoaplace

ofdarkness.ThePsalmistinPsalm42expressesadeepyearningforGodandasenseofGodsabsence:

Asthedeerlongsforstreamsofwater,

somysoullongsforyou,OGod.

MysoulthirstsforGod,thelivingGod.

WhencanIenterandseethefaceofGod?

Mytearshavebeenmybreaddayandnight,

astheyaskmeeveryday,WhereisyourGod?

ThepsalmistdesiresanencounterwiththelivingGod,notareligiousroutine.Herememberstimesinhispast

thatheexperiencedGodspresence,butthattimeisnotnow.Heisinaplaceofsorrow,isolation,emptiness,and

thosearoundhimarenothelpingastheyquestionhisfaith.Inthemidstofthisspiritualdarkness,thewritercries

outtoGod,expressinghisfrustrationandneed:

Iwill

say

to

God,

my

rock:

Whydoyouforgetme?

WhymustIgoaboutmourning

withtheenemyoppressingme?

Itshattersmybones,whenmyadversariesreproachme,

whentheysaytomeeveryday:WhereisyourGod?

Whyareyoudowncast,mysoul,

whydoyougroanwithinme?

WaitforGod,forIshallagainpraisehim,

mysaviorandmyGod.

The

psalmists

words

resonate

with

our

own

experiences

of

confusion

and

spiritual

dryness.

TheGospelstorytellsoftheencounterofBartimaeuswithJesus.Bartimaeusisblind,inphysicaldarknessasopposed

tothepsalmistsemotionalandspiritualdarkness.Heisisolatedbyhisinfirmityandforcedtobeginordertosurvive.

WhenhehearsthatJesusisnearby,hecriesouttohim:Jesus,SonofDavid,havemercyonme!!Thosearoundhim

trytosilencehim,topreventhisdisturbingtheRabbiwhoissurroundedbyalargecrowd.Perhapsthey

thought blindnessapunishmentorhislotinlife;eitherwaynotimportantenoughtodisturbthemaster.Bartimeas

isnotdeterredbythecrowdsresistanceandcontinuestocryout.Jesus,inthemidstofthechatterandconfusion,

hearsBartimaeuscall.Helooksattheblindmanwithwhatmusthavebeengreattendernessandasks:Bartimaeus,

whatdoyouwantmetodoforyou....andBartimaeusaskstoreceivehissight.Jesushealsthisblindman,and

BartimaeusresponseistofollowJesus.

InthecomingweekwewillberememberingtheeventsofChristspassionandresurrection.Thedaysleading

upto

Holy

Saturday

are

days

of

darkness,

when

we

are

invited

to

remember

the

frailty

of

those

walking

with

Jesus

andwithitourownvulnerability.Whatarethesourcesofdarknessinourlives?Whatcircumstances,relationships,

losses,threatsinviteustoreflectonourfrailtyandneedforGod? IsthereafeltabsenceofGodinour

suffering? Whataretheyearningsinsidethatcompelus?

ThomasMertonsaid:

This,then,isourdesert:tolivefacingdespairbutnottoconsent.Totrampleitdownunderhopeinthe

Cross.Towagewaragainstdespairunceasingly.Thatwarisourwilderness.Ifwewageitcourageously,we

willfindChristatourside.Ifwecannotfaceit,wewillneverfindhim.


31/35

OutofthisfeltneedcomesadeeperthirstforthelivingGod,thedesireexpressedbythePsalmistand

Bartimaeus. Ritualisnotenough.Theologyisnotenough.Evenservicetoothersisnotenough.WeapproachEaster

knowingthatwewillmeettheretheChristwhoisasnearasourownheart. AndwhatthenwillweanswertoHis

question: Whatdoyouwantmetodoforyou??

PegKristoffersen



32/35

MondayApril2,2012Isaiah42:19*Hebrews9:1115*John12:111*Psalm36:511

InthewaywelistentoGod,wemustlearnanewway.Wemustnottrytolistenforhiswordasthepersonwe

aretoday;

arrogant,

righteous,

and

wealthy.

We

have

to

listen

for

Gods

call

as

aservant;

humble,

willing

and

poor

in

spirit.ForGodcallsnotthemightyandpowerful,whomhewillreadilystrikedown,butcallsthelowlytobehis

presenters.

Looknottoourlawsforredemption,buttothebloodoftheSonofGodwhowassacrificedforoursins.Theold

wayshavemeritintheirownright,butwillnotbringsalvation.

BemindfulofplacingvalueontheeffortofthosewhoserveGod,becarefulnottojudgeharshlythosewho

spendtheirenergyandmoneyinpraisingJesus.Dowhatyoucaninyourownway.LoveGodthewayheteachesus.

TreatothersasthoughtheyhavetheHolySpiritwithinthem.

Seekonly

the

protection

of

God.

Go

about

your

way

without

regard

to

the

judgment

of

others

and

the

risk

of

losingourworldlythings.PraiseGodforhisprovidinguswitheverythingweneed,andprotectingusfromthe

temptationsofourownsinfulways.

Listen.Pray.Do.LetthepowerofthewayJesusteachesusfillourears,ourmuscles,andourwill.Tobetterlive

onthisEarthinpreparationforbeingwelcomedtohisFathersHeavenlyKingdom.

JoeMcCutchon



33/35

April4,2012Isaiah50:49a*Hebrews1:13*John13:2132*Psalm70

CanyouplaceyourselfintothetimeofJesus,thelatespringlikedaysofPassover? Smellthelasttracesofnard

thatMaryofBethanyhadpouredintoJesushair,notallthatlongago? FeeltheexhilarationofwatchingLazaruscome

outofthetomb,thensitdownandeatwithyou,likenothinghadeverhappenedtohim. Knowinyourheartthat

Passoverisaparty,GodhadcertainlycausedatriumphoverEgyptandwewalkedoutwithalltheirstuffandweare

celebrating. Itstomorrowafterall. AndJesusisexcited! Hecantwaittocelebratewithus(Luke15:22)beforeHe

suffers.

Wait,beforeHesuffers.Theonewhostillsmellslikeperfume,whoraisesdeadpeople,isplanningonpartying

withus,celebratingthelambwhosebloodwas/isonthatdoorpost. WhatisitliketositatthattablewithJudas,tohear

thewordsgoquickly,dowhatyouhavetodo? WhatisitliketosipthatcuptheonecalledRedemption,justafter

youvestuffedyourselfwithroastlamb. Ah,butthatstomorrow. Andthesufferingcomesaftertomorrow.

Butitstoday,andJesusisstillcloseby,thereisstilltimeforthingstobedone. Althoughwestillcansmellthe

perfume,feelthejoy,revelinthemerriment,weknowthedarkdaysareahead. Andweknowtheroadgetsrougher,

steeper,andmoredifficult. Likeoneoftheapostles,drawclosetohimtoday. Afterall,todayisthedayofsalvation!

Drawnearwhileyoustillrecognizehim becausetomorrowwearegoingtotheparty,andthesufferingcomesafter

tomorrow.

MargaretSconfitto



34/35

April5,2012MaundyThursday

Exodus12:110,1114*1Corinthians11:2326*John13:17,31b35*Psalm116:1,1017

MaundyThursday

is

the

day

before

the

crucifixion.

In

other

traditions

this

day

is

called

Holy

Thursday

or

Great

Thursday. MaundyisfromtheLatinwordmandatumwhichmeanscommandment.

IntheEpistleappointedforMaundyThursdaySt.Paulrecalls:

Jesus,onthenightbeforehedied,tookbread,gavethanks,brokeitandsaid,

"Thisismybodygivenforyou. Dothisinremembranceofme. Inthesamewayalsohetookthecup,andsaidDothis,asoftenasyoudrinkit,inremembranceofme.

AndfromtheGospelofJohn:

Atamealwithhisclosestfriends,Jesusgotupfromthetable,tookoffhisouterrobe,tiedatowel

aroundhimself. ThenJesuspouredwaterintoabasin,begantowashthedisciples'feetand,finally,wipedtheir

feetwithatowelthatwastiedaroundhim. ForIhavesetyouanexample,thatyoualsoshoulddoasIhave

donetoyou...Igiveyouanewcommandmentthatyouloveoneanother. JustasIhavelovedyou,youalso

shouldloveoneanother.

Jesusisgivinganewcommandment...thatweloveoneanother. JesusdoesntsayIthinkitwouldbeniceifyou

loved

one

another.

He

doesnt

say,

You

might

want

to

think

about

loving

one

another.

His

words

are

firm

and

imperative. DOTHIStoremembermeandLoveoneanotherasIhavelovedyou.

Christianshavedonethisbrokenbreadandsharedwinesincetheverybeginning. Sharingthebreadand

wineoftheEucharistiscommanded,butso,also,iswashingothersfeetandservingothersafterJesusexample. These

arebothsacramentalactionswhichpointbeyondthemselvestothesacrificewhichJesusmadeonthecrossand

continuestomakeforus. Asoftenasyoueatthisbreadanddrinkthecup,youproclaimtheLordsdeathuntilhe

comes. And,lestweforget,thatlovecostJesushislife.

Reverend MarilyleSweetPage


35/35

April7,2012HolySaturday

Job14:114orLamentations3:19,1924*1Peter4:18*John19:3842

Whatdoyoudowhenyourworldfallsapart? OnHolySaturday,thedisciplesmusthavebeeninastateof

shock.

Their

beloved

teacher

who

had

healed

so

many,

their

Messiah,

who

had

been

greeted

with

palms

as

the

Son

of

DavidonhisentryintoJerusalemlessthanaweekearlier,hadbeenexecutedasacriminal! Whatshouldtheydonow?

Andwhatshouldwedowhencopingwithdisasterslikethelossofajob,thedeathofalovedone,oranyothertimewe

feelthatourworldhascrumbled?Thereadingsfortodayshowussomepossibleresponses.

Jobwasapiousanduprightman,butsuddencalamitieshadkilledallhischildren,strippedhimcompletelyofhis

considerablewealth,andruinedhishealth.IntodaysreadinghecomplainstoGod anunderstandableresponse,

thoughnotparticularlyhelpfulexceptasaventforhisemotions.

IntheGospelreading,JosephofArimatheaandNicodemuscareforthebodyofJesus,wrappingitwithcostly

spicesandplacingitJosephsownnewtomb. Theirchoicewastodowhattheycouldtohelp,inthemidstoftheirown

sorrow

anappropriate

choice

for

followers

of

the

One

who

had

commanded

us

to

love

our

neighbors

as

ourselves.

Petersletteragreeswiththisapproach,remindingus,Aboveall,maintainconstantloveforoneanother,forlove

coversamultitudeofsins.

ForallofuswhowishtofollowJesus,IthinkthatanextremelyimportantexampleisthechoiceHemadeinthe

GardenofGethsemane: Notmywillbutyoursbedone. Thisisdifficulttosayinthemidstofadisaster,butinmy

experienceitisaveryhelpfulwaytopray. LukesGospelsaysthatafterJesusprayedthiswayinthegarden,anangel

fromheavenappearedtohimandgavehimstrength(Luke22:43). AnexampleIlikeisalittlechildcryingabouta

brokentoywhileholdingontoitwithallhismight;hisfathercanfixitforhimonlywhenheiswillingtohanditoverto

him. IttakesfaithtoentrustourproblemstoourHeavenlyFather,butitdoesmakeitmuchmorepossibleforHimto

helpus. Ilearnedsomethingaboutthisasafreshmanincollege. Ihadahugecrushonaveryniceboy,afriendofmy

cousin,andhadbeenhopinghewouldwritetome.Butinsteadhesentmeaninvitationtohisengagementparty,and

allmycastlesintheaircamecrashingdown. (Yearslater,hebecameastategovernor,andIrealizedthatIcouldneverhavebeenthepoliticalhostessheneeded!) AnyhowIwenttothechapelandpartofmyprayerwasapproximately,

Lord,obviouslyyoudidnotwantwhatIwanted,butImsureyouhaveabetterplanforme,sopleasetakechargeof

mylifeandhelpmetodowhatyouwant. Well,Godansweredmyprayerbytouchingmewithhislove; Icannotreally

describeit,butforweeksafterwardsIwasridingmybikearoundcampussingingtheGloria.Ofcoursesurrenderingour

willtoGodisanongoingprocess,butIbelieveeachstepalongthatpathbringshelpwhenweneeditmost.

ThereadingfromLamentationsistheonethatIfindmosthelpfulfordesperatesituations. Jeremiahhadbeen

persecutedforprophesyingtoJerusalemabouttheapproachingdisaster;whenthecitywasdestroyeditwouldbe

understandableifhehadfeltitservedthemright.InsteadhewroteinLamentations,Myeyesflowwithriversoftears

becauseofthedestructionofmypeople.Howeverhealsowrote,ButthisIcalltomind,andthereforeIhavehope:

ThesteadfastloveoftheLORDneverceases,hismerciesnevercometoanend;theyareneweverymorning;greatis

Yourfaithfulness.

Sowhenourworldseemstohavefallenapart,letusdowhatwecantobehelpfulandloving,askourLordto

takechargeofthewholesituationandsaywithJeremiah,ThesteadfastloveoftheLORDneverceases.

Theresurrectioniscoming! ThanksbetoGod.

Documents

Book of Lenten Meditations Christ Church RochesterNY