31 AUGUST 08

THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

31 AUGUST 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 49; Ecclesiasticus 5:1-10; Luke 12:13-21

Holy Eucharist: Galatians 6:11-end; St. Matthew 6:24-end

Evening Prayer: Psalm 26, 128; Ecclesiasticus 5:8-end; I Timothy 6:1-10

REFLECTION

In only five of the Collects for the Sundays of the Christian year is the Church specifically mentioned, and it is always as “thy Church”. The Church is not ours, but his. The Church is founded upon his authority and made holy by his Spirit. In faith, the Church of God looks to its Head, Jesus Christ, and trusts that his promise will be kept, “Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28. 20).

The “perpetual mercy” of God is required for the keeping of his Church because perpetual danger threatens it. In the Service of Holy Communion, the priest bids us pray “for the whole state of Christ’s Church militant here on earth”—”militant” because his Church is engaged in a perpetual warfare with the devil and his angels, and the wicked men who work his will until Jesus Christ shall appear in glory at the end of time. The mercy which alone can protect the Church is the mercy of the Cross which is unceasingly shown in accepting Christ’s propitiation (sacrifice) for our sins. In the words of the Epistle, the Church must bear in its body “the marks of the Lord Jesus”. The Church can never be made strong and holy by its sheer numbers, its political influence, or its wealth. Rather, the Church is strong and faithful only when its priests and laity alike are able to say with St. Paul in today’s Epistle: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” The crucified Christ is the Head of his Church. The central act of worship of his Church is the Holy Communion by which we “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again” (I Cor. 11. 26).

In the Collect, we acknowledge that without God’s grace we cannot stand, and we ask that he will keep us from all things hurtful and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation. Today’s Gospel teaches us that we are entirely dependent upon the grace of God. We need grace to protect us from harm, and grace to lead us to all that is good. Trusting in God and him alone, we seek first the Kingdom of God and are assured that we will receive his manifold and abundant blessings and comfort.

Our Christian service must be one of love, purity and singleness of heart. May we resolve to seek first the kingdom of heaven in our lives, glorifying in the Cross of Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto us, and we unto the world.

***from COMMON PRAYER: A Commentary on the Prayer Book Lectionary, Volume 5: Thirteenth Sunday After Trinity to Twenty Sixth Sunday after Trinity (p. 42-43)
St. Peter Publications Inc. Charlottetown, PEI, Canada***

THE COLLECT FOR THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Keep, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy Church with thy perpetual mercy; and, because the frailty of man without thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; througth Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Aidan, Bishop and Confessor (d. 651)

The Gospel first came to the northern English in 627, When King Edwin of Northumbria was converted by a mission from Canterbury led by Bishop Paulinus, who established his see at York. Edwin's death in battle in 632 was followed by a severe pagan reaction. A year later, Edwin's exiled nephew Oswald gained the kingdom, and proceeded at once to restore the Christian mission.

During his exile, Oswald had lived at Columba's monastery of Iona, where he had been converted and baptized. Hence he sent to Iona, rather than to Canterbury, for missionaries. The first monk to preach was a man named Corman, who had no success, and returned to Iona to complain that the Northumbrians were a savage and unteachable race. A young monk named Aidan responded, "Perhaps you were too harsh with them, and they might have responded better to a gentler approach." At this, Aidan found himself appointed to lead a second expedition to Northumbria. He centered his work, not at York, but in imitation of his home monastery, on Lindisfarne, an island off the northeast coast of England, now often called Holy Isle.

With his fellow monks and the English youths whom he trained, Aidan restored Christianity in Northumbria, King Oswald often serving as his interpreter, and extended the mission through the midlands as far south as London.

Aidan died at the royal town of Bamboroug (Bamburgh), 31 August, 651. The historian Bede said of him: "He neither sought nor loved anything of this world, but delighted in distributing immediately to the poor whatever was given him by kings or rich men of the world. He traversed both town and country on foot, never on horseback, unless compelled by some urgent necessity. Wherever on his way he saw any, either rich or poor, he invited them, if pagans, to embrace the mystery of the faith; or if they were believers, he sought to strengthen them in their faith and stir them up by words and actions to alms and good works."

***from www.missionstclare.com***

THE COLLECT FOR ST. AIDAN

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that the devout observance of this festival of blessed Aidan, thy Confessor and Bishop, may be profitable unto us for our advancement in all godliness, and for the attainment of everlasting salvation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

29 AUGUST 08

THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

THE FRIDAY AFTER TRINITY XIV

29 AUGUST 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 69:1-22, 30-37; II Samuel 19:1-10; II Corinthians 8:16-end

Holy Eucharist: Jeremiah 1:17-end; St. Mark 6:17-29

Evening Prayer: Psalm 51; Ecclesiasticus 31:12-18, 25-32:2; St. Matthew 6:1-18

REFLECTION

The Evangelists Matthew (Matthew 14:1-12) and Mark (Mark 6:14-29) provide accounts about the death of John the Baptist.

Following the Baptism of the Lord, John the Baptist was locked up in prison by Herod Antipas, holding one-fourth the rule of the Holy Land as governor of Galilee. John the Baptist openly denounced Herod for having left his lawful wife -- the daughter of the Arabian king Aretas -- and then instead co-habiting with Herodias -- the wife of his brother Philip (Luke 3:19-20).

On his birthday, Herod made a feast for dignitaries, the elders and a thousand chief citizens. The daughter of Herod, Salome, danced before the guests and charmed Herod. In gratitude to the girl he swore to give her anything, whatsoever she would ask, anything up to half his kingdom. Salome--on the advice of her mother Herodias--asked, that she be given at once the head of John the Baptist on a plate. Herod became apprehensive, for he feared the wrath of God for the murder of a prophet, whom earlier he had heeded. He feared also the people, who loved John the Baptist. But because of the guests and his careless oath, he gave the order for the execution.
Salome took the plate with the head of Saint John and gave it to her mother. Herodias buried his head in a unclean place. But, by tradition, Joanna, wife of Herod's steward Chuza, took the head and buried it in an earthen vessel on the Mount of Olives, where Herod was possessor of a parcel of land. The body of John the Baptist was taken that night by his disciples and buried at Sebasteia (now, Sivas).

The traditional also states that the judgement of God came upon Herod, Herodias, and Salome. Salome, crossing the River Sikoris in winter, fell through the ice. The Arab king Aretas in revenge for the disrespect shown his daughter made war against Herod. For this defeat, the Roman emperor Caius Caligua (37-41) exiled Herod with Herodias first to Gaul, and then to Spain.

***from missionstclare.com***

THE COLLECT FOR THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

We pray thee, O Lord, that this solemn festival of John Baptist thy blessed Forerunner and Martyr : may effectually bestow upon us thy succour, to the attainment of everlasting salvation. Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

THE COLLECT FOR THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Sabina, Martyr (d. 125)

St. Sabina, a noble pagan woman, wife of Senator Valentinus, became a convert to Christianity through her maid servant, Seraphina.After having had the body of Seraphina placed in the family tomb, she was accused of being a Christian by the Prefect Elpidius. She was beheaded because she publicly embraced the new religion, corageously professing her faith in Christ. Sabina underwent martyrdom on 29 August in the year 125 A.D. during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Her relics, along with Sts. Seraphina, Alexander, Evenzius and Theodolus, are venerated under the High Altar in the roman Basilica that bears her name, Santa Sabina Martire.

THE COLLECT FOR ST. SABINA, MARTYR

O God, who among the manifold works of thine almighty power hast bestowed even upon the weakness of women strength to win the victory of martyrdom : grant, we beseech thee ; that we, who on this day recall the heavenly birth of Saint Sabina thy Martyr, may so follow in her footsteps, that we may likewise attain unto thee. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

26 AUGUST 08

TUESDAY AFTER TRINITY XIV

26 AUGUST 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 40:1-16; II Samuel 17:15-23; II Corinthians 6:11-7:1

Evening Prayer: Psalm 36:5-end & 47; Ecclesiasticus 20:9-20; St. Matthew 5:17-26

REFLECTION

Today's reading from the Gospel, found in Evening Prayer, continues with the Sermon on the Mount. The focus of today's section of the Sermon on the Mount has to do with reconciliation. We are told not to kill; that to be angry with a brother without a cause is to bring judgement upon yourself. Further, we are told that we are to be reconciled before we come before the altar to bring our gift of sacrifice and praise. Indeed, peace is the end result of this reconciation. Yesterday, we heard Jesus tell us "Blessed are the Peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

So, what about us? Are we striving to always be reconciled to our brothers and sisters, whoever they may be? Indeed, such reconciliation goes beyond the bounds of the nuclear family, our parish family, or our friends. We are admonished to love our neighbour as ourselves. If that is the case, we should then seek reconciliation with our neighbour and seek their best benefit. By seeking such reconciliation we will enjoy the benefit of peace.

Dear friends, these principles are like ripples in water. They go out in concentric circles to places we cannot imagine. The carrying out of the Lords principles will have an impact on not only ourselves, but on many other people around us. We may not see the effects for they may be small and interior effects. Yet, we should not doubt the grace of God to work His miracle of reconciliation and peace in the culture around us...to the point of going to places we could never imagine. May God grant you His courage and strength to live the reconciled life of His peaceable kingdom!

Fr. Greg

THE COLLECT FOR THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

CHRISTIANS ATTACKED THROUGHOUT ORISSA STATE, NORTH INDIA

Following the murder of a Hindu leader, Swami Lakshmanananda, there are reports of widespread attacks on Christians in Orissa State, North India. The Evangelical Fellowship of India reports:

1) NUN BURNT ALIVE: A nun was burnt to death on 25th, Monday, after an orphanage was torched in at Phutpali in Bargarh district in Orissa during a bandh called by Hindu nationalist parties.Twenty children, who were at the orphanage, managed to escape but a priest suffered serious burn injuries in the attack.

2) RASANANDA PRADHAN TORCHED ALIVE: Another person, Rasananda Pradhan, was burnt to death when his house was set ablaze at Rupa village in Kandhamal district.

3) INFLAMMATORY SPEECHES TARGET CHRISTIANS: During the bandh inflammatory speeches spreading hatred against the Christian workers and the community were given by the VHP leaders. To gain the mass support,the activists have also carried the body of Swamiji throughout the town.

4) CHURCHES BURNT ALL ACROSS ORISSA STATE: Churches were attacked in Khurda, Bargarh, Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Koraput, Boudh, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur and Kandhamal districts as also in the state capital, police sources said, adding 40 houses were set ablaze in Phulbani town.

5) BUSES AND VEHICLES TORCHED: Mr. Mishra Digal was beaten up, while the motorcycles of Mr. R. K. Digal and Jitendra were burnt. Several buses at Gee Udaigiri in Baliguda were burnt.

6) PULBANI CHURCH RANSACKED: The Church at Phulbani,and several other churches at Phiringia were attacked and ransacked. Pastor D. Tatson’s house was vandalized and his property burnt.

7) KAKRIGUMA CHURCHES VANDALISED: Churches in Kakriguma have been targeted by the mob that reportedly damaged the Assembly Of God Church and the Philadelphia Church.

8) WORLD VISION STAFF FLED FOR SAFETY: World Vision India office ransacked and the Staff has also fled to jungle for protection.

9) CHRISTIANS TAKE SHELTER IN FOREST FOR PROTECTION: A police camp at Barakhama was also attacked by the Hindu fundamentalists. With several houses being burnt down and people being made homeless, many Christians,particularly from Nua Sahi, Munda Sahi and Suna Tonga have fled into forests for their lives.

10) NUN RAPED: A young Catholic Nun of the Cuttack Bhubaneswar diocese working Jan Vikas Kendra, the Social Service Centre at Nuagaon in Kandhamal was reportedly gang raped on 24th August 2008 by groups of Hindutva extremists before the building itself was destroyed.

11) SENIOR PRIEST AND NUN INJURED: Fr Thomas, director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Kanjimendi, less than a kilometer away from the Social Service Centre, and another Nun were injured when the centre was attacked. They were taken to the police station in a disheveled state as the armed mob bayed for their blood. The Pastoral centre was then set afire.

12) BALLIGUDA CHURCH BUILDINGS DESTROYED AGAIN: On 24th August 2008 evening lynch mobs at the block headquarters of Balliguda, in the very heart of Kandhamal district, which had seen much violence between 24th and 26th December 2007, attacked and destroyed a Presbytery, convent and hostel damaging the properties.

13) CHRISTIAN BOYS HEADS TONSURED: The mobs in Balliguda caught hold of two boys of the Catholic hostel and tonsured their heads.

14) PHULBANI CHURCH DAMAGED: On 25th august 2008 morning followers of the late Lakshmanananda Saraswati damaged the Catholic Church in Phulbani, the district headquarter town.

15) MOTHER TERESA BROTHERS ASHRAM ATTACKED: Mobs attacked the Mother Teresa Brothers’ residence and hospital in Srasanada, destroyed once before and rebuilt two months ago, and beat up the patients.

16) BHUBANESWAR BISHOP’S HOUSE ATTACKED: On the morning of 25th August 2008, violent mobs made several attempts to enter the compounds of Catholic Church and Archbishop’s house in the heart of the Capital of the State of Orissa. They could not enter because of the police presence. They threw stones at the guesthouse of Archbishop’s House, damaging windows.

17) DUBURI PARISH: Another group of fundamentalists entered presbytery in Duburi parish, managed by the SVDs and destroyed and damaged property. Two priests of the parish are missing.

18) Mr. Jamaj Pariccha, Director of Gramya Pragati, is attacked and his property damaged, vehicle looted and burnt.

19) A Baptist Church in Akamra Jila in Bhubaneswar is also damaged.

20) Christian institutions like St. Arnold’s School (Kalinga Bihar) and NISWASS report some damage.

21) BOUDH DISTRICT [Adjoining Kandhamal]: Fundamentalists enter the Catholic parish church and destroy property. People are fleeing to safer places. But nothing seems safe.

22) MUNIGUDA: Muniguda Catholic Fathers and Nuns’ residence have been damaged.

23) SAMBALPUR: HM Sister’s residence (Ainthapalli) has suffered damage.

24) PADANPUR: One priest is attacked and admitted to a hospital. Hostel boys and the in charge have moved away from the place.

25) MADHUPUR: Madhupur Catholic Church currently under attack.

26) SMALL CHURCHES: Attempted violence on small churches in various districts, including Padampur, Sambalpur near GM College, Talsera, Dangsoroda, Narayanipatara, Muniguda, Tummiibandh, Tangrapada, Phulbani, Balliguda, Kalingia, Chakapad, Srasanranda.

27) VILLAGE CHRISTIAN HOUSES ATTACKED: Houses attacked on forest hamlets of Balliguda, Kanjamandi Nuaguam (K.Nuaguam), Tiangia (G.Udayagiri), Padangiri, Tikabali.

28) KALAHANDI DISTRICT: Houses burnt even though the district is more than 300 kilometers from the place where Swami Lakshmanananda was killed.

29) PASTORS’ HOUSE BURNT: Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission beaten up and his house burnt in Bhawanipatna.

30) KHARIHAR: 3 Christian shops were looted and burnt. Pastor Alok Das and Pastor I M Senapati beaten up.

31) AAMPANI: Pastor David Diamond Pahar, Pastor Pravin Ship, Pastor Pradhan and Pastor Barik beaten up and chased away with their families.

32) NAKTIKANI: Mob surrounds village to attack Christians.
The government has sent forces, it is reported. A delegation of Christian leaders under the leadership of Archbishop Vincent Concessao, the President of National United Christian Forum of CBCI, NCCI and EFI, met the Home Minister Shri Shiv Raj Patil and submitted a memorandum. The Home Minister assured the delegation all necessary steps have been taken to maintain peace and harmony and protect the innocent. He also expressed his helplessness by stating that police protection cannot be given in all villages.

EFI request prayers at this time so that peace and harmony may prevail.

[This list is compiled with assistance from Archbishop's House, Bhubaneswar, John Dayal, Light Foundation and EFI News reporters and other sources]

Rev. Dr. Richard Howell, General Secretary, Evangelical Fellowship of India, New Delhi, India

SAINT OF THE DAY

None for today

21 AUGUST 08

THURSDAY AFTER TRINITY XIII

21 AUGUST 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 25; II Samuel 15:13-29; II Corinthians 4

Evening Prayer: Psalm 27; Ecclesiasticus 15:11-end; St. Matthew 3

REFLECTION

In today's Gospel reading, found in Evening Prayer, we hear the words of St. John the Baptist, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" What important words these are, and yet we hear these words so little in the Church today, but less in our surrounding culture. There are three ways I would like to stress these words today.

First, we need to take these words personally, and allow our words AND our deeds, to preach the truth and good news these words proclaim. We need to live and proclaims lives of repentance on a daily basis. Repentance isn't something we do only once in our lives, nor is it something we may focus on for an hour, or part of an hour, on Sunday morning. Repentance is something we must focus on every moment of every day of our lives. Repentance can be a joyful thing, because we change our minds and lives in such a way that brings clarity, peace, and reconciliation with God, ourselves, each other and our environment.

Second, we need to challenge our Church to repentance. We, the Church, must repent of the ways we have been so focused on ourselves, our silly disputes with each other, our focus on all the distictives of our beautiful Anglican Christian faith, and the enertia of our sinful pride that seems to pull us down and cause in us an inability and disinterest in doing much more than having good conversation about what we should be doing (I'm preaching to the choir here, mostly myself). All of the above must tranform, translate, change into real active deed of ministry to, with, and in the world around us. We must be lights of Christ, and signal communities of the peace and reconciliation of our Lord Jesus Christ in a world that is hungry and hurting. We are called to DO the deeds of Jesus to the lost, lonely, labeled, and least of our neighours.

Third, we need to challenge our culture and societal institutions to repentance. We, by our silence and outright involvement with societal sin, have been complicit with the violence and injustice that is perpetrated on those who do not have a voice in society. We must have Gospel based ministries that challenges that violence and injustice with God's justice, and the Prince of Peace, so that repentance, healing, and reconciliation can be brought to those suffering from such violence and injustice.

Take time today to read through today's Gospel reading several times, and to read it slowly. Take time to listen to what the Holy Spirit might be saying to you, and challenging you to do, through this reading. Lastly, pray that you, and the whole Church and world, might be challenged to hear and do repentance. In doing so, you will surely find joy.

Have a blessed day in Christ!

Fr. Greg

THE COLLECT FOR THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Almighty and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CELTIC THOUGHTS

Lord, be with us thid day, Within us to purify us; Above us to draw us up; Beneath us to sustain us; Before us to lead us; Behind us to restrain us; Around us to protect us. Amen.

St. Patrick

***From "A Celtic Primer; The complete Celtic worship resource and collection," Brendan O' Malley, Morehouse Publishing, 2002***

SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Jane Frances De Chantal, Widow (1572-1641)

In 1592 she married Baron de Chantal, and lived in the feudal castle of Bourbilly. She restored order in the household, which was on the brink of ruin, and brought back prosperity. During her husband's absence at the court, or with the army, when reproachd for her extremely sober manner of dressing, her reply was: "The eyes which I must please are a hundred miles from here". She found more than once that God blessed with miracles the care she gave the suffering members of Christ. St. Francis de Sales's eulogy of her characterizes her life at Bourbilly and everywhere else: "In Madame de Chantal I have found the perfect woman, whom Solomon had difficulty in finding in Jerusalem". Baron de Chantal was accidently killed by a harquebus while out shooting in 1601. Left a widow at twenty-eight, with four children, the broken-hearted baroness took a vow of chastity. In all her prayers she besought God to send her a guide.

During Lent, 1604, she visited her father at Dijon, where St. Francis de Sales was preaching at the Sainte Chapelle. He became her spiritual director.

She founded the Congregation of the Visitation which was canonically established at Annecy on Trinity Sunday, June 6, 1610. Its aim was to receive, with a view to their spiritual advancement, young girls and even widows who had not the desire or strength to subject themselves to the austere ascetical practices in force in all the religious orders at that time. St. Francis de Sales was especially desirous of seeing the realization of his cherished method of attaining perfection, which consisted in always keeping one's will united to the Divine will, in taking so to speak one's soul, heart, and longings into one's hands and giving them into God's keeping, and in seeking always to do what is pleasing to Him. "I do always the things that please him" (John 8:29). The two holy founders saw their undertaking prosper. At the time of the death of St. Francis de Sales in 1622, the order already counted thirteen houses; there were eighty-six when St. Jane Frances died (December 13, 1641) and 164 when she was canonized.

The remainder of the saint's life was spent under the protection of the cloister in the practice of the most admirable virtues. If a gentle kindness, vivified and strengthened by a complete spirit of renunciation, predominates in St. Francis de Sales, it is firmness and great vigor which prevails in St. Jane Frances; she did not like to see her daughters giving way to human weakness. Her trials were continuous and borne bravely, and yet she was exceedingly sensitive.
Her reputation for sanctity was widespread. Queens, princes, and princesses flocked to the reception-room of the Visitation. Wherever she went to establish foundations, the people gave her ovations. "These people", she would say confused, "do not know me; they are mistaken". Her body is venerated with that of St. Francis de Sales in the church of the Visitation at Annecy. She was beatified in 1751, canonized in 1767.

***From www.wf-f.org/StJaneFdeChantal.html***

THE COLLECT FOR ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL

Almighty and most merciful God, who didst enkindle blessed Jane Frances with the fire of thy love, and endue her with wondrous constancy to walk stedfastly in all the paths of her life on the way of perfection, and who through her didst vouchsafe to glorify thy Church with a new offspring : grant, we pray thee, by her merits and intercession ; that we, who , knowing the frailty of our mortal nature do put our trust and confidence in thy mighty power, may, by the help of thy heavenly grace, overcome all things that are contrary to our salvation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

20 AUGUST 08

WEDNESDAY AFTER TRINITY XIII

20 AUGUST 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 17: II Samuel 15:1-12; II Corinthians 3

Evening Prayer: Psalm 18:1-20; Ecclesiasticus 4:20-5:7; Matthew 2:13-end

REFLECTION

Today's Gospel, found in Evening Prayer, mentions what is often called the Flight into Egypt. After the Magi do not return to Herod, he becomes afraid of all the rumours about the possibility of a challenger to his throne. A prophesy about a king being born in Bethlehem is being told again and again around Bethlehem and the surrounding area, including Jerusalem. In order to make sure any potential challenger to his throne never lives long enough to be a real thread, as this prophesy might suggest, King Herod has all the male children under the age of two murdered.

In the meantime, the Holy Family have received guidance from God, through a dream, that they are to depart immediately for Egypt. Joseph gathers Mary and Jesus and departs for Egypt. Many traditions abound regarding the journey to Egypt, as well as the years Jesus and the Holy Family lived in Egypt. God sends the Holy Family, Jesus in particular, into the safety of obscurity.

The Holy Family are examples of real discipleship to God. Even through doubts, they listen to the warnings and guidance of Angels and dreams that God sends them in order to follow God faithfully. Such examples are rare in our own day, yet we are called into such a radical relationship with God in Jesus Christ.

In the midst of a spiritual world that surrounds us, that is so very often very hostile to us, it is imperative we take time out to listen to God's voice. There are many ways God speaks to us. Scripture, tradition, community, family, inner ear of the heart, dreams, friends, events, etc., are all ways God may use to speak to us. But, we must be sensitive enough to hear God's voice, and we must have such peace and quietness in our minds and hearts in order to hear God.

Take time today to meditate on the experience of the Holy Family as they listened to God during these dangerous days. Take time out to listen to God through this example. What is our Lord Jesus saying to you? Be sensitive to the movement of the Holy Spirit, and surely do not fail to follow what God call you to. Such experiences are generally to be discussed with your Spiritual Father, and maybe even with others of the Community of Faith in which you reside. Be blessed today, and open yourself to the awesome experience of listening to God's voice.

Fr. Greg

THE COLLECT FOR THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Almighty and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor (1090-11553)


Bernard, third son of a Burgundian nobleman, was born in 1090. His brothers were trained as soldiers, but Bernard from youth was destined for scholarship. One Christmas Eve as a child he had a dream about the infant Christ in the manger; and the memory of it, and consequent devotion to the mystery of the Word made flesh, remained with him throughout his life.

Bernard had good prospects of success as a secular scholar, but he began to believe that he was called to the monastic life, and after a period of prayer for guidance, he decided at age 22 to enter the monastery of Citeaux (Latin Cistercium, appearing on modern maps as Corcelles-les-Citeaux, 47:10 N 5:05 E), an offshoot of the Benedictines which had adopted a much stricter rule than theirs, and became the founding house of the Cistercian (Trappist) order. (Actually, the Trappists are a reformed (i.e. stricter) offshoot of the Cistercians, who are a stricter offshoot of the Benedictines.) He persuaded four of his brothers, one uncle, and 26 other men to join him. They were the first novices that Citeaux had had for several years.

After three years, the abbot ordered Bernard to take twelve monks and found a new house at La Ferte. The first year was one of great hardship. They had no stores and lived chiefly on roots and barley bread. Bernard imposed such severe discipline that his monks became discouraged, but he realized his error and became more lenient. The reputation of the monastery, known as Clairvaux (48:09 N 4:47 E), spread across Europe. Many new monks joined it, and many persons wrote letters or came in person to seek spiritual advice. By the time of his death, 60 new monasteries of the Cistercian order were established under his direction.

For four years after 1130 Bernard was deeply involved with a disputed papal election, championing the claims of Innocent II against his rival Anacletus II. He travelled throughout France, Germany, and Italy mustering support for his candidate (and, it should be added, preaching sermons denouncing injustices done to Jews), and returned from one of these journeys with Peter Bernard of Paganelli as a postulant for the monastery. The future Pope Eugenius III spent the next year stoking the monastery fires. Years later, Bernard wrote a major treatise of advice to Eugenius on the spiritual temptations of spiritual power.

The papal election was not the only dispute in which Bernard became involved. He was highly critical of Peter Abelard, one of the most brilliant theologians of the day. Bernard believed that Abelard was too rationalistic in his approach, and failed to allow sufficiently for the element of mystery in the faith. When Abelard rejected some of the ways of stating Christian doctrines to which Bernard was accustomed, Bernard concluded, perhaps too hastily, that this was equivalent to rejecting the doctrine itself. A conference was scheduled at Sens (48:12 N 3:18 E), where Abelard's views were to be examined, but soon after it began Abelard decided that he was not about to get a fair hearing, announced that he was appealing to Rome, and left. He set out for Rome and got as far as Cluny, where he stopped. Peter the Venerable, the abbot, was a friend of both Abelard and Bernard, and managed to reconcile them before they died.

One of Bernard's most influential acts, for better or worse, was his preaching of the Second Crusade. The First Crusade had given the Christian forces control of a few areas in Palestine, including the city of Edessa (now Urfa). When Moslem forces captured Edessa in 1144, King Louis VII of France (not to be confused with St. Louis IX, also a Crusader, but more than a century later) was eager to launch a crusade to retake Edessa and prevent a Moslem recapture of Jerusalem (31:47 N 35:13 E). He asked Bernard for help, and Bernard refused. He then asked the Pope to order Bernard to preach a Crusade. The pope gave the order, and Bernard preached, with spectacular results. Whole villages were emptied of able-bodied males as Bernard preached and his listeners vowed on the spot to head for Palestine and defend the Sacred Shrines with their lives.

The preaching of the Crusade had an ugly side-effect. In the Rhineland, a monk named Raoul wandered about telling crowds that if they were going to fight for the faith, the logical first step was to kill the Jews who were near at hand. There were anti-Jewish riots in Mainz (50:00 N 8:16 E, in the Rhineland), where the archbishop sheltered the Jews, or many of them, in his palace, and sent an urgent message to Bernard to come before both he and they were killed. Bernard came. He called Raoul arrogant and without authority, a preacher of mad and heretical doctrines, a liar and a murderer. Then he he got nasty. Raoul sneaked off the scene, and the riots were over. From that day to this, Bernard has been remembered among Rhineland Jews and their descendants as an outstanding example of a "righteous Gentile," and many of them (e.g. Bernard Baruch) bear his name.

As for the Crusade, things went wrong from the start. The various rulers leading the movement were distrustful of one another and not disposed to work together. Of the soldiers who set out (contemporary estimates vary from 100,000 to 1,500,000), most died of disease and starvation before reaching their goal, and most of the remainder were killed or captured soon after their arrival. The impact on Bernard was devastating, and so was the impact on Europe.

In 1153, Bernard journeyed to reconcile the warring provinces Metz (around 49:00 N 6:10 E) and Lorraine (around 49:00 N 5:30 E). He persuaded them to peace and to an agreement drawn up under his mediation, and then, in failing health, returned home to die.
If Bernard in controversy was fierce and not always fair, it partly because he was a man of intense feeling and dedication, quick to respond to any real or supposed threat to what he held sacred. It is his devotional writings, not his polemical ones, that are still read today. Among the hymns attributed to him are the Latin originals of "O Sacred Head, sore wounded," "Jesus, the very thought of Thee," "O Jesus, joy of loving hearts," "Wide open are Thy hands (to pay with more than gold the awful debt of guilt and sin, forever and of old--see the Lutheran Book of Worship et alibi)," and "O Jesus, King most wonderful." [for these hymns, see the Cyberhymnal]. His sermons on the Song of Songs, treated as an allegory of the love of Christ, are his best-known long work.

***By James Kiefer at http://www.missionstclare.com/***

THE COLLECT FOR ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX


O God, by whose providence blessed Bernard was sent to guide thy people in the way of everlasting salvation : grant we beseech thee, that as we have learned of him the doctrine of life on earth, so we may be found worthy to have him for our advocate in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

15 AUGUST 08

THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

THURSDAY AFTER TRINITY XII

15 AUGUST 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 137:1-6 & 138; II Samuel 9:1-9, 13; Luke 23:50-24:12

Holy Eucharist: Ecclesiasticus 24:7-15a; St. Luke 10:38-42

Evening Prayer: Psalm 144; Ecclesiasticus 1:1-10; Romans 14:13-end

REFLECTION

Today is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the day in which we commemorate the death, or falling asleep in the Lord, of the Mother of God. In the ikon above you see the body of the Blessed Virgin laying in repose, and her soul wrapped in swaddling clothes in the arms of our Lord, and her Lord and Son.

Take time today to consider the depths of love our Lord has for both body and soul, and the meaning contained in the ikon above.

From a Sermon by St. Johnn of Damascus:

"This day the Ark of the living God even the holy and living Ark, wherein once its own Maker had been held, is borne to its resting place in that Temple of the Lord which is not made with hands. Her ancestor David leapeth before it. And in the company with him the Angels dance, the Archangels sing aloud, the Virtues ascribe glory, the Principalities shout for joy, the Powers make merry, the Dominions rejoice, the thrones keep holiday, the Cherubim utter praise, and the Seraphim proclaim its glory. This day the Eden of the new Adam receiveth her who was the living garden of delight, wherein the condemnation was annulled, wherein the Tree of Life was planted, wherein our nakedness was covered."

Be blessed in Christ!

Fr. Greg

THE COLLECT FOR THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION

We beseech thee, O Lord ; mercifully to forgive the sins of thy people ; that we, who of ourselves can do nothing that is acceptable unto thee, may be succoured by the intercession of the Mother of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

THE COLLECT FOR THE TWELTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve; Pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy; forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

SAINT OF THE DAY

None for today

10 AUGUST 08

THE TWELTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

10 AUGUST 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 139; Ecclesiasticus 15:11-end; Philippians 2:12-18

Holy Eucharist: II Corinthians 3:4-9; St. Mark 7:31-37

Evening Prayer: Psalm 27; Tobit 13:1-5, 7-11; Romans 15:14-21

REFLECTION

Today's reading the the Gospel, found in the Holy Eucharist, is about Jesus' healing of the man who is mute and deaf. Jesus takes this man aside an in a very tangible way heals him. His ears and tongue are released. Those who observe this healing are charged not to talk about it, but they are simply unable to contain what they have heard and seen. They proclaim the works of Jesus all around.

You and I are often deaf and mute. So often we are not able to hear the call of the Lord to speak lovingly of His truth, peace, and mercy to us individually as well as to the entire creation. Our mouths remain silent out of fear or cynicism. So often we turn a deaf ear to the pain of the world around us. Our hearts do not break at the sin and brokenness of creation: individual lives, political systems, economics, wars between nations, the poor, the environment, the homeless, the hungry, those wrongly imprisoned, division in families, sexual brokenness, the preying of the powerful on the vulnerable, etc., etc., etc.

Today, ask the Lord to come close to you and heal your hearing and speaking. Ask that you might grow in the healthy fear/awe of the Lord. Ask that you grow in courage, that you might boldly proclaim the love and mercy of the Lord to all those who will be willing to hear about their need for His healing in their lives. Ask that your hearing be sensitive to the pain of people's lives around you, and to the brokenness of all creation around us. Truly, may our hearing and speech be loosed by the Lord's work of grace in our lives!

Be blessed in Christ!

Fr. Greg

THE COLLECT FOR THE TWELTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve; Pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy; forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr (225-258)




Laurence (or Lawrence) was chief of the seven deacons of the congregation at Rome, the seven men who, like Stephen and his companions (Acts 6:1-6), were in charge of administering the church budget, particularly with regard to the care of the poor. In 257, the emperor Valerian began a persecution aimed chiefly at the clergy and the laity of the upper classes. All Church property was confiscated and meetings of Christians were forbidden. The bishop of Rome, Sixtus II, and most of his clergy were executed on 7 August 258, and Laurence on the 10th. This much from the near-contemporary records of the Church. The accounts recorded about a century later by Ambrose (see 7 Dec) and the poet Prudentius say that, as Sixtus was being led to his death, Laurence followed him, saying, "Will you go to heaven and leave me behind?" and that the bishop replied, "Be comforted, you will follow me in three days." They go on to say that the Roman prefect, knowing that Laurence was the principal financial officer, promised to set him free if he would surrender the wealth of the Church. Laurence agreed, but said that it would take him three days to gather it. During those three days, he placed all the money at his disposal in the hands of trustworthy stewards, and then assembled the sick, the aged, and the poor, the widows and orphans of the congregation, presented them to the prefect, and said, "These are the treasures of the Church." The enraged prefect ordered him to be roasted alive on a gridiron. Laurence bore the torture with great calmness, saying to his executioners at one time, "You may turn me over; I am done on this side." The spectacle of his courage made a great impression on the people of Rome, and made many converts, while greatly reducing among pagans the belief that Christianity was a socially undesirable movement that should be stamped out. The details of these later accounts have been disputed, on the grounds that a Roman citizen would have been beheaded. However, it is not certain that Laurence was a citizen, or that the prefect could be counted on to observe the law if he were. More serious objections are these: (1) The detailed accounts of the martyrdom of Laurence confuse the persecution under Decius with the persecution under Valerian, describing the latter, not as an emperor, but as the prefect of Rome under the emperor Decius. (2) We have early testimony that Bishop Sixtus and his deacons were not led away to execution, but were summarily beheaded on the scene of their arrest.

For these reasons, the Bollandist Pere Delahaye and others believe that Laurence was simply beheaded in 258 with his bishop and fellow deacons. On this theory, it remains unexplained how he became so prominent and acquired so elaborate an account of his martyrdom. Lawrence's emblem in art is (naturally) a gridiron.

***by James Kiefer at http://www.satucket.com/***

THE COLLECT FOR ST. LAWRENCE

Almighty God, who didst call thy deacon Laurence to serve thee with deeds of love, and didst give him the crown of martyrdom: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, following his example, may fulfil thy commandments by defending and supporting the poor, and by loving thee with all our hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

7 AUGUST 08

THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS

THURSDAY AFTER TRINITY XI

7 AUGUST 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 92; II Samuel 4:1, 5, 7-12; Luke 22:31-46

Holy Eucharist: Acts 4:8-12; Luke 2:21-33

Evening Prayer: Psalm 90; Habbakuk 1:2-4, 12-2:4; Romans 10

REFLECTION

From a Sermon by St. Bernard the Abbot:

"This is the Name which the Apostle was commanded to bear before Gentiles and kings and the Children of Israel, the Name which he bore as a light to enlighten his people, crying everywhere : The night is far spent, the day is at hand ; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let usu put on theh armour of light ; let us walk honestly as in the day. To all men heh pointed out this Name as a candle set upon a candle-stick, preaching in every place Jesus and him crucified. Yea, that Name shone forth and dazzled every eye thath beheld it. Did it not come like lightning out of the mouth of Peter to give bodily strength to the feet of the lame man, and to clear the sight of many a blind soul? Cast he not fire when he said : In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk?"

***From The Anglican Breviary***

THE COLLECT FOR THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS

O God, who didst ordain that thin only-begotten Son should be the Saviour of the world, and didst command that his Name should be called Jesus : mercifully grant, that we who worship his holy Name on earth, may at length behold him face to face in heaven. Where he liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE COLLECT FOR THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

O God, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SAINT OF THE DAY

None for today

6 AUGUST 08

THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

TUESDAY AFTER TRINITY XI

6 AUGUST 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 27; Exodus 34:29-end; II Corinthians 3

Holy Eucharist: 2 Peter 1:13-18; Luke 9:28-36

Evening Prayer: Psalm 97, 99; I Kings 19:1-12; II Corinthians 4:1-6

REFLECTION

From a Sermon by St. Leo the Pope

"The Lord took chosen witnesses, and in thei rpresence revealed his glory. That is to say, the form of body which he had in common with other men, he so transfigured with light, that his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment became exceeding white, even as snow. Now the chief purpose of this Transfiguration was to remove from the hearts of the disciples their fear of the Cross. So, before their eyes, was unveiled the splendour of his hidden majesty, that the lowliness of his freely-chosen suffering might now confound their faith. But nonetheless there was also thus set forth, by the providence of God, a sure and certain hope for holy Church, whereby the whole Body of Christ should know with what great a change it is yet to be honoured. For the members of that Body whose Head hath already been transfigured in light may promise themselves a share in his glory."

***From The Anglican Breviary***

THE COLLECT FOR THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION

O God, who on the mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thine only-begotten Son wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistering; Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may be permitted to behold the King in his beauty, who with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

THE COLLECT FOR THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

O God, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SAINT OF THE DAY

None for today

5 AUGUST 08

MONDAY AFTER TRINITY XI

5 AUGUST 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 73; II Samuel 1:1-16; Luke 22:1-13

Evening Prayer: Psalm 78; Nahum 2; Romans 8:28-end

REFLECTION

Today's reading from the Gospel, found in Morning Prayer, tells of Jesus' sending of disciples before him to prepare for the Passover. As you are reading this Gospel, consider the ways you prepare to come to the Lord's Table every Sunday. What are those ways you prepare? Why is this preparation so helpful to you? Are there ways you might be able to better prepare for such a wonderful and powerful experience of God's grace and mercy? If you really don't think about, or have active ways for, preparing for Holy Eucharist on Sunday...why not? Are there ways you might be able to intentionally eek out a littlel time every day for such preparation. Our daily lives really are supposed to be a living extension of what we do for an hour or so on Sunday morning.

Be blessed in Christ!

Fr. Greg

THE COLLECT FOR THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

O God, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Oswald, King and Martyr (604-642)



Oswald was the son of Ethelfrid the Ravager, King of the Northumbrians. After his father had been slain in battle by Redwald, King of the East Angles, he was carried into exile in Scotland, where he was taught the Faith of Christ and baptized. When he returned to his own country he found Cadwalla, King of the Britons, pitifully wasting everything. This Cadwalla had already slain three kings of the English, and was seeking to destroy all of that nation. Oswald gathered together a small army and, placing his trust in God, bravely attacked the countless hosts of the enemy. Before he joined battle he set up the standard of the Cross of the Lord with his own hands, knelt down, and prayed God to help a righeous war for the saving of the fatherland. He exhorted all his soldiers to do likewise, and so they did ; and all promised that if God granted them the victory they would believe in him who had been crucified. Thereupon they obtained an easy victory, and crushed the tyrant with all his legions. And the place where this Sign of the Cross was set up was afterwards called in the English language Heaven's Field ; and pieces of the wood of this cross which Oswald erected were believed to have been the occasion of many miracles in later times. Oswald being thus placed in possession of his kingdom was fain that all that nations should receive the grace of Christian belief. Hence he sent forthwith into Scotland, praying them to send him a bishop, by whose teaching and ministry the English people might receive the Faith and Sacraments of Christ. Whereupon there was sent unto him blessed Aidan, unto whom the King granted at his own prayer the Island of Lindisfarne to be the See of his Bishoprick. After Aidan came many other gospel-preachers, especially from the Island of Iona. By their preaching and the support given to them from the godliness and zeal of the King, Christ's own kingdom was wonderfully spread abroad in all the country between the Humber and the Forth ; churches were built in divers places, schools set up for the teaching of children, and monasteries founded by the King's bounty, so that the English might learn not only the greater studies but also the institutes of regular discipline. The King himself listened to the preaching of Aidan, and humbly and cheerfully granted all his wishes, and by his own illustrious example did much to set forward the cause of the Church throughout all his dominions. Now Aidan could not speak Englishh well, and when he was preaching the Gospel there could often be seen the lovely spectacle of the King himself interpreting the heavenly Word to his own officers and servants. Thus did this most devout King Oswald shew himself a loyal and ready subject of the eternal King of kings, and by this he was glorified as regards his temporal dominion more than all that had been before him, so that nearly all the provinces of all Britain came under his sway ; and nevertheless he was never tainted with pride, but was always lowly, kindly, and open-handed to Christ's poor and to strangers. When he had happily reigned for eight years he was encompassed in battle by heathen rebels ; and when he saw that he was bound to perish, he called for the divine mercy for himself and for the souls of them that were about to slay him ; namely, in the year of Christ 642, and of his own age the thirty-eighth, upon the 5th day of August, upon the which day mention is made of his memory in the Martyrology. How precious was his death in the sight of the Lord became afterwards manifest by countless miracles obtained through his intercession.

***From The Anglican Breviary***

THE COLLECT FOR ST. OSWALD

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast hallowed this day to be a day of gladness and rejoicing by the Martyrdom of thy blessed Saint King Oswald : we pray thee, pour into our hearts such an increase of thy charity, that like as we do honour his glorious battle for thy Faith, so we may imitate him in constancy even unto death. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.