Sunday, July 27, 2008

27 JULY 08


THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

27 JULY 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 145; Ecclesiasticus 1:1-10; John 8:25-36

Mass: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Luke 19:41-47a

Evening Prayer: Psalm 15, 46; Isaiah 44:1-8, 21-23; Romans 12:1-9

REFLECTION

Take a moment to look at the image at the top of this post. Imagine you are actually standing nearby, watching Jesus as he weeps over Jerusalem. What is it you feel? Do you sense and share His sadness, His anguish for the hopes he has for His people.

Consider for a moment that your heart represents Jerusalem and the holy Temple. Does your heart resemble that so-called city of peace, that place wherein God's presence was profoundly to be experienced, that place where sacrifice took place? Or, rather, is your heart more like what Jesus found in Jerusalem and the Temple...full of doubt, fear, cynicism, lust for power and prestige, full of oppression and depression, full of cheating, abounding with the shell of true religion...but empty and dead on the inside? Do we find Jesus weeping over the Jerusalem and Temple of our hearts?

Our hearts do not have to experience the same end that Jerusalem experienced in A.D. 70. We have the opportunity to change, to be transformed by repentance. We have the chance to clean our the cobwebs of our minds and hearts so that they may be renewed with the cleansing of the presence of the Holy Spirit, so that we may truly seek out Christ in true religion, in true sacrifice of ourselves for the will of Christ in our lives. Take time today to find a good place, alongside Jesus, to view the Jerusalem and Temple of your heart. What do you see, and what do you need to transform? Take time to truly listen to the Lord as He tell you His desires...His will...His dreams for your life.

Fr. Greg

THE COLLECT FOR THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Let thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SAINT OF THE DAY

None for today

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

25 JULY 08


FRIDAY AFTER TRINITY IX

25 JULY 08

LECTIONARY READING

Morning Prayer: Psalm 22; 1 Samuel 17:28-40; Luke 19:1-10

Evening Prayer: Psalm 25; Micah 2; Roman 3:21-end

REFLECTION
The last couple of days I have spent time visiting with family in Tulsa, OK. My Aunt Betty had an operation to amputate the lower part of her left leg due to a severe case of the MRSA virus she acquired about a year ago. The doctor did everything he could to save the foot and leg, but the time arrived where we had to be realistic about the fact that the healing process had reached a plateau. All of the various antibiotics were not working satisfactorily.
Thoughout this past year there have been definite frustrations that my Aunt Betty has experienced. She has undergone a great deal of medication, several hospitalisations, has nearly been restricted to her house because of the IV medications and deteriorization of her ankle which caused her great difficulty in mobility. Even with the rough days, she has been a real trouper and has kept great hope in the midst of it all.
Even though the amputation is now complete, my Aunt still has great hope for the upcoming weeks and months. As my Niece, Miranda, has been saying, "Each hurdle that is crossed is a little victory." Well, there will continue to be a few more hurdles and victories to look forward to.
On my way back to our farm in the Ozarks this afternoon, I thought about how my Aunt's journey this past year is like our journey of discipleship with the Lord. There are very good patches of the journey where it seems progress is easily made, and then there are stretches of the journey that seem so very rocky and progress seems slow at best. Yet, like my Aunt, we can see these difficult parts of the journey with hope.
I also want to state emphatically how important family is. When a member of our family is going through difficult times, we should surround them with our love and support in whatever way we can. It is the same with the family of faith. When a member of our family of faith experiences difficulty, we should surround them with support, love, and mercy so that they might find healing even sooner. May we always strive to love with great mercy and healing compassion.
Fr. Greg

THE COLLECT FOR THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as are right; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SAINT OF THE DAY

St. James, Apostle (1st century)


James the son of Zebedee and his brother John were among the twelve disciples of Our Lord. They, together with Peter, were privileged to behold the Transfiguration (M 17:1 = P 9:2 = L 9:28), to witness the healing of Peter's mother-in-law (P 1:29) and the raising of the daughter of Jairus (P 5:37 = L 8:51), and to be called aside to watch and pray with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane on the night before His death (M 26:37 = P 14:33).
James and John were apparently from a higher social level than the average fisherman. Their father could afford hired servants (P 1:20), and John (assuming him to be identical with the "beloved disciple") had connections with the high priest (J 18:15). Jesus nicknamed the two brothers "sons of thunder" (P 3:17), perhaps meaning that they were headstrong, hot-tempered, and impulsive; and so they seem to be in two incidents reported in the Gospels. On one occasion (L 9:54ff), Jesus and the disciples were refused the hospitality of a Samaritan village, and James and John proposed to call down fire from heaven on the offenders. On another occasion (M 20:20-23 = P 10:35-41), they asked Jesus for a special place of honor in the Kingdom, and were told that the place of honor is the place of suffering.
Finally, about AD 42, shortly before Passover (Acts 12), James was beheaded by order of King Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great (who tried to kill the infant Jesus--Matthew 2), nephew of Herod Antipas (who killed John the Baptist--Mark 6--and examined Jesus on Good Friday--Luke 23), and father of Herod Agrippa II (who heard the defence of Paul before Festus--Acts 25). James was the first of the Twelve to suffer martyrdom, and the only one of the Twelve whose death is recorded in the New Testament.

James is often called James Major (= greater or elder) to distinguish him from other New Testament persons called James. Tradition has it that he made a missionary journey to Spain, and that after his death his body was taken to Spain and buried there. at Compostela (a town the name of which is commonly thought to be derived from the word "apostle", although a Spanish-speaking listmember reports having heard it derived from "field of stars", which in Latin would be campus stellarum). His supposed burial place there was a major site of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages, and the Spaniards fighting to drive their Moorish conquerors out of Spain took "Santiago de Compostela!" as one of their chief war-cries. (The Spanish form of "James" is "Diego" or "Iago". In most languages, "James" and "Jacob" are identical. Where an English Bible has "James," a Greek Bible has IAKWBOS.)

***by James Kiefer at www. satucket.com***

THE COLLECT FOR ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE

O gracious God, we remember before thee this day thy servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that thou wilt pour out upon the leaders of thy Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among thy people; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

24 JULY 08


THURSDAY AFTER TRINITY IX

24 JULY 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 10; 1 Samuel 17:17-27; Luke 18:31-end

Evening Prayer: Psalm 21:1-6 & 24; Micah 1:1-7a; Romans 3:1-20

REFLECTION

Today's Gospel reading, found in Morning Prayer, tells about Jesus walking toward Jerusalem. Along the way a blind man cries out, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me." Jesus has compassion on him and heals him.

With the many things in life that plague us with physical, emotional, spiritual, and moral illness, do we cry out to the Lord for His mercy? What are those things in your life that worry you, that you carry around as a weight on your back, that stresses you out, that depresses you? Write them down and decide what you want to do about them. You can either continue to try to carry the load by yourself, or you can invite the Lord's mercy into your life and thereby cooperate with His grace to find healing.

What about the people in your life that cry out in various to you for mercy? In what way are you Jesus to them? Do you provide mercy, and if not, why not? How might you change that?

Have a blessed day in Christ!

Fr. Greg

THE COLLECT FOR THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as are right; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SAINT OF THE DAY

None for today

Monday, July 21, 2008

22 JULY 08


TUESDAY AFTER TRINITY IX
22 JULY 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 5; 1 Samuel 16:14-end; Luke 18:1-14

Evening Prayer: Psalm 16, 20; Esther 6; Romans 2:1-16

REFLECTION

Gospel: Luke 7:36-50

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found. Twas blind, but now I see."

I don't know about you, but the first stanza of the hymn Amazing Grace is so powerful in its truth. In much the same way, I find the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene full of hope. It is a feast that shines brightly to the world around us, as well as to those of us in the Church. It is a true story of a person, as woman, whose sins were very great. Not only was she caught up, for whatever reasons, in the web of the sins of the flesh, scripture says that our Lord also cast out seven demons from her.

In today's Gospel lesson we find Jesus sharing a meal with a Pharisee. Suddenly Mary Magdalene arrives with a box of ointment, weeping, and she washes Jesus' feet, dries them with her hair, and applies ointment. The Pharisee is shocked that Jesus would let this unclean woman touch him, or even be in his presence. Jesus tells a parable of a creditor who had two debtors. One owed much, the other not as much. The creditor forgives the debts of both debtors. The bottom line of the parable is that the debtor who owed much loved Jesus most because of the great debt he had that was forgiven. Jesus likens Mary Magdalene to the debtor who owed much.

Mary desires to be clean, to be forgiven, to be renewed and refreshed in our mind, heart and soul. The redirects her passions from those sins of the flesh to seeking out Jesus so that she might passionately find forgiveness and solace for our soul. She passionately shows her gratitude to Jesus by her actions.

What about you and me? Have we sought out Jesus with the same passion and desire to be cleansed of our sins, to be transformed into the likeness of Christ? Do our lives reflect Christ in such a way to the world we come into contact with that Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life? Do our lives reflect the grace, mercy, compassion, and love that can only transform our hearts and minds from that which we have allowed it to become, to that which God would have us to be? Are we ready to clean out all the cobwebs and skeletons we harbour in the dark closets of our lives by shining the light of God's grace and mercy? Are our lives a reflection of Jesus in such a way that those around us passionately desire to seek out Jesus as St. Mary Magdalene did?

St. Mary Magdalene went on to become an Apostle to the Apostle on that first Easter morning. After Jesus ascended into heaven, she continued to be a vibrant and powerful witness to the people who knew her of the life transforming power of our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Eastern Orthodox Church considers who "Equal to the Apostles" because of her bright witness of Jesus to the world. May we passionately follow after her example and seek to be witnesses to God's amazing grace!

Fr. Greg

THE COLLECT FOR THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as are right; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Mary Magdalene, Penitent (1st century)

Mary Magdalene is mentioned in the Gospels as being among the women of Galilee who followed Jesus and His disciples, and who was present at His Crucifixion and Burial, and who went to the tomb on Easter Sunday to annoint His body. She was the first to see the Risen Lord, and to announce His Resurrection to the apostles. Accordingly, she is referred to in early Christian writings as "the apostle to the apostles."
Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany (sister of Martha and Lazarus), and the unnamed penitent woman who annointed Jesus's feet (Luke 7:36-48) are sometimes supposed to be the same woman. From this, plus the statement that Jesus had cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:2), has risen the tradition that she had been a prostitute before she met Jesus.
Because of the assumption that Mary Magdalene had been a spectacular sinner, and also perhaps because she is described as weeping at the tomb of Jesus on the Resurrection morning, she is often portrayed in art as weeping, or with eyes red from having wept. From this appearance we derive the English word "maudlin", meaning "effusively or tearfully sentimental." There is a Magdalen College at Oxford, and a Magdalene College at Cambridge (different spelling), both pronounced "Maudlin."

THE COLLECT FOR ST. MARY MAGDALENE
Merciful Father, give us grace that we never presume to sin through the example of any creature : but if it shall chance us at any time to offend thy divine majesty, that then we may truly repent, and lament the same after the example of Mary Magdalene ; and by lively faith obtain remission of all our sins. through the only merits of thy Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Who liveth and reigneth with thee. One God, world without end. Amen.

Friday, July 18, 2008

19 JULY 08



SATURDAY AFTER TRINITY VIII

19 JULY 08


LECTIONARY READINGS


Morning Prayers: Psalm 145: 1 Samuel 15:24-34; Luke 17:11-19


Evening Prayers: Psalm 147; Esther 4:1, 5-17; Acts 28:16-end


REFLECTIONS

In the Gospel lesson today from Morning Prayer we find Jesus meeting a group of ten lepers along the way. Lepers were complete outcasts from their society, seen as unclean, sinful, and to be avoided at all costs. Yet, Jesus has compassion on them and enters into their world. Going against the grain of Jewish culture and religious law, Jesus comes close to these lepers by listening to their story...and by healing them.

So that these men might enjoy the benefits of being reintegrated into mainstream society, Jesus sends them to the priests of the Temple so the priests might see them and declare them clean...healed. After they are declared clean, only one of them returns to Jesus out of deep gratitude. Jesus sends him on his way declaring, "...your faith has made you whole."

Why are we so afraid to enter into the lives of those our society, even some religious authorities, declare unclean, especially when we have these kinds of examples that our Lord has lived before us? Are there people who are so unclean, so unworthy, as not to merit the compassion of our Lord? What about our compassion?

Are there people in your life that live on the fringe, the margin, the edge of accepted society who need healing? Are you willing to simply follow the example of Jesus and enter into relationship with such persons and begin that process of healing the Lord so desire to work through you?

Be blessed in Christ!

Fr. Greg



QUOTES TO CONSIDER




"We want to lower the bar of how church is done and raise the bar of what it means to be a disciple."

"We have come to understand the Church as this: the presence of Jesus among His people called out as a spiritual family to pursue His mission on this planet."

"Unfortunately, in most churches in the Western world the presence of the pastor is more noticeable than the presence of Jesus."

***From Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens, Neil Cole, Jossey-Bass, 2005***

THE COLLECT FOR THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY


O God, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


THE SAINT OF THE DAY


St. Vincent De Paul (1581-1660)



After graduating with a degree in theology, St. Vincent De Paul was troubled with the plight of the many poor people he came into contact with. The situation was so distressing for many families that they were leaving their young infants at churches. St. Vincent spent a lifetime establishing homes for orphans and organisations that assisted the poor, of which several remain to this day. His body remain incorrupt.

THE COLLECT FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

O God, who didst endue thy blessed Saint Vincent with apostolic virtue, to the intent that he should preach thy Gospel to the poor, and stablish the honour of the priesthood of thy Church : grant, we beseech thee ; that we may so hold in reverence his works of righteousness, that we may learn to follow the patern of his godly conversation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

17 JULY 08


THURSDAY AFTER TRINITY VIII

17 JULY 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 128, 129; 1 Samuel 15:1-9; Luke 16:19-end

Evening Prayer: Psalm 132, 134; Esther 2:5-8, 17-23; Acts 27:27-end

REFLECTION

Today, read the Gospel reading found in Morning Prayer. Read it through several times, slowly. Take time out today to take a very close look at the image at the top of this post as it relates to the Gospel reading today. What do you see? Are you more like the Rich Man, or are you more like Lazarus? Who are the Lazarus' in your daily life?

Fr. Greg

QUOTES TO CONSIDER










"It is not the local church that will change the world; it is Jesus. Attendance on Sundays does not transform lives; Jesus within their hearts is what changes people."
"Instead of bringing people to church so that we can bring them to Christ, let's bring Christ to people where they live. we may find that new church will grow out of such an enterprise, a church that is more centered in life and the workplace, where the Gospel is supposed to make a difference. What will happen if we plant the seed of the Kingdom of God in the places where life happens and where society is formed."
"If you want to win this world for Christ, you are going to have to sit in the smoking section. That is where lost people are found and if you make them put their cigarette out to hear the message they will be thinking about only one thing: 'When can I get another cigarette.'"
"The heart of our message is that God didn't expect us to come to Him in heaven. He came to us. He lived life on our terms and on our turf."
***From Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens, Neil Cole, Jossey-Bass, 2005***
THE COLLECT FOR THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

O God, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Alexius, Confessor (5th century)

St Alexis was born at Rome into the family of the pious and poverty-loving Euphemianus and Aglais. The couple was childless for a long time and constantly prayed the Lord to grant them a child. And the Lord consoled the couple with the birth of their son Alexis. At six years of age the child began to read and successfully studied the mundane sciences, but it was with particular diligence that he read Holy Scripture. When he was a young man, he began to imitate his parents: he fasted strictly, distributed alms and beneath his fine clothing he secretly wore a hair shirt. Early on there burned within him the desire to leave the world and serve God. His parents, however, had arranged for Alexis to marry a beautiful and virtuous bride. On his wedding night, Alexis gave her his ring and his belt (which were very valuable) and said, "Keep these things, Beloved, and may the Lord be with us until His grace provides us with something better." Secretly leaving his home, he boarded a ship sailing for Mesopotamia. Arriving in the city of Edessa, where the Icon of the Lord "Not-made-by-Hands" (August 16) was preserved, Alexis sold everything that he had, distributed the money to the poor and began to live near the church of the Most Holy Theotokos under a portico. The saint used a portion of the alms he received to buy bread and water, and he distributed the rest to the aged and infirm. Each Sunday he received the Holy Mysteries. The parents sought the missing Alexis everywhere, but without success. The servants sent by Euphemianus also arrived in Edessa, but they did not recognize the beggar sitting at the portico as their master. His body was withered by fasting, his comeliness vanished, his stature diminished. The saint recognized them and gave thanks to the Lord that he received alms from his own servants. The inconsolable mother of St Alexis confined herself in her room, incessantly praying for her son. His wife also grieved with her in-laws. St Alexis dwelt in Edessa for seventeen years. Once, the Mother of God spoke to the sacristan of the church where the saint lived: "Lead into My church that Man of God, worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. His prayer rises up to God like fragrant incense, and the Holy Spirit rests upon him." The sacristan began to search for such a man, but was not able to find him for a long time. Then he prayed to the Most Holy Theotokos, beseeching Her to clear up his confusion. Again a voice from the icon proclaimed that the Man of God was the beggar who sat in the church portico. The sacristan found St Alexis and brought him into the church. Many recognized him and began to praise him. The saint secretly boarded a ship bound for Cilicia, intending to visit the church of St Paul in Tarsus. But God ordained otherwise. A storm took the ship far to the West and it reached the coast of Italy. The saint journeyed to Rome and decided to live in his own house. Unrecognized, he humbly asked his father's permission to settle in some corner of his courtyard. Euphemianus settled Alexis in a specially constructed cell and gave orders to feed him from his table. Living at his parental home, the saint continued to fast and he spent day and night at prayer. He humbly endured insults and jeering from the servants of his father. The cell of Alexis was opposite his wife's windows, and the ascetic suffered grievously when he heard her weeping. Only his immeasurable love for God helped the saint endure this torment. St Alexis dwelt at the house of his parents for seventeen years and the Lord revealed to him the day of his death. Then the saint, taking paper and ink, wrote certain things that only his wife and parents would know. He also asked them to forgive him for the pain he had caused them. On the day of St Alexis' death in 411, Archbishop Innocent (402-417) was serving Liturgy in the presence of the emperor Honorius (395-423). During the services a Voice was heard from the altar: "Come unto Me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Mt.11:28). All those present fell to the ground in terror. The Voice continued: "On Friday morning the Man of God comes forth from the body; have him pray for the city, that you may remain untroubled." They began to search throughout Rome, but they did not find the saint. Thursday evening the Pope was serving Vigil in the Church of St Peter. He asked the Lord to show them where to find the Man of God. After Liturgy the Voice was heard again in the temple: "Seek the Man of God in the house of Euphemianus." All hastened there, but the saint was already dead. His face shone like the face of an angel, and his hand clasped the paper, and they were unable to take it. They placed the saint's body on a cot, covered with costly coverings. The Pope and the Emperor bent their knees and turned to the saint, as to one yet alive, asking him to open his hand. And the saint heard their prayer. When the letter was read, the righteous one's wife and parents tearfully venerated his holy relics. The body of the saint was placed in the center of the city. The emperor and the Pope carried the body of the saint into the church, where it remained for a whole week, and then was placed in a marble crypt. A fragrant myrrh began to flow from the holy relics, bestowing healing upon the sick. The venerable relics of St Alexis, the Man of God, were buried in the church of St Boniface. The relics were uncovered in the year 1216.

THE COLLECT FOR ST. ALEXIUS

O God, who makest us glad with the yearly feast of blessed Alexius, thy Confessor : mercifully grant, that, as we now observe his heavenly birthday, so we may follow him in all virtuous and godly living. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Monday, July 14, 2008

15 JULY 08


TUESDAY AFTER TRINITY VIII

15 JULY 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 111, 114; 1 Samuel 11:14-12:5; Luke 15:11-end

Evening Prayer: Psalm 118; Daniel 6:9-15; Acts 26:24-27:8

REFLECTION

Today I would like to consider some thoughts on Psalm 118, found in Evening Prayer. The constant refrain we hear in this Psalm is "for His mercy endureth forever." Have you consider the characteristics of the Lord's mercy? Have you experienced His mercy? Have you seen the imprint of His mercy in the lives of other people?

The Psalmist today calls on various aspects of Israel's society, the house of Aaron, those the fear the Lord, those who are in trouble, etc., to give thanks to the Lord because they know that His mercy endures forever. The Psalmist tells us that he has been under great stress because many people have been after him, have desired to do him harm. Yet, the Lord has protected him. The Psalmist has sought the Lord's strength. In the end, the Psalmist proclaims "this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." We are shown that even though we may be experiencing all kinds of stress and difficulties in life, we can know the Lord is with us and gives us His mercy.

How might you and I share the reality of the Lord's mercy with those around us who may not know the Lord? Are there ways the Lord might use you to be His mouth piece, hands, feet, etc., of mercy to those in your life who need mercy? Truly, may our lives declare boldly that we give to the Lord for His great mercy.

Have a blessed day in Christ!

Fr. Greg


THE COLLECT FOR THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

O God, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SAINT OF THE DAY

The translation of St. Swithun, bishop, confessor (800-862)

Swithun entered the monastery of Winchester, and became a priest therein. King Egbert of the West Saxons heard of his fame and gave his son Ethelwulf into his care; and when this prince years afterwards succeeded to the kingdom, he nominated Swithun Bishop of Winchester, with the consent of the Archbishop of Canterbury and his clergy. thereafter, in his dudty towards his See, Swithun left nothing undone which is the part of a faithful shepherd. He shrank from all display and gaining of glory in the sight of men, and desired nothing more than that all the good which he did should be unknown save to God and to his own conscience. When he was dying, (to wit, on July 2nd 862), he expressed the wish that his body should be laid in the earth outside the church, under the open sky, that the feet of them that came thither might pass ofver him, and that the rain and the dew might fall upon him; and his lowly wish was carried out. Wherefrom hath sprung the belief that because of his love of both sunshine and rain, God doth ever grant his reuest for either, whichever he preferreth for his feast day, and for forty days continuously thereafter. But when the new Cathedral Church of Winchester was built, theh relicks of blessed Swithun were translated thereto, to wit, in 1093.

THE COLLECT FOR THE TRANSLATION OF ST. SWITHUN

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast made this day honourable unto us by reason of the festival of blessed Swithun thy Confessor and Bishop ; grant, we beseech thee ; that thy Church may so rejoice in this solemnity, that we which on this day do honour him on earth may by his intercession obtain thy succour in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

14 JULY 08


MONDAY AFTER TRINITY VIII

14 JULY 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 104; 1 Samuel 11:1-13; Luke 15:1-10

Evening Prayer: Psalm 116; Daniel 6:1-8; Acts 26:1-23

REFLECTION

The image above of Jesus carrying the lost sheep back is one I always find very tender. What an amazing thought to know that God considers each of us so important that if we get lost along the way, He will go searching for us until we're found. What amazing love.

Are there ever times when you feel isolated, alone, lost, confused, and not quite sure where you are or how to get back where you need to be? If so, passionately call out to the Lord that He might be able to hear the voice of His lost sheep and bring that lost sheep back to the safety and community of the fold.

Fr. Greg

THE COLLECT FOR THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

O God, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Bonaventure, bishop, confessor, doctor (1217-1274)



Little is known of the childhood of this successor of St. Francis of Assisi. Saint Bonaventure was born near Viterbo in the year 1221. His took the habit of the Friars Minor, and studied under the "Unanswerable" Doctor, Alexander of Hales. He himself is known as the "Seraphic" Doctor, teaching theology and Holy Scripture from 1248 to 1257.

St. Bonaventure was called by his priestly obligations to preach, and this he did with much vigor, engendering fire in those who listened to him. While he was at the University of Paris, he wrote the Commentary on the Sentences of Peter Lombard, covering the field of Scholastic Theology. This time in Paris was difficult though, as there was great jealousy against the medicant friars for many reasons including academic success and the ease withwhich they reproofed the worldliness around them.

Battling books were issued between the groups, with William of St. Amour leading the secular clergy, and St. Bonaventure defending the poverty of life of the Friars. Finally, Pope Alexander IV sent cardinals to settle the manner, and the books of William of St. Amour were burned, the Friars reinstated, and the attack suspended. In the following year, St. Bonaventure and St. Thomas Aquinas received their Doctorates of Theology together. (Good company) Whereas Thomas' work centers on the intellect, St. Bonaventure's texts are of a more spiritual nature, including Concerning the Perfection of Life, Soliloquy and Concerning the Threefold Way. He forms the basis of the Franciscan school of thought.

This same year of his Doctorate, 1257, St. Bonaventure was elected minister general of the Franciscans. He immediately set upon a standardization of the Order, since it had fractured into sections ranging from permissive and lax to excessively rigorist. In setting the Order straight, he formed a Constitution following a middle to conservative path. This reformed and disciplined the lax, while tempering the excesses of the rigorists. In many ways he acted almost as if he were Francis, and is still considered the Second Founder of the Order.

The saint refused the first promotion to the Episcopate, but was induced into the Cardinalate of Albano in 1273. Gregory X instructed the Saint to prepare the General Council of Lyons, and during the proceedings St. Bonaventure proved most crucial in reuniting the Greeks Catholics with Rome. He also attending the last General Chapter of the Order during the breaks in the Council. There Saint Bonaventure preached at the Reunion Mass after the council, and then died suddenly in the night of July 14-15, 1274.

THE COLLECT FOR ST. BONAVENTURE

O God, by whose providence blessed Bonaventure 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.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

13 JULY 08


THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

13 JULY 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 119:33-48; Ecclesiasticus 1:18-27; John 7:14-24

Mass: Romans 8:12-17; Matthew 7:15-21

Evening Prayer: Psalm 25; Ecclesiasticus 6:22-end; Luke 10:38-end

REFLECTION

The Gospel. St. Matthew vii. 15.

BEWARE of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

The Scriptures have much to say about false teachers. Jesus warns us not to have anything to do with a false teacher of religion. However, that is not always the easiest thing. Think of Jesus' warning to his disciples at Matt. 24:4: "Beware lest anyone mislead you. Because many will come in My name saying: 'I am the Christ' and they will deceive many." False teachers always claim that they are of Christ.

I was flipping through cannels the other day…My wife can tell you I am a typical man and I oh so love to flip channels. In fact, I’m known for my ability to run down the battery on the television remote just by flipping back and forth to “see the score of a ball game while watching something else entirely about forty times in a given hour of TV viewing”… However, the other day I stopped for a second and watched a big toothed and handsomely wavy haired fellow that had his trophy wife sitting nearby while he was speaking to a stadium full of people. I thought to myself…”What’s this fellow saying that is getting so many people excited in this stadium.” It didn’t take me long to figure it out. He was a false teacher. He was speaking about “How if you follow Jesus Christ great wealth and blessings are coming your way…You’re guaranteed to get wealth and health and all kinds of good things will happen to you if you followJesus….Well…And you need to call the toll free number flashing below on the screen.” I thought about my recent sermon regarding St. Peter. I thought about Saint Peter choosing to be a martyr. I thought about the fates of all those closest to Christ and the early Church Fathers.

-Matthew suffered martyrdom by the sword.

-Mark died after being dragged throughthe streets.

-Luke was hanged on an olive tree.

-Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downward.

-James the Greater was beheaded at Jerusalem.

-James the Lesser was thrown from the top of the Templeand beaten to death below.

-Philip was hanged against a pillar.

I could continue this list for a very long time…I believe you get the idea now. Those closest to Jesus suffered the most. This is a simple fact. Christians in the East have a wonderful saying…”Every tragedy is an opportunity to know God”. There is a story about a priest who went to the hospital and gave someone Holy Unction and guess what? They died and the family asked the priest, “How could this horrible thing happen?” The priest basically said, “God doesn’t always change the laws of physics and the material world to suit us.” Why should he? After all, God rules the universe from his perspective… not ours. I don’t ever recall reading in scripture bad things don’t happen in this world. I don’t understand how believing in Jesus is going to stop me from losing a loved one or getting my heart broken. However, entire congregations are built around such teachings. When you are the infinite (and God certainly is) you can see further ahead then we can in our hopefully seventy or eighty short years. Why do horrible things happen to people? A false teacher would say becausesomeone doesn’t have enough faith or their faith has lapsed. I would say.. “I don’t know why.” I really don‘t know. However, I DO know that God loved us so much that He came to dwell among us in the flesh and suffered and died as one of us. God gave us the way out of spiritual and permanent death in sin and suffering and that way out is through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Yes, our lives are temporary and we suffer in this life but if you believe in Christ Jesus death and suffering are temporary as well.

Fr. David

***Fr. David Straw is Asst. Rector of Trinity Anglican Church, Evansville, Indiana. Visit their website at http://www.tacuec.org/***


THE COLLECT FOR THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

O God, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Silas, Martyr (1st century)



Saint Silas was a companion and fellow labourer of the Apostle Paul: "And Paul chose Silas and departed...and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches" (Acts 15:40-41). He later became Bishop of Corinth, and reposed in peace. Saint Silvan became Bishop of Thessalonica, and also reposed in peace. Saint Crescents, whom Saint Paul mentions in his Second Epistle to Timothy(4:10), became Bishop of Chalcedon, and brought many to the Faith. As for him whom the Apostle of the Nations praises as "my well-beloved Epenetus, the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ" (Roman 16:5), he became Bishop of Carthage, and after enduring many afflictions from the idolators, and bringing many of them to Christ, he departed to the Lord.

***from www.goarch.org***

THE COLLECT FOR ST. SILAS

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that by the prayers of thy holy Martyr blessed Silas, we may be delivered from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

12 JULY 08



SATURDAY AFTER TRINITY VII


12 JULY 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 90; 1 Samuel 10:17-end; Luke 14:25-end


Evening Prayer: Psalm 96, 98; Daniel 5:17-30; Acts 25:13-end


THE COLLECT FOR THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Lord of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Grant in our hearts the love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


THE SAINT OF THE DAY


St. John Gualbert, Abbot (993-1073)




Born in Florence, Tuscany, Italy, c. 993; died at Passignano (near Florence) in 1073; canonized in 1193. Because of his birth into the noble Visdomini family, John Gualbert had no more thought of following a life of austerity and humility than did his noble Florentine friends and companions. Bred to be a soldier, he spent his time in worldly amusements. Indeed, so far from intending to follow the precepts of Our Lord, his one over-riding ambition was to avenge the murder of his elder brother, Hugh. To him this was a matter of justice and, more importantly, a matter of honor.
It happened that one Good Friday as he was riding through a narrow pass on his way to Florence, Gualbert came face to face with the man he had been seeking. The man was alone and there was no means of escape. Gualbert drew his sword and moved forward, but at his approach the murderer, in a gesture not so much of supplication as of despair, fell to his knees, threw out his arms and commended his soul to God.
Gualbert hesitated, and as he looked down on his victim he was suddenly reminded of the image of Christ suffering on the Cross and of the forgiveness which Our Lord had asked for those who murdered him. Sheathing his sword, he embraced and forgave the man. Having pardoned his brother's murderer, he saw the image of the crucifix miraculously bow its head in acknowledgement of Gualbert's good action and they separated in peace.
Continuing his journey, Gualbert went to the monastery of San Miniato del Monte in Florence where, as he prayed before the crucifix, he was filled with divine grace. He asked the abbot for permission to be admitted. But the abbot delayed, fearing the anger and resentment of Gualbert's parents. To demonstrate the seriousness of his call, Gualbert shaved his head himself and put on a habit that he had borrowed.
For the next few years he remained at San Miniato, leading the life of a penitent and hoping to end his days there; but when the abbot died and the new one bribed his way to office, he left in disgust. (Other sources say that he left with a companion to find solitude when it looked likely that he would be appointed abbot.) He wanted to find a life untouched by the current abuses in the Church: clerical concubinage, nepotism, and simony. For a while he stayed with the Camaldolesi at Saint Romuald's abbey, but then decided to make an entirely new foundation.
The abbess of Sant'Ellero gave him some land in the Vallis Umbrosa (Vallombrosa), about 20 miles east of Florence near Fiesole; and there, with the help of a few companions, he built a small and unpretentious monastery of timber. The monks followed the austere rule of Saint Benedict to the letter, except for a special provision admitting conversi, or lay- brothers who could take on the manual labor and free the choir monks for contemplation and more prayer.
He was dedicated to poverty and humility. He never became a priest, in fact, he declined even to receive minor orders. Vallombrosa inspired other communities with its hospices for the poor and sick. These became part of his new order under John's rule, in spite of rival claims to jurisdiction. In this and other ways John became involved in the reform movement in the Church, for which he was commended by popes.
Other monasteries were established, but in all cases Gualbert insisted that the buildings should be constructed as modestly and cheaply as possible and that the money saved should be given to the poor. Indeed, his zeal for charity was such that he often gave away all the monastery's supplies to the poor who came to its gates. The area in which the first monastery was located was wild and barren, but the monks planted fir and pine trees and transformed it into a parkland.
Gualbert was known for his wisdom, miracles, and prophecies. Pope Saint Leo IX, travelled specially to Passignano to speak with him, as did Stephen X. Pope Alexander II attributed the eradication of simony in his country to him. Though respected and visited by popes, Gualbert retained his humility. He died aged about 80. The congregation of Vallombrosan Benedictines that he founded spread chiefly throughout Tuscany and Lombardy, but it still exists today and includes more than six monasteries (Attwater, Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopedia, Farmer, White).
In art, Saint John Gualbert is an elderly Vallombrosan abbot with a tau-staff, book and heretic under foot. At times, he may be shown (1) with the devil under foot; (2) enthroned among Vallombrosan monks, tau staff and book of rule in hands; (3) kneeling before a crucifix, which bows towards him; (4) present at an ordeal by fire of Saint Peter Igneus; (5) watching a luxurious monastery carried away by a flood; or as a young man forgiving the murderer of his relative (Roeder). A fine altarpiece in Santa Croce, Florence, depicts four scenes from Saint John's life (Farmer).
John Gualbert is the patron on foresters and park keepers (White).
***stpatrickdc.org***

THE COLLECT FOR ST. JOHN GUALBERT

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the prayers of thy holy Abbot, blessed John may commend us unto thee : that we, who have no power of ourselves to help ourselves, may be his advocacy find favour in thy sight. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Friday, July 11, 2008

11 July 08

FRIDAY AFTER TRINITY VII

11 JULY 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 86; 1 Samuel 10:1-11; Luke 14:15-24

Evening Prayer: Psalm 91; Danuel 5:10-16; Acts 24:24-25:12
REFLECTION

Today, looking at the reading from Gospel of St. Luke found in Morning Prayer, we see Jesus giving a parable about the Kingdom of God. Again, the idea is that the Kingdom of God isn’t only something far off in the future far removed from life right now as we know it. The Kingdom of God is now, right now, and should be a part of everything we do. The parable speaks of “a certain man” who sends his servants out into the streets to invite many to dinner. All of those who are invited to dinner have excuses of one kind or another. Upon hearing of all these excuses from his servants, the man tells them to go out and to “bring in the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.” That being done, there was still room left. The servants are sent out to ”compel” others to come in and be seated at the table for a feast.
What an amazing image of the Kingdom of God. How often do we see the Church going out to invite certain people, especially those who may be said to be on the ”official” invitation list, people to the feast only to find that there are all kinds of excuses given not to be there. Do we see the Church going out to invite those who may not be on the invitation list, those we may feel are less worthy or appropriate, those we may find personally objectionable, those the world puts on a lower level of social acceptability? If not, why not? If not, do we challenge the Church to do so? In our world today, in our own neighbourhoods and cultural contexts and in various way both physically and socially…who are the poor, maimed, halt, and blind?
Dear friends in Christ, may we accept the challenge of our Lord to be about the work of the Good News of Jesus Christ to extend the invitation to EVERYONE. There will be some people who will refuse such a glorious to feast sumptuously in the Kingdom of God, but there will be many who will accept the invitation and find satisfaction, restoration, healing, and renewal. Thanks be to God!
Be blessed in Christ!

Fr. Greg

THE COLLECT FOR THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Lord of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SAINT OF THE DAY
St. Benedict, Abbot of Nursia (480-543)


It is unfortunate that no contemporary biography was written of a man who has exercised measureless influence on monasticism in the West. Benedict is well recognized in the later Dialogues of St. Gregory, but these are sketches to illustrate miraculous elements of his career.
Benedict was born of a distinguished family in central Italy, studied at Rome and early in life was drawn to the monastic life. At first he became a hermit, leaving a depressing world—pagan armies on the march, the Church torn by schism, people suffering from war, morality at a low ebb.
He soon realized that he could not live a hidden life in a small town any better than in a large city, so he withdrew to a cave high in the mountains for three years. Some monks chose him as their leader for a while, but found his strictness not to their taste. Still, the shift from hermit to community life had begun for him. He had an idea of gathering various families of monks into one “Grand Monastery” to give them the benefit of unity, fraternity, permanent worship in one house. Finally he began to build what was to become one of the most famous monasteries in the world—Monte Cassino, commanding three narrow valleys running toward the mountain.
The Rule that gradually developed prescribed a life of liturgical prayer, study, manual labor and living together in community under a common father (abbot). Benedictine asceticism is known for its moderation, and Benedictine charity has always shown concern for the people in the surrounding countryside. In the course of the Middle Ages, all monasticism in the West was gradually brought under the Rule of St. Benedict.
Today the Benedictine family is represented by two branches: the Benedictine Federation and the Cistercians.
***from americancatholic.org***
THE COLLECT FOR ST BENEDICT
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the prayers of thy holy Abbot, blessed Benedict may commend us unto thee : that we, who have no power of ourselves to help ourselves, may by his advocacy find favour in thy sight. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.