Training & Practice for Darkness

Wednesday, April 4, 2007 -- Holy Week

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 956)
Psalms 55 (morning) 74 (evening)
Jeremiah 17:5-10, 14-17
Philippians 4:1-13
John 12:27-36

Soldiers train so that in the day of battle they will react to any threat with responsive courageousness. Athletes practice to refine their muscle memory so they can perform with skill under pressure.

We are at Wednesday of Holy Week. We are on the cusp of the fateful events that will bring Jesus into his ultimate moment. Each of today's readings sets some foundation for facing challenge.

Jeremiah poses the alternatives of trusting "mere mortals" or trusting God. He begs God to heal him; save him. A powerful cloud overshadows him. "Do not become a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster." He is preparing himself to face the darkness.

Paul is closing his letter to the Philippians, a letter that addresses a community in conflict. He urges them to cooperate. Then he establishes a firm foundation for a healthy life in the community: "Rejoice in the Lord always... Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Standing up on such a foundation, their hearts will be guarded by divine peace. "Finally, beloved, what ever is true, ...honorable, ...just, ...pure, ...pleasing, ...commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." This is Paul's regimen of spiritual practice. He tells his friends, "Keep on doing the things you have learned and received and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you." He knows it works, for he says "I have learned to be content with whatever I have. ...I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Finally we see Jesus. He tells the crowd to walk in the light while they can. "While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." The shadow of darkness is approaching. If there will be light present in the darkness, it will be the light that we can bring to the situation. Only if you are a child of the light can you experience light when facing the darkness.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.