Beginning the Day

Tuesday, May 8, 2007 -- Week of 5 Easter
(Dame Julian of Norwich, c. 1417)

"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. 962)
Psalms 61, 62 (morning) 68:1-20 (21-23) 24-36 (evening)
Wisdom 10:1-4 (5-12) 13-21
Romans 12:1-21
Luke 8:1-15


Our readings are so rich today that I feel over satiated. The 12th chapter of Romans is particularly compelling.

"Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." What a wonderful resolution to begin the day -- to offer myself completely to God as an act of worship.

"We who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another." We begin the day seeing ourselves in organic union with all others to constitute the body of Christ. Each of us is different; we have different gifts and tasks. Each of us is similar; we belong to the body.

"Let love be genuine; ...hold fast to what is good... Rejoice in hope, be patient and suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers." A pro-active, positive ethic.

And, what to do about conflict and problems? "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ... Beloved, never avenge yourselves, ... for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' No, ' if your enemies are hungry, feed them'... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

When I read Paul's advice about overcoming evil with good, I wish we could push the clock back and start over with our response to the attacks of September 11. What if we had taken advantage of the sympathy and concern that the whole world expressed toward us to inspire a worldwide response of generosity and care? What if we had used the moral goodwill we had earned to broker a just peace between Israel and Palestine; to respond to the desperate needs of those who suffer so bitterly that they are vulnerable to the destructive message the terrorists. What if we had left vengeance to God and overcome evil with good? I daresay we would be in better condition than we are today.

Paul says, "If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Or, as the popular song goes, "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me." So, I can begin my day offering myself completely to God as an act of worship, recognizing myself in organic union with all others in the body of Christ, living generously with hope and love, and trying to do my part to overcome evil with good. That is how the Kingdom of God can be present in my immediate vicinity.

Today is the feast of Dame Julian of Norwich. She lived during the Black Death and during fierce church conflicts and scandals. In one of her visions she is asked to hold a hazelnut. When she asks God "what is this?" she hears the answer, "It is all that exists." She marvels that such a small thing can continue exist at all. Then she realizes that the reason that the universe continues to exist is because "God made it; God loves it; and God keeps it."

"'Wouldst thou learn the Lord's meaning in this thing? Learn it well. Love was his meaning. Who showed it thee? Love. What showed he thee? Love. Wherefore showed it he? For Love. Hold thee therein and thou shalt learn and know more in the same.' Thus it was I learned that Love was our Lord's meaning."

"I can make all things well; I will make all things well; I shall make all things well; and thou canst see for thyself that all manner of things shall be well."

Lowell
______________________

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the "Morning Reflections" email list,
go to our Subscriptions page -- http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id137.html

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

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.