Practicing Christianity

Friday, June 22, 2007 -- Week of Proper 6
(Alban, First Martyr of Britain, c. 304)

"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

NEW-- Audio Podcasts of today's "Morning Reflection" and those from the past week are available from http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id244.html (go to St. Paul's Home Page stpaulsfay.org and click "Morning Reflection podcast")


Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 970)
Psalms 88 (morning) 91, 92 (evening)
1 Samuel 3:1-21
Acts 2:37-47
Luke 21:5-19

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." Acts 2:42

"Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?" The Baptismal Covenant, Book of Common Prayer.

Luke's description of the life of the early church is at the center of our Baptismal Covenant. The Baptismal Covenant is the church's summary of our calling, a description of Christian life. The passage from Acts 2:42 is the first question following the Apostles' Creed. The other questions are as follows:

"Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

"Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?

"Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

"Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?"

The answer to each question is, "I will, with God's help."

The Covenant is about as economical a description of Christian calling as any that I know of.

Luke continues to describe the common life that early Christians committed themselves to. It comes as a surprise to many that the early church members "would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need." Luke says that "all who believe were together and had all things in common." The description is not unlike Communist economic theory. That's not something many Westerners are comfortable with. Since at least the late 19th century there's always been a Christian Socialist movement within the Western Church, however.

The new life in Christ given by the Holy Spirit is a different way of being in the world. Throughout Christian history, disciples have practiced their faith by committing to some form of discipline or rule. At St. Paul's we encourage people to adopt some form of personal rule related to a five-point corporate Rule of Life. "We aspire to worship weekly, pray daily, learn constantly, serve joyfully, live generously."

How does our Rule of life, the Baptismal Covenant, and Luke's description of the early church practice inform your discipline and commitment? What does it mean to you to live as a follower of Christ?

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

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