Ups and Downs
Thursday, November 11, 2010 -- Week of Proper 27, Year Two
Martin, Bishop of Tours, 397
To read about our daily commemorations, go to our Holy Women, Holy Men blog:
http://liturgyandmusic.wordpress.com/category/holy-women-holy-men/
Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p 993)
Psalms [83] or 23,27 (morning) 85, 86 (evening)
Joel 2:21-27
James 1:1-15
Luke 15:1-2, 11-32
James Finley is a favorite writer. In his early adulthood he joined the Trappist monks in the Gethsemene Abbey in Kentucky where one of his novice masters was Brother Louis, better known outside the monastery as Thomas Merton.
He remembers his regular visits with Merton. Jim says he would walk into Merton's study to hear the welcome greeting, "How are you, Jim?" "Well, not good at all. I'm very distressed about several things..." but Merton interrupted, "Don't worry about it Jim. It'll get better."
On another occasion he might enter Merton's study hearing, "How are you, Jim?" "Just great! Things have been coming together marvelously..." but Merton would quickly chime in, "Don't take it too seriously, Jim. Things will get worse."
In our reading from Joel we hear the prophet's promises in the Name of the Lord. The backdrop is a catastrophic locust plague that has destroyed the year's crop, foreshadowing famine. "Do not fear..." says the prophet to the soil, the animals and the people. God will restore what the locust has taken. "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you."
The the epistle from James we hear him tell us to consider our trials to be our joys because they produce in us greater faith and endurance. "Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up, and the rich in being brought low." Life is difficult, James seems to say, but persevere through the tests, for God gives you what you need. Resist temptation and live with deep trust in God.
And Luke gives us a rich story of wavering fortunes. A foolish young man insults his father by insisting on his inheritance while the father is still alive. He takes his fortune and squanders it in profligate living. He finds himself miserable, shamed and hungry. He determines to go back to his home for it is the only place he can think of for his survival. His father welcomes him with celebration. But another son, a dutiful one, resents the father's generosity toward the irresponsible sibling so much that that elder son exiles himself from the family, pouting in self-justified pride.
Rich readings. Reminders not to lose heart. Encouragement to humility and perseverance.
We so often overwhelm ourselves with our judgments -- we let our expectations create frustration and even anger that only amplifies the challenge. Regardless of how low we may feel we sink, God always welcomes us home. The only way we can truly become exiled is through self-exile. Life is not about merit, but grace. How can we love more, accept more, trust more -- so we can keep heart and constantly seek our own good and the good of others?
There is a gentle way of being in the world that embraces whatever challenges we face with acceptance and discipline while looking for ways to be hopeful and generous toward others. Today is the feast of St. Martin, the patron of our University ministry. Martin was a Roman soldier and a Christian catechumen when, according to legend, a beggar approached him asking for alms in the name of Christ. Martin withdrew his sword and cut off a portion of his valuable soldier's cloak, giving it to the poor man. That night in a dream, Jesus appeared to Martin, covered in half a cloak, saying, "Martin, a simple catechumen, covered me with this garment."
Eventually Martin was ordained and adopted an ascetic form of life with strict disciplines of prayer and devotion. To his dismay he was elected Bishop of Tours, continuing his ascetic habits, and traveling the countryside to encourage and teach the poor. He was unpopular among many other bishops because he opposed their violent repression of heresy. Through his disciple Ninian, he influenced the development of Celtic monasticism in Britain. The oldest church in Canterbury is a pre-Anglo-Saxon chapel dedicated to St. Martin. His reputation for the defense of the poor and helpless continued through his shrine at Tours which became not only a pilgrimage destination but also a place of security and sanctuary for threatened people seeking protection and justice.
For us, today is another day. It may be a good day; it may be a bad day. Don't worry. Things will get better; things will get worse. Endure with humility and perseverance. Do good. Accept. Trust. Our heart is secure and safe within the sanctuary of God's heart.
Martin, Bishop of Tours, 397
To read about our daily commemorations, go to our Holy Women, Holy Men blog:
http://liturgyandmusic.wordpress.com/category/holy-women-holy-men/
Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p 993)
Psalms [83] or 23,27 (morning) 85, 86 (evening)
Joel 2:21-27
James 1:1-15
Luke 15:1-2, 11-32
James Finley is a favorite writer. In his early adulthood he joined the Trappist monks in the Gethsemene Abbey in Kentucky where one of his novice masters was Brother Louis, better known outside the monastery as Thomas Merton.
He remembers his regular visits with Merton. Jim says he would walk into Merton's study to hear the welcome greeting, "How are you, Jim?" "Well, not good at all. I'm very distressed about several things..." but Merton interrupted, "Don't worry about it Jim. It'll get better."
On another occasion he might enter Merton's study hearing, "How are you, Jim?" "Just great! Things have been coming together marvelously..." but Merton would quickly chime in, "Don't take it too seriously, Jim. Things will get worse."
In our reading from Joel we hear the prophet's promises in the Name of the Lord. The backdrop is a catastrophic locust plague that has destroyed the year's crop, foreshadowing famine. "Do not fear..." says the prophet to the soil, the animals and the people. God will restore what the locust has taken. "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you."
The the epistle from James we hear him tell us to consider our trials to be our joys because they produce in us greater faith and endurance. "Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up, and the rich in being brought low." Life is difficult, James seems to say, but persevere through the tests, for God gives you what you need. Resist temptation and live with deep trust in God.
And Luke gives us a rich story of wavering fortunes. A foolish young man insults his father by insisting on his inheritance while the father is still alive. He takes his fortune and squanders it in profligate living. He finds himself miserable, shamed and hungry. He determines to go back to his home for it is the only place he can think of for his survival. His father welcomes him with celebration. But another son, a dutiful one, resents the father's generosity toward the irresponsible sibling so much that that elder son exiles himself from the family, pouting in self-justified pride.
Rich readings. Reminders not to lose heart. Encouragement to humility and perseverance.
We so often overwhelm ourselves with our judgments -- we let our expectations create frustration and even anger that only amplifies the challenge. Regardless of how low we may feel we sink, God always welcomes us home. The only way we can truly become exiled is through self-exile. Life is not about merit, but grace. How can we love more, accept more, trust more -- so we can keep heart and constantly seek our own good and the good of others?
There is a gentle way of being in the world that embraces whatever challenges we face with acceptance and discipline while looking for ways to be hopeful and generous toward others. Today is the feast of St. Martin, the patron of our University ministry. Martin was a Roman soldier and a Christian catechumen when, according to legend, a beggar approached him asking for alms in the name of Christ. Martin withdrew his sword and cut off a portion of his valuable soldier's cloak, giving it to the poor man. That night in a dream, Jesus appeared to Martin, covered in half a cloak, saying, "Martin, a simple catechumen, covered me with this garment."
Eventually Martin was ordained and adopted an ascetic form of life with strict disciplines of prayer and devotion. To his dismay he was elected Bishop of Tours, continuing his ascetic habits, and traveling the countryside to encourage and teach the poor. He was unpopular among many other bishops because he opposed their violent repression of heresy. Through his disciple Ninian, he influenced the development of Celtic monasticism in Britain. The oldest church in Canterbury is a pre-Anglo-Saxon chapel dedicated to St. Martin. His reputation for the defense of the poor and helpless continued through his shrine at Tours which became not only a pilgrimage destination but also a place of security and sanctuary for threatened people seeking protection and justice.
For us, today is another day. It may be a good day; it may be a bad day. Don't worry. Things will get better; things will get worse. Endure with humility and perseverance. Do good. Accept. Trust. Our heart is secure and safe within the sanctuary of God's heart.
Lowell
__________________
Audio podcast: Listen to an audio podcast of the most recent Morning Reflections from today and the past week. Click the following link: -- Morning Reflection Podcasts About Morning Reflections "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 missionstclare.com -- Click for online Daily Office 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 -- Click for Divine Hours Discussion Blog: To comment on today's reflection or readings, go to http://lowellsblog.blogspot.com, or click here for Lowell's blog find today's reading, click "comment" at the bottom of the reading, and post your thoughts. |
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. Lowell Grisham, Rector St. Paul's Episcopal Church Fayetteville, Arkansas |
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