It may not require our fasting, since it's in Lent but not of Lent. However, we can still prepare by reading the lections here
Saturday, February 28, 2009
First Sunday in Lent -- March 1
It may not require our fasting, since it's in Lent but not of Lent. However, we can still prepare by reading the lections here
Refrain from trampling the sabbath
Isaiah 58:13-14
If you refrain from trampling the sabbath,
from pursuing your own interests on my holy day;
if you call the sabbath a delight
and the holy day of the Lord honourable;
if you honour it, not going your own ways,
serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs;*
14then you shall take delight in the Lord,
and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth;
I will feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
We’ve had trouble with Saturdays since the day after Good Friday. Since we as Christians worship on Sunday, what is Saturday for? Maybe in our busy lives, Saturday is meant to be the day we get ready for the Sabbath. Orthodox Jews plan their cooking and cleaning, so that they will not have work to do on the Sabbath. What if we did all that we could on Saturday, so that Sunday could be a day when we “take delight in the Lord,” through worship, time with families, time appreciating God’s creation, even rest?
Try to live today in such a way that you do not “trample the Sabbath” tomorrow.
If you refrain from trampling the sabbath,
from pursuing your own interests on my holy day;
if you call the sabbath a delight
and the holy day of the Lord honourable;
if you honour it, not going your own ways,
serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs;*
14then you shall take delight in the Lord,
and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth;
I will feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
We’ve had trouble with Saturdays since the day after Good Friday. Since we as Christians worship on Sunday, what is Saturday for? Maybe in our busy lives, Saturday is meant to be the day we get ready for the Sabbath. Orthodox Jews plan their cooking and cleaning, so that they will not have work to do on the Sabbath. What if we did all that we could on Saturday, so that Sunday could be a day when we “take delight in the Lord,” through worship, time with families, time appreciating God’s creation, even rest?
Try to live today in such a way that you do not “trample the Sabbath” tomorrow.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Who has a dirty heart?
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And put a new and right spirit within me.
Psalm51:10
The last verse of today’s psalm is a good emphasis for Lent – trying to have the right spirit. Supposedly it was written when David had been “found out” by the prophet Nathan for playing around with Bathsheba and sending her husband to certain death in battle.
While most of us haven’t been as flagrant as David, there are always times when we know that we need new spirits. In our current time of economic distress, many of us have been “found out” for our supposition that the good times would stick around forever.
In preparing ourselves for the rebirth of Easter, we can use these 40 wilderness days to clean out our hearts and make room for those things which really matter, which last beyond the immediate, and which bring life to us and to the world around us.
And put a new and right spirit within me.
Psalm51:10
The last verse of today’s psalm is a good emphasis for Lent – trying to have the right spirit. Supposedly it was written when David had been “found out” by the prophet Nathan for playing around with Bathsheba and sending her husband to certain death in battle.
While most of us haven’t been as flagrant as David, there are always times when we know that we need new spirits. In our current time of economic distress, many of us have been “found out” for our supposition that the good times would stick around forever.
In preparing ourselves for the rebirth of Easter, we can use these 40 wilderness days to clean out our hearts and make room for those things which really matter, which last beyond the immediate, and which bring life to us and to the world around us.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
As we begin our Lenten Journey
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious
favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all
our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify
your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting
life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I hope this sounds vaguely familiar to the people of St. John’s. We used it all through the capital campaign. It is the prescribed collect for the day after Ash Wednesday in Lesser Feasts and Fasts. It’s a good request for God’s help in making this a truly holy Lent. We’re probably much better at beginning and ending things. Continuing requires perseverance in the face of exhaustion and/or boredom – just like faith.
favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all
our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify
your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting
life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I hope this sounds vaguely familiar to the people of St. John’s. We used it all through the capital campaign. It is the prescribed collect for the day after Ash Wednesday in Lesser Feasts and Fasts. It’s a good request for God’s help in making this a truly holy Lent. We’re probably much better at beginning and ending things. Continuing requires perseverance in the face of exhaustion and/or boredom – just like faith.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ash Wednesday -- Superstition or Habit or . . .
One church in New York City has more people in church on Ash Wednesday than on any other day – including Christmas and Easter. People come in, get the ashes placed on their foreheads, and leave, not to be seen again until next Ash Wednesday – or maybe never.
For many who receive ashes, the practice may be nothing more than a bit of protection against something fearsome. For others it may be “just what you do” on that day.
The liturgical significance of the ashes is a sign of repentance. Confession was to be made on Shrove Tuesday, and receiving the ashes is a continuing symbol of the intention to repent and live a pure life. The words, “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return,” remind us that we are called to live our days wisely and with the recognition that they will end . . . only God knows when.
For many who receive ashes, the practice may be nothing more than a bit of protection against something fearsome. For others it may be “just what you do” on that day.
The liturgical significance of the ashes is a sign of repentance. Confession was to be made on Shrove Tuesday, and receiving the ashes is a continuing symbol of the intention to repent and live a pure life. The words, “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return,” remind us that we are called to live our days wisely and with the recognition that they will end . . . only God knows when.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Shrove Tuesday
The word shrove is a past tense of the English verb "shrive," which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by confessing and doing penance. It was customary to confess and be cleansed of one’s sins before Lent began. It’s also known as Pancake Day in the UK and Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday in New Orleans.
Whatever, it’s a day to be enjoyed and to give thanks.
Whatever, it’s a day to be enjoyed and to give thanks.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Think you're having a bad day?
Mondays can be tough. It's good to remember that others have had it much harder.
Today we honor Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna in the 2nd Century. He was burned at the stake for refusing to denounce his faith. Maybe the most amazing thing was the prayer he gave as he was dying, which included these words:
"I bless you that you have thought me worthy of this day and hour, to be numbered among the martyrs . . ."
I can't imagine being thankful for getting to burn at the stake. Maybe today I should be grateful for having work and for any opportunity I have to share Christ's love.
Today we honor Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna in the 2nd Century. He was burned at the stake for refusing to denounce his faith. Maybe the most amazing thing was the prayer he gave as he was dying, which included these words:
"I bless you that you have thought me worthy of this day and hour, to be numbered among the martyrs . . ."
I can't imagine being thankful for getting to burn at the stake. Maybe today I should be grateful for having work and for any opportunity I have to share Christ's love.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Snowy Sunday
It was probably a good day to stay in, but the Vestry and I thought
about ways to strengthen the vitality of the parish.
about ways to strengthen the vitality of the parish.
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, February 16, 2009
Monday, February 09, 2009
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Presentation of Youth
February 1, 2009
It was a good day. We honored young people who had turned 13 in the last year. They were a wonderful group. The 10 a.m. sermon can be heard by clicking on the link below. I have a new recorder, which is better than one I used before. Now I need a new voice. I hope this helps me to express myself better.
MP3 File
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