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Preface TheparishionersofChristChurchofferthesereflectionsforourLentenjourney.Theyrangefromthoughts aboutgivingsomethingupversustakingsomethingon,thoughtsaboutthedayscelebratedsaint,thoughtsaboutthe daysreadings,andthoughtsaboutathemeinthereadings.Theguidelineswerepurposefullyloosetoinvitemany voices,styles,andperspectives. ThisisthefirstyearChristChurchhasdonethis;westartedrecruitingwritersabitlaterthanweshouldhave,so wedonthavemeditationsforeveryday.Readersareinvitedtosupplementthesereflectionswithreadingsfromthe onlinesite(http://www.lectionarypage.net/CalndrsIndexes/Calendar2012.html)andreadingsfromtheDailyOffice Year2intheBookofCommonPrayer. ShirleyRicker Editor Thankstothecontributorswhoare: Contributor Alonzo,Lucy Anstey,Jennifer Barnes,Bob Bement,Jim CollinsBohrer,Padriac Collins,Sarah Cushman,Laura Fields,Noah Henshaw,Richard Hilton,Ron Hilton,Sharon Kristoffersen,Peg Least,Wayne Lechman,Theodore Liddell,Kristy Meditation April7 March16 February23 March19 March17 March3 March9 March2 February22 February27 March6 March31 March27 March9 March1 Contributor Liddell,Kyle McCutchon,Joe Pedersen,Jean Reynolds,Beau Ricker,Shirley Schultz,Mary Sconfitto,Joe Sconfitto,Margaret SweetPage,Marilyle Talley,Claire Tompkins,Christine Urban,John Vukman,Mary Vanderbilt,Deborah Wiersma,John Meditation March24 April2 March7 February29 March13 March14 March12 April4 April5 March21 March23 March10 March26 March20 March5
SpecialthankstoNoahFieldsforhisphotographs
Godis everythingthatisgood andthegoodness thateverythingpossesses isGod JulianofNorwich Bibliography MeditationswithJulianofNorwich LentwithSt.Francis LentwithEvelynUnderhill TheabovebooksgivethoughtfulmeditationsforeachdayinLent BobBarnes
PhotographbyNoahFields
TodaywehonorGeorgeHerbertpriestandpoetwholivedtobeonly40yearsold.BornwhenShakespeare hadjustbegunhisactingandwritingcareer,Fr.Herbertbringsreadersupshortwithhisimages,hisferventfaith,and thesometimesoddshapeofhispoems.ThosewhoattendedChristChurchFridaynightsuppers20yearsagoorsowill rememberthelateJosephSommersintroductiontoHerbertswork.HerbertwasoneofJoesseveralspecialtiesasa UniversityofRochesterEnglishprofessor. Herbertsfaithwashispassion,andhewrotepassionatelyaboutit.Never,itseems,uncertainaboutGods placeintheworld,hesoughtinhispoetrytoworkouthisplaceinrelationshiptoGod. Someofhismostintriguingpoemsattempttoreplicatethesubjectmatterintheformofthepoem.Hence,one titledTheAltarleapsoffthepageintheshapeofanaltar,andEasterWingsappearsintheshapeofwings.Then, rightinthemiddleofTheAltar,arelittleshortcoupletswhosepungencyknowsnoequal: Aheartalone Issuchastone, Asnothingbut Thypowerdothcut. Whereforeeachpart Ofmyhardheart Meetsinthisframe, Topraisethyname. LetusthisLentreachacrossthecenturiestojoinwithHerbertinpraisingGodsholyname. RonHilton
Psalm119:45 Ishallwalkatliberty,forIhavesoughtyourprecepts.NRSV TheseasonofLent,tomany,isquicklyequatedwithaperiodofsolemnpenance,abstinencefromexcess,and hymnssunginaminorkey.Lenthascommonlybeenapproachedwithasighofresignation. ThePsalmistgivesusacontrastingviewofthelifegovernedbynotonlythemoralprinciples,butalsothemore challengingandambiguousidealsofspiritualpovertyandhumility,presentedtousthroughthewordsofChrist. Blessedarethepoorinspirit:fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven(Matt5:3).Fromthisperspective,thepracticesof spiritualpenitenceandreflectiondonotleadtoamiserableexistencecharacterizedbysorrowandrestriction,buta libertyofbeingthatextendstoallaspectsofourexistence.Thislibertyisthedirectresultoftheresurrectioneffectedon Eastermorning,thatwhichwearepreparedforduringthefortydaysofLent.Ourinwardpreparation,whichsome mightviewaslimiting,freesustoexperiencetheliberationofEaster. Duringthisnightofthesoul,thisseasonofLent,letusalwayskeepthefreedombroughttousbyChristinour viewaswereflectonourlives,repentofourtransgressions,andamendourwaysforourgoodandthegoodofthose aroundus. BeauReynolds
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sorrowful,dying.Theyareplaceswhereproverbsandeasyanswersfalldeadtotheground,andGodwithusaskswhy Godhasforsakenhim. I'mtwentyseven.DearGod,I'dlovejustoneplainhill,withaprophetorsaintwiththeHolySpiritmanifestedas adoveonhisshoulder,andI'dwearaleekinmyhateverydayifhe'djusthandmesomestonetabletsthatsketchout somemajorlifeeventsandtellmewhereIshouldfocusmyenergyandwhatIshouldjustletbe.Instead,Iusuallyfeel likeI'minamountainrangewithamillionpeopleshouting,Lookatthiswar,lookatthesefamines,lookatthis oppression,lookatthisgreed,lookatthiscycleofviolence,lookatourprisons,lookjustacrossourborders,lookaround thecity,lookthroughthesidedoorofthechurchaftercoffeehourormindyourownbusiness,beanadult,lookat morejoblistingsanddon'taskwhytherearesomanyopeningsfordebtcollectors.Thewholeworldseemstoecho withgroansofinjustice,suffering,anddivisionandtohavealwaysgroanedinwaysthatI'veonlyjustnoticed.InLent, thattruthhasitsownhill,andwestandwhenitisnamedinthePalmSundayreadingofthePassion. Sowegofromhilltohill,scatteringthoseselfevidenttruthsintoreality(thatrocky,thornyplace),andwesleep andrise,nightandday,waitingforwhathasdiedtosproutandgrowwedonotknowhow.Butwearepromisedwe'll recognizetheripeharvest,thekingdomcome. KristyLiddell
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LordGod,youinspiredyourservantsJohnandCharlesWesleywithburningzeal,andendowedthemwith
eloquenceinspeechandsong.KindleinyourChurch,weentreatyou,suchfervor,thatthosewhosefaithhas cooledmaybewarmed. ThehymnsofCharlesWesley(17071788)havewarmedtheheartsofmillionsofworshippersforthreehundred years.Overhislifetime,Charleswroteovereightthousandhymns.SomeofthebestlovedhymnsincludeChristthe LordisRisenToday,Christ,WhoseGloryFillstheSkies,ComeThouLongExpectedJesus,Hark,theHeraldAngels Sing,Jesus,LoverofMySoul,Lo!HeComeswithCloudsDescending,LoveDivine,AllLovesExcelling,Ofora ThousandTonguestoSing,andYeServantsofGod. OftheGreatFourAnglicanHymns(alistingbasedonasurveyin1885ofthehymnalsofallthechurchesinthe AnglicanCommuniontheGreatFourhymnsappearedinallofthehymnals),twowerewrittenbyCharles:Harkthe HeraldAngelsSingandLo!HeComeswithCloudsDescending. Thepowerofhispoetrytokindlethefiresoffaithinthebreastsofmenandwomeninourcynicaltwentyfirst centuryunitesuswithfellowworshippersacrossthreecenturies.WhenwesingChristtheLordisRisenToday, Alleluia,weparticipateinanexperiencethatunitesusinspiteofdifferencesincenturyandinlanguage,culture,and finerpointsofbelief.TogetherwewilljoinonEastertoSingyeheavns,andearthreply,Alleluia!Thenletussaya prayerofthanksgivingforthelifeofCharlesWesleyandthepowerofhishymnstokindlethefervorthatwillwarmthe faiththathascooled. SarahCollins
PhotographbyNoahFields
PerpetuawasayoungRomanmotherwhowenttoherdeathinthearenaattheageoftwentytwobecauseshe wouldnotoffersacrificestoEmperorSeptimiusSeverus.Sheleftherinfantson,resistedtheappealsofherloving father,andriskedherentirefamily'sreputationbecauseshewouldnotrenounceherbeliefthattherewasonlyone God,themakerofheavenandearth,creatorofallthingsvisibleandinvisible.Theprisonmemoirthatshewroteasshe wasfacingjudgmentandexecutionrecountsthevividdreamsthatcametoliftherspirits:agoldenladderreachingto heaven,avastexpanseofgarden,acakeofcheese,agobletofwater,agreenbranchwithgoldenapples.Shediedwith hercompanionsonthisdayintheyear203. IhopethatIwillneverhavetofacePerpetua'schoiceslifeordeath,mycountryormyconscience,myfamilyor myfriends.IdonotknowifIwouldhavehercourage. ThecontemporaryspiritualwriterNoraGallaghertellsastoryaboutadinnerconversationwiththegreatactivist bishopDanielCorriganthathasgivenmeadifferentwayofthinkingaboutwhatitmightmeantogiveyourlifeforyour faith."Whatwouldyoudiefor?"ayoungpriestaskedthebishopataretreat."Waterrights,"heanswered."Theboy satbackinhischair,"Gallagherwrites."Dansmiled.'Whynot?'heasked....'Youdon'tactuallygetuponemorning anddecidetodieforsomething.Youputyourfootonapathandwalk.Onedayyoulookback,maybefiftyyears,and say'That'swhatIgavemylifefor.'"(NoraGallagher,ThingsSeenandUnseen:AYearLivedinFaith[NewYork:Vintage Books,1998],pp.1314). Wedonotalwaysknowwhereourpathswillleadusatthestart,butweknowthatGodwillbewithusevery stepoftheway.Lentgivesusthechanceeveryyeartoreviewourlives,toseeifwehavecomewherewewanted,to reflectonGod'sgrace,todecidewhereweshouldcontinueonourcurrentwayandwherewemightwanttoheadoutin anewdirection.Thisyear,IamlearningthatthesewordsfromtheBookofCommonPrayercanbegoodtraveling companions: OGOD,bywhomthemeekareguidedinjudgment,andlightrisethupindarknessforthegodly;Grantus,inall ourdoubtsanduncertainties,thegracetoaskwhatthouwouldesthaveustodo,thattheSpiritofWisdommay saveusfromallfalsechoices,andthatinthylightwemayseelight,andinthystraightpathmaynotstumble; throughJesusChristourLord.Amen. JeanPedersen
Psalm27
PsalmistDavid, WhyareyousoconfidentthatGodwillprotectyou, OpenHishousetoyou, Shelteryou, Liftyouaboveyourenemies, Hearyouwhenyoucall, Offeranunconditionalhome, AndshowHERgoodnesstoyouwhileyoulive? Or, ShouldYOUbeseeking Howtoserve God? DoesS/HEliveforyou or YouforHIM? JohnUrban
Mark10:4245 ButJesuscalledthemtoHimselfandsaidtothem,Youknowthat thosewhoareconsideredrulersovertheGentileslorditoverthem, andtheirgreatonesexerciseauthorityoverthem. Yetitshallnotbesoamongyou;butwhoeverdesirestobecome greatamongyoushallbeyourservant. Andwhoeverofyoudesirestobefirstshallbeslaveofall. ForeventheSonofMandidnotcometobeserved,buttoserve, andtogiveHislifearansomformany." Jesushadthisthingaboutexpectingtheimpossiblefromus.ItsironicthattheOneWhocreatedallthings, includingus,wouldseeminglynotunderstandhumannature.Wehaveanobsessionwithauthority.Wemodelour societies,ourgovernment,evenourfamilystructureswithauthorityinmind.Wecraveit,withallitstrappingsoffame, powerandwealth.Anditdoesntneedtobeinthebigthingseither.Ihavearighttoexerciseauthorityovermytime, whichismyown;mymoneywhichIhaveearned.ButtheugliestrightistheauthorityIexerciseoverwhoIthink deservesmytimeandresources.Ithinkthatsagoodexampleoflordingitoversomeone. IwasshamedintorealizinghowshortIcomebyanewscommentaryaboutElenaDelleDonne.Anextraordinary athlete,shemostlikelycouldhavenamedherpriceatanycollege.Alreadythebesthighschoolbasketballplayerinthe country,herroadwaspavedwithpromisesoffameandglory.Sheleftitalltobewithheroldersisterborndeaf,blind andwithcerebralpalsy,andinthewordsofthecommentator,onlyknowsherkidsisterbythespecialwayshetouches her,byherhugsandkisses,andbyherscent. Yetitshallnotbesoamongyou;butwhoeverdesirestobecomegreatamongyoushallbeyourservant.Itseems tomethatElenaDelleDonneisdestinedforgreatness. http://www.npr.org/2012/02/08/146514859/forloveandthegameastarshinesindelaware JoeSconfitto
BothMaryandJosephsubmittedtothewillofGodbuttheonlyspokenwordsscripturerecordsare thoseofMary.Why? Forthatmatter,whydidJesusneedanearthlyfather?Ifwearewillingtoacceptthethoughtsof ThomasAquinas2itwasanecessarypartoftheplanfortheincarnationbecauseifMarywereunmarried,the Lawwouldhavesubjectedhertostoning.Also,theinfantJesuswouldneedthecare,nurturing,and protectionofahumanfather. Jesusheavenlyfatherwantedhissontohavethesupport,thenurturing,andtheprotectionthata humanfamilycouldprovidetakingintoconsiderationthemoresofthetime. Josephcarriesouthisresponsibilitiesasafosterfatherprovidingforhisfamily,protectinghisfamily, teachingJesusthefamilytrade,andworryingaseveryparentdoesuntilhisdeathinNazareth,20July18CE. JosephwasapiousJew,adescendantofDavid,andacarpenterbytrade.AsJosephtheCarpenter, heisconsideredthepatronsaintoftheworkingperson,onewhonotonlyworkedwithhishands,buttaught histradetoJesus.ThelittlethatistoldofhimistestimonytothetrustinGodwhichvaluessimpleeveryday duties,andgivesanexampleofalovinghusbandandfather.3
JimBement
1 2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Joseph The childhood of Christ by Thomas Aquinas, Roland Potter (transl.), 2006 ISBN 0521029600, pgs. 110-120 3 Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2006, pg. 200
BrianKolodiejchuk,MotherTeresa:ComebemyLight.(NewYork:CrownPublishing,2007),288.
Saturday, March 24, 2012 Feast of Oscar Romero, Archbishop and Martyrs
Revelation 7:1317 * John 12:2332 * Psalm 31:1524 OscarRomero,ArchbishopofSanSalvador,1980,andtheMartyrsofElSalvador ThosewhosurrendertotheserviceofthepoorthroughloveofChristwilllivelikethegrainofwheatthatdies.Itonly apparentlydies.Ifitwerenottodie,itwouldremainasolitarygrain.Theharvestcomesbecauseofthegrainthatdies. Weknowthateveryefforttoimprovesociety,aboveallwhensocietyissofullofinjusticeandsin,isaneffortthatGod OscarRomero,March24,1980 blesses,thatGodwants,thatGoddemandsofus. OscarRomerowasbornin1917toapoorfamilyinElSalvador.Whenhewas13,helefthometoattenda seminary,firstinElSalvador,andlaterinRome.Hewasordainedin1942,andremainedinRometobegindoctoral work,butwassenttoSanMiguelinElSalvadortoserveasapriest.Duringhisserviceasapriest,hewasfairly conservative,andsometimeshadpoorrelationshipswithotherclergy.Hewasparticularlyconcernedwithpersonal pietyand,inhisnotesfromdiscussionswithhispsychiatrist,feltthathewasneverquitededicatedasheshouldbe.In 1970,hewasconsecratedastheauxiliarybishopofthearchdioceseofSanSalvador.Inthisposition,hefeltquite unsureofhimself,andataretreathewrote(translatedinJamesBrockman'sbiographyofRomero)Imustbemore naturalandspontaneousinaffection.Imustovercomemyselfandexpressmyopinions.Especially,Imustdefendthe faithandthechurch'steachingwithcourage.In1974hebecamethebishopofSantiagodeMaria,aruraldiocesethat includedhisbirthplace.Finally,onFebruary23,1977hewasappointedasarchbishopofSanSalvador.Hewas consideredtobethesafe,uncontroversialchoiceasarchbishop,ashewassupportedbythegovernmentandthemore conservativevoicesofthechurch.Theantigovernmentorganizationsandthoseintheliberationtheologymovement weredisappointedinthischoice. Atthistime,thesituationinElSalvadorwasverytense,duetoclassinequalityissuesandapooreconomy. Mostofthecountrywasextremelypoor,andalmosthalfofthelandwasownedbyjustthirteenorfourteenfamilies. Themainexportinthe1900swascoffee;in1931,therewasacrashincoffeeprices,leadingtounemploymentand poverty.Inlate1931,therewasamilitarycoup,whichpromotedthefascistvicepresidentofthecountrytothe presidency.In1932,leftwingandcommunistgroupsjoinedwithsomeoftheindigenouspeopletoattemptto overthrowthenewgovernment.Theystartedanuprising,killingaboutahundredpeople,buttheywerequickly defeatedbythearmy.Thegovernmentannouncedameetinginapublicsquaretodiscusstheissuesandinvited membersoftheinsurrectiontoattend;whentheyarrived,thearmyopenedfireandkilledtensofthousands(estimates rangefrom10,000to40,000)ofpeople.Thegovernmentthenbeganemployingdeathsquadstohuntdownanyone suspectedofbeingpartofthemovement,andanyonewholookedlikeanindigenousperson.Theconflictwounddown overthenextfewdecades,untilmoreeconomictroublearrivedin1970.Thegovernmentusedthearmyandspecial police,andsupporteddeathsquads,inordertokeepthepopulationundercontrol.ThegovernmentsofElSalvadorand theUnitedStateswereconcernedthatacommunistrevolutionwouldtakeholdthroughoutallofLatinAmerica.Clergy andotherreligiousleaders,unionmembersandorganizers,andsuspectedcommunistswerekilledforyears.Outofits fearofcommunism,theUnitedStatessupportedthegovernmentwithmilitaryadvisors,militarytrainingintheUnited States,andmoney.In1978,about700werekilledbythegovernmentalignedforces;thenextyearalmost1800were killed.Finally,inOctober1979,amilitaryjuntaoverthrewthegovernment,promisingtoworkforlandreformandother popularpolicies.However,theymadeverylimitedchanges,andsufferedseveralchangesinleadership,beforefinally dissolvingin1982.Bythistime,thecountrywasinacivilwarthatwouldclaim75,000lives.
Asarchbishop,Romeroseemedtointendtocontinuetheexistingpoliciesofthechurch:advocateforunity,and workwiththepoor,whilemaintaininggoodrelationshipswiththegovernment.However,onlyafewweeksafterhe wasinstalledasarchbishop,hisclosefriend,apriestnamedRutilioGrande,wasridingwithacoupleofpeasantfarmers whentheywereattackedandkilledbyadeathsquad.AfewweeksbeforeGrandewaskilled,oneofGrande'sfriends, anotherpriest,waskidnappedandthenexpelledfromthecountry.Grandegaveasermonwherehesaid: IamfullyawarethatverysoontheBibleandtheGospelswillnotbeallowedtocrosstheborder.Allthatwill reachuswillbethecovers,sinceallthepagesaresubversiveagainstsin,itissaid.SothatifJesuscrossestheborderat Chalatenango,theywillnotallowhimtoenter.Theywouldaccusehim,themanGod...ofbeinganagitator,ofbeinga Jewishforeigner,whoconfusesthepeoplewithexoticandforeignideas,antidemocraticideas,andi.e.,againstthe minorities.IdeasagainstGod,becausethisisaclanofCains.Brothers,theywouldundoubtedlycrucifyhimagain.And theyhavesaidso. RomerowenttocelebrateafuneralmassforGrande.Romerosaid:"WhenIlookedatRutiliolyingtheredead,I thought:iftheykilledhimfordoingwhathedid,thenItoohavetowalkthesamepath".ThepeoplethatGrandewas tryingtovisittoldRomerotheywerecertainthatGodwouldsendsomebodytotakeupGrande'swork.WhenRomero returnedtothecapital,hebegantobreakwiththegovernment.Heannouncedthathewouldnottakepartinany governmentfunctionuntilGrande'sdeathhadbeeninvestigated.(Thisneverhappened.)Hecanceledallservicesat churchesthroughoutthecountrythenextSunday,exceptforasingleserviceinthecapital,where100,000people attended.Hespokethroughhissermonsandwritingsandradioshows,callingforpeaceandencouragingpeopleto worktogetherandstoptheviolence.Theconflictstillcontinuedtoworsen.Hereceiveddeaththreats;theseseemed tobotherhimgreatly.AtaretreatattheendofFebruary1980,hewrote ...Iaskhimtomakehislove,hisjustice,histruthshinethroughmemoreeasily.Iamafraidofviolenceto myself.Ihavebeennotifiedofseriousthreatsforthisveryweek.Ifearbecauseoftheweaknessofmyflesh,but IpraytheLordtogivemeserenityandperseveranceandalsohumility,becauseIalsofeeltemptedtovanity. Healsowrote, ThusdoIexpressmyconsecrationtotheheartofJesus,whowaseverasourceofinspirationandjoyinmy life.ThusalsoIplaceunderhislovingprovidenceallmylife,andIacceptwithfaithinhimmydeath,however harditbe.Idonotwanttoexpressanintentiontohim,suchasthatmydeathbeformycountry'speaceorour church'sflourishing.Christ'sheartwillknowhowtodirectittothepurposehewishes.Formetobehappyand confident,itissufficienttoknowwithassurancethatinhimismylifeandmydeath,thatinspiteofmysinsI haveplacedmytrustinhimandIshallnotbeconfounded,andotherswillcarryonwithgreaterwisdomand holinesstheworksofthechurchandthenation. Hereturnedtohisworkandreadinghissermonsontheradio.OnMarch23,1980,inhissermon,heaskedthe armytostopkillingcivilians: Brothers,youarefromthesamepeople;youkillyourfellowpeasants...Nosoldierisobligedtoobeyanorder thatiscontrarytothewillofGod...InthenameofGod,inthenameofthissufferingpeople,IaskyouIimplore youIcommandyouinthenameofGod:stoptherepression! Onthe24th,hewasatahospitalchapel,celebratingamassforthefuneralofafriend'smother.Whilehewaselevating thechalice,hewasshotandkilled.
Hissermonthatdaywasontoday'sgospelreadingtheopeningquotationcamefromthatsermon.ElSalvador didnotseepeaceafterRomero'sdeath.Acivilwarensuedthatlasted12years.Thousandsofpeoplewerekilled, includingRomero,religiousworkersandpriestsbeforehim,andafterhim,eventhoseworkingtonegotiatewiththe antigovernmentgroups.WhiletodaythereisnocivilwarinElSalvador,thereisstillmuchpovertyandhighcrime. Mostofthepartiesinvolvedintheviolencethegovernmentforces,andtherevolutionaryforcescametogetherfor peace.Butmanyofthoseresponsiblefortheviolencehavecertainlynotbeenputtoshameinsteadtheyhaveheld positionsinthenewgovernment. SomeofthemweretrainedintheUnitedStates,attheSchooloftheAmericas,wheretheywereinstructedthat, inordertopreservethenationalgovernment,theyshouldtargetforcounterintelligenceactivitiesthoseteamsor hostileorganizationswhoseobjectiveistocreatedissensionorcauserestlessnessamongthecivilianpopulationinthe areaofoperations.Isupposetalklikelyinglipsandletthewickedbeputtoshame;letthembesilentinthe gravecouldcauserestlessness.WhileIknowIshouldfindtoday'sreadingstobecomfortingandencouragingwhich Icertainlydotheyaresometimeshaunting.Thisisperhapsmywayofobsessingoverpersonalpiety(maybetheonly thingIcancountonhavingincommonwithRomero).It'shardtoread ...theonewhoisseatedonthethronewillshelterthem. Theywillhungernomore,andthirstnomore; thesunwillnotstrikethem, noranyscorchingheat; fortheLambatthecenterofthethronewillbetheirshepherd, andhewillguidethemtospringsofthewateroflife
March26,theFeastoftheAnnunciation,transferred
Inthe1970's,IwasamemberofTheTreesCommunity.Bygooglingit,youcanlistentoourrenditionofPsalm 45(butbepreparedforsomethingunusual).WealsosanganAnnunciationsongwrittenbyoneofourmembers,(I cannotfinditonlineatpresent),whichbegins, "Cameanangelinthenight, Asuddenbrightandfierylight, Likeastarthrownfromthesky TotheplacewhereMaryprayed. 'Allhail,sweetMary,whydoyouweep? Godhaslookeduponyouwithfavor Hispromisestokeep.'" Psalm45isaweddingsong.Thecastisalittlehardtofollow,buttherearedefinitelybridesmaids.Ithasbeen readasametaphorforChristandHisBride,theChurch.In"TheChristTree,"amusicalmeditationbeginningwiththe soul'sthirstforGodinPsalm42,weusedPsalm45torepresentthesoul's"marriage"orcommitmenttoGod.Theline thatkeepscomingbacktomeinthinkingaboutthisLentenmeditationisverse11,"Listendaughter,forgetyournation, yourancestralhome.Thekingdesiresyourbeauty.Heisyourlord;bowdownbeforehim." ThatiswhatMarydidwhenshesaid,"HereamI,theservantoftheLord;letitbewithmeaccordingtoyour word."IntheMagnificat,weseeherfullofhopesforhernation,butshedidnotrealizethatwiththischild,Godwas startinganewnation.WearepartofthatnewKingdom,broughtintoitbyourbaptism.AsweprepareinLenttorenew ourbaptismalcommitment,letusrememberthatGodhaslookeduponuswithfavorhasdesiredthebeautyofour souls;letusbowdownbeforeHimand,continuallyseekingtheunionofourwillwithHis,say,"Letitbewithme accordingtoyourword." ChristmasinLent? MaryVukman
PhotographbyNoahFields
ThepsalmistdesiresanencounterwiththelivingGod,notareligiousroutine.Herememberstimesinhispast thatheexperiencedGodspresence,butthattimeisnotnow.Heisinaplaceofsorrow,isolation,emptiness,and thosearoundhimarenothelpingastheyquestionhisfaith.Inthemidstofthisspiritualdarkness,thewritercries outtoGod,expressinghisfrustrationandneed: IwillsaytoGod,myrock: Whydoyouforgetme? WhymustIgoaboutmourning withtheenemyoppressingme? Itshattersmybones,whenmyadversariesreproachme, whentheysaytomeeveryday:WhereisyourGod? Whyareyoudowncast,mysoul, whydoyougroanwithinme? WaitforGod,forIshallagainpraisehim, mysaviorandmyGod. Thepsalmistswordsresonatewithourownexperiencesofconfusionandspiritualdryness. TheGospelstorytellsoftheencounterofBartimaeuswithJesus.Bartimaeusisblind,inphysicaldarknessasopposed tothepsalmistsemotionalandspiritualdarkness.Heisisolatedbyhisinfirmityandforcedtobeginordertosurvive. WhenhehearsthatJesusisnearby,hecriesouttohim:Jesus,SonofDavid,havemercyonme!!Thosearoundhim trytosilencehim,topreventhisdisturbingtheRabbiwhoissurroundedbyalargecrowd.Perhapsthey thoughtblindnessapunishmentorhislotinlife;eitherwaynotimportantenoughtodisturbthemaster.Bartimeas isnotdeterredbythecrowdsresistanceandcontinuestocryout.Jesus,inthemidstofthechatterandconfusion, hearsBartimaeuscall.Helooksattheblindmanwithwhatmusthavebeengreattendernessandasks:Bartimaeus, whatdoyouwantmetodoforyou....andBartimaeusaskstoreceivehissight.Jesushealsthisblindman,and BartimaeusresponseistofollowJesus. InthecomingweekwewillberememberingtheeventsofChristspassionandresurrection.Thedaysleading uptoHolySaturdayaredaysofdarkness,whenweareinvitedtorememberthefrailtyofthosewalkingwithJesus andwithitourownvulnerability.Whatarethesourcesofdarknessinourlives?Whatcircumstances,relationships, losses,threatsinviteustoreflectonourfrailtyandneedforGod?IsthereafeltabsenceofGodinour suffering?Whataretheyearningsinsidethatcompelus? ThomasMertonsaid: This,then,isourdesert:tolivefacingdespairbutnottoconsent.Totrampleitdownunderhopeinthe Cross.Towagewaragainstdespairunceasingly.Thatwarisourwilderness.Ifwewageitcourageously,we willfindChristatourside.Ifwecannotfaceit,wewillneverfindhim.
PhotographbyShirleyRicker
PhotographbyShirleyRicker
PhotographbyShirleyRicker
AndfromtheGospelofJohn: Atamealwithhisclosestfriends,Jesusgotupfromthetable,tookoffhisouterrobe,tiedatowel aroundhimself.ThenJesuspouredwaterintoabasin,begantowashthedisciples'feetand,finally,wipedtheir feetwithatowelthatwastiedaroundhim.ForIhavesetyouanexample,thatyoualsoshoulddoasIhave donetoyou...Igiveyouanewcommandmentthatyouloveoneanother.JustasIhavelovedyou,youalso shouldloveoneanother. Jesusisgivinganewcommandment...thatweloveoneanother.JesusdoesntsayIthinkitwouldbeniceifyou lovedoneanother.Hedoesntsay,Youmightwanttothinkaboutlovingoneanother.Hiswordsarefirmand imperative.DOTHIStoremembermeandLoveoneanotherasIhavelovedyou. Christianshavedonethisbrokenbreadandsharedwinesincetheverybeginning.Sharingthebreadand wineoftheEucharistiscommanded,butso,also,iswashingothersfeetandservingothersafterJesusexample.These arebothsacramentalactionswhichpointbeyondthemselvestothesacrificewhichJesusmadeonthecrossand continuestomakeforus.Asoftenasyoueatthisbreadanddrinkthecup,youproclaimtheLordsdeathuntilhe comes.And,lestweforget,thatlovecostJesushislife. ReverendMarilyleSweetPage
April 7, 2012 Holy Saturday Job 14:114 or Lamentations 3:19, 1924 * 1 Peter 4:18 * John 19:3842 Whatdoyoudowhenyourworldfallsapart?OnHolySaturday,thedisciplesmusthavebeeninastateof shock.Theirbelovedteacherwhohadhealedsomany,theirMessiah,whohadbeengreetedwithpalmsastheSonof DavidonhisentryintoJerusalemlessthanaweekearlier,hadbeenexecutedasacriminal!Whatshouldtheydonow? Andwhatshouldwedowhencopingwithdisasterslikethelossofajob,thedeathofalovedone,oranyothertimewe feelthatourworldhascrumbled?Thereadingsfortodayshowussomepossibleresponses. Jobwasapiousanduprightman,butsuddencalamitieshadkilledallhischildren,strippedhimcompletelyofhis considerablewealth,andruinedhishealth.IntodaysreadinghecomplainstoGodanunderstandableresponse, thoughnotparticularlyhelpfulexceptasaventforhisemotions. IntheGospelreading,JosephofArimatheaandNicodemuscareforthebodyofJesus,wrappingitwithcostly spicesandplacingitJosephsownnewtomb.Theirchoicewastodowhattheycouldtohelp,inthemidstoftheirown sorrowanappropriatechoiceforfollowersoftheOnewhohadcommandedustoloveourneighborsasourselves. Petersletteragreeswiththisapproach,remindingus,Aboveall,maintainconstantloveforoneanother,forlove coversamultitudeofsins. ForallofuswhowishtofollowJesus,IthinkthatanextremelyimportantexampleisthechoiceHemadeinthe GardenofGethsemane:Notmywillbutyoursbedone.Thisisdifficulttosayinthemidstofadisaster,butinmy experienceitisaveryhelpfulwaytopray.LukesGospelsaysthatafterJesusprayedthiswayinthegarden,anangel fromheavenappearedtohimandgavehimstrength(Luke22:43).AnexampleIlikeisalittlechildcryingabouta brokentoywhileholdingontoitwithallhismight;hisfathercanfixitforhimonlywhenheiswillingtohanditoverto him.IttakesfaithtoentrustourproblemstoourHeavenlyFather,butitdoesmakeitmuchmorepossibleforHimto helpus.Ilearnedsomethingaboutthisasafreshmanincollege.Ihadahugecrushonaveryniceboy,afriendofmy cousin,andhadbeenhopinghewouldwritetome.Butinsteadhesentmeaninvitationtohisengagementparty,and allmycastlesintheaircamecrashingdown.(Yearslater,hebecameastategovernor,andIrealizedthatIcouldnever havebeenthepoliticalhostessheneeded!)AnyhowIwenttothechapelandpartofmyprayerwasapproximately, Lord,obviouslyyoudidnotwantwhatIwanted,butImsureyouhaveabetterplanforme,sopleasetakechargeof mylifeandhelpmetodowhatyouwant.Well,Godansweredmyprayerbytouchingmewithhislove;Icannotreally describeit,butforweeksafterwardsIwasridingmybikearoundcampussingingtheGloria.Ofcoursesurrenderingour willtoGodisanongoingprocess,butIbelieveeachstepalongthatpathbringshelpwhenweneeditmost. ThereadingfromLamentationsistheonethatIfindmosthelpfulfordesperatesituations.Jeremiahhadbeen persecutedforprophesyingtoJerusalemabouttheapproachingdisaster;whenthecitywasdestroyeditwouldbe understandableifhehadfeltitservedthemright.InsteadhewroteinLamentations,Myeyesflowwithriversoftears becauseofthedestructionofmypeople.Howeverhealsowrote,ButthisIcalltomind,andthereforeIhavehope: ThesteadfastloveoftheLORDneverceases,hismerciesnevercometoanend;theyareneweverymorning;greatis Yourfaithfulness. Sowhenourworldseemstohavefallenapart,letusdowhatwecantobehelpfulandloving,askourLordto takechargeofthewholesituationandsaywithJeremiah,ThesteadfastloveoftheLORDneverceases. Theresurrectioniscoming!ThanksbetoGod. LucyAlonzo