Pax et Bonum

The Online worship resource for St. James Parish

January 14, 2009

The prayer that begins with trustfulness,
And passes on to waiting,
Will always end in thankfulness, triumph, and praise.
---A. Maclaren---
O Lord, that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
---William Shakespeare---

"Come and See!"

Both the Old Testament and Gospel reading for this Sunday are what are known as "call narratives." A call narrative is a story in scripture telling of a prophet being called by God for a special task. In the Old Testament reading, we see the boy Samuel, who hears his name called, but cannot figure out who owns the voice, until his guardian/mentor Eli tells him that God is calling him.

In the Gospel reading, we have beginning of Jesus’ call of his disciples. John’s gospel begins this narrative with Jesus calling Philip. Philip then turns and calls Nathanial, who is a bit skeptical, but who finally responds to Philip’s invitation to "Come and See."

The call to Philip is one we share as Jesus’ disciples. We are called to go to friends and family, telling them to “Come and See” the wonders of God’s working in this world. We are invited by Christ to come and see, and then to invite others, no matter how skeptical they may be at first.

On January 25, we have an opportunity to invite people to "Come and see" in a different way. Anita Guttschick, a professional actress, will portray three women of the Bible in Pretty is as Pretty Does, at 1:00 in the Susan Tucker Moore room. This is a wonderful opportunity to use our new theater for a presentation that makes the Bible come alive. It is also an opportunity to invite people you know to "come and see" in a different way, a way that may appeal to those who think they do not like church.

Whether through this opportunity, or friendship, or invitation to church, I encourage you in this season of Epiphany, to shine as a light to the world, and encourage others to come and see what God is doing, even here in Monkton.

Lord of new beginnings,
Help me to be among those who encourage
others to a spiritual awakening.
Count me among those of your children
who pray for the needs of those
whose understanding is darkened
---Lloyd John Ogilvie---

Known

O LORD, you have searched me and known me.
Psalm 139

This week's readings contain a lot of images of sight and blindness. These are, of course, metaphors for ignorance and wisdom. The ignorant sit in darkness. They have not seen or maybe do not comprehend the light that is coming into the world. The wise are looking for light and illumination greets them around every corner.

The Psalmist, however, has a bit of different take on this searching and finding.

God is searching for us. And God knows us thoroughly.

Like a lighthouse on a stormy night-God's love scans the darkness for the one being tossed about on the sea.

And it is not enough to simply cast a light upon the situation; God joins me in my loneliness and confusion.

You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
Psalm 139

I am assured that even though I may feel lost right now, God is searching out the path that leads to my homecoming.

Home and safety beckon to those at sea through glass lenses and faithful lights. Our lenses are cut from prayer and scripture, worship and community. And that light beckoning us promises more than mere safety, but assures us of true home.

Blessings,
Debra

If you are seeking after God,
You may be sure of this:
God is seeking you much more.
---St. John of the Cross---

Daily Morning Prayer

Daily Morning Prayer

This Week at St. James

Prayers Etc.

For those on our prayer list:

For the repose of the soul of Wiley M. Baxter III, and for his family who mourn.
For our postulant, Matt Rogers
For Laura as she prepares for Ordination.

Accept my prayers, deaf Father,
For those who have no one to love them enough,
to pray for them.
Wherever and whoever they are,
Give them a share of my blessings,
And in thy love let them know
that they are not forgotten.

In Closing:

Lo! God is here! Let us adore,
And own how dreadful is this place!
Let all within us feel his power
And silent bow before his face;
Who know his power, his grace who prove,
Serve him in awe, with reverence love.
 
Lo! God is here! Him day and night
The united choirs of Angels sing;
To him, enthroned above all height,
The hosts of Heaven their praises bring;
Disdain not, Lord, our meaner song,
Who praise thee with a faltering tongue.
 
Being of beings! May our prose
Thy courts with grateful fragrance fill;
Still may we stand before thy face,
Still hear and do thy sovereign will;
A true and ceaseless sacrifice.
---From the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 1880---

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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