Pax et Bonum

The Online worship resource for St. James Parish

August 12, 2009

For what is Mysticism? Is it not the attempt to draw near to God,
not by rites or ceremonies, but by inward disposition?
Is it not merely a hard word for 'The Kingdom of Heaven is within'?
---Florence Nightingale---
Heal us, Lord, and we shall be healed;
Save us, and we shall be saved;
For it is You we praise.
Send relief and healing for all our diseases,
Our sufferings and our wounds;
For You are a merciful and faithful healer.
Blessed are You Lord, who heals the sick.

Florence Nightingale

Today is the feast day of Florence Nightingale. Florence Born in 1820 into the wealthy family of an English Abolitionist, Florence received what she believed to be a divine call to the vocation of nursing at age 17. Her family was against this direction in her life; it was not what young women did in the 1800’s. Florence chose to follow this call in spite of her family’s protests, and educated herself in the science of nursing.

Florence worked with people in the direst poverty of England. She sought to change the laws governing the workhouses, to provide better care for the poor.

1n 1854, Florence volunteered for duty in the Crimean War. There she began what would be considered the first modern nursing service in the military hospitals. She demanded strict sanitation, which drastically reduced death by infection. Returning to England in 1856, she started an institution for the training of nurses at St. Thomas’ Hospital, and King’s College Hospital.

A life-long Anglican, Florence was committed to her faith which sustained her throughout her life, including through many years of illness. By the time she died, she was considered both a healer and a holy person.

Florence’s life is a testimony to both the cost and the reward of following God’s call in one’s life. Her obedience to Christ led to the modern nursing profession, and to the salvation of many lives.

Collect for the Feast of Florence Nightingale
Life-giving God, you alone have power over life and death, over health and sickness: give power, wisdom, and gentleness to those who follow the lead of Florence Nightingale, that they, bearing with them your presence, may not only heal but bless, and shine as lanterns of hope in the darkest hours of pain and fear; through Jesus Christ, the healer of body and soul, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN

Debra’s Midweek Meditation

Dear Ones;

This is my third week in New Mexico and Charlie has joined me at the Casita. We are enjoying walks and siestas, reading, eating and prayer.

Because the landscape is so different from that of Maryland, everywhere I look is beautiful and riveting. This morning I saw lots of flowering plants growing along the roadside that I had never seen before-yellows and pinks, whites and a kind of light magenta. Cacti march up to the mesa and still sport a few yellow flowers.

The sky here is glorious. Today I awoke early and the moon was still large in the morning blue sky. The blue changed to pink to creamy peach and as the moon disappeared the sun began making shadows and illuminating each part of the casita garden in turn.

I am learning to see with a refreshed heart and expectant eyes. God's creation, whether in New Mexico or Maryland or all places in between going east or west, carries with it a beauty which is indescribable. It is a reflection of the beauty of the One who made it.

My friends, wherever you find your eyes looking today; wherever you find your heart engaged; seek out the beauty of the Creator, and you will find it.

Blessings,
Debra

This Week at St. James

Prayers Etc.

For those on our prayer list:

For Matt Rogers, our postulant
For those who are deployed and their families.

O merciful Father,
Who has taught us in your holy Word
That you do not willingly afflict or grieve
The children of men:
Look with pity upon the sorrows
Of your servants for whom our prayers are offered.
Remember them, O Lord, in mercy,
Nourish their souls with patience,
Comfort them with a sense of your goodness,
Lift up your countenance upon them,
And give them peace;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN

In Closing:

Sometimes I feel lonely,
And from the depths I cry unto Thee,
And within me,
Thy voice answers me,
And I know that Thou,
Eternal Friend, art near me.
 
Sometimes the sense of failure seizes me,
And I am disheartened.
Unto Thee do I raise mine eyes
And the light of my heavenly Father
Shines upon me,
And bids me to persevere.
 
Sometimes my daily life oppresses me.
Unto Thee do I lift up my soul,
And I realize that by doing my duty manfully and cheerfully
I am serving Thee, Divine Master,
And my tasked is revealed tome
As something good and sacred.
 
Sometimes I am sad and sick at heart,
But when I think of Thee,
Spirit of perfect righteousness and love,
A wonderful joy comes to me,
For I know that Thou art guiding me.
O Lord God of Hosts,
Surely Thou wilt ever comfort me.
Blessed be Thy Name forever and ever. AMEN
---from the Fratres Book of Prayer---

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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