January 27, 2010

Prayer should be the means by which I,
at all times, receive all that I need, and,
for this reason, be my daily refuge,
my daily consolation, my daily joy,
my source of rich and inexhaustible joy in life.
---Saint John Chrysostom---

Enkindle, we beseech thee, O Lord,
The light of our understanding,
And pour forth love into our hearts,
That we may be able to love thee worthily.
---from Celtic Daily Prayer---

St. John Chrysostom

Today is the feast day of John Chrysostom. He was the patriarch (bishop) of Constantinople, and one of the great saints of the Eastern (now Orthodox) church. John was born ca. 354 in Antioch, Syria. His early education gave him a great skill in rhetoric, which served him later as a preacher. Early in his life he became a desert monastic, and adopted a lifestyle of extreme asceticism. Apparently, his stomach and kidneys were permanently damaged by this practice, and he left monastic life. His practice of asceticism remained at least in part throughout his life. He returned to Antioch and was ordained a priest. He became Patriarch in 397.

John’s name "Chrysostom" was one given to him – it means "golden-mouthed." He was one of the greatest preachers in the history of the church. He was eloquent, and this ability was combined with a great sensitivity to the needs of his people. In both preaching and pastoral care, he excelled. He had little tolerance for those in authority in the church using their power in a way that did not fulfill the mandate of Christ. His desire was for the church to take up its own cross in caring for those who were in need.

Do you wish to honour the body of Christ? Do not ignore him when he is naked. Do not pay him homage in the temple clad in silk, only then to neglect him outside where he is cold and ill-clad. He who said: "This is my body" is the same who said: "You saw me hungry and you gave me no food", and "Whatever you did to the least of my brothers you did also to me"... What good is it if the Eucharistic table is overloaded with golden chalices when your brother is dying of hunger? Start by satisfying his hunger and then with what is left you may adorn the altar as well.

In the Book of Common Prayer, one of Chrysostom’s prayers is used as an alternative prayer in both the morning and evening offices. Chrysostom’s piety and ability to see the needs of others makes him a model for all Christians.

O God, you gave your servant John Chrysostom grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching, and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Morning Prayer

Daily Morning Prayer

This Week at St. James

• Saturday: 9:30 – 11:30 Safeguarding Adults training for LEV’s
• Sunday: 9:00 Dr. Matt Rogers lectures on Near Death Experiences; 8:00 and 10:15 Liturgies; 10:15 Youth and Sunday School begin "Paul & the Underground Church"
• Monday: 10:00 Book Study
• Tuesday: 7:30 Vestry Admin meeting
• Wednesday: 8:30 Healing Eucharist; 9:30 Bible Study

Prayers Etc.

For those on our prayer list:

• Owen
• Betsy
• Read
• David W.
• Mimi B.
• Ann & Caleb
• Dan P.
• Jack D.
• Chuck S.
• Frank O.
• Bill B.
• Martina
• Gracia
• Valerie W.
• Doug H.
• M.C.
• Peter B.
• Susie
• Peter C.
• Sherry
• Brandon
• Meredith
• Dave T.
• Anna C.
• Carson W.
• Jed S.
• Teresa D.
• Sandy C.
• Wag & Lois
• Erinn H.
• Amanda S.
• Morris R.
• Brittany

For Matt our Postulant and his family
For those who are deployed and their families
For the victims of the Haitian Earthquake, and all those who work so diligently on their behalf.

Create a clean heart within me, O God,
So that it may become thine abode
And the resting place of the Holy Spirit...
I invite thee in order that thou mayest cleanse
My heart, and afterwards, I beg thee,
If it please thee, depart not from me,
And even unto old age and grey hairs
Leave me not.
--From Celtic Daily Prayer--

In Closing:

Almighty God,
You have given us grace at this time
With one accord to make our common supplication
To you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son
That when two or three are gathered together in his Name
You will be in the midst of them:
Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions
As may be best for us;
Granting us in this world knowledge of your truth,
And in the age to come life everlasting. AMEN
--A Prayer of St. Chrysostom, from BCP--

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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