Today thou hast appeared to the world, and thy light, O Lord, has been a sign to us.
What was invisible we behold,
What was unknown is known.
Open our eyes to the light of grace,
Unloose our hearts from fear,
Be with us in the strength of love,
Lead us in the hope of courage,
Along the path of tribulation,
Till the overcoming is obtained.
Evelyn Francis Capel
Saint or ?
Yesterday was the feast day of William Laud, the Archbishop of Canterbury under Charles I of England. For those who know your English history, you will recognize Charles' name: he was beheaded when Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans came into power. His ecclesiastical advisor, Laud, was beheaded in 1640.
Laud is a controversial figure. He was not in favor of the Elizabethan settlement, which brought about compromise between warring puritan and "anglo-catholic" factions. He gave no ground to the puritans whatsoever, and emphasized not only the divine right of kings, but the importance of the sacraments, and the importance of the priesthood.
Laud was brutal to the puritans, yet compassionate in his defense of the rights of the common people against the landowners. He was deeply devout, loyal to the King, and did what he did out of sincere conviction. He brought to the church a greater reverence for the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist.
His prayer on the scaffold is perhaps the best way to capture his theology and devotion: "The Lord receive my soul, and have mercy upon me, and bless this kingdom with peace and charity, that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them."
Collect for William Laud: Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like your servant William Laud, we may live in your fear, die in your favor, and rest in your peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN
Laud's legacy
The church of England has gone through a number of politically based, and theologically inspired, changes over its 500+ years of existence. We have been, at various times, very similar in theology and practice to the Roman church, stripped to bare walls in deference to Puritan doctrine, somewhere in between, evangelical in outlook, traditional in understanding, liberal in theology, conservative in practice. Up until the 18th century, many of these changes occurred with an accompanying bloodbath, courtesy of the "winning" side. Somewhere along the line, we finally got the message that burning people at the stake when they disagree with us is probably not a wise response to the Great Commandment.
Today one can find a variety of styles of worship and theology throughout the Anglican church, from churches that are quite protestant in their outlook, to churches like St. Paul's K-Street in Washington DC, where Benediction (the adoration of the blessed sacrament) occurs every Sunday night. While we, on one hand revel in the freedom we have as Anglicans to share a common faith in uncommon settings, we are once again in the midst of controversy. The fight over sexuality in the church is to some a matter of conscience, to others a matter of doctrine. It is a reincarnation of the same fight that has gone on for centuries a fight over interpretation, and how much of our faith depends not only on orthodox Christian faith, but also on living out that faith in modern society. It is a controversy that threatens to split us apart as a worldwide communion. Perhaps we still have not learned to lesson we have struggled with so long: that ultimately, faith is "believing that God is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11), that there is so much still to accomplish in this world in terms of evangelism, justice, and peace, and finally, that as we ultimately stand before God, we will be rewarded, not because we have all the answers, or the right doctrine, but because we Loved our God, and our neighbor. (see Romans 13)
The Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.
Taking, as He did,
This sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life,
and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen
Reinhold Neibuhr (1926)
"The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread."
1Samuel 3:1
I resonate with this verse for my own time. Sometimes it seems that visions are too widespread in our technological age. Images are everywhere and people present us continually with their own spin on events.
However, the vision that is born of listening to God seems silent in this time, which makes discernment even more challenging.
Samuel had to have a guide to help him recognize the voice of the Lord. That guide was Eli--an elder. He could no longer hear the voice himself but he could share his wisdom with the one who was to take up his ministry and go forward.
This kind of listening with another reminds me of the ministry of spiritual direction. We all need a trusted companion on the Way, or a trusted community of seekers to help us discern between impulse and call.When we set aside time for listening to God we have made the first step in joining Samuel. When we are able to listen to the wisdom of another about who is calling us and what that call might mean we join Samuel further along the story:
"Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
1Samuel 3:10
We are made for each other. We listen for God and then we share with another and then we listen for God together.
We get courage for the journey from those who have gone before us and from those who walk with us now.
Blessed Journey,
Debra
All through this day, O lord,
By the power of thy quickening Spirit,
Let me touch the lives of others for good,
Whether through the word I speak,
The prayer I speak or the life I live.
http://www.episcopalchurchingarrettcounty.org/morning_prayer.htm
In choosing to be born for us, God chose to be known by us. He therefore reveals himself in this way, in order that this great sacrament of his love may not be an occasion for us of great misunderstanding.
Peter Chrysologus
DL Moody
Ellie Anna Nancy Tony Joel Arabella Mark Rudolph
Tamara Dave M.L.I. Owen Kent Jeffrey Brittany
Bill Jason David Debbie Sue Fred W.
Mac W. Leib and Carlyn Josh & Lovisah
Our seminarian Laura and her husband Lyle
Those who are deployed and their families.
Prayer for Unity of the Church:
O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that as there is but one body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN (BCP 818)
In Closing:
God has called you out of darkness,
Into his wonderful light.
May you experience his kindness and blessings,
And be strong in faith, in hope, and in love.
Because you are followers of Christ,
Who appeared on this day as a light shining in darkness,
May he make you a light to all your sisters and brothers.
The wise men followed the star,
And found Christ who is light from light.
May you too find the Lord
When your pilgrimage is ended.
Solemn blessing, Roman rite
Pax et Bonum,
Loree+
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