The online worship resource for St. James Parish
To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul.
- Simone Weil
Lead, kindly Light, amid the
Encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on;
Keep Thou my feet. I do not ask to see
The distant scene, one step's enough for me.
- John Henry Newman
Brigid of Kildare
I would like an abundance of peace.
I would like full vessels of charity.
I would like rich treasures of mercy.
I would like cheerfulness to preside over all.
I would like Jesus to be present.
I would like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us.
I would like the friends of Heaven to be gathered around us from all parts.
I would like myself to be a rent payer to the Lord:
That I should suffer distress, that he would bestow a good blessing upon me.
I would like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings.
I would like to be watching Heaven's family
Drinking it through all eternity.
Today is the feast day of St. Brigid of Kildare.
Brigid was the natural daughter of Dubtach, poet laureate of King Loeghaire, and Brocca, a Christian slave who had been baptized by St. Patrick. Brigid was greatly influenced by her mother's faith. As a child, she heard St. Patrick preach, and never forgot it. She had a kind heart and couldn't bear to see anyone suffering. In order to help the poor, she often gave things away; unfortunately most of these things belonged to her father, who was also her owner. Needless to say, he did not take kindly to her Christian efforts.
When her father arranged a marriage for her with a young bard, Brigid refused to take the vows, and instead went to Bishop Macaile, a student of St. Patrick's, and took her vows to become a nun. Legend says that when Saint Patrick heard her final vows, he mistakenly used the form of prayers and blessing for ordaining priests. When told of it, he replied, &So be it, my son, she is destined for great things.&
Brigid began her first convent with seven nuns, and eventually started convents all over Ireland. She invented the double monastery, a community of nuns and monks living together.
Brigid is an example of Christianity at work in adverse circumstances. This girl who began life as a slave in a pagan household went on to change the map of Ireland, founding convents, preaching the gospel, and helping the poor in the name of Christ.
Collect for St. Brigid:
Everliving God, we rejoice today in the fellowship of your blessed servant Brigid, and we give you thanks for her life of devoted service. Inspire us with life and light, and give us perseverance to serve you all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN
Descend within me and reproduce in me,
As it were, an incarnation of the Word,
That I may be to him another humanity
Wherein he renews his mystery.
- Elizabeth of Schonau
On February 2nd, we celebrate the Presentation of our Lord. This commemorates the day when Mary went to the temple for her purification, bringing the child Jesus, who was then prayed over by Anna and Simeon. Since it was normal for a woman to come for purification 40 days after the birth of her child, the Presentatlon occurs on February 2.
The Presentation of Our Lord is also called Candlemas, because of the old tradition in which a priest would bless all the candles to be used in the coming year. In doing so, the rite emphasizes the Light of Christ coming into the world.
The Book of Occasional Services includes a liturgy for a Candlemas procession when the Feast of the Presentation is commemorated in church. Included are some wonderful prayers and responses that you might find helpful to meditate on in your own Candlemas remembrance. You may want to light a candle, and contemplate the story in Luke chapter 2:22-40.
God our Father, source of all light, today you revealed to the aged Simeon your light which enlightens the nations. Fill our hearts with the light of faith, that we who bear these candles may walk in the path of goodness, and come to the Light that shines for ever, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
O God, you have made this day holy by the presentation of your Son in the Temple, and by the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Mercifully grant that we, who delight in her humble readiness to be the birth-giver of the Only-begotten, may rejoice for ever in our adoption as his sisters and brothers; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
The following antiphon is used in conjunction with Psalm 48:1,2, 10-13:
We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O Lord, in the midst of your temple. Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to the world's end; your right hand is full of justice.
Illumine the heart of my soul.
May the flame of Christ
Kindle me to love.
May the fire of the Spirit free me to live
This day, tonight, and forever.
- Celtic Benediction
Enlarge my heart that it may be big enough to receive the greatness of your love.
Stretch my heart that it may take into it all
Those who with me around the world believe in
Jesus Christ.
Stretch it that it may take into it
all those who do not know him, but who are my responsibility because I know Him.
And stretch it that it may take into it all those
Who are not lovely in my eyes,
And whose hands I do not want to touch,
Through Jesus Christ, my Savior
AMEN
- Kapinga Esete
Debra's Midweek Meditation
"In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed."
Mark 1:35
Silence and solitude are foundations of the prayer life. Even Jesus, the Son of God, needed refreshment before He could minister to others.
I wonder why we so often think that we can continue to rocket around from one activity to the next without some of this same silence and solitude?
I wonder if we are avoiding the Word which might come to us in stillness, or if we have just gotten out of practice?
What Mark tells us is that in the midst of an extremely busy ministry Jesus went away by himself to a quiet place and there He prayed. Mark has included this glimpse into the private life of Jesus for a reason.
I wonder what he is trying to tell us?
Blessings,
Debra
May our souls be lamps of yours,
Kindled and illuminated by you.
May they shine and burn with the truth,
And never go out in darkness and ashes.
Mozarabic Liturgy
Ah, dearest Jesus, Holy Child,
Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for thee.
Martin Luther
This week at St. James:
Sunday: The Rev. Mary Davisson from the Seafarer's Center in all liturgies
9:00 Youth Liturgy
10:15 Youth Breakfast
Rev. Davisson will be available during coffee hour to talk about the ministry of the Seafarer's Center, in the Parish Library
11:45 Inquirer's Class
Coming events: We are beginning a book group to read together and reflect on the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. The group will meet Monday mornings beginning February 13. If you're interested, please let me know.
Prayers, Etc.
For those on our prayer list:
Ellie Anna Nancy Tony Joel Arabella Mark Rudoph
Tamara Dave MLI Owen Kent Jeffrey Brittany
Bill Jason David Debbie Sue Fred W.
Mac W. Leib and Carlyn Josh and Lovisah
Drew Nealy
For Ben Griswold, who has died, and his family who mourn.
For our seminarian Laura, and her husband Lyle.
For those who are deployed and their families.
In Closing
Lord you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,
Whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A light to enlighten the nations,
And the glory of your people Israel.
Luke 2:29-32
BCP p. 120
May Almighty God, who led the Wise Men by the shining of a star to find the Christ, the Light from Light, lead you also, in your pilgrimage, to find the Lord. AMEN
Pax et Bonum,
Loree+