The man who prays will have a heart
as wide as the love of God itself.
- St. Claire of Assisi

Kindle in our hearts, O God,
The flame of love that never ceases,
That it may burn in us, giving light to others.
May we shine for ever in your temple,
Set on fire with your eternal light,
Even your Son, Jesus Christ,
Our Saviour and Redeemer. AMEN
- St. Columba

The Descent into Darkness
This Sunday marks the 8th Sunday of Epiphany. Three days later we begin Lent with the liturgy of Ash Wednesday. Throughout Epiphany we have stories in Mark that point to the light - the eyes of the blind being opened, the healing of the paralytic, the release of those bound by demonic forces. The season culminates with the Light becoming visible, in the story of the Transfiguration, the reading for this Sunday.

When Jesus led three of his disciples up the mountain, they did not expect to meet with a scene that was so frightening. Nothing of what they had experienced with Jesus prepared them for this moment. Jesus himself became like a pure white light shining before them. They were terrified, and Peter, in his terror, tried to make sense of the moment. But there was no sense to be had. Trembling before this phantasm, they heard the voice of God. They heard the same words Jesus heard his baptism. “This is my son, the Beloved. Listen to him.”

We don’t know how long the disciples cowed in terror at the sight and sound they were confronted with. We only know that when they finally looked up, there was Jesus, looking like his old self. The moment had passed. And after this intense experience of light, the disciples found themselves descending into darkness with Jesus, as he journeyed to the cross.

We begin a similar descent, as we enter the season of Lent. Lent offers us opportunities to seek Christ in a different way – through our own experience of darkness, our own journey to the cross. There are many Lenten guides to help us enter more deeply into the season. One I have found helpful is called A Season for the Spirit by Martin L. Smith. A second one is The Lenten Labyrinth by Edward Hays. There is also an excellent Lenten devotional by Henri Noewen. I have found these guides helpful in centering my desire to keep a holy lent. Many other guides exist, and are available through major booksellers such as Amazon, or Barnes and Noble. You might want to treat yourself and go browse St. Bede’s bookstore, which is connected to the cathedral downtown.

However you choose your Lenten discipline, I pray that it will lead you to experience Christ and his passion more deeply.

Heavenly Sower,
Plow me first
And then sow the truth in me.
Let me produce
A bountiful harvest for you.
AMEN
- Charles Spurgeon

Debra’s Midweek Meditation
Debra is out of town, but as soon as I receive her meditation, I will send it out to the list.

Daily Morning Prayer:
http://www.episcopalchurchingarrettcounty.org/morning_prayer.htm

This week at St. James:
Friday: 7:00 Youth Pizza and Bowling
Sunday: Inquirer’s Class at 11:45
Confirmation at 11:45
“By the Sea” youth choirs musical, 3:00 pm
5 pm Stewardship feast
Tuesday: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, 5 pm
Wednesday: Ash Wednesday liturgy in the Academy, 8:40 am.
Ash Wednesday liturgy 8 pm

Prayers, Etc.
For those on our prayer list:
Ellie; Anna; Nancy; Tony; Joel; Arabella
Mark Rudolph; Tamara; Dave; MLI; Owen; Kent; Jeffrey
Brittany; Bill; Jason; David; Debbie
Sue; Fred W.; Mac W.; Leib and Carlyn; Lovisah
Drew Nealey; Lt. C. Adrian Bogart; Keith
Hannah; Justin; Mary Fox; Bernie; Clayton Family
Ron; Donovan K.

Our Seminarian Laura and her husband Lyle.
All those who are deployed and their families.

In Closing:

Open unto me – light for my darkness.
Open unto me – courage for my fear.
Open unto me – hope for my despair.
Open unto me – peace for my turmoil.
Open unto me – joy for my sorrow.
Open unto me – strength for my weakness.
Open unto me – wisdom for my confusion.
Open unto me – forgiveness for my sins.
Open unto me – tenderness for your thoughts.
Open unto me – love for my hates.
Open unto me – Thy self for my self.
Lord, Lord, open unto me.
AMEN
- Howard Thurman

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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