The online worship resource for St. James Parish
nevertheless I want my brethren and kinsfolk to know my nature
so that they may be able to perceive my soul's desire.
St. Patrick
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgement of Doom.
Patrick of Ireland
I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful and most contemptible to many, had for father the deacon Calpurnius, son of the late Potitus, a priest, of the settlement [vicus] of Bannavem Taburniae; he had a small villa nearby where I was taken captive. I was at that time about sixteen years of age. I did not, indeed, know the true God; and I was taken into captivity in Ireland with many thousands of people, according to our desserts, for quite drawn away from God, we did not keep his precepts, nor were we obedient to our priests who used to remind us of our salvation. And the Lord brought down on us the fury of his being and scattered us among many nations, even to the ends of the earth, where I, in my smallness, am now to be found among foreigners.
And there the Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that, even so late, I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had regard for my insignificance and pitied my youth and ignorance. And he watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son.
Therefore, indeed, I cannot keep silent, nor would it be proper, so many favours and graces has the Lord deigned to bestow on me in the land of my captivity. For after chastisement from God, and recognizing him, our way to repay him is to exalt him and confess his wonders before every nation under heaven.
- St. Patrick's Confession
Friday is the feast day of Patrick of Ireland. Patrick was born around 390 in the southwest part of Britain. His father was a deacon, and his grandfather a priest. When Patrick was about 16, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland. It was through this experience that he made is conversion to Christianity: for though he had been raised in a Christian home, he had no belief in God. Now, he turned to God for help.
After six years of slavery, Patrick was either set free or escaped. He made his way back to Britain, and began studying for the priesthood.
In 435, Patrick was commissioned to go to Ireland as a missionary bishop. He made his headquarters in Armagh, built a school, and began his extensive missionary journeys. Patrick may not have converted Ireland single handedly, but he came close. At the end of his life in 461, the majority of Ireland was Christian.
Patrick left behind a biography and some small writings. One in his possession was the Lorica, also called St. Patrick's Breastplate. It is not known if this was actually written by Patrick or not.
Throughout this newsletter, you will find the verses of the Lorica, in a more modern translation. It is a prayer that I have often prayed in times of particular difficulty.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of the Cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of the resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In prediction of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
"Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me."
Exodus 20:1-3
When God speaks with people it is to remind them of God's liberating desire for them. Exodus 20, the passage which will illuminate the rule of life for humanity, begins with an acknowledgement of who God is for the people. God is the One who sets the captives free.
The commandments or laws that God gives are meant to make a community free as well.
When the rules are observed a community has the freedom to love God first and then each other.
This kind of community doesn't have to fear manipulation or greed, but can give generously of treasure and time.
This community can live in harmony with the movements of the seasons and the rhythm of life that God has set out for God's people.
Does it seem impossible?
An aspect of the spiritual life is to keep the seemingly impossible before our eyes.
We walk toward it with confidence because nothing will be impossible for God.
Move into the impossible this week!
Blessings,
Debra
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendour of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak to me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me,
This Week At St. James:
Today: Church Newsletter deadline
Tonight: 6:30 soup supper
7:00 Lenten meditation with Loree+
Sunday: Acolyte Training after the 10:15 service
Inquirer's class at 11:45
Monday: 10:00 Narnia book study
Tuesday: 7:30 Vestry meeting
Wednesday: 8:30 Healing Eucharist
6:30 soup supper
7:00 Lenten meditation with Debra Barton
Prayers Etc:
For those in need of healing and their families:
Ellie Anna Nancy Tony Joel Arabella
Tamara Dave Jeffrey Brittany Bill Jason
David Debbie Lovisah Leib & Carlyn Jewell
Keith Sue Ron Kathy Owen Kent
Jack Alice Bart Justin Mary Fox
Bernie Clayton Family Nancy Betsey Steffi
Leslie Dale Lea Kipe Bock Family Pam P.
Jon T.
Laura our seminarian, and her husband Lyle
All those who are deployed and their families
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From every one who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in a multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ to shield me today
Against poising, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So there come to me abundance of reward.
In Closing
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye of every one who sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
Pax et Bonum,
Loree+