Father,
Give us wisdom to perceive you,
intellect to understand you,
diligence to seek you,
patience to wait for you,
eyes to behold you,
a heart to meditate on you
and a life to proclaim you,
through the power of the Spirit
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- St. Benedict

Germs of the Heart

Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they noticed that some of the disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them…Jesus replied to them, "Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile…for it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." Mk. 17:1-23 (abbreviated)

Reading this week’s gospel from Mark was an eye-opening experience. It isn’t as though I hadn’t read it before. Nor am I uncomfortable with the message - what comes out of us, the fruit, if you will, of the heart, is more important than what goes in, in terms of outer cleanliness. A white-washed tomb may look good on the outside, but what is inside is still dead.

Its just that I identify with the Pharisees a bit…not in the sense of ceremonial washing, but in the importance of doing those truly cleansing acts that are important for germ reduction. Okay, I admit it. I keep anti-bacterial hand gel in the car. I use it when I pump gas, or when I go to the grocery store, after touching the shopping cart. I like to take anti-bacterial wipes with me to hotels, so I can wipe down the doorknobs and the TV remote. I cringe when there is no soap to use in public restrooms. I still remember fondly my training to work in a hospital, including the page on "The 10 Mandatory Times for Washing Hands."

The ceremonial washing of the hands that the Pharisees practice did no good for the "germs" of the heart, and Jesus knew it. He wasn’t against washing his hands; he was against putting emphasis on ceremonial acts that had no real effect on one’s life. If we desire to have clean hands, let it be hands that choose to do right actions. As Psalm 15 says, it is the one who has clean hands (does what is right) and speaks truth from his heart, that will dwell with God.

Go ahead and fight those germs (I certainly will!) but remember that the germs of the heart may do more damage in the long run.

Write your blessed name, O Lord,
upon my hear, there to remain
so indelibly engraved, that no prosperity,
no adversity shall ever move me from your love.
Be to me a strong tower of defense,
a comforter in tribulation, a deliverer in distress,
a very present help in trouble and a guide to heaven
through the many temptations and dangers of this life.
- Thomas A Kempis

Debra’s Midweek Meditation
"The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice."
Song of Songs 2:8-9

We have the opportunity every day to fall in love with God again and to enjoy ourselves.

God calls us out of darkness into beauty and light and joy.

So often, I am focused on the many ways in which I fall short of what I consider to be the "standard" of rightness with God. Well-who's standard is it-my parents? my society?

Rightness with God, I believe, is moving ever closer to Christ.

No matter where I am standing, the opportunity to walk toward God is always open.
Take the steps-
Walk the path-
Leap with joy and dance in the beauty of light.

Blessings,
Debra

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

This week at St. James
Monday: Labor Day; church office closed.
Tuesday: SJA Opening Eucharist and Brunch; 7:30 Admin Meeting
Wednesday: 8:30 Healing Liturgy; SJA first day of school

Prayers, Etc.
For those who are deployed and their families. For Laura and Lyle.

For those on our prayer list:
Dot; Sue; Lori; Bill; Sarah; Joel
Toni; Anna; Philip; David; Brooke; Brian G.
Leib & Carlyn Lovisah; Jeffrey; Miriam F.; Pat Easter
Traskey family; Harold Fitch; Walter Rasmussen
Matthew Day; Sharon C.; Gage C.; Auds
Joan Lopez and family; Avery; Bob Dieter
Tom & Kathy Hyle
Grace Kohler, who has died, and her family who mourn.

Eternal God,
The refuge of all your children,
In our weakness you are our strength,
In our darkness our light,
In our sorrow our comfort and peace.
May we always live in your presence,
And serve you in our daily lives;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Boniface

In Closing:
The Dedication
Thanks to Thee, God,
Who brought me from yesterday
To the beginning of today,
Everlasting joy
To earn for my soul
With good intent.
And for every gift of peace
Thou bestowest on me,
My thoughts, my words,
My deeds, my desires
I dedicate to Thee.
I supplicate Thee,
I beseech Thee,
To keep me from offense
And to shield me tonight,
For the sake of thy wounds
With thine offering of Grace.
- The Celtic Vision

May you always be blessed with walls for the wind,
A roof for the rain,
A warm cup of tea by the fire,
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all that your heart might desire.

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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