Come now, (little man), turn aside
For a while from your daily employment,
Escape for a moment
From the tumult of your thoughts.
Put aside your weighty cares,
Let your burdensome distractions wait,
Free yourself awhile for God,
And rest awhile in Him.
Enter the inner chamber of your soul,
Shut out everything except God
And that which can help you in seeking Him,
And when you have shut the door, seek Him.
Now, my whole heart, say to God,
I seek your face,
Lord, it is your face I seek.
- St. Anselm

A Cup of Water
This week, water has been on my mind. It could be because of the gospel reading for Sunday, which includes the line, "for whoever gives a cup of water in My Name will in no way lose his reward." It just so happens that this Sunday, those who went to Honduras will be telling us of their experiences in all three services – how apt that the gospel mentions a "cup of water" when we as a church have been involved for over a year in a project to bring clean water to the orphanage in Honduras.

Or, water could be on my mind because, well, its in rather short supply out our house this week. Or, at least hot water is. Whatever magic happens in that complicated heating system in our garage is no longer happening: something needs replacing, a part is on order…should be able to fix it this week…

So we learn to get by without the hot running water that most of us consider a need. As I have subjected myself to icy showers, or other means to bring about cleanliness, I have reflected on the truly luxurious joy of a hot shower, water of just the right temperature – comfort in every direction. And that reflection has reminded me of those who do not have that luxury. I spoke with a woman last week that works with a homeless shelter in Baltimore County – in fact the only homeless shelter in the county, called Sarah’s Hope. The shelter is at capacity, with a waiting list. There are so many homeless families that right now, they accommodate only families, no single men or women. They can accommodate about 100. There are over 3000 homeless persons in Baltimore County alone.

So in my cold shower, I remember those who have no shower, those to whom even a cold shower would be a blessing.

Here at St. James, many people are involved in ministry to Paul’s Place, the Ark, and other places of great need. Our Sunday school has stayed involved in Social Ministry through the efforts of Karen Underwood, and Julie O’Toole. We have labored to give so that water without harmful bacteria can be available in Honduras, for drinking, and for showers. God has been good to us, allowing us to share with others.

I have to say, I’m looking forward to having hot water again. But I am thankful to God for the reminder that what we think we need is often something we can do without. And it makes me wonder in prayer, "What else, Lord, can I do without? Where else can I give?"

He prays constantly who unites prayer with the deeds required and mixes deeds with prayer. For the only way we can accept the commandment of St. Paul to pray constantly as referring to a real possibility is by saying that the entire life of the saint taken as a whole is a single great prayer.
- Origen of Alexandria

Debra’s Midweek Meditation
Practicing Justice
"And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled." Then Queen Esther answered, "If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me—that is my petition—and the lives of my people—that is my request."
- Esther 7:2-3

Esther is a champion of freedom and justice. She speaks for herself and she speaks for others.

In the world of God's love there is no freedom without everyone and there is no justice unless everyone is treated justly. That is a long way from the world we live in now, isn't it?

But Jesus promises us that the Kingdom is very near us, and the glimpses of that Kingdom can be seen all around us.

I have just returned from a few days at the beach.
In my little cottage, on the porch, in the sun, with the whisper of the creek across the street, and the music of the birds overhead, it is easy to believe in the Kingdom's nearness.

But I can also believe in the nearness of freedom and justice when I witness the courage of ordinary persons willing to risk themselves to promote the freedom of others. When we are willing to participate in Jesus' ministry of "freeing the captives", we, too, will be given the courage we need to speak up and to act for justice.

When we pause to consider someone else's ideas;
when we stand up for a friend or a stranger who seems to be alone;
when we ask God to direct our actions and then spend time listening;
We, too, are participating in justice.

We may join Esther in following a course of action which seems impossible, but IS possible,
through the Lord who directs and sustains us.

Blessings,
Debra

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

Lord, help me today to realize that thou wilt be speaking to me
through the events of the day,
through people, through things, and through all creation.
Give me ears, eyes, and heart to perceive thee,
however veiled thy presence may be.
Give me insight to see through the exterior of things to the interior truth.
Give me thy Spirit of discernment.
O Lord, though knowest how busy I must be this day.
If I forget thee, do not thou forget me.
- Sir Jacob Astley

This week at St. James
Thursday: SJA High School Admissions Night; SJA Alumni Pizza Night
Friday: 8:30 EFM in the Parish Library
Sunday: 9:00 Youth Liturgy; 10:15 Youth Breakfast in the Down Under; Honduras team speaking in all services
Tuesday: 7:30 Vestry Admin. Meeting
Wednesday: 8:30 Healing Eucharist.; 9:30 Wednesday Bible Study begins; 9:30 Prayer Shawl Ministry in Choir Room

Prayers, Etc.
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 E.
Traskey family; Harold F.; Walter R.
Matthew D.; Sharon C.; Gage C.; Auds; Avery
Joan L. and family; Annabelle
Tom & Kathy H.; Linda T.; Allison Louis
Matt S.; Don & Leslie D.; Nancy; Fiona
Brenda; Fritz; Valerie and her children
Prof

For Laura and Lyle.
For those who are deployed and their families.
For the homeless, and those seeking housing.

Look down upon us, O Lord, And let all the darkness of our souls vanish Before the beams of your brightness. Fill us with holy love, and open to us The treasures of your wisdom. All our desire is known unto you, Therefore perfect what you have begun, And what your Spirit has awakened us To ask in prayer.
- St. Augustine

In Closing:
O thou who coverest thy high places with the waters,
Who settest the sand as a bound to the sea
And dost uphold all things:
The sun sings thy praises,
The moon gives thee glory,
Every creature offers a hymn to thee,
His author and creator, for ever.
- Eastern Orthodox

May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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