Faith

I have had some interesting conversations around faith recently (including several with myself!). I am working on a longer blog post around this topic, in particular around a commonly used expression – “I know it was in God’s plan for me” or something similar. Stay tuned, it will be on the “Main Blog” portion of the site.

Meanwhile in my prayer time I came across this beautiful prayer from the St. Augustine’s Prayer Book (available from Forward Movement on behalf of the Order for the Holy Cross), which I have been using for my daily prayer time. I used it for both our staff meeting and our Day School board meetings today:

A Prayer for Faith (page 73):

Increase my Faith, O Lord; give me diligence to learn and understand the Gospel; open my heart to trust in you; let my doubts spur me to seek deeper your understanding with patience; for you have given me a mind to question, time to grow and mature, and you call me to know, to love, and to serve you even in the midst of uncertainty. Amen.

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Tuesday – Seekers and other Young Adults, those in our community who are unchurched, our community and those in need, especially Family Promise and CROS ministries

(click Prayer Instructions for links to Morning or Evening Prayer for today)

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Monday – Children, youth, and family ministries of St. Paul’s and those who teach and work with our youth. Our music program and choirs.

(click Prayer Instructions for links to Morning or Evening Prayer for today)

Today is the Feast of the Holy Cross. This major feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the year 335. During the reign of Constantine, first Roman Emperor to profess the Christian faith, his mother Helena went to Israel and there undertook to find the places especially significant to Christians. (She was helped in this by the fact that in their destructions around 135, the Romans had built pagan shrines over many of these sites.) Having located, close together, what she believed to be the sites of the Crucifixion and of the Burial (at locations that modern archaeologists think may be correct), she then had built over them the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which was dedicated on 14 September 335. It has become a day for recognizing the Cross (in a festal atmosphere that would be inappropriate on Good Friday) as a symbol of triumph, as a sign of Christ’s victory over death, and a reminder of His promise, “And when I am lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32). (from http://satucket.com/lectionary/Holy_Cross.htm, written by James Keifer.

Holy Cross Day is our only feast day that commemorates an object. On this day in particular our thoughts turn to the cross of Christ, an instrument of torture and execution which became a sign and symbol of our faith in redemption and resurrection.

The Collect for Holy Cross Day:

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Sunday – Clergy, Staff, Wardens and Vestry and the Rector Search (click HERE to read the Rector Search prayer)

(click Prayer Instructions for links to Morning or Evening Prayer for today)

It’s Sunday y’all. I hope you attend the worship service of your choice today. Psalm 29, appointed for Morning Prayer today, calls us to:

¹Ascribe to the LORD, you gods, *
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

²Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his Name; *
worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Saturday – for the Green Team and for all Creation, for our ministries to Seniors, and for all on our Parish prayer list.

(click Prayer Instructions for links to Morning or Evening Prayer for today)

There is not much a commentator can add to these words from the 3rd chapter of Philippians appointed for today. So let me get out of the way and simply encourage you to read, learn, mark and inwardly digest these words from the imprisoned apostle. They are a great reminder of me today to rejoice always and to pray not only for God’s help but with thanksgiving:

4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Friday – Daughters of the King, Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Marthas, worship volunteers (acolytes, ushers and greeters, chalice bearers) and all over volunteer groups who work so tirelessly and joyfully for the Kingdom of God and the Body of Christ at St. Paul’s.

(click Prayer Instructions for links to Morning or Evening Prayer for today)

On this anniversary of the horrific terrorist attack on our nation, I reflect back on the church’s reaction. There was a moment in time where people of America were united in ways I don’t know I have seen in my lifetime. At the same time, people flocked to churches, seeking meaning, questioning life, hoping for a word of comfort. Churches all over the country reported large crowds at special prayer services and the like. I wonder what happened to those people, many of whom rarely if ever graced a worship service? Why didn’t they come back? Was the “church” ready to walk along side them in their fear, in their anger, in their confusion, in their search for answers?

It’s one reason why I usually focus on the Psalms when reflecting on the office readings. All those same emotions are evident in the Psalms, the people of God have questioned and praised and wondered and shouted and sought and cried and rejoiced and questioned again since the dawn of faith. Church needs to be a place where those who question are welcomed, embraced even, and invited to share the journey with one another. I hope our church is a place like that for people.

Today let us remember those who lost their lives in 2001 and all those who have fought for our freedom and paid the ultimate price in the wars that followed. Let us also pray for peace.