Monastic Mumblings, a Friar's Journey

Early Martyrs of Rome 30 June 64

Today the Church remembers and brings to mind the first Martyrs of Rome. I have to say that it never ceases to amaze me how the Lectionary or Calender of the Saints interact with what the Spirit is doing in the world. I suspect there is something about the promise in the 10th Canticle (Quaerite Dominum Isaiah 55:6-11) of God's Word not returning to Him empty at work here.

Sunday night I was with a discussion group on the impact of the Church on the culture and vice versa. It was lead by my new friend Seth, and he gave a panoramic sketch of the Church since her beginnings to the modern day.  The following discussion was lively and informative.

One of the discussion areas was on the early Church and how the people interacted with the culture of Rome that they found themselves in. And so today as the Church Universal remembers those who went before in Rome, perhaps it would do well to consider their lives.

We know from the Christian Scriptures that there were followers of Jesus in Rome very early on.  They were there even before Paul came in around 60 A.D.  We know that some sort of disturbances happened in 50 A.D. or so, when the Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome due to problems caused “caused by the certain Chrestus” as the historian Suetonius tells us.  I wonder what those disturbances were? But then under the Emperor Nero in 64 A.D. there came a horrific persecution.

Wooden Rome burned terribly that year and many so distrusted their own Emperor that they speculated that he had set the fire to clear central Rome for a grand palace for himself (and he did, in fact build the "Golden House" on the ruins).  To divert the blame Nero accused the Christians, and began such a persecution that even Romans felt sorry for them.

We have no idea how many died.  We are pretty sure that St. Peter and Paul were probably among those lost in this bloodbath.  We do know that their example did in fact, begin the change of the culture of Rome and paved the way for the eventual triumph of the Faith.

O Almighty God, by Whose grace and power Your holy martyrs at Rome in the days of the Emperor Nero triumphed over suffering and were faithful even unto death: Grant us, who now remember them with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to You in this world, that we may receive with them the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Remembering Dad

With_the_spirits_of_the_righteous.mp3

With the spirits of the righteous made perfect in faith,
Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Your servants
And preserve them in that life of blessedness
That is lived with thee, O Friend of man.

In the place of Your rest, O Lord, Where all Your saints repose,
Give rest also to the souls of Your servants
For You alone are immortal.

† Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit

You are our God who descended into Hell
To loose the pains of the dead who were held there
Give rest also to the souls of Your servants, O Savior.

Now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen

O Virgin alone pure and immaculate
Who in maiden-motherhood brought forth God
Intercede for the salvation of the souls of your servants.

May their memory be eternal!

Thin Spaces

There are places in this world the Celts called "thin places" where the eternal touches the finite in ways we cannot explain. Old, sacred places around the world, when we enter them, we feel the Spirit in ways we don't often do.  I also think there are "thin times" when the Spirit enters and is part of our lives in ways we are not fortunate enough to experience all our lives.

This last weekend was one of those "thin times" for me. We were celebrating the fifth year of my friend Murray's ordination to the diaconate and had special music and celebrations.  At one moment the choir was transcendently singing the seven-fold Amen, and I felt God's Spirit, and in that moment of thinness between this world and the next, I also felt communion with my father. It was the first time since he passed away.

I am blogging this after spending an evening at a local coffee shop, and am starting to interact with people there. I met a nice woman who had been healed from cancer.  I am curious how that has changed her, I hope I will find out.

What what a connected, Spirit-filled world we live in!

† Veni Sancti Spiritus
† Come, Holy Spirit

On Suffering

Words that I have been chewing on from Elder Ambrose of Optina. He was a Russian Orthodox Hieromonk (Starets) from the early middle 1800's, and still has something to say to my 21st century life.

"The shortest path to Christ is to bear one another's burdens."

"God does not create crosses for people, that is, cleansing spiritual and physical sufferings. And however heavy that cross may be for that individual, the tree that produces its timber grows from the soil of his heart."

"Sometimes, suffering is sent to an innocent person, so that he, as with the example of Christ, suffers for others. Christ Himself suffered for people. Likewise, His Apostles were tortured for the Church and people. To have absolute love means to suffer for your close ones."

I love the image of the timber that makes the cross we bear growing from the soil of our own hearts. How often do I cause my own issues? How do we embrace suffering for others? 

2 Corinthians 1:6  If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering.

Those We Love but See No Longer

Today I laid my father to rest.  My two sons among those bearing his coffin to the grave, my daughter holding my hand and crying next to me.  I will no longer hear his voice.  I won't see his face.  I won't benefit from his wisdom, the finality of it all is tragically absolute.

However, if I truly believe what I say I believe, then my father is one of those countless billions that  behold the Face of God. Dad knows as God knows, and what is hidden by a dark glass to me, shines brightly to him. We can never understand the wheels of life as they turn on this earth, but one thing I do know and trust....in the Presence; Dad knows & rejoices.

Difficult business

I have a chore to do today that I dread a great deal.  After my wife died, my youngest son, then only a year old, spent a lot of time with my parents. My Dad and Tim formed a strong bond, and they have always had such a deep and abiding connection.   My son Tim is away at St. Crispin's camp (our summer Church camp program) and has no idea his grandfather was even sick.  It is time for me to drive down there and tell him, and bring him home. My other two children took this loss very hard, but Tim is going to be shattered. He had plans on showing grandpa some new skateboard moves in a couple of weeks. Dad's loss will be a big hole in his life.

Most merciful God, Whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with Tim in his grief. Surround him with Your love, that he will not be overwhelmed by this loss, but give him confidence in Your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gone, so fast

I can't believe it. Just 24 hours ago, we were talking and laughing on the phone, then suddenly an aggressive pneumonia appeared, and he is gone.  My father peacefully died today, at 4:25, his family around him, bathed in our love and that of his Savior.  I am tired, and back home. Tomorrow brings challenges of it's own, so tonight I pray.

Dad, may your precious soul depart out of this world;
In the Name of God the Father Almighty Who created you;
In the Name of Jesus Christ Who redeemed you;
In the Name of the Holy Spirit Who sanctifies you.
May your rest be this day in peace,
 and your dwelling place in the Paradise of God.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, I commend my father,
Glenn. Acknowledge, I humbly beseech You, a sheep of
Your own fold, a lamb of Your own flock, a sinner of Your
own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of Your mercy,
into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the
glorious company of the Saints in light.  Amen.

Medical Crisis

Some of you know that my father had a heart valve replaced in late winter. He has been slowly recovering, but his lungs have been the major problem.  As a child he had pneumonia three winters straight. 

My sister just called, and Dad has been rushed to the hospital in the night with a major breathing problem which has turned out to be a bad case of pneumonia.  The doctors do  not think the antibiotics will work in time, and his outlook is grim.

Please pray for him, my mom and family.  He has been the rock of my life, and my greatest inspiration.  I am leaving now to hurry to the hospital, some four hours away, I will do my best to update when I can.

May God continue to have mercy upon him.

Son of Encouragement

Today is the day the Church remembers and celebrates the life of Barnabas, Apostle of Christ.  His real name was Joseph, but he was known by his nickname, Barnabas.  I have found that people are generally given nicknames because of some outstanding attribute, such as "Red" for some one with red hair.  Barnabas means "son of Encouragement". What an amazing nickname, and certainly one any of us would be proud to bear.

We don’t know much about him, but we see him over and over, through out the Christian Scriptures, working with Paul, building up the Church and encouraging the saints wer ever he went.  While we have no writings of his, his young cousin, John Mark was his protégé, and went on to write the Gospel that bears his name.

Have you ever wondered how our actions change others? I wonder if without Barnabas would we have a Gospel of Mark today?  Ever wonder if God will use you to influence such change?

Grant, O God, that we may follow the example of Your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well-being of Your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Who is worshipping who?

  Yesterday I got a postcard for a startup Church near my home, and went to there website for more information.  I was curious as the card had no crosses on it or mentions of Jesus.

On the website I found this statement.  Clearly they are seeking to welcome people into their midst.

... we strive to make your experience comfortable, easy, and fun. From the moment you pull into the parking lot our traffic team will help you find a place to park. Once inside, our guest services team will be there to welcome you and assist with any questions you might have.  Grab a cup of coffee or a bottled water from the Connection Cafe, enter the main auditorium, sit back, and enjoy the church service.

While I would not presume to critise their motive of serving others in Christ's name, I could not help but think, who is worshipping WHO?  What do you, my readers think?