Monastic Mumblings, a Friar's Journey

Summer vacation

Well blog world, I am going on vacation. Will be gone for a couple of weeks, journeying through the nation's capital, and points north.  I have never been to the north east part of the country, or Washington, so this will be fun.  I will try to blog on my trip, time and access depending. Two of my first stops will be St. Anselm's  Abbey in DC, and if all works out, I will worship at the National Cathedral next Sunday.

If you are in the Washington DC, Baltimore, or Philadelphia area, comment or email me and we can try to connect.  I like to meet people as I go around the country.

† servi servorum Dei
† Servant of the servants of God

Jesus, The Teenage Years

I posted this image a while back, and for some reason, it came to mind tonight while attending Agora fellowship's Saturday night service. My friend Rev. Jeff asked about the image of God we had, how we view the Eternal One.   I remembered this picture and enjoyed thinking of it.  I had never thought of Jesus as a teenager until I saw this poster. I like it, and see Him as welcoming and expansive, His arms reaching wide, ready for the Cross.  Gives me one vision of God.  How do you my readers  see this picture?

What I dig about Jesus

I have been tagged by my good friend Paul.

So the Meme is, 5 things about Jesus that I "dig". 

1. He is my Way, my Truth, my Light - Life without Him seems.. Impossible

2. My beloved wife is at His side waiting for me to join them.

3. Some how, some way, He did not sin, and yet wasn't a Jerk about it.  Even the skankiest wanted to hang around Him.

4. He has a Kingdom that is breaking into this fallen world now. It is exciting to see it from time to time.

5. His willingness to love us fallen creatures seems to really piss off so many "good Christians".  I know it isn't nice, but this one really gives me a chuckle.

Who should I tag?  Hm... Kyle, Dino, Josh, Kevin, and Jared.

So guys the rules are:
   1. Those Tagged will share 5 things they dig about Jesus.
   2. Those tagged will tag 5 other bloggers.
   3. Those tagged will provide a link in the comments section here of their meme so that others can read them.

Alban 22 June

In these days when torture is so often in the news headlines, it can be very easy to forget that to torture someone is not only condemned in itself and an unmitigated moral evil, but in the end self defeating. Today we can see that very point in the life of St. Alban.

Alban was a pagan, and a soldier in the Roman Army. We aren't exactly certain if he died under the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian in 304 (the traditional date) or in what appears more likely these days, the persecution under Emperor Septimius Severus in 209. The point of the matter is that a Christian Priest was running from arrest and certain death, and took shelter in Alban's home. Over the next few days the two talked at length, and Alban became a Christian and received the Sacrament of Baptism. When officers came in search of the priest, they searched the house, and Alban disguised himself in the cloak of his guest and gave himself up in his place. He was dragged before the judge, tortured, and threatened. When after all this agony, he still would not deny his faith, the judge condemned to him to death, and Alban was beheaded.

Alban is thereby the first recorded Christian martyr in Britain. The second, interestingly enough, was the executioner who was to kill him. But, that man when he heard Alban's testimony and was so impressed that he became a Christian on the spot, and refused to kill Alban. He was exectuted immediately for his disobedience to the Empire. The third was the priest, who when he learned that Alban had been arrested in his place, hurried to the court in the hope of saving Alban by turning himself in, however it was too late to save him. Alban bore great tortures and torments for our Lord, not only patiently, but joyfully. He has been a Patron of torture victims ever since. My hope is that Alban would watch over and lift to God in prayer those people caught in the horrors and torments of torture, even today.

Almighty God, by Whose grace and power Your holy martyr Alban triumphed over suffering and was faithful even unto death: Grant to us, who now remember him with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to You in this world, that we may receive with him 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.

Columba 9 June 597

We have no idea how fortunate we live in such a time of prosperity and domestic peace as we do in modern America.  The Church lives and has lived in terrible times of turmoil over the centuries that God has placed us on this world.  Such a time was in what we call the "Dark Ages" in Europe.  There was very little travel or societal support for people so  monasteries commonly  served as inns, orphanages, centers of learning.  Once in a while they were pressed into use as fortresses also.  If it wasn't for the shelters and civilizing influence of the monasteries and convents, what we know as western civilization just might have collapsed completely in those dangerous and violent times.

Columba, was born in about 521 of a princely Irish family. On both his father's and mother's side he was a descendant of Irish kings.  He was baptized Columba, (in Irish Colum or Colma).   He was born to be a leader in his culture, but turned it aside for a life of service in the Church.  He became a monk and priest, and eventually an abbot, but declined promotion to the bishopric, out of humility.

The records tell us that he was educated at the great Irish monastic schools at Movilla and Clonard, and apparently  was a pupil of an Irish bard.  The bards were composers of poetry and recorders of Irish history.  Columba himself became an accomplished poet.

After he had served in and founded some monasteries in Ireland, in 563, he and 12 monks (all relations of his) sailed off to the Scottish island of Iona.  They there founded the famous monastery of Iona, and from this location, he did his mission work among local Irish (who had immigrated there) and the Picts to the north.  We understand that he preached the Gospel as far north as Loch Ness, and down south into northern England.  His missionaries brought the Celtic Rite with them, which was later to be reconciled with the Roman Rite at the synod of Whitby.

Iona was the center of operations for the conversion of the Scots and Picts, and became the most famous religious house in Scotland. Columba baptized Brude, King of the Picts, and later a King of the Scots came to this Abbot of the "Holy Isle" for baptism. Columba founded several monasteries staffed by monks from his Irish monasteries and churches, in Great Britain also.  Records say that he gave to each new church a hand-copied book of the Gospels.  He is said to have made three hundred copies himself!  Think of it, hand written!

Bede tells us that Columba led many to Christianity by his "preaching and example."  Quite an example for us to live up to in this day! He was much admired for his physical as well as spiritual prowess. He was a strict ascetic and remained physically strong, and kept up his missionary and pastoral journeys throughout all his seventy-six years of life.  Columba died at Iona on June 9, 597.  Up to the very end, he was engaged in making one final transcription of the bible.  May we also be found so faithful when our own time comes.

O God, Who by the preaching of your blessed servant Columba caused the light of the Gospel to shine in Scotland: Grant, we pray, that, having his life and labors in remembrance, we may show our thankfulness to You by following the example of his zeal and patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Still Doubting

In modern culture so many people look at the American Church and see nothing of the kind, Carpenter of Nazareth.  They are full of doubts and don't know where to turn. 

Thomas was able to turn to the Lord Himself. He wasn't castigated for his doubts, Jesus simply showed him the Scars on His body.  What a simple response to a deep need. Maybe there is a way that we can show others the way to Christ if we share our scars a bit, too.  This painting really speaks to me how Jesus would react to our modern doubts. 

How does it seem to you?

John Granville Gregory
Still Doubting

Gregory emulates the style of Caravaggio,using contemporary and realistic figures to show the story of Thomas  encountering the Risen Christ.

From Fr. James B. Simpson and George H. Eatman's A Treasury of Anglican Art (New York: Rizzoli, 2002).  Courtesy of Mr. Eatman.

Listening

Yesterday a couple of friends and I were having a meeting about Centering Prayer.  Barbara made the following statement that rocked me:

The Scriptures say "Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening", but most Christians have been taught to pray "Listen Lord, for Your "servant" is speaking!" 

Wow, what a perfect example of modern Christianity!   Lord, help us to listen to You, over our own wants, and needs. 

Here are some questions:

Do you listen to God, or do you want Him to listen to you? Do you make time in your schedule to be available to Him?  Does your community help guide you in seeking God's voice? Would you know how do be able to "be available" to God?

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to You, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly Yours, utterly dedicated unto You; and then use us, we pray You, as You will, and always to Your glory and the welfare of Your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Justin Martyr 1 June

It is believed that Justin was born around 100, we don't know this for  certain, however we do know that he was born at Flavia Neapolis (modern  Nablus) in what is now the middle portion of Israel, of pagan Greek parents.

His parents were able to give him a good education in rhetoric, poetry, and  history, all the classics of Greek civilization. Justin was filled with  questions about life and searched though various systems of philosophy in  Alexandria and Ephesus, trying Stoicism, then Pythagoreanism, then  Platonism, looking for answers. He never found them.

However, While he was living in Ephesus, he was moved by the strength and  faithfulness of the Christian martyrs. But his life took a big change when  he met an old Christian man walking along the edge of the sea. This man,  unknown to history, but known to God, talked to Justin about the weakness of  pagan philosophy when compared with the fulfillment of the promises made  through the ancient Jewish Prophets. Justin writes that "a flame was kindled  in my soul, and a love of the prophets and those who are friends of Christ  possessed me."  Isn't it interesting that a nameless man brought the news of  Christ to someone, who later became so instrumental in the faith.  I doubt  that the man on the beach ever knew what how he had changed the world by his witness. Makes me wonder how I can change mine.

Justin became a Christian, but he continued in his position as a  professional teacher of philosophy. Justin felt that pagan philosophy was  not simply wrong, but only had a partial view of the Truth, and was "a  schoolmaster to bring us to Christ." He engaged in debates and disputations  with non-Christians of all varieties, pagans, Jews, and heretics.

He went on to open a school of Christian philosophy and accepted students,  first at Ephesus and then eventually after traveling around, at Rome. When in  Rome he entered into debate with a philosopher named Crescens, and soon  after was arrested on the charge of practicing an unauthorized religion.  Some people think that Crescens lost the debate and turned Justin in to the  authorities in revenge.

Justin was condemned to death by the prefect, Rusticus, in about  A.D. 165,  with six of his students, Chariton, Charito, Evelpostos, Paeon, Hierax, and  Liberianos. There still remains an account of their trial and martyrdom.

In the records, it tells us that when the prefect warned them of the death penalty they would suffer, they answered "Do as you wish; for we are Christians, and we do not sacrifice to idols." Prefect Rusticus then pronounced the terrible sentence and they were immediately beheaded.

Almighty and everlasting God, Who found Your martyr Justin wandering from  teacher to teacher, seeking the true God, and revealed to him the sublime  wisdom of Your eternal Word: Grant that all who seek You, or a deeper  knowledge of You, may find and be found by You; through Jesus Christ our  Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever  and ever. Amen.