Monastic Mumblings, a Friar's Journey

6th Day of Christmas - Sylvester

Today the Church celebrates the life and death of of a man named Sylvester,  We don't know when he was born but we do know he died on December 31 in 335 AD.  Sylvester was a man who lived through some of the worst persecutions of the Church, in a city filled with idols. The easy path for him to take would have been just to offer sacrifice to the Emperor and live a quiet life in peace.  But Sylvester did not succumb to this temptation.

In 314 he was elected Bishop of Rome and faced a much greater temptation. This is the era of Constantine, and the fortunes of the Church took a great reversal.  From despised and downtrodden to favored and influential.  Suddenly societal and Imperial favor poured onto the Church and her empty coffers were suddenly filled with the world's treasure.

Sylvester was no longer in danger of his life, he was acclaimed by Governors and Prefects. Senators would no longer seek his death but would seek his approval on the marriages of their daughters. I don't suppose we could imagine such a wild change in the lifestyle of a group of people, to be elevated to such heights from such depths.

Sylvester faced a far greater temptation now, and it wasn't just his earthly life at stake, but his and the Church's soul.  I think that temptation continues to this day. We in the Church are too often seduced by wealth and earthly power, we can put our faith in guns and bombs, and forget the path of the lowly, despised Founder of our Faith.

O God, our Heavenly Father, Who raised up Your faithful servant Sylvester to be a bishop and pastor in your Church and to feed your flock: Give abundantly to all pastors the gifts of Your Holy Spirit, that they may minister in Your household as true servants of Christ and stewards of Your divine mysteries; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the same Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

3rd Day of Christmas - Feast of St. John the Apostle

John was one of those "sons of Thunder", who formed an inner circle of the Apostles with Peter and James (his brother).   He is mentioned in many of the really powerful miracles that Jesus performed, such as raising the dead, healing the sick, and he even was privileged to behold the Uncreated Light of Jesus' Glory on Transfiguration Mount.

In his Gospel, we see that he outran the impetuous Peter on the way to the suddenly empty tomb and was the first of the two to reach it. This experience changed him profoundly changed him forever.

He went on to author three Epistles and a Gospel.  He may even have written the book of Revelation, though that is less certain.

The question I have for is, is how would that change us?  Would seeing a person we KNEW to be dead come to life again, would that alter our world view?  What would be come less important to us?

Shed upon Your Church, O Lord, the brightness of Your light; that we, being illumined by the teaching of Your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of Your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

2nd Day of Christmas - Feast of Stephen

Have you ever heard the Christmas carol say "Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen"? If you ever wondered what that might be, it would be the day after Christmas, the Feast of Stephen, first Martyr of the Church.

Isn't it amazing that right after the glorious, happy, incense clouded, worship of the Newborn King, the Church reminds of of the price of following that king? We know almost nothing about Stephen, he was probably a Jew of Greek (or as it was termed Hellenistic) descent, and was one of the seven men chosen as the first Deacons. They attended to the aid distribution to weakest in their community.  This was done so the Apostles could continue with their teaching.

Stephen was evidently a man of great speaking abilities and passion, greatly contending for his faith, and so ran afoul of the Jewish authorities of the time. Giving a powerful oration, found in our Acts 7, He ended it with "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it."  And so, like John the Baptist and Jesus Himself, Stephen’s message was not to be tolerated and he was executed by stoning.

In his last moments, enduring what must have been horrible pain, Stephen cried out to God in a loud voice "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." 

Wow, what an example to me, when do I ask for such forgiveness when I am being wronged?

We give You thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to Your Son Jesus Christ, Who stands at your right hand; where He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Jingle Bells - 1st Day of Christmas

Chorus:
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Ring throughout the land,
Christ the Lord is born today,
God has come to man.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Ring your message clear.
God above sent His Love,
To us all gathered here.

Verse one:
In a stable bleak
One dark and dreary night,
God sent us His Son.
Giving us new light.
Bring forth His love,
All the angels sang,
“Peace on Earth, good will to men”,
now is born a king.

Verse two:
Today we celebrate
The birth of Christ our King,
Prince of Peace and Son of God,
Eternal life he brings.
Lift our voices high,
All in one accord.
Sing praises to Almighty God,
For Jesus, Christ our Lord.

© 1997 Peggy Annan, St. Patrick’s Church, Broken Arrow, OK

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee

The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
Isaiah 40:5

Today is Christmas Eve. Once again the Seasons of the Church are turning, the Light is here, tonight, for us Christians, and all the world,  the Incarnation shall come once more.

Unfortunately we rarely talk about the Mystery of the Incarnation except at this time of the year.  It truly is a Mystery beyond human comprehension, but I do believe and confess that one night, long ago, the Word was made flesh. 

That miracle of Incarnation to me, teaches us that we should share in all human happiness and mourn every human grief. All genuine human joy and contentment is the business of a Christian because it was shared by God, Incarnate. Not staying in the walls of a Church, getting into the business of life is Incarnational. My friend Blake's restaurant (the famous Joe Momma's), engages workers and people on a deep Incarnational level.  People contact the Kingdom there, and with them.

But also, all human suffering, misery, depression, and darkest despair is our concern because Christ walked with us there also.  When my Dad had trouble breathing from his COPD, Jesus was there, struggling to breathe on the Cross. There is no human condition that Jesus did not share with us, apart from sin.

That the Word of God, Who was with God from the beginning, and Who is God should have become flesh, not just putting on some sort of human "skin suit", but becoming flesh, recreates all human experience into a new place, one that God Himself deigned to dwell.

So tonight, in the candles, incense, and songs of the devout, may we greet once again, the Lord of Glory!

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
Jesus to Thee be all glory giv’n;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by Your daily visitation, that Your Son Jesus Christ, at His coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for Himself; Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Seasons Greetings

This Advent has been unusually difficult for me, as it is the first Christmas since my father died. The darkness seems darker without his counsel, and I remember how much he loved his family surrounding him during this time of year. Even the special candy that I always bought for him is tasteless. Other relationships in my family and among friends have ended and could not be maintained regardless of how hard some tried to continue fellowship. What a downward trip just before one of the greatest Feasts of the Church!

Of course our lives are filled with seasons, some to live, some to die, some to plant and some to pluck up what has been planted, times for mourning and times for joy. I think that somehow in all these changes, seasons and times, the one Unchangeable part of human existence is the Spirit within us calling us to the Eternal Mystery of God's constant love for us.

Ecclesiastes 3 (NRSV)

1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace

Christmas Child

Soon Advent will end and Christmas will come once more.

Last night our Parish gathered and after service, we watched "The Nativity".   I thought it was a beautiful description of the Incarnation. I really liked how much of the story revolved around how Joesph was so faithful to God and His plan.  I try to think back to that dark night, a frightened young woman, her first Child. Darkness, who knows what kind of dangers lurking in an unfamiliar city?

As a man, I can certainly understand Joseph, his inner thoughts.  Trying to help, not sure what to do... Mary crying out in pain, wanting to comfort her, the fears that must have gone through his mind.  What if she dies? That is a very common thing in those days. He could not feed the Baby! He had no money to hire a wet-nurse.What a thing to be called by God to be the guardian and teacher of His son!

This dark smelly scene doesn't quite match our glorious creches enveloped in incense during our crowded, candle lit Midnight Masses. The gleaming Angels and Shepherds are not yet arrived.  Only Mary, Joseph and pain and darkness.

There is no place in our lives that Jesus hasn't been. From the fear and darkness of that first Nativity, to the heights and splendor of the Mount of Transfiguration.

Joesph found that out, God was there, all was well, Darkness fled the newborn Light.

What do we live for, what do we desire?

Sunday evening, while spending time  in the community of eikon that meets in my friend Mark's home, we discussed Rob Bells' "Rich" video.  It is difficult for us to remember that the world we live in, the suburban, urban, or rural American world we live in is not THE world. It is so easy for us to get caught up in our culture without even seeing it.  I think Christians are called to stand against the Empire of their times, whether it be Ceaser or Wal Mart and pristine resource consuming lawns. How do we do it, how do we change our hearts?  I think a beginning could be found in the words of Br. Thomas Merton

"Your life is shaped by the ends you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire."

What do we live for, what do we desire?  I am trying to take a look at my life, perhaps it is more visible than I realized. As we look forward to the Incarnation, maybe we can look at how we are living that out and being a dissedent in our own American Christian Empire.

God is so Good !

After starting a new diet I altered my drive to work to avoid passing my favorite bakery.   I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and as I approached, there in the window were a host of goodies. I felt this was no accident, so I prayed: "Lord, it's up to you....  if you want me to have any of those delicious goodies, create a parking place for me directly in front of the bakery."

And sure enough, He answered my prayer: on the eighth time around the block, there it was!

God is so Good !

Prepare the Way

The season of Advent confronts each of us with an important question. One that is rarely considered in this time of year.  But I want to ask it.

During Advent, the days that lead up to Christmas are we preparing our hearts and spirits to celebrate a holy day—the day God came into the world as Word made Flesh? Or with the rest of the secular culture are we bustling about in a burst of frenzied shopping, holiday headaches and heartburn, a 10-pound weight gain, horrific shopping mall traffic, and the economic disaster that January brings?

The second candle is burning in our wreath, Light is growing, overcoming the darkness. Jesus is drawing nigh. John the Baptist tells us that the time that Isaiah told us about is happening, prepare a way... the Lord is coming!

For long centuries past, the Church has always called for a penitential time before Christmas to help us to prepare for the coming of Christ.  My question for you is this: how do YOU prepare your heart to receive Christ when He comes once again this Christmas? I am not talking about adding yet another item to an already over the top schedule, I am talking about your heart, my heart.  What is in there, does it need a sweeping out before Company comes?

Do you look at Christmas as a Holy Day that can change your life, or is it another empty, over consumed, typically American holiday? I would like the burning in my heart to be from the Spirit, not too much of my Mom's excellent cooking! May we prepare the way for the Lord in the wilderness of our hearts.

In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3