lenten meditations 2013 (1)

8/13/2019 Lenten Meditations 2013 (1)

1/24

Christ Church

Lenten Meditations

2013

Photo by Mary Schultz


2/24

Contents

Alonzo, Lucy February 16

Anstey, Jennifer February 25, March 26

Bement, Jim March 23

Bolt, Dick February 15

CollinsBohrer, Padraic March 27Hilton, Ron March 28

Hilton, Sharon March 22

Kristoffersen, Peg February 27

Least, Wayne March 14

Liddell, Kristy March 18

McCart, Thomas February 13

Pedersen, Jean February 28, March 30

Ricker, Shirley February 14, March 7

Schultz, Mary February 22Talley, Deborah February 18

Vanderbilt, Deb March 29

Wiersma, John March 20

Photos Mary Schultz


3/24

AshWednesdayWednesday,February13,2013

Joel2:12,1217orIsaiah58:112 * 2Corinthians5:20b6:10 * Matthew6:16,1621orPsalm103

Isuspectthateachoneofusbringsdifferingideas,differingemotions,expectations,differingfeelings

aboutwhatthisfirstdayofLentisallabout,whattheseasonofLentisallabout.

ForsomefolkitistimetomakeanotherresolutionmaybethesameonemadeonNewYearsDay,

maybeadifferentone.

Whileresolutionsmayindeedbegoodfortheonemakingthem,theycanleadonetothinkofLentina

veryindividualisticfashion. Ortoputitintheformofaquestion:IstheseasonofLentreallyaboutI?

OvertheyearsanumberofLentencustomshavedistortedChristianfaithandlivingbecausetheyso

easilyplayintothehandsofpopularmisconceptionswhichdominateWesternsocietyandreligion.

Thosemisconceptionsincludeindividualisticpiety,sentimentality,and,inthiscountry,adoityourself

mentalityborrowedfromAmericanculture. Theeffectofallthishasbeenunfortunateinthatit

producesanattitudeofseekingtomakeLentapersonalreligiousexercisewithlittlerelationshiptothe

largerChristiancommunity,greaterconcernforonespersonalsalvationthanwithministrytoothers,an

attempttomakeupforpastfailureswithextrareligiousactivities(whichoftenresultsinapursuitof

guilttotheexclusionofgrace)andanoveremphasisonactivitiesandservicesgearedprimarilytothe

productionofreligiousemotionsratherthangrowthinknowledgeofGodandthedeepeningofour

relianceon

divine

grace.

Incontrasttothisindividualism,theseasonofLent,historically,wasallaboutcommunity. Itwasthe

seasonoffinalpreparationforbaptismforallthosewhohadconvertedtotheChristianfaith. Onthis

day,thosewhohadspentthepreviousthreeyearslearningaboutChristianitytookthefinalsteps

towardbecomingmembersofthebodyofChrist. Inashortfortydaystheywouldjoinwithallthe

faithfulinthegreatestandoldestliturgyofthechurchtheGreatVigilofEaster. Onthatholynight,

theywouldgatherforthekindlingofthenewfireandthelightingofthePaschalCandle,theywould

hearthechantingoftheExsultet,andlistenyetagaintothestoryofsalvationfromthebeginningof

creation,andthentheywouldstandbeforethebishopandbeaskedDoyoubelieve?andtheywould

respondI

believe.

Following

their

baptism

they

would

join

the

assembly

and

in

one

voice

shout

Alleluia.Christisrisen.TheLordisrisenindeed.Alleluia.

ThecommunityoffaithjoinedthebaptismalcandidatesinthisfortydayjourneytotheGreatVigil. They

didsobyreaffirmingtheirdependenceuponGodsgracebothasindividualsandasthegathered

faithful;theydidsobypledgingtosupportbyprayeranddeedthesepeopleinthefinalstepsoftheir

preparationtobecomemembersofthebodyofChrist.


4/24

Bothgroups,thebaptismalcandidatesandtheChristiancommunityunderstoodthatsalvationwasagift

ofGod,agiftthatisalwaysinthecontextofrelationshiprelationshipbetweenthepersonandGod

andallthefaithful.

Aswe

enter

this

holy

season

this

year,

Iinvite

you

to

see

it

as

atime

of

refocusing

on

God,

of

refocusing

onyourrelationshipwithGodandwiththiscommunityoffaith.

Rev. ThomasMcCart

Thursday,February14FeastofCyrilandMethodius,MonkandBishop

Ephesians3:17* Mark16:1520* Psalm96:17orPsalm98:14

TodayIexpectmostofusarethinkingaboutanothersaintwhowastakenoffthecalendar. St.

ValentinewasapriestinRomeinthereignoftheEmperorClaudiusII. Thestory,whichmaybe

apocryphal,isthatwhenValentinewasbroughtbeforetheEmperorhewasaskedwhyhedidnt

worshippagangods. Valentinereplied,ifyou,sire,knewthegiftofGod,youwouldabandonthe

worshipoftheseimpurebeings,andyouandyourempirewouldbehappy. Valentinewasimprisoned

forseditionandwasmartyredinRomein270CE.

HedoesntsaywhatthisspecialgiftofGodisbutIthinkitisfreewill. Itwasntsomethingavailable

fromthepagangodswhowereconstantlymeddlinginhumanaffairs,shapeshifting,tricking,teasing,

ensorcelling. Godgivesusthisverypreciousandverydangerousgift. Wecanchoose. Wecanactwith

justiceorwithout,withloveorwithout,withGodorwithout. Godalsogaveushelpinmakingtheright

choice. HegaveusJesustoshowuswhatactingwithjusticeis,whatactingwithloveis,whatacting

withGodis.

ShirleyRicker


5/24

Friday,February15FeastofThomasBray

Isaiah52:710 * Luke10:19* Psalm102:1522orPsalm85:813

Lentamente

Humalittleasyouslowlyreadthis

Thisisthetimeforslowingdown,ofgoingdowntowardashesandearth:

MayIabandonthepressuresofmyfreneticlife,

Theconfusionsofmyselfcenteredness;asIbyheartinsilencesing:

Lord,whothroughoutthesefortydaysforusdidfastandpray,

Teachuswiththeetomournoursinsandclosebytheetostay

Maymyhotheadedegooffoolishcertitudesburnitselfdowntoashes.

Ashes:signofafireoncehotandyetagainsoiloflatentnewlife.

MayIprunedeadlitterandprepareforspiritualSpringcleaning

AsIwithpovertyandsorrowfuljoysingofhopeandofGod'sLove:

Nowquityourcareandanxiousfearandworry;

Forschemesarevainandfrettingbringsnogain.

Lentcallstoprayer,totrustanddedication;

Godbringsnewbeautynigh:

Reply,reply,replywithlovetoLovemosthigh.

IpraywithgratitudetoGodforthelovegiftofmybeingandspirit,

Wrappedinthisfragilebody,

Onlyinnametooccupyandcareforawhile.

Vulnerable,incomplete,insufficient....

ByheartinsilentstillnessIsing:

Asthoudidhungerbearandthirst,soteachusgraciousLord

Todietoselfandchieflylivebythymostholyword.

Lententide:atime

to

calm

down

and

let

go;

Now;here;awareofthepresenceofthegentlesoundsofmybreathingandthe

Tempoofmysteadypulsingheart:soft,simpleintonationsofmyexistence;

Ifloat,trustandsinkintotheessenceofthisvitalmusic

AsIsingtheLentenhymnsandknowthatIamofTheMystery:

Shouldnotwethysorrowshareandfromworldlyjoysabstain,

Fastingwithunceasingprayer,strongwiththeetosufferpain?


6/24

Keep,Okeepus,Saviordear,everconstantbythyside;

ThatwiththeewemayappearattheeternalEastertide.

____________________________________________

AdaptedfromTheEpiscopalHymnal1982,Lent,142,vss.1and3

Ibid, 145,v.1

Ibid,150,vss. 2and5

DickBolt

Saturday,February16Deuteronomy7:1726 * Titus3:115*John1:4351

JoyinChrist evenduringLent?

OurDiocesanvisionisJoyinChrist,asawayoflife. ButisthisappropriateduringLent? Indeed

SundaysarealwaysjoyfulbecausetheylookforwardtoEaster,butisnttherestofLentsupposedtobe

gloomy? AshWednesdayinvitesustotheobservanceofaholyLent,byselfexaminationand

repentance;byprayer,fasting,andselfdenial;andbyreadingandmeditatingonGod'sholyWord.

Howdoesthisleaveroomforjoy?

FormethefocalpointofobservingLentistheGardenofGethsemane,whereJesusprayed,Notmy

will,butYoursbedone. UnfortunatelybecausesomuchhappenedonMaundyThursday theLast

Supper,washingthedisciplesfeet,thecommandmenttoloveoneanotherasJesuslovedus thereis

oftenlittletimeavailableduringourEucharistthatdaytofocusontheGarden,buttheologicallyitis

extremelyimportant. Jesusfullyunderstoodthesufferingthatwouldbethepriceofourredemption,

andchosetogothroughwithit,intotalobediencetoGodswill,insteadofaskingGodtosend12

legionsofangelstohisrescue(Matthew26:5354). Inthe5thchapterofhislettertotheRomans,Paul

discussestherelationshipbetweenhumansinfulness,exemplifiedbyAdamschoiceofdisobedience,

andthegiftofreconciliationwithGod,offeredthroughthedeathofJesus: Forjustasbytheonemans

disobediencethemanyweremadesinners, sobytheonemansobedience,themanywillbemade

righteous (Romans5:19,NRSV). WhileIcantclaimtounderstandallofthetheologyinvolved,Imvery

surethatitisimportanttotrytofollowJesusbysayingassincerelyaspossible, Notmywill,butYours

bedone. TryingtogrowinthisareaisoneofmyprimaryaimsduringLent.

BeforeIcantrytodoGodswill,IneedtofigureoutjustwhatGodwantsmetodorightnow.Jesus

knewwhatGodwanted,becauseheknewthescripturesintimatelyandalsospentmuchtimeinprayer.

SomyLenten fastingandselfdenialisparticularlyfocusedonspendinglesstimeonthingslike

computergamesandrecreationalreading,sothatIwillhavemoretimetospendreadingtheBible


7/24

(IgenerallyusetheOneYearBible,orfollowtheDailyOfficelectionaryfoundinthePrayerBook),and

onprayer,especiallylisteningprayerratherthanpetitions.

OneBiblepassageIfindhelpfulisafavoriteOldTestamentchoiceforordinations,Isaiah6:18,where

IsaiahhadavisionoftheLordinthetemple; Isaiahrealizedandrepentedofhishumansinfulness,and

Godcleansed

him

of

his

sins.

Isaiah

said,

Then

Iheard

the

voice

of

the

Lord

saying,

Whom

shall

Isend,

andwhowillgoforus? AndIsaid,HereIam;sendme!

LukesGospelsaysthatafterJesusprayedintheGardenofGethsemane,anangelfromheaven

appearedtohimandgavehimstrength(Luke22:43). Ibelievethatthestrengthwasprimarilyinthe

formofjoy asourrecentlectionaryreadingfromNehemiahsaid,ThejoyoftheLORDisyour

strength." Inmyexperience,wheneverItakeastepalongthatlifelongpathoftryingtoobeyGodmore

fully,Ifeeljoy. AndsoIwishforallofyouaLentfilledwiththejoythatresultsfromtryingtosay,

Yourwillbedone;hereIam,sendme!

LucyAlonzo

Monday,February18FeastofMartinLuther

Isaiah55:611 *John15:111* Psalm46

Today(January21) isthebirthdayofMartinLutherKing,Jr. TheReverendMLKwouldhavebeeneighty

yearsoldhadhenotbeengunneddownonthatmotelbalconyinMemphis. Irememberthedayclearly.

IwasonaladderpaintingtheceilingofClairesbedroominourhouseonMulberryStreet. Ihadthe

radioon,tunedtomyfavoritestationwhenanewsalertcameontellingthecountryandtheworldthat

MartinLutherKing,Jr.hadbeenshotandwasnotexpectedtosurvive. 1968.Ihowledlikeaninjured

animalasIstoodonthatladderdespairsweepingoverme.

Today,fortyfiveyearslater,Iamseatedatmydesk,beginningaLentenReflection. Ihadalready

settledmymindandheartonthetopicofPEACEfromPs.122.Thepsalmistsaysinverses6 8:Prayfor

thepeaceofJerusalem:theyshallprosperthatlovethee. Peacebewithinthywalls,andprosperity

withinthypalaces.Formybrethrenandcompanionssakes,Iwillnowsay,PeaceBeWithinThee.


8/24

Inmyentirelifetimewe,asacountry,havebeenengagedinwarfare.Ittakeshatredandthewilltokill

towagewar. Imagineforamomentthepsychologicaltrainingrequiredtopreparesomeonetogointo

battle. Howthemindmustdisassociatetobeabletolobagrenadeorpilotadroneordischargean

AK47. Dotheseyoungmenandwomenwhoengageincombateverheal?Idoubtitunlesstheycanrest

theirmindsforeverinthatdisassociatedstate.

IbelievethatweallseekPEACE,especiallythepeacethatpassethallunderstandingwhichRuth

referredtoinasermonasAbundance. Irecentlycameacrossareferencetothemeaningoftheword

prosperityintheHebrewcontext. Itseemsthatprosperity,ShaaluShalommeansTOBEATREST. I

wantourcountrytoabandonwarfareandworkforPeaceinourtime.

DeborahTalley

Friday,February22Deuteronomy10:1222 * Hebrews4:1116*John3:2236

Myinspirationforthismeditationcomesfromtoday'sreadingsinDeuteronomy,"Don'tbribeGod,"and

Hebrews,"NothingcanhidefromGod,"and,"Bebold."

Ihaveservedadequatelyaswardenandonthestewardshipcommittee,butnowIfindmyselfwritinga

Lentenmeditation,andmyleftbrainskillsdonotservemewell. I'vebeenavoidingthisfortwoweeks,

mybribe

is

not

working,

and

Ican't

hide

any

longer

as

the

publication

deadline

approaches.

How

does

Ruthdothiseveryweek? I'vefinallydecidedtobeboldandjustdoit.

MystewardshipmentorpreachedlastyearaboutlearningtobeGod'ssteward. Hecompareditto

learningthewaychildrendo. Learnbydoing. Toavoidthestewardshipmetaphor, I'llusepickingup

toys. Achilddoesn'tknowwhysheistoldtopickuphertoys,shejustdoesit(perhapsbecauseher

parentsbribedher). Asshegrows,shelearnstheskilloforganization,andhowthishelpsinachieving

hergoals. Perhapsincollegeshefindsthatshecanreworkapapershewroteinhighschool. Sinceshe

findstheoldpaper(yes,thingscangetlostonthecomputer),shelearnsthevalueoforganization.

NowIambold. Ihavewrittenthismeditation. AndIdidnotbribeGod,Ididitmyselfwithfivedaysto

goon

the

deadline.

TotherestofyouChristChurchleftbrainers,don'thide,bebold,JUSTDOIT.

PS. SohowdidIdothis? IletGodtakecontrolofmybrain. Iforgotaboutthelogical,leftbrainside

andletGodusetherightside,wherethoughtsjumpfromonetoanotherfornoreason. IDIDIT!

MarySchultz


9/24

Monday,February25Jeremiah

1:11

19

*Romans

1:1

15

*John

4:

27

42

Jeremiahtellsofanalmondbranchandaspillingpotofhotliquidinthenorth.PaultellstheRomanshe

isanapostleeagertoreacheveryonewithhismessage. InJohn,JesusbanterswithaSamaritanwoman

butismysteriousandconfusingtohisdisciples.

Maimonidessaid,justbeforetheyear1200AD(orCEifyouprefer,butreallyitsaChristiancalendar

wereusing),thatthesagesandtheprophetsspeakinparables(Maimonides,1963,p.8),whichare

figuresofspeechorfigurativestories:

Aswehavesaid,theprophetsuseintheirspeechesequivocalwordsandwordsthatarenot

intendedtomeanwhattheyindicateaccordingtotheirfirstsignification. Forinstance,the

wordsmaqqelshaqed[arodofanalmondtree]areusedbecausefromthisindicationonemay

goontothewordsthatfollow:Shoqedani,andsoon[Iwatchover].(pp.3489). Thusinthis

casetheintentionoftheparabledidnotconcernthenotionofrodorthatofalmond(p.392).

Yet,Jeremiah,writingbefore600BC,reportsthattheLordapprovedofhisobservationofthealmond

branchandthetippingpot,becausecluestothemeaningofthesesignswerethenmadeexplicit.As

Jeremiahwatchedthealmondbranch,theLordwatchedIsrael;astheprophetwasleeryofthepotential

spillingliquid,theLordwarnedofdangercomingfromthenorth.

However,attheriskofgoingfurtherthanMaimonideswouldlike,Icouldpointoutthatthesetwo

imagesalsorefertotheendlessprocessesoftime,ofthedestructionofformeragesandthe

commencementofnewages. Icertainlydontknowiftheprophetsknewanythingabouttheastral

theorybuttheydiduseimagerythatiscommontoit,foundinmythologiesofmanypeoples. Thepoint

isappreciatingtheaweandhumility,ifnotfatalism,withwhichourawarenessoftheinexorablepassage

oftimeaffectsus. Oneofthethingsthatmakesushumanisourconsciousnessthatpeoplehavegone

beforeus(likeJeremiah,Maimonides,St.Paul,theSamaritanwomanandJesus)andpeoplewillcome

after,andwejustdontknowforsurewhatitsallabout. Yettherearepatternsinnaturethatcanbe

discoveredandappreciated,whicharereferredtoinfigurativelanguageandevenusedbysomefor

predictions.

TheSamaritanwomanwasconvincedbecauseofJesusomniscienceaboutherlife.Unliketheever

confuseddisciples,shewasgivenproofsshecouldunderstand.Thereforesheimmediatelybeganto

spreadherversionofthegoodnews. Wemaydelveintomattersthatmaynotseemtomakealotof

sense,likemyresearchesintothesymbolismofthealmond(bloomsearlyinwinter,thefirstsignof

hopefulspring),thebranchorrod(relatestofamilytrees,treesoflife,andthepolaraxis),the

significanceofthenorth(theabodeofthegods,includingtheGodofIsrael)andhowallthistiesintothe


10/24

progressionoftheages,orwemayfollowMaimonidesadviceandsimplyappreciatetheplayonthe

wordsalmondandwatchinHebrew. Sinceweareeachconvincedofthetruthbydifferentthings,

fortunatelyGodgivesussomeleeway,andanotherLentforreflection.

Maimonides,M.(1963).Theguideoftheperplexed(S.PinesTrans.).Chicago:ChicagoUniversityPress.

JenniferAnstey

Wednesday,February27FeastofGeorgeHerbert,Priest

1Peter5:14*Matthew5:15*Psalm23orPsalm1

AtsomepointduringthepastyearIwatchedthemovie"TheWay"....andlikeditsomuchthatIwatched

itme

twice

more

over

the

coming

months.

"The

Way"

tells

the

story

of

one

man's

pilgrimage

along

the

CaminodeSantiago afterthedeathofhisson. IwasdrawnbythebeautyofthelandscapesofSpain,

therhythmofhisdays,thequirkyencounterswithotherpilgrims,thegradualmovementfromdeathto

newlife. JoyceRupp'sLentenreflectiononherexperienceof"theWay"pulledmeinaswell":

SixmonthsagoIlivedthesimplelifeofapilgrim,walking450milesontheCaminode

SantiagoinnorthernSpain.DuringthosesevenweeksallIdideachdaywaswalktowardSt.

JamesCathedralinSantiago.Ididn'thavetohurrymadlytogetthere,pitmyselfagainstthe

walkingpaceofotherpilgrims,orworryifmyclotheswerefashionable.Ihadjustonemain

thingto

do:

walk.

Ittook10daysbeforemydistractedselffinally"justwalked."Fromthenon,littleelse

occupiedmymindandheart.ItwasthemostfocusedandfreeIhaveeverbeen.

Sincereturninghome,Iseehoweasyitistosuccumbtothesubtlecravingsofmy

superficiallyorientedculture.Itseducesmetoclutterupmylife,dressinacertainway,be

knowledgeableoneverysubject,scurryaroundasbusilyaseveryoneelse,andworkina

freneticfashion.WhenIgiveintothesethingsIamthrownoffbalance.Ilosemypeaceand

senseofinnerdirection.Ilackclarityinmyspiritualgoals,forgetthetruthspreachedbyJesus,

andexperience

frustrating

days

of

self

orientation.

LentisatimetoclearawaytheculturaldebristhatdisorientsmeontheChristianpath.The

LentenactsofdeprivationIchooseareoflittlevalueunlesstheyhelpmymindandheartto

bemoreattentiveandfocusedononethingonly:towalkthegospelmessagetoloveasJesus

loved.Allelseis secondary.


11/24

In today'sGospel (Matthew5:110) Jesus said"You'reblessedwhenyougetyour insideworldyour

mind and heartput right. Then you can see God in the outside world." As an individual and as a

communitythisLent,maywebe ledtofocusonthatoneessentialthing:to loveasJesus loved. And

maythefruitofthatbeadeeperawarenessofGod'sloveandpresenceinourlives.

PegKristoffersen

Thursday,February28FeastofAnnaJuliaHaywoodCooper

Psalm78:17 * Proverbs9:19* Timothy4:616*Luke4:1421

Christgaveidealsnotformulae. Withallthestridesourcivilizationhasmadefromthefirsttothe

nineteenthcentury,

we

can

boast

not

an

idea,

not

aprinciple

of

action,

not

aprogressive

social

force

but

wasalreadymutelyforeshadowedordirectlyenjoinedinthatsimpletaleofameekandlowlylife. The

quietfaceoftheNazareneiseverseenalittlewayahead,nevertoofartocomedowntoandtouchthe

lifeofthelowestindaysthedarkest,yeteverleadingonward,stillonward,thetotteringchildishfeetof

ourstrangelyboastfulcivilization.

ThesearethewordsofAnnaJuliaHaywoodCooperspeakingatSt.LukesChurchinWashington,D.C.,in

1886forthefourthannualmeetingoftheConvocationofColoredClergy,agroupofmostlyAfrican

Americanandsomewhiteclergyandlaypeoplewhohadbeenmeetingtogethertoresistracial

segregationintheEpiscopalChurchinAmericasince1883. AnearlygraduateofSt.AugustinesNormal

Schooland

Collegiate

Institute

who

had

just

earned

aB.A.

by

completing

the

demanding

gentlemans

courseofartsandsciencesatOberlinCollegein1884,AnnaCooperwouldeventuallybecomethe

fourthAfricanAmericanwomantoearnaPh.D.whenshedefendedherdoctoraldissertationon

slaveryandtheFrenchandHaitianrevolutionistsattheSorbonnein1925. Inadditiontoalongcareer

asteacher,principal,andpresidentinaseriesofAfricanAmericaninstitutionsthatincludedWashington

HighSchool(thentheMStreetSchool,nowtheDunbarSchool),theLincolnInstituteinJefferson,

Missouri,andtheFrelinghuysenSchoolforadultlearnersinWashington,D.C.,shealsoparticipatedina

varietyofnationalandinternationalmeetingsinthesearchforsocialjusticeandsocialreform:the

World'sCongressofRepresentativeWomenattheChicagoWorld'sFairin1893,theWomanSuffrage

Congress(probablyinWashington,D.C.)in1893,thefirstPanAfricanConferenceinLondonin1900,

andmany,manymore.

AVoicefromtheSouth,thecollectionofessaysthatCooperpublishedin1892,containedherreflections

onanarrayofeighttopicsincludingthehighereducationofwoman,thestatusofwomanin

America,theraceprobleminAmerica,theNegroaspresentedinAmericanliterature,andthe

gainfromabelief,afinalchapterwhereshedefendedtheinspirationalpoweroffaithagainstthe

potentialparalysisofskepticismandagnosticism:


12/24

Yes,shewrotein1892,Ibelievethatthereisanexistencebeyondourpresentexperience;thatthat

existenceisconsciousandculturable;andthatthereisanobleworkhereandnowinhelpingmentolive

intoit.Theworldistobemovedonegenerationforwardwhetherbyus,byblindforce,byfate,or

byGod! Forthefinalsentenceofthefinalessayinherbook,shequotedandcombinedJesuswords

fromtheGospelsofMarkandMatthewtoserveasasourceofcontinuingencouragementforher

readers:If

thou

believest,

all

things

are

possible;

and

as

thou

believest,

so

be

it

unto

thee.

Theworldhaschangedsomuchsince1886and1892,andyetsomethingsarestillthesame. Westill

seekinspirationinthelifeofChrist,westillhearaGospelthatcallsustoactintheworld,westillmust

struggletoovercometheeffectsofsexdiscriminationandracialinequalitythatcontinuedailyallaround

us,westillcanfindourhopeinGodaswegoon.

Thankyou,God,forthelifeofAnnaJuliaHaywoodCooperandthankyou,AnnaJuliaHaywood

Cooper,foryourworkinyourlifetime,foryourinspirationtousinourlifetime,andforyourcallto

followChristacrosstheages.

Amen.

JeanElisabethPedersen

Bibliography:

AnnaJuliaCooper,AVoicefromtheSouth(Xenia,OH:AldinePrintingHouse,1892),reprintedwithan

IntroductionbyMaryHelenWashingtonintheSchomburgLibraryofNineteenthCenturyBlackWoman

Writers,editedbyHenryLouisGates,Jr.(Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress,1988).

VivianM.May,AnnaJuliaCooper,VisionaryBlackFeminist:ACriticalIntroduction,withaForewordby

BeverlyGuySheftall(NewYork:Routledge,2007).

TheChurchAwakens:AfricanAmericansandtheStruggleforJustice(AnexhibitbytheArchivesofthe

EpiscopalChurchUSA,availableonlinehere:http://www.episcopalarchives.org/Afro

Anglican_history/exhibit/index.php).

February28isalsotheproposedEpiscopalfeastdayofElizabethEvelynWright(18721906),who

graduatedfromBookerT.WashingtonsTuskegeeInstitutein1894andfoundedtheDenmarkIndustrial

School,nowVoorheesCollege,inSouthCarolinain1897.

SeetheentriesforCooperandWrightinHolyWomen,HolyMen:CelebratingtheSaints(Church

Publishing,2010). Bothentries,withprayers,biographies,photographs,andfeedback,arealsoavailable

onlinehere:http://liturgyandmusic.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/february28annajuliahaywood

cooperandelizabethevelynwrighteducators19641904/


13/24

Thursday,March7FeastofPerpetuaandherCompanions

Hebrews10:3239 * Matthew24:914 * Psalm34:18orPsalm124

Ihave

aspecial

fondness

for

feisty,

androgynous

saints.

Perpetua

fits

that

description

well.

She

absolutelyrefusedtosacrificetopagandeitiesandconfessedtobeingaChristianatatimewhenthat

couldlandyouinthearenafightingwildanimals. ShewasarrestedinThurburboMinus,asmalltown

nearCarthage,andwroteaprisondiary, theearliestsurvivingChristianwomanswritingbeforethe4th

century. Shewasonlyabout22whenin203CEshewasmartyred.

Allreallyamazing,butImnotreallysurewhatweresupposedtodowithoursaints. Arewesupposed

tomodelourlivesontheirs? (ImprettysureIdjustcrossmyfingersandmakethesacrificeto

whateverpagangodtheRomanEmpirewastouting.) Whatarewesupposedtolearnfromtheir

martyrdom? IwishIcouldinvitePerpetuatodinnerandaskheraboutthesethingswhich,inmy

imagination,Ican.

Heres

how

the

conversation

might

go.

1

Me:Youwereputinprison?

Perpetua: Yes,itwasanawfulplacedark,hot,soldiersattemptingextortion. Iwasfranticabouthow

mybabywouldlivewithoutmybreastmilk. Afterafewdaysofhavinghimbroughttomeeveryday, I

wasabletoarrangeforhimtostaywithmeinprison. Afterthat,prisonbecameapalaceandIdidnt

wanttobeanywhereelse.(Farrell15)

Me: Perpetua, howdidthisconfessingtobeChristianthingwork?

Perpetua:wewereeatinglunchwhenweweresuddenlytakenofftoourhearing.(Farrell17) We

weretakentotheforum. Theotherswhenquestionedconfessed.

Me:Whoweretheothers?

Perpetua:MyservantFelicitas,anotherservant,Revocatus,andtwofreemen,Saturninusand

Secundulus.

Me:Andyouconfessedtoo?

Perpetua: Yes,thenitwasmyturn. JustthenFathershowedupwithmyson. Hepulledmedown

fromthestepsandsaidOfferthesacrifice. Takepityonthebaby. Hilarianustoldmetotakepityon

bothmyfatherandmyson. Doit,hesaid. Performthesacrificefortheemperorswellbeing.

Myreply:NoIwontdoit! Hilarianus:AreyouaChristian? Myreply:Yes! IamaChristian!(Farrell

17)


14/24

Me:Theyaresuchbeautifullysimplewords. ButIcanthelpmyselfsortofagreeingwithyourfather.

Whydidntyoujustcrossyourfingersandsacrifice? Godsyoudontbelieveinarenothing.

Perpetua: IcantcallmyselfotherthanwhatIam:aChristian.(Farrell15)

Me:You

refused

to

wear

the

robes

they

gave

you

in

the

amphitheater?

Perpetua:Yes,theyweretherobesofCeres. ItwouldhavemeantthatIwasasacrificetoCeres.

Me: Youhadavisionthattheysetamadcowonyou. Whyamadcow?

Perpetua: Ceresagain.CowssymbolizeHagor,theEgyptianCeres.

Me: Lotsofscholarshavewonderedwhatyoumeantwhenyouwrotethatinavisionyouwere

strippeddownandbecameaman(Farrell18)tofightthathugeEgyptian.

Perpetua: Thescholarsarehavingsomuchfunwiththat. Iwantthemtokeepwritingaboutme,soIll

keepthatsecret.

Me:Isthathowyouwantustohonoryou? Bywriting?

Perpetua: Yes. Writingwasajoytome. Imhappythatitistoyoutoo.

_____________________________________________________________________1Conversationswithimaginarydinnerguestsnecessarilycontainapasticheoftruthandconjecture.

PerpetuastranslatedwordsaretakenfromFarrell,JosephandCraigWilliams,tr. ThePassionofSaints

PerpetuaandFelicity. InPerpetuasPassions:MultidisciplinaryApproachestothePassioPerpetuaeet

Felicitatis,editedbyJanM.BremmerandMarcoFormisano.NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,2012.

1423.

ShirleyRicker


15/24

Thursday,March14

Jeremiah22:1323 * Romans8:2839 *John6:5259

John6:4151

Jesussaid:Iamthelivingbreadthatcamedownfromheaven. Whoevereatsthisbreadwilllive

foreverthebreadthatIwillgiveforthelifeoftheworldismyflesh.

SeveralearlyleadersintheChurchtaughtadoctrinecalledDivinization,thatis,webecomemoreand

morelikeGod. Ineffect,weareabsorbedbyGod,aswecontinuetopartakeofChristsbody(TheBread

ofHeaven). AsGodiseternal,sowearepromisedeternallifeifwereceivefaithfullytheBodyandBlood

ofJesusintheEucharist.

InthewordsofLeotheGreat(5thcenturyBishopofRome):ParticipationintheBodyandBloodof

Christeffectsnothingelsebutthatwebecomethatwhichweconsume.

WayneLeast

Monday,March18Ecclesiasticus47:810* Luke24:4448 * Psalm122orPsalm34:18

Igotthismeditationinlate.

AsweallsortedourselvesoutinourownquietLentMadness,Ididn'twintherushforGeorgeHerbert,

soIthought,Fine.Who'sleft?

CyrilofJerusalemwasleft.

Cyrillivedinthefourthcentury,duringtheAriancontroversy.Whilethehierarchyaroundhimwasan

upheaval

that

led,

at

one

point,

to

his

exile,

he

took

on

the

task

of

writing

lectures

for

catachesis.

These

lecturesarestrikingforseveralreasons.Foronething,heissuessomerulesforChristianbehaviorthat

seemoddandperhapsoffensivenowChristiansmaynothuntorwatchhorseracesorothersports;

theymustabsolutelyavoidfoodsacrificedtoidols(despitePaul'steachingtotheCorinthians);women

andmenmustsitseparatelyinthechurchifatallpossible,andheinterpretsPaul'sinstructionthat

womenremainsilenttomeanthatwomenshouldlipsynctheprayersandhymns.Ontheotherhand,

muchofwhathewritesresoundsinourliturgiestodaythelinkbetweentheIsraelites'journeythrough


16/24

theRedSeaandoursthroughthewaterofbaptism,forinstance.Hemayalsohavebegunthe

observanceofPalmSundayandHolyWeek.Beyondhisimpressivecatechesis,oneofhisactionsstrikes

measnoteworthy,especiallywhilewesearchforwaystobeChrist'sbodyinourtimeandplace:Cyril

wasexiledonthechargeofsellingchurchpropertytofeedhungrypeopleduringafamine.

Iwonder

what

it

was

like,

writing

detailed

theological

and

moral

treatises

to

bring

people

into

an

institutionthatshamedandexiledhimforlivingoutperhapsthemostbasicmoralprinciple,onethat

thegospelsthemselvesrecordasJesus'scommandment.

I'vebeenreadingGeorgeMacDonald'sUnspokenSermons,andonethemehereturnstoagainand

again,athemethatisimmenselyhelpfultome,isthatthosewhoseekGodmustlearnbytryingtolive

outthetruth,andthatthisprocesswillofcoursemeanthatwetrywithallourbeingtolivethegreatest

truthsweknow,onlytodiscoverhowimperfectandinadequateourknowledgeandactionsare.Yetwe

musttrytoliveoutthosetruths,knowingthatGodwillbringusthroughfailures,partialsuccesses,and

misunderstandingstogreaterloveandwisdom.Ihadbeguntoremembertheinadequacyand

imperfection,but

to

forget

how

necessary

it

is

to

live

fully

through

them.

MacDonald

helps

me

understandhowCyrilcouldwritecatachesisduringchaos,andhowthewholechurchcanandmust

chartsomekindofcourseandsetouttodoandtobethebestweknow,trustingthatevenasweseek

God,Godseeksusandiswithus.

KristyLiddell

Wednesday,March20FeastofCuthbert,BishopofLindisfarne

2Cornithians6:110* Matthew6:2433 * Psalm23orPsalm1

WhenIyoungandTVchannelswerefew,nothingrankledmelikewhenthePresidentwouldaddressthe

nationandpreemptalltheshowsonthethreenetworks. Itwasalwaysduringthegoodshows;why

couldnthetalkduringsomethinglikeGunsmokethatnoselfrespectingeightyearoldhadanyinterest

in?

OncehewouldfinishupandIfiguredtherewasstillachanceofseeingthelasttenminutesofsome

favoredsitcom,Iwouldbestymiedbythenewsanalystswhowouldtakelongerthantheactualspeech

toexplainwhatthePresidentjustsaid. Mythoughtsonthishavenotchangedmuchinthelast40years:

Ifthisguyissofreakingsmart,whydoesittakeateamofjournaliststwiceaslongasthespeechtotell

uswhathemeantandwhyitmatters?


17/24

Guiltily,thisthoughtcreptbackinmymindduringchurchservices. Thegospelwouldbereadandthe

preacherwouldinevitablyusethatforthebasisofthesermon,goingonforsome15minutestoexplain

athreetofiveminutereading. IfthisJesusguywassowiseandwonderful,whycouldntHejusttellus

whatwasonHismindinsteadofleavinguswiththeseRubiksCubeequivalents?

Somy

heart

leapt

afew

years

ago

when

visiting

achurch

on

vacation

and

the

priest

decided

to

preach

onthe23rdPsalm. Thepsalmeveryoneknows. Twelvemeaslylines. Thisshouldgoquickly,myless

thanpatientselfthought.Thepsalmseemedlikeasimplemessagewithafewoddwordchoices,butI

alwaysfiguredthatwithoutabackspacekeyinthosedays,ifyoumadeamistake,youjustmadethe

bestofit.

Hemakethmetoliedowningreenpastures.Makethme? Iknewsomeschoolyardbulliesthat

wouldmakethkidsliedowninthegrassafterextractingtheirlunchmoney. Mycuprunnethover.

Sure,theLorddoesthat,andweareallhappy;Idothatandmomwouldtellmetocleanthecounter

andbemorecareful. Thyrodand

staff,they

comfort

me.

Iknew

enough

toknowthatthosewerecrowdcontrol

devicesforshepherds. Themodernday

equivalentwouldbe,Ifindcomfortin

Yourelectriccattleprod.Seemsalittle

50ShadesofGreyish. Surely,ifithad

beenavailable,MicrosoftWordwould

jumpinandsay:Itlookslikeyouare

writingapsalm,wouldyoulikehelp?

Wellthe

preacher

analyzed

each

line

of

thosetwelvelinesasifhewere

defendinghisthesis. Somuchforhopes

ofshortandsweet. Iguessnothingisassimpleasitappearsatfirstglance.Thismandidafull35

minutesonthosetwelvelines. IwilldwellintheHouseoftheLordforeverneverfeltsoliteral.

Iwasafraidwhatthismanwouldhavedonewithameatiertopic.Iwonderedifhewouldbuckthe

traditionofpriestsfindingexcusestobeoutoftownforTrinitySundaytoletsupplyclergytacklethat

beast.

Tothis

day,

when

Ihear

the

23rd

at

afuneral,

Iget

choked

up.

Partially

from

the

powerful

message

of

Godalwaysbeingthereforus,partiallyoutoffearthatthatpriestwouldshowupforanotherhourof

furtherthoughtsonthetopic.

JohnWiersma


18/24

Friday,March22FeastofJamesDeKoven

2Timothy2:1015,19* Matthew13:4752 * Psalm103:14,1318orPsalm84:712

JamesDeKovenisrememberedtoday,butonlyintheEpiscopalChurch. Hewasanactiveclergyman

whomadehiscontributiontotheunderstandingoftherealpresenceofChristintheEucharist. Hewas

punishedforhisinvolvementintheOxfordMovementwhichtookplaceinthe1800s. Thiswasatime

whenoutwardobservances(candles,incenseandgenuflections(symbolizingtherealspiritualpresence)

wereagainstCanonlawandwereviewedasveryunEpiscopal. Itwas,infact,averycontentious

periodofourchurchhistory.

HewascalledBishop,andalthoughhewaselectedin1874andagainin1875,hisbishopricwasnever

ratifiedbythestandingcommittee. Hefoundedareligiousorder(whichhaslargelydisappeared)and

waspresident

of

Nashotah

House,

aseminary

in

Minnesota.

AlthoughJamesDeKovenwasadmiredbymanyinthechurch,hisviewsdidnotbecomewidelyaccepted

untilmanyyearsafterhisdeathin1879.

ThePsalmappointedforthisdayis103. ItisafittingoneforLentendiscipline. Verse14. Blessthe

Lord,Omysoul,andallthatiswithinme,blesshisholyname.

ChristChurch,inparticular,andmanyothers,oweBishopDeKovenarealhomageforthemannerof

worshipweenjoytoday.

SharonScottHilton

Saturday,March23FeastofGregorytheIlluminator

Job42:1012*Psalm33:611or98:14*Acts17:2231*Matthew5:1116

TheLORDrestoredJobsfortuneswhenheprayedonbehalfofhisfriends,andtheLORDgaveJob

twicewhathehadbefore.ThustheLORDblessedthelatteryearsofJobslifemorethanthe

former.

Job

42:10;12a

1

LifewithyourGodgivenwifeandsoulmateofmorethanfiftytwoyearscomestoanend. Cancertakes

her. Herprofessionandministryasanurseiscaringforotherswhosufferfromthesedreadeddiseases.

Herstrengththroughthepainamazesthosewhocareforher. Hergreatestconcernthoughherfinal

daysisherfamily,herhusbandanddaughters. Fromtheheightsofjoytothepitofgrief.

1JPS Hebrew-English TANAKH, 1999, p. 1725


19/24

Weallwillhavetofacethisorasimilarsituation,orhavealreadydoneso. Theweeks,themonths,the

yearsofmourningandgriefmustbeendured.

Wemournforourloss,howourlifehaschanged:wemournforourselves. Butherlastconcernwasfor

others;herfamily. Amothersloveseemsalwaystobereachingout,tobeconcernedforothers. Sowe

mustbecome

aware

that

others

also

mourn;

especially

our

families.

And

so

our

focus

must

include

others. TheLORDrestoredJobsfortuneswhenheprayedonbehalfofhisfriends

WeknowaboutthegriefthatJobsuffered. ThelegendofGregorytheilluminatorincludes15yearsin

anactualpitbeforehewasreleasedandledtheChristianizationofArmenia. 2 Andwe,mostlikely,have

orwillhavetoendureapitofgriefinourlives.

Whilewemayneverfinishmourningthelossofalovedone,thegriefwillbegintoliftwhenwebeginto

prayforothers,whenourfocusincludesothers,notjustourselves.

ThisisthehopeIgetfromtodaysreadingfromJob. ThatasIbegintoprayforothers,theLORDmay

blessmylatteryearsmorethattheformer. Andthatmaymeanthebestisyettocome.

2http:/en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Gregory_the_Illuminator 3

JimBement

Tuesday,March26Isaiah49:19* 1Corinthians1:1831 * John12:2036*Psalm71:114

Severalof

us

in

this

springs

Adult

Formation

group

have

said

that

we

find

the

night

sky

an

image

of

God,

oratleastareminder. Thenaturalcalendaroftheskysmotionshasbeenanobjectofgreatfascination

forme,foratleast20years. Notably,theconstellationOrionlookstomelikeaperson,perhapsa

tightlybeltedMinoansortofperson,manorwoman. Afewyearsagoanotherimagecameout,called

theStickMan,whichresultedfromacompressedmapofthegalaxies. Visibleornottothehumaneye,

we(someofus)keepfindingimagesofourselvesupthere!

TheGreeklegendormythofOrionispartofalargercollectionofdyingandrisinggods,anastonishing

numberofthem,whichseemtobeaboutcyclicalmovementsinlifeaswellasinobservationsofthe

heavens. Youplant(orbury)thewinterwheat,everythingisbarrenduringthewinter,butinthespring,

suddenly,there

it

is,

full

of

life.

The

dying

god

in

those

stories

is

usually

ayoung

man

who

is

mourned

greatlybyhismotheranddevotees;buthealwayscomesback.InthebarrentimeofLent,weknowthe

deathiscoming,butalsotheresurrection.

OrionisabsentfromviewbetweenMayandJuly,moreorless,dependingonhowlateyoustayupor

earlyyougetup,aswellashowmuchskyyoucanactuallyseeincloudyRochester. Ifindmyselfsinging

thelastverseofWeThreeKingswhenIdocatchsightofthislargeandbeautifulconstellation,afterits


20/24

hiatus.Itisaconstellationofroyalbeauty,andlikeallofthemitdoesproceedwestward.SometimesI

willseethePleiades,alittlesmudgeofstars,orAldebaranfirst,abigredone,theeyeofthecelestial

bull.ThenIllknowitwontbelongnow. OrmaybeIllseeabigredoneandthink,itsabouttheright

elevationbutitdoesntlookquitelikeAldebaran.Bysofteningmyfocus,orwaitingforthehazetoclear,

IllseesomeoftheothersandknowitsBetelgeuse,andOrionisbackwithmeforanotheryear.

Gloriousnowweseehimarise,

KingandGodandSacrifice.

Heavensingsalleluia,

Alleluiatheearthreplies!

Starofwonder,starofmight,

Starwithroyalbeautybright,

Westwardleading,stillproceeding,

Guideustothyperfectlight.

JenniferAnstey

Wednesday,March27Isaiah50:49a* Hebrews12:13 * John13:2132*Psalm70

DuringLent,

especially

at

Holy

Week,

it

is

important

to

step

back

and

to

reflect

on

our

lives

as

Christians.

Oneofthewayswereflect,notonlyatLent,butallyearround,iswhenweparticipateintheEucharist.

AttheendofeachEucharistintheEpiscopalChurchthecelebrationwhenwegatherasthebodyof

ChristincommunitytopraiseGodscreationandtorememberthelife,death,andresurrectionofJesus

ChristwethankGodinthepostcommunionprayerandaresentouttodotheworkofGodsSon

JesusChrist:

AlmightyandeverlivingGod,wethankyouforfeedinguswiththespiritualfoodofthemostprecious

BodyandBloodofyourSonourSaviorJesusChrist;andforassuringusintheseholymysteriesthatwe

areliving

members

of

the

Body

of

your

Son,

and

heirs

of

your

eternal

kingdom.

And

now

Father,

send

usouttodotheworkyouhavegivenistodo,toloveandserveyouasfaithfulwitnessesofChristour

Lord. Tohim,toyou,andtotheHolySpirit,behonorandglory,nowandforever. Amen.

WearesentoutintotheworldtodothisworkafterbeingfilledandstrengthenedwiththeHolySpiritin

theformofbreadandwinerepresentingJesusChristattheEucharist. Aftereachservicewealsotake

withustheGoodNewsofGodandJesusChristthatwehavelearnedfromscriptureandfromthe


21/24

sermontoeducateandhelpothersinourcommunities. Wehelpothersthroughactsthatinclude,

feedingthehungry,lovingourfamilyandfriends,caringforthesick,helpingthepoor,andcaringabout

allpeoples. AtChurchwehearexamplesofhowJesusdidthisworkinhisministryandweareinspired

togooutandtocontinuetheworkofJesusinour21stcenturyworld.

Eachtime

Iparticipate

in

the

Eucharist

Iam

reminded

that

we

must

work

together

as

the

Body

of

Christ

todotheworkofGodandChristmosteffectively. OneofmyfavoriteBiblepassagesis1Corinthians

12:1227becauseitdemonstratesthissowellbyusingpartsofthehumanbodyasanexampleofthe

bodyofChrist:

Forjustasthebodyisoneandhasmanymembers,andallthemembersofthebody,thoughmany,are

onebody,soitiswithChrist. ForintheoneSpiritwewereallbaptizedintoonebodyJewsorGreeks,

slavesorfreeandwewereallmadetodrinkofoneSpirit.

Indeed,thebodydoesnotconsistofonememberbutofmany. Ifthefootweretosay,BecauseIam

notahand,

Ido

not

belong

to

the

body,

that

would

not

make

it

any

less

apart

of

the

body.

And

if

the

earweretosay,BecauseIamnotaneye,Idonotbelongtothebody,thatwouldnotmakeitanylessa

partofthebody. Ifthewholebodywereaneye,wherewouldthehearingbe?Ifthewholebodywere

hearing,wherewouldthesenseofsmellbe?Butasitis,Godarrangedthemembersinthebody,each

oneofthem,asGodchose. Ifallwereasinglemember,wherewouldthebodybe?Asitis,thereare

manymembers,yetonebody.Theeyecannotsaytothehand,Ihavenoneedofyou,noragainthe

headtothefeet,Ihavenoneedofyou.Onthecontrary,themembersofthebodythatseemtobe

weakerareindispensable,andthosemembersofthebodythatwethinklesshonorableweclothewith

greaterhonor,andourlessrespectablemembersaretreatedwithgreaterrespect;whereasourmore

respectablemembersdonotneedthis.ButGodhassoarrangedthebody,givingthegreaterhonorto

theinferiormember,thattheremaybenodissensionwithinthebody,butthemembersmayhavethe

same

care

for

one

another.

If

one

member

suffers,

all

suffer

together

with

it;

if

one

member

is

honored,

allrejoicetogetherwithit. NowyouarethebodyofChristandindividuallymembersofit.

LetusalwaysremembertobetheBodyofChristintheworldaswegoaboutourdailylivesandwork

eachweekwithstrengthandcouragetoloveandserveallpeople.

PadraicCollinsBohrer

MaundyThursday,March28Exodus12:14,1114* 1Corinthians11:2326 * John13:117,31b35*Psalm116:1,1017


22/24

Igrewupinalowchurchenvironment,atSt.MarksChurchinPennYan. IcantrememberwhenI

firstgrewconsciousofthetermMaundyThursday,butitmusthavebeeninjuniorhighschoolsome

time. Idorememberwonderinghowasingledaycouldhavetwodaynames: MondayandThursday.

LaterIrememberthedaybeingminimallyobservedintheseveralEpiscopalChurchesIattendedover

thenexttwentyfiveyearsorso. OnlywhenIarrivedatChristChurchintheearly1980sdiditdawnon

mewhatasignificantday,andimportantservice,MaundyThursdayprovides. Butthen,Ialso

remember,inthe70s,Fr.JohnSolleratSt.LukesinBrockport,washingthefeetofthevestryandhisparishcouncilduringHolyWeek,onthedayclosesttoMaundyThursday,thuscausingthe

embarrassmentofmostmembersofbothgroups.

ThereareatleastahalfdozenothernamesforMaundyThursday,circulatingaroundtheworldin

variousChristianchurches,themostcommonofwhichisHolyThursday,anditisoftendefinedasthe

ThursdayinHolyWeek. WhatwehereobserveandreenactistheLastSupper.

Forthosewhodonottypicallyattend,letmeencourageyoutobewithusthisyearforthismoving

service. Themassitselfisriveting,reimaginingtheTwelvesurroundingJesusatthetableofthelast

supper,ourimaginationsfurtherheightenedbyourviewofthereredosabovethehighaltar. Itisa

peculiarlyquiet

observance,

never

quieter

than

when

the

celebrating

priest

and

deacons,

at

the

close

of

theservice,andinnearlyperfectsilence,removethecandles,thealtarprayerbook,thelinens,inshort,

everythingexceptthecrossonthehighaltar. Then,manyofusmakeawrenchingrediscoveryevery

year,andfeelourheartsbreakanewatthethoughtofourLordssacrificeforallmankind. Ourspirits

areliftedonlywiththeknowledgethatthisbeginstheEasterTridium,whichcommemoratesthe

passion,deathandresurrectionofourLordJesusChrist. ThatmomentastheEucharistendsonMaundy

Thursdayisasadnessnottobemissed,evenasEasterSundayfillsourspiritsforanotheryear. Formany

ofus,thiscelebratoryEucharistisonewealmostnevermiss.

RonHilton

GoodFridayMarch29,2013Isaiah52:1353:12* Hebrews10:1625 * John18:119:42*Psalm22

GoodFridaysreadingsarefullofsuffering. Althoughwenowreadthesepassagesthroughthelensof

Jesussownsuffering,IoftenwonderwhatthewritersofIsaiahandPsalm22werethinkingofwhat

experienceorpersonastheywrote. ThePsalmist:Iampouredoutlikewater,andallmybones

areoutofjoint;myheartislikewax;itismeltedwithinmybreast;mystrengthisdrieduplikea

potsherd,andmytonguestickstomyjaws. Isaiah:Hewasdespisedandrejectedbymen,amanof

sorrows,

and

acquainted

with

grief;

and

as

one

from

whom

men

hide

their

faces

he

was

despised,

and

weesteemedhimnot...weesteemedhimstricken,smittenbyGod,andafflicted. Thereadingsare

unitedbythewritersabsoluteconvictionthatthesuffererisinnocentanddoesnotdeservewhatis

beingdonetohim. Itswhatmakesthesedepictionsofsufferingunbearable. Andespeciallysofor

Isaiah,whogainedtheanunderstandingoftheinnocenceofthissufferingmanafterthefact. Heknows

itnow,butdidntknowitthenandwaspartofthejudging,criticalwe. Thesadnessofhis

acknowledgmentbutwedidntknow!isoverpowering.


23/24

Readingthispassage

throughthelensofthe

Passion,wedoknow. We

knowthatJesus,innocent

ofsin

himself,

suffered

for

us. Butknowingitcanbe

justasoverpoweringlysad,

becauseoftheguiltand

shameofbeingresponsible

forthatsuffering. Iamso

gratefultohavethespace

andtimegiventousinthe

GoodFridayservice,sitting

inthedarkenedchurch,to

allowthose

feelings

of

sadnesstowashoverand

throughme,waveswhich

movemefinallyintogratitude. Asthehymnsays,itsamomentbeyondwords: WhatlanguagecanI

borrowtothankthee,dearestfriend,forthisthydyingsorrow,thypitywithoutend.

DebVanderbilt

HolySaturdaySaturday,March30

Job14:114*Lamentations3:19,1924*Psalm31:14,1516*1Peter4:18

Matthew27:5766*John19:3842

Whatdoyoudowhenyoulovesomeonewhodies?

Everyonewhoreadsthisquestionwillhaveadifferentanswer,maybemorethanone,maybemany

more. HerearejustsomeofthethingsthatIhavedonemyself:Ihavewept,Ihavecriedout,Ihave

staredinto

space,

Ihave

thought

Ifelt

too

much,

Ihave

felt

Ishould

feel

more,

Ihave

traveled

many

milesforafuneral,Ihavestayedhomeinprayerfromafar,Ihavereadlessonsatthefrontofthe

church,Ihavestoodsilentintheback,Ihavewatchedpriestswearwhite,Ihavewantedtowearblack,I

havesentcardstothemournersandcontributedtotheircharities,Ihavefumbledwithwordsand

founditimpossibletosayanythingatall. IcouldgoonasIwrite,andsoperhapscouldyouasyouread

therearemanywaystomourn,thereisnoonewaytogrieve.


24/24

ThegospelofMatthew,whichwereadforHolySaturdaythisyear,tellsusthatJosephofArimathea

respondedtothedeathofJesusbyaskingPontiusPilateforpermissiontotakethebodyawaytobe

buried. Josephwrappedthebodyinacleanlinencloth,putitinhisownnewtomb,androlledastonein

frontoftheopeningwhileMaryMagdaleneandtheotherMarysatoutside. Itwastheeveningofthe

Sabbath;theycoulddonothingmoreuntilthedayafterthat.

Whatwasitlikeforthemwhiletheywaitedforthetimetopass? WasitcoldatnightintheJerusalem

desert,ordidthestonesofthecityholdtheirheat? DidJoseph,Mary,andMaryfindsomethingtoeat,

ordidtheyfeeltoosickforsupper? Didtheysleep,orweretheytooscaredtoclosetheireyes? Did

theytakecomfortfromtalking,orweretheytoosadtospeak?

Ashumans,weknowthatwewillalldie. AsChristians,webelievethatthereislifeontheothersideof

death. Idonotbegintoknowwhatthatlifewilllooklike,andyetitcomfortsmetoknowthatitis

there. Itcomfortsmetoknowthatitisthere,andyetIknowthatImustwaittoseeit. Idonotalways

wanttowait,andyetIamnotinanyhurrytogo. Lifeisveryprecious,anddeathistoomuchofa

mysteryfor

me.

Only

God

can

really

know

what

waits

for

us.

Whenwordsfailme,IturntotheBookofCommonPrayer:

OGod,Creatorofheavenandearth:Grantthat,asthecrucifiedbodyofyourdearSonwaslaidinthe

tombandrestedonthisholySabbath,sowemayawaitwithhimthecomingofthethirdday,andrise

withhimtonewnessoflife;whonowlivesandreignswithyouandtheHolySpirit,

oneGod,foreverandever.Amen.

JeanElisabethPedersen

lenten meditations 2013 (1)

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