Trinity I- Luke 16:31

 This Sunday's Gospel from Luke 16:19-31 contains the Parable of the Rich Man and the Beggar Lazarus.  (The rich man is sometimes called "Dives" from the Latin for "rich.") This passage brings us several themes, including the importance of compassion and the nature of the afterlife. In rereading the passage this week, another theme was noticeable. In Luke 16:31, the Gospel concludes, "And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." 

This statement highlights the basic human spiritual and moral problem. God has created human beings to be spiritually and morally responsible. He expects them to love Him and their neighbors. In His mercy, God has provided and still provides revelations of His expectations. In nature, in the Mosaic Law, and in the prophets, the divine expectations are clear for those willing to see and hear. In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has revealed His expectations even more clearly. Moreover, He has revealed the possibility of repentance, faith, pardon, and renewal after human failure. God offers redeeming grace. 

Unfortunately, human beings are often like the rich man in the parable. They ignore both divine expectations and divine grace. They persist in hardness of heart. They continue in their selfish sinfulness. Not only are they immoral, but they are also unspiritual. Their attitude is the central problem. They are not open to divine holiness, love, or grace. They have no transcendent faith. Their confidence is in themselves and their earthly status or possessions. And such hardened attitudes have eternal consequences.

Fortunately, such a sad state can be remedied. Sinful and selfish human beings are offered grace. In His mercy, God can change them and soften hardened hearts. With God, all things are possible. People can turn from sin, and faith can arise in unexpected ways. All humans (even a poor Lazarus) are sinners who can develop humble and faithful attitudes through the divine grace revealed in Jesus Christ. May we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to believe this good news!

St. Michael and All Angels- 29 September- Revelation 12:7

 On Anglican calendars, 29 September is a date to honor the role of St. Michael and All Angels in the divine plan for salvation. In Scripture and Christian tradition, angels play several roles, one of which is to assist believers in their struggle against evil. In particular, the Archangel Michael is known as the defender of God's people from the attacks of the devil and his evil forces (Daniel 12:1). 

The harsh realities of worldly life are certainly reminders of our need for supernatural assistance from Michael and the great host of holy angels. Each day, Christians struggle with human weakness and temptation, and the daily news brings new reports of natural disasters, diseases, political corruption and violence, crime, and general moral decline.  Some of the bad things are natural consequences of a fallen world, but as Scripture reminds us (Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:7), our struggles are not merely against flesh and blood.  The devil and his evil forces constantly seek to tempt and destroy us. Therefore, we always depend on divine aid through the grace of the crucified and risen Christ applied by the working of the Holy Spirit. And one way that God helps us is through the watchful protection of His angels who assist believers in the battle against evil.

These worldly realities make the Prayer Book collect for St. Michael's Day especially meaningful for believers: 

O everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order; Mercifully grant that, as thy holy Angels always do thee service in heaven, so, by thy appointment, they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Trinity XV- Galatians 6, Matthew 6, and the Collect

 For the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity, both the Epistle and the Gospel are relevant passages for our Christian faith and life. In the Epistle from Galatians 6:11-18, St. Paul emphasizes the need to look beyond legalism to faith in the crucified Christ. In the Gospel from Matthew 6:24-34, our Lord stresses the importance of right priorities. He warns that we must put God and His kingdom first. Earthly material matters must not dominate our lives; spiritual concerns for God give human life its only real meaning.

On other occasions, I have focused on the details of each of these passages, but this week, it struck me how both these concerns are held together and illuminated by the Collect of the Day. The text of the Collect for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity dates at least to the Gelasian Sacramentary compiled in the 700s, but it may be more ancient. This thematic prayer for the day highlights the overwhelming importance of divine mercy and grace. 

Both the Church and individual Christians are beset by many frailties. On our own, we would not have faith in the crucified Christ or make God and His kingdom our first priority. We all fall in thought, word, and deed. Therefore, we pray that the Lord God may keep us in his perpetual mercy, protect us from all things that hurt us (especially our souls), and lead us to everything that brings His salvation into our lives. We do seek right beliefs about God and good Christian living, but both the Church and the individual believer are totally dependent on divine mercy and grace!

Simple Daily Prayers

In the Anglican tradition since 1549 (and even before 1549 in common practice), there have been two daily orders of prayer, Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. These two offices have usually been expected of the clergy and encouraged for the laity. In some form, Morning and Evening Prayer have been the mainstays of Anglican devotion or spirituality. However, there are circumstances where reading or saying the complete offices is not possible. Factors such as work, health, travel, emergencies, or the availability of Bibles, Prayer Books, or electronic devices my limit our options.

Thus, like many devout believers throughout Scripture and Christian tradition, we may need simpler practices that are the biblical origins for the Daily Office. One Scriptural example is the Jewish use of the Shema, "Hear O Israel," from Deuteronomy 6 as a creedal prayer. This prayer was repeated at various times, especially at bedtime and rising (Dt. 6:7). In all likelihood, it was included in the prayers that Daniel and other pious Judeans would have offered three times a day (Daniel 6:10,13). By New Testament times, more elaborate patterns of prayer in the morning, around midday, and in the evening seem to have been developing among the rabbis. Perhaps, a simple version of these practices is what the Gospels have in mind when the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray (Matthew 6: 5-15; Luke 11:2-4). A reference to common Christian prayer practices is also recorded in Acts 2:42. 

Near the end of the first century, the Didache enjoins saying the Lord's Prayer three times a day (ch. 8). Although some details of practice are murky, it seems to have remained common for Christians of many types to pray three times a day, especially in the morning and in the evening. There are examples in the Eastern Church, and in the medieval Western Church, a basic pattern developed in both Latin and vernacular languages. This pattern usually included an invocation of the Trinity, the Apostles' Creed, the Our Father, the Gloria Patri, and perhaps a prayer related to the time of day.

At the time of the Reformation, Martin Luther continued traditional patterns of prayer and included basic memorizable forms for morning and evening in his Small Catechism. Similar practices developed in 17th and 18th-century England, and American Books of Common Prayer since 1789 have included forms of family prayer. These prayers are beautiful but sometimes wordy for everyday use or memorization; so the 1928 American BCP developed shorter forms consisting of the Lord's Prayer, a collect or short prayer suitable for the time of day, and the option to add other prayers and Scripture. After the Tractarian movement in 19th century, there were devotional books which suggested similar patterns (a 20th century Anglican example is the St. Augustine's Prayer Book).

When unable to say the full Daily Office forms, I have found this basic mental outline useful.

1. Begin "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

2. Perhaps say a verse of Scripture from memory.

3. Pray the Apostles' Creed or the Nicene Creed from memory.

4. Pray the Lord's Prayer.

5. Pray a memorized or extemporaneous prayer appropriate for the time of day.

6. Add notable personal prayer concerns.

7. Conclude with the Grace (II Cor. 13:14) or another prayer for blessing.

This simple pattern is consistent with Scripture and Christian devotional tradition and with the basic content of the Prayer Book Daily Offices. Whatever our situations or access to Bibles, Prayer Books, or devotional manuals, we can and pray early and late each day. We should also include some items from Scripture and Christian tradition along with our personal words or thoughts. We are always praying as members of Christ's Church.

Lent III- Luke 11:24-26

The Gospel for Lent III from St. Luke 11:14-28 is a rich passage, and it refers to several different themes related to spiritual struggle and following Christ.  Today let us look at St. Luke 11:24-26: "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first."

 In these words, our Lord issues a warning about half-hearted spiritual renewal. Any person who has a certain evil removed from his life is like a clean house. Such a person has great potential for moral and spiritual growth. There is an opportunity for a new start, an opportunity for filling one's life with all sorts of virtue and goodness. This renewal is a time for inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell within and transform life. However, if a person does not use such a time of renewal in a positive way, there is also the possibility that evil may return with greater force than before. A half-hearted renewal may leave a person in a worse spiritual state than he/she was previously.

 Certainly, these insights apply in great instances of spiritual healing- such as when Christ cast out demons. These insights may be applied in our modern age when a person is trying to recover from some serious moral or spiritual problem. Yet, the same dynamic can also apply to many of the little daily struggles to be better Christians that we all have. Renouncing some evil, even a minor fault, is a good beginning. It is a kind of spiritual house cleaning. But a good beginning is not enough; it also needs positive spiritual follow-up. Our souls must be filled with good things lest the bad return in a worse way.

This teaching is especially applicable during times like Lent. Lent is a season of spiritual house cleaning; it is a time when Christians seek spiritual renewal. During Lent, we emphasize repentance from sins and discipline against bad habits. During this season, many people give up some minor human indulgences, and that can be good.

However, we should not be content to renounce a few things for Lent; we must also take positive steps. During this season, we also need to fill our spiritual houses with positive practices such as Scripture and devotional reading, prayer, and acts of kindness and service. By taking such positive steps, we decrease the likelihood of evil moving back in. So, during this Lent, may God grant us the grace to focus on the well-being of our souls. Let us move beyond basic spiritual house cleaning and seek to keep our hearts, minds, and souls filled with everything good.

 

Septuagesima- Matthew 20

The Gospel for Septuagesima, the first Sunday of Pre-Lent, is the Parable of the Workers from St. Matthew 20.  In this story, our Lord warns us that the kingdom of heaven is not centered on our human efforts or accomplishments. Almighty God is sovereign and exalted above human understanding. He is free to do as He chooses, and He is gracious beyond measure. Any reward human beings receive from God is really a gift that is not earned, and He is free to bestow His gifts as He pleases. He does not owe us anything, not even an accounting of what He gives us or our fellow laborers.

This teaching has a special application as we enter into the seasons of Pre-Lent and then Lent. Certainly, these church seasons call us to emphasize spiritual training and special self-discipline. We are asked to strive and work harder in divine service. Yet, even while we are expected to work, we must keep in mind that our human efforts can not really merit anything from God. Our efforts must be done with a humble attitude. God is in charge, and we must always respond to His gracious offers with thankful humility.

Advent IV- John 1:19-28

On the Fourth Sunday in Advent, the Gospel from St. John 1:19-28 is another reference to the preparatory message of John the Baptist. When the Jerusalem authorities send representatives to ask who he is, John refuses the usual titles. He only acknowledges being "the voice of one crying in the wilderness" (John 1:23; Isaiah 40:3). He makes the way ready for the Lord; he baptizes with water to represent repentance and cleansing from sin. But the One coming after John is much greater. He is the reason for John's work of preparation, and He will bring the redemption that John's ministry only anticipates.

As Christians, we believe that the One whose way John prepared is Jesus, and we seek to prepare His way in our lives this week.  As Advent draws to a close, many people are busy with a variety of preparations for the Christmas holiday. Unfortunately, people often lose sight of the spiritual preparations needed to celebrate Christ's Nativity. Most of us need to pay more attention to prayer, to meditation on Scripture, and to renewed efforts to prepare room for Christ in our hearts and in our lives. As we get ready to celebrate Christ's first coming in humility, let us not get too distracted. Let us remember that Jesus Christ keeps coming to us. He calls us to repent of our sins and accept His grace, mercy, and peace. Without Him, all our celebrations are empty. With Him in our lives, there is true joy in simple things!

St. Michael and All Angels- 29 September- Revelation 12; Matthew 18 (Trinity 18)

This year Trinity XVIII is also the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels. The origin of the feast of St. Michael the Archangel goes back to fifth-century Rome when a church in the region was dedicated in honor of St. Michael. This feast became very popular in medieval England, and when the sixteenth-century reformers simplified the church calendar, this was the only observance dedicated to angels that was retained.

In Scripture, angels are mentioned many times. For example, the Gospel from Matthew 18:10 refers to the guardian angels of children. St. Michael and his angels are mentioned in today's reading from Revelation 12:7 ff. Michael the archangel is also mentioned in Daniel 12 and the Epistle to Jude. He is the warrior angel who defends God's people from the Devil. While we would certainly want to avoid superstitions and the distorted angel worship that St. Paul warns about in Colossians 2:18, Christians should recognize and honor the work of St. Michael and all the angels. Angels are spiritual beings created by God, and they are at work in the universe to praise God and to aid His people. We should remain open to their continuing assistance in our spiritual development.

Trinity XV- Matthew 6: 24-34

The Gospel for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity is from St. Matthew 6:24-34. The reference to God's providence or provision is appropriate for the changing of seasons and harvest time. Yet, this Scripture speaks of more than nature or the harvest. It points us to divine providence and mercy in all their forms. Every aspect of creation depends on God for its existence and survival. God watches over and cares for the birds and the wildflowers. He gives them good things. How much more must the Creator care for human beings created in His image, especially for His faithful people! Therefore, God expects a faithful response from us. We must cast aside faithless anxieties. We must reject the idolatry of mammon or materialism. God calls each of us to place God's kingdom and His righteous standards first if we wish to know a truly meaningful life in this world and the next.

Trinity VIII- Romans 8:12-17

 In different ways, both the Epistle and the Gospel for Eighth Sunday after Trinity are warnings about spiritual life. The Gospel points to the dangers of bad spiritual leaders, and the Epistle points to the spiritual struggles of individual souls. This time, my focus is on the Epistle from Romans 8:12- 17. In these few verses, St. Paul contrasts the fleshly life with the true spiritual life. By the "flesh," the Apostle is not referring to the mere fact of human physical existence. Here "flesh" is referring to the fallenness and weakness of the human condition. And by spiritual, Paul is not exalting some vague notion of an immaterial aspect of existence. Rather, the Apostle is encouraging a life inspired by and empowered by the Holy Spirit, a life directed toward God the Father, and a life lived in unity with God the Son, Jesus Christ. Such a Christian life includes a renunciation of worldliness and a readiness to accept the cross of Christ.

In this life, every Christian faces an ongoing struggle between the fallen nature and the higher self dedicated to God. Every aspect of life, from our basic physical needs to our highest religious ideals is subject to temptation and distortion. Of course, physical things such as food, creature comforts, and sexual impulses are common fleshly temptations, but so are pride in our moral standing and dependence on the goodness of our own religious practices. To use Paul's term, we must always be ready to "mortify" our dependence on even our best characteristics. In all areas of earthly life, we need to be healed by divine grace and accept divine guidance. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we need to be unified with Christ and His cross more and more deeply

Monday before Easter- Mark 14

This Monday before Easter (also known as the Monday in Holy Week) is an appropriate day to reflect on several matters. Since it is March 25 on the calendar, it is also the traditional date for the Annunciation of Christ's birth to the Virgin Mary. Because of Holy Week, most liturgical calendars postpone observing the Annunciation. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note how our Lord's Incarnation,  Passion, and Resurrection are related. This connection is beautifully expressed in the Collect for the Annunciation:

We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought into the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Prayer Book Gospel assigned for today is the Passion account from Mark 14. This Scripture includes Mark 14:3-9, the story about the woman who anointed Jesus with costly fragrance. In typical human disagreeableness, some people murmur. Instead of honoring Jesus or respecting the woman who honors Him, some of those present feel compelled to criticize the woman and by implication, Jesus who accepts her gift. They try to make their criticism seem justifiable by using high-sounding phrases. They resort to moralistic words about helping the poor to mask their unbelief.

Of course, these critics are not really as pious as they pretend. Their words betray a condescending attitude toward the woman and a lack of appreciation for Jesus. They don't care about the suffering that awaits Him. They are really hypocrites using pious words in order to hide their own lack of faith and love.

Unfortunately, many people in the world continue to behave this way. Many acts of devotion or worship can be criticized as impractical wastes of time, energy, or resources. In fact, all Holy Week devotions might be attacked this way. After all, instead of praying and reading Scripture, one could be engaged in some "productive" or charitable activity. For many people, almost any mundane activity seems more valuable and practical than devotional reading or prayer.

Yet, Christians must not ignore the spiritual life.We must not always focus on the practical, and we must not even elevate concern for the poor above our devotion to God. Believers are called to honor God and His Christ above all. Such devotion is the reason that the Church observes this special week. God deserves this honor and praise, and such activity is also good for our own souls. We should not ignore the poor or others in need, but we must put our devotion to God first. 

Christmas I- Galatians 4: 1-7

On the First Sunday after Christmas, the Epistle from Galatians 4:1-7 might be considered St. Paul's Christmas Gospel because it refers briefly to the circumstances and meaning of Christ's Birth. In the fullness of time or at the appropriate time, God sent His Son into the world so that we might be adopted as spiritual children of God. The Incarnation has many rich meanings and associations. It has cosmic dimensions, and it has real human drama with earthy details. Yet, from the perspective of faith, Paul focuses on the personal application to our lives. The eternal Word, God the Son. took on human flesh in order to redeem human beings from their bondage to sin and death, Jesus Christ becomes one of us so that we might be freed to become sons and daughters of the heavenly Father. This message truly brings us good tidings of great joy.

Trinity X- Luke 19:41-47

The Gospel for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity is from Luke 19:41-47a where our Lord laments the spiritual corruption of Jerusalem and its temple. We should note that the problems of the city and the temple result from false beliefs and values. Both the city and the temple are infected by worldly values. They seek solutions in political and economic activities rather than through faith, morals, and prayer.

As we look at our world, we still see similar problems and similar false solutions. While politics and economics have their uses, they are not the real and ultimate solutions. Like ancient Jerusalem, our deepest needs are for faith in God, real moral standards, and sincere prayer. This is true for individuals, for society, and for the Church. So let us turn from worldly solutions to the religious, moral, and spiritual practices that lead to the true peace that comes from God!

Trinity X- Diversities of Gifts- I Corinthians 12: 1-11

This week, in looking over the readings for this Tenth Sunday after Trinity. the Epistle from 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 drew my attention. I was struck by the Apostle Paul's insight into both the dangers and the greatness of spirituality. First, the Apostle warns of false spirituality. Sometimes, people talk as if anything that can be called "spirituality" must be good. However, Paul does not make this assumption. On the contrary, he begins this discussion by warning about ignorance and idolatry. There are deformed kinds of spirituality and distorted views of spiritual gifts.

Secondly, St. Paul connects true spirituality to the Lord Jesus Christ. The work and gifts of the Holy Spirit must not be separated from faith centered on the life and work of Jesus. His Lordship brings unity out of human diversity. Serving Him is the factor that gives meaning to the "differences of administrations."

Thirdly, rooted in faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit can use human differences. Rooted in Christ, the Spirit inspires all sorts of good results. Believers in Christ are empowered by the Holy Spirit to engage in a variety of activities that continue the work of our Lord in this world. Such gifts range from religious knowledge to human communication to acts of mercy, but it is always the same Lord Jesus and the same Holy Spirit who are the source. 

Advent IV- John 1: 19-28

The Gospel from St. John 1:19-28 is a second Advent passage about John the Baptist. When questioned about his role, John only claims to be "the voice of one crying in the wilderness" (John 1:23; Isaiah 40:3). He is one who makes the way ready for the Lord. 

This Gospel reminds us that the way for the Messiah or Christ must be prepared. Many people put great effort into the mundane preparation of the season, but they neglect the religious preparations. If we really wish to appreciate the meaning of Christmas, we should spend some special time on spirituality in the next week. We need to read Holy Scripture and pray. We also should meditate about our need for a Savior and the ways that He keeps coming to us. Such serious preparations can help us find true joy in the good news of the Incarnation.

Advent I- Romans 13: 8-14

This Sunday marks the beginning of the Advent season, a time for reflection upon the theme of Christ coming into the world- past, present and future. Advent is also a time of spiritual and moral preparation. Believers are called to renew their commitment to live in ways that embody their faith. Such a renewal of commitment is stressed by St. Paul in the Epistle from Romans 13:8-14. 

After reviewing the general moral law, the Apostle makes two points in practical spirituality. 1) "...now it is high time to awake out of sleep" (Rom. 13:11). Christians must avoid the natural human tendency to sink into spiritual torpor. We must wake up and remain vigilant.  2) "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light" (Rom. 13:12). Knowing that earthly history is moving toward the culmination of divine plans, Christians must constantly cast off sinful tendencies and put on the good qualities that God the Father gives us through Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. We must seek light and life through Christ in each day given to us. If we apply these principles of spirituality, Advent can be a valuable time for Christian growth, not just a time of waiting for a holiday.

Trinity XII- Letter and Spirit- II Corinthians 3

 In the Epistle for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity from II Corinthians 3, the Apostle Paul speaks of the ministry of Christians.  In  II Cor. 3:6, he says that we are "ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." These words remain important for the Christian life, but they have often been misunderstood or interpreted in extreme or chaotic ways. 

The letter of the commandments had and continues to have value, The letter shows divine standards, points out human failures, and gives general guidance, but the letter of the law condemns sin. The letter does not give life. External rules are necessary in this world, but they do not save. Only the spirit brings life. The new testament, the message of Jesus Christ, goes beyond the external rules to the internal spiritual level. It brings life-giving power, guidance, and forgiveness. The spirituality of the gospel transforms the letter; it helps us move beyond literalism and legalism into sincere and loving service for the Lord.