Gregory the Great, Bishop, Apostle to the English: 12 March 2014

http://www.allmercifulsavior.com/icons/Icons-Gregory.htm

St. Gregory, Bishop of Rome

Little is know of Gregory’s younger years, except that Italy was in turbulence from Goth invasions.  He had three sisters who were nuns, and after the death of his parents converted the house into a monastery.  He was ordained deacon, and later served as Papal delegate to Constantinople.  He was elected Pope in 590, and immediately set down that he was not claiming St. Peter’s throne, and praised the life of the monks (he was the first Monastic bishop of Rome). 

Gregory is most well known for sending missionaries to northern Europe in a time in which the Pope had little authority over Italy, Britain or Spain. Most famous of his missions was sending Augustine to England to proclaim the Gospel to the Anglo Saxon peoples, leading to some conflict with the Celtic church, but  eventually leading to a missionary movement spreading form England to the north of Europe and extending as far east as Kiev. 

Liturgically, plain song chant, or Gregorian chant is often attributed to him, and more factually the liturgy of the pre-sanctified which is used by the Eastern Orthodox Church until this day for Lent and Holy Week.  Private penance is also attributed to him.

Alms were important to him, but most of the money received by the church went immediately to the service of the poor. 

Psalm 57:6-11
1 Chronicles 25:1a,6-8
Colossians 1:28–2:3
Mark 10:42-45

Collect: Lord, you raised up Gregory of Rome to be a servant to the servants of God, and inspired him to send missionaries to England.  Raise up in this and every generation Bishops who will truly serve their people in imitation of Messiah, and who are willing to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth.  This we ask through Yeshuah haMoshiach, who lives and reigns with you and Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen.  (white)

Gregory of Nyssa, Bishop, transferred from Sunday

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nyssa

Gregory, with his brother Basil the  Great and Gregory Nazianzus is considered to be on the Cappadocian fathers.  He was born in Turkey and made Bishop by his brother  Basil so as to have an ally in the area.  He is known chiefly for helping develop the idea of the Trinity and the infinity of God. 

He was deposed twice by the Aryans, but continued to be a strong defender against their teaching. 

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07016a.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nyssa

Psalm 19:7-11(12-14)
Wisdom 7:24-28
Ephesians 2:17-22
John 14:23-26 

Heavenly Father, you raised up your servant Gregory of Nyssa to proclaim the Christian faith of one God in trinity of persons.  Strengthen us, that like him we may continue steadfast in proclaiming the truth faith.  This we ask through Yeshuah HaMoshiach, our Lord and Saviour who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen. (white)

St. Thomas Aquinas: 8 March 2014

http://www.bridgebuilding.com/narr/nmtha.html

Thomas was born in about 1225 in the Kingdom of Sicily. AS a younger son, his parents placed him in religious life, assuming because of family connections, that he would be abbot some day.   He was placed in Monte Casino Monastery at the age of five, and later studied at the University of Naples after war caused problems for Monte Casino.  After having spent all this time in a Benedictine house, Thomas resolved to become a Dominican.  His parents were very much against this, and the Dominicans attempted to  spirit him away to Paris, but he was kidnapped by his brothers, and held as a prisoner by his mother for two years.  They even sent a prostitute to him to break his resolve, but he kept his resolve and his celibacy, being strengthened by God to resist.  His mother, giving up, arranged to leave a window open so he could “escape” and she could save face. 

He traveled to Naples, then to Rome to meet the head of the Order, and was sent to Paris to study.  He followed his master, Albertus Magnus to Cologne (declining the abbacy of Monte Casino) where he continued his studies.  Because of his quietness and size he was given the name of dumb ox.  In 1525 he returned to Paris to finish his studies and began his writing.  In 1261 he was back in Naples to tutor those unable to attend the University, and was assigned to Rome in a teaching position.  He continued his writing and wrote a new Liturgy for the new feast of Corpus Christi. 

One thousand two hundred and sixty-eight found him once again as regent at the University of Paris, where he had a tumultuous time due to the rising of Averroism.  In 1272 he left Rome and was given permission to found a new school where ever he pleased, which was Naples.  During this time he worked on the third part of Summa Theologica.  During Eucharist at the feast of St. Nicholas, he stopped everything, telling his companions that everything he had done was as straw. 

He did recover somewhat and was called to the second  council of Lyon in 1274.  On the way he was injured and fell ill.  He died on 7 March 1274 while giving commentary on the Song of Songs.His writings have continued to affect the church and guide her in the ensuing centuries.  Thomas was also known for his hymns, “O Saving Victim” and “Now my tongue the Mystery Telling.”  St. Thomas Aquinas was the greatest theologian of the High Middle ages, and is counted by some as the second greatest theologian in Western Christianity. 

Because of the rediscovery of Aristotle’s works, Thomas asserted that reason and faith are in basic harmony.  “Grace is not the denial of nature, but the perfection of it.”  Thomas accomplished this synthesis in his greatest workd, Summa Theologia and Summa Contra Gentiles which continue to influence Christian thought and philosophy today.  He was considered a radical in his time, and some of his thoughts were regarded as heretical by his contemporaries. 

Thomas understood that when God revealed his name to Moshe, “I am who I am” to mean that God is being, the ultimate reality form which everything else derives its being.  The difference between God and the universe, is that God’s essence is to exist, wherefore everything else derives its being from God.  God is reflected in his creation, and therefore can be partially understood through the creation.  Therefore human reason can demonstrate the existence of God.  Distinctive truths about God, though must come through revelation.  It is important to note that much of western philosophy today is based on reflection of his thought. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Aquinas

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aquinas/

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14663b.htm

Collect:  Lord, as you raised Thomas Aquinus as a theologian in your church, grant wisdom as grace that your church may always have teachers to expound the truth and guide us in faith and knowledge of you, that our faith would not be blind, but based on understanding.  This we ask through our great teacher Yeshuah, who lives and reins with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen.  (white)

 Psalm 119:97-104
Wisdom 7:7-14
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Matthew 13:47-52    

St. Perpetua and Companions: 7 March 2014http://www.corvalliscommunitypages.com/Europe/iberianonislam/perpetua.htm Perpetua and her companions were martyrs in the third century. The group consisted of Perpetua, a noble woman, Felicitas a slave, Revocatus, another slave, and two freemen, Saturninus and Secundulas. They were catechumens and were later joined by their catechist, Saturis. Though implored to abandon the faith, the small group was baptized before being imprisoned. Encouraged by dreams and visions the group was offered up to wild animals to be tortured by a boar, a bear and a leopard for the men, and a wild cow for the women. They were severely wounded by the animals, and gave each other the kiss of peace before being killed by the sword. The swordsman assigned to Perpetua was inept and at first only caused her pain. She had to guide the sword to the proper place, and it is said in the Martyrlogy regarding her, that “perchance so great a woman could not else have been slain had she not herself willed it. Psalm 124 Daniel 6:10-16 Hebrews 10:32-39 Matthew 24:9-14 Collect: Dear Lord, you gave Perpetua and her companions boldness to confess your name before the rulers of this world, and courage to encourage one another. Grant us boldness to proclaim your name, and help us to always build up one another in the true faith and perseverance in that faith. This we ask through the author of our faith, Yeshuah haMoshiach who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting. Amen

http://www.corvalliscommunitypages.com/Europe/iberianonislam/perpetua.htm

Perpetua and her companions were martyrs in the third century.  The group consisted of Perpetua, a noble woman, Felicitas a slave, Revocatus, another slave, and two freemen, Saturninus and Secundulas.  They were catechumens and were later joined by their catechist, Saturis. 

Though implored to abandon the faith, the small group was baptized before being imprisoned.  Encouraged by dreams and visions the group was offered up to wild animals to be tortured by a boar, a bear and a leopard for the men, and a wild cow for the women. They were severely wounded by the animals, and gave each other the kiss of peace before being killed by the sword.  The swordsman assigned to Perpetua was inept and at first only caused her pain.  She had to guide the sword to the proper place, and it is said in the Martyrlogy regarding her, that “perchance so great a woman could not else have been slain had she not herself willed it. 

Psalm 124
Daniel 6:10-16
Hebrews 10:32-39
Matthew 24:9-14 

Collect:  Dear Lord, you gave Perpetua and her companions boldness to confess your name before the rulers of this world, and courage to encourage one another.  Grant us boldness to proclaim your name, and help us to always build up one another in the true faith and perseverance in that faith.  This we ask through the author of our faith, Yeshuah haMoshiach who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen

The Holy Cross

It is said that St. Helena, the mother of Constantine discovered a portion of the true cross in 326 on this day,.  (St. Helena discovered the true sites of many events, guided by dream, a fiend of mine calls her the patron St. of Travel Agents), and while there might be questions about some of the sites, there is a certain amount of archaeological evidence showing that the location of the church of Holy Sepulchre is accurate.  The church was dedicated on the 13th of September 335.  The following day, the cross was taken out to the hill top believed to be Calvary and venerated. 

This day, for us a day of fasting, we remember the cross as the instrument of our salvation.  Red vestments are worn. 

Eucharist
Psalm 98 or 98:1-4;
Isaiah 45:21-25
Philippians 2:5-11 or Galatians 6:14-18
John 12:31-36a
Daily Office:
AM Psalm 66;
Numbers 21:4-9;
John 3:11-17
PM Psalm 118;
Genesis 3:1-15;
1 Peter 3:17-22

Collect:  Dear Lord, as you on this day miraculously helped Helena to discover your cross and nails, daily remind us that each day we must take up our own cross and follow you.  Help us to remember that when we sin, we help nail you to the cross and grant us grace to turn away from our sins and to turn to you.  This we ask in the name of our Lord Yeshua, who lives and rains with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen. 

 (red)

Note:  Other traditions celebrate the Holy Cross on 14 September and others on 3 May and  1 Ocober.

Ash Wednesday

My apologies, I thought I published this this morning:

Ash Wednesday

            Ash Wednesday is one of two official days of fasting, the other being Good Friday.  We do not celebrate the Eucharist this day, as that is a sign of celebration.  Where as Shrove Tuesday touches on themes of individual penitence, Ash Wednesday touches on the theme of corporate sin and penitence, that is sins as a church, a family, a society. 
            Ash Wednesday marks the first full day of Lent (which started yesterday at sundown).  Lent marks three events in the life of Christians.  First, Lent was the period in which people prepared for Baptism on the Great Vigil of Easter.  By the third century, this was a three year process, with the last 40 days being marked off by more severe penitence and prayer.  Secondly, Lent marked a time of special preparation for those  who had been excommunicated.  Like those preparing for baptism, it marked a special time of preparation, leading up to the point of being restored to communion, again, at the Great Vigil of Easter.  Lastly, and more recently, Lent is a time of special disciplines for those who desire to grow closer to the Lord.  In it we abstain from certain foods (traditionally meat), and we have special times of prayer and fasting to prepare for Easter.

During the service, ashes are blessed, and used to mark the sign of a cross on the foreheads of the penitents.  The ashes usually come from burning the palms used in the previous years Palm Sunday procession.   

Lessons:
Old Testament    Isaiah 58:1‑12

Psalm    103,  or 103:8‑14

Epistle    2 Corinthians 5:20b‑6:10

Gospel    Matthew 6:1‑6, 16‑21

Collect:  Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made, and you forgive the sins of all those who are penitent.  Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness of our sins.  We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, now and forever.

Shrove Tuesday & Chad of Lichfield

Shrove Tuesday

Today is Shrove Tuesday.  Shrove is the past tense of “shrive” which is to be absolved from sin.  Traditionally on this day, people went to the priest to confess their sins and would be given a penitence which they would keep for Lent.  Also on this day it was traditional in England to consume pancakes in order to use up the lard (the last of the meat) in the house as well as the last of the eggs and milk so as to fast from milk and dairy products during Lent.  The same idea is held in the term Mardi Gras (fat Tuesday) reflecting that all the fat (lard) was to be finished off this day.  Carnival in Portugues and Spanish reflects the same idea, as “carne” is meat, and Carnival was the time to finish off the meat.

Unfortunately, in many times and cultures Mardi Gras or Carnival instead of reflecting the religious nature has become a time of doing everything that one would not do in Lent, and has often become a time of drunken revelry.

Tonight we will have our Shrove Tuesday Service, in which we all confess our sins to one another, and is a time we concentrate on our individual responsibility.  Tomorrow at the 6:00 AM Ash Wednesday Service, we will be confessing our corporate sins as a community and church. 

Collect:  :    Lord, grant that we should make such a true confession, that we would truly walk in love and peace with one another that the light of Yeshua would truly shine through us.  This we ask through Yeshua haMoshiach who lives and reins with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God, in glory everlasting.   Amen.

Colossians 3:12-17



Mathew 6:7-15

Chad

http://www.dur.ac.uk/StChads/icon.html

Chad and his brother Cedd were students of St. Aiden at Lindisfarne, where he became acquainted with Celtic Spirituality.  Two other brothers were also active in the Anglo-Saxon church.  Before being ordained as a priest, he traveled to Ireland with St. Egbert to study there.  Apparently the custom was not to ordain to the priesthood until about thirty years old, being the age at which Christ began his ministry.

Chad and his brothers were very influenced by Celtic Spirituality which emphasized austerity, Biblical exegesis, and led to a consciousness and focus on the end times. 

We find Chad taking his brother Cedd’s place as abbot at Lastingham after Cedd died in the plague, in 663.

Whenever a gale would spring up, Chad would call on God to have pity on humanity.  If it intensified he would prostrate himself in prayer, and if it grew worse go to the chapel and sing psalms till the storm abated.  When asked by his companions, he explained that storms were sent by God to remind humans of the day of judgment and to humble their pride. 

Chad was selected Bishop of York (and Northumbria) by king Oswiu.  He had to travel to Wessex where he was ordained by the Bishop of Wessex and two Welsh bishops (as the plague had decimated the number of Bishops, and three Bishops were required for ordination. 

Chad was faithful in his call traveling to all the towns and villages, baptizing and confirming, following the Celtic role of Bishop as prophet and missionary.  As the king had appointed two bishops for York, and the first one had finally returned, Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury asked Chad to step down, which he did.  Surprised by Chad’s humility, Archbishop Theodore had Chad consecrated as Bishop of the Mercia.  Land was donated for the monastery of Lichtfield, and Chad took up residence, and began his work as Bishop in similar vein to before, confirming baptizing, and guiding the people.  Chad refused to ride horseback, as Jesus had not done so.  He has a dispute with Archbishop Theodore over this who manually lifted him into the saddle.  Chad died March 2, 672 after encouraging his monks to persevere. 

For more information:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad_of_Mercia

Psalm 95:1-7
Proverbs 16:1-3
Philippians 4:10-13
Luke 14:1,7-14
Use Lessons at Matins and Vespers

Collect:   Dear Lord who raised up Chad to be Bishop of Lichtfield, and gave him humility to cheerfully to relinquish his honours.  Grant in this and every generation that we would seek only your honour and glory.  This we ask through Yeshuah haMoshiach, who livers and reigns with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen.