God the Father, your will for all people is health and salvation;
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
God the Son, you came that we might have life, and might have it more abundantly;
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temple of your presence;
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have our being;
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
All you Holy Angels, Archangels, and bodiless powers of heaven;
Stand beside us to guide and guard us on our way.
Holy Mary, Mother of God;
Pray for us and the people of the world.
Lord, hear our prayer;
And let our cry come to you.
For all who have died as a result of COVID-19;
Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
For all who grieve the death of family, friends, and citizens;
Give them courage and strength to meet the days ahead, O Lord, and the consolation of your love.
Pour out your healing grace on all who are sick, injured, or disabled, that they may be made whole;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Grant to all who seek your guidance, and to all who are afraid, anxious, or overwhelmed, a knowledge of your will and an awareness of your presence;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Give peace, courage, and hope to all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Restore to wholeness whatever is broken by human sin, in our lives, in our nation, and in the world;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Bless physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and suffering; keep them safe and healthy; and grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy, and patience;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Send down upon our President, Congress, and all political leaders, the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice; that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Give wisdom, creativity, and perseverance to all medical professionals, researchers, policy makers, and leaders as they respond to this pandemic;
Hear us, O Lord of Life.
Guide us in finding and developing the resources, medical skill, and political will to contain and end this pandemic;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Open our eyes to see that you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and that our life and death are with each other;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Open our hearts and hands to assist and care for those who will lose their jobs or be affected financially by COVID-19;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Give us compassion for those in need, patience in this time of distress, and love for our neighbors;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Let our hearts be not afraid;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
You are the Lord who does wonders:
You have declared your power among the peoples.
With you, O Lord, is the well of life:
And in your light we see light.
Let us pray.
A period of silence follows. The Celebrant concludes the Prayers with the following Collect:
O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
This prayer uses prayers and adaptations of prayers from THE BCP & BOS by Rev. Michael K. Marsh
Friday, March 27, 2020
Overcoming Fear in the Age of COVID-19
How is your anxiety level?
As I write this the nation is at the early stages of addressing the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic. Restaurants are either closed or have gone to offering drive thru or curb side services and have closed their dining rooms. Schools and institutes of higher education have stopped having classes on campus and transitioned to virtual education models. The news reports are warning of the stress that could be placed on our health care system should the virus impact us as it has Europe and Asia. Don’t even think about buying a roll of toilet paper or a bottle of Purell!
As people in recovery, we have to take this situation seriously. In addition to the concerns about our health we have the reality that times of fear and stress are huge triggers that could impact our recovery. Where the danger occurs at this time is that we may be triggered both externally and internally.
Internal triggers are emotions, false core beliefs, thoughts or self-talk. External triggers are people, events, relationships, information and environments. Both internal and external triggers move us closer to lapse or relapse, both of which are currently bombarding us. Something diabolical happens when our external triggers spark internal fear and anxiety. While the opportunity is there to act out in our addiction, the opportunity also exist to deepen our recovery. But it may require some effort. Here are a few thoughts…
Extremes are not our Friends. People tend to be focused on extremes and either have over or under reacted. Ask your self if this describes you. One of the slogans I embrace in my recovery is “I am cautiously optimistic.” Remember that extreme or all or none thinking is a sign we are slipping into addiction.
Focus on Facts not Fiction. Nothing helps us in recovery as much as truth telling. Talk to a doctor or health care professional about both how you feel and what is true about this pandemic. You cannot make a solid decision without educating yourself on the truth.
Feel Your Feelings. Consider journalling your feelings during this time. Simply begin with the sentence, “Today I feel…” and finish it with everything that comes to mind. It is easier to deal with the emotional triggers once we actually write them down and recognize them. Download a Feelings Inventory if you have trouble getting a grip on what you actually feel. After seven years of recovery I still have to look at a handout of cartoon faces to figure out that ache in my gut is actually anger or loneliness.
Remember your Program Tools. When we are activated we have a slew resources which can defuse our addictive energy. 12 Steppers can do a 4th and 5th Step. Those in Buddhist Recovery programs may choose to meditate. Religious based recoverees may pray or attend a virtual religious service. Each program of recovery provides tools and connections to manage our compulsive behaviors, now is a great time to use them!
Stay Connected. Regardless of length in a recovery program, the simple tool of picking up the phone is one most of us can use to arrest feelings of anxiety. Others may be able to log into a virtual meeting recovery meeting offered by our programs. One surprise that has come from this event is the increase in online meetings! A friend told me, “It was reported that the hits to our website of people looking for online meetings has jumped from 800-1100/day to almost 12,000/day in the past week and is climbing.” Isolation does not have to mean we limit our interaction with others, it just means we have to be intentional and choose to exercise some muscles we never use.
The last resource in our tool box is probably the most powerful. A recovering person who get this and lets it motivate his or her recovery will remain sober. It is the atom bomb that disarms anxiety and fear. It is a sure deterrent to the hopelessness we feel when the world is closing in. What is this weapon?
Gratitude.
As someone once told me, “Grateful addicts don’t use.” How true! Gratitude is the ultimate act of right sizing our lives, our thinking, and our perceptions. Everything around us may be going to hell in a hand basket, yet simply finding one thing to be grateful for can reorient our perspective. When we choose to be grateful we are choosing courage over fear and acting out of humility instead of ego. While I do not believe that everything happens in our life for a reason, gratitude allows us to bring purpose to even the most difficult circumstance.
Even if that circumstance is a global pandemic.
Gratefully in your service, Shane
Digging Deeper
1. Find a quiet place and take a few minutes to center yourself spiritually in a way that works for you. Now use a journal to finish the sentence, “Right now I feel…”
2. Highlight any emotion that may be triggering. Follow up by journalling about what is behind that emotion. Be specific. (example. Right now I feel fearful because I do not know what I will do if I lose my job over this virus outbreak.)
3. Try to identify any destructive or erroneous thoughts and record them in your journal. (example: Catastrophic Thinking - I am imagining that I know the out come of this and I do not. I am future projecting.)
4. Get honest by journalling what is driving that emotion and belief. (example: I wish I could control this and I can. I am struggling with letting go over something I have no control over whatsoever.)
5. Create an affirmation to replace that false belief with a better one. (example: I am choosing to not panic or give into fear. Instead I choose gratitude and surrender. I am not in control.)
6. Take time to journal a gratitude list. Go into detail about what, who and why you are thankful. (example: I am grateful for my daughter and son because they love me and support me in my effort to recover.)
7. Close your journaling time with a prayer or meditation expressing gratefulness for three things which enrich your life at this time.
© Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church
(I came across this blog post and thought it was well said and useful for people in all walks of life.)
Coronavirus #COVID-19 liturgy and prayer resources
This page contains prayers and intercessions for personal or group use, special prayers for use if it isn’t possible to meet in church, and a simple form of prayer for the morning and evening, which can be downloaded, printed, and shared with those remaining at home or who are unable to access the Internet.
These resources are offered to help those who are struggling to find words at this difficult and stressful time, and to enable Christians to worship in solidarity with one another even if it is not possible to gather in church...
Prayers about the outbreak
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you taught us to love our neighbour,
and to care for those in need
as if we were caring for you.
In this time of anxiety, give us strength
to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick,
and to assure the isolated
of our love, and your love,
for your name’s sake.
Amen.
God of compassion,
be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation;
in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light;
through him who suffered alone on the cross,
but reigns with you in glory,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For those who are ill
Merciful God,
we entrust to your tender care
those who are ill or in pain,
knowing that whenever danger threatens
your everlasting arms are there to hold them safe.
Comfort and heal them,
and restore them to health and strength;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For hospital staff and medical researchers
Gracious God,
give skill, sympathy and resilience
to all who are caring for the sick,
and your wisdom to those searching for a cure.
Strengthen them with your Spirit,
that through their work many will be restored to health;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
From one who is ill or isolated
O God,
help me to trust you,
help me to know that you are with me,
help me to believe that nothing can separate me
from your love
revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For the Christian community
We are not people of fear:
we are people of courage.
We are not people who protect our own safety:
we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety.
We are not people of greed:
we are people of generosity.
We are your people God,
giving and loving,
wherever we are,
whatever it costs
For as long as it takes
wherever you call us.
Barbara Glasson, President of the Methodist Conference
Intercessions
SET A
Let us pray to God,
who alone makes us dwell in safety:
For all who are affected by coronavirus,
through illness or isolation or anxiety,
that they may find relief and recovery:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For those who are guiding our nation at this time,
and shaping national policies,
that they may make wise decisions:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For doctors, nurses and medical researchers,
that through their skill and insights
many will be restored to health:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For the vulnerable and the fearful,
for the gravely ill and the dying,
that they may know your comfort and peace:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
to the mercy and protection of God.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
SET B
Let us pray to the Lord,
who is our refuge and stronghold.
For the health and well-being of our nation,
that all who are fearful and anxious
may be at peace and free from worry:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For the isolated and housebound,
that we may be alert to their needs,
and care for them in their vulnerability:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For our homes and families,
our schools and young people,
and all in any kind of need or distress:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For a blessing on our local community,
that our neighbourhoods may be places of trust and friendship,
where all are known and cared for:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
to the mercy and protection of God.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Download this printable PDF
Prayers with children
A prayer for when a friend is ill
Dear God, (name of friend) is ill.
They are not allowed to go to school or come over to play.
I’m sad because I miss them.
They must be feeling miserable and lonely as well.
Please be close to them.
Please be with the people who are looking after them.
Please help them to get better and to know that you love them.
Amen.
A prayer for the world
God of love and hope,
you made the world and care for all creation,
but the world feels strange right now.
The news is full of stories about Coronavirus.
Some people are worried that they might get ill.
Others are anxious for their family and friends.
Be with them and help them to find peace.
We pray for the doctors and nurses and scientists,
and all who are working to discover the right medicines
to help those who are ill.
Thank you that even in these anxious times,
you are with us.
Help us to put our trust in you and keep us safe.
Amen.
A prayer at bedtime
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.
Tonight we pray especially for (names family or friends who are affected by Coronavirus) and the people of (country or place which is affected by Coronavirus).
Please give skill and wisdom to all who are caring for them.
Amen.
A prayer remembering God is with us
Lord God, you are always with me.
You are with me in the day and in the night.
You are with me when I’m happy and when I’m sad.
You are with me when I’m healthy and when I am ill.
You are with me when I am peaceful and when I am worried.
Today I am feeling (name how you are feeling) because (reasons you are feeling this way).
Help me to remember that you love me and are with me in everything today.
Amen.
Download this printable PDF
Personal prayers
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples,
‘I am with you always’.
Be with me today, as I offer myself to you.
Hear my prayers for others and for myself,
and keep me in your care.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
from St Patrick’s Breastplate
I am giving you worship with all my life,
I am giving you obedience with all my power,
I am giving you praise with all my strength,
I am giving you honour with all my speech.
I am giving you love with all my heart,
I am giving you affection with all my sense,
I am giving you my being with all my mind,
I am giving you my soul, O most high and holy God.
Praise to the Father,
Praise to the Son,
Praise to the Spirit,
The Three in One.
adapted from Alexander Carmichael,
Carmina Gadelica (1900)
Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of the living God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
The Jesus Prayer
O God, the protector of all who trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy:
increase and multiply upon us your mercy;
that with you as our ruler and guide,
we may so pass through things temporal
that we lose not our hold on things eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Common Worship
Be with us, Lord, in all our prayers,
and direct our way toward the attainment of salvation,
that among the changes and chances of this mortal life,
we may always be defended by your gracious help,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Common Worship
O gracious and holy Father,
give us wisdom to perceive you,
diligence to seek you,
patience to wait for you,
eyes to behold you,
a heart to meditate upon you,
and a life to proclaim you,
through the power of the spirit
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
St Benedict
Before going to sleep
God our Father, by whose mercy
the world turns safely into darkness and returns again to light:
we place in your hands our unfinished tasks,
our unsolved problems, and our unfulfilled hopes,
knowing that only what you bless will prosper.
To your love and protection
we commit each other and all those we love,
knowing that you alone are our sure defender,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Church of South India
Download this printable PDF
Worship at home
We have crafted two simple acts of worship, particularly geared to those who are isolated or housebound, or who are unable to attend church.
Download this printable PDF
Sunday, March 22, 2020
3 PM Today - Light a Candle - Say a Prayer #Covid19 #Coronavirus
diocese and/or The Episcopal Church. The Rev. Canon Rebekah Hatch, Rector of St. Albans in
Simsbury and the Seab ury Canon to our partner diocese, The Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney in
the Scottish Episcopal Church, has informed us that our companions in Christ in Scotland will be
holding a National Day of Prayer for all affected by COVID 19 this Sunday, March 22 nd They
invite all the faithful to light a candle in their window at 7:00 pm (Scotland time) “as a visible
symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, the source of hope in this life,” and say a special prayer
for the concerns of the world.
We invite you and your parishioners to join us as we light a candle with our Scottish sisters and brothers on Sunday at 3:00 pm EDT (7:00 pm Aberdeen time) saying together with them the following prayer:
For all that is good in life, thank you,
For the love of family and friends, thank you,
For the kindness of good neighbour and Samaritan stranger, thank you.
May those who are vulnerable, hungry or homeless, experience support,
May those who are sick, know healing,
May those who are anxious or bereaved, sense comfort.
Bless and guide political leaders and decision-makers, with wisdom,
Bless and guide health workers and key workers, with strength and well-being,
Bless and guide each one of us, as we adapt to a new way of living.
And may the light shining from our windows, across road and wynd, glen and ben, kyle and isle, be reflected in our hearts and hands and hopes.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
March 22 Sermon Online (Lent 4 A)
O God, the source of all health: So fill our hearts with faith in your love, that with calm expectancy we may make room for your power to possess us, and gracefully accept your healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
When we think of being healthy, it is more than just not being sick. As one author put it,
Wholeness and healing are deeply connected.
What we are experiencing now with Covid-19 is so many people being separated from that wholeness. And of course, we are asking why now with this virus and as we so often do, we want to lay blame at someone’s feet…
The disciples were thinking about the why question when they encountered a man blind from birth.
Too often, when something happens, we point the finger. It was that person’s sin that caused the calamity to come upon them. You hear it especially after a terrible tragedy when someone will say it is God’s way of punishing them/us for sin. We are hearing it again with this pandemic.
But in the response from Jesus to his disciples, it reminds us that this is not how God works. God did not make the man blind because of sin, but through what has happened, God’s works may be revealed in him.
No one is defective, or throw a way, or a mistake. God has made each of us, and through the God given gifts we have, God’s works may be revealed through us.
And then Jesus heals the man. His sight is restored. He is made whole again and part of the community. He believes in Jesus. But others became blind, they could not see the good done by Jesus. He broke the rules. He upset how things should be.
Jesus didn’t come to make things nice. He came to set us free. So the blind see. That communities are made whole. That healing is done for us and our world. Sometimes we have to be at rock bottom, at the edge, starring at the abyss of a virus to fully understand this.
Perhaps the greater miracle in today’s Gospel is Jesus’ opening the vision of those around the blind man to recognize the presence of God in their midst. The light that is Christ should reveal his love and grace in every human heart; such light should illuminate the dark places and dispel the shadows that isolate us from the love of family and friends; through healing bring us into greater wholeness and community.
In this time of our social distancing and isolation, it is even more important that we spread that love through phone calls, texts, video calls, written notes, whatever way we can reach out …
This Lent may we dare to embrace the light of God reflected in his Christ and so become reflections of that light in the love and care we extend to the suffering, the support we offer to the troubled and despairing, our hearts always opened to those struggling to cope with life’s darkest moments of this pandemic. Amen.
When we think of being healthy, it is more than just not being sick. As one author put it,
“The word in Hebrew which refers to being healthy is shalem, which means to be whole, complete, or sound. The related term is more familiar to us: the noun shalom, "peace." Just as peace in Hebrew means more than the absence of war, so health means more than the absence of illness. In both cases, what is at issue is becoming whole, whether individually (in the case of health) or socially (in the case of peace).” (Bruce Chilton)
Wholeness and healing are deeply connected.
What we are experiencing now with Covid-19 is so many people being separated from that wholeness. And of course, we are asking why now with this virus and as we so often do, we want to lay blame at someone’s feet…
The disciples were thinking about the why question when they encountered a man blind from birth.
His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work…"
Too often, when something happens, we point the finger. It was that person’s sin that caused the calamity to come upon them. You hear it especially after a terrible tragedy when someone will say it is God’s way of punishing them/us for sin. We are hearing it again with this pandemic.
But in the response from Jesus to his disciples, it reminds us that this is not how God works. God did not make the man blind because of sin, but through what has happened, God’s works may be revealed in him.
No one is defective, or throw a way, or a mistake. God has made each of us, and through the God given gifts we have, God’s works may be revealed through us.
And then Jesus heals the man. His sight is restored. He is made whole again and part of the community. He believes in Jesus. But others became blind, they could not see the good done by Jesus. He broke the rules. He upset how things should be.
Jesus didn’t come to make things nice. He came to set us free. So the blind see. That communities are made whole. That healing is done for us and our world. Sometimes we have to be at rock bottom, at the edge, starring at the abyss of a virus to fully understand this.
On Christmas Day 2011, Gary Gately was clutching the railing of Manhattan’s George Washington Bridge, staring into the cold, black waters of the Hudson River — and into the face of eternity. Depression, addiction, a marriage that disintegrated all drove him to the precipice.
But Gately did not jump off the bridge ten Christmases ago — and, to this day, he ponders why he didn’t.
For seven years Gary Gately kept the darkness of his depression to himself, save for family and close friends. But now, in the wake of our nation’s suicide epidemic, the award-winning Baltimore-based journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times and The Washington Post has decided to tell his story. Suicides have surged 30 percent since 1999 and now claim an average of 202 Americans a day, more than two and a half times as many lives as homicides (that includes 20 veterans who die from suicide per day).
So what happened that made him climb down from the precipice that Christmas day — and what enables him to continue on, day after day?
Gately writes in America Magazine [November 11, 2019] that he thinks it was the “sunset, my son’s whispers echoing, I love you, Dad, and a ghost, that of an editor who died in 2010, Anne Zusy. Sunset over the Hudson paints Englewood Cliffs all oranges and crimsons and purples, and I just gaze at it, savoring the beauty of last light. Then I look to the Manhattan skyline, and my mind meanders to interning at The New York Times. I hear the voice of Annie, echoing through the decades. Annie, the editor who had hired me and mentored me and saved me so many times, is saying: ‘Look, don’t worry, O.K.? Have some fun. You’re not meant to be miserable. God loves you, and he wants you to be happy . . . ’
Gately writes that “only light can pierce this darkness, and only love can shine that light. That means people who care — even when you have given them every reason to conclude you cannot be saved — can reach you: family, friends, loved ones, a priest, a coach, a volunteer on a suicide hotline, a therapist who recognizes that you do not snap out of depression that makes you want to die but that there is a path out.
“Love is the answer. Nothing else could have saved me when I could no longer save myself. Others, their words, even words spoken decades ago, gave me enough hope to choose life over death.”
Perhaps the greater miracle in today’s Gospel is Jesus’ opening the vision of those around the blind man to recognize the presence of God in their midst. The light that is Christ should reveal his love and grace in every human heart; such light should illuminate the dark places and dispel the shadows that isolate us from the love of family and friends; through healing bring us into greater wholeness and community.
In this time of our social distancing and isolation, it is even more important that we spread that love through phone calls, texts, video calls, written notes, whatever way we can reach out …
This Lent may we dare to embrace the light of God reflected in his Christ and so become reflections of that light in the love and care we extend to the suffering, the support we offer to the troubled and despairing, our hearts always opened to those struggling to cope with life’s darkest moments of this pandemic. Amen.
Short Stories of Leo Tolstoy
_-_Portrait_of_Leo_Tolstoy_(1887).jpg)
Here is a link to a PDF of 23 short stories of faith of Leo Tolstoy.
It includes Where Love is, God is, and Three Questions which I have both used in sermons.
You can find it here:
https://onlinechristianlibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/tolstoy_walk_in_the_light.pdf
MARTIN the Cobbler
The Children's Sermon (Reading)...
In a certain Russian town, there lived a very honest cobbler called Martin. He was a fine cobbler as he did his work well and never promised to do anything that he could not do. He lived in a tiny basement room. Its only window looked out onto the street. Of the passers-by all he could see was their feet. But since there was hardly a pair of boots or shoes that had not passed through his hands at one time or another for repair, Martin was able to identify the passers-by by looking at their shoes.
But life had been hard on Martin. His wife died, leaving him with a young son. However, no sooner had the son reached the age when he could be of help to his father than he fell ill and died. Martin buried him and gave way to despair, he gave up the practice of his religion. But one day an old friend of his dropped in. Martin poured out his soul to him. At the end of it his friend advised him to do a little reading from the Gospels each day, promising that if he did so, light and hope would come back into his life.
Martin took his friend’s advice. At the end of each day he would take down the Bible from the shelf and read a little from the Gospels. At first he meant only to read on Sundays, but he found it so interesting that he soon read it everyday. Slowly his life changed and he no longer despaired The words of Christ created new hope for him and the deeds of Christ were like lights that drove out his darkness.
One night as Martin sat reading he thought he heard someone calling him. He listened and heard: “Martin, Martin, look out into the street tomorrow for I will come to visit you.” He wasn’t sure if he was dreaming or not. He went asleep wondering about that voice.
So it was with a great sense of anticipation that he sat down to his work the next day. As he worked he kept a close eye on the window, did he really hear that voice, and who would be coming to visit. He was looking for something or someone special. But nothing exciting happened. Just the usual people passed by going about their everyday business.
He eagerly waited and watched. What he saw from his basement window was an old gentleman, perhaps a veteran, named Stepániteh, sweeping the sidewalk. He looked cold and weary.
Martin invited him into his shop where he had his samovar (boiling pot) set for tea. He and Stepániteh enjoyed their tea as they talked.
There is nothing like a warm cup of tea on a winter day. When it is shared with someone, the day becomes brighter.
After Stepániteh went back to his sweeping, Martin continued working and glancing out the window. Many people passed, dressed in fine boots and shoes, but as Martin watched, he saw a poorly dressed young woman and her baby struggling in the cold.
He invited her in to his shop. He fed her what he had prepared for himself: cabbage soup and bread. He gave her an old coat and 20 copecks (one fifth of a ruble) to retrieve her shawl, which she had pawned the previous day.
It was near nightfall and still Martin pondered. Out of his window, he saw a market woman with her apple basket and a bag of wood chips scolding a young boy.
Rushing out to the street, he intervened with the woman to forgive the boy who had snatched an apple from her basket. After a long conversation about “the scamps” of the town being “spoiled,” Martin offered to pay for the apple, which he then gave to the boy.
The woman forgave the boy. In turn, the boy offered to carry her bag of wood chips to her house.
After working a little while longer, it grew darker, so that he could not see to sew: he saw the lamplighter passing by to light the street-lamps.
"It must be time to make a light," he thought to himself; so he fixed his little lamp, hung it up…He put away his tools, swept off the cuttings, cleared off the bristles and ends, took the lamp, put it on the table, and took down the Bible from the shelf. He intended to open the book at the very place where he had yesterday put a piece of leather as a mark, but it happened to open at another place; and the moment Martin opened it, he recollected his last night's dream. And as soon as he remembered it, it seemed as though he heard someone stepping about behind him. Martin looked around, and in the dark corner, it seemed as though people were standing: he was at a loss to know who they were. And a voice whispered in his ear- "Martin, Martin! did you not recognize me?"
"Who?" uttered Martin.
"Me," repeated the voice. "It's I;" and Stepániteh stepped forth from the dark corner; he smiled, and like a little cloud faded away, and soon vanished.
"And this is I," said the voice. From the dark corner stepped forth the woman with her child: the woman smiled, the child laughed, and they also vanished.
"And this is I," continued the voice; both the old woman and the boy with the apple stepped forward; both smiled and vanished.
Martin’s soul rejoiced: he crossed himself, put on his eyeglasses, and began to read from St. Matthew where it happened to open. On the upper part of the page he read- "For I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, & you gave me drink: I was a stranger, & you took me in..."
And on the lower part of the page he read this: "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brothers & sisters, you have done it unto me" (Matthew 25).
And Martin understood that his dream did not deceive him; that the Savior really called upon him that day, and that he really received him.
(Where Love is, There God is Also by Leo Tolstoy (1885))
In a certain Russian town, there lived a very honest cobbler called Martin. He was a fine cobbler as he did his work well and never promised to do anything that he could not do. He lived in a tiny basement room. Its only window looked out onto the street. Of the passers-by all he could see was their feet. But since there was hardly a pair of boots or shoes that had not passed through his hands at one time or another for repair, Martin was able to identify the passers-by by looking at their shoes.
But life had been hard on Martin. His wife died, leaving him with a young son. However, no sooner had the son reached the age when he could be of help to his father than he fell ill and died. Martin buried him and gave way to despair, he gave up the practice of his religion. But one day an old friend of his dropped in. Martin poured out his soul to him. At the end of it his friend advised him to do a little reading from the Gospels each day, promising that if he did so, light and hope would come back into his life.
Martin took his friend’s advice. At the end of each day he would take down the Bible from the shelf and read a little from the Gospels. At first he meant only to read on Sundays, but he found it so interesting that he soon read it everyday. Slowly his life changed and he no longer despaired The words of Christ created new hope for him and the deeds of Christ were like lights that drove out his darkness.
One night as Martin sat reading he thought he heard someone calling him. He listened and heard: “Martin, Martin, look out into the street tomorrow for I will come to visit you.” He wasn’t sure if he was dreaming or not. He went asleep wondering about that voice.
So it was with a great sense of anticipation that he sat down to his work the next day. As he worked he kept a close eye on the window, did he really hear that voice, and who would be coming to visit. He was looking for something or someone special. But nothing exciting happened. Just the usual people passed by going about their everyday business.
He eagerly waited and watched. What he saw from his basement window was an old gentleman, perhaps a veteran, named Stepániteh, sweeping the sidewalk. He looked cold and weary.
Martin invited him into his shop where he had his samovar (boiling pot) set for tea. He and Stepániteh enjoyed their tea as they talked.
There is nothing like a warm cup of tea on a winter day. When it is shared with someone, the day becomes brighter.
After Stepániteh went back to his sweeping, Martin continued working and glancing out the window. Many people passed, dressed in fine boots and shoes, but as Martin watched, he saw a poorly dressed young woman and her baby struggling in the cold.
He invited her in to his shop. He fed her what he had prepared for himself: cabbage soup and bread. He gave her an old coat and 20 copecks (one fifth of a ruble) to retrieve her shawl, which she had pawned the previous day.
It was near nightfall and still Martin pondered. Out of his window, he saw a market woman with her apple basket and a bag of wood chips scolding a young boy.
Rushing out to the street, he intervened with the woman to forgive the boy who had snatched an apple from her basket. After a long conversation about “the scamps” of the town being “spoiled,” Martin offered to pay for the apple, which he then gave to the boy.
The woman forgave the boy. In turn, the boy offered to carry her bag of wood chips to her house.
After working a little while longer, it grew darker, so that he could not see to sew: he saw the lamplighter passing by to light the street-lamps.
"It must be time to make a light," he thought to himself; so he fixed his little lamp, hung it up…He put away his tools, swept off the cuttings, cleared off the bristles and ends, took the lamp, put it on the table, and took down the Bible from the shelf. He intended to open the book at the very place where he had yesterday put a piece of leather as a mark, but it happened to open at another place; and the moment Martin opened it, he recollected his last night's dream. And as soon as he remembered it, it seemed as though he heard someone stepping about behind him. Martin looked around, and in the dark corner, it seemed as though people were standing: he was at a loss to know who they were. And a voice whispered in his ear- "Martin, Martin! did you not recognize me?"
"Who?" uttered Martin.
"Me," repeated the voice. "It's I;" and Stepániteh stepped forth from the dark corner; he smiled, and like a little cloud faded away, and soon vanished.
"And this is I," said the voice. From the dark corner stepped forth the woman with her child: the woman smiled, the child laughed, and they also vanished.
"And this is I," continued the voice; both the old woman and the boy with the apple stepped forward; both smiled and vanished.
Martin’s soul rejoiced: he crossed himself, put on his eyeglasses, and began to read from St. Matthew where it happened to open. On the upper part of the page he read- "For I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, & you gave me drink: I was a stranger, & you took me in..."
And on the lower part of the page he read this: "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brothers & sisters, you have done it unto me" (Matthew 25).
And Martin understood that his dream did not deceive him; that the Savior really called upon him that day, and that he really received him.
(Where Love is, There God is Also by Leo Tolstoy (1885))
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Faithful parenting in a pandemic
This post is from wendyclairebarrie.com
Last week I did not imagine writing a blogpost on this subject, but here we are. I’m grateful that my days of parenting alone are over, and equally grateful that my son Peter is now a teenager who doesn’t need quite as much from me as he did a few years ago, and very grateful that I can work from home, though frankly, that’s rarely my preference. All the same, I’m grateful.
Still, there are three of us in roughly 650 square feet here in Brooklyn, and my husband, who always works from home, is having to make significant accommodations. Our son is a junior in high school; remote learning is set to begin for him next Monday. I have just begun a new job (this is week 3!) and the rhythms of my day are still being set and informed by this unprecedented (in my lifetime) event, and how we continue to be the Church, even when, or especially when we cannot gather.
As I write, the four-year-old in the apartment upstairs is racing back and forth across the hardwood floors. At the moment, the rhythm of his footfall makes me smile, but ask me again tomorrow, or even later this afternoon. It’s sunny and cold today; we are pledged to go outside for a neighborhood walk later no matter the weather or our inclination. It’s part of how we will take care of ourselves and be aware of God around us. By next week we’ll have graduated to a family schedule, but for now, having mealtimes and bedtimes and time outside feels like an accomplishment.
Previously, I’ve written about Finding God in Difficult Times, and some of what I shared in that post for families with younger children will be helpful in this context:
- Comfort your children, assure them, be with them.
- Be clear that God did not cause this illness–or any other crisis, accident, or disaster. In times of trouble, we remember God is with us. As God has throughout human history, God acts through those who are doing God’s work in the world. God acts through us.
- Tell them that it’s okay to feel whatever it is that they are feeling. Help them name what they are feeling. Tell them what you are feeling, too, and don’t be afraid to show your emotions.
- Make sure they understand nothing that has happened is their fault.
- Tell them what they need to know as clearly and simply as you can. The facts surrounding traumatic events are far better coming from you than from any other source.
- Limit their exposure to the news and/or adult conversation.
- Listen to their questions. What they are actually asking is not necessarily what we think they are asking.
- You are allowed to say that you don’t know or that you don’t understand either. It’s healthy and helpful to let your children know that you don’t have all the answers.
- Try to maintain as normal a routine as possible. This will help you as well as your children, if some things in an otherwise chaotic time can remain the same.
I am mindful that even now, with a teenager, I need to be careful how we share information about the pandemic, about changes to our daily routines, about my own fears. My son overheard me tell a colleague over the phone that I was brought to tears listening to the mayor of New York City discuss the closing of schools here for at least a month and possibly through the end of the school year. That to do so seems less of a risk to the health and safety of vulnerable students than keeping schools open brought this public health emergency to a whole new level for me. Peter asked me later to unpack my reaction with him. It’s important that I can feel what I feel and not hide it from my family; it’s also important that my son doesn’t take on my anxiety as his own. This recent New York Times article has five helpful suggestions for parents of anxious teens in the age of coronavirus.
Prayer, of course, is a way of giving over to God what we can’t hold by ourselves. We could use the uncertainty of these days as an opportunity to become intentional about prayer, or to simply remember that with intention, anything can become prayer. In that neighborhood walk, we can pause and bring to mind those whose lives touch ours. We can make and send or drop off cards for those we can’t now visit. We can doodle our prayers. If saying grace is something you usually reserve for Thanksgiving dinner, try a mealtime prayer. There’s a wonderful new book by Episcopal priests and school chaplains Jenifer Gamber and Timothy Seamans called Common Prayer for Children and Families with prayers for all occasions, including a short set of devotions for morning, noontime, and evening that are ideal for right now. Illustrated Ministry has special resources for families to download weekly here.
Preteens and teenagers might enjoy making a playlist of music that comforts and inspires them to share with family and friends. In the books we are reading aloud or together, and in the TV shows or movies we are watching as a family, we can ask, “Where is God in this?” And whether or not we actually mention God, the big questions of how we should live are present in almost everything worth watching these days, from Brooklyn 99 to The Good Place, Frozen 2 , The Mandalorian, and Knives Out. Let’s ask the big questions, and listen to what our kids have to say in response.
Please do get outside! Fresh air and sunshine are good for us, and bad for this virus. Many people find God in nature more easily than in church. The word quarantine means forty, and this season of Lent began with the story of Jesus’s forty days in the wilderness. Lent means lengthen, and in these lengthening days for those of us in the Western Hemisphere, signs of spring make us aware of God’s presence and bring us hope. The seasons and the liturgical year are gifts right now, giving us a different way to measure our days.
What are you doing that’s working for your family in this challenging time? What resources would be most helpful to you at home or in your ministry? Please let me know in the comments, or feel free to email me.
God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to all
who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make them the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.
-Adapted from A New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 765
Wendy Claire Barrie is the author of Faith at Home: A Handbook for Cautiously Christian Parents.
The Way of Love in a Time of Wilderness
What a strange time this is; schools are closed, the church is online, some of us are working from home while others can’t do so. It is a stressful and anxious time, such as we’ve never experienced before, and brings me a new perspective on what a life filled with uncertainty and disruption must be like for so many parents around the globe.
If I have any wisdom to offer right now, it is simple: we must show the children in our lives that God is here with us, and help them – and ourselves – put faith right in the middle of this disruption. The Way of Love offers us a perfect template to do just that; we can use these deeply faithful practices to build structure and intention into days filled with time and uncertainty.
TURN: Pause, listen, and choose to follow Jesus
The pause button has been hit for us, but how will we listen and choose to follow Jesus in this time? Instead of telling our children how, we can ask, “I wonder what Jesus might want us to do right now?” Turning to Jesus now might look different for each of us, depending on our levels of stress and anxiety, but putting Christ at the center of our time with our kids can help us sift some calm direction from our fear.
LEARN: Reflect on Scripture each day, especially on Jesus’ life and teachings
Pull out all the bibles in your home, from children’s picture book bibles to the one that’s been in your family for generations and is falling apart. Spend time with them and let your children explore them.
If you don’t have any bibles in your home, don’t worry! There are multiple websites to help. Think of a story you love, read it together, and talk about what it might mean to us today. Luke 17:11-19, Mark 2:1-12, and Mark 4:35-41 are just a few relevant stories for this time.
PRAY: Dwell intentionally with God each day
Prayer in the face of anxiety is surprisingly powerful, and we have time right now to pray more as a family, even if that feels unfamiliar. The Book of Common Prayer, available and easily searchable online, has Daily Devotions for families, as well as Morning, Noonday, and Evening Prayer, plus Compline (a beautiful bedtime service for families). We can also access these through the free Forward Day by Day app. The New Zealand Night Prayer is gorgeously comforting, including the words “what has been done has been done, what has not been done has not been done. Let it be.”
WORSHIP: Gather in community weekly to thank, praise, and dwell with God
This one is hard right now, as many of our churches are closed and we are compelled by our faith to distance ourselves from one another in order to protect those who are most vulnerable. A family in my care joined our digital community for Morning Prayer this past Sunday, and afterward sent me a video of their girls ‘doing church’ together, without the need of an adult. I encourage you to find a church that is streaming services and take time to join in as a family*, then reach out digitally to the people you normally connect with at church and exchange loving greetings.
BLESS: Share faith and unselfishly give and serve
Though we are distanced, there are many ways to remain in community. Who do you know who might need a phone call or text because they may be anxious and lonely? Who would love to share stories with your children via facetime?
And, as we share more time together in our families, how can we bless one another, especially in the midst of anxiety and potentially too much togetherness? Several years ago, my boys were at each other’s throats and I was DONE. At my wit’s end, I prayed the prayer attributed to Saint Francis, out loud, in the middle of where they’d been arguing. It stopped them in their tracks and led to a delightfully peaceful afternoon. Ease the boredom with games, puzzles, walks, and sports in the park. Sing and listen to music together, build forts in the living room, hold a dance party in the kitchen; tell stories together; find ways to make memories of joy and laughter in this time.
GO: Cross boundaries, listen deeply, and live like Jesus
This could be the hardest practice right now, as where we can physically go is limited. What does your family care deeply about? Find kid-friendly documentaries and videos about people doing good in those areas. What is each person in your own family ‘best’ at? Give them time to demonstrate and share that talent. As a family, discuss and plan how you will go out to bless others when this time has passed.
REST: Receive the gift of God’s grace, peace, and restoration
We’ve been forced into a prolonged sabbath. Despite fear and disruption, even in the midst of challenges of finding childcare and worrying about financial impacts, where can this time offer you respite? In our climate of almost glorified busy-ness, if you are able, take this time for yourself and your family. Take naps, go for long walks, letting your children lead the way and set the pace. Cook or bake together during a time when you’re normally dashing from school to activities. Remember who your people are, and rejoice in one another.
(Article by Tina Clark)
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Lockdown (a poem)
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing
Habits of Grace
From our Presiding Bishop...
Hello. Last week while we were all planning and trying to reorder our lives and adapt to the new reality that we are in, I was texting back and forth with the Reverend Gay Clark Jennings, president of the House of Deputies, as we often do. And in the course of our texts back and forth, she asked, "Have you ever thought about maybe doing a short meditation each week for the church while we're in these days of the coronavirus?" I texted her back and said, "That's a good idea." And so this week we began what I think will be a weekly short meditation. Just a word or a song, not sung by me, but a song, a poem, a prayer. Just something for the week in which we are living.
I keep a prayer list on my cell phone in the little note section of the iPad and I've noticed that that list is increasing. But the reality is while I often always say my prayer time early in the morning, there's more time even during the rest of the day now. And so maybe the habit of prayer can increase a bit for me and maybe for us.
One of the things that I'm aware of is that consistent habits, what some have called habits of grace, can really be helpful especially in unsettling times. I was watching television and saw where in Milan and throughout Italy apparently, a movement has begun. Apparently at six o'clock every evening everyone who is in their apartment is socializing by coming out on the porch and at six o'clock they begin to applaud. They just start clapping. And everyone claps and applauds as a way of saying thank you to the medical folk who are working, the first responders who are working. Just a way of saying thank you. And then the applause moves into or morphs into a song. And they sometimes sing their national anthem or sing some other song, every day at six. A habit of grace. A way of centering the day. Whatever way you do it, find and keep that habit of grace or those habits of grace that center the day. Tomorrow, Tuesday, will be St. Patrick's Day. There won't be a parade, but maybe we can say a prayer attributed to St. Patrick.
“I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Holy Trinity. Through belief in the three-ness, through confession of the oneness, the creator of all creation. So Christ be with me. Christ before me. Christ behind me. Christ within me. Christ beneath me. Christ above me. Christ on my right. Christ on my left. Christ when I lie down. Christ when I sit up. Christ when I arise. Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me. Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me. Christ in the eye of everyone who sees me. Christ in every ear that hears me. Christ in the heart of friend and stranger.” *
God bless you. God keep you. And may God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.
*Used with permission of OurCatholicPrayers.com. Find the complete prayer here.
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Lent 3 Sermon (March 15 - online)
We give you thanks and praise, O God of compassion, for the heroic witness of Constance and her companions, who, in a time of plague and pestilence, were steadfast in their care for the sick and dying, and loved not their own lives, even unto death: Inspire in us a like love and commitment to those in need, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
We are in new waters… professional sports league suspended, schools closed, large gatherings cancelled, quarantines taking place… We are in time of pandemic.
It is scary. It is a time of national anxiety. And we are just beginning this journey together…
But history of course tells us we have walked this way before and maybe it has some lessons for us to learn.
This first story amazes me because the nuns saw a need and stayed even as so many abled body citizens fled. They could have sought safe refuge elsewhere, they were teachers! but they didn’t. They changed up what needed to be done, not teaching but pastoral care, tending to the sick and dying, the orphans, and they continued in prayer and sacraments through the local church.
What might this say to us today as we anticipate a time of fever and cough, of neighbors who are in need? We are the ones called to help one another in this place, to continue our prayers, and to see what God might have us do now, even in these anxious moments.
But we should understand that there is a very real cost to such ministry.
I think Sister Constance and her community and all those who died serving others, knew what the Samaritan woman learned at the well. That indeed Jesus is that living water, he is the Savior of the World, and from that understanding they felt called to remain and help in Memphis.
Sister Constance and her companions gave the ultimate sacrifice. As one historical marker puts it, “becoming martyrs in their service to mankind.” In our day, we might not be called to make that ultimate sacrifice, but what sacrifices are we called to do? Social distancing and working from home are certainly part of it, but we should go deeper. Instead of buying a bunch of TP for ourselves, maybe we should be buying what we need and giving away to those in need around us (those sick at home, food pantry, etc.).
A PO officer noticed a woman wearing a t-shirt “Homeless. The fastest way of becoming a nobody” On his lunch break, he bought pizzas, and sat down with her to share a meal.
Are we checking in with our neighbors? Friends? This pandemic can lead us to live isolated from others but it need not be so. We must flatten the cure and stay apart, but we must remain engaged, for love is called to act, and our lives are called to be sacrificial.
May we be inspired in such love and commitment to those in need during COVID 19, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ who inspired Sister Constance & her companions, may we be saying our prayers and serving one another. Amen.
We are in new waters… professional sports league suspended, schools closed, large gatherings cancelled, quarantines taking place… We are in time of pandemic.
It is scary. It is a time of national anxiety. And we are just beginning this journey together…
But history of course tells us we have walked this way before and maybe it has some lessons for us to learn.
In the year 1873, Sister Constance as the Sister Superior, Sister Amelia, Sister Thecla, who had just made her profession, and Sister Hughetta, traveled from NY to Memphis, TN to begin the Community of St. Mary in that city. A Church Home for orphans was set up and a boarding and day school for girls. Scarcely had this work commenced when the yellow fever appeared in Memphis and was soon pronounced epidemic. Those who were able fled the city. The Sisters immediately wrote to New York, for permission to remain in the city and nurse the sick; the request had been anticipated, and consent was granted; and so they who had had no experience in epidemic disease, and whose special work was that of teaching, found themselves at once employed in novel duties in the face of a frightful visitation of illness.
Sister Constance took the lead. One of the Community, writing of those now distant days, says:
"Sister Constance went out first to the sick. Before she reached the house to which she was going, she was met by a young girl weeping and in great distress. She said her sister was just taken with the fever, that they could get no doctor, and did not know what they ought to do for her. My Sister went immediately to the sick child, did for her all that could be done, and ministered to her wants daily till her recovery. - My Sister always loved to speak of this little Louise as her first patient."
A soup kitchen was at once begun in the Sisters' House, and during the epidemic, soups, broths, gruels, and tea were made daily for the sick, and distributed by the Sisters on their round of visits. Sister Amelia was placed in charge of the Church Orphan Home, to which children left orphans by the fever were sent. The work of the Sisters consisted in visiting the sick, supplying nurses, medicines, and delicacies, speaking words of comfort and strength, offering prayers, and, in some cases, performing the last offices for the dead. They had under their charge some sixty cases, of which only eight terminated fatally… after a period of time the fever ceased at length, and the Sisters resumed their proper work of teaching. (from The Sisters of St. Mary at Memphis)
This first story amazes me because the nuns saw a need and stayed even as so many abled body citizens fled. They could have sought safe refuge elsewhere, they were teachers! but they didn’t. They changed up what needed to be done, not teaching but pastoral care, tending to the sick and dying, the orphans, and they continued in prayer and sacraments through the local church.
What might this say to us today as we anticipate a time of fever and cough, of neighbors who are in need? We are the ones called to help one another in this place, to continue our prayers, and to see what God might have us do now, even in these anxious moments.
But we should understand that there is a very real cost to such ministry.
In August 1878, Yellow Fever invaded the city of Memphis once again for the third time in ten years. By the month’s end the disease had become epidemic and a quarantine was ordered. While 30,000 citizens had fled in terror, 20,000 more remained to face the pestilence. As cases multiplied, death tolls averaged 200 daily. When the worst was over ninety percent of the population that had stayed had contracted the Fever; more than 5,000 people had died.
In that time of panic and flight, many brave men and women, both lay and cleric, remained at their posts of duty or came as volunteers to assist despite the terrible risk. Notable among these heroes were Sister Constance and her community who had lived through one epidemic to face another.
When the 1878 epidemic began, George C. Harris, the Cathedral Dean, and Sister Constance immediately organized relief work among the stricken. Helping were six of Constance’s fellow Sisters; several local priests, three physicians, the Sisters’ two matrons, and several volunteer nurses from New York. The Cathedral buildings were located in the most infected region of Memphis.
Here, amid sweltering heat and scenes of indescribable horror, these men and women of God gave relief to the sick, comfort to the dying, and homes to the many orphaned children. They continued in the prayers and sacraments as they could and they cared for one another.
There were in the city several communities of nuns, Anglican and Roman Catholic, who had the opportunity of leaving, but chose to stay and nurse the sick. Only two of the workers escaped the Fever, and Sister Constance and many others, thirty-eight in all, were themselves killed by the fever.
They have ever since been known as “The Martyrs of Memphis,” as have those of other Communions who ministered in Christ’s name during that time of desolation in that city. (from Lesser Feasts and Fasts)
I think Sister Constance and her community and all those who died serving others, knew what the Samaritan woman learned at the well. That indeed Jesus is that living water, he is the Savior of the World, and from that understanding they felt called to remain and help in Memphis.
Sister Constance and her companions gave the ultimate sacrifice. As one historical marker puts it, “becoming martyrs in their service to mankind.” In our day, we might not be called to make that ultimate sacrifice, but what sacrifices are we called to do? Social distancing and working from home are certainly part of it, but we should go deeper. Instead of buying a bunch of TP for ourselves, maybe we should be buying what we need and giving away to those in need around us (those sick at home, food pantry, etc.).
A PO officer noticed a woman wearing a t-shirt “Homeless. The fastest way of becoming a nobody” On his lunch break, he bought pizzas, and sat down with her to share a meal.
Are we checking in with our neighbors? Friends? This pandemic can lead us to live isolated from others but it need not be so. We must flatten the cure and stay apart, but we must remain engaged, for love is called to act, and our lives are called to be sacrificial.
May we be inspired in such love and commitment to those in need during COVID 19, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ who inspired Sister Constance & her companions, may we be saying our prayers and serving one another. Amen.
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Litany during a pandemic
God the Father,
Have mercy upon us.
God the Son,
Have mercy upon us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy upon us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy upon us.
Spare us, good Lord, spare your people, who you have redeemed with your most precious blood, and by your mercy preserve us through this crisis, and for ever.
Spare us, good Lord.
From all evil and wickedness, from disease and illness, especially this coronavirus,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all ignorance and apathy, and from all willingness to engage in activities that could harm others,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all blindness of heart, from pride and a sense of invincibility,
Good Lord, deliver us.
We your children beseech you to hear us, O Lord God, to look upon this world struck by pandemic, and drive from us this disease,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to strengthen the weak, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That is may please you to give health and comfort to all who are already stricken with illness,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to give patience and grace to all those who are in quarantine or who fear that they have already contracted the virus,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to surround those who are scared and fearful, those who are overcome with anxiety and worry,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to give wisdom and stamina to all scientists, biologists, doctors, and all who are working on tests, vaccines, and treatments,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to uphold all those who are treating and ministering to the sick,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to give to your people a heart to love their neighbor through this time, and to look after those who are most vulnerable.
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to support, help, and comfort those who are worried about getting through this time financially, and whether they will have employment when this passes,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to help our young people grow in wisdom and knowledge even as schools and universities are closed,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to heal the sick, lift up the stricken, and open the airways of those who have difficulty breathing,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to receive into your bosom those who have died from this disease, and to gather into your arms those who grieve,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
Grant us your peace.
-----
Litany by Fr Rick, Rector of St Mark’s, Basking Ridge NJ
Any parish that wishes to use this litany may feel free to do so.
Have mercy upon us.
God the Son,
Have mercy upon us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy upon us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy upon us.
Spare us, good Lord, spare your people, who you have redeemed with your most precious blood, and by your mercy preserve us through this crisis, and for ever.
Spare us, good Lord.
From all evil and wickedness, from disease and illness, especially this coronavirus,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all ignorance and apathy, and from all willingness to engage in activities that could harm others,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From all blindness of heart, from pride and a sense of invincibility,
Good Lord, deliver us.
We your children beseech you to hear us, O Lord God, to look upon this world struck by pandemic, and drive from us this disease,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to strengthen the weak, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That is may please you to give health and comfort to all who are already stricken with illness,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to give patience and grace to all those who are in quarantine or who fear that they have already contracted the virus,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to surround those who are scared and fearful, those who are overcome with anxiety and worry,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to give wisdom and stamina to all scientists, biologists, doctors, and all who are working on tests, vaccines, and treatments,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to uphold all those who are treating and ministering to the sick,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to give to your people a heart to love their neighbor through this time, and to look after those who are most vulnerable.
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to support, help, and comfort those who are worried about getting through this time financially, and whether they will have employment when this passes,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to help our young people grow in wisdom and knowledge even as schools and universities are closed,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to heal the sick, lift up the stricken, and open the airways of those who have difficulty breathing,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please you to receive into your bosom those who have died from this disease, and to gather into your arms those who grieve,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
Grant us your peace.
-----
Litany by Fr Rick, Rector of St Mark’s, Basking Ridge NJ
Any parish that wishes to use this litany may feel free to do so.
Sister Constance & the Martyrs of Memphis
Martyrs of Memphis
In 1878 the city of Memphis, Tennessee on the Mississippi River was
struck by an epidemic of yellow fever, which so depopulated the area
that the city lost its charter and was not reorganized for fourteen
years. Almost everyone who could afford to do so left the city and fled
to higher ground away from the river. (It was not yet known that the
disease was mosquito-borne, but it was observed that high and dry areas
were safe.) There were in the city several communities of nuns, Anglican
or Roman Catholic, who had the opportunity of leaving, but chose to
stay and nurse the sick. Most of them, thirty-eight in all, were
themselves killed by the fever. One of the first to die (on 9 September
1878) was Constance, head of the (Anglican) Community of St Mary.
Learn more:
Feast Day is September 9:
http://www.lectionarypage.net/LesserFF/Sep/Constance.html
CS Lewis on "On Living in an Atomic Age”
In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. “How are we to live in an atomic age?” I am tempted to reply: “Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.”
In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation. Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was invented: and quite a high percentage of us were going to die in unpleasant ways. We had, indeed, one very great advantage over our ancestors—anesthetics; but we have that still. It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.
This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.
— “On Living in an Atomic Age” (1948) in Present Concerns: Journalistic Essays
This is C.S. Lewis’s last paragraph recast for Covid-19:
This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by a virus, let that virus when it comes find us doing sensible and human things, but with social distancing in the near term to slow it down—WFH, teaching remotely, reading, listening to music on our stereos, bathing the children, exercising at home, chatting to our friends over a video conference—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about viruses. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
The Supplication
Prayers for use as a separate devotion; especially in times of war, or of national anxiety, or of
disaster...
O Lord, arise, help us;
And deliver us for thy Name's sake.
O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers & mothers have
declared unto us, the noble works that thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them.
O Lord, arise, help us;
and deliver us for thy Name's sake.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O Lord, arise, help us; and deliver us for thy Name's sake.
V. From our enemies defend us, O Christ;
R. Graciously behold our afflictions.
V. With pity behold the sorrows of our hearts;
R. Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people.
V. Favorably with mercy hear our prayers;
R. O Son of David, have mercy upon us.
V. Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ;
R. Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord Christ.
Let us pray.
We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and, for the glory of thy Name, turn from us all those evils that we most justly have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honor and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BCP p. 154-155
disaster...
O Lord, arise, help us;
And deliver us for thy Name's sake.
O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers & mothers have
declared unto us, the noble works that thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them.
O Lord, arise, help us;
and deliver us for thy Name's sake.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O Lord, arise, help us; and deliver us for thy Name's sake.
V. From our enemies defend us, O Christ;
R. Graciously behold our afflictions.
V. With pity behold the sorrows of our hearts;
R. Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people.
V. Favorably with mercy hear our prayers;
R. O Son of David, have mercy upon us.
V. Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ;
R. Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord Christ.
Let us pray.
We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and, for the glory of thy Name, turn from us all those evils that we most justly have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honor and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BCP p. 154-155
Praying Together
Our world seems to get more chaotic by the day. The news has been full of developments concerning the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). What are we to do as people of faith?
Of course, we can take care of ourselves and our communities following the guidance of medical professionals and government leaders. That goes without saying. But beyond that, we can pray. We can pray for wisdom, knowledge, strength, courage, and comfort. We can pray for ourselves, the sick, medical providers, government leaders, and others. We can pray.
Some churches are now under orders to avoid in-person gatherings of any kind. It is possible the ban on public gatherings will widen. Even if we cannot gather with our church community, we can pray with our church. We can pray together online. We can pray at the same time. We can pray knowing that somewhere in the world, others are saying the same prayers we are. We can pray knowing that we are always joined in prayer with the company of heaven. When we pray, we are never alone.
Forward Movement has several free resources to help you pray. You might like to pray the daily office--morning prayer, noonday prayer, evening prayer, or compline--which you can find on our Daily Prayer website. All you need to do is visit the site, and your computer or phone will serve up the correct prayers and readings for your time of day. If you're in a hurry, you can try the daily devotions for individuals and families, which only take a few seconds to pray. They're online also.
Of course, you can also find these prayers in The Book of Common Prayer. Morning Prayer starts at page 37, and the daily devotions for individuals and families begin at page 136.
Perhaps you'd like to listen to the prayers. We offer a daily podcast of morning prayer--A Morning at the Office, which you can find on your favorite podcast platforms. You can also just point your browser to the podcast's page and listen from there.
By the way, Forward Day by Day is also available as a podcast, and we post the reflections every day on our website.
We hope these free resources will be helpful in this difficult time and always. For now, I invite you to join me in prayer.
O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Yours faithfully, (Rev.) Scott Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Movement
Presiding Bishop Curry: Statement on coronavirus
From our Presiding Bishop:
In this time when we are all affected by the coronavirus, whether directly or indirectly, whether physically, biologically, psychologically, spiritually, and for many economically, it may be helpful to remember that we're in this together.
Jesus came among us in the first place, to show us the way to be right and reconcile with the God who is the creator of us all, and right and reconciled with each other as children of this one god who has created us all, and therefore as sisters, brothers, and siblings, one of another.
Jesus came to show us how to be in a relationship with God and in relationship with each other, came to show us how to live not simply as collections of individual self-interest, but how to live as the human family of God. That's why he said love the Lord your God, love your neighbor as yourself. Because in that is hope for all of us to be the human family of God.
I was in Cuba the last few days with Bishop Griselda and the good people of the diocese there as we received and welcomed them as a full part of The Episcopal Church. A while back when she spoke to the last diocesan synod before they became part of The Episcopal Church, she said, and I quote, “The reason we must become part of The Episcopal Church is so that we can be part of a big family.” She spoke by prophecy. We are all part of a big family. Bigger than our biological families, bigger than our immediate families, bigger than our congregations, bigger than our dioceses, bigger than our cities, our states, our nation.
We are part of the human family of God. Jesus came to show us that his way of love is the way of life. It’s God’s human family.
We are in a time when remembering that may be important for all of us.
We are in this together.
What affects some directly affects all indirectly.
We are part of a family. The human family of God.
Just over the weekend the head of the World Health Organization, said this, and I quote, “We have seen this coming for years. Now is the time to act. This is not a drill. This epidemic can be pushed back, but only with collective, coordinated, and comprehensive approach by us all.”
It takes us all. We are family.
And then one of the spokespersons for the European Union, speaking to the member states said this, and I paraphrase: We must share our resources and our information. It is not the possession of any one nation.
In each of those calls, and in the calls of many of our leaders, we have heard again and again, that we are in this together, we can walk through this together, and we will find our way in our life together.
So look out for your neighbors, look out for each other. Look out for yourselves. Listen to those who have knowledge that can help to guide us medically and help to guide us socially. Do everything that we can to do this together, to respond to each other's needs and to respond to our own needs.
Walk together children, don't get weary, because there’s a great camp meeting in the promised land.
Allow me to close with this prayer found on the website of Episcopal Relief & Development, where there are resources and where information can be found.
God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to all
who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make them the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.
This we pray in Christ our Lord. Amen.
God love you. God bless you. May God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.
Resources and information available here.
Faith-Based Response to Epidemics from Episcopal Relief & Development
An epidemic is a large-scale outbreak of an infectious disease, such as influenza or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
ROLE OF CHURCHES, DIOCESES AND COMPASSIONATE CHRISTIANS
These are general guidelines; decisions should be made in collaboration with Church leadership and health authorities, based on local practices and safety concerns.
An epidemic is a large-scale outbreak of an infectious disease, such as influenza or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
ROLE OF CHURCHES, DIOCESES AND COMPASSIONATE CHRISTIANS
- Combat fear with knowledge in order to encourage preparedness and decrease stigma.
- Maintain operational continuity and continue worship life in the case of potential quarantine and disruption.
- Show God’s compassion and care to those in our communities who are affected.
These are general guidelines; decisions should be made in collaboration with Church leadership and health authorities, based on local practices and safety concerns.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
ECCT Coronavirus Update #1
March 6, 2020
It is well documented that COVID-19 is transmitted from person to person through the spread of respiratory droplets originating from an affected person’s mouth or nose. See the Center for Disease Control information on “How COVID-19 Spreads.” Significant precautions thus need to be taken to limit the spread of respiratory droplets. This has a direct bearing on our liturgical practices, especially the sharing of the common cup.
The Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer note that: “Opportunity is always to be given to every communicate to receive the consecrated Bread and Wine separately.” (BCP p. 407) At the same time the Canons of the Episcopal Church state: “The Rector or Priest-in-Charge shall have full authority and responsibility for the conduct of the worship and spiritual jurisdiction of the Parish, subject to the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, the Constitution and Canons of this Church, and the pastoral direction of the bishop.” Canon III.9.6(a)(1) As your bishops we believe that the following liturgical pastoral direction is in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and is in keeping with both the Rubrics and Canons of The Episcopal Church.
Beginning immediately:
· only the consecrated bread of the Eucharist is to be distributed at the altar rail in your parish.
· Provision for those who wish to take the risk of drinking from a common cup should be made by having a station for communicating the wine, separate from the altar rail in your parish.
· In no cases should intinction (the act of dipping the bread into the wine) be used to receive the wine.
Please note: This liturgical pastoral directive is intended to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and also to protect those who are worshipping. It will be time limited direction based on the progress of the disease. Receiving only the bread at the time of communion is a full and sufficient participation in the sacrament.
You are very much in our prayers in this challenging time.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas & The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens
Bishop Diocesan Bishop Suffragan
God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you. Amen.
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
COVID-19 & St. Peter's
Federal health officials have warned that it is anticipated that
the COVID-19 (coronavirus) will probably spread into the United States.
It has been recommended that churches, businesses, schools, and
hospitals begin making preparations
There are basic steps each of our communities within the Episcopal
Church in Connecticut can follow to minimize risk for our parishes and
people, and the ministries to which they contribute or by which they are
served.
Some initial actions we encourage you and your parishioners to pursue are:
- Wash your hands frequently, using soap and water or an alcohol-based rub. All clergy and eucharistic ministers should use an alcohol-based rub before the distribution of the sacrament, both in the context of the liturgy or in visiting someone at home or in the hospital.
- Practice keeping a safe distance in social interactions. In general, maintain a distance of a few feet between you and others, particular those who are coughing, sneezing, or evidently ill.
- At the peace encourage parishioners to exchange the peace of the Lord without touching.
- Try to avoid intinction (if your hands are not clean) in receiving the Eucharist as fingers and hands carry viruses and other pathogens. Assure parishioners that receiving in only one kind (in this case, the bread) is a full and sufficient participation in the sacrament.
- Practice respiratory hygiene. Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing; discard tissues immediately in closed bins.
- Avoid shaking hands at the doorway after the service and other physical greetings.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Any parishes involved in ministries in which food is served (including coffee hour!) should give particular attention to The WHO recommendations regarding food safety.
- Needless to say, we should send a clear message that if anyone feels ill or unwell, they should, as a general rule, seek medical care immediately and not attend parish events.
- Related to this, if someone who is elderly or lives alone does not appear at church in what would otherwise be a regular function, create systems for wellness checks.
|
What about the common cup at the Eucharist?
The simple answer is this - peer reviewed studies and Centers for Disease Control guidance since the 1980s have consistently shown that "no documented transmission of any infectious disease has ever been traced to the use of a common communion cup" and "the risk for infectious disease transmission by a common communion cup is very low, and appropriate safeguards--that is, wiping the interior and exterior rim between communicants, use of care to rotate the cloth during use, and use of a clean cloth for each service - would further diminish this risk." American Journal of Infection Control (Vol. 26, No. 5, 1998).
We do all these things at St. Peter's! Our Eucharistic Ministers are trained to wipe the rim of the chalice between each communicant, to rotate the purificator (the cloth), and the Altar Guild ensures a clean cloth is used for each liturgy.
Is it more sanitary to intict the host into the cup than drink from it?
No - As any experienced Eucharistic Minister or clergy person will tell you, it is a common occurrence when people intict the host for their fingers to touch either the consecrated wine or the side of the chalice. This is in fact less sanitary then drinking in the first place - we can make sure our Eucharistic Ministers and clergy wash their hands, but we can't do the same for the whole of the congregation!
Here are three options for you:
- When in doubt, drink from the common cup -
it is the most sanitary way for you to receive the consecrated wine at
the Eucharist. Christians have been doing so for centuries, and still
manage to die at the same rate and pace as the general population!
- If you don't want to drink from the cup, don't intict for yourself if your hands are not clean.
Instead, leave the host on your hand, and allow the Eucharistic
Minister to intict it for you, and place the host on your tongue. This
ensures that only people with washed hands are handling the hosts, and
it eliminates the unsanitary conditions that are caused by intiction.
- Finally, if you don't want to receive the cup at all, it's ok not to. The church believes that all of the grace of the sacrament of the Eucharist is conferred wholly in each element - both consecrated bread and wine. To receive only the host is not to have a "half blessing" or to receive "half communion." Instead, receiving in one kind is to fully partake in the Eucharistic feast.
The Serenity Prayer
God, give me grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.
(written in 1943)
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