Poems of Madeline L'Engle

For this time of year...

First Coming by Madeleine L’Engle

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine.

He did not wait till hearts were pure.
In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!


The Risk of Birth by Madeleine L'Engle

This is no time for a child to be born,
With the earth betrayed by war & hate
And a comet slashing the sky to warn
That time runs out & the sun burns late.

That was no time for a child to be born,
In a land in the crushing grip of Rome;
Honor & truth were trampled to scorn—
Yet here did the Savior make His home.

When is the time for love to be born?
The inn is full on the planet earth,
And by a comet the sky is torn—
Yet Love still takes the risk of birth.

A Generous Spirit - James Huntington

I went on retreat in December at Holy Cross Monastery. Here is some detail on the founder of the order.

A Generous Spirit by Adam D. McCoy 

This article appeared in The Living Church, January 10, 1999, p. 13

"Love must act as light must shine and fire must burn." James Otis Sargent Huntington

James Otis Sargent Huntington, founder of one of the Episcopal Church's earliest religious communities, was born in 1854 into a cultured New England family. His father, Frederic, later Bishop of Central New York, lost his professorship at Harvard University when he renounced Unitarianism and became an Episcopalian. Huntington attended Harvard, then his father's diocesan seminary in Syracuse. After ordination he served congregations in Syracuse, but at a retreat at St. Clement's Church, Philadelphia, was convinced of a call to the religious life.

With two friends he established in 1881 a monastic house at the German immigrant work of the St. John Baptist Sisters in the Lower East Side of New York City. This grew into Holy Cross Church, from which the new order took its name. The friends left, others joined, but Fr. Huntington persevered, and on Nov. 25, 1884, took vows for life.

From the beginning the aim of the order was to be American, and both monastic and apostolic. It did not duplicate any existing Roman Catholic model of the religious life, but tried to establish a uniquely Episcopal form. During his profession retreat, Fr. Huntington wrote the rule of the order, reflecting both extreme austerity of life and lofty aspiration: "Love must act as light must shine and fire must burn."

Fr. Huntington was a tireless apostle for the Anglo-Catholic faith and for social justice. A co-founder of the Knights of Labor, and founder of the Church Association for the Advancement of the Interests of Labor, he was constantly traveling, speaking, organizing, encouraging and writing to further the interests of working people. His white habit was a well-known fixture on the stages at labor rallies, and his friendship with Henry George, American economist, lent a spiritual depth to the single tax movement.

Constantly preaching and leading parish and clergy retreats, he was a sought-after spiritual director and counselor. Thousands of people looked to him for direction and spiritual advice. He maintained a voluminous correspondence with hundreds of people, rarely ceasing to write as he rode the rails from one destination to another.

His was not a life without stress. He was tempted to leave the order for the rectorship of the Church of the Advent in Boston. He was in despair at several points over the inward-looking tendency of some of the brethren of the order. He suffered a depression which lasted for some years, and in the fashion of those days, was treated by taking a long, strenuous European journey. But he emerged from that period both stronger and gentler. His social activism had been institutionalized by the wider church, and the labor movement was established.

Fr. Huntington's achievement was both personal and institutional. His gentle character combined with a clear and firm vision of social justice, and helped to move the Episcopal Church from being a bastion of privilege to an advocate for the well being of working people. He showed many how to combine Christian holiness and Christian radicalism.

His generous spirit also showed in his community life. He loyally yielded when new leadership emerged, when new policies were decided, when new concerns came to the fore. His character made possible the Order of the Holy Cross, and influenced many more to the ideals of community life.

Anglo-Catholic Christianity, social justice and austere monastic community life were the triple pillars of his life and faith in Christ. All three were radically altered and strengthened by his ministry. But it is his purity of heart that his disciples remember most. At his deathbed in 1935, he is quoted as saying of his brethren, not all of whom he agreed with: "Tell them I love them. I will always intercede."

The Rev. Adam D. McCoy, OHC, is the author of Holy Cross, A Century of Anglican Monasticism, and rector of St. Michael's Church, Anaheim, Calif.

Reading on 1st Sunday after Christmas

Read at our 9 AM service.


A Reading from a sermon by Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome (461)

Dearly beloved, today our Saviour is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness.

No one is shut out from this joy; all share the same reason for rejoicing. Our Lord, victor over sin and death, finding no man free from sin, came to free us all. Let the saint rejoice as he sees the palm of victory at hand. Let the sinner be glad as he receives the offer of forgiveness. Let the pagan take courage as he is summoned to life.

In the fullness of time, chosen in the unfathomable depths of God’s wisdom, the Son of God took for himself our common humanity in order to reconcile it with its creator. He came to overthrow the devil, the origin of death, in that very nature by which he had overthrown mankind.

And so at the birth of our Lord the angels sing in joy: Glory to God in the highest, and they proclaim peace to men of good will as they see the heavenly Jerusalem being built from all the nations of the world. When the angels on high are so exultant at this marvelous work of God’s goodness, what joy should it not bring to the lowly hearts of men?

Beloved, let us give thanks to God the Father, through his Son, in the Holy Spirit, because in his great love for us he took pity on us, and when we were dead in our sins he brought us to life with Christ, so that in him we might be a new creation. Let us throw off our old nature and all its ways and, as we have come to birth in Christ, let us renounce the works of the flesh.

Christian, remember your dignity, and now that you share in God’s own nature, do not return by sin to your former base condition. Bear in mind who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Do not forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of God’s kingdom.

Through the sacrament of baptism you have become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Do not drive away so great a guest by evil conduct and become again a slave to the devil, for your liberty was bought by the blood of Christ.

(Sermo 1 in Nativitate Domini, 1-3: PI, 54, 190-193)

Australian Fires

Learn about the fires here.

These words are from retired bishop Steven Charleston: “In Alaska I used to meet them when I traveled around the state, the smokejumpers and the hotshots. They were the men and women who fought the wild fires. Many of them were very young...The courage to stand between the inferno and the lives of strangers is a rare kind of bravery. It is a testimony to the best in human nature. It reminds us that no fire can destroy the spirit of compassion that motivates one person to help another. That bond, that willingness, that love is stronger than any fire and it can rebuild hope even in the midst of ashes.”

Prayers:

Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, protect all those facing the destruction from the fires in Australia and guide those who are working to put the fires out; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by your gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gracious God, when the call comes, when the bell rings, firefighters go out to save people and property, risking their lives in service to their fellow citizens. Comfort the families and friends who are mourning. Be with those whose communities are still struggling with fire and guide all those who continue to answer the call to fight the fires. Help us to reach out our hands in love to all the communities devastated by fire. We ask this in the name of the one who brings life to all, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, heavenly Father, who by your son Jesus Christ has promised to all those who seek your kingdom and its righteousness all things necessary to sustain their life: Send us, we entreat you, in this time of need, such moderate rain and showers in Australia, that we may receive the fruits of the earth, to our comfort and to your honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Litany of Hope in a time of destruction by wildfires
By Maria L. Evans (her blog here)

Creator God, Author of the Universe;
as the deer long for cooling streams,
as weary people long for shelter in skeletal, burned places,
gather your creatures and your children safely into your loving arms.
 

(silence)
 

In your mercy, Lord,
Hear our prayer.

Ever-present God of the wind and sky,
God who holds the oceans in the palm of Your holy hand,
God who has dominion of thunder and rain,
Assuage the thirst of a scorched land and a parched people.
 

(silence)
 

In your mercy, Lord,
Hear our prayer.

Sheltering God of maternal eagle’s wings and home-seeking sparrows,
Comfort your people.
Brace the aching legs of weary firefighters and volunteers
and ease the pain of the hearts of those displaced.
 

(silence)
 

In your mercy, Lord,
Hear our prayer.

Resurrecting God of of the Valley of Dry Bones and the Easter miracle,
Forgive, restore, and renew your people.
Remind us that, just as the lodge pole pine requires fire and death for rebirth,
that your people can also find hope in the acrid smoke of tragedy.
Call to the hearts of those unaffected by wildfires
to put their hands toward the cloud of smoke and pillars of fire
and grasp the hands of those who flee in fear.
We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ,
who conquered the burnt wasteland of sin and death,
refreshing us with the living waters of the peace that passes all understanding.  
Amen.

Enetring 2020: Loving Radically

Bishop Michael Curry Wants Us To Love Radically (also from 1A)

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry gave the sermon at the Royal Wedding (no, not the other one that just happened. Harry and Meghan’s).

During that address, he talked about the power of love and quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He wasn’t just talking about romantic love, but “any form, any shape.”.

Love can be sacrificial. And in so doing, becomes redemptive. And that way of unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive love can change lives and it can change this world.
If you don’t believe me, just stop and think and imagine a world where love is the way.
Imagine our homes and families when this way of love is the way. Imagine our neighborhoods and communities when love is the way. Imagine our governments and nations when love is the way. Imagine business and commerce when this love is the way. Imagine this third old world when love is the way. No child would go to bed hungry in such a world as that. When love is the way, we will let justice roll down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an ever-flowing book. When love is the way, poverty will become history.

Bishop Curry is the first Black leader of the Episcopal Church, a denomination that has seen attendance drop nearly a quarter in the last decade. A new report emphasized that the church must “equip ourselves to minister effectively in contexts in which there are multiple social norms and the weight of discrimination and privilege in society present themselves to us in our congregations.”

And that’s not the only major issue Bishop Curry is addressing.

Curry is preaching on the radical power of love at a time when it seems vitriol and cruelty are higher than ever (see also: politics Twitter).

In this time of political division, what is the role of religious leaders in bringing us together? Can someone like Bishop Curry stay apolitical?

 Listen to it here.

Remembering The Uyghurs

I was listening to this on 1A (https://the1a.org/):

In northwestern China, the government keeps about a million people in “forced ideological and behavioral re-education centers.” Most are Uyghur Muslims.

Inside these camps, officials score prisoners on their ability to speak Mandarin. They are surrounded by armed guards and forced to do manual labor. Detainees also are not allowed to leave.

Government officials call these camps “voluntary job training facilities.” But leaked documents from Chinese government officials show the camps were always meant to be part of a crackdown on Muslim ethnic groups, and were designed specifically for mass internment.

Outrage has grown around the world. During Thursday’s debate between the Democratic presidential candidates, moderators asked how the contenders would deal with these human rights abuses. Broadcasts of this part of the debate were unavailable in China.

Who can help those who are imprisoned? Now that the violations have been revealed, will there be consequences for China — or will the world continue to look the other way?

You can listen here.

Remember the Ugyghurs in your prayers...

Gracious God, we bring before you today the Uyghur people of China, asking you to be their defender and help in their time of need. Walk with them in their suffering and loss, and give them strength to face the days ahead. We pray for release of the captives and freedom for those held in the internment camps. We pray for your intervention against all violence and evil against them. We pray for your provision for the hungry, the homeless, and the bereaved. We pray for you to help your creation. We ask this in  Jesus’ Name. Amen.

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near:  Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Christmas Day Sermon

O gracious God, we remember the journey that Mary and Joseph took when they searched for lodging—a warm, safe place where she could give birth to Jesus. We know that in our world, there are men, women, and children who are making exhausting or dangerous journeys; men, women, and children who are searching for such lodging. We pray that hospitable doors will be opened to them. In Christ’s name. Amen.

“Later in his life, I bet the Innkeeper wished he'd made more room than he thought he had for Jesus. Me too.” (@bobgoff (Twitter)) I saw this on my twitter feed and it caught me off guard.

The innkeeper is such a small role in our Nativity. But the one who placed Jesus in the manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

Christmas & Hospitality are intertwined.

Las Posadas

Christians in parts of Mexico, Latin America and those who have migrated to other countries celebrate Las Posadas nightly beginning December 16 and ending December 24. Las Posadas is a liturgy of hospitality and commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, searching for lodging for the birth of the Christ Child. Las Posadas begins as an outdoor procession. Traditionally, two people dress as los peregrinos (the pilgrims), Mary and Joseph, or images of Mary and Joseph are carried in the procession. Along the procession route, certain houses serve as “lodgings.” At each house, those inside sing to those outside, denying them entry. At the final stop, the los peregrinos are recognized and invited into the home. (from BOS)

The final refrain from the traditional song:

¡Entren santos peregrinos!
¡Reciban éste rincón!
Que aunque es pobre la morada
¡Se las doy de corazón!
¡Cantemos con alegría!
¡Todos al considerar!
¡Que Jesús, José y María
nos vinieron hoy a honrar!

(Come in, holy pilgrims!)
(Receive this corner!)
(Because, even though the place is poor)
(I offer it to you from my heart!)
(Let's sing with joy!)
(Everyone at the thought!)
(That Jesus, Joseph and Mary)
(Came today to honour us!)

Such hospitality and love remind me of a story…

Trouble at the Inn by Dina Donahue

For many years now, whenever Christmas pageants are talked about in a certain little town in the Mid-west, someone is sure to mention the name of Wallace Purling. Wally’s performance in one annual production of the Nativity play has slipped into the realm of legend. But the old-timers who were in the audience that night never tire of recalling exactly what happened.

Wally was a child with special needs and he fancied the idea of being a shepherd with a flute in the Christmas pageant that year, but the play’s director, Miss Lambard, assigned him to a more important role. After all, she reasoned, the Innkeeper did not have too many lines and Wally’s size would make his refusal of lodging to Joseph more forceful.

And so it happened that the usual large audience gathered for the town’s yearly extravaganza of crooks and creches, of beards, crowns, halos and a whole stageful of squeaky voices. No one on stage or off was more caught up in the magic of the night than Wallace Purling. They said later that he stood in the wings and watched the performance with such fascination that from time to time Miss Lambard had to make sure he did not wander onstage before his cue.

Then the time came when Joseph appeared, slowly, tenderly guiding Mary to the door of the inn. Joseph knocked hard on the wooden door set into the painted backdrop. Wally the Innkeeper was there, waiting.

“What do you want?” Wally said, swinging the door open with a brusque gesture.

“We seek lodging.”

“Seek it elsewhere.” Wally looked straight ahead but spoke vigorously. “The inn is filled.”

“Sir, we have asked everywhere in vain. We have traveled far and are very weary.”

“There is no room in this inn for you.” Wally looked properly stern.

“Please, good innkeeper, this is my wife, Mary. She is heavy with child and needs a place to rest. Surely you must have some small corner for her. She is so tired.”

Now, for the first time, the Innkeeper relaxed his stiff stance and looked down at Mary. With that, there was a long pause, long enough to make the audience a bit tense with embarrassment.

“No! Begone!” the prompter whispered from the wings.

“No!” Wally repeated automatically. “Begone!”

Joseph sadly placed his arm around Mary and Mary laid her head upon her husband’s shoulder and the two of them started to move away. The Innkeeper did not return inside his inn, however. Wally stood there in the doorway, watching the forlorn couple. His mouth was open, his brow creased with concern, his eyes filling unmistakably with tears.

And suddenly this Christmas pageant became different from all the others.

“Don’t go, Joseph,” Wally called out. “Bring Mary back.” And Wallace Purling’s face grew into a bright smile. “You can have MY room.”

Some people in town thought that the pageant had been ruined. Yet there were others—many, many others—who considered it the most Christmas of all Christmas pageants they had ever seen.

Later in his life, I bet the Innkeeper wished he'd made more room than he thought he had for Jesus…

May that be never said of us and our hearts. May we make room for Jesus to have place in our hearts today.

Amen.