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Where in the World is David Park?

Vlog #3

Today our happy wanderer takes us to church. 

Enjoy. Don't forget to like and share! 

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Where in the world is David Park?

Vlog #2 - Eating in Edinburgh

In his latest dispatch, David Park tells us about some of the food he's encountered so far.

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Where in the World is David Park

Vlog #1 - The Journey Begins

Our Pastoral Associate and Director of Music The Rev. Dr. David Kerr Park has landed in Scotland and has sent us his first vlog. 

Click below to see what he sent us!

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Holy Saturday Easter Vigil

Lenten Meditation for Holy Saturday

Yes, today is “tax day” on the secular calendar. But for us as Christians this day is known as Holy Saturday. There are two distinct sides to this day. The first is simply Holy Saturday, the time when Jesus is buried and in the tomb borrowed from Joseph of Arimathea.  It is a solemn and mournful time, as we lament the death of our beloved Rabbi, and our complicity for all that is evil in this world, and our sins

Mother Cynthia recently came into my office handing me a piece of paper as she excitedly exclaimed “Look at this! You should really consider putting it to music.” The text by the English poet W. H. Vanstone (1923-1999) on the entombment and resurrection of Christ is from his final book, Fare Well in Christ, a Christian meditation on death. I was truly moved when I read it, and knew I had to share it with you on this day…

Joseph of Arimathea’s Easter W. H. Vanstone

‘He’s gone,’ says Joseph, and, with Pilate’s leave Eases the nails and lowers him from the Tree, Wraps him in reverent and tender thoughts And lays him in the cave called Memory.

That cave is deeply hewn in Joseph’s heart: All that’s within will always be his own: In memory’s cave the treasure of his past Is safe for ever, walled and sealed by stone.

‘He’s safe,’ says Joseph, ‘safe in this cool place And no one now can take my Lord away. In years to come I’ll still see his dear face As clearly as I’ve seen it on this day.’

‘He’s gone!’ cries Joseph at the empty tomb: But Mary says, ‘He’s left a word for you: He cannot rest content to be your past, So he has risen to be your future too.’

As we ponder this time, which was filled with great fear and uncertainty by Jesus’ followers, I invite you to meditate on this picture by the Chinese Christian artist He Qi. Dr. Qi is a professor at the Theological Seminary and at the University of Nanjing. He has painted dozens of works based on biblical themes. His style has been described as “Chagall meets Matisse meets Picasso meets the East.” He uses brilliant colors, and blends Chinese folk traditions with western art.

Notice who is present, and who is absent? Where are they going? What were they bringing with them? Where could the others have been? Why were they avoiding the place of Jesus’ burial? Where would YOU have been? What would you have been feeling? What were you thinking of doing with your life next?

Finally, Holy Saturday has another side—the joyous celebration of the first Eucharist of Easter in the Great Vigil. In our parish the choir traditionally sings the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah. That isn’t the only Hallelujah chorus.  The “other Hallelujah chorus” is from the oratorio Christ on the Mount of Olives by Beethoven. The oratorio wasn’t well received in Beethoven’s own time, and is rarely performed today. The final chorus, however, has been very popular on its own.

Listen to this energetic and exciting performance by Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony and Chorus. It is accompanied by a great slide show and full text.

May your Easter be blessed!

The Rev. Dr. David Kerr Park Pastoral Associate and Director of Music

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Good Friday

...He kneeled long And saw love in a dark crown Of thorns blazing, and a winter tree Golden with fruit of a man's body. R.S. Thomas, 1913-2000, Welsh

Photo:St. Clement’s Church, Isle of Harris, Scotland, 2015

Mother Cynthia

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Maundy Thursday

It was October 1961. My sister, 13 years old and I, 11 years, were taken to the ICU of a local hospital to visit our mother.

As we entered her room, an attendant brought the evening meal. Mother beckoned us to come closer and she struggled to embrace us with partially paralyzed arms. Looking upwards, she prayed, giving thanks for the meal and asked the Lord to keep us in His loving care. She then invited us to partake; a hospital meal was transformed into a delightfully tasty feast!!

Mother detailed in a loving yet somber manner her dreams for us, before directing our Dad to take us home. She died hours after our visit.

Years later, I contemplated on the way my mother spent her last hours lavishing us with love. I realized that my mother was imitating the Lord of Love, Jesus Christ, who facing His own death, “loved to the end.”

Maundy Thursday is a meditative day, when we recall the words of the Father, “this is my Beloved Son, listen to Him.” We listen to His command to love each other because we desire to be followers. We listen as Jesus invites us into a new life, where pride and ego diminish as followers desire a life of love and humility. We are attentive to the Love that gave up everything; Body and Blood and tells us to memorialize that giving for we need nourishment to journey into the fullness of His Presence.

Submitted by: Rev. Lorna F. Goodison Deacon, St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church

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Wednesday in Holy week

Scripture, Meditation, Reflection, and Affirmation For Holy Week Excerpts taken from Daily Prayer For All Seasons, published by Church Publishing Inc., (2014-06-01) Kindle Edition with references provided

Scripture

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.Isaiah 42: 1-4

Meditation

We must get ready then. Our journey requires a rejuvenated faith. We must set high standards. We must rely on the gospel to guide us. It will help us to follow Christ and grow better acquainted with him so we are prepared to live with Jesus in his heavenly kingdom. from The Rule of St. BenedictChurch Publishing (2014-08-01). Daily Prayer for All Seasons (Kindle Locations 1487-1496). Church Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition. Where does our faith need rejuvenation today? How will we let the gospel guide us? Affirmation

As children of God, we affirm: That God, who is Love, created all and called it good, that God is present with all of creation, and that, in darkness and in light, God is faithful; therefore we, too, seek to be faithful. That Jesus came to show us Love with a human face, that he taught justice and reconciliation and suffered on our behalf, and that through his faithful example, he embodies hope; therefore we, too, seek to be people of justice, reconciliation, and hope. That the Holy Spirit guides and accompanies us, that this same Spirit offers wisdom and discernment, and that, when we are open, the Spirit can always find a way; therefore, we seek to be people filled with God’s Spirit: discerning, loving and transforming our world. Amen. Church Publishing (2014-08-01). Daily Prayer for All Seasons (Kindle Locations 1509-1512).Church Publishing Inc. Kindle Edition. Church Publishing (2014-08-01). Daily Prayer for All Seasons (Kindle Locations 1497-1508).Church Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition. Church Publishing (2014-08-01). Daily Prayer for All Seasons (Kindle Locations 1487-1495).Church Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition. Submitted by: Br. Terrence Declan, AF

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Wednesday in the Fifth Week of Lent

Five Day Retreat Preparing for Holy Week

Prelude

Lift up your heads, O gates!

and be lifted up, O ancient doors!

that the King of glory may come in.

-Psalm 24:7

A Prayer for the beginning of Holy Week

Assist us mercifully with your help,O Lord God of our salvation,that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts,whereby you have given us life and immortality;through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Five Day Retreat Preparing For Holy Week

Be watchful, brethren, lest the mysteries of this season pass you by without your gaining from them their due fruit. Abundant is the blessing; you must bring clean vessels to receive it, and offer loving souls and watchful senses, sober affections and pure consciences for such great gifts of grace. … All Christians practise more than usual devotion in these seven days and try to be more humble and more serious than is their wont, so that in some sort they may share Christ's sufferings. And rightly so. For the Passion of the Lord is here in truth, shaking the earth, rending the rocks and opening the tombs; and His Resurrection also is at hand. …

Bernard of Clairvaux 1090-1153On Keeping Holy WeekDe Passione DominiCourtesy of Suzanne Guthrie

Submitted by:

Br. Terrence Declan, AF

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Monday in Holy Week

Lenten Art Project for Children

Taken from an art project presented to St. Mary Magdalene’s Sunday school children by Evelyn Sibelle

Blog submitted by Stephanie Harris

Instructions: Using an empty egg carton place 12 empty plastic eggs inside of it pre- labeled # 1-12. Every day or all at one sitting (depending on the age of the child) place the objects highlighted in black below inside of the egg and read the bible verse that it represents. Keep all of the objects inside the eggs as the time progresses. Encourage discussion with your child.

1. Bread: Matthew 26:26 When they were eating Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it and gave it to his disciples. “Take and eat it,” He said, “This is my body.” (Use a crouton or bread piece)

2. Coins: Matthew 26: 14-15 Then one of the twelve disciples, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, “What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him. (Use penny or plastic coin)

3. Purple Cloth (Robe): Mark 15:17 They put a purple robe on Jesus. (Use a small piece of purple material)

4. Crown of thorns: Matthew 27-29 Then they made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it on His head, and put a stick on His right hand; then they knelt before Him and made fun of Him. “Long Live the King of the Jews!” they said. (Use a piece of straw and form it into a circle)

5. Rope (Scourge): Mark 15:15 Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he set Barabbas free for them. Then he had Jesus whipped and handed Him over to be crucified. (Use cut shoe lace or piece of rope)

6. Cross: John 19:17-18a He went out, carrying his cross, and came to “The Place of the skull,” as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called “Golgotha.”) There they crucified Him. (If need be inexpensive small crosses may be purchased in various stores)

7. Nails: John 20:25b Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in His side, I will not believe.” (Purple ribbon tied around a nail)

8. Sign: Luke 23:28 Above Him were written these words: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. (Words written on a piece of paper)

9. Sponge: Matthew 27:48 One of them ran up at once, took a sponge, soaked it in cheap wine, put it on the end of a stick, and tried to make him drink it. (Use a piece of sponge)

10. Spear: John 19: 34 One of the soldiers plunged his spear into Jesus’ side, and at once blood and water poured out. (Use a toothpick)

11. Rock: Matthew 27:59-60 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a new linen sheet, and placed it in his own new tomb, which he had recently dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away. (Place rock inside.)

12. Empty: Matthew 28:6 He is not here! He has risen just as he said.

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Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

Five Day Retreat Preparing For Holy Week

The Last Word

Look for us, the faithful, with the angels and the children, loudly praising the conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest. - Monastic Liturgy quoted from A Lent Sourcebook II, Liturgy Training Publications

The Ass

Having said that, shall I now comfort our poor beast a little? We know he cannot sing; he is not of those who can say, 'Thy statutes have been my songs in the place of my pilgrimage'! But he has something, all the same, that all the others lack; for to none other is the Lord so near. No, no even those who keep close to His side have Him so close to them as has the beast whereon He sits; the prophet says as much, 'The Lord is nigh to them that are grieved at heart.'For a mother also, when she knows her son is sick, takes all the greater care of him and folds him in her arms more frequently. Let no one, therefore, think it an unworthy or small thing that he should be a riding-beast for Christ.

Bernard of Clairvaux 1090-1153 from Dominica Palmarum II

That beast on which Christ sits, is it no you, who glorify and carry Christ in your own bodies, as the apostle says?

Dominica Palmarum I.4 Courtesy of Suzanne Guthrie http://www.edgeofenclosure.org

Submitted by: Br. Terrence Declan, AF

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Saturday in the Fifth Week of Lent

Five Day Retreat Preparing for Holy Week

Meditation Three (integration)getting involved

Those who, in the biblical phrase, would save their lives—that is, those who want to get along, who don’t want commitments, who don’t want to get into problems, who want to stay outside of a situation that demands the involvement of all of us — they will lose their lives. What a terrible thing to have lived quite comfortably, with no suffering, not getting involved in problems, quite tranquil, quite settled, with good connections politically, economically, socially — lacking nothing, having everything. To what good?

They will lose their lives.

-Oscar Romero 1917-1980

Courtesy of Suzanne Guthrie

www.edgeofenclosure.com

Submitted by:

Br. Terrence Declan, AF

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Friday in the Fifth Week of Lent

Five Day Retreat Preparing for Holy Week

Meditation Two (insight)our souls as branches

Let us run to accompany him as he hastens toward his passion, and imitate those who met him then, not by covering his path with garments, olive branches or palms, but by doing all we can to prostrate ourselves before him by being humble and by trying to live as he would wish. Then we shall be able to receive the Word at his coming, and God, whom no limits can contain, will be within us.

… So let us spread before his feet, not garments orsoulless olive branches, which delight the eye for afew hours and then wither, but ourselves, clothed inhis grace, or rather, clothed completely in him. Wewho have been baptized into Christ must ourselves bethe garments that we spread before him.... Let oursouls take the place of the welcoming branches as wejoin today in the children's holy song: “Blessed is hewho comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is theking of Israel.”

-Andrew of Crete (c.650-712, 726,or 740)Sermon 9 for Palm Sundayquoted from Readings for the Daily Office from the EarlyChurch, J.Robert Wright

Courtesy of Suzanne Guthrie

www.edgeofenclosure.com

Submitted by:

Br. Terrence Declan, AF

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Thursday in the Fifth Week of Lent

Five Day Retreat Preparing for Holy Week

Meditation One (introit) the spiritual eye of the little ones

Jesus acts - and the same Spirit that inspires his action moves in those about him, revealing to them its meaning. Simultaneously, their eyes see the Lord as he rides through the street, and their spirit sees what is behind the event. The physical eye and the spiritual are one. And those who so truly 'saw' in that hour were not the particularly talented, neither truly geniuses nor in any way the elite or the mighty, but' the common people,' those who happened to be in the streets at the time. For the power that opened their eyes and hearts was not human power, but the Spirit of God moving among men. Indeed, it is “the little ones,” possessors of the kingdom of heaven, as Jesus calls them, who are particularly free and open to the workings of the Spirit, for in them it can operate untrammelled by the consciousness of their own human value. This then is God's hour; were the masses to reject it, the stones beneath their feet would proclaim the Messiah. It is the last, God-given chance. -Romano Guardini 1885-1968 The Lord

Courtesy of Suzanne Guthrie

www.edgeofenclosure.com

Submitted by:

Br. Terrence Declan, AF

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Tuesday in the Fifth Week of Lent

This is well worth the read:

God's Fingerprints

There is one God and Creator of all, who is over all, who works through all, and is within all. —Ephesians 4:6

Bonaventure took Francis of Assisi’s lay intuitive genius and spelled it out in an entire philosophy and theology. He wrote: “The magnitude of things . . . clearly manifests . . . the wisdom and goodness of the triune God, who by power, presence and essence exists uncircumscribed in all things.” [1] God is “within all things but not enclosed; outside all things, but not excluded; above all things, but not aloof; below all things, but not debased.” [2] Bonaventure spoke of God as one “whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.” [3] Therefore the origin, magnitude, multitude, beauty, fullness, activity, and order of all created things are the very “footprints” and “fingerprints” (vestigia) of God. Now that is quite a lovely and very safe universe to live in. Welcome home!

Bonaventure continues: Whoever, therefore, is not enlightened by such splendor of created things is blind; whoever is not awakened by such outcries is deaf; whoever does not praise God because of all these effects is dumb; whoever does not discover the First Principle from such signs is a fool.

Therefore, open your eyes, alert the ears of your spirit, open your lips and apply your heart so that in all creatures you may see, hear, praise, love and worship, glorify and honor your God, lest the whole world rise against you. [4]

It is hard to imagine how different the last 800 years might have been if this truly catholic vision had formed more Christians. But our common seeing has been partial, punitive, and prejudicial. The individual was allowed to decide and discriminate as to where and if God’s image would be recognized and honored. Sinners,

heretics, witches, Muslims, slaves, Jews, blacks, natives, buffalo, whales, elephants, land, and water were all the losers. And we dared to call ourselves monotheists or believers in one coherent world.

Until we weep over these sins and publicly own our own complicity in the destruction of God’s people and God’s creation, we are surely doomed to remain blind; and we will likely keep looking for “acceptable” scapegoats. We always think the problem is elsewhere, whereas the Gospel keeps the pressure of conversion on me. As far as the soul is concerned, no one else is your problem. You are your problem. “You be converted, and live” says the biblical tradition (Mark 1:15).

Jesus tried to keep us within and connected to the great chain of being by taking away from us the power to scapegoat and project onto enemies and outsiders. We were not to break the chain by hating, eliminating, or expelling the other. He commanded us to love the enemy and gave us himself as universal Victim so we would get the point—and stop creating victims.

Gateway to Silence: In the beginning . . . and the end.

References:

[1] Bonaventure, Bonaventure: The Soul’s Journey to God, I, 14, trans. Ewert Cousins (Paulist Press: 1978), 65. [2] Ibid., 5, 8, 100-101. [3] Ibid., 5, 8, 100.

[4] Ibid., 1, 15, 67-68. Adapted from Richard Rohr, “The Great Chain of Being,” Radical Grace, Vol 20 No 2 (CAC: 2007).

Submitted by:

Br. Terrence Declan, AF

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Monday in the Fifth Week of Lent

My Pool of Tears

IT WAS THE late 1970s, and I was sitting with Gordon Cosby, cofounder and pastor of the Church of the Saviour, a small, vibrant, ecumenical congregation in the inner city of Washington, DC. We were having lunch ... and reflecting on the challenges of preaching within the contemporary urban context. Almost 40 years of servant ministry had given my lunch companion a profound pastoral wisdom.

When I asked him whether he had anything to say to me about sharing the gospel on the suffering continent of Africa, he responded, “Always remember that each person you see ... sits next to his or her own pool of tears.” ...

Each of us does sit next to a pool of tears. As you read my words, you are sitting beside your pool; and as I write these words, I am seated next to mine. Our pools are different. Some are deeper; some are muddier. Some have been caused by what has been done to us; some are the result of our own doing. These pools remind us of the grief and losses that we have experienced through our lives. It might have been the death of a loved one, the pain of divorce, abuse as a child, the unmet longing for a partner, the loss of a job, or a rejection by a close friend. There are many different kinds of pools – the list goes on and on.

But tears don’t have to end in sadness and pain. As different as our pools of tears may be, they can lead us into a new space of change and growth. If we allow our tears to tell their stories, they can become the means by which our lives are transformed.

– Trevor Hudson

Hope Beyond Your Tears

Submitted by: Br. Barry Kevin, Anamchara Fellowship

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Fifth Sunday in Lent

“The interior experience of God’s presence [through prayer] activates our capacity to experience God in everything else—in people, in events, in nature.” —Thomas Keating

Submitted by: 

Br. Terrence Declan, AF

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Saturday in the Fourth Week of Lent

Weekend With God

Either we acknowledge that God is in all things, or we have lost the basis for seeing God in anything. -Richard Rohr

Submitted by: 

Br. Terrence Declan, AF