My brother, Jesus. It happens every year. I think that this will be the year that I have a reflective Advent. I look forward to Sunday and this new season, Jesus. But all around me are the signs rushing me to Christmas and some kind of celebration that equates spending with love.
I need your help. I want to slow my world down. This year, more than ever, I need Advent, these weeks of reflection and longing for hope in the darkness. Jesus, this year, help me to have that longing. Help me to feel it in my heart and be aware of the hunger and thirst in my own soul. Deep down, I know there is something missing in my life, but I can’t quite reach for it. I can’t get what is missing. I know it is about you, Jesus. You are not missing from my life, but I might be missing the awareness of all of the places you are present there. Be with me, my dear friend. Guide me in these weeks to what you want to show me this Advent. Help me to be vulnerable enough to ask you to lead me to the place of my own weakness, the very place where I will find you the most deeply embedded in my heart, loving me without limits. The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. READ MORE AT http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/home/ Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother, And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise us, With all our hearts we praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we, His power and glory evermore proclaim! His power and glory evermore proclaim! The December Fellowship Meeting was held on Saturday December 15th 9:00 am at St Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church 8000 St. Martin’s Lane, in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, 19118. We had wonderful Advent meditations led by Brother Scott and a bag lunch. Thank you Scott and thank you St Martin in the Fields! There is hardly a more controversial political battle in America today than that around the role of government. The ideological sides have lined up, and the arguments rage about the size of government: how big, how small should it be? Some famously have said government should be shrunk so small that it "could be drowned in a bathtub." I want to suggest that what size the government should be is the wrong question. A more useful discussion would be about the purposes of government and whether ours is fulfilling them.
READ MORE (Sojourners) I have done what is mine; may Christ teach you what is yours. Francis raised his hands to heaven and glorified Christ. Free from all things, he went to God free. Welcome, my sister death. She will be the gate of life. Francis poor and lowly ,enters heaven rich, while saints and angels sing their songs of praise. With arms outstretched, let us pray to the Lord. O God, who made your Church rich through the poverty of the blessed Francis: help us, who remember his death, not to trust in earthly things but to seek your heavenly gifts; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen - Society of St Francis Daily Office (A Celebration of the Transitus of our Brother Francis) |
Previous postings & minutiae
Can't remember when or where you saw it? Check here. Archives
June 2015
Categories |