You never enjoy the world aright,
till the Sea itself floweth in your veins,
till you are clothed with the heavens,
and crowned with the stars:
and perceive yourself to be
the sole heir of the whole world.
Thomas Traherne
First Century, Sec. 29
Here is today’s sampling of the music made by the Spirit in the Wind Chimes.
What do you hear?
Thomas Traherne; Priest, 1674 [1]
“Though not as well known as John Donne or George Herbert, Thomas Traherne was one of the seventeenth century’s most searching, inventive poets and theologians.”
We ask God in the Collect we pray as we gather to “help us to know you in your creation and in our neighbors, and to understand our obligations to both, that we may ever grow into the people you have created us to be….” God will surely answer such a prayer:
Creator of wonder and majesty, you inspired your poet Thomas Traherne with mystical insight to see your glory in the natural world and in the faces of men and women around us: Help us to know you in your creation and in our neighbors, and to understand our obligations to both, that we may ever grow into the people you have created us to be; through our Savior Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in everlasting light. Amen.
Collect from Holy Women, Holy Men
St. Michael and All Angels
Today (September 29) the church remembers Saint Michael and All Angels.
… Despite the best efforts of greeting card companies to make angels into cute babies, the Bible has other ideas. In the Bible, angels are almost universally terrifying. There is a reason that angels usually begin their encounters with humans by saying, “Do not be afraid.” … Mentioned in Daniel and Revelation, Michael the Archangel protects people against evil and leads the righteous armies against Satan. The word angel comes from the Greek angelos, and it means, literally, “messenger.” Throughout the scriptures, angels are sent by God to deliver messages. In the created order, angels exist in the heavenly realm along with cherubim and seraphim. There is no hint in the Bible that people become angels, though popular culture sometimes holds this view. On this feast day, we remember God’s heavenly messengers. And we give thanks that we are able to join with them at each celebration of Holy Eucharist as we sing, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and might.” Angels remind us of our place in the created order, and they sometimes bear messages for us from God.
Daily Prayer: a resource of Forward Movement
Walking with Children [2]
Children in Kid’s Word brainstormed who Jesus is to them earlier today [9/16]. They raised some critical messages:
- He’s someone you don’t need to see to believe in;
- He loves me and everybody.
- They named Jesus as protector, comforter, lover of their soul, hope for the future, sweet, soothing voice.
- A child once told me she would be able to recognize Jesus because she could tell from the love in his eyes. || Posted 9/19/12
Wendy asks wonderful questions of children and adults on her blog, Walking with Children. I encourage you to read her posts.
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[1] The Episcopal Church has a Liturgical Calendar in which holy women and holy men are annually commemorated. Their faith and example is remembered by the Church as we gather and give thanks in prayer and worship. On September 27th we remember Thomas Traherne, a priest, often considered to be one of the Metaphysical Poets.
Holy Women, Holy Men is a “Trial Use” Calendar at the moment. Thomas Traherne is remembered in this Calendar.
[2] Walking with Children is a blog written by Wendy Sanders, a member of this Sunday Morning Forum at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, CA. This year she is leading Kids Word at 10am every Sunday Morning. In Kids Word ‘Miss Wendy’ assists the children and youth to go deeper into the story sharing their understanding with the her and the adults with her. Each generation teaching and learning from the others. I encourage you to follow her blog.
Hear what the Spirit is saying 