It is better to light one candle, than to curse the darkness

Lighting a candle is a way to let Christ, the Light, into our lives; it is a way to let our light (of care, concern, hope, love, compassion, interconnectedness, peace) shine into the world;  it is an invitation to warmth; the fire of a candle ascends, like our prayer; it can be an offering of self, “our souls and bodies” to  God’s glory. … The lit candle can be our continuing prayer, even when our conscious praying is interrupted or distracted into oblivion.

The lit candle, especially in the darkest part of the night, is a symbol of an unquenchable hope; it is a symbol of a life-giving trust (in God).

I encourage you to light a candle, offer a prayer, give light (no, give the Light you know) to the world.

For further reading and reflection

In many different traditions lighting candles is a sacred action. It expresses more than words can express. It has to do with gratefulness. From time immemorial, people have lit candles in sacred places. Why should cyberspace not be sacred? From the website of Gratefulness.org as an introduction to a sacred space in which you can light a candle.

I have started a Group for us on Gratefulness.org. The Group initials are 4 letters: a-m-e-n. Our group is “amen” (without the quotes). As you complete the guided process to light your candle in cyberspace you will have the opportunity to enter a set of Group initials. Use “amen” (without the quote marks). All candles with the Group initials amen will appear together. If you want to find your candle, use your initials in the space provided.

“Amen.” Of course, this is a common ending to our prayers. To say Amen to a prayer is to say to all who hear “Let it be so, even more than I can say, or more than I can ask or imagine, let it be so.”

Click the image or click here: Light A Candle and go to Gratefulness.org I will greet you there and you will be guided in your candle lighting effort; God will do the rest.

Light a candle in your home or other sacred space and spend time with the light before leaving and then, take that light into the world.

Note: The headline is borrowed from The Christophers and was a frequent mantra while i was hospitalized in 2008-09.

All Saints Art for Readings Nov.1 (Celebrated Nov. 6), 2011

EYCK, Jan van
(b. before 1395, Maaseik, d. before 1441, Bruges)
Click to open Web Gallery of Art Artist Biography and to explore other works by this artist.

The Ghent Altarpiece: Adoration of the Lamb
1425-29
Oil on wood, 137,7 x 242,3 cm
Cathedral of St Bavo, Ghent

Click to open Web Gallery of Art display page. Click on their image to enlarge/fit page etc.

DÜRER, Albrecht
(b. 1471, Nürnberg, d. 1528, Nürnberg)
Click to open Web Gallery of Art Artist Biography and to explore other works by this artist.

The Revelation of St John: 13. The Adoration of the Lamb and the Hymn of the Chosen
1497-98
Woodcut, 39 x 28 cm
Staatliche Kunsthalle, Karlsruhe

Click to open Web Gallery of Art display page. Click on their image to enlarge/fit page etc.

God’s activity is so musical!

When you have about an hour and a half and feel somewhat in a meditative mood, check out this YouTube presentation from UCTV, University of California Television. Dr. Jeremy S. Begbie takes even a non-musician (like me) into the world of music and in his talk opens, in a new way, the “speech” of the Spirit as recorded in our Bible. I wanted to hear more.

May you find yet another way to hear what the Spirit is saying.

“In a fascinating multimedia presentation, Jeremy Begbie, Professor of Music, Cambridge University, expounds upon the relationship between music and theology. Series: “Let There Be Light” [10/2003] [Humanities] [Show ID: 7906]”

A Proper 26 Art for Readings October 30, 2011

GRÜNEWALD, Matthias
(b. 1470/80, Würzburg, d. 1528, Halle)
Click to open Web Gallery of Art Artist Biography and to explore other works by this artist.

Complaining Pharisee
c. 1511
Black chalk on yellowish paper, cut and mounted, 235 x 165 mm
Staatliche Museen, Berlin
Click to open Web Gallery of Art display page. Click on their image to enlarge/fit page etc.

Hymn History: “All Hail the Power”

Church music has such a rich history, but we often know very little about the brave men and women who wrote our beloved hymns. As we transition into Fall, I’m hoping to write a bit more about some of these people–what their lives were like, what they did, and why they might have been inspired to write such powerful music. Today’s focus is on Edward Perronet, who wrote the text to “All Hail the Power (of Jesus’ Name).”

Edward Perronet (1726-1792) was born in Kent, England to a family that had fled France due to religious persecution. His father, an Anglican minister, was strongly supportive of the teachings of John and Charles Wesley and of George Whitefield. Edward also grew up to be an Anglican minister, though he disagreed with many practices of the Anglican church. In the 1740s and ’50s, he spent a great deal of time traveling and evangelizing with the Wesleys. Their group suffered frequent persecution and violence because of their teachings. John Wesley often encouraged Perronet to preach, but Perronet found preaching in front of the Wesleys to be far too intimidating, so he always found ways to avoid preaching in their presence. During one service, John Wesley decided that he had had enough, and, in front of the entire congregation, he called Perronet up to preach. Perronet, realizing that he had no way out, strode behind the podium and said, “I will now deliver the greatest sermon ever preached on earth.” He proceeded to read “The Sermon on the Mount” and quietly sat down.

After several years of ministering with the Wesleys, Perronet decided to part ways. The three felt that they had too many disagreements (and that Perronet was too opinionated) to effectively minister together. It was at that time that Perronet began serving at an independent church in Canterbury, where he worked until his death in 1792. Perronet’s last words were, “Glory to God in the height of His divinity! Glory to God in the depth of His humanity! Glory to God in His all-sufficiency! Into His hands I commend my spirit!”

Perronet wrote most of his hymns and poems anonymously, but “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” was published in 1779, and it has been a standard in most Christian hymnals ever since. It is the only work in his name that is well-known. The song has been referred to as the “National Anthem of Christendom,” and it has been translated into nearly every language. Of it, one writer wrote, “So long as there are Christians on earth, it will continue to be sung; and after that, in heaven.”

All hail the power of Jesus’ Name!
 Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem, 
and crown Him Lord of all!

 Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
 ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
 and crown Him Lord of all!

 Let every kindred, every tribe on this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe, 
and crown Him Lord of all!

 Oh, that with yonder sacred throng 
we at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song, 
and crown Him Lord of all!

Resources: http://www.theeffectivetruth.info/testep.html, http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/p/e/perronet_e.htm

Are you ready for a timely word?

In the Forum over the last several weeks we have talked about and learned from Moses, our great ancestor in the faith. Brother Give Us A Word is a daily word of wisdom delivered via email. Here is today’s word, as if Br. Geoffrey was listening in to the Forum discussion:

FRIENDSHIP

“Why have you laid the burden of these people on me…? I’ve had enough. I can’t do it anymore. I cannot carry all these people on my own. They’re too heavy for me. I’m so miserable, I’d rather die…” How is it that Moses…dared to speak to God with such a bold and forthright prayer? It is because Moses had, over time, come to know God in a very intimate way. We are told that Moses walked with God and, a couple chapters later in the Book of Numbers, God says, “I am pleased with you Moses. I know you by name….” Moses talked with God in this way because he was God’s friend.

-Br. Geoffrey Tristram via Brother, Give Us A Word | Subscribe to a Daily Meditation from the SSJE Brothers.

Brother, Give Us A Word | LISTEN

Brother, Give Us A Word is a daily meditation provided by the brothers of the Society of St John the Evangelist (SSJE or the “Cowley Fathers”). As we consider what we do in our Sunday Morning Forum consider today’s (10/21/11) “word.”

Listen

Listening to what God is saying to us in Holy Scripture, in our hearts as we pray and meditate, and as we hear other people speak about God, is important to us as we seek spiritual growth and understanding.

-Br. David Allen

Listen | Brother, Give Us A Word.

A Proper 25 Art for Readings October 23, 2011

SIGNORELLI, Luca
(b. ca. 1450, Cortona, d. 1523, Cortona)
Click to open Web Gallery of Art Artist Biography and to explore other works by this artist.

Moses’s Testament and Death
1481-82
Fresco, 350 x 572 cm
Cappella Sistina, Vatican
Click to open Web Gallery of Art display page. Click on their image to enlarge/fit page etc.

Look Father, look on his anointed face

In the Sunday Forum (10/16/11) we talked about the glory of God in the face of God; glory beyond human capacity to assimilate. Mose could only see the backside of God and live (Exodus 33:20-23). David remembered a hymn in which we sing our prayer to God to see the face of Christ when looking upon us (see verse 2). Glory looking upon Glory. Isn’t that a prayer worth singing?

And now, O Father, mindful of the love
that bought us, once for all, on Calvary’s tree,
and having with us him that pleads above,
we here present, we here spread forth to thee,
that only offering perfect in thine eyes,
the one true, pure, immortal sacrifice.

Look Father, look on his anointed face,
and only look on us as found in him;
look not on our misusings of thy grace,
our prayer so languid, and our faith so dim:
for lo! between our sins and their reward,
we set the passion of thy Son our Lord.

And then for those, our dearest and our best,
by this prevailing presence we appeal;
O fold them closer to thy mercyís breast!
O do thine utmost for their soulís true weal!
From tainting mischief keep them pure and clear,
and crown thy gifts with strength to persevere.

And so we come; O draw us to thy feet,
most patient Savior, who canst love us still!
And by this food, so awesome and so sweet,
deliver us from every touch of ill:
in thine own service make us glad and free,
and grant us nevermore to part from thee.

Words: William Bright (1824–1901), alt.
Music: Unde et memores, William Henry Monk (1823–1889)

This is Hymn 337 in the Hymnal 1982 of the Episcopal Church. Lately we have talked a lot about hymns and their role in shaping and defining and encouraging our faith; check these out:

Please continue the conversation begun on Sunday by leaving a comment to share. We welcome your responses.

Then sings my soul …

Over the past several weeks we have talked about music in the Sunday Morning Forum. We have shared how words and music combined in hymns to thrill us, inform us, inspire us, encourage us, and so much more. In the Forum and in this blog I’ll continue to share your musical insights.

Richard wrote to me “It’s true there is a huge amount of power in music. I have several favorites. My first choice would have to be “How Great Thou Art”. When ever I hear it I feel completely at one with the Universe and it’s celebration which never ends.” How Great Thou Art is in our Episcopal hymnal Lift Every Voice and Sing II (No. 60)

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.

And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Send him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God how great thou art.

Words: Stuart K. Hine (b. 1899)
Music: Swedish Folk Melod; arr. Stuart K. Hine

Keep sharing your favorites (add a little note about why) and we’ll keep this conversation going. The Spirit is singing now!