The Virtual Hermitary

Archive for February, 2010

Here’s an interesting video about what “Christian” really is. What do you think? Is Christian a label we apply to people or things or is a Christian a person who approaches life with a particular mindset?

Wednesday February 24, 2010
1 Corinthians 2:1-13

Too often, the Spirit of God is treated like a gift with purchase that ends up in the junk draw. We forget that the Spirit isn’t just an accessory that might come in handy some day. It is the Spirit who teaches us and helps us understand the ways of God.

One of the things that really stands out in this particular passage is the idea that the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. Since the Spirit was with God at the beginning and is privy to all that ever was, is and will be, we have an ally not only in understanding God’s work in and will for our lives, but also in living out powerful, fruitful lives. The Spirit can help us root out all of our failings – envy, anger, anxiety, lusts, greed, fearfulness, hate — and replace them with good “fruits” – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Paul asks how any human knows what is human except by the interpretation of our human spirits. He then indicates that we only know what is truly God by the instruction of the Spirit of God. Our human spirit is limited and ignorant of the ways of God. Only the Spirit of God, living in us, allows us to know God.

If you feel like perhaps you’ve neglected the Spirit of God and want to take the Spirit out of the junk draw and allow her to work in your life, I recommend the excellent book Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan.

Monday February 15, 2010
Philippians 2:1-13

This selection from today’s lectionary includes part of a selection that was read back in September. I wrote a post then entitled You First contemplating how we are to lift others ahead of ourselves and not always seek after our own ambitions.

Today the reading includes the next two verses in the text introduced in September. The passage ends with this statement: “for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” We are not able to humble ourselves and regard others as better than ourselves out of our own will. It is God working in us that transforms our self-centeredness into God-centeredness and other-centeredness. His Spirit can truly conform our minds to the mind of Christ. With God at work in us, we are able to work through all the issues in our lives that interfere with the mutual love, compassion, and sense of purpose that we are encouraged to in this passage.

Wednesday February 10, 2010
Romans 12:1-8

This short passage gives us much to think about. What does Paul mean when he writes “do not be conformed to this world?” How do we think soberly “according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” to us? How do we even know how much faith has been assigned to us? How do we figure out the gifts God has graced us with?

I believe the answers are also found in this short passage. 1) Verse 1: We commit ourselves fully to God — no reservations — no hesitation.  2) Verse 3: We humble ourselves — God is always first — neighbors always come before ourselves. 3) Verse 4: We commit ourselves to the community of believers — 100% dedication — 100% devotion.

We can learn how not to conform to the world; we can learn the depth of our faith; we can learn the extent of our gifts. But we only learn these things when we are fully engaged with God, fully humble in the presence of God and others, and fully committed to the community of Christ.

Tuesday February 2, 2010
Luke 2:22-40

Forty days after giving birth to a son, a first century Jewish mother went to the temple for purification. Since we celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25, we honor this event 40 days later on February 2. Mary went for purification to fulfill the Jewish custom and Jesus was presented as their first-born son. His appearance at the temple fulfilled the hope of Simeon and drew songs of praise from Anna, both of whom recognized Jesus for who he was. Luke records the story:

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Here is a prayer for this day:

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Monday February 1, 2010
1 Corinthians 1:26-31

February 1 is the day to remember St. Brigid, an abbess from Ireland. The history of Brigid is a mix of fact and legend. Some of the Christian history of the Abbess of Kildare is mixed with the legends of a pre-Christian people. The earliest historical accounts of the Christian Brigid were written by St. Broccan Cloen in the late 7th century. Despite the difficulty in separating fact from legend, the life of Brigid provides rich inspiration for living in Christ-likeness. She was known for her generosity, her patronage of students and craftsmen, her care for the poor, and her love of animals. For the beauty of her story and her inspiration to a life of compassion and love, we’ve adopted St. Brigid as our patron saint here at Amy Jo Garner Ministries.

The following is a litany in honor of St. Brigid:

Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Queen of virgins, Pray for us. Saint Brigid, Pray for us. Mary of the Gael, Pray for us. St. Brigid, Patroness of Ireland, Pray for us. St. Brigid, shining light of virtue and sanctity, Pray for us. St. Brigid, consecrated spouse of Jesus Christ, Pray for us. St. Brigid, foundress of Kildare, Pray for us. St. Brigid, cornerstone of the monastic institute in the Isle of Saints, Pray for us. St. Brigid, great model of Irish virgins, Pray for us. St. Brigid, mother of religious, Pray for us. St. Brigid, pattern of religious perfection, Pray for us. St. Brigid, intercessor for the Irish Church, Pray for us. St. Brigid, mediatrix for the Irish race, Pray for us. St. Brigid, protectress of the holy faith planted by Saint Padrig, Pray for us. St. Brigid, enjoying with him the clear vision of God, Pray for us. St. Brigid, whose one desire was to satisfy the poor, drive out hardship, and spare every miserable man, Pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us, O Lord.

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

Pray for us, O glorious Saint Brigid: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O God, Who dost rejoice with the memory of the blessed Saint Brigid, Thy virgin and abbess, mercifully grant that we may be assisted by her merits, by whose chastity we are illumined. Through Jesus Christ Thy Son Our Lord. R. Amen.
Prayer Source: Kyrie Eleison — Two Hundred Litanies by Benjamin Francis Musser O.F.M., The Magnificat Press, 1944

The following links provide more information about Brigid:
Blog post at the National Catholic Reporter
History and Interactive Icon at the Brigidine Secondary School Council
History at the Catholic Encyclopedia