I did early morning prayer and then the BCP when I got to work, as is my custom. i really wish my other offices were as entrenched as these two. In the morning office today in the sections where they include readings on the saints, there was an article on Edward King. I don't always read these, but I had never heard of him. It was a very interesting article... If you read it I think you'll understand why I say that.
Like I said today in staff, I am not doing so hot this past week on my lent Bible reading and blogging. I am planning on starting back up today. I am getting ready to read the Laws and Commandments in OT for YG prep tonight. I am sure the kids will have a lot of questions on that.
i have a question you guys. So, as you know we are storying the old testament in group. For many stories now, there are periods of time of 40 days and 40 nights. (in the story of Noah and the story of Moses) I am also thinking that Jesus spent 40 days alone at one point. What is significant about 40 days? Is there or is that a coincidence? Why is it always 40 days? I would get why that would be the case for Jesus if there was some symbolism behind it in the Old Testament but did I miss the explanation of this somewhere?
I did my early morning liturgy and then the BCP morning office just now. I'm trying to be more aware of God's presence with me throughout the day.
Sara, I'm no expert on biblical numbers. I've always heard 2 main things about 40. 1) that the main meaning of 40 is "enough," so after 40 days would signify "after enough time had passed for whatever God was planning..." 2) when it is in years it means the "span of one generation."
The number 40 usually connected to another symbol (like wilderness) or to an idea, like preparation, testing, waiting, anticipation, or suffering. So when I run into the number 40, I first look for what it is in connection to. Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days and he was tested. I would read that text not as saying there's something magical about the number 40, but that it symbolizes he was out there for a really long time - long enough for him to be tested the way that God had in mind. That's not to say we don't take it literally - it could have been exactly 40 days, in fact I think it was. But that is not exactly what the scripture is saying by the number 40. It has more meaning than that. It connotes a long enough period for God to accomplish exactly what he wanted.
Don't know if that makes any sense... long story short - 40 sort of means "enough."
I did early morning prayers when I awoke, and just did the morning office. I admit that I've been terribly lax at midday prayer and vespers lately. I'm doing OK at Compline - ending the day with prayer seems more connected to the morning prayers, though. The middle, and bulk, of my day seems to lack a spiritual character and prayerful attitude. I'm trying to get my arms around why that is? Stiff necked, no doubt!
I ran across a Latin phrase in the Rule of St. Benedict that has been working me a bit: "Laborare est orare," which means "to work is to pray." I think I'm searching for a way to apprehend that reality & live in it.
We read the story of Isaac in YG this week, so I read that again this week as well. Didn't read yesterday. I have had a crazy few weeks and while it is no excuse, I am ready for things to settle down so I can get back into a better morning routine with my Bible.
I took some time this morning to journal and reflect on some things. It was a really good time. I have some "demons" that like to rear their ugly heads and lie to me about what's what. You know how it goes. I was reading something today that was talking about letting go that was really good for me.
He says, "love cannot be worked up but is gained only as we give up. To be born of God is to be born of love. Here we come into contact again with Meister Eckhart, who claims that we must let go of ourselves in such a manner that we can become a dwelling place in which God can reside and from which God can flow. Our own works and beliefs are here dethroned by the enthronement of God. What is important for Eckhart is not to think correctly, or to work hard, but rather to engage in a type of concrete ego-death by which the divine is invited to enter the place which we have laid down. the hope is that in so doing, love will flow from us."
The gospel reading for today is Mark 6:47-56. It's the story where Jesus walks on the water towards his disciples, get's in their boat, and calms the storm. There's part of that story, though, that always makes me stop and think: why did Jesus intend to pass them by?
each week we will have a new post through which to interact. you can post comments as often as you want under each week in order to share what you are reading, disciplines you are engaging in, or encouragement to each other.
9 comments:
I did early morning prayer and then the BCP when I got to work, as is my custom. i really wish my other offices were as entrenched as these two. In the morning office today in the sections where they include readings on the saints, there was an article on Edward King. I don't always read these, but I had never heard of him. It was a very interesting article... If you read it I think you'll understand why I say that.
http://www.missionstclare.com/english/March/morning/8m.html
peace to you, friends!
-ts
Like I said today in staff, I am not doing so hot this past week on my lent Bible reading and blogging. I am planning on starting back up today. I am getting ready to read the Laws and Commandments in OT for YG prep tonight. I am sure the kids will have a lot of questions on that.
Missed writing. Will check in again later.
i have a question you guys. So, as you know we are storying the old testament in group. For many stories now, there are periods of time of 40 days and 40 nights. (in the story of Noah and the story of Moses) I am also thinking that Jesus spent 40 days alone at one point. What is significant about 40 days? Is there or is that a coincidence? Why is it always 40 days? I would get why that would be the case for Jesus if there was some symbolism behind it in the Old Testament but did I miss the explanation of this somewhere?
I did my early morning liturgy and then the BCP morning office just now. I'm trying to be more aware of God's presence with me throughout the day.
Sara, I'm no expert on biblical numbers. I've always heard 2 main things about 40. 1) that the main meaning of 40 is "enough," so after 40 days would signify "after enough time had passed for whatever God was planning..." 2) when it is in years it means the "span of one generation."
The number 40 usually connected to another symbol (like wilderness) or to an idea, like preparation, testing, waiting, anticipation, or suffering. So when I run into the number 40, I first look for what it is in connection to. Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days and he was tested. I would read that text not as saying there's something magical about the number 40, but that it symbolizes he was out there for a really long time - long enough for him to be tested the way that God had in mind. That's not to say we don't take it literally - it could have been exactly 40 days, in fact I think it was. But that is not exactly what the scripture is saying by the number 40. It has more meaning than that. It connotes a long enough period for God to accomplish exactly what he wanted.
Don't know if that makes any sense... long story short - 40 sort of means "enough."
Peace,
-t
I did early morning prayers when I awoke, and just did the morning office. I admit that I've been terribly lax at midday prayer and vespers lately. I'm doing OK at Compline - ending the day with prayer seems more connected to the morning prayers, though. The middle, and bulk, of my day seems to lack a spiritual character and prayerful attitude. I'm trying to get my arms around why that is? Stiff necked, no doubt!
I ran across a Latin phrase in the Rule of St. Benedict that has been working me a bit: "Laborare est orare," which means "to work is to pray." I think I'm searching for a way to apprehend that reality & live in it.
peace,
-t
thanks Tim.
We read the story of Isaac in YG this week, so I read that again this week as well. Didn't read yesterday. I have had a crazy few weeks and while it is no excuse, I am ready for things to settle down so I can get back into a better morning routine with my Bible.
I took some time this morning to journal and reflect on some things. It was a really good time. I have some "demons" that like to rear their ugly heads and lie to me about what's what. You know how it goes. I was reading something today that was talking about letting go that was really good for me.
He says, "love cannot be worked up but is gained only as we give up. To be born of God is to be born of love. Here we come into contact again with Meister Eckhart, who claims that we must let go of ourselves in such a manner that we can become a dwelling place in which God can reside and from which God can flow. Our own works and beliefs are here dethroned by the enthronement of God. What is important for Eckhart is not to think correctly, or to work hard, but rather to engage in a type of concrete ego-death by which the divine is invited to enter the place which we have laid down. the hope is that in so doing, love will flow from us."
The gospel reading for today is Mark 6:47-56. It's the story where Jesus walks on the water towards his disciples, get's in their boat, and calms the storm. There's part of that story, though, that always makes me stop and think: why did Jesus intend to pass them by?
I did matins when I awoke, and just prayed lauds. Early Saturdays are really fun! I'm just about to see off the clan for the mission trip...
God grant them peace on their journey.
Peace,
-t
Post a Comment