This morning

I just finished Morning Prayer and Eucharist. It was a good time of prayer and communion with the Lord. This morning, as i was by myself, I chose to use the 1549 Book of Common Prayer liturgy for the Eucharist. (It is our rule, from Abbot Jim, to use St. Augustine's Prayer Book for Morning and Evening Prayer--so before the Eucharist, I made use of Augustine's pb.) I prefer contemporary language for the Eucharist, but it's edifying to me, from time to time, to use the traditional liturgy Archbishop Cranmer wrote for the Eucharist, which was based on medieval liturgy. There are many liturgies that are acceptable, as long as they are orthodox, and as long as, in the Eucharist, there is a place for the consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. It grieves me concerning all the arguments over which prayer books and liturgy to use. I honestly grow weary of it, and I am especially bothered when folks say that those who use the 1979 BCP (and ordain women) aren't orthodox. It is sad.

But again, my prayer time and Eucharist was good. We habit usually for Eucharist, and not for Morning Prayer (perhaps in the future, when we have a monastic community, we will). I normally put on a stole for Eucharist, though. This morning I felt especially like wearing my habit, and was especially reminded that a habit has been called "the habit of repentance." For monks, nuns, hermits, and all Christians, our lives are to be lives of penance, or of repentance. Our hearts are to be always before the Lord, in sorrow and repentance for our sin, remembering that Christ had to die for that sin so that we may be forgiven, and have a new life in Him. Each Christian, as part of that repentant heart, also has with it a joy from the Lord that his/her sins are forgiven, that Christ is with him/her, and that we posses that new life from God now, and will enjoy it fully with Him later, when we go to be with Him. That brings me great joy, and I hope and pray that it brings you great joy, too.

As I type this, I'm still wearing my habit. It is reminding me of the Passion of our Lord whereby He redeemed me and you. Our habits are black. Franciscan orders generally choose a brown for their habit color, but we decided black would be better--it reminds us that we are of the earth, that we came from dust and to dust we will return, it reminds us that we are sinners redeemed by Jesus Christ and His agony before and on the cross for us, and that we are to be humble and yet joyful before Him.

A person doesn't have to be a monk, nun, or hermit for this to be prominent in his/her heart--it's just that, for us, being monastics helps us to be reminded of the truth of this and to help keep our heats and minds focused on Christ, and that we are His, forgiven by His grace.

All that said, I was also reminded by the Lord this morning that I am a monk and servant first, and a priest second. Being a monk is my higher calling.
It is the framework in which I am a priest, and my entire life.

But also, that said, I am a brother to you in the Lord, as a monk, and as a priest. As a priest, I am always available for listening, prayer, counsel, and for the sacraments: Eucharist, confession, and anointing with oil.

Should you wish to receive communion, I am available. We don't require confession to a priest (in Eucharist we confess and receive absolution--so we receive that sacrament in that way). We know we can go directly to God. Yet, there are times each of may feel that we need to go to a minister or priest--his words assure us of forgiveness, and can bring comfort, especially if it's serious sin. The sign of the cross is a physical reminder of the forgiveness to us by the pouring out of Jesus' blood. The counsel given should be of help to us in our walk with God. Yet, again, it's not required, but is always available. I am always available to hear a confession, absolve (declare for the Church God's forgiveness to you), pray with and offer counsel, whenever. It is my call and my joy. I am also here should you wish anointing with oil and prayer for healing. James wrote (ch. 5) for us to call the elders of the church, and they pray for healing, so that we may be raised up. We believe in that, because James wrote it (other passages extend this privilege to all believers, to lay hands on and pray for the sick). James wrote there of confession of sins and forgiveness. We, the elders or presbyters (the Greek word our Bibles translated "elder,") offer those sacraments from God--forgiveness and healing in Christ.

So if you are in the area, and wish for any of these, I am available--just call or email me. I will be happy to pray or offer counsel and/or confession on the phone if you wish (especially if you don't live here).

And if you're in the area, and are looking for a place and group to worship with, and want Jesus Christ, and the teachings, liturgy and sacraments of the ancient Church, we welcome you. Chapel of St. Francis is a house church in evangelical Anglican tradition. We'll have worship in Eucharist here tomorrow morning at 10:30, and Wednesday at 7:00 pm. The music is a mix of hymns and contemporary praise. We may be Anglican, but we're not stuffy--the worship is a "relaxed reverence." Dress is casual, God is here for you, and we are, too. Come as you are. If you don't feel welcome at church, you'll be welcomed here, I can promise you that. If you want Christ, he's here for you. And so are we.

Have a good weekend,
fr francis