Day 13 ~ Akathist of Thanksgiving ~ in the Advent Time

 

Kontakion 13 

Life-giving and merciful *Trinity, receive my thanksgiving for all your goodness. Make us *worthy of your blessings, so that, when we have brought to fruit the talents you have entrusted to us, we may enter into the joy of our Lord, forever exulting in the shout of victory: Alleluia!

Ikos 1 (repeated)

I was born *a weak, defenseless child, but your angel spread his wings over my cradle to defend me. From birth until now your love has illumed my path, and has wondrously guided me towards the light of eternity: from birth until now the generous gifts of your providence have been marvelously showered upon me, I give you thanks, with all who have come to know you, who call upon  your name.

Glory to you, for calling me into being.

Glory to you, showing me the beauty of the universe.

Glory to you, spreading out before me heaven and earth

 Like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom.

Glory to you, for your eternity in this fleeting world.

Glory to you, for your mercies, seen and unseen.

Glory to you, through every sigh of my sorrow.

Glory to you, for ever step of my life's journey.

* See in the Andre Rublev Trinity Icon here that the Trinitarian persons sit in a circle around the table, that the three would fit inside a circle, that their heads are en-circled — indicators of their shared inter-relatedness — each filled with divinity simultaneously without depriving the others of divine life and love.

* "Worthy" — we must be very careful with this word. "Lord I am not worthy..." the soldier said to Jesus and we repeat at Mass before Communion. Even if I choose another word, like deserving, we are not helped. If I believe myself to be worthy, I risk thinking God owes me something.

* "a weak, defenseless child" — as are we all. Realizing this, remembering this, might help us to live in solidarity with others in all their variety and possibility.

Day 11 ~ Akathist ~ In the Advent Time

WWI's Forgotten Photographs ~ BBC4

 

This photograph was taken by Walter Kleinfeldt who joined a German gun crew in 1915. After signing up he was sent to the Somme at age 16. The photograph is a window into the awfulness of war — like a machine that chews up the earth and every living thing. The dead are strewn around the ruined landscape. A roadside crucifix remains, having survived a terrible fire-fight. The war time collection of pictures was discovered by the photographer's son around the year 2000. Walter Kleinfeldt said, "This photograph is an accusation against war." One Jewish philosopher said, "If God lived on earth, all his windows would be broken." I would add — Pity the nations which prepare for war; pity the people who make money off of war; pity the people who use war as entertainment, pity the people who are indifferent to war so long as it happens somewhere else.

Kontakion 11

Across the cold chains of the centuries, I feel the warmth of your breath, I feel your blood pulsing in my veins. *Part of time has already gone, but now you are the present. I stand by your cross; we were the cause of it. I cast myself down in the dust before it. Here is the *triumph of love, the victory of salvation. Here the centuries themselves cannot remain silent, singing your praises: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

Blessed are they that will share in the King's *Banquet: but already on earth you give me a foretaste of this blessedness. How many times with your own hand have you held out to me your Body and your Blood, and I, though a miserable sinner, have received this Mystery, and have tasted your love, so *ineffable, so heavenly.

Glory to you, for the *unquenchable fire of your Grace.

Glory to you, building your Church, *a haven of peace in a tortured world.

Glory to you, for the life-giving water of Baptism in which we find new birth.

Glory to you, restoring to the penitent *purity white as the lily.

Glory to you, *for the cup of salvation and the bread of eternal joy.

Glory to you, for exalting us to the *highest heaven.

Glory to you, O God, from age to age.

*There are people who live in an old inner place — often a contentious place. I suffered a seven hour flight sitting next to a young woman from the South who when she heard I was from the Northeast went on and on about the Civil War. That war, still very much alive, in her mind anyway. And Byzantines who nurse the fury of the 13th century sack of Constantinople. Living in the past keeps God from acting in the present.

* "The triumph of love" — The cross!

* "Blessed are they who will share in the King's Banquet." Jesus often speaks of the Kingdom — the fullness of God's love and justice as a banquet. He knows it will find resonance with us — a fabulous feast. And that the Eucharist is the anticipatory foretaste of that celebration. 

* In the Eucharist we taste divine love. Notice the author's frequent use of the word ineffable. We are silent — overcome with joy and gratitude. Religion could do with more quiet. An Orthodox priest said, "Where there are many words sin cannot be avoided." Of course, lots of words gives us more to argue about.

* "unquenchable fire of your Grace." Notice it's not the unquenchable fire of hell, but Grace — God's free action-gift which brings us to human fullness. 

* The Church, "a haven of peace in a tortured world." Pray this is true. How many churches are distracted and disempowered by pettiness, contention and inhospitality.

* "purity white as the lily." Purity is so very much more than sexual purity. Blessed are the pure of heart, Jesus taught. 

* "cup of salvation and bread of eternal joy." The Eucharist.

* "the highest heaven." An old nun-friend asked where I wanted to be in heaven. I mused something about being next to a favorite saint. She said, "Not me; I want to be with the Seraphim — they are wheels of light in the highest heaven." 

Day 10 ~ Akathist of Thanksgiving ~ in the Advent Time

 Scroll back to November 29 for an introduction to this thirteen part prayer.

Kontakion 10

*No one can put together what has crumbled into dust but you can restore a conscience turned to ashes. You can restore to its former beauty a soul lost and without hope. With you, there is nothing that cannot be redeemed. You are love; you are Creator and Redeemer. We praise you, singing: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

Remember, my God, the fall of Lucifer full of pride, keep me safe with the power of your grace; save me from falling away from you. Save me from doubt. Incline my heart to hear your mysterious voice every moment of my life. *Incline my heart to call upon you, present in everything.

Glory to you, for every happening,

   every condition your *providence has put me in.

Glory to you, for what you say to me *in my heart.

Glory to  you, for what you reveal to me, *asleep or awake.

Glory to you, for scattering our vain imaginations.

Glory to you, for raising us from the *slough of our passions through suffering.

Glory to you, for curing our pride of heart by *humiliation.

Glory to you, O God, from age to age.

*Are there bad people? I'm tempted to say yes, but only God knows for sure. More importantly, if we read this Kontakion 10 and accept it — "You can restore to its former beauty a soul lost and without hope,"  then how is it that so many Christians ardently believe in capital punishment? Maybe we need to look again. It seems to me that conversion (inner repair and turning) of even great offenders should be our specialty. 

* "incline my heart" — Hear the 3rd verse of Robert Herrick's 17th c poem "What Sweeter Music"

We see him come, and know him ours

Who, with his sunshine and his showers,

Turns all the patient ground to flowers.

The darling of the world is come,

And fit it is, we find a room

To welcome him. The nobler part

Of all the house here, is the heart.

* "providence" — God takes care.

* "in my heart" — not the classroom, not the courtroom, not the conference room — but the heart. One can spend an entire lifetime in religion and never explore or cultivate one's heart.

* "asleep or awake." St. Joseph understood God's purposes through a dream.

* "slough of our passions" — the shedding or peeling off of passions. 

* "pride of heart through humiliations." God can help us to get a right sense of ourselves; enable us to come back-down-to-earth about ourselves. But God doesn't degrade us. Humiliation as degradation simply isn't Christian. 

Day 9 ~ Akathist of Thanksgiving ~ in the Advent Time

Sagrada Familia Interior ~ Barcelona

For an introduction to this thirteen part prayer scroll back to November 29.

Kontakion 9

Why is it that on a Feast Day the whole of nature mysteriously smiles? Why is it that then a heavenly gladness fills our hearts; a gladness far beyond that of earth and the very air in church and in the altar becomes luminous? It is the breath of your gracious love. It is the reflection of the glory of Mount Tabor. Then do heaven and earth sing your praise: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

When you called me to serve my brothers and sisters and filled my soul with humility, one of your deep, piercing rays shone into my heart; it became luminous, full of light like iron glowing in the furnace. I have seen your face, the face of mystery and of unapproachable glory.

Glory to you, transfiguring our lives with deeds of love.

Glory to you, making wonderfully sweet the keeping of *your commandments.

Glory to you, making yourself known where  people show mercy to their neighbor.

Glory to you, *sending us failure and misfortune that we may understand the sorrows of others.

Glory to you, rewarding us so well for the good we do.

Glory to you, welcoming the impulse of our heart's love.

Glory to you, raising to the heights of heaven every act of love in earth and sky.

Glory to you, O God from age to age. 

* "sweet keeping of your commandments" — But which of the many hundreds? The two Jesus put together to form one: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul. And love your neighbor as yourself." 

* "sending us failure and misfortune." Does God really do that? I don't think so, but we'll leave the wrangling to the theologians. But failure and misfortune show us that we are much stronger than we think we are. They show us "what we're made of."  Suffering enables us to stand in a felt solidarity with other human beings who suffer as well — if even faraway.

Intercessions ~ Fourth Sunday in Advent

 

We pray for those who died in the recent tornados that tore through Kentucky,/ Missouri,/ Mississippi,/ Arkansas,/ Tennessee and Illinois,/ for those who mourn friends,/ colleagues and family,/ for those who have lost everything,/ for those who are helping./ We ask for gifts of courage and hope./ We pray to the Lord.

Bless the pilgrims who will celebrate Christmas with Pope Francis in Rome./ May his message of peace inspire world leaders to set out in new directions of dialogue and solidarity./ We pray to the Lord. 

In the Advent-Christmas time/ preserve us in our allegiance to Christ,/ may we not be lost to grievance and complaint,/ consumed with fear and false loyalties to money,/ personality-cult,/ the denials of the day,/ hoarding,/ entitlement and panic./ May Christ/ the "Wonderful Counsellor" be our truth./ We pray to the Lord.

As we light the fourth Advent candle,/ we approach the days of the longest darkness./ We pray for those who live in the deep shadow of substance abuse,/ domestic violence and failed parenting,/ gang violence,/ racist hatred,/ desperation and depression,/ punitive imprisonment or slavery./ May they know freedom,/ light and human wholeness./ We pray to the Lord.

Christmas nears — we pray for the people who first introduced us to Jesus and his Mother,/ for those who have taught,/ rescued or helped us in any way throughout the years./ May those who are lonely or marginalized this time of year/ know companionship,/ love and affirmation./ We pray to the Lord.

We pray for congregations around the world preparing to celebrate Christmas/ and to hear again the story of Christ's birth./ May we treasure the planet God has come to visit,/ and learn Christ's way of generosity,/ humility,/ kindness and love./ We pray to the Lord.

Day 8 ~ Akathist of Thanksgiving ~ in the Advent Time

 

Scroll back to November 29 for an introduction to this 13 part prayer.

Kontakion 8

How near you are in the day of sickness. You yourself visit the sick; you yourself bend over the sufferer's bed. Their hearts speak to you. In the throes of sorrow and suffering you bring peace and unexpected consolation. You are the comforter. You are the love which watches over and heals us. To you we sing the song: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

*When in childhood I called upon you consciously for the first time, you heard my prayer, and you filled my heart with the blessing of peace. At that moment I knew your goodness and knew how blessed are those who turn to you. I started to call upon you night and day; and now even now I call upon your name.

Glory to you, satisfying my desire with good things.

Glory to you, watching over me day and night.

Glory to you, curing affliction and emptiness with the healing flow of time.

Glory to you, no loss is irreparable in you, giver of eternal life to all.

Glory to you, making immortal all that is lofty and good.

Glory to you, promising us the longed-for meeting with our loved ones who have died.

Glory to you, O God, from age to age.

* Do you remember your first conscious prayer — not a prayer you'd memorized and rattled off to get through it, but which came from a deeply felt place. Not simply the night time, "God bless..." litany, but from an inner place of wonder, gratitude, light and belief.

Day 7 ~ Akathist of Thanksgiving ~ In the Advent Time

 

Scroll back to November 29 for an introduction to this 13 day prayer.

Kontakion 7

In the wondrous blending of sounds it is your call we hear; in the harmony of many voices, in the sublime beauty of music, in the glory of the works of great composers: you lead us to the threshold of paradise to come, and to the choirs of angels. All true beauty has the power to draw the soul towards you, and to make it sing in ecstasy: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

The breath of your Holy Spirit inspires artists, poets and scientists. The power of your supreme knowledge makes them prophets and interpreters of your laws, who reveal the depths of your creative wisdom. Their works speak unwittingly of you. How great you are in your creation! How great you are in humankind!

Glory to you, showing your unsurpassable power in the laws of the universe.

Glory to you, for *all nature is filled with your laws.

Glory to you, for what you have revealed to us in your mercy.

Glory to you, for what you have hidden from us in your wisdom.

Glory to you, for the inventiveness of the human mind.

Glory to you, for the *dignity of human labor.

Glory to you, for the *tongues of fire that bring inspiration.

Glory to you, O God, from age to age. 

* "all nature is filled with your laws" — Science and Theology are a wonderful coming together. God's existence is in no way denied.

* "The dignity of human labor." — Do I ever think of the back breaking labor of those who pick the strawberries on my table, who harvested the coffee beans, who cleans the hospital emergency room, who scrubs the public toilets?

* "tongues of fire that bring inspiration" — The voices of challenge and change that en-spirit us. I'm concerned for Christians who say, "I hate change." I wonder if they are obstructing the movement of God's Holy Spirit.

Day 6 ~ Akathist of Thanksgiving ~ In the Advent Time

 

Scroll back to November 29 for an introduction to this 13 part prayer.

Kontakion 6

How great and how close you are in the powerful track of the storm! How mighty your right arm in the blinding flash of the lightning! How awesome your majesty! The voice of the Lord fills the fields, it speaks in the rustling of the trees. The voice of the Lord is in the thunder and the downpour. The voice of the Lord is heard above the waters. Praise be to you in the roar of *mountains ablaze. You shake the earth like a garment; you pile up to the sky the waves of the sea. Praise be to you, bringing low the pride of humankind. You bring from our hearts a cry of *penitence: Alleluia!

Ikos 6 

*When the lighting flash has lit up the camp dining hall, how feeble seems the light from the lamp. You, like the lightning, unexpectedly light up my heart with flashes of intense joy. After your blinding light, how drab, how colorless, how *illusory all else seems. My soul clings to you.

Glory to you, the highest peak of  our dreaming.

Glory to you, for our unquenchable thirst for communion with God.

Glory to you, making us dissatisfied with earthly things.

Glory to you, turning on us your *healing rays.

Glory to you, subduing the power of the spirits of darkness

  and dooming to death every evil.

Glory to you, for the *signs of your presence,

  for the joy of hearing your voice and living in your love.

Glory to you, O God, from age to age. 

* "mountains ablaze" — Is the author thinking of the Autumn colors?

* "penitence" — Our inner turning, turning, turning — but gradually, like the ripening of fruit.

* What dining hall? Could Father Petroff have added this thought as he lived in a concentration camp? In another translation, the lights from the fence around the camp remind him of  the oil lamps burning before the icons on the walls of the church.

* "how illusory all else seems" — How transitory.

* "healing rays" — How do I experience this?

* "signs of your presence" — Do I detect them?

Intercessions ~ Third Advent

 

Hellebore ~ Christmas Rose (Buttercup, not Rose family)

Saint Hildegard of Bingen wrote:/ "Rivers of living water are to be poured out over the whole world, to ensure that people can be restored to wholeness."/ We ask for the patience,/ strength,/ courage and resolve we need./ We pray to the Lord.

Speaking to refugees and migrants,/ during a visit to the Greek island of Lesbos,/ Pope Francis recalled the words of Patriarch Bartholomew,/ "Those who are afraid of you have not looked into your eyes,/ they have not seen your faces,/ not seen your children./ They have forgotten that dignity and freedom transcend fear and division./ They have forgotten that migration is not an issue for the Middle East and North Africa/ for Europe and Greece./ It is an issue for the world."/  May the world not look the other way./ We pray to the Lord.

Recently four young people were shot dead in yet another high school shooting,/ others were wounded./ We pray for their traumatized classmates/ and all who are grieving./ We pray for those in our country who don't feel the seriousness of this other epidemic — so many hundreds of young people dying by gun violence./ May God heal our nation and cover our shame./ We pray to the Lord.

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe,/ the Virgin Mary appearing in 1531 to Juan Diego/ a conquered and reduced man./ We pray for the homeless,/ the exploited,/ sex-trafficked and enslaved persons/ those who are lonely,/ sick,/ dismissed and ignored./ We pray to the Lord.

The liturgical color of this Sunday is rose,/ a color taken from the dawn sky./ As we anticipate Christmas,/ may we eschew greed,/ materialism,/ selfishness and superficiality./ May we understand and practice in some new way the saying we often hear,/ Keep Christ in Christmas./ We pray to the Lord.

Day 5 ~ Akathist of Thanksgiving ~ in the Advent Time

 Scroll back to November 29 for an introduction to this thirteen part prayer.

Kontakion 5

The dark storm clouds of life bring no terror to those in whose hearts your fire is burning brightly. *Outside is the darkness of the whirlwind, the terror and howling of the storm, but in the heart, in the presence of Christ, there is light and peace, silence: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

I see your heavens resplendent with stars. How glorious you are radiant with light! Eternity watches me by the rays of the distant stars. I am small, insignificant, but the Lord is at my side. Your right arm guides me wherever I go.

Glory to you, ceaselessly watching over me.

Glory to you,  for the encounters you arrange for me.

Glory to you, for the love of parents, for the faithfulness of friends.

Glory to you, for the humbleness of the animals which serve me.

Glory to you, for the unforgettable moments of life.

Glory to you, for the heart's innocent joy.

Glory to you, for the joy of living,

  moving and being able to return your love.

Glory to you, O God, from age to age.

* "Outside the darkness of the whirlwind...the terror and howling storm..." He's likely not giving a weather report but a metaphor for the deportation, arrests, theft, imprisonment and murder of his day. Then, "...but in the heart...."

* "the unforgettable moments of life" — May we take some moments to recount them!

Day 4 ~ Akathist of Thanksgiving in the Advent Time

 

Scroll back to November 29 for an introduction to this 13 part prayer.

Kontakion 4

How filled with sweetness are those whose thoughts dwell on you; how life-giving your holy Word. To speak with you is more soothing than anointing with oil; sweeter than the honeycomb. To  pray to you lifts the spirit, refreshes the soul. Where you are not, there is only emptiness; hearts are smitten with sadness; nature, and life itself, become sorrowful; where you are, the soul is filled with abundance, and its song resounds like a torrent of life. Alleluia!

Ikos 4

*When the sun is setting, when quietness falls like the peace of eternal sleep, and the silence of the spent day reigns, then in the splendor of its declining rays, filtering through the clouds, I see your dwelling-place: fiery and purple, gold and blue, they speak prophet-like of the ineffable beauty of your presence, and call to us in their majesty. We turn to the Father.

*Glory to you, at the hushed hour of nightfall;

  glory to you, covering the earth with peace.

Glory to you, for the last ray of the sun as it sets;

  glory to you, for sleep's repose that restores us.

Glory to you, for your goodness even in the darkness

  when all the world is hidden from our eyes.

Glory to you, for the prayers offered by a trembling soul.

Glory to you, for the pledge of our reawakening.

  on that glorious last day, that day which has no evening.

Glory to you, O God, from age to age.

* When I was a young priest I had dinner in a waterfront restaurant with a large outdoor deck filled with a happy but somewhat boozy crowd. As the sun sank down into the western waters and the sky was filled with brilliant colors, everyone stopped talking, watched and applauded. I imagine if we were stone sober, attentive and awake, we could spend the whole day applauding. Unless of course, we had to spend the day going round and round in a treeless parking lot, or up and down in a dark, cement garage.

* We may recall that Bishop Tryphon who composed this prayer, lived in the Soviet Union and the priest-martyr, Gregory Petroff, prayed this prayer imprisoned in a concentration camp.

Day 3 ~ Akathist of Thanksgiving ~ In the Advent Time

Click here to to listen to the Nightingale's song.

For an introduction to this thirteen part prayer cycle, scroll back to November 29.

Kontakion 3

It is the Holy Spirit who makes us find joy in each flower, the exquisite scent, the delicate color, the beauty of the Most High in the *tiniest of things. Glory and honor to the Spirit, the Giver of Life, who covers the fields with their carpet of flowers, crowns the harvest with gold, and gives to us the joy of gazing at it with our eyes. O be joyful and sing to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

How glorious are you in the springtime, when every creature awakes to new life and joyfully sings your praises with *a thousand tongues. You are the Source of life, the Destroyer of Death. By the light of the moon, nightingales sing, and the valleys and hills lie like *wedding garments, white as snow. All the earth is your promised bride awaiting her spotless husband. If the grass of the field is like this, how gloriously shall we be transfigured in the Second Coming after the Resurrection! How splendid our bodies, how spotless our souls!

Glory to you, bringing from the depth of the earth an *endless variety of colors, tastes and scents.

Glory to you, for the warmth and tenderness of the world of nature.

Glory to you, for the *numberless creatures around us.

Glory to you, for the depths of your *wisdom, the whole world a living sign of it.

Glory to you, on my needs, I kiss the *traces of your unseen hand.

Glory to you, enlightening us with the clearness of eternal life.

Glory to you, for the hope of the *unutterable, imperishable beauty of immortality.

Glory to you, O God, from *age to age.

* "tiniest of things" — Do I notice?

* "a thousand tongues" — Frogs and birds too!

* "like wedding garments" — God's relationship with us is marital.

* "an endless variety of colors, tastes and scents." Yes, but there are neighborhoods in our country where nothing fresh to eat can be had. They are called food deserts.

* "numberless creatures around us" — Our pets, yes, but also the earth's great creatures. 90% of the world's elephants are gone. Leaving our grandchildren a world without elephants — what a very sad thought.

*  God's "wisdom" — What does God know? 

* "the traces of your unseen hand" — HOLY is everywhere, not just in church. St. Benedict writes to his monks: "Treat the garden tools as you would treat the chalice on the altar." 

* "unutterable" — Before God's promises our words are useless. Our ultimate response to the divine is silence. But religion can be very wordy. St. Kateri prayed with a her eyes. St. Therese of Lisieux prayed with a sigh.

* "from age to age" — from beginning to end - but that includes this day, this hour, this moment.

Intercessions ~ Second Advent

At the start of December we pray for those  who celebrate birthdays,/ anniversaries and other days of remembrance./ We pray for the safety of holiday travelers and for the peace and wellbeing of family and friends./ We pray to the Lord.

Advent is a time of waiting/ waiting for the Lord's return,/ waiting to celebrate another Christmas./ We pray for those who wait for the baby to be born,/ who wait for the war to end,/ who wait to find a new welcoming home,/ who wait for sobriety,/ who wait for test results or a cure,/ who wait for the return of a loved one./ We pray to the Lord.

Tuesday is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day./ We pray for the 2400 men and women who died that day,/ and ask for a new willingness to enter honest, peace-creating dialogues./ May we do this for the world's children./ We pray to the Lord. 

Wednesday is the feast of the Immaculate Conception./ Like Mary, may we create an atmosphere of love around Jesus,/ rejecting the tendencies we can so easily follow:/ greed and indifference,/ the demonizing of others,/ making ourselves the norm that all should embrace./ We pray to the Lord. 

We pray for Pope Francis as he completes his visit to Cyprus and Greece./ We pray for the 31 refugees who drown this week when their boat capsized in the English Channel between France and Great Britain./ May those who are fleeing in desperation,/ our sisters and brothers,/ find hospitality not hostility./  We pray to the Lord.

God of forests and fields,/ oceans and rivers/ and all the living things,/ grow us up spiritually,/ that we would not expect you to save our planet,/ but that we would have the resolve to nurture what you have lovingly created./  We pray to the Lord.

There was yet another high school shooting this week/ leaving four teenagers dead and seven injured./ May God forgive our gun idolatry./ May God console,/ bless,/ strengthen,/ heal and convert our nation/ weakened and demoralized by murderous violence./ We pray to the Lord.

fsd

Day 2 ~ Akathist of Thanksgiving ~ In the Advent Time

For an introduction to this thirteen part series, scroll back to the post of November 29. 

Kontakion 2

O Lord, how lovely it is to be your *guest. Breeze full of scents; mountains reaching to the skies; waters like boundless mirrors, reflecting the sun's golden rays and the *scudding clouds. All nature murmurs *mysteriously, breathing the depth of tenderness. Birds and beasts of the forest *bear the imprint of your love. Blessed are you, mother earth, in your fleeting loveliness, which wakens our yearning for happiness that will last for ever, in the land where, amid beauty that grows not old, the cry rings out: *Alleluia!

Ikos 2

You have brought me into life as into an enchanted paradise. We have seen the sky like a chalice of deepest blue, where in the azure heights *the birds are singing. We have listened to the soothing murmur of the forest and the melodious music of the streams. We have tasted fruit of fine flavor and the sweet-scented honey. *We can live very well on your earth. It is a pleasure to be your guest.

Glory to you for the *Feast Day of life

Glory to you for the perfume of lilies and roses

Glory to you for each different taste of berry and fruit

Glory to you for the sparkling silver of early morning dew

Glory to you for the joy of dawn's awakening

Glory to you for the new life each day brings

Glory to you, O God, from age to age. 

* "...to be your guest." As if God has personally invited us into his creation.

* "scudding clouds" - rushing clouds.

* "nature murmurs mysteriously" - for the Christian, God so close we may miss it.

* Nature bears the imprint of God's love. How then do we allow anything to go extinct?

* Alleluia! Sounds like a baby's babbling. We are speechless before God's wonders.

* "the birds are singing." But if we spray the insects into oblivion the birds will disappear.

* "we can live very well on your earth." Yes, but the 5 poorest counties in the United States;       are inhabited by the remnants of the continent's indigenous tribes — exploited and                 pushed to desperation. How does that happen in the country which claims to be the                 richest? 

*  "Feast Day of life." When I am awake I see that every day is a feast day.

Akathist of Thanksgiving ~ In the Advent Time

 

An Akathist is a standing prayer which comes to us as a gift of the Eastern Christian churches.  The most celebrated of the many Akathists is that in honor of the Mother of God. For some time I've been eager to share with us the Akathist of Thanksgiving: Glory to God For All Things. I see that between now and Christmas we can pray each of the thirteen parts which comprise the prayer. 

There are two parts to each section — the Kontakion and Ikos are short sermon like paragraphs, the Ikos followed by 8 poem like lines. Said to be the only word we know from the angel lexicon, Alleluia ends most of the Ikos prayers.  While I'll continue to post the Sunday Intercessions each Thursday, the Akathist parts will be posted 11/30, 12/5, 12/6, 12/7, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/19, 12/20/ 12/21, 12/22 and 12/13.  After each section I'll add a few thoughts (marked with an asterik *) which may help us to enter the prayer more deeply.

The Akathist of Thanksgiving was composed by Metropolitan Tryphon of Turkestan (+1934). The prayer was found in the papers of the Priest-Martyr Gregory Petroff who died in a concentration camp in 1942. Both priests understood suffering which makes the prayer's themes and insights all the more remarkable. Our day has its own suffering. May I suggest bringing that awareness to the prayer.

Kontakion 1

Everlasting King, your will for our salvation is full of power. Your right arm controls the whole course of human life. We give you thanks for all your mercies, seen and unseen. For eternal life, for the heavenly joys of the Kingdom which is to be. Grant mercy to us who sing your praise, both now and in the time to come. Glory to you, O God, from age to age.

Ikos 1

I was born a *weak, defenseless child, but your angel spread his wings over my cradle to defend me. From birth until now your love has illumined my path, and has wondrously guided me towards the light of eternity; from birth until now the generous gifts of your *providence have been marvelously showered  upon me. I give you thanks, with *all who have come to know you, who call upon your name.

Glory to you for *calling me into being

Glory to you showing me the beauty of the universe

Glory to you, spreading out before me heaven and earth

   *like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom

Glory to you for your eternity in this *fleeting world

Glory to you for your *mercies, seen and unseen

Glory to you through every *sigh of my sorrow

Glory to you for *every step of my life's journey

   for every moment of glory

Glory to you, O God from age to age.

* I am always God's child — not only when I am in my infancy.

* God's providence — God's open hands.

* "all who have come to know you" — the prayer is communal.

* "calling me into being" suggests God's naming me — it matters to God that I exist.

* "like the pages in a book" — nature is God's first book.

* "fleeting world" — beauty and joy are partial and last only a short time — might 

        God be beauty and joy which lasts forever?

*  God's mercies — God's kindness.

*  sighs and tears?

* "every step of life's journey" — some steps are setbacks, mistaken, 

        damage along the way.

Intercessions ~ First Advent

Christians and Jews both begin celebrations of light this weekend with the start of Advent and Hanukkah./ May God's light dispel the darkness from human hearts which harbor murder,/ rage,/ money-waste,/  greed and indifference./ We pray to the Lord. 

During a recent visit to Assisi,/ in speaking about the Coronavirus Pandemic,/ Pope Francis said,/ "A return to normalcy should not mean a return to the old social structures inspired by self-sufficiency,/ nationalism,/ protectionism,/ individualism and isolationism,/ excluding our poorer brothers and sisters."/ May we learn from his words./ We pray to the Lord.

We pray for those who are around us at Mass at the start of Advent./ For those who have abandoned the practice of Sunday worship/ some perhaps from among our own family and friends./ For those who cannot be with us at Mass because of sickness/ frailty or distracting suffering./ We pray to the Lord.

At the start of another liturgical year,/ we pray for the President of the United States and those who lead nations around the world./ May they choose a non-violent,/ non-aggressive path towards the future./ Give them gifts of wisdom and humility,/ able to make decisions for the good of all./ We pray to the Lord.

Summer fires destroyed millions of trees,/ even ancient trees,/ plants,/ endangered animals and needed insects./ Give human beings compassionate hearts that care for every living thing./ We pray to the Lord.

During the Advent time,/ preparing for the Birth of Christ,/ may we grow in the welcome and care of children,/ doing something practical to protect the littlest and most vulnerable./ We pray to the Lord.

 

You'll want to read this in the Advent Time

This statue (1520) is titled, Maria in der Hoffnung (Expectant Mary). It is found in the Liebieghaus Sculpture Museum, Frankfurt, Germany. It is Advent Mary. The Gospel reading at Mass on December 18th, begins:

The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit..." Matthew 1:18.

But while stumbling upon this beautifully preserved polychromed statue, I also came upon an online article I think many of us will be interested in reading. Click on the link and don't allow yourself to be discouraged, "Oh, this is too deep for me." If I can read and understand this article (some paragraphs I had to read twice), so can you. Read carefully, America!

"Pre-natal screening can lead to 'moral ugliness' of aborting disabled"

Intercessions ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent

 

With grateful hearts/ we pray blessings for the many people who worked to create the new Coronavirus vaccine/ and the many who are delivering it across the country./ We pray as well that the first world countries would not buy up all the available vaccine/ depriving the poorest parts of the world of life-saving medicine./ We pray to the Lord.

There is a serious food crisis in our country,/ with one in seven adults and one in six children experiencing food insecurity./ May we find the idea of a hungry child to be intolerable./ We pray to the Lord.

This past week marked the 8th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre/ in which 20 children and 8 adults died./ For the comforting of those whose mourning remains painful and deep./ May our nation have the mind of Christ./ We pray to the Lord.

There is a long list of countries where being a Christian can mean arrest,/ harassment,/  destruction,/ imprisonment,/ even death./ We pray for those who suffer for the name Christian./ May we take nothing for granted./ We pray to the Lord.

We pray for those who are away from loved ones at Christmas./ For those who are lonely,/ feeling insecure or afraid./ For those who will work in hospitals,/ nursing homes or hospices at Christmas./ We pray to the Lord.

We ask blessings for our new President and Vice President/ and all who were recently elected to public office./ May they be agents of reconciliation/ who promote the well being of all./ For the healing of our country burdened with resentment./ We pray to the Lord.

For those who have died since last Christmas,/ mindful that more than 300,000 persons have died in our country from Coronavirus this year./ We pray to the Lord.

Intercessions ~ Third Sunday of Advent

Francisco Zurbaran ~ St. Lucy ~ detail ~1625-1630

Sunday is the Advent feast of Saint Lucy,/ patron saint of those with eye disease./ We pray for those who are physically blind,/ or whose sight is impaired./ For ourselves and our nation,/ as our spiritual sight can be limited by arrogance,/ selfishness,/ or simply a preference to live in dark ignorance./ We pray to the Lord.

Nearly 300,000 Americans have died of coronavirus./ We pray for them and their sad relatives and friends./ We pray for those who still refuse to adhere to the simplest health recommendations./ For front line workers—doctors,/ nurses,/ orderlies and hospital cleaning crews./ For health care systems which are nearing the breaking point./ We pray to the Lord.

In Advent/ we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one we call Savior./ So we pray to be freed of all the false saviors we can adore:/ consumerism,/ partisanship and devotion to our candidates,/ religious fundamentalism,/ false patriotism,/ even secularism/ where we fail to pay attention to God in the decisions we make./ We pray to the Lord.

Even after Election Day,/ our divisions and discontent seem to persist and deepen./ We ask for gifts of healing./ May we learn to trust again./ We pray to the Lord.

May the newly elected,/ preparing to assume public office,/ be people of sound mind,/ good character and good faith./ May they set out to be servant-friends to the many Americans who are falling behind./ We pray to the Lord.

As the cold time descends,/ we pray for those who are out of work,/ who are threatened with evictions or foreclosures,/ who are food insecure,/ uninsured,/ feeling stressed and burdened./  We ask for a nation which helps people to feel safe and well./ We pray to the Lord.

Give gifts of life and light to the many who have died since last Christmas,/ those who have died of this pandemic,/ in wars,/ or the frequent disasters that have occurred this past year./ For the many around the world who are dying of loneliness and neglect./ We pray to the Lord.

Intercessions ~ Second Sunday of Advent

St. Nicholas ~ Patron of Children

2020 has been a year of disease,/ death./ and disappointment./ As that year draws to its close,/  may we hope for a new year of health,/ cooperation,/ truth,/ a return to decency, and goodness/ - a year of light./ We pray to the Lord.

On the Feast of St. Nicholas,/ the patron saint of children,/ we pray for the hungry children,/ the abused and trafficked children,/ the children of war zones,/ the children separated from parents,/ the pre-born children,/ the children of special needs,/ the children in our own lives. We pray to the Lord.

Monday is Pearl Harbor Day/ - that day which brought the United States into the Second World War./ A weaponized world seems to beg for war./ We pray boldly for a new world/ where growing food,/ educating and protecting children,/ healing disease/ and lifting up the poorest are our first priorities./ We pray to the Lord.

Chanukah,/  the Jewish feast of light,/ begins on Friday./ We pray for our Jewish friends and neighbors./ We ask for the conversion of hearts/ which rejects  anti-semitism/ and amy stereotyping of persons/ causing heartache and loss./ We pray to the Lord. 

An autumn flock of geese,/ assumes its classic V formation by instinct./ As the higher life form,/ may we consciously embrace the simplest practices/ which help to save lives during this coronavirus pandemic./ And let us pray again for the heroic doctors and nurses fighting  bravely to save lives./ We pray to the Lord. 

Many of the animals,/ the trees and other plants/ are resting now./ As the holiday time is here,/ may we be spiritually wise,/ and not lost to exhausted,/ frenzied living./ May we be attentive to those who are lonely and forgotten./ We pray to the Lord.