Jelly and Jam Prayer

In 1954 a young Trappist monk at St. Joseph's Abbey, Spencer, Massachusetts, made some mint jelly from the monastery's herb garden. The jelly sold well in the gift shop and marked the beginning of what has come to be known as Spencer Preserves - a collection of thirty different jellies, jams and preserves the monks create and sell to support themselves.

A dear friend stopped by Christmas night bringing a jar of Spencer Boysenberry Preserves which caused me to investigate the monastery website. Everything is an occasion for prayer:

For Apricot and Blackberry, 
for Blueberry and Boysenberry,
we thank you, Lord!

For Cherry and Grape,
for Cranberry and Plum,
for Elderberry and Ginger,
we thank you, Lord!

For Hot Pepper and Fig,
for Lemon and Mango,
for Pomegranate and Peach,
we thank you, Lord!

For Quince and Red Currant,
for Raspberry and Rhubarb,
for Orange and Strawberry,
we thank you, Lord!

Praise to you O God,
who fills the earth with every delight:
the trees and the animals,
the flowers and fruit,
the clouds and weather,
the children -
and all who do good for love's sake.
Amen.

Father Stephen Morris

Intercessions ~ Feast of the Lord's Epiphany

Ethiopian Epiphany Icon

At the start of January,/ we pray for those who celebrate birthdays,/ anniversaries and other days of remembrance./ We ask for them the blessings of good health,/ safety and peace./ We pray to the Lord.

As Mary offers hospitality to shepherds and Magi,/ we ask that our own homes would be places of welcome,/ friendship,/ rest and renewal./ We pray to the Lord.

In Western art,/ the Magi are depicted as different nationalities;/ in the east,/ different ages./ May our parishes actively include others,/ especially the ones who feel judged,/ dispensable,/ bothersome or unworthy./ We pray to the Lord.

For the President of the United States and world leaders in every place./ May they be balanced,/ moral people,/ and not given to self serving passions of dishonesty,/ greed,/ vanity and power-lust./ We pray to the Lord.

In the time of storms and winter weather,/ we ask for the safety of travelers./ We pray as well for the sick,/ the homeless,/ the unlucky ones who suffer deprivation and loss./And may we never be lacking in gratitude./ We pray to the Lord.

We see the Epiphany star which led the Magi to the newborn from heaven./ May we realize that each human person is covered with God's brightness,/ in a world darkened by hatred,/imbalance and death./ We pray to the Lord.

Finally,/ we pray for our families:/ Magi-like,/ may they find their way to what is loving,/ true and good./ We pray to the Lord.

January Night Prayer

Isn't this too wonderful: this wooden sculpture of the Holy Family has survived nearly six centuries! The colors still very much intact, it depicts the extra-biblical Miracle of the Palm Tree - Mary and Joseph taking their young Child into Egypt, ahead of Herod's menace. Along the way, the Holy Infant commanded the fig-laden palm tree to bend, not in homage to him, but so Joseph could find something for his tired wife to eat. Two angels appear to help with the holy harvest beyond Joseph's reach.

And I've added my own night prayer as the Christmas Octave comes to a close.

Praise to you,
O God, this night,
for gifts of
touching,
tasting,
sight;
and oh, 
the gift of hearing too.

Praise to you,
O God, this night,
for gifts of 
friendship, 
memory,
pet-delight;
and oh,
the gift of trusting too.

Praise to you,
O God, this night,
for gifts of 
wound-heal,
laughter,
rite,
and oh,
the gift of reading too.*

Praise to you,
O God, this night,
for gifts of 
Mozart,
carol,
Egypt-flight,
and oh,
the gift of Monk's Bread too.

*Everyday, when I see the large font of the lectionary or altar Missal, I remember gratefully my second grade teacher, Mrs. Slomiak, who taught me to read.