Celtic reading

With an Eagle's Eye: A Seven-Day Sojourn in Celtic Spirituality by John Miriam Jones, S.C. (Ave Maria Press, July 1998)

The Music of What Happens: Celtic Spirituality - A View from the Inside by John J. Ó Ríordáin CSsR (Dublin: Columba, September 1996; Saint Mary's Press, December 1996)

How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe by Thomas Cahill (Nan A. Talese/Doubleday, February 1995)

The Wisdom of the Celtic Saints by Edward C. Sellner (Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 1993; revised and expanded edition, Bog Walk Press, February 2006)

The Celtic Way of Prayer: The Recovery of the Religious Imagination by Esther de Waal (Doubleday, August 1997)

Every Earthly Blessing: Rediscovering the Celtic Tradition by Esther De Waal (Morehouse, July 1999)

The Celtic Vision: Prayers, Blessings, Songs, and Invocations from the Gaelic Tradition edited by Esther De Waal (Saint Bede's, July 1990; revised edition, Liguori/Triumph, November 2001)

Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O'Donohue (Cliff Street Books/HarperCollins, October 1997)

Celtic Inheritance by Peter Berresford Elis (London: Constable, 1985; New York: Dorset, 1992)

Soulfaring: Celtic Pilgrimage Then and Now by Cintra Pemberton, O.S.H. (Morehouse, October 1999)

In Search of Sacred Places: Looking for Wisdom on Celtic Holy Islands by Daniel Taylor (Bog Walk Press, 2005)

Celtic Threads: Exploring the Wisdom of Our Heritage by Padraigín Clancy (Dublin: Veritas, 1999)

Celtic Christian Spirituality: An Anthology of Medieval and Modern Sources edited by Oliver Davies and Fiona Bowie (SPCK & Continuum, 1995)

Celtic Spirituality edited and translated and introduced by Oliver Davies ; with the collaboration of Thomas O'Loughlin (Paulist Press, 1995)

A Doorway in Time: Memoir of a Celtic Spiritual Journey by Herbert O'Driscoll (Harper & Row, San Francisco, 1985)

Man of Aran by Pat Mullen (E. P. Dutton, 1935; M.I.T. Press, 1970)

George MacLeod: Founder of the Iona Community by Ronald Ferguson (London: Collins, 1990; Glasgow: Wild Goose, April 2001)

Glendalough: A Celtic Pilgrimage by Michael Rodgers and Marcus Losack (Morehouse, February 1997)

I Will Arise and Go Now, memoir by Herbert O'Driscoll (Church Publishing, 2021)

Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality by J. Philip Newell (Paulist Press, January 1997)

David Adam, The Rhythm of Life: Celtic Daily Prayer (SPCK, 2007)

JRL+

monuments and memories

April 9th, 1865. The last major battle of the Civil War. Where was it fought? By whom? On that day on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, several brigades of Union soldiers overwhelmed the Confederate defenders of Fort Blakeley. Among the people who fought were over five thousand volunteers who had been slaves until January 1st 1863. Now free they choose to fight for the freedom of others. People they would never know. 

I wonder what they would have made of the early twentieth-century Americans who erected monuments to their opponents. And the early twenty-first century Americans who insist on holding on to those monuments as their legacy. When in actuality the efforts of those soldiers of African descent, and their comrades, have passed on to us something much more precious. What have we chosen to do with their legacy?

Although this, “the last major battle of the Civil War,” largely fought on the Union side by emancipated slaves, was concluded the same day Grant accepted Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, I do not recall a comparable commemorative stamp in the series printed from 2011 to 2015 nor one in Black History Month collections.

Recently The New Yorker has published articles on siblings sorting through memories of their mother, and a husband and wife sorting through their extraneous possessions, the latter in lieu of leaving the task to their heirs. Instead that couple chose to make an intentional and living legacy. Seems like a good model to emulate. 

But the orderly and thoughtful disposition of their worldly goods probably grew not out of a momentary decision - inspired by Marie Kondo and “The Swedish Art of Death Cleaning” - but a lifelong development of patterns of behavior.

Monks, it is said, practice coming to terms with their death, early in their vocational careers. Perhaps, it is further said, all of us should. 

My guess is that holding on to memories, or possessions, comes harder for some than others. This in part because possessions are tied to memories, and memories to emotions. It is hard to let go of either. And it is partly practice.

• Fort Blakeley, April 9th 1865 

The 2nd Brigade, including the 47th US Colored Troops, originally the 8th Louisiana regiment of volunteers of African descent, was commanded by Col. Hiram B. Scofield, a volunteer soldier himself, who originally enlisted with the 2nd Iowa. Here is a link to his report of the battle. (http://lestweforget.hamptonu.edu/page.cfm?uuid=9FEC3609-D984-38F8-26B056ECC48B3BAF) 

SOURCE: United States War Department. THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1880-1901.

“The Battle of Fort Blakeley was the largest Civil War battle fought in Alabama and one of the last of the entire war. Fought on April 9, 1865 after a siege of more than a week on the very day Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox, the battle resulted in a Union victory which paved the way for the capture of the city of Mobile by Federal forces. Approximately 20,000 men fought in the combined-forces affair, including one of the largest contingents of African-American troops assembled for any battle during the Civil War.” (https://www.blakeleypark.com/About-Us)(http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3718)

Report of Col. Hiram Scofield, 47th USCT

Report of Col. Hiram Scofield, Forty-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of Operations April 2-9

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., FIRST DIV., U. S. COLORED TROOPS

Blakely, Ala., April 11, 1865

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the part taken by my command in the siege and capture of Blakely, Ala.:

During the first two days of the siege, commencing upon the 2d instant, the brigade which I have the honor to command was, by the order of the general commanding the division, retained in reserve, and though subjected to a heavy artillery fire without the privilege of in any manner returning it, calmly and coolly labored in the construction of gabions and fascines to be used by our more fortunate comrades who were in the front. Upon the second day of the siege, April 3, 1865, officers and men received with pleasure the order to move to the front, taking the center of the division, relieving a regiment from each of the other two brigades. The Fiftieth and Fifty-first Regiments were placed in the trenches, the former on the right, the latter on the left, the Forty-seventh Regiment being held in reserve. The ground over which the advances were made was flat and wet and very unfavorable for the health and comfort of the men, confined as they were to the trenches; but stimulated by the love of country and pride of soldiers, neither labor, hunger, nor danger caused any murmurs. Heavy skirmish lines were pushed out and supported under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry. The men were compelled to fight with the musket at the same time that they labored with the spade, and in this manner the lines were advanced about 400 yards. Upon the seventh day of the siege the Fifty-first Regiment was placed in reserve and reluctantly yielded its place to the Forty-seventh Regiment. Not until the eighth and last day of the siege did the command receive the support of artillery, and then of only two light pieces, which, owing to what would seem a mistake of the engineer in the plan of the work to cover them, could not be used upon the enemy's guns in our front. Upon this last day of the siege our hearts were made glad by the report of the capture of the Spanish Fort, and each one seemed animated by a desire to emulate the example of our comrades in arms. The enemy's skirmish line yielded less stubbornly to-day and the artillery fire was not so heavy as formerly. This caused a general belief that the place was being evacuated, and fears were entertained and expressed that the prize was slipping through our fingers. About 4 p.m. the skirmish lines were almost simultaneously advanced around the whole line, and without, so far as I can learn, any orders; and as the enemy rallied, offering a more stubborn resistance, our skirmishers were strengthened, and such was the enthusiasm of the troops that had there been concert of action it is believed the place might then have been captured. As it was the rebels were driven within their works, from which they opened a withering fire of musketry and of grape and canister, temporarily checking the advance. The order was then given to intrench and hold the ground gained. The reserve regiment was then brought up to the advance line of intrenchments. about this time the order came to advance the skirmish line and feel of the enemy's force and position, stating that it was believed the place was being evacuated. This order had been already obeyed, disclosing the fact that the artillery, though before silent, had not been removed, and that there was at least a strong force of the enemy remaining. Just at this time other portions of the line advancing , permission was obtained to move forward and assault the enemy's works. The order was at once given to the Forty-seventh and Fiftieth Regiments to advance, supported by five companies of the Fifty-first Regiment, the balance of that regiment, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Buck, being retained in the advanced line of rifle-pits as a reserve. The command moved with a yell through the abatis and over torpedoes, several of which exploded, driving the rebels from their works and guns, and in conjunction with the regiments of the other brigades which entered the works almost simultaneously, captured a large number of prisoners. The day was won, and Blakely, with all its garrison and munitions of war, was ours. I cannot mention with more praise than they merit Col. Charles A. Gilchrist, commanding Fiftieth U. S. Colored Infantry; Col. A. Watson Webber, commanding Fifty-first U. S. Colored Infantry, and Lieut. Col. Fred. E. Peebles, commanding Forty-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry, who led their regiments in the thickest of the fight, vieing with each other, though in the most friendly manner, in deeds of noble daring. Instances must be very rare in which better officers than those named were supported by better officers and men. The spirit and enthusiasm of the troops could not be excelled. Men actually wept that they were placed in reserve and could not go with their comrades into the thickest of the fight. To the impetuosity and bravery of the charge may, I think, be attributed the comparatively small number of killed and wounded. The ground covered by the fire of the enemy's guns was soon passed over, and the enemy, intimidated by the determined bravery of the men, sought safety in flight. Quite a number of men were killed or wounded by the explosion of torpedoes, which were exploded by stepping upon them. One man, Private Josias Lewis, Company K, Forty-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry, was, while under my own observation, severely wounded, losing a leg by the explosion of one of these infernal machines while guarding prisoners to the rear after they had surrendered, claiming the rights of prisoners to the rear after they had surrendered, claiming the rights of prisoners of war. To the members of my staff -- First Lieut. T. Sumner Greene, Forty-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry, acting assistant adjutant-general; First Lieut. Silas L. Baltzell, Forty-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry, aide-de-camp; First Lieut. George W. Weeks, Fifty-first U. S. Colored Infantry, aide-de-camp; Second Lieut. Ebenezer Denney, Fiftieth U. S. Colored Infantry, picket officer -- great praise is due for the prompt and fearless manner in which they discharged their duties. Inclosed I send you the report of regimental commanders, together with a full list of casualties.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. SCOFIELD,
Col. Forty-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry, Comdg. Second Brigade.
Capt. SAMUEL B. FERGUSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General

---

SOURCE: United States War Department. THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1880-1901.

http://lestweforget.hamptonu.edu/page.cfm?uuid=9FEC3609-D984-38F8-26B056ECC48B3BAF

Our faith is our gift to God

There were palm fronds growing by the path and I cut them loose from the tree. When I was done with them, I discarded them in the waste ground behind the garden wall. There they lay. 

Was I in the crowd? Oh, yes, I am in the crowd. I’m always in the crowd. 

We are right, he is the Messiah, he is wonderful counselor, Almighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace and he is coming as promised. He arrives on an unridden colt and we cheer “hosanna save us” that’s what hosanna means, save us, save us, anointed one, expected one. 

The palm fronds lay behind the wall drying until the next spring when someone asked for dried palm fronds to reduce to ash. 

In Jerusalem, six years ago, early in the morning I felt I should get up and go and I walked through the town from the Gloria Hotel near the Jaffa Gate to the church, the church that has two names. One is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, there was almost no one there. A priest gathered a small group of people at the bottom of a stair and I asked him “I don’t know what I’m looking at; what should I look at?” He said, “Well, you want to go up the stairs, that’s Calvary, then you want to go over to that little building inside the building that is the chapel with the tomb.” 

Later that day, I went into the chapel and lay my forehead on the cool marble slab in the inner room with my eyes closed. It was dark, so dark I felt as if I were looking into a darkened face looking into mine. I felt nothing, I lost track of time. Then I heard a gasp of breath and I opened my eyes leaned away got up and went out. I walked out into the larger church which has another name, the Church of the Resurrection, but not yet not today, we are still at the tomb with our eyes closed waiting for the light to dawn. 

Between then and now we gather at a table and he is there and he says to us as he breaks the bread and passes it around. “This is my body broken for you, the true paschal lamb offers himself for us.” At the end of the meal he takes the cup, blesses it giving thanks to God and gives it to us and says, “This is my blood the blood of the new covenant. Remember this whenever you drink it and so we remember also the offering Abraham made of his own son.” 

And God reckoned that faith of Abraham unto him for righteousness, it wasn’t killing his son that saved him; it was his faith. So even today, as we without bread or wine in our hands offer our faith as our gift to God and it is through that faith that he redeems us, it is through his act in which we have faith that he has made us whole.

"Our faith is our gift to God." Keeping the Faith, Arizona Daily Star, April 4th 2021.

https://tucson.com/our-faith-is-our-gift-to-god/article_5f031639-f5e1-58c3-9291-cd4d498961d0.html 

Easter Day

Christ with Us

The Love of Christ

Surround us

The Light of Christ 

Lead us

The Peace of Christ

Fill us

The Power of Christ

Aid us

The Joy of Christ

Thrill us

The Presence of Christ

Be with us evermore.

David Adam, Tides and Seasons, SPCK, 1989, 76.

 

• Acts 10:34-43
• or Isaiah 25:6-9
• 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
• or Acts 10:34-43
• John 20:1-18
• or Mark 16:1-8
• Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Easter/BEasterPrin_RCL.html

cross roads

   

It is when I am not sure that I feel God the most, said my friend.

It is when the path is darkest that I’m sure the light is there.

It is when I let go that I receive.

It is when I stop guarding myself from God, when I start trusting God, when I step out in faith, into the night, that I find my way.

That I find – his way.

It is not really my way at all; it is his.

If you would follow me, you must deny your self – you must take up your cross and prepare to die with me; you must follow me beyond the grave to the resurrection.

But! You are the Messiah, the expected King. What is going on here? 

It is necessary…

Is it? 

Get behind me, Tempter! For your thoughts are not God’s thoughts nor your ways God’s way: if you try to preserve your self you will lose your self, if you lose your self, you will gain life.

It is when I am not sure that I feel God the most. 

It is when I let go and trust, 

when there is nothing to turn to, 

and no light on the way, 

that I know I am homeward bound.

There is a breath in the midst of the darkness, 

in the absence a pregnant pause:  he is listening; 

the world is listening, he is present.

It is when I find no purpose inside myself, 

and no hidden inner resource, 

that I am most thrown back upon God, who is faithful. 

When the promise is impossible, then it is kept.

When I no longer try to keep it to myself, I fully receive it.

I am most receptive to God’s leading, when I am least sure of my own.

When I am not sure where to go, what to do, where he wants me to go, what he wants me to do, it is then that I feel God the most.

It is when he is absent that I know he is here. 

It is when I give up my self, preserving my own life, my way, 

that I find my way, gain my life, and receive my self.

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”― Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude (1956)

 

Mark 8:31-38

JRL+

"Feeling God's presence in times of uncertainty," Keeping the Faith, Arizona Daily Star, March 28th 2021, E3.

Mark 8:31-38

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’

Maundy

Episcopalians are a peculiar branch of the Jesus movement. We follow Jesus, yes. He is the Word. 

We speak the Word, sing the Word, pray the Word, eat and drink the Word. 

Jesus is 'our meat and drink' - in him is the source of life, and to receive him is to be fed by the staff of life that is the Word.

He is the Word come into the world. And in him we find the ultimate self-revelation of God.

So what is peculiar about that? It infects our worship. We center on the table where we eat and drink. Everything that happens in the service leads up to that, from initial prayer and praise and proclamation, through confession and word of grace, to the celebration of the goodness of God in bread and wine.

The focus of our worship is obvious from the shape of our gatherings. Central - where all eyes follow - is the table and on it the cup and the plate, the bread and the wine, the elements of the Eucharist, that is, the Great Thanksgiving. On one side you may see the clergy and on the other the choir or servers. The people may look at them from time to time, when they are reading or leading prayers or singing or preaching. But all the time the eyes of all are turning to the prize - the holy Eucharist, God's presence among us - and we seek no distraction from that. Once we have each as many of us as can gone up and taken bread and wine, we go out, sent by a deacon's dismissal and a priest's blessing, to carry the Word into the world.

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearABC_RCL/HolyWk/MaundyTh_RCL.html

• Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14
• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
• John 13:1-17, 31b-35
• Psalm 116:1, 10-17