Several years ago, our church offered a special Lenten series on the Penitential Psalms. Since that time, studying and reflecting on these Psalms has become a personal devotion for me during Lent. Each year I am always struck by the 32nd Psalm and how it brings to my mind the 17th Century poet and Anglican Priest George Herbert (1593 – 1633).
The 32nd Psalm is believed to be a follow-up to the 51st Psalm, David’s confession of his adultery with Bathsheba among other awful misdeeds. If true, Psalm 32 celebrates the relief David feels after experiencing the forgiveness of God. It is a penitential Psalm but yet the theme is one of joy. We are shown how far we are willing to separate ourselves from God in a vain attempt to hide our sins. How we vainly try to hide away ourselves from God’s Love. But if we just accept God’s gift of Confession and Absolution, we can be forever in His embrace and protection.
Which brings me to George Herbert. Born into an aristocratic, literary family, Herbert excelled at music and studied at Cambridge, eventually rising to the position there of public orator, which brought him in contact with many of the most important figures of his day, including King James I, and a stint in Parliament. But what is fascinating about him to me is that Herbert spent his later years as a country priest, serving the small parish of Bemerton and far from the worldliness of London Court society. T.S. Eliot wrote of him “it was most unusual that a man of George Herbert’s social position should take orders and be content to devote himself to the spiritual and material needs of a small parish of humble folk in a rural village.” It was in this setting that he compiled his poetry project entitled “The Temple.” It has been argued that The Temple was Rev. Herbert’s attempt to come to terms with malingering, worldly desires. As if his abandonment of London was his attempt to redeem himself from behaviors he otherwise could not resist (see David and Bathsheba). The Psalms were a particular source of inspiration and introspection to Herbert, and not to my surprise Psalm 32 was of particular interest to him. One of the most famous poems from The Temple was “Love (III).” The three Love poems explored the three classical expressions of love (eros, filios & agape), with Love (III) grappling with God’s Love and our sinful natures. Much like a penitential Psalm, Love (III) is often considered as Lenten verse. I was first exposed to Love (III) about 20 years ago when singing American composer David Hurd’s anthem setting of it. It has always inspired me at his time of the Liturgical year.
As if reading Love (III) for the very first time I was stunned to see such thematic similarities with Psalms 51 & 32. In Love (III), the protagonist encounters God’s Love and recoils in a fit of unworthiness. Yet the infinite grace, mercy and hospitality of God’s Love wins over the wretched sinner, who then partakes in all the gifts offered, with surrender and submission into the arms of a loving Creator and Lord. The concluding stanza offers a sense of relief and joy to the troubled soul who once thought his sinfulness unworthy of God’s forgiveness and love. This is a parallel of David’s experience. Psalm 32 ends in joy as David celebrates his revelation that no matter the depravity, God is there to forgive and love us if we only accept his invitation. We are not told of the specifics of the “dust and sin” our poem’s protagonist, but we can glean clues from the life of George Herbert. And we can hope that Rev. Herbert found the same peace and joy at the end of his relatively short life as David did at the end of Psalm 32.
We too have the opportunity to experience this transformation from turning away from God, trapped in our sinful desires, to hearing God’s call and finding ourselves worthy of His forgiveness through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. In Lent we can do this by experiencing the sacramental fullness of the Church. By participating fully during Passiontide (Passion Sunday, Stations of the Cross, Palm Sunday and Holy Week), we can discern through Jesus’s witness, that no sin or guilt of ours can NOT be overcome by the Light of Christ and Love of God. With this in our minds, I invite you to “sit and eat” at our Eucharistic Feast.
Inquirers’ Class – Preparing for the Bishop’s Visit -- with Fr. Chris
Bishop Johnson is scheduled to visit the Parish on Sunday, June 14 this year, and as part of that visit he will offer the rites of Confirmation and Reception. In preparation, I will be offering an Inquirers’ Class during the weeks leading up to the Bishop's visit.
This class is designed to introduce and explore the life, faith, and practice of the Anglican tradition using Archbishop Haverland's primer, Anglican Catholic Faith and Practice. Together we will look at the foundations of the Christian faith, the meaning of the sacraments, the structure of the Church, and the distinctive spirituality of Anglican worship shaped by the Book of Common Prayer. It is also an opportunity to ask questions, reflect on one’s own faith journey, and grow in understanding of what it means to live the Christian life within our Church.
While the class will prepare those who wish to be confirmed and received into the Anglican Catholic Church, anyone who would simply like to learn more about Anglican faith and practice is warmly encouraged to attend. Whether you are new to the parish, exploring Anglicanism for the first time, or have been attending for years and would like a deeper understanding of the Church’s life and teaching, this class is for you.
More details about the schedule and how to sign up will be announced soon. We hope you will consider joining me as we learn, pray, and grow together in the life of the Church.
SERVICES & EVENTS
Every Friday during Lent, 7:00 PM Stations of the Cross and Lenten Suppers (but not Good Friday). If you can provide a soup and bread supper on one of these Friday evenings, please so indicate on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the undercroft.
This Saturday, March 21, 8:30 AM, Men's Breakfast, undercroft, breakfast cooked by our own Breakfast Chef Extraordinaire Claude Crump (hopefully grits by Fr. Roddy) and Bible study with Fr. Bragg. Men of the parish, if you haven't attended recently you're missing a great breakfast, great fellowship and even a greater Bible study. Please also invite male family, friends, and neighbors.
Sunday, 9:00 AM & 11:15 AM, Holy Communion, for online participation go to https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland
Monday, 7:30 PM, undercroft, Discussion on the Saints, with Fr. Bragg, all are invited even if you have not been to prior discussions. For online participation go to https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland
Monday, March 23, 7:30 PM, Vestry meeting, all parishioners are welcome
MaRiH Crisis Pregnancy Center: Just Updated Critical Needs & Other Needs Thank you for your help. Instead of presenting the whole list of needs, we are emphasizing the critical needs that MaRiH Center has and listing some other needs. The critical needs list below has just been updated: Diapers, sizes 5 and 6 Spring/Simmer clothing (Boys & Girls), size 0-3 months, size 2T Wipes Baby Blankets Baby formula: Similac Advance Formula Bibs: toddler Lovies, rattles, teethers Other needs: Diapers, newborn, 1, 2, 3, 4 Spring/Summer Clothing, 3-6 month, 9-12 month, 18-24 month, Bibs, infant Winter Coats, all baby sizes Maternity clothes Wash cloths Diaper rash ointment There are two options for helping the Center with these needs!
Option 1 Amazon has all the specific items needed. You can order the specific item(s) and have them delivered directly to the Center.
The MaRiH Center 3230B Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314-4521 703-370-4774
Option 2 Go to your local store, purchase the items requested and drop them off at church on Sunday. We will deliver them to the MaRIH Center.
Food Bank Needs
With the latest crazy weather the food bank has more folks who need food. Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Those we help feed are very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar). Also lower sodium products are better and more healthy.
Current needs include the following: canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam) peanut butter jelly tuna canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium) individual fruit cups (low sugar) canned fruit (low sugar) canola or vegetable oil (48 oz) boxed cereal (low sugar) and instant or old fashioned oatmeal (18 oz or 42 oz) pasta (regular and gluten-free): instant potatoes single serving fruit juice macaroni & cheese soups: Chunky or Progresso,noodle soup; chicken broth, cream of mushroom coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar
