A Song For Holy Saturday

Note: Obviously this constitutes a bit of a diversion from Church Fatherly stuff but this is the prayer I find myself saying as we approach Holy Saturday and I just wanted to share it with all of you. It is Sinead O’ Connor’s song, “Something Beautiful.” It is such a beautiful song, especially for listening. You might look it up. Well, in fact here is a link for you! Simply click on “Music” when you arrive on the website. All the blessings of Christ’s resurrection for you–Meg

“Something Beautiful”

I wanna make
Something beautiful
For you and from you
To show you
To show you
I adore you
Oh you

And your journey
Toward me
Which I see
And I see
All you push through
Mad for you
And because of you

I couldn’t thank you in ten thousand years
If I cried ten thousand rivers of tears
Ah but you know the soul and you know what makes it gold
You who give life through blood

Oh I wanna make something
So lovely for you
‘Cus I promised that’s what I’d do for you
With the bible I stole
I know you forgave my soul
Because such was my need on a chronic Christmas Eve
And I think we’re agreed that it should have been free
And you sang to me

They dress the wounds of my poor people
As though they’re nothing
Saying “peace, peace”
When there’s no peace (2x)

Now can a bride forget her jewels?
Or a maid her ornaments?
Yet my people forgotten me
Days without number
Days without number
And in their want
Oh in their want
And in their want
Who’ll dress their wounds?
Who’ll dress their wounds?

Amen
Amen
and Amen.

A Meditation on Good Friday with Anselm

Scripture Extract: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

From Anselm:
But, O Lord, Thou that didst endure death that I might live, how shall I rejoice in my freedom, seeing it cometh but of the chains that bound Thee? how shall I take pleasure in my salvation, since it is wrought but by Thy sufferings? how shall I be glad of my life, which cometh only by Thy death? Shall I be glad of Thy sufferings and of their cruelty that did these things unto Thee? Or if I grieve for Thee, how shall I be glad of that for the sake whereof these things were done, and which would not be, had these things not been? But indeed their wickedness could have done nothing, except by Thy free sufferance, nor didst Thou suffer them except because in Thy goodness Thou didst will it so. And thus I ought to curse their cruelty, to imitate Thy death and sufferings by fellowship therein, by thanksgiving to show my love toward the kindness of Thy purpose concerning me, and so safely to rejoice in the good things which have been bestowed upon me by those means.
Therefore, thou poor silly man, leave their cruelty to the judgment of God, and consider what thou owest to Thy Saviour. Remember how it was with thee, and what was done for thee, and consider how worthy is He of thy love who did this for thee. Behold thy need and His goodness, and see what thanks thou shouldest render Him and how much thou owest unto His love. Thou wast in darkness, in a slippery place, in the way that goeth down into the pit of hell, whence is no returning; a huge weight as of lead hanging upon thy neck did drag thee downwards, thy back was bowed down by a burden thou wast not able to bear, invisible foes drove thee onward with all their might. Thus wast thou without all help and knewest it not, because in this state was I conceived and born. O how was it then with thee? Whither were they hurrying thee? think thereon and tremble, consider and be afraid. O good Lord Jesus Christ, when I was thus set in the midst of these dangers and knew it not nor sought for deliverance, Thou didst shine forth upon me like the sun, and show me in what state I stood. Thou didst cast away that leaden weight which dragged me downwards; Thou didst remove the heavy burden which bowed me to the earth; Thou didst drive away them that urged me forward and didst set Thy face against them in my behalf. Thou didst call me by a new name which Thou gavest me after Thine own name. I was bowed together, and Thou didst lift me up to look upon Thy face, saying, Trust in Me, I have redeemed thee, I have given My life for thee; if thou cleave to Me, thou shalt escape the evils which were about thee, and shalt not fall into the pit whither thou wast hastening; I will lead thee unto My kingdom, and make thee an heir of God and joint heir with Me. (Extracted from The Devotions of St. Anselm, Book IV: On the Redemption of Man. Simply check ccel.org)

Prayer:
Jesus, remember me.

Today Beside Augustine: I Am the Vine, You are the Branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, He it is that Bears Much Fruit, for Apart From Me You Can Do Nothing (John 15:5)

Chapter 13 [XII.]—Grace Causes Us to Do.

It is most properly said, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness,” ( 2 Cor. xii. 9) —in weakness, that is, not of the flesh only, as this man supposes, but both of the flesh and of the mind; because the mind, too, was, in comparison of that last stage of complete perfection, weak, and to it also was assigned, in order to check its elation, that messenger of Satan, the thorn in the flesh; although it was very strong, in contrast with the carnal or animal faculties, which as yet understand not the things of the Spirit of God. (1 Cor. ii. 14) Inasmuch, then, as strength is made perfect in weakness, whoever does not own himself to be weak, is not in the way to be perfected. This grace, however, by which strength is perfected in weakness, conducts all who are predestinated and called according to the divine purpose (Rom. viii. 28, 30) to the state of the highest perfection and glory. By such grace it is effected, not only that we discover what ought to be done, but also that we do what we have discovered,—not only that we believe what ought to be loved, but also that we love what we have believed. (Extracted from Anti-Pelagian Writings. See ccel.org)
Scripture Extract:
Psalm 120:16-21
For the LORD will build up Zion;
he will appear in his glory.
He will regard the prayer of the destitute,
and will not despise their prayer.
Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
so that a people yet unborn may praise the LORD:
that he looked down from his holy height,
from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,
to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to set free those who were doomed to die;
so that the name of the LORD may be declared in Zion,
and his praise in Jerusalem.
Prayer:
O that we could face all danger,
able to call down a miracle from heaven,
with calm certainty in your faithful protection,
keeping us unscathed from the laughter of Pharaoh.
Yet, may we risk believing in justice,
even when we cannot call down angel armies,
but find ourselves alone before Pharaoh’s throne,
daring to risk everything,
in the proclaiming of your realm.
May we risk believing in truth,
even when the world twists and abuses it,
but find ourselves unprotected before Pharaoh’s throne,
daring to risk everything,
in the confidence of your stand.
May we risk believing in love,
even when we can find no reason to do so,
but find ourselves fragile before Pharaoh’s throne,
daring to risk everything,
in the chance of the cross being right.
May we risk believing in you,
even when the world laughs at our foolishness,
but find ourselves naked before Pharaoh’s throne,
daring to risk everything,
because you have risked everything for us.
Through Jesus Christ apart from whom we can do nothing. Amen. (Prayer taken from the website of the Church of Scotland, under its Worship on the Web pages, under its Pray Now section, prayer for day #6. See http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/index.htm)