THURSDAY, February 11

Psalm 146. Hallelujah! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

There is a certain great altarpiece by El Greco that I love. I go to the art institute no longer to gaze at it, but rather to see what it does to people.

They come in bored or tired or simply casual. They look, and sometimes they are transformed. It is a glorious thing to see a human face transformed--even for a moment. Self is forgotten. Petulance, worry, vanity, pettiness--all wiped away, and instead, wonder and awe--something akin to worship.

Worship is the "direct, vital, joyous personal experience and practice of the presence of God," says Rufus Jones in The Inner Life.

No one who truly worships can remain ugly or dull or hopeless, for in that worshiping face is reflected the glory of God. You can worship alone. The beginnings of worship are best found in aloneness. But when you bring to church your discoveries of God's goodness and add them to the praises and adoration of the whole congregation, then worship rises to its height. We are like an orchestra making great music to the perfect goodness of God. Come with us and worship. (1941)

PRAY for the Diocese of Awka (Province of The Niger, Nigeria)

Ps [83] or 146, 147 * 85, 86; Genesis 27:30-45; Romans 12:9-21; John 8:21-32

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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Alone

Feb 11, 2010 at 6:49 am

Written by jeff campbell,

I often feel that I am alone...with my chronic fatigue and assorted auto-immune disorders...and that the only ones who truly understand are those similarly afflicted. Yet, when in communion with others my spirits are lifted, my thoughts turned away from illness and pain. My day begins with quiet worship and prayer alone, but if I have not found an opportunity to commune with others, the day ends in incomplete fashion. Aloneness is overrated. The spiritual energy that I must generate, if alone, often seems insurmountable. I seek to serve God's purpose whilst in this life. That purpose will expedited, enhanced exponentially, with the "orchestra" of fellow man...

...

Feb 11, 2010 at 7:28 am

Written by Almerick C. Cooke Jr.,

What a blessing!
This commentary is timeless, profound and uplifting.

Worship

Feb 11, 2010 at 8:21 am

Written by Nora,

I'm a chronic depressive and have trouble staying focused. I also grew up in an atmosphere that left me feeling guilty, selfish and angry for years. Since I became a member of a local Episcopal congregation, I've been healing and am very grateful for this healing. However, there are times when I feel confused and hesitant while trying to reach for God in prayer. Since I practice and enjoy yoga and meditation, before I pray alone, I find some time in a quiet place where I can "just be", where I can just quiet my thoughts and be aware of the silence. It helps me to focus this way. It is then that I can offer heartfelt prayers of thanks for not only the peace of the moment, but for all that I have. Since I want to learn to be honest in prayer, I'm glad God, the Source of all love and truth, knows my every thought. However, it's still wonderful to be at mass every Sunday and to greet my fellow parishoners. A person like me can learn so much from others who seek God.

gratitude

Feb 11, 2010 at 10:01 am

Written by Paulletta,

There is peace and a knowing that comes when you realize that God is always there.... that God listens to every prayer and that if you are patient and have faith, God will answer your prayer and that answer will and always is the best answer... and you are transformed and that transformation will work to change others..

...

Feb 11, 2010 at 10:33 pm

Written by Steve Doutt,

Amen...thank you all for blessing me today.

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