Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: (Jeremiah 1:4)
LORD, let your word come to us as well.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
Holy Spirit, give us ears and hearts to hear and receive your word through the prophets.
Then said I: “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” (Jeremiah 1:6)
Jesus, please help all those who hear your word to speak it. Don’t let them be dismayed because of their youth or for any other condition.
But the LORD said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.” (Jeremiah 1:7)
Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.
“Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 1:8 )
Father, you have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Then the LORD put forth his hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.” (Jeremiah 1:9)
Jesus, put forth your hand and touch us as well.
“See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:10)
LORD, set your word over this nation and over the Episcopal Church to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.
Sunday: 8, 84; Genesis 18:16-33; Galatians 5:13-25; Mark 8:22-30
Monday: 64, 65; Genesis 19:1-17(18-23)24-29; Hebrews 11:1-12 John 6:27-40
Notes from the Front Line
***** Please pray for continued healing for Fr. Nigel Mumford.
***** Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010
From: Sister Mary Elizabeth, CSM
Subject: Welcome Home Initiative Intercessors Update — Saturday, January 30,
2010
To All Our Faithful Welcome Home Initiative Intercessors–
The Seventh Welcome Home Initiative came to a close last Wednesday with a well-filled chapel and applause for our latest WHI Warriors concluding their retreat. Fr. Nigel opened the Ceremony with prayer and gave the final blessing. Still on medical leave, his presence on the platform with Bishop Dave, Noel and Chaplain Olsen brought tears to many eyes, given his near-to-death condition at the time of the last WHI. We look forward to Fr. Nigel’s full return to ministry on future retreats.
The morning had begun with a Healing Prayer service which included the anointing of hands which had held weapons in battle and round-robin prayers for each man by all gathered around. An older veteran “sat in” for a younger combatant who had had to leave early for a medical appointment in Maryland, and all prayed for this courageous young man’s healing and blessing. When all had received prayer, we adjourned to the top of the hill and the service in Christ the King Chapel.
The homily was preached by Chaplain Eric Olsen of the New York State National Guard. He observed that the military today are masters of violence but are now able to pinpoint that violence with surgical precision. The soldier’s world is a black and white world. A good soldier must always remember that he is a child of God first and a soldier second. Without that perspective, reentry into the nuanced world of civilian life is impossible.
Chaplain Olsen recounted a firefight in Samarra, Iraq, he witnessed where a child was caught in cross fire. The family and neighbors of that child did nothing. Then one of his men ran out and swept the child to safety, risking his life. He asked the soldier later “Why did you do that?” and he replied, “I don’t know!” Chaplain Olsen believes that the American soldier responded in that way because he instinctively knew that he and that child were both children of God.
Today’s military is beset by suicide, violence and alcohol abuse. Chaplain Olsen suggested that for all the resiliency programs and “complete soldier packages” that the armed forces have come up with in answer, what the young Warriors need is simply to know who they are as children of God. “If you can’t see God’s hand at work in the world around you,” he said, “Trust in His heart.” That soldier in Samarra was God’s hands and reflected the goodness of God’s heart.
Once again I thank each of you for keeping the Welcome Home Initiative in prayer both in preparation for and through these three days. The next Welcome Home Initiatives will take place May 24-26 and November 8-9, 2010.
Sister Mary Elizabeth, CSM
For the Oratory of Christ the Healer at Christ the King Center in Greenwich, NY
Albany Intercessor
Lent & Beyond 