Anima Christi (Soul of Christ) - A Hymn Paraphrase

I've always been drawn to the Anima Christi prayer, included in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius (though not necessarily authored by him). There are a number of translations of the Latin, including this one from Finding God in All Things: A Marquette Prayer Book. While this translation is in the singular, some are plural. Here is a hymn paraphrase I've written for congregational singing, in Common Metre Double (CMD). Recommended tunes are Kingsfold and Forest Green. Feel free to use it, with attribution.

O Spirit of the living Christ, your holiness bestow,         

That through the bread we take and break, salvation we may know.

May your blood shed, the cup we drink, our souls inebriate;

And water from your wounded side our spirits recreate.

Your passion, Christ, will give us strength to bear the cross you bore;

And as we lift our prayers to you, O hear us, we implore.

Within your wounds may each one find a sacred dwelling place

That from you we may not depart, nor fail to see your face.

In all assaults of enemies, help us to persevere;

And when we see the face of death call us to you, Savior dear,

That with your saints and angels bright, in all their company,

Your praise shall be our joy and song throughout eternity.

The Way of Love: Learn

Learn: Reflect on Scripture each day, especially on Jesus’ life & teachings
As the Collect for Proper 28, the penultimate Sunday in the liturgical year, says, “[God] has caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning” and bids us to “read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” these scriptures (BCP p. 236). Because the gospels focus directly on Jesus’ life and teachings, why not start, or continue, with those? You might want simply want to read straight through, beginning with Matthew. Or perhaps you’d prefer to follow the Daily Office lectionary. This lectionary is in the back of the prayer book (we’re currently in Year 2), or online at http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/. So, that’s the content; but how do we “read” these sacred texts in a way that is prayerful and reflective, and that will draw us closer to Christ? One way is the ancient method of lectio divina (“sacred reading”). Slowly read through the text, and find a word, phrase, or idea in the passage that speaks to you; maybe it’s something you get “stuck on”. Meditate, think, pray, reflect on why it got your attention: what might God be saying to you as you focus on the life and ministry of our Lord? What questions does it open for you? What new ideas does it call out of you as you go deeper into relationship with Jesus? Of course, you need not always do this on your own. A study group can be helpful for support and shared understanding.

The Way of Love: Turn

The Way of Love

During his opening sermon at the recently concluded 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop, invited us all to take up Jesus' Way of Love by embracing and engaging in seven faith practices: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest. (What follows are brief reflections on these practices that I am sharing with my congregation. For more information on The Way of Love, including helpful resources, a video from Bishop Curry, and how to share your own experiences of these practices, click here.)

Turn: Pause, listen, & choose to follow Jesus

We hear a lot about turning, especially during the season of Advent. John the Baptizer appears in the wilderness, encouraging his hearers to repent and turn back to God in order to "prepare the way of the Lord". This kind of turning, or "re-turning" - that is, repentance - in Greek is called metanoia, which literally means "to be on the side of understanding". John baptized those who accepted that call. Candidates for baptism in The Episcopal Church are asked, "Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?" and "Will you persevere in resisting evil and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?" Clearly, turning is not a once-and-done action. We choose, again and again, to follow Jesus. So pause in the busyness of your day, and take some time to listen for that “still, small voice”. How is God’s Spirit moving you to follow Jesus?