Bishop Eric Menees
One of the disciplines that I maintain is that of Morning
and Evening Prayer. The daily rhythm of praying the Psalms, reading holy
scripture in a systematic way, confessing my faith, praying the collects, and
time for personal intercessions, has been a bedrock for me and my family during
good times and bad.
Following the decision of the California State Supreme Court
not to hear our case, I’ve been working hard on the transition - submitting to
the authority of the court, working with TEC, and seeking to support our clergy
and lay leaders across the diocese.
In this season, one prayer has continued to grace my lips
and be a balm to my soul. It comes from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, though
it may very well predate that edition of the BCP:
“ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good
and perfect gift; Send down upon our Bishops, and other Clergy, and upon the
Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace;
and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy
blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator,
Jesus Christ. Amen.”
This prayer recognizes the supremacy of God as being the
source of everything that is good – spiritual and temporal. Even in the midst of
these difficult times we need to give thanks to God for the good gifts that he
pours upon us.
This prayer asks God’s blessing upon clergy &
congregations through the “...healthful Spirit of thy grace,” without which we
cannot honor and bless God. In these difficult times, we need to especially
seek ways to honor God and demonstrate to a fallen world the joy we find in
Christ.
I bid you all to join me in this daily prayer that God will
open our eyes to His blessings and use us as His instruments!
Catechism Questions:
327-328
327.
How did Jesus suffer from false witness?
The Sanhedrin, desiring Jesus’
execution, hired witnesses to lie about him. (Psalm 109:1-3; Mark 14:53-58)
328.
How does Jesus bear true witness?
Jesus always speaks the truth about
himself and me, and bears witness before God and Satan that I belong to him.
(John 17:6-8; 18:19-24)
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