"Lord, Help Me!"

Until the Bishop begins posting new weekly meditations (Easter Sunday, 2010), we will be posting last year's meditations here on the blog.

Here's the video meditation for the second Sunday in Lent, 2009:

First Sunday in Lent's Video Meditation

Until the Bishop begins creating new videos, we will be posting last year's video for the week here.

The Bishop's Health

As Many folk already know, Bishop McMannes suffered a massive coronary on the feast of Saint Scholastica - February 10.

Spirited away "with angels on guard" to Flagstaff Medical Center and into the hands of Doctor Steven Peterson, Chief Surgeon & Director of Cardiovascular surgery at FMC, the Bishop has subsequently been let out of the hospital and is now in the midst of recuperation.

Until his return into our midst - which will be on Easter Sunday - only one Sunday service will take place each week: a 10 am Morning Prayer liturgy.

Also, no new video meditations will be done; however, last year's Videos will be posted both here and on the YouTube site.

In the meantime, keep praying for the Bishop’s recovery, and be sure to give thanks for the powerful healing ministry of Doctor Steven Peterson and hIs gifted team!

Miracles have always been a part of our history at Saint Luke's, and our Bishop's on-going healing is but the latest in a never-ending series of such events!

The Parable of the Sower

Here's the meditation for Sexagesima Sunday 2010

This will make you smile!

The Seed of Sanctity

This is last year's meditation video for Sexagesima Sunday, which is the liturgical designation for next Sunday, February 7. The new meditation will be posted Sunday morning.

Today's Saint (Feb 3): Blase, Bishop & Martyr

Saint Blase (4th Century) is known for the blessing of throats, among other things.

According to pious legend, while bishop of Sebaste in Armenia, Blase (a.k.a. Blasius or Blaise) was martyred under the Roman Emperor Licinius in the early 4th century.

He was possibly the son of wealthy Christian nobility. Before his martyrdom he lived in a cave and blessed sick and wounded animals, including cattle. Legend has it that a mother brought her son who was dying from choking on a fish or chicken bone, and Blase healed him. His intercessions are therefore sought by the sick, especially those with throat problems.

He died a terrible death, having his flesh torn with wool-combs, and is therefore also the patron saint of woolcombers. As we are comforted by God in the midst of the perils of this life, may we also comfort others who suffer. (The day's epistle from 2 Cor 1, page F 4, People's Anglican Missal)

The Day's Propers

Catholic Encyclopedia Article

Today's Feast (Feb 2): Presentaton of the BVM

This feast is also called the "Presentation of Christ in the Temple" and "Candlemas."

In accordance with Jewish law and forty days after the birth of Jesus, Mary went to the Temple of Jerusalem for her purification, the story of which is told in Luke 2:22-32.

While there, the aged Simeon took Jesus into his arms, and uttered what we now call the Nunc Dimittis - "Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace..."

The blessing of candles, which also occurs this day, recalls Simeon's declaration regarding Jesus, who is the "light to lighten the Gentiles, and... the glory of thy people Israel."

As the day's offertory puts it, as Jesus "was this day presented in the temple in the substance of flesh," may we also "be presented unto God with pure and clean hearts."(The day's offertory, page E 26, People's Anglican Missal)

Prayer book propers

Catholic Encyclopedia Article