thejourneysmith

To tell you the truth, I was raised a Baptist and I spent the first twenty-five years of my life never hearing the word and when I did hear it for the first time, it was Greek to me. I even thought what a good way to keep people from going to church by using a name so foreign. I used to think Holy Communion sounded a lot better, but I learned “Communion” is but one facet, albeit important, of a worship experience.

Some thirty plus years later, Eucharist is a common word to me. I got used to it, but I still don’t use it a lot around people where the sacramental tradition is new to them. I use the word “Lord’s Supper” until they learn more.

Eucharist means “thanksgving” and it is holy because we come into the presence of God. “We” don’t make it holy. And, no matter how good the anthem is or the preaching, “holy” is all about God. It’s “eucharist” because we come to God’s house and give thanks to him and adore him. In turn, through the scripture we hear and by the Lord’s Supper we share, God gives thanks to us by providing and being present. In other words “eucharist” is a relational thing.

Holy Eucharist has two parts. The first part is the ‘Word’, meaning the scripture lesson, the psalm, and the sermon or homily. A homily is a “short” sermon/message. The second part is the Lord’s Supper or Communion.

Why Holy Eucharist is important is like asking why air is important. It is so the soul can breathe and grow. It is the soul’s food. Remove the food and dry up the soul.

So, it is a very important part of spiritual discipline to worship often. Why? I like to ask people if their parents lived near them but they never visited them, how would they feel? Well, imagine how God feels if you never go home, never pay him a visit, never have a “meal” with him.

Worship on the sabbath is repectful and honorable and speaks highly of one’s character. Plus, it ensures one of increasing spiritual vitality.

When I do not worship I don’t feel right, but when I do, I feel better and I am happier.

Let God bless you. Go to his home. Talk to him. Receive your blessing.

This is being spiritual.

“Rule of Life” comes from the Greek word “trellis”:
- a tool to help you grow upward and outward
- a framework or structure to help us pay attention to God and keep Him the center of our lives

Throughout history, people gathered together in communities around a “rule of life”.

This is the trellis or framework for the early church:
Acts 2:42-3:1

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

Here is an example of Peter and John practicing a “Rule of Life”:

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer — at three in the afternoon. Acts 3:1

Three anchors that keep us centered on God:

1. Saying your Daily Office: Some time each day for a devotion.
2. Sunday worship with other Christians.
3. Having a Rule of Life, which is the structure of your spiritual discipline.

The goal of a Rule of Life:
 To develop your relationship with God in order to love God and love others.

Here are a few pointers on “starting” personal devotions:

1. Decide on a time.
2. Decide on a place.
3. Decide on a time frame.
4. Decide on a general structure.
5. Choose a bible reading plan.
6. Plan to spend some time in prayer.
7. Commit to following your plan.
8. Adjust your plan as necessary.

Morning prayers are a wonderful way to start one’s day. When I think of God as my maker, I also remember God is many more things – like my Lord and Savior and my friend who will watch over me and ultimately help me into eternal life. So, when I get up in the mornings, I like to say, “Good morning, Lord! Thank you for giving me rest and this new day to enjoy and serve you, my friends, and those I will meet.”

Then, of course, the morning is also a good time for some quiet conversation with Jesus and after that some brief meditation on some quality Christian reading.

Now, here is another asset to a morning! What joy there is in praying with your spouse…and even your children before they start out to school or activities. Imagine children growing up to remember their parents prayed with them and for them. They will likely repeat that when they have their own families.

Finally, there is no better time to have morning prayers than to have them with your friends at church on Sunday morning.

Morning spirituality! What a blessing from God. It starts fresh each and every day.

On the back of my clergy calling cards, I have the following:

The Simple Path

The fruit of silence is Prayer.

The fruit of prayer is Faith.

The fruit of faith is Love.

The fruit of love is Service.

The fruit of service is Peace.

Have a good day!
Al Jenkins

Ignatian spirituality is a way to pray, an approach to making decisions, a point of view about God, and a practical guide to everyday life. 

Ignatian spirituality sees God as actively involved in the world and intimately involved with us in every moment and place. 

If you would like to explore this, please refer to http://ignatianspirituality.com/.

You will enjoy the journey!

Al Jenkins

If you are interested in a study of a Rule of Life, try the ministry of the Benedictine Community at the (Episcopal) Washington National Cathedral.  This is a PDF that is entitled “Creating a Rule of Life: The Community of Reconciliation.”

The emphasis in this rule is balance in one’s spiritual life using prayer, study, recreation, work, and hospitality.

The link is http://www.nationalcathedral.org/pdfs/cor_rule.pdf.

Al Jenkins