Spirit of the Eagle – August 2020
Spirit of the Eagle
St. John the Evangelist ACC
Spiritual Tidbits & Rector’s Reflections for
August 2020 from Father Tim
The month of August has quickly arrived. It is hot, dry, and this covid-19 virus still drags on disrupting the world. No big day on the secular calendar unless you happen to celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day on the 22nd. Thankfully the Church Ordo Kalendar has some very holy days in August. This month brings us to the Transfiguration of Christ (6th), the Assumption, B.V.M. (15th), and the feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle and Martyr (24th). Currently our nation, and the world, remains caught up in the uneasiness and anxiety of the coronavirus, thus it is beneficial for us to meditate upon the feast of the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration of our Lord is one of the major feasts of the Eastern Churches, its institution ancient, probably fourth century at least. It appeared somewhat in the West after the ninth century but was not officially adopted until 1457 by Pope Callistus III in thanksgiving for a victory of Western armies over the Turkish forces at Belgrade. Strangely, the English Reformers of the 15th century omitted the Transfiguration, most likely because it was of recent papal institution in the Western Church (and the Papal office wasn’t exactly popular in England during that time). It did eventually rise to a minor feast status in England, listed among the Black Letter days in Queen Elizabeth’s ‘New Calendar’ issued in 1561. Centuries passed and in 1892 it was our American Church that restored the Transfiguration as a Red Letter (major feast) day. The beautiful Collect reads: O God, who on the mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thine only-begotten Son wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening; Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may be permitted to behold the King in his beauty, who with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen. Notice the word ‘disquietude’ which defined means uneasiness or anxiety. The Rev. Dr. William Reed Huntington wrote this collect, appropriately enough, at the summit of Mt. Sargent on Mt. Desert Island, Maine. Pray we are all soon delivered from the disquietude of a virus we cannot see and, one day, standing at the summit of time, behold our King in everlasting glory. ~ Father Tim
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Is there someone in your life who is struggling with anxiety? Do they feel depressed or despair? August is the month of Transfiguration. It is a perfect time to speak with a lost soul about the great mystery of this sublime experience of our Lord Jesus Christ, invite them to attend Saint John’s with you, and kneel at His altar in real humility and faith. This August could bring a transformation of someone you cherish. ~ Father Tim
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A man who governs his passions is master of his world. We must either command them or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil. ~ St. Dominic, Confessor, feast day 4th of August
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Bible Study & Spirituality Class
There will be no class in August. However, since we are in the midst of anxious times, I would suggest reading the Old Testament story of Jehoshaphat, II Chronicles 19 and 20 on your own. Observe the crisis of Jehoshaphat and how hard he prayed. Notice how he refused to let anxiety control his thoughts. Witness his remembrance that God is always in control and promises help in every difficulty, and even in the worst of times observe Jehoshaphat’s belief that there is always something to be thankful for. The study of God’s word is central to the life and mission of our parish church of St. John the Evangelist. The Holy Scriptures and continued exposure to God’s word will change your life. ~ Father Tim
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Jerusalem the golden, With milk and honey blessed,Beneath thy contemplation Sink heart and voice oppressed. I know not, O I know not What joys await us there, What radiancy of glory, What light beyond compare. ~ Bl. John Mason Neal, Confessor, Anglican priest, scholar, and hymn writer, feast day 8th of August
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St. John August Ordo Kalendar
Sunday, the 2nd of August at 10:30 AM, Trinity VIII
Wednesday, the 5th of August at 5:45 PM, Evening Prayer
Sunday, the 9th of August at 10:30 AM, Trinity IX
Wednesday, the 12th of August at 4:30 PM, Vestry Meeting
Wednesday, the 12th of August at 5:45 PM, Evening Prayer
Sunday, the 16th of August at 10:30 AM, Trinity X
Wednesday, the 19th of August at 5:45 PM, Evening Prayer
Sunday, the 23rd of August at 10:30 AM, Trinity XI
Wednesday, the 26th of August at 5:45 PM, Evening Prayer
Sunday, the 30th of August at 10:30 AM, Trinity XII
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We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become. If we love things, we become a thing. If we love nothing, we become nothing. Imitation is not a literal mimicking of Christ, rather it means becoming the image of the beloved, an image disclosed through transformation. This means we are to become vessels of God’s compassionate love for others. ~ St. Clare, Virgin, feast day the 12th day of August
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August Birthdays & Anniversaries
Andrew and Britt Masters – Anniversary – August 8
Janet Butler – Birthday – August 28
Savannah Barkdoll – Birthday – August 29
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There is no danger if our prayer is without words or reflection because the good success of prayer depends neither on words nor on study. It depends upon the simple raising of our minds to God, and the more simple and stripped of feeling it is, the surer it is. ~ St. Jane Frances deChantal, Widow, feast day the 21st of August
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In order to avoid contention, never contradict anyone, except in case of sin or some danger to a neighbor; and when necessary to contradict others, and to oppose your opinion to theirs, do it with so much mildness and tact, as not to appear to do violence to their mind, for nothing is ever gained by taking up things with excessive warmth and hastiness. ~ St. Louis IX, King and Confessor, feast day the 25th of August
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The seeking of Jesus Christ, and the quest for chivalry combined, lead directly to one place only: Anglican-Catholicism. Courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help and defend the weak and the poor. Welcome to the Anglican Catholic Church. ~ Father Timothy Butler
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Would you like:
To live in a country where there are no churches?
To see all priests, teachers, missionaries, workers for righteousness go on strike?
To see all churches close their doors on Sunday?
To see the kingdom of God grind to a halt because churches ran out of money?
To see the blessings of God withdrawn from your country?
Then take stock:
Am I doing my part to keep events like these from happening?
Do I ride free on the sacrifices of others?
Does Christianity show in my daily life?
Does the Chrisitian faith mean getting or giving to me?
I am your church. I am here because you built me. I am beautifully situated in your midst. In the center of your neighborhood I will be a cherished landmark to the people who will come to my doors in the coming years. You built me, remember, because you know your life is incomplete without me.
I am your church. But I am not here simply to adorn. I am here to serve. Your children, grand-children, nieces and nephews, come to me to be taught the ways of the Lord. Your brides and grooms come to my altar so their marriages will be sanctified by divine blessings.
I am your church. I comfort your sick and sorrowing. I bury your dead and offer rest to the weary. Pardon and peace are my messages to the sin-burdened soul. My message of mercy brings new life. To your aged I give courage and security. I cause their children to call them blessed.
I am your church. My doors are open to all — rich and poor, bond or free. My pulpit rings out the message of good will to men, of peace and pardon and a Saviour’s love to all. I teach you the way of life and guide you on the road to heaven.
I am your church. Come and worship and support me, and I will serve you all your days.
~ St. John the Evangelist ACC, Dayton, KY