not only Jesus?

I try not to comment on what other people write. I try to limit myself to my reaction to a particular person’s views expressed in writing.

We need to widen our vision so that it is not only Jesus we focus on but the whole Trinity as that sublime communion of Persons at the core of all creation, holding all things in being (Acts 17:24-28; Hebrews 1:1–2). 

We must rediscover worship and proclaim God’s unfailing love

I am not a doctor of anything – theology or philosophy. I will not comment on the above. I will leave it here for others to comment (if they like) or simply for you to meditate on.

oh heart of Jesus

… my heart, where I am whatsoever I am

Augustine, Confessions 10.3.4

I have been reading a book about devotion to the sacred heart. A modern book with little of the kitch and sentimentally of books of an earlier era. Just to say that the devotion to the heart of Jesus pre-dates the Reformation.

The first chapters look at the image of the heart and quote the above from Augustine. And it got me thinking: if “I am whatsoever I am” in my heart, is that true for Jesus?

in case …

I have been producing a podcast for the Anglican Renewal Network Australia.

In case you feel like giving it a listen:

30 June – Day 5 – Anglican Renewal Network Australia

Rev Trish Stuart-Smith finishes the podcast for this year. Text: Holy Spirit and drawing us near.
  1. 30 June – Day 5
  2. 29 June – Day 4
  3. 28 June – Day 3
  4. 27 June – Day 2
  5. 26 June – Holy Spirit and drawing us near.

openly in secret?

Yesterday’s sermon was about the Inbetween Times. It made me think of the monastic/religious life – a choice/vocation to inhabit the in-between times with purpose. And that made me think of this quote by the “the charismatic evangelical” Archbishop of Canterbury:

Life in Religion is the ultimate wager on the existence of God. The church should always be engaged in doing things that make no sense if God does not exist.

Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

The above is written for the Anglican Religious Life Year Book so when it speaks of “life in religion” it is about monastic life. And the reason most forms of contemplative life are so unknowable to modern society is because it is the “ultimate wager” and “makes no sense” without God.

I have also been thinking that the absolute relationship to the absolute telos should be lived openly in secret. “Enclosed in plain sight”, for a modern anchorite. A complete commitment to Jesus who lives in my heart and I in his. But without the outward trappings of the monastic life – habit and a change of name.

Surrender to Jesus

Lord Jesus Christ,
I surrender today to you.

I give myself to you as a living sacrifice,
my soul and body,
my entire being.

I give to you all my thoughts, words and deeds,
all my sufferings and labours,
all my hopes and joys.
Above all, I give to you my heart
so that I may love only you
and be consumed in the fire of your love.

I place my trust in your infinite mercy.
I place within your hands all my cares and anxieties.
And I promise you my love and service.

Do with me what you will, my Jesus.
I desire only you.

Heart of Jesus, I surrender myself to you,
be my everything.