Catherine Lee

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Taiwan Episcopal Church, Diocese of Taiwan

Advent Word 2017, Day 17 ‘open’

December 19, 2017 Catherine Lee Leave a comment

#AdventWord #open

‘Being OPEN is a gift we must receive each day from the God who opens up even the grave. Be OPEN to what has been. Be OPEN to what will be. OPEN me, God.’

Visit to the Taiwan Episcopal Church 台灣聖公會 of Bishop John A. Pinckney from Taiwan’s Companion Diocese, the Episcopal Diocese of Upper S. Carolina (EDUSC), October 1965.

A very smiling Rev. Chia Meng-Chiu 賈夢九牧師 outside 台灣聖公會岡山諸聖堂 All Saints Episcopal Church, Gangshan, Kaohsiung

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#AdventWord #Ancestor #先人向前看，帶著喜悅的心向前看。在充滿暴風的時代，在基督裡尋找你們生命之樹的根。永遠紮根於上帝永不止息愛的翠綠土壤中。汲取那些所有曾經並在這一刻滋養我們，並應允我們隨救贖而來所開展的恩典。 Look ahead, look ahead with joy. In the stormy winds of time, find your roots in Christ our tree of life; eternally held in the verdant soil of God’s unending Love, drawing in all that ever was, nurturing us in this moment, and promising the outstretched grace of our salvation. When Aidan established the first monastery on the #HolyIsland of #Lindisfarne in 635, he started with 12 monks, who would go on to travel extensively throughout England preaching and teaching. Most famous are St. Chad, St. Cedd, and St. Wilfrid. Aidan, and his successor, Cuthbert did similar work in N.England and S. Scotland. Cuthbert was regarded by many as a saint. In 875, violent attacks by marauding Vikings forced the monks of Lindisfarne to flee, taking Cuthbert’s body (which, on opening up his coffin was discovered to be uncorrupted) with them. They found refuge in Chester-le-Street, and in 995 finally settled in Durham, where Cuthbert’s shrine became part of what is now Durham Cathedral. This sculpture, in St. Mary’s Church, Holy Island, titled ‘The Journey’ by Fenwick Lawson, shows 6 monks carrying Cuthbert’s body, as they flee Holy Island. He writes, ‘The Lindisfarne community, with the uncorrupted body of Cuthbert, their saint, founded Durham as refugees. With this significance in mind, and some nerve, considering ‘The Burghers of Calais’ by Auguste Rodin, I saw this epic journey as a great theme for a sculpture: a journey of faith, a journey of hope, and a journey of love for fellow man; a brotherhood forged by the necessity of co-operative effort.’ These early saints are our spiritual ancestors in the Christian faith. Though their roots were in Holy Island, in fact their roots stretched down much deeper, into Christ himself as the tree of life. Many faced the ‘stormy winds of time’ and were forced to flee. Persecution forced Joseph, Mary and the Christ child to flee too. We treasure our history, our holy places and our traditions, but our faith is a journey, and we are challenged to look ahead. Look ahead with joy!

#AdventWord #Sing #歌唱當我們朝著管理人走去，我們帶著愉悅歌唱著。歌曲雖古老，由天上的主人歌頌著並由牧羊人重複唱著，當他們千里跋涉去會見基督孩兒。榮耀歸給至高神。喔，讓我們敬拜祂。歌曲乘載著歷年信徒的希望。那是期待與期望之歌，也是歡樂與驚喜之歌。有時候只要打開我們的心和口來歌頌，就可以回應這福音以及這節慶的喜悅。唱出聖誕歌曲的希望以及因愛而生的英勇事蹟的感恩，上帝自己的兒子所帶來的禮物。 As we move toward the manger, we sing with great gladness. The song is ancient, sung by the heavenly host and repeated by the shepherds as they traveled to see the Christ child. Glory to God in the highest. O come let us adore Him. The song carries the weight of the hope of believers through the ages. It is a song of expectation, of anticipation, of joy and wonder. Sometimes our only response to the good news and great joy of this season is to open our hearts and our lips and sing. Sing the carol of hope and thanksgiving for a heroic act of love, God’s gift of God’s own son. Looking at the ruins of #HolyIsland’s Benedictine Priory (1120-1537), it is not impossible to imagine the monks going about their daily lives. There would have been a routine of worship, work and rest, and much of their daily lives may have been lived in silence. But not all. Singing has been part of Christian liturgy since early times, and Gregorian chant may well have been part of the style of worship. Very evocative, the song is ancient indeed. Let us add our voices to that song this Christmas as we sing, Glory to God in the highest, O come let us adore Him.

#AdventWord #Rejoice #喜樂常常以神喜樂!我要再說—喜樂!甚麼?當國家在爭戰或瀕臨戰爭時，要喜樂?當天然災害毀壞家園，森林和都市時，要喜樂?當政治衍生懼怕和令人質疑的真實時，要喜樂?是的，要喜樂。當我們擁有生命，希望和愛時，要喜樂。當我們可以說話，投票，擁抱，原諒，微笑，抗議，和產生改變時，要喜樂。因為在神一切都是可能的，所以要喜樂。我們可以分享復臨節的訊息，所以要喜樂—愛就在路上。 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say–Rejoice! WHAT?????? Rejoice when nations are at war or on the brink of war? Rejoice when natural disasters destroy homes and forests and cities? Rejoice when politics breeds fear and truth is questioned? Yes–Rejoice! Rejoice that we have LIFE and HOPE and LOVE. Rejoice that we can speak and vote and embrace and forgive and protest and make change. Rejoice that with God all things are possible. Rejoice that we can share the message of Advent–Love is on the way! One of the amazing #HolyIsland sights to see at dusk in late autumn is starling murmurations, as huge flocks of thousands fly together in a swirling, twirling, whirling mass before they settle down to roost for the night. One of the sights to see during the day is smaller flocks of starlings disturbed from a bush on approach – there’s a huge explosion of noise and a massive rush of air as they all take off together, taking the onlooker totally by surprise. Those bushes are often hawthorn, and at this time of year are covered in red berries – haws, delicious food for starlings. Many of these starlings have migrated from Scandinavia to Holy Island for the winter, looking for food and a milder climate. Imagine their delight when they come upon hawthorn trees like these, covered from top to bottom in juicy red berries. It’s like nature has put up a big ‘Welcome to Holy Island’ sign for migrating starlings. Rejoicing starlings indeed. ‘Rejoice that we have LIFE and HOPE and LOVE’. And may we be as willing to share that life, hope and love with those who migrate into our lives, our communities and our countries this Christmas time and beyond.

#AdventWord #Prepare #預備在我還是個年幼的納瓦伙族印第安男孩長大的過程中，我還記得年長者跟我們談論人生的道路，我們該走的路以及我們必須預備自己的人生旅程。我們需要預備一個可以向右轉或向左轉的道路，儘管那條路可能很難走。但我們走的道路是上帝命定的旅程，有了上帝的幫助，我們可以為前方做好準備。因著復臨節的到來，我們被要求要讓道路變筆直，為上帝開闢道路，引導我們走人生的道路，這樣我們就可以認識基督。 As a young Navajo boy growing up, I remember the elders talking to us about following our road of life, our path, and how we must prepare ourselves for the journey. We need to prepare for a path that can veer to the left or right, and that even can be hard to walk. But the journey we are on is God’s journey and with God’s help, we are prepared for all that lies ahead. This Advent we are asked to make the path straight, to make a way for God to guide us down the path of life and we may come to know Christ. The causeway leading to the #HolyIsland of #Lindisfarne, on a rising tide. Tide tables and weather forecasts need to be consulted before crossing, because the road is covered by the sea for 6 hours twice a day. Road signs warn of the dangers ahead. The wooden structure on the left is a refuge shelter for stranded travelers, who find they need to abandon their cars (and maybe their egos too) to the rising waters. Otherwise, the only way out is by calling the coastguard. But rest assured, 650,000 people visit the island safely every year. Just go prepared.

#AdventWord #Prune #修剪先知瑪拉基談到上帝的信差是一位「淨化」人的使者，就像是「煉金之人的火」或是「漂布之人的鹼」使他們成為「使上帝愉悅的」人。這位先知的目的在說明，上帝會用力擦淨並精煉人性，因為上帝的統治要造就他的再來。威廉．坦普談到上帝看起來似乎很嚴酷地希望要修剪那些不令人愉悅的，這一切都是因為「愛的緣故。」這份愛「不是濫情地給我們一切想要的；它是一種熱情的渴望要讓我們長成祂的樣子。」 ..................... The prophet Malachi speaks of God’s messenger as one who will “purify” the people, like “a refiner’s fire” or “fuller’s soap,” to make them “pleasing to the Lord.” The prophet’s point is that God has a lot of scrubbing and refining of human nature to do as God’s reign makes its advent. William Temple speaks of God’s seemingly harsh desire to prune away that which is not pleasing as done purely for “very love’s sake.” This love is “not a sentimental readiness to give us what we want; it is a passionate yearning to raise us to its own likeness.” ............... #Roses in front of Cambridge House #HolyIsland. Late autumn is not a good time for roses, they’re overgrown and straggly. They’re coming to the end of their flowering season, though everyone seems to wait until early spring for pruning rosebushes. At this time of year, they’re not at their best, but still providing beautiful splashes of colour in the garden. The rose garden is a metaphor for life. Making our lives “pleasing to the Lord” is what we’re called to do afresh this Advent.

#AdventWord #Smooth #平坦我們想像施洗約翰有一天能夠讓所有創造物享有平等。使道路平坦能讓所有人有機會接觸上帝所賜予的解放生活，這需要移除阻礙我們通往恩典路上的所有障礙物。我們在面對世界的凱薩時是需要堅持的，因為我們的希望存在於已經把道路鋪平的那位，耶穌基督。 We envision with John the Baptist a great day of leveling for all creation. Making the way smooth for all to have access to the liberating life of God requires removing every obstacle we have constructed that blocks the path of grace. We persevere as we face the Caesars of the world for our hope is in the One who has already made the way smooth, Jesus the Christ. Fire escape on the side of Marygate House #HolyIsland #Lindisfarne. Many visitors and pilgrims come to Holy Island today to escape from their everyday lives, even if just for a few hours. Making the way smooth may well involve a time of escape. The obstacles blocking our path of grace are many. We need a chance to reflect. A place to lay aside our concerns. A time to be, and to pray. The liberating life of God is on offer to all.

#AdventWord #Rough #粗糙施洗約翰摘錄以賽亞先知的話，路加福音的作者宣告:「高高低低的道路要改為平坦」為預備神的到來。這個訊息已傳承了許多世代，現在臨到我們，我們被呼召要完成道路平坦的任務。嚴厲的話語，尖銳的碰撞，以及憤恨的習性都是建立和諧關係的挑戰，無論是與人或與神的關係。精練是使道路平坦的必經過程，而我們被呼召做這事，是因著那位以慈愛來精煉我們的神。傳遞下去。 Luke the Gospel writer, quoting John the Baptizer quoting Isaiah the Prophet, proclaims that the “rough ways will be made smooth” in preparation for the coming of God. This message, passed down through the ages, now comes to us and we are called to the task of making smooth. Harsh words, sharp elbows, and uneven temperaments are challenges to harmonious relationships, human and divine. Refinement is the process of making smooth and we are called to this work by the One who lovingly refines us. Pass it on. The local herring industry was at its peak on #HolyIsland during the second half of the 19th century, when there were 30+ herring boats, and the herring were smoked and preserved onshore. These days, the fishing industry is much smaller, just a handful of small boats catching mainly lobsters and crab. The old herring boats have been upturned, coated in tar, and are now used by local fishermen as storage sheds. The sheds are almost iconic, architecturally and culturally ‘rough diamonds’ but lovingly restored and maintained. Recycling at its best. On one of them is the sign, ‘An old fisherman and the catch of his life live here’. Yes, we are called to the task of making the rough ways smooth. Today.

#AdventWord #Go #成長在復臨節，我們祈禱恩典實行並且「預備救恩的道路…我們以喜悅迎接耶穌基督的來臨。」當我們迎接他時該穿戴什麼呢?巴魯克說:我們應當「穿戴來自上帝正義的袍子。」所以，穿戴上那神奇的外袍，開始去實行吧!預備道路!以喜悅迎接上帝!去實行吧! In Advent, we pray for the grace to go and “prepare the way for our salvation . . . that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ.” What shall we wear when we to to greet him? Why, says Baruch, we should “put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God.” So, put on that wonderful garment and go! Prepare the way! Go! Greet Jesus with joy! Go! With the dissolution of the monasteries and the closure of #Lindisfarne Priory in 1537, so the last of the monks left #HolyIsland. Soon after, in the 1550’s, Lindisfarne Castle was built to protect the island against invasion from Scotland, but in 1603, England and Scotland were united under the rule of James I, and so its military importance diminished; the castle was finally demilitarized in 1819. Fast forward to 1903, and Edward Hudson of Country Life magazine bought the castle, and with the help of the famous architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, converted it into a very stylish holiday home. Today it is owned by the National Trust and open to the public. Saints, monks, soldiers, magazine owners, tourists and pilgrims, all have come and played a part in Holy Island’s rich history. Many have stayed a while, some their whole lives. Holy Island is a place to come to, and a place to go from. Hopefully we all leave the richer for having been there.

#AdventWord #Cry #哭泣復臨節是一個把我們的哭泣轉換成喜悅的時節。年輕的瑪麗亞害怕身為人母的未知。然而，如同瑪麗亞一般，我們有上帝的恩寵，在生命的每個時節，我們的上帝與我們同在並傾聽我們的哭泣。基督再來的日子近了…喜悅的眼淚如同瑪麗亞第一次撫摸新生兒的柔軟髮絮，並當他輕吮著她的乳房時，她因喜悅而哭泣。復臨節是把恐懼轉為喜悅的眼淚。 Advent is a season to turn our cry of fear to joy. A young Mary’s fear for the unknowns of motherhood. Yet, we, like Mary, have favor with God and in all seasons of life, our Lord is with us to hear our cry. The coming of the Christ child is soon… joyful tears as Mary first touches wisps of soft newborn hair and cries with love as he tenderly claims her breast. Advent is the cry of fear turned to joy. The #HolyIsland of #Lindisfarne must have shed many tears over the centuries, cries of fear as the monks were forced the flee the island in 875 to escape attacks from the Vikings, and then again in 1537 when Henry VIII closed down the Benedictine Priory, which had been established in the 1120’s. These days, Holy Island is a peaceful place, the ruins of the Benedictine Priory are well-maintained by English Heritage, and when the tides and weather are good, there are visitors and pilgrims galore. Holy Island’s cries of fear have turned to joy.

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Advent Word 2018, Day 17 ‘Ancestor 先人’ December 18, 2018
Advent Word 2018, Day 16 ‘Sing 歌唱’ December 17, 2018
Advent Word 2018, Day 15 ‘Rejoice 喜樂’ December 16, 2018
Advent Word 2018, Day 14 ‘Prepare 預備’ December 15, 2018
Advent Word 2018, Day 13 ‘Prune 修剪’ December 14, 2018
Advent Word 2018, Day 12 ‘Smooth 平坦’ December 13, 2018
Advent Word 2018, Day 11 ‘Rough 粗糙’ December 12, 2018
Really Rockin’ it @ St. Andrew’s, Haughton, Darlington, Co. Durham! December 11, 2018

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