2008 MLB American League MVP!

Dustin Pedroia was named the Most Valuable Player in the American League for 2008 this afternoon.

The "little guy" who plays so big - according to Big Papi (David Ortiz) he was the guy who carried the team all year long. Great hitter, fielder, and attitude. Other players played great a lot, but Pedroia did it all year long. Last year he was Rookie of the Year. Wow.

Congratulations!

Collect for week of November 9

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Anima Christi (The Body of Christ)

Here's a link to the song that I botched up on Sunday. You can listen to it, and a bunch of others that Trinity Vineyard is currently using, some of which I think will be on their next CD.

Trinity Worship

The Anima Christi (words reworked by Martin Reardon)
Body of Christ, sanctify me
Blood of Christ, cleanse me,
O Jesus Christ, save me

Within thy wounds, hid me
From the enemy, defend me
In my hour of death, call me
That I may come to you
That I may be with you
That I may worship you for eternity

These words, which I think are wonderful, come from an ancient prayer (circa 14th century) that Marty Reardon reworked for the song. Marty is the Worship Pastor at Trinity Vineyard in Atlanta. He discusses it a bit at the site linked, but here are both sets of words. I remember being so struck by the original words years ago. It is still widely used after receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in Holy Communion.

The Anima Christi (an original translation)
Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever
Amen

Prayer for the President, and President elect

For the President of the United States and all in Civil Authority (BCP, p. 820)

O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to your merciful care, that, being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of this State, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in your fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

a little child shall lead them

Lily's sticker says "I'm a Georgia Voter." I'm so proud of her - she waited in line for two hours to vote! Her comment seemed to sum up so many voter's sentiments this year:
"I'm sick of all this bipartisan bickering. There is no left breast or right breast, there is only milk."

Post Election Reflection

This past election cycle revealed, I think, some of our idols, hypocrisies, and sin as Christians in America. Idols would include our way of life and expected standard of living, and security; hypocrisy would include being intensely "pro-life" for babies in the womb (with which I agree!) but not so concerned about children dying of malnourishment and bad water or people dying in unjust wars (or any war); and our sin would include judgmentalism and arrogance (eg. the inference that it would be unchristian to vote for a certain candidate; or that we are right, that we're on God's side, and others clearly are not). It is my hope and prayer that as Christians in America we can truly be the Church, that we manifest the kingdom of God in how we live in our world and how we live together.

Our hope is not in the government, in a political party, or any person. God's dream, God's kingdom, while we are to work tirelessly for its advancement and realization "on earth as in heaven," will not finally or fully come until the Servant Son, the King, returns to make all things right. Tough times (including not having government support, or even being persecuted by the state) have always been times when the true church, the body of Christ, has been a light and life to the world; they have always been times when Jesus' movement, the kingdom of God, has looked more like Jesus' movement - healing, rescuing, sharing, truly good news in a bad news world.

Some of what I'm getting at is beautifully described in the following quote from a Roman historian, Aristides, who was not a Christian. This was written about one hundred years after Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension;

“It is these Christians, O Emperor, who seem to have sought and found the truth, for they acknowledge God. They don’t keep for themselves the goods entrusted to them. They show love to their neighbors. They don’t do to others what they don’t want done to themselves. They speak gently to those that oppress them, and in this way they keep making their enemies their friends. In fact, it has become their passion to do good to their enemies. Every one of them who has anything gives ungrudgingly to the one who has nothing. If the Christians see a homeless stranger they bring them into their own homes. They rejoice over the brother or sister as if they were a real brother or sister. For the Christians don’t call one another brothers or sisters because of the flesh, but because they believe they are born again in the Spirit of their God. If anyone comes to them who is poor while the Christians have nothing to spare then the entire community will fast for two or three days until everybody can eat together. In this way they can supply any poor person with the things that they need. This, O Emperor, is the rule of life for the Christians. This is how they live. “