Lent Madness: William Wilberforce vs. Chad

It’s the last battle of the First Round! The winner faces off against Perpetua in the Round of the Saintly Sixteen. Speaking of which, Lent Madness 2011 will continue on Monday morning as the sixteen remaining saints battle it out in pursuit of the coveted Golden Halo. Stay tuned!

In recent action Fabian defeated William Laud 63% to 37% to advance to the next round against C.S. Lewis. Click Lent Madness 2011 to view the updated tournament bracket.

William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was a British politician most closely associated with the abolition of the slave trade. He was born into a wealthy household with parents firmly rooted in the mainstream of the Church of England. When young William started displaying evangelical tendencies, his parents moved him to a different school in an effort to quell his nonconformist leanings. This worked for a time but would not last.

He began his political career in 1780 as a member of Parliament from Yorkshire. In 1785 he had a conversion experience and became an evangelical — an experience that drove the passion for reform that defined the rest of his life. Willberforce’s political views were informed by his faith and he worked tirelessly to promote Christianity and Christian ethics in private and public life. His outlook was conservative and he focused on issues such as observing the Sabbath and eradicating what he considered immoral behavior through education and reform. Wilberforce was also interested in international missionary work and was a founding member of the Church Missionary Society.

But he is best known for his efforts to end British participation in the slave trade. Wilberforce’s involvement in the abolition movement grew out of his desire to put his Christian principles into action in public life. He viewed the slave trade as unchristian and fueled by the greed of owners and traders.  Sensing a call from God, Wilberforce wrote in 1787 that “God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners (ie. moral values).”

Wilberforce died in 1833 and is buried in Westminster Abbey.

Collect for William Wilberforce Just and eternal God, we give you thanks for the stalwart faith and persistence of your servants William Wilberforce and Anthony Ashley-Cooper, who, undeterred by opposition and failure, held fast to a vision of justice in which no child of yours might suffer in enforced servitude and misery. Grant that we, drawn by that same Gospel vision, may persevere in serving the common good and caring for those who have been cast down, that they may be raised up through Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Chad was the 7th century British Bishop of Litchfield who is perhaps best known for NOT being the Bishop of York. He was elected and installed but after some objected, he withdrew in order to avoid a church controversy. Soon after this he was appointed Bishop of Litchfield. Chad became well-known for always travelling on foot, preaching and teaching along the way. It was not until the Archbishop of Canterbury gave him a horse that he consented to use one when visiting far away parishes.

Most of what we know of Chad comes from the writing of St. Bede. He writes that Chad was “a diligent performer in deed of what he had learnt in the Scriptures should be done.” Bede also tells us that Chad’s life was one of constant travel — he visited continually the towns, countryside, cottages, villages and houses under his care in order to preach the Gospel.

Chad was well-beloved during his brief episcopate — he died 2 1/2 years after his consecration. An example of this is that in the years following his death many chapels and many wells were constructed and named for him. The wells are particularly associated with Chad — it was an ancient custom to dig a well and mark it with a name so that thirsty travellers might drink and remember the name with gratitude.

Collect for Chad Almighty God, whose servant Chad, for the peace of the Church, relinquished cheerfully the honors that had been thrust upon him, only to be rewarded with equal responsibility: Keep us, we pray, from thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, and ready at all times to step aside for others, (in honor preferring one another,) that the cause of Christ may be advanced; in the name of him who washed his disciples’ feet, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Lent Madness: William Laud vs. Fabian

Today we get two martyrs who lived 1,400 years apart in the penultimate matchup of the first round. The winner will take on C.S. Lewis in the Round of the Saintly Sixteen.

In recent action Basil defeated John Henry Hobart 68% to 32% thus dashing the hopes of all General Theological Seminary graduates (though as an aside, they could use some humility). Click Lent Madness 2011 to view the updated tournament bracket. 

William Laud (1573-1645) served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1633 to 1645. This period was fraught with division both within the Church of England and the nation itself and eventually led to the English Civil War. But to take a step back, Laud was ordained in 1601 and soon gained a reputation for his intellectual brilliance and high church tendencies. While his endorsement of apostolic succession was anathema to the growing Puritan wing of the church, Laud quickly rose through the ecclesiastical ranks. He served as a parish priest, president of St. John’s college, Bishop of London, and eventually Archbishop of Canterbury.

To Laud, his policies as archbishop sought uniformity of worship but to those who disagreed with him it was persecution. He took seriously his role as defender of the faith and worked actively to quell any perceived threat to the peace and unity of the Church. This was difficult in a time of increasing ecclesiastical tension and Laud prosecuted anyone, rich or poor, who disagreed with Church policy as he saw it.

In 1640 he was accused of treason, kept in the Tower of London for four years, and tried in 1644. Though the charges were murky at best, he was sentenced to death when he was 71-years-old. On the scaffold he prayed: “The Lord receive my soul, and have mercy on me, and bless this kingdom with peace and charity, that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them.”  

Collect for William Laud Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like your servant William Laud, we may live in your fear, die in your favor, and rest in your peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Fabian was a third century bishop and martyr of Rome. After the death of the Bishop Antherus in 236, a council was convened in Rome to elect his successor. Fabian was amid a large crowd as the proceedings went on. In the middle of the conversation a dove flew into the building and perched atop Fabian’s head. This was deemed a sign and Fabian was unanimously elected Bishop of Rome. He turned out to be an excellent leader and administrator. Among his accomplishments, he organized the city into parishes and appointed scholars to record the lives of the martyrs and put together rites for honoring them.

When the Emperor Decius began persecuting Christians in 239 (likely the first systematic persecution throughout the Empire) Fabian was arrested and brutally executed. By his courageous example he inspired thousands of other martyrs who would soon follow him. His tombstone in Rome still exists — barely visible — with the words “Fabian…Bishop…Martyr.”

Collect for Fabian Almighty God, you called Fabian to be a faithful pastor and servant of your people, and to lay down his life in witness to your Son: Grant that we, strengthened by his example and aided by his prayers, may in times of trial and persecution remain steadfast in faith and endurance, for the sake of him who laid down his life for us all, Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Lent Madness: John Henry Hobart vs. Basil the Great

No, this is not a matchup between a dishwasher and an herb. If recent history is any indication the title “the Great” does not guarantee success in Lent Madness — Leo the Great took a great fall to Timothy in an earlier Round One slugfest.

In recent action Florence Nightingale made quick work of David of Wales 77% to 23% and will face Clare in the Round of the Saintly Sixteen. Click Lent Madness 2011 to view the updated tournament bracket.

John Henry Hobart (1775-1830) was born in Philadelphia the year before the Declaration of Independence was signed. After being educated at the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton he was ordained deacon in 1798 and priest in 1801. After serving as an assistant minister at Trinity, Wall Street in New York he was elected assistant bishop of the diocese in 1811 and became the diocesan bishop in 1816.

He served the church at a time in United States history when the Church of England was naturally viewed with suspicion. The church in America had stagnated for some time; it was Hobart who helped reverse this trend. An energetic man small in stature, Hobart founded two institutions — a college near Geneva, New York (now Hobart College) and General Theological Seminary in New York City.

In addition to serving as the Bishop of New York, he was also the rector of Trinity, Wall Street, while simultaneously acting as bishop for Connecticut and New Jersey. As a measure of his effectiveness, he started with 26 clergy at the beginning of his episcopate had 133 by his death and the number of parishes in the diocese increased under his watch  from 50 to almost 170.

Hobart, who had lived life at such a fast and furious pace, died in 1830 at the age of 55. He is buried under the chancel of Trinity, Wall Street. 

Collect for John Henry Hobart Revive your Church, Lord God of hosts, whenever it falls into complacency and sloth, by raising up devoted leaders, like your servant John Henry Hobart whom we remember this day; and grant that their faith and vigor of mind may awaken your people to your message and their mission; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Basil the Great (329-379) was born to Christian parents in Ceasarea Cappadocia (present-day Turkey) after the time of persecution had passed. Basil intended to become a lawyer and orator and studied in Athens where his classmates included Gregory of Nazianzus and the future emperor Julian the Apostate. When he returned home he changed his plans, being inspired by the life of his sister Macrina, and decided to become a monk. He founded a wildly successful monastic community near his home and wrote a rule for his monks still in use in the East.

In 367-8 a severe famine struck the land and Basil sold his family’s extensive lands to purchase and distribute food to the poor. He refused to feed only Christians and welcomed Jews to his soup kitchens saying that the digestive tracts of the two were indistinguishable. Basil had been ordained a priest in 362 and became Bishop of Ceasarea in 370.

This was a time of great controversy over the nature of God and the Trinity. Basil tried to unite the semi-Arians with the Nicene party against the full Arians (who professed that Christ was inferior to God the Father — as opposed to being co-equal and co-eternal). He used the formula “three persons in one substance,” thus acknowledging a distinction between the Father and the Son while still insisting on their essential unity.

When the Arian emperor Valens confronted Basil on the issue, Basil refused to back down. When Valens expressed surprise at Basil’s defiance, Basil reportedly retorted, “Perhaps you have never met a real bishop before.” Valens retaliated by slicing up Cappadocia in an attempt to reduce Basil’s influence.

Many of Basil’s writings have survived including Hexaemeron (“The Six Days”), a series of sermons about creation; Against Eunomius, an argument against an Arian’s view of the divinity of Christ; and On the Holy Spirit; in addition to over 300 letters.

Basil died in 379 shortly after the death in battle of his nemesis, the Arian emperor Valens, and was mourned throughout the region by Christians, Jews, and pagans alike.

Collect for Basil the Great Almighty God, who has revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace that, like your bishop Basil of Caesarea, we may continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

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Lent Madness: Florence Nightingale vs. David

Lent Madness continues with the woman whose name is synonymous with nursing vs. the man whose name is synonymous with Wales. Last week another nurse, Constance, upset another well-known saint by the name of Patrick. Will today’s battle lead to a similar outcome? Only the next 24 hours will tell.

Click Lent Madness 2011 to view the updated tournament bracket and get ready for tomorrow’s matchup between John Henry Hobart and Basil.

Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) was born to an upper class English family that was traveling through Italy at the time of her birth. She was named for the city into which she arrived — Florence. Just before her 17th birthday she had an experience of God speaking to her about being called into service. Not knowing precisely what this would be, she chose to remain single so as to stay singularly focused on her service of God.

In 1844 she came to believe that God was calling her to nurse the sick and began her training. Her family was appalled as nursing, at the time, was neither a respectable profession nor required any training. But, with a single-minded devotion, she went to Germany to train with an order of Lutheran nuns who ran a hospital. Back in England she was appointed supervisor of a sanitorium that she rapidly changed from a dirty, dreadful facility into a model of modern medicine. Among other innovations, she was responsible for creating a system of bells that allowed patients to call for nurses when in need.

When war broke out in Crimea, Florence was tapped to lead a group of 38 nurses to the region. The conditions in the hospital were horrendous but Florence instituted a number of reforms and policy changes to turn the facility into a place of healing rather than infection. At night she would often patrol the hallways with a dim lamp which earned her the moniker “the lady with the lamp.” Following the war she returned to England a national hero.

She spent the next phase of her life crusading and lobbying Parliament for more sanitary conditions in hospitals. She met with great success yet the physical burden of her work had started to take its toll and she lived the last 25 years of her life as an invalid. On Christmas Day when she was 65 years old she wrote: “Today, O Lord, let me dedicate this crumbling old woman to thee. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. I was thy handmaid as a girl. Since then, I have backslid.”

Collect for Florence Nightingale Life-giving God, who alone have power over life and death, over health and sickness: Give power, wisdom, and gentleness to those who follow the lead of your servant Florence Nightingale, that they, bearing with them your presence, may not only heal but bless, and shine as lanterns of hope in the darkest hours of pain and fear; through Jesus Christ, the healer of body and soul, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

David was a 6th century abbot and Bishop of Wales who is considered the patron saint of that country. David was a renowned preacher and teacher who founded a number of monasteries and churches throughout Wales. He lived a life of simplicity and asceticism and the Rule he wrote for his monks encompassed much of this. It included provisions that monks had to pull the plough without the assistance of animals, drink only water,  eat only bread with salt and herbs, and spend evenings in prayer, reading, and writing. Personal possessions  were not allowed and he encouraged his followers to refrain from eating meat or drinking beer.

The best-known miracle associated with David took place when he was preaching amid a large crowd. When a number of people complained that they couldn’t see or hear him, the ground where he stood reportedly rose up to form a small hill. As everyone could now access his words a dove landed on his shoulder — a symbol often associated with David.

Collect for David Almighty God, who called your servant David to be a faithful and wise steward of your mysteries for the people of Wales: Mercifully grant that, following his purity of life and zeal for the gospel of Christ, we may with him receive the crown of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.

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Lent Madness: Patrick vs. Constance

In yet another male/female battle of the sexes (just kidding so don’t get unduly offended) Patrick takes on Constance. Who will win? Who knows. But at least I didn’t give Patrick the unfair advantage by setting up this confrontation on March 17th.

In recent action Clare trounced Gregory the Illuminator 70% to 30% to advance to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen. Click Lent Madness 2011 to view the updated tournament bracket. And when Lent Madness returns on Monday morning we’ll have an interesting matchup between David and Florence Nightingale.

Patrick (390-461) was born in Southwest England and grew up in a Christian family — his father was a deacon and his grandfather a priest. When he was 16 he was kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland. It was during his six years of captivity that his faith flourished and he began to pray regularly. Toward the end of this time he speaks of having heard a voice telling him that he would soon return home to England. Thus emboldened, he fled his master and traveled 200 miles to a port city. When he returned to England he decided to study for the priesthood.

Patrick recounts in his Confessions a vision a few years after returning home:

I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: “The Voice of the Irish.” As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea—and they cried out, as with one voice: “We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.

Thus in 435 he was sent as a missionary bishop to Ireland. Once there he set himself up in the northern town of Armagh where he started a school and from where he journeyed throughout the country. Patrick is, of course, famously identified with Ireland and legends about his life and ministry abound. It is said that he used the three-leaf clover to explain the doctrine of the Trinity and drove all the snakes out of Ireland. And, whether or not he actually wrote it, the poem known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate has been attributed to Patrick.

Collect for Patrick Almighty God, who in your providence chose your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of you: Grant us so to walk in that light, that we may come at last to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.

Constance was a 19th century American nun of the Anglican Order of St. Mary who was the head of a convent in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1878 Memphis was struck by a deadly epidemic of Yellow Fever. So many people fled that the city actually lost it’s charter for the next fourteen years. A group of nuns — both Anglican and Roman — stayed in the city (despite having ample opportunity to leave) to minister to the poor and destitute who could not afford to flee. She was the first of 38 nuns to die, a group known as the Martyrs of Memphis.

When the epidemic began the Sisters, who had come to Memphis in 1873 to found a girl’s school next to the Cathedral, led by Constance immediately organized relief work among the sick. At its height, 200 people per day were dying and in all 5,000 died of the fever.

Collect for Constance We give you thanks and praise, O God of compassion, for the heroic witness of Constance and her companions, who, in a time of plague and pestilence, were steadfast in their care for the sick and the dying, and loved not their own lives, even unto death. Inspire in us a like love and commitment to those in need, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Lent Madness: Clare vs. Gregory the Illuminator

Lent Madness continues with Clare of Assisi vs. Gregory the Illuminator. Will Francis’ star power rub off on Clare? Will anyone dare vote against someone with such a great nickname? These are the questions that will be decided over the next 24 hours.

In recent action, Perpetua defeated Charles Wesley 54% to 46% to advance. Click Lent Madness 2011 to view the updated tournament bracket.

Clare (1194-1253) was born to a wealthy family in Assisi and as a teenager heard a moving sermon by Saint Francis. Much to the chagrin of her family she decided to take a vow of poverty and follow a Franciscan lifestyle. Her family brought her back by force but she slipped out again entered a nearby convent. In time she established her own order and two of her sisters, her widowed mother, and several close friends also joined.

These female Franciscans came to be known as Poor Clares and Francis himself named Clare the Superior. The Poor Clares devoted themselves to prayer and caring for the sick, needy, and marginalized. They also lived a life of extreme poverty — beyond what other female orders had ever experienced. They lived a life of complete poverty individually and collectively; they had no beds beyond piles of twigs, they engaged in hard labor, and begged for whatever food they ate.

Ten years after her death the order became known as the Order of Saint Clare.

Collect for Clare O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Clare, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever  and ever. Amen.

Gregory the Illuminator (257-332), known as the Apostle to Armenia, had an unusual childhood. Armenia — set between the empires of Rome and Persia — was a buffer region of great intrigue as both empires sought control of it. While still an infant, his father assassinated the King of Persia. In the aftermath, his family fled to Ceasarea Cappadocia where he was brought up as a Christian. At the age of 23 he returned to Armenia where, through his preaching and example, he brought about the conversion of the king and many Armenians.

This was by no means an easy road. Upon his return to Armenia he was tortured and thrown in prison for 13 years for refusing to engage in pagan rituals. In 302 he was made Bishop of Armenia and in his later years he entered a small monastery and spent his days alone in the wilderness. Interestingly, Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion due, in large part, to Gregory’s ministry.

Collect for Gregory the Illuminator Almighty God, whose will it is to be glorified in your saints, and who raised up your servant Gregory the Illuminator to be a light in the world, and to preach the Gospel to the people of Armenia: Shine, we pray, in our hearts, that we also in our generation may show forth your praise, who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Lent Madness: Charles Wesley vs. Perpetua

Lent Madness continues with a romp across 1,500+ years as Charles Wesley takes on Perpetua in a battle between a beloved hymn writer and early Christian martyr.

In recent action, the initials defeated the extra “n” as C.S. Lewis routed Monnica 69% to 31%. He’ll face the winner of William Laud vs. Fabian in the next round. Click to Lent Madness 2011 view the updated tournament bracket.

Charles Wesley (1717-1788), along with his brother John, was a leader in the 18th century evangelical revival in the 18th century. Both Wesleys studied at Oxford and there drew a group together whose dedication to the strict adherence to the worship of the Book of Common Prayer earned them the nickname “Methodists.”

After graduation they both went as missionaries  to the colony of Georgia in 1735. Upon finding it an unfruitful experience they returned a few years later to England. It was back in England that they both had emotional conversion experiences that gave them tangible feeling of Christ’s love and forgiveness. From here they went out on preaching missions to bring others to the same experience.

Charles Wesley’s enduring legacy is his hymnody. During his lifetime he authored over 6,000 hymns including: “Jesus Christ is risen today,” “Christ whose glory fills the skies,” “Come thou long expected Jesus,” “Hark the herald angels sing,” “Lo! he comes on clouds descending,” “Love divine all loves excelling,” “O for a thousand tongues to sing,” and “Ye servants of God.”

Despite being associated with Methodism, Charles considered himself an Anglican to the end. Near the end of his life he told the rector of the local parish “Sir, whatever the world may say of me, I have lived, and I die, a member of the Church of England. I pray you to bury me in your churchyard.”

Collect for Charles Wesley (and John Wesley) Lord God, who inspired your servants John and Charles Wesley with burning zeal for the sanctification of souls, and endowed them with eloquence in speech and song: Kindle in your Church, we entreat you, such fervor, that those whose faith has cooled may be warmed, and those who have not known Christ may turn to him and be saved; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Perpetua was martyred in 202 with several other Christians in an arena in Carthage during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus. The account of their last days was written down and survived (portions of which are attributed to Tertullian). What we know is that Perpetua came from a wealthy family, was a catechumen (ie. converted to Christianity but not yet baptized), and was recently widowed with an infant.

After their arrest, they were placed in a dungeon and Perpetua had several visions. In one, she saw a golden ladder guarded by a dragon. She climbed it anyway and at the pinnacle she found herself in a green meadow with many white-robed figures. In their midst was a shepherd who bid her welcome. When she awoke Perpetua understood that martyrdom was inevitable.

The narrator writes this about the end of her life: “Now all the prisoners were to be slain with the sword, and they went to the center of the arena, first exchanging a farewell kiss of peace. The others died unmoving and silent, but when the awkward hand of the young executioner bungled her death-stroke, Perpetua cried out in pain, and herself guided his hand to her throat. Possibly such a woman could not have been slain unless she herself willed it, because she was feared by the impure spirit.”

Collect for Perpetua (and her companions) O God the King of saints, who strengthened your servants Perpetua and Felicitas and their companions to make a good confession, staunchly resisting, for the cause of Christ, the claims of human affection, and encouraging one another in their time of trial: Grant that we who cherish their blessed memory may share their pure and steadfast faith, and win with them the palm of victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Lent Madness: Monnica vs. C.S. Lewis

We are now halfway through the first round of Lent Madness 2011 with eight matches done and eight to go before heading into the round of the Saintly Sixteen. We move into the home stretch of the initial round with a battle between Monnica and C.S. Lewis.

In recent action, my namesake (Timothy) made quick work of Leo the Great and will face off against Thomas Becket in the next round. Click Lent Madness 2011 to view the updated tournament bracket. To update the matches so far: Polycarp, Justin Martyr, William Tyndale, Elizabeth of Hungary, Thomas Becket, Charles Simeon, Vincent, and Timothy have all advanced while Cyprian, John Keble, Bernard, John Donne, Barnabas, Clement of Alexandria, Philip, and Leo the Great were sent packing. Lent Madness continues tomorrow with Charles Wesley taking on Perpetua.

Monnica (331-387) is perhaps best known as the mother of St. Augustine. Indeed most of what we know of her life comes from Augustine’s famous book “Confessions.” Monnica was born to Christian parents and grew up in the part of North Africa now known as Tunisia. She married a pagan husband who reportedly had a hot temper. She was proud that over the course of their marriage he (and his mother) both converted to Christianity.

It wasn’t long before she recognized that her son was brilliant — both academically and as a leader. Being perhaps a typical son, he rejected her religion and sought meaning in various pagan philosophies. Monnica continued to pray for his conversion even as she moved with him first to Rome and then Milan as he pursued a career as an orator. It was in Milan that Augustine fell under the influence of the bishop — Ambrose — and became a convert much to his mother’s delight.

After Augustine’s baptism he sought to return to North Africa along with his mother. She fell ill along the journey and outside of a Roman port she told her son, “You will bury your mother here. All I ask of you is that, wherever you may be, you should remember me at the altar of the Lord. Do not fret because I am buried far from our home in Africa. Nothing is far from God, and I have no fear that he will not know where to find me, when he comes to raise me to life at the end of the world.” 

Collect for Monnica O Lord, who through spiritual discipline strengthened your servant Monnica to persevere in offering her love and prayers and tears for the conversion of her husband and of Augustine their son: Deepen our devotion, we pray, and use us in accordance with your will to bring others, even our own kindred, to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis  (1898-1963) was a professor in both Oxford and Cambridge, a beloved writer, and Christian apologist. He was both prolific and profound with a light touch as he moved between Christian allegory, personal spiritual journey, academics, and theology. His best known works include The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, Suprised by Joy, and The Four Loves.

Lewis was born in Belfast, Ireland, and clung to his Irish identity even as his life’s work took him to England. Although he was raised in a Christian family, he declared himself an atheist at age 15. He served as an officer in World War I, fighting in the trenches and sustaining a friendly fire injury before his discharge. He slowly returned to the faith after much inner struggle, being strongly influenced by the arguments of his friend JRR Tolkien, and became a member of the Church of England in 1931.

Significant to his life as both a person and a Christian was his marriage to Joy Gresham in 1956. Gresham was 17 years his younger yet died of cancer four years after their marriage at the age of 45. His response was chronicled in the book A Grief Observed. Lewis died three years later, one week before his 65th birthday.

Collect for C.S. Lewis O God of searing truth and surpassing beauty, we give you thanks for Clive Staples Lewis whose sanctified imagination lights fires of faith in young and old alike; Surprise us also with your joy and draw us into that new and abundant life which is ours in Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Lent Madness: Leo the Great vs. Timothy

No, I won’t be mortally offended and quit doing Lent Madness in a huff if my namesake doesn’t win. I am, of course, the completely impartial host of this little Lenten “devotion.” And if I was really trying to rig this thing do you think I’d have Timothy go up against a saint with the moniker “the Great” in the first round? In fact I’ve never even cast a vote in Lent Madness — though my two boys have been casting a single vote after we read about the contenders before bed. It’s become our own little Lenten discipline. Oh, and don’t read anything into the disparity in the size of the pictures of these two fine saints.

In the latest matchup, William Tyndale trounced Bernard 68% to 32%. Click Lent Madness 2011 to view the updated tournament bracket.

Leo the Great (400 — 461) was the fifth century Bishop of Rome who served amid a turbulent era. He was both head of the Church and a diplomat of great skill who twice saved Rome from total destruction. He negotiated with Attila the Hun to withdraw his forces in 452 and three years later when the Vandals captured Rome he convinced them not to destroy the city.

Theologically, Leo had a strong influence over the doctrine of the Church formed at the Council of Chalcedon in 451. This Fourth Ecumenical Council, with Leo’s strong support, affirmed the dual nature of Christ as both fully human and fully divine — two natures in one person.

It was during his era that the Church’s power was more fully concentrated in Rome. His assertion that the Bishop of Rome had universal jurisdiction held sway and helped consolidate Papal power and authority.

Collect for Leo the Great O Lord our God, grant that your Church, following the teaching of your servant Leo of Rome, may hold fast the great mystery of our redemption, and adore the one Christ, true God and true Man, neither divided from our human nature nor separate from your divine Being; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and  or ever. Amen.

Timothy (circa 17 to 80 AD) was a missionary companion of the apostle Paul and appears in the New Testament a number of times. He is first seen in the Acts of the Apostles and is mentioned nine other times as either joining in Paul’s greetings or as a messenger himself. He also has two letters addressed specifically to him (First and Second Timothy). From these letters we gather that Paul commissioned Timothy to oversee the newly founded Christian community in Ephesus.

Timothy evidently grew up in a household of faith — his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, are noted for their piety and faith — and Paul praises him for his knowledge of Scripture. According to tradition, Paul consecrated Timothy as Bishop of Ephesus in the year 65. He was stoned to death about 15 years later after trying to stop a pagan procession of idols.

Collect for Timothy (and Titus) Just and merciful God, in every generation you raise up prophets, teachers and witnesses to summon the world to honor and praise your holy Name: We thank you for sending Timothy, Titus and Silas, whose gifts built up your Church by the power of the Holy Spirit. Grant that we too may be living stones built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Lent Madness: Bernard vs. William Tyndale

Lent Madness continues with a battle between St. Bernard (no dog jokes please) and William Tyndale. A monastic versus a translator. Lots to consider here but only one saint will win the right to face off against Elizabeth of Hungary in the next round.

In recent action, Vincent narrowly defeated Clement of Alexandria to advance to a match against Charles Simeon. Click Lent Madness 2011 to view the updated tournament bracket. The tournament will continue on Monday with Leo the Great vs. Timothy.

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 — 1153) was born into a noble family in Burgundy. While his brothers were trained as soldiers, Bernard prepared for a life of scholarship. When he was 22 he decided to enter the monastery at Citeaux. Clearly an engaging personality and great leader, he persuaded four of his brothers, an uncle and 26 other men to join him. After three years the abbot charged Bernard with taking 12 brothers and starting a new monastery at La Ferte. This new monastery, known as Clairvaux, soon became renowned and by the end of his life Bernard had 60 new monasteries of the Cistercian order under his direction.

In 1144 King Louis IX of France asked Bernard to foment support for a crusade through his preaching. When Bernard refused, the king appealed to the pope who ordered Bernard to preach. He did so with spectacular results and whole villages sent young men to fight in the Holy Land. This led to an ugly incident in the Rhineland where a monk spoke up for what he thought was the logical next step — to kill local Jews. The archbishop sheltered as many Jews as he could and begged Bernard to assist him in reversing the situation. Bernard took up the call, denounced the monk involved, and the riots ended. Because of this the Rhineland Jews referred to Bernard as a “righteous Gentile.”

A number of hymns are attributed to Bernard including “O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded.”

Collect for Bernard O God, by whose grace your servant Bernard of Clairvaux, kindled with the flame of your love, became a burning and a shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

William Tyndale (1495-1569) was an Englishman educated at both Oxford and Cambridge and ordained a priest in 1521. Soon thereafter he stated his desire for what would become his lifelong passion — to translate the Bible into English. Finding that King Henry VIII was firmly against the translation of Scripture, Tyndale fled to Germany where he met Martin Luther. In Germany, Tyndale went from town to town always in danger of capture.

In 1525 he completed his translation of the New Testament and 18,000 were smuggled into England. Over the years he translated the Pentateuch and a number of other books of the Old Testament. He was, however, ultimately betrayed by a former friend, arrested, tried, and convicted of heresy. He was condemned to be burned and his last words uttered at the stake were, “Lord, Open the King of England’s eyes.”

He is remembered along with Miles Coverdale who later completed the translation of what would be known as the Tyndale-Coverdale Bible. The king’s eye’s were opened and this translation received royal sanction.

Collect for William Tyndale (and Miles Coverdale) Almighty God, you planted in the heart of your servants William Tyndale and Miles Coverdale a consuming passion to bring the Scriptures to people in their native tongue, and endowed them with the gift of powerful and graceful expression and with strength to persevere against all obstacles: Reveal to us your saving Word, as we read and study the Scriptures, and hear them calling us to repentance and life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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