Quiet, Please.

Greetings,
It is good to talk to you again. All is well. Besides much happening in the holy ministry, I personally have spent Advent, Christmas and Epiphany seasons being more intentional about increasing my quiet times of contemplation / prayer. What a blessing this has been and continues to be!

We live in a very busy, often frenetic, world with many distractions and noises which compete for our every thought. With all these internally motivated thoughts and externally motivated thoughts going through our heads, how are we to even carve out a mental spot to truly focus on our time with the Lord? It is not easy, but not impossible either. Remember, as James says, "God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." First turn off electronics (TV, Radios, Phones, etc.) which are non-essential. Prepare by praying for the Holy Spirit to help you (and He will), read your devotion for the day (e.g. Portals of Prayer) or read a portion of scripture, think about it (meditate on it) apply it to yourself. Often we scurry off and forget what we have just read. Instead STAY THERE for a period of time simply enjoying being in the presence of the Lord. While doing so, do not let your mind scamper about like a squirrel - just be silent physically and mentally. Simply, hold to one thought.

Let your mind remain focused on His Word for a period of time before you jump up and run off, remembering that God is where His Word is. The Book of Psalms has a curiously untranslated little word that appears 75 times. The word is "Selah." Hebrew is not my specialty, but I understand that it means to be quiet and meditate, ponder or contemplate. (e.g. Ps. 67:1) The Psalmist also writes "Be still and know that I am God." (Ps.46:10) While you quietly sit with His Word couched in your mind and heart, know (ponder on) that you are cradled in HIM. Know that He rejoices over you with singing (Zeph3:17).

If friends and family are too rational to appreciate such a spiritual practice, then here is a rational reason for them allowing you to do it. It is good for you - read the article via the URL provided below. There are good reasons that God has called us to do certain things like prayer and entering into our "prayer closet." I love it when science once again discovers an ancient Christan secret.
Blessings+
Father Daniel

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/shut-and-listen/201002/everyday-noise-is-killing-us

Behold the Lamb of God Who Takes Away the Sin of the World

In the Name of Father and of the Son ( + ) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Almighty and everlasting God who hatest nothing that Thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent. Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee, because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Amen.

Blessings+

Father Daniel

Benefits of Chanting the Liturgy and Burning Incense

Chanting the Canticles, Psalms and Responsories, along with burning incense are historical aspects of the ancient liturgy dating all the way back to the time of David and Solomon, and before. These practices endured through the time of Christ, through the era of the Early Church and through the Renaissance. At the age of pietism and especially in the age of rationalism of the 18th and 19th centuries, good European protestants decided for themselves to throw off the fetters of the past, ridding themselves of the supposed encumbrances of so called "Romish pomp" and medieval superstitions. In doing so the Lutherans who followed these reformed practices robbed themselves of some of the most beautiful and meaningful aspects of the liturgy of the Divine Service.

The traditional worship movement or the liturgical movement within the Lutheran Church is reclaiming the lost heirlooms of Historic Lutheranism and restoring them to their rightful place within the chancels, naves, and homes of Lutherans around the world. I myself, quite independently of this broader movement, was searching for historic and meaningful rites for worship which were deeper than what I was finding in the contemporary worship scene of the non-denominational churches. On my own I had found the richness of burning incense during evening prayers and the chanting of Scripture. Then as a twenty year old I later discovered that the Lutheran Church; with its standard Divine Service liturgy for the mass was exactly what I was looking for. After Twenty years now in the Lutheran Church I am shocked and saddened to see some Lutherans throwing traditional and historic liturgical practices overboard in favor of the ever new and changing contemporary worship genre.

The Lutherans sans liturgy will be left holding an empty sack because people are now searching for deeper and more meaningful worship practices. They are ready to make the journey and Lutherans are throwing away the field guide and compass. For those of us who are holding on and not giving up the ship, take heart! The interest in historic Liturgical practices is on the rise. Keep the coals burning and incense ready and keep your Gregorian Psalm tones in your oratories.

It is kind of funny to think about, that the Lutherans of the age of rationalism left liturgy behind as a superstition and today science is supporting some of these very same practices as good and useful. For example the use of aroma and music therapies have received wide acceptance. The field of psychology at one time which seemed so antithetical to faith has now underscored the benefit to be obtained from attending church, praying and meditating. I have included below as examples two articles from the secular media that espouse the benefits of chanting and burning incense. The first article addresses the revitalizing sounds of liturgical chanting. Click on the URL: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/dec/06/na-listening-for-the-lord/The second article presents the findings of a study that indicate that burning frankincense may relieve depression. Click on the URL: http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/05/21/burning-incense-may-lower-depression/2331.html

Blessings+
Father Daniel

A Summary of My Intentions in Support of Persecuted Christians and Victims of Violence

In my humble status in life and as I have insufficient financial means to adequately assist any physical efforts, I thus endeavor to pledge myself and feeble services in behalf of the faithful and suffering Christians. In my personal implementation of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Commandments I intend to undertake the following activities for the propagation of the Holy Gospel, the wellbeing of the entire Church, and the betterment of the world in which we live. Inspired by the above mentioned commandments, the words of our Lord and the prayer which he taught us, in addition to numerous other portions of Holy Scripture; I am embarking on a long term personal campaign of prayer, peaceful demonstration and speaking out on behalf of persecuted Christians, while denouncing all abuse and murder. (Also ref. Matthew 5, Second Corinthians 4 and Romans 12)

Prayer and Fasting: 1) For those being persecuted that they may be released and until such time, that they may have abundant spiritual strength, sufficient physical comfort and the ability to share the Gospel throughout the duration of their persecutions; 2) For the spiritual conversion of the persecutors, offenders, and observers; 3) For the end of persecutions in all forms which have the religious or political intent of suppressing Christians through such means as intimidation, imprisonment, torture, and executions; 4) For the rescue of captives, especially those held by human traffickers of sex trade or slavery; 5) For Christ to intervene with His healing grace in situations of physical and sexual abuse; 6) Against random acts of violence and for the ending of such horrific practices as euthanasia and infanticide; 7) For the comfort of the bereaved families who suffer the loss of a family member due to religious persecution or violence; 8)For those who convert to Christianity and are now at risk of persecution and death; 9)For survivors who live with the memories and physical scars of abuse or persecution; 10)For missionaries, aid workers, advocates, rescuers and those who relocate refugees of religious persecution and victims of human trafficking.

Peaceful Demonstration: 1) In special remembrance of Eritrean / Ethiopian Christians who are suffering intimidation, imprisonment, torture and death, I will daily continue to carry with me an Ethiopian Blessing Cross as an aid to prayer and pastoral ministry. 2) I shall regularly wear my black cassock, but with a red cincture (rope-belt). The cassock is the historic outer-garment (like an over coat or long suit coat*) worn by the clergy of the Church since the 5th century; it continues to be worn by some Protestants, some Roman Catholics, most Eastern Orthodox and some Lutherans. Though not frequently seen publicly in America, this attire is universally recognized. The cassock is black, a somber color, symbolizing that the minister is laying down his life in service to Christ and His Church. The red cincture symbolizes the blood of Christian martyrs. I am hereby allying myself with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who suffer on account of their Christian faith, and this attire can straightforwardly serve as a public reminder of their hidden imprisonment, torture, and murder. *

Public Speaking: I shall continue to proclaim the Holy Gospel, and speak publicly (whether on my blog, in Church, during Bible classes, individually or wherever invited to speak) for those who have been silenced through imprisonment, intimidation, abuse, torture, and martyrdom. In the public arena, people will naturally enquire about my cassock and which tradition I represent, this will give me an opportunity to individually: a) share the Gospel; b) educate about the modern holocaust of Christians; and c) speak for the sanctity of life.

Non-Solicitation: I am asking for NO financial support; I only ask people to be aware, to pray for the persecuted Christians and to cherish the sanctity of life.


For further information you may contact the following rescources:

The Voice of the Martyrs
http://www.persecution.com/

Focus on Persecution
http://www.focusonpersecution.com/

International Christian Concern
http://www.persecution.org/

Open Doors
http://www.odusa.org/

Release International
http://www.releaseinternational.org/

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
http://www.lirs.org/

Lutherans for Life
http://www.lutheransforlife.org/

Lutheran World Relief
http://www.lwr.org/

The U S Department of State, International Religious Freedom
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/

Blessings+
Father Daniel

_____________________
*For obvious reasons of practicality and others’ safety, I refrain from wearing the cassock & cincture while functioning in my capacity as a public safety chaplain.

Salt of the earth

“Apart from the multitude of people with whom you live amongst and see every day, there is also another group of people who live within the multitude….Among the many who live a common life, there are a few whose life consists of little more than seeking the Lord every minute. That in itself brings them rejuvenation and an angelic sweetness. Their life is full of expectation and constant struggle. However, they go on with a sense of, as it called, ‘joyful mourning’. These people, however, remain unknown. If they were to reveal their particular way of thinking to the many, they would be found strange and would be ridiculed, so they keep it to themselves.” St. Nektarios of Aegina 1846-1920 (p 182 Saint Nektarios: The Saint of Our Century, by Sotos Chondropoulos 1997, 2004)

Blessings+

Father Daniel

Orate et Vigilate. Watch and pray.

The other day I had a joyful E-Mail dialog, regarding prayer, with a Brother in Christ via an E-Mail group in which I participate. I responded with the intent to encourage him to continue praying and not to be side tracked by nay-sayers. Since it was an open interaction and thus not a confidential communication, I can share with you most of the discourse as a meditation for your spiritual enrichment.


Fr. Coffey,
You're one of those strange fellows that believes prayer actually works. ;-) God bless you for it. Whenever I've posted prayer requests…, it's always a great comfort to know that Fr. Coffey is praying for me. By name.
In Christ,
(Signed)

My Brother,
Thank you for your encouraging word. Yes, I do believe that our good and gracious Lord does indeed hear our prayers. I have seen him answer prayers in many, many ways. In fact daily - Thanks be to God! I cannot but fervently believe he hears our prayers and answers those prayers. Sometimes they are "Yes" in the way I had hoped and sometimes they are "Yes" in ways I did not expect. Sometimes the answer is silence; even this apparent silence is an answer. I have gotten to the point where I mostly (but NOT strictly) pray the Our Father, the Psalms and practice the Jesus Prayer i.e. "Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on __(name)_ / on me a sinner." I know that the Lord God is good and gracious, and that His perfect will is rooted in His infinite love. When I call upon my dear Heavenly Father for His attention and assistance what more need I say? When my child has trouble with her toys she calls to me, "Daaaaddy." I look and see the trouble and I am moved to correct the problem. Sometimes I fix it right away and sometimes it is better for her that I show her how she is to fix it. Other times, I oversee the situation and encourage her to keep trying because, in spite of how she feels, she is on the right track. If I, an evil sinner most worthy of death and eternity in hell, tend to my daughters in such loving paternal fashion; how much more does our Heavenly Father tend to our cries for mercy and assistance! Call out to him He hears and answers your prayer. Orate et vigilate. Watch and Pray.
Blessings+
Father Daniel

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, heal me.

Blood of Christ, refresh me.

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

Good Jesus, hear me.

Within Thy wounds shelter me.

Let me not be separated from Thee.

From the malicious enemy protect me.

At the hour of my death call me,

And bid me come to Thee,

to praise you with all your saintsforever and ever.

Amen.

The Our Father (Latin / English translations)

Latin:
Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

English:
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.