If you are like me, a slight grin comes to your lips as you see this hymn title or begin to sing it. There’s something about the season of Lent that just doesn’t jog with the word "glory." Lent - about as glorious as a root canal!

A preparatory season for the Easter Feast has long been part of the Christian tradition. It’s length and severity have changed over the years.

During the first three hundred years of church history the fast lasted only two or three days, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. It was not until the seventh century that the forty day fast became the standard. Previous to that time any number of weeks of fasting was practiced according to local custom. The nature of the fast was very strict in the early years. Often only one meal a day was taken towards the evening and flesh-meat, eggs, fish and dairy products such as cheese were forbidden. Around the ninth century the observances were relaxed somewhat and the hour to break the fast was moved closer to three o’clock. Other disciplinary practices have long-standing usage during this preparatory period.

So, are we just a bunch of masochists looking for reasons to inflict pain and discomfort upon ourselves-or does the penitential season of Lent have something to say to us and do for us. Maybe even include a few "glories."

To our pleasure-seeking culture the season of Lent is at best a throw-back to the dark ages or at worst an aberration. To us, it can be a period of spiritual growth-a season of pruning that new shoots may be nurtured. The collects of the season all have something to tell us about the spiritual life. Take the following from Monday in Holy Week as an example. "Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other that the way of life and peace."

Notice what this collect tells us about the cross. Only by walking in its way can we find life and peace. There is no easy path to salvation. There is only one path and it is the way of the Cross. But, again, we do not walk this path just out of some sick sense of self-punishment or morbidity. We walk it because He who is most dear to us walked it first. And by His walking it has made it to be a means to wholeness, peace and yes, even glory.

If Christ can suffer to make us whole, we can take a few days to show our thanks in special ways. Take time to read His Word, to spend in conversation with Him and to serve those whom He would have us serve. And we can have a bit of conversation with our bodies and our unruly wills and tell them that for this season, at least, they are to take a second place to Him who deserves first place in our lives every day of every year.

Our fasting and good works focus us on the work at hand, the bringing in of the Kingdom of God. Each of us has a part to play in that Kingdom of Grace and Lent is the time to prepare ourselves for that part. Like an athlete training for the competition or a musician practicing for a key performance we too are in preparation for the coming of that glorious Kingdom. Oh my, there’s that "glory" word. Perhaps there is something of glory in these 40 days of Lent.

It has not been so many years that priests have been accorded the honorary title of "Father." Until the end of the nineteenth century priests, Roman and Anglican, were called "Mister" in speech and designated "The Reverend" when addressed in writing. The church of England pretty much holds to this convention and most Anglican priests in the UK go by the title of "Mr." although most often they are called by the title accorded to their ecclesiastical status; "vicar," "canon," archdeacon," etc.

The title of "Father" has pretty much come to stick in this country-both in Rome and among Anglicans. It is an honor to me to be called thus. Our parish truly is a family and I am honored to be the earthly father of that family.

I have been exceedingly proud of our family as of late. I see great cooperation and acceptance among all the members. I see hospitality extended to the visitor and genuine Christian love one for another.

What truly warms my heart is seeing this family at prayer. Attendance at Sunday Mass is generally quite good. The Ash Wednesday Masses were very well-attended. And it was heartening to see so many people sign up to keep vigil as the Primates met in North Carolina to discern their message of leadership for the Church.

Contrary to the title of the old TV show, Father may not always know best-at least not about everything. But he does know that he cares deeply for his parish family and prays for them regularly. One of my favorite prayers I offer in hopes that it might become on of yours as well. Pray it often and remember your brothers and sisters of this parish family.

King of Glory, King of peace,
I will love thee;
And that love may never cease,
I will move thee.

Thou hast granted my request,
Thou hast heard me;
Thou didst note my working breast,
Thou hast spared me.

Wherefore with my utmost art,
I will sing thee;
And the cream of all my heart,
I will bring thee.

Though my sins against me cried,
Thou didst clear me;
And alone, when they replied,
Thou didst hear me.

Seven whole days, not one in seven,
I will praise thee;
In my heart, though not in heaven,
I can raise thee.

Small it is in this poor sort
To enroll thee;
E’en eternity’s too short
To extol thee.

George Herbert
1593-1633

English High Tea

And Solemn Choral Evensong

March 18, 2001 Third Sunday in Lent

Tea beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Evensong and Benediction 5:30 p.m.

Music to include works by Orlando Gibbons, Thomas Tallis, T.A. Walmisley and Thomas Attwood.

We will once again offer these dinners to the community-at-large as a means of promoting interest in and awareness of St. B’s. While they do raise a bit of money, their main purpose is to give us exposure to the greater community.

Invite relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers to these meals. It’s a great opportunity for them to see the church. Do you know someone looking for a new church home? Someone who doesn’t have a church? Bring them to St. B’s for dinner.

We need volunteers to work the meals and donations of home-baked goods to sell at the dessert table.