Not More than I Am Able

    I find Saint Bernard of Clairvaux to be both a compelling and disturbing individual in the history of Christianity.

    I appreciate his devotional writing. He wrote some eighty-six sermons from the Song of Solomon - and never got past chapter two! He was one of the co-founders of the Knights Templar. 

    He also stirred up enthusiasm for the second crusade by promising that it would be a means of grace and absolution for sin. And then, when the crusade failed, blamed it on the sins of the crusaders. Go figure. 

    Today's backyard recording is based on one of his writings. 

    My God, my help, I shall love you as I am able
    yet my love is less than your due
    not more, not more, not more than I am able
    for even if I cannot love you 
    as much as I should
    still, I cannot love you
    more than I can. 
    I shall only ever be able 
    to love you the more 
    when you give me more
    and still, you'll never find my love worthy of you. 

The Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephraim

The Lenten prayer of Saint Ephraim is said by Orthodox and Eastern Catholics during the weeks preceding Easter. 

Oh, Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust for power, and idle talk. 

But give the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to thy servant. 

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother. For you are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. 

 

The Communion of Saints

 

Saint Clare

The Patron of Hopeless Causes

Around the Throne

Today I'm rereading my friend, Joel Watts' book Praying in God's Theater: Meditations on the Book of Revelation, and I am prompted to write. So I write:

Around the Throne

The faithful dead are dressed in white and gold
and like the sun, they circumscribe the throne;
in duty and in service manifold
these priests and kings their sacred praise intone.
From the throne comes a roar and lightning blast -
the elders there cast down their coronets;
the one who is, and was both first and last,
is hailed as Lord of all the elements.
And here on Earth, now and every hour,
we give to him glory, honor, power.

Revelation 4

Saint Jude

"... pray for me, I am so helpless and alone."

Saint Francis and Brother Fire

"Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong."  - Saint Francis

Saint Nicolas

If we're going to have Santa figurines up as decorations during this extended holiday season, let's have one that at least resembles the historical Bishop from Turkey.

Stained Glass Window

This window can be seen in the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Stained Glasss Window by Jeff Carter on 500px

The Basilica of Saint Mary (Minneapolis)

Our family is taking a few days away from home.  We're in Minneapolis to visit some family and old friends.  While here, we visited the Basilica of Saint Mary - "America's First Basilica."  Work began on the cathedral in 1907. The exterior was completed in 1914. Interior work was delayed by World War I, but finally completed in 1926.

The Basilica of Saint Mary by Jeff Carter on 500px

Saint Jude Speaks for Us

Judas (no, not that one)
had little to say through the gospels,
but when he spoke-to ask a question-
he spoke for us, the desperate and the lost.

St Jude (red) by Jeff Carter on 500px

you can see him again here and here

Saint Francis Under the Leaves

Saint Francis Under the Leaves by Jeff Carter on 500px

Saint Clare Multiplied

This photo was achieved without photoshop, just a tricky lens filter...

Saint Joseph, Jesus, and Bokeh

The bokeh are reflections of nearby Christmas lights ...

I Went to See the Holy Man

“Acquire a peaceful spirit and thousands around you will be saved.” -Saint Seraphim of Sarov

I went to see the holy man
in his isolation;
I went to hear him at his prayers,
seeking consolation,
but the forest was full of bears.

I went to see the holy man
in deep contemplation;
I wanted that peaceful spirit
that saves a generation,
and the silence that comes with it.

Nostalgia (with Saint Jude)

Recently I found a stack of old photos in the pages of a book I bought at a thrift store.  I decided that I needed to take photos of old photographs - and so, a series of "Nostalgia" type pictures.

Nostalgia (with St. Jude) by Jeff Carter on 500px

Saint Francis (black and white)

Saint Francis by Jeff Carter on 500px

St. Francis Prays in the Garden at Night

I've always had a fondness for good saint from Assisi, perhaps it comes even from birth. I was born in St. Francis hospital in Indianapolis.  Perhaps it has nothing to do with that - perhaps it's just that he was an interesting character.

St. Francis Prays in the Garden at Night by Jeff Carter

Saint Francis

It's the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi.  Celebrate by blessing your pet, praying for peace, and giving away some of your possessions.