Mtr Taylor Devine

Good morning,

Many of you have seen the 7-fold Rule of Life that Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has shared with the Episcopal Church, called the Way of Love. Today's readings remind me of one of the practices, Turn. The quick description of this element of the corporal rule of life is "Pause, listen, and choose to follow Jesus." The longer description says "in turning, we reorient our lives to Jesus Christ, falling in love again."

There are many ways to turn to God in Christ, to learn and relearn how to follow the command to love God and neighbor. I have found that in many Churches there is a favorite song, at seminary, at least during my time there, it was "There's a Wideness in God's Mercy." At the Church of the Holy Nativity in Baltimore it is "Lead Me, Guide Me" (the congregation sings it much more beautifully than Elvis did in my opinion, there's something about years of singing together). At other Churches I am sure it is "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" or "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." These favorite hymns are often the ones that teach us parts of scripture that speak to us, and can be grounding places that point us back to the way of love.

Psalm 31:3 says
Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold; for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.

How well must the composer of "Lead Me, Guide Me" known the depths of the Psalms to write this hymn. How well must she have known the graced work that is turning to Christ and asking how to follow.

Lead me, guide me along the way, for if you lead me I cannot stray. Lord, let me walk each day with thee, lead me, oh Lord lead me.

Whatever the song is in your heart that grounds you, may it call you back to "the way of truth, love, hope, justice and freedom" and away from the "powers of sin, hatred, fear, injustice, and oppression."*

In Christ,
Mtr. Taylor

*https://www.episcopalchurch.org/way-of-love-materials