More old hymns

This entire week has been a week of feast days, and tomorrow we get Nicholas of Myra, a/k/a St. Nicholas, as in "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, lean your ear this way."

Today is the feast day of Clement of Alexandria. Born about the middle of the second century and died about 210 A.D., Clement's contribution to Christianity is balance. He was a Greek philosopher in Alexandria, Egypt, a city so Greek it was founded by Alexander the Great. Somewhere along the way of his seeking for truth, Clement met Pantheons, the founder of the Christian Catechetical School in Alexandria. Clement's Greek background and newfound Christian faith allowed him to be a bridge. As a Christian priest Clement could preach to the Greeks and to the Christians. He became the head of that school in 190 A.D.

In a time when Christians were fleeing to the deserts of Egypt to purify their souls, Clement gave a balanced view of the right use of wealth in everyday life.

Clement left us some hymns, one of which we recently sang at Holy Cross Church:

Jesus, our mighty Lord, our strength in sadness,
the Father's conquering Word, true source of gladness;
your Name we glorify, O Jesus, throned on high;
you gave yourself to die for our salvation.

Good shepherd of your sheep, your own defending,
in love your children keep to life unending.
You are yourself the Way; lead us then day by day
in your own steps, we pray, O Lord most holy.

Glorious their life who sing, with glad thanksgiving,
true hymns to Christ the King in all their living;
all who confess his Name, come then with hearts aflame;
the God of peace acclaim as Lord and Savior.

O God of unsearchable wisdom, you gave your servant Clement grace to understand and teach the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, the source of all truth: Grant to your Church the same grace to discern your Word wherever truth is found; through Jesus Christ our unfailing light, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (from Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 95)


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church Episcopal
Billings, MT
406-208-7314
http://www.holycrosschurchbillings.org/