Especially at this time of year, even in the afterglow of Christmas Eve and Day, I am grateful that the Church of the Good Shepherd is not just a Sunday-only parish. Although Sundays tend to be quite full with morning Masses, formation, monthly concerts, and frequent Evensongs, the church is open every single day of the week for public worship (with rare exceptions). In this, we are nearly unique on the Main Line. The Daily Office is prayed Monday through Friday with Morning Prayer at 9 a.m. and Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m., and with Morning Prayer at 9 a.m. on Saturdays. The Daily Office is also livestreamed, and people join us from across the country. On Wednesday and Friday mornings at 8 a.m., Low Mass is offered. And Low Mass is offered at 8 a.m. on all Major Holy Days (see the calendar of the Church year, beginning on p. 15 of the Book of Common Prayer). On Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m., Dr. Donald McCown, our People’s Warden, leads a new contemplative prayer group, followed by dinner. All are welcome to attend. On Thursday evenings, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., I lead the Pilgrims in Christ adult formation class, a deep journey into the heart of the Christian faith, which also prepares participants for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception into the Episcopal Church, or Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows.
The former rector of the parish that sponsored me for ordination—an Anglo-Catholic parish—used to say that the daily Mass was the heartbeat of that parish. I would love for us to return to a daily Mass at Good Shepherd, but that will take some time (I can’t say Mass by myself!). But perhaps we could say that the heartbeat of our parish life, for now, is what happens every day—the subdued, consistent worship that happens on days other than Sundays. Yes, Sunday is the day of prime importance as the Lord’s Day, but it spills over into the heart that keeps beating during the week. While the body sleeps and works and does other things, the heart can’t rest. So, daily prayer sustains the spiritual life of our parish.
I have been reflecting on this rhythm of prayer especially this past week, as we have celebrated three Major Holy Days on December 26, 27, and 28. The Church’s calendar takes no break even after Christmas! The Book of Common Prayer (which orders our common life of worship) states that “The Holy Eucharist, the principal act of Christian worship on the Lord's Day and other major Feasts, and Daily Morning and Evening Prayer, as set forth in this Book, are the regular services appointed for public worship in the Church” (p. 11). The prayer book expects that Masses will be offered on Major Holy Days, and so we do at Good Shepherd.
I grew up in a tradition that designated “holy days of obligation.” In my humble opinion, that is not the most enchanting way to speak of sacred days in the Church year. On the one hand, I respect the spirit of making it clear that the faithful will enrich their souls by attending Mass on certain days. On the other hand, “obligation” can lead to a sense of perfunctory observance, with little spirit behind the ritual performance of certain duties and “obligations.” So, to deepen one’s commitment to regular prayer, especially the Mass beyond Sunday, could we, as Christians in the Episcopal tradition, try to see how attending Mass on Major Holy Days is spiritual advantageous? How is it a gift? It is a gift in that we are corporately thankful for God’s gift of Jesus in our lives, and specifically in the Sacrament of the Altar. I do think it is helpful for us to stretch ourselves from time to time, making Church attendance a priority even when we might be tempted to sleep in or do something else. The first step is just to do it, even when we don’t feel like it. I suspect that after we institute this kind of sacred rhythm in our lives, we will feel the benefits, which are part of God’s mysterious workings within us.
It is becoming known that Good Shepherd once again has its doors open on a regular basis. On some of the quietest days during the week, you might be surprised at who comes through our doors for prayer and solace. People light candles at the shrines. They leave prayer requests. Sometimes people in distress come here because they have nowhere else to turn. They know we are here, that we will show up for them. Aside from the inestimable value of prayer itself, this is why keeping the doors open for prayer is so important.
As we begin a new secular year, we might consider some new year resolutions for our parish. Could one resolution be to recommit ourselves anew to inhabiting and living more deeply into the rhythm of prayer already established here? The Daily Office can be led by any lay person, even alone. But for Mass to occur, there must be someone present in addition to a priest. And especially as we invite retreatants into our new retreat house, we are also inviting them into our life of prayer. It is my hope and prayer that this life of prayer will be shared as fully as possible by the parish. If you live relatively close to Good Shepherd, would you consider attending Low Masses on Major Holy Days if your schedule allows? What about the Daily Office? If you can’t make it in person, what about tuning in online (with prayer book in hand!) at 9 a.m. or 5:30 p.m.? Or if even that doesn’t work, perhaps consider praying it on your own at home. While it may seem a chore at times, more often than not, it will become something you find yourselves dependent on, and when you miss, you will feel “off” for the day.
I will close with a bold statement. I’m convinced that the noticeable growth that is taking root again in this parish is because of the rigorous life of prayer we are sustaining. And it’s not about works righteousness. It means that when we pray together we discern most clearly what God is calling us to do and be. Prayer is aligning ourselves with the life of prayer already happening within the Triune God, and then God will use us to work his purpose out in the world.
Please mark Friday, January 6 on your calendar. It’s not only a Major Holy Day but one of the seven Principal Feasts of the Church year. There’s no “obligation” to attend, but I hope you will come to the Procession and Sung Mass at 7 p.m., where we will also bless chalk for the chalking of doors at home. And then bring a potluck dish for a supper afterwards in the retreat house. I also ask you to consider bringing warm shoes and boots (but not sneakers) as well as socks for refugees who have been bused to the Philadelphia area. We will collect them and ensure that they go to those in need. You will be invited to leave them near the crèche at the Epiphany Mass.
May God’s blessing be upon you for the remainder of this Christmastide, and I hope to see you in church on Sunday, as we observe another Major Feast, the Feast of the Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yours in Christ,
Father Kyle