Monday, February 10, 2014
John 7:37-52
“As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive[.] (John 7:38-39, NRSV)
Today in contemporary Anglican calendars we commemorate Hannah Grier Coome, founder of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine, which has communities in Toronto and Victoria. Several St. John’s parishioners are Associates of the Sisterhood, and members of the Sisterhood have come to St. John’s on various occasions for speaking engagements and retreats.
In today’s reading people debate about Jesus’ hometown as a way of denying his authority. Their expectations and predisposition to making quick judgements closed their minds to Jesus’ message. When Hannah Grier Coome felt a call to the monastic life she initially figured that she would join an established community in England. Only later, with the guidance of others, would she come to realize the opportunities for ministry in her own country. Sometimes the best decisions take a little thinking outside the box, or are the result of surprises that are beyond what we could have thought up ourselves.
Today let us give thanks for the life and witness of Hannah Grier Coome, and for the Spirit who enlightens and sanctifies all communities that come together in the name of Jesus Christ.
More information on Anglican religious orders in the Americas can be found on the CAROA website.
-Matthew Kieswetter
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