CHAPLAIN ’ S CORNER
Fr . Jeff Dean Mead , Chaplain
Choosing Thanks
St Paul encourages us to “ Rejoice always , pray without ceasing , give thanks in ALL circumstances ; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you .”
It ’ s easy to see the evil that exists in the world today and wonder , “ How can I possibly give thanks in the midst of so much suffering and pain ?”
Several years ago I was given a CD by a Russian Orthodox priest entitled the “ Akathist of Thanksgiving .” It was written in 1929 by Archbishop Tryphon , who was executed for his Christian faith in a Soviet Gulag . Yet , even in the midst of such terrible suffering , famine , disease and war , he penned a hymn of thanks and praise .
It ’ s easy to see the evil that exists in the world today and wonder , “ How can I possibly give thanks in the midst of so much suffering and pain ?”
If we ’ re not attentive , we can easily lose our spiritual focus and become preoccupied with all the worrisome details of world events and turn our backs upon God – or – we can choose to love Him with all our heart , mind , soul and strength and meet our trials with prayer and thanksgiving . I choose to give Him thanks .
Akathist of Thanksgiving
From birth until now Thy love has illumined my path , and has wondrously guided me towards the light of eternity ; from birth until now the generous gifts of Thy providence have been marvelously showered upon me . I give Thee thanks , with all who have come to know Thee , who call upon Thy name .
Glory to Thee for calling me into being Glory to Thee , for showing me the beauty of the universe Glory to Thee , for spreading out before me heaven and earth like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom Glory to Thee for Thine eternity in this fleeting world Glory to Thee for Thy mercies , seen and unseen Glory to Thee through every sigh of my sorrow Glory to Thee for every step of my life ' s journey For every moment of glory Glory to Thee , O God , from age to age
Fr . Jeff Dean Mead is a full-time chaplain at Morningside Ministries . Along with Chaplain Dennis Smith , he makes daily visits to Morningside ’ s three communities to provide spiritual and emotional support to residents and staff .
10 Fall 2016