Saint George, Patron Saint of England – Br. Curtis Almquist
Ephesians 6:10-20
Mark 8:34-38
We remember today a soldier named George who lived in Palestine at the beginning of the fourth century. He was killed, not in service to the emperor Diocletian but rather martyred as a soldier of Christ. He became known throughout the Eastern Church as “The Great Martyr.” Years later, following the Crusades, the soldiers returning home to the British Isles carried with them a great spiritual devotion to their fellow soldier and martyr, George, and he became the Patron Saint of England. In iconography or other artistic renderings, Saint George is most often depicted slaying a dragon which is at his feet.
Talking about dragons these days is not a topic of everyday conversation. We are too sophisticated, I suppose, to literally believe in dragons that inhabit Loch Ness or an enchanted forest, and yet I think the archetype of a dragon is still very much with us in the realm of metaphor and imagination. These days we still do talk about “facing the dragon” in our own souls, something that could seem ominous or dangerous and thought to have the potential to overpower us. “Dragons” probably cannot be avoided. In ancient lore, dragons appear in our lives or come across our paths for two reasons. Either they are guarding something valuable, something that is very good or very bad or they are coming at us, accosting us. We are the prize, and the dragon is coming after us.
If I were to ask you the question – “Where is the dragon in your own life…?” – would you know what I was talking about? If so, the dragon probably has something to do either with your past, or it has to do with your future. If the past, the dragon is most likely guarding a secret. It may be a secret shame or a secret hope, and you need to claim it. You will not be whole, you will not know the full dignity of your birth and life, until you’re able to name and claim this secret. Even if it looks shameful, if the secret is guarded by a dragon it actually is a secret treasure or it’s the key to a treasure in your life. I’m sure that’s so, or otherwise the dragon would not be there on guard. This is of inestimable value, or the dragon would not be there, guarding your past. Your past is full of treasure, and it belongs to you.
Or if the dragon is ahead, in your future, the dragon is probably coming at you threatening your impending death. The dragon may be threatening to take your life away from you in the form of disease or diminishment, or simply to cripple you by the fear evoked by its roar. If you are acquainted with this dragon, I can tell you for certain, this dragon is nothing to be afraid of. First of all, you are “a goner.” Dying and death are a part of life. Period. We are all terminal by the end of the day or week or year or some years ahead. Our own death is assured. This dragon is something like the Wizard of Oz. There’s nothing there behind the roar… as if the dragon could take away something that is already imminent. The dragon does not hold claim on your life or on your death. As we’ve heard today from the Gospel according to Mark, whoever thinks they can save their life will lose it – our dying and death, and at a time and in a way over which we probably will have little control. Don’t waste your fear on what is inevitable. The dragon has no power, either to save or to destroy us. Quite to the contrary, we’re given a triple promise. First, the imminence of our death in this life. Second, the promise where there is no death but a life to come, what we call “the resurrection.” And third, the companionship of Christ to ferry us across the unknown.
We who are followers of Jesus Christ have not been given life to be wimps. We’re promised the companionship of Christ, the strength and courage and armor of Christ, to live boldly into the future bearing the witness of Christ to a world on our own doorsteps that is terribly afraid. And if there’s a dragon out there in your own life, maybe more than one, the dragon is either guarding a treasure of your past, which is yours to claim – and you can do this! – or it’s a dragon coming to you out of the future, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Nothing to be afraid of. Nothing. Nothing. You’re not alone in this. As Saint Paul writes, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation [including dragons], will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39
What’s to be afraid of?
Nothing.
Nothing.
Dear Curtis: it is nearly five years since I wrote above in response to your homily. Last spring I was at Emery House with your group for a retreat. I was not very well and found it difficult. Thank you, though, for your kindness to me.
The fears of the dragon draw closer. Later last year I was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment; tensions of any sort certainly have an effect to the point that the old grey cells are completely blank. In between times, they are still working and – so far – I can still write.
You and the other brothers have been a wonderful gift to me for many years and I send thanks and God’s blessings to all of you at SSJE. Christina McKerrow
The dragons I face have to do with age. I understand that the ultimate dragon is death, which I do not dread; its the loss of mental and physical abilities connected with these days leading up to it that become dragons for sure. But my faith in Christ Jesus has, so far, staved off those dragons. I have peace which He alone can give. In my late eighties, I can still clean house, cook a meal, drive my car, and entertain guests. I am able to attend church every week. So, I am thanking God for these things. I certainly realize that I am so richly blessed. I worked in my yard today and so enjoyed doing so. So, Dragons flee away, you are not breathing your fire on me yet! Praise the name of the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! Thanks for your sermon.
Dear Br. Curtis,
Just last week a dragon in my life was exposed for what it was and so destroyed but you have named it for what it was and I am so grateful. Thank you,Thank you. May you be truly blessed for your many words of strength and comfort on our present journey.
Margaret
I have felt crippled by fear so many times. Your sermon – coming down all these years – really gave me new insight and a new mantra: What is there to be afraid of? Nothing, nothing. That will be my new faith refrain. Thank you Br. Curtis.
Guarding the past and protecting a treasure rather than a shielding a shame gives me hope Thank you
My mother used to have a statue of St. George slaying his dragon. Long gone now, but still vivid in memory. I tend to worry about the little things in life. Thank you for the comforting words.
Good morning, dear Curtis:
Thank you for this morning’s reading. However, like the letter above,(Suzanne Mapes) my fear is not about actually dying. When I die, I die. But the way ahead until then fills me with fear. I have just had a three week spell of black depression, forgetfulness, and fright. That is the battle that I have from time to time. In the carpet of my life, there are these dark threads in between others that are the relief: some golden and silver and for those I am grateful. All in all, I have had a good life for nearly eighty years.
Blessings. Christina
Your words today mean everything to me.
I have just turned 70. That doesn’t bother me. But my dragon is what lies ahead. I fear the loss of my mental abilities. I am forgetting directions (like to the doctors office.) Then wonder what lies ahead. or forgetting what I heard only a few minutes ago.
I will hold onto your message of hope and the love of God in Jesus Christ
Thank you, brother Curtis
Thanks.This George needed that!
Thank you brother for your words of inspiration. I was up into the late night worrying about the future, and to find this waiting for me this morning is truly a blessing. Thank you also for helping me name my dragons. I have found these daily messages to be very meaningful, especially during Lent when you spoke to us through video. The opening of each video with the chant and bells was a perfect way to get centered before the meditation. Would love to see that come back! Peace to you all. Your sister, Jennifer.
Yes, I really liked the peacefulness of the bells also and miss that.
Thank you bro. Almquist. Wonderful words for me to hear today as I sit in the isolation area in m.d.anderson in Houston with a leukemia dragon roaring at me. I am a candidate for a bone marrow transplant and things look very good. Romans 8 is my favorite scripture as well. Thank you for a lovely start to my day. I have met you at many diocese of Texas clergy events while I was on diocesan staff and it is so good to hear your “voice” again. Blessings on your day . Janie
Thank you, Br. Curtis. As a younger George, I picked up the idea that the saint chiefly slew dragons to rescue damsels in distress. But, your point is the right one. And that is why, at least in the Shakespearean version of history, Henry V calls on the Saint at the Battle of Agincourt. As I recall, in one of the Narnia tales, the obnoxious kid Eustace becomes a dragon, much to his chagrin. Aslan has to peel away the scales of dragon skin to reinstate him as a boy. That hurts, as is often the case, when Christ peels away our scaly, self protective skin to transform us into the image for which we were created. Onward to confront and dispatch our dragons–no wimps in this battle!
Thank you for the daily readings, and videos. I was afraid they would end after Easter week, and am happy to see that I still receive them. I look forward each day to reading your inspiring message