Liverpool Anglican Cathedral & Clouds over Hope St

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

Pentecost!

"In the English speaking world and especially among Anglicans, Pentecost is refered to as Whitsun or Whitsunday, Middle English Whitsonday, from Old English hwīta sunnandæg, literally, white Sunday; probably from the custom of wearing white robes by those newly baptized at this season" (http://ohioanglican.blogspot.com/2010/05/whitsunday-pentecost.html).

"A feast of the universal Church which commemorates the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles, fifty days after the Resurrection of Christ, on the ancient Jewish festival called the "feast of weeks" or Pentecost (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10). Whitsunday is so called from the white garments which were worn by those who were baptised during the vigil; Pentecost ("Pfingsten" in German), is the Greek for "the fiftieth" (day after Easter)" (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15614b.htm).

"The liturgical celebrations of Pentecost in Western churches are as rich and varied as those in the East. The main sign of Pentecost in the West is the color red. It symbolizes joy and the fire of the Holy Spirit. Priests or ministers & choirs wear red vestments, and in modern times, the custom has extended to the lay people of the congregation wearing red clothing in celebration as well" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecost).

Whether you consider yourself "Pentecostal" or "Catholic" this feast day holds a very important meaning to the church.  The amazing story of Pentecost is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that Christ had promised.

Acts Chapter 2:1-21

1When(A) the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like(B) a mighty rushing wind, and(C) it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3And divided tongues(D) as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. 4And they were all(E) filled with the Holy Spirit and began(F) to speak in other tongues(G) as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6And(H) at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7And(I) they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking(J) Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9Parthians and(K) Medes and(L) Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11both Jews and(M) proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." 12And(N) all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" 13But others(O) mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."
14But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15For these people are not drunk, as you suppose,(P) since it is only the third hour of the day.[b] 16But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17(Q) "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares,(R) that I will pour out my Spirit(S) on all flesh,and your sons and(T) your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18even on my male servants[c] and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and(U) they shall prophesy.
19And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20(V) the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before(W) the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21And it shall come to pass that(X) everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

"We're Not Drunk!" is always a line that makes me laugh.

Yellow Journalism from the NY Times in Regards to the Pope

"Yellow journalism, also known as the "Yellow Press", is a type of journalism that downplays legitimate news in favor of eye-catching headlines that sell more newspapers; sometimes, it deceives the audience it is intended for. It may feature exaggerations of news events, scandal-mongering, sensationalism, or unprofessional practices by news media organizations or journalists" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_journalism).
Yes, the New York Times is guilty of spreading lies for the sake of sales and in an attempt to hurt religion.  Phil Lawler from CatholicCulture.org exposes the lies the NY Times is spreading about the Pope and the Vatican in the recent scandals.  "Here we have a complete rewriting of history. Earlier in this decade, American newspapers exposed the sad truth that many American bishops had kept pedophile priests in active ministry. Now the Times, which played an active role in exposing that scandal, would have us believe that the American bishops were striving to rid the priesthood of the predators, and the Vatican resisted!"
It's not that anyone is denying the abuse or downplaying the scandal itself, it's that the NY Times is trying implicate people that don't have a true involvement.
The lies are a shame, and one that many Americans, and other Westerners will believe.  Read the full article here: http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otn.cfm?id=632

The New York Times discusses the formation of the Anglican Church in North America

New York Times: "Episcopal Split as Conservatives Form New Group"

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Read the NYTimes' account of what's happening in the Anglican Communion in the US and Canada.  Interesting use of the term "reformation times'.

Easter.Ēostre.Πάσχα.Pascha

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!

Almighty God,
through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ
you have overcome death
and opened to us the gate of everlasting life:
Grant that, as by your grace going before us
you put into our minds good desires,
so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect;
through Jesus Christ our risen Lord
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Good Friday

Good Friday

Today is a solem day on the Christian Calendar.  We commemorate the suffering and crucifiction of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.  Looking forward to Easter in anticipation of the Ressurection of Christ, today we take time to reflect on his suffering, his beating, his agony and death.  For us Christ gave the full measure of Himself.  

My personal reflection for today is how my sin, my transgression are the punches in the face of my Christ.  They are the beating.  They are the hammer coming down on the nail.  They are the sting of the crown of thorns.  They are the lashes of the whip.  Oh, God, have mercy on me!  Thank you for loving me, a sinner, unworthy of your compassion.

Today we sang this passion hym: Oh Sacred Head, Now Wounded

Take a moment today and reflect on the words of this timeless song from the Middle Ages:

Easter Worship Song: O Sacred Head Now Wounded from Brian Lusky on Vimeo.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

See, my servant will prosper,
he shall be lifted up, exalted, rise to great heights.
As the crowds were appalled on seeing him
– so disfigured did he look
that he seemed no longer human –
so will the crowds be astonished at him,
and kings stand speechless before him;
for they shall see something never told
and witness something never heard before:
‘Who could believe what we have heard,
and to whom has the power of the Lord been revealed?’

Like a sapling he grew up in front of us,
like a root in arid ground.
Without beauty, without majesty we saw him,
no looks to attract our eyes;
a thing despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering,
a man to make people screen their faces;
he was despised and we took no account of him.

And yet ours were the sufferings he bore,
ours the sorrows he carried.
But we, we thought of him as someone punished,
struck by God, and brought low.
Yet he was pierced through for our faults,
crushed for our sins.
On him lies a punishment that brings us peace,
and through his wounds we are healed.

We had all gone astray like sheep,
each taking his own way,
and the Lord burdened him
with the sins of all of us.
Harshly dealt with, he bore it humbly,
he never opened his mouth,
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter-house,
like a sheep that is dumb before its shearers
never opening its mouth.

By force and by law he was taken;
would anyone plead his cause?
Yes, he was torn away from the land of the living;
for our faults struck down in death.
They gave him a grave with the wicked,
a tomb with the rich,
though he had done no wrong
and there had been no perjury in his mouth.

The Lord has been pleased to crush him with suffering.
If he offers his life in atonement,
he shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life
and through him what the Lord wishes will be done.

His soul’s anguish over
he shall see the light and be content.
By his sufferings shall my servant justify many,
taking their faults on himself.

Hence I will grant whole hordes for his tribute,
he shall divide the spoil with the mighty,
for surrendering himself to death
and letting himself be taken for a sinner,
while he was bearing the faults of many
and praying all the time for sinners.

O merciful God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor wouldest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live: Have mercy upon thine ancient people the Jews, and upon all who have not known thee, or who deny the faith of Christ crucified; take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy fold, that they may be made one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

 

Maunday Thursday / Holy Thursday

"The feast of Maundy (or Holy) Thursday solemnly commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and is the oldest of the observances peculiar to Holy Week. In Rome various accessory ceremonies were early added to this commemoration, namely the consecration of the holy oils and the reconciliation of penitents, ceremonies obviously practical in character and readily explained by the proximity of the Christian Easter and the necessity of preparing for it" (New Advent). 

There are 2 important traditions associated with Holy Thursday: The Washing of Feet, and the Mass of the Lord's Supper.

"The action of Christ after the Last Supper (John 13:1-15) must also have invested it with a deep religious significance, and in fact down to the time of St. Bernard we find ecclesiastical writers, at least occasionally, applying to this ceremony the term Sacramentum in its wider sense, by which they no doubt meant that it possessed the virtue of what we now call a sacramental. Christ's command to wash one another's feet must have been understood from the beginning in a literal sense, for St. Paul (1 Timothy 5:10) implies that a widow to be honoured and consecrated in the Church should be one "having testimony for her good works, if she have received to harbour, if she have washed the saints' feet". This tradition, we may believe, has never been interrupted, though the evidence in the early centuries is scattered and fitful. For example the Council of Elvira (A.D. 300) in canon xlviii directs that the feet of those about to be baptized are not to be washed by priests but presumably by clerics or at least lay persons. This practice of washing the feet at baptism was long maintained in Gaul, Milan, and Ireland, but it was not apparently known in Rome or in the East. In Africa the nexus between this ceremony and baptism became so close that there seemed danger of its being mistaken for an integral part of the rite of baptism itself (Augustine, Ep. LV, "Ad Jan.", n. 33). Hence the washing of the feet was in many places assigned to another day than that on which the baptism took place. In the religious orders the ceremony found favour as a practice of charity and humility" (New Advent).

"If we listen attentively to the Gospel, we can discern two different dimensions in the event of the washing of the feet. The cleansing that Jesus offers his disciples is first and foremost simply his action - the gift of purity, of the "capacity for God" that is offered to them. But the gift then becomes a model, the duty to do the same for one another. The Fathers have described these two aspects of the washing of the feet with the words sacramentum and exemplum. Sacramentum in this context does not mean one of the seven sacraments but the mystery of Christ in its entirety, from the Incarnation to the Cross and the Resurrection: all of this becomes the healing and sanctifying power, the transforming force for men and women, it becomes our metabasis, our transformation into a new form of being, into openness for God and communion with him. But this new being which, without our merit, he simply gives to us must then be transformed within us into the dynamic of a new life. The gift and example overall, which we find in the passage on the washing of the feet, is a characteristic of the nature of Christianity in general. Christianity is not a type of moralism, simply a system of ethics. It does not originate in our action, our moral capacity. Christianity is first and foremost a gift: God gives himself to us - he does not give something, but himself. And this does not only happen at the beginning, at the moment of our conversion. He constantly remains the One who gives. He continually offers us his gifts. He always precedes us. This is why the central act of Christian being is the Eucharist: gratitude for having been gratified, joy for the new life that he gives us" (Vatican).

" Some congregations reenact the foot-washing ritual on this evening.  However, the true climax of Maundy Thursday worship is the celebration of the Lord's Supper.  This night is the "anniversary" of the sacrament and therefore a memorable event, even in churches that celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday.  After the sacrament has ended, the stripping of the altar takes place.  The ministers and several assistants remove all vessels, crosses, books, candles, linens, paraments, banners, and other decorations from the altar and chancel area.  This ancient ritual is a powerful and dramatic reenactment of the Lord's humiliation at the hands of the Roman soldiers.  As the altar is being stripped, Psalm 22 -- a portion of the Old Testament containing clear prophecies of Christ's suffering -- is chanted or read.  The altar, left bare or adorned only with black paraments, is transformed from the communion table of Maundy Thursday into the tomb slab of Good Friday" (St. Paul's Kingsville).

I hope and pray that you, your family and your friends can truly enjoy this liturgical season, and that it will enhance your understanding of Christ, His Passion, and His Love for You.

 

Praise and glory to you creator Spirit of God;
you make our bread Christ's body
to heal and reconcile
and to make us the body of Christ.
You make our wine Christ's living sacrificial blood
to redeem the world.
You are truth.
You come like the wind of heaven, unseen, unbidden.
Like the dawn
you illuminate the world around us;
you grant us a new beginning every day.
You warm and comfort us.
You give us courage and fir
and strength beyond our every day resources.
Be with us Holy Spirit in all we say or think,
in all we do this and every day.
Amen.

Palm Sunday & Holy Week

Today is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week which leads up to Easter, the biggest celebration on the Christian Calendar.  While we look longingly to declare, "He Is Risen!" we can't hide the fact that Christendom is in a state of panic amidst various controversies, scandals, and shameful revelations.
Fr John Hunwicke SSC on his blog "Fr Hunwicke's Liturgical Notes" stated very wisely, "How very, very, appropriate that this malevolent evil should be reaching its climax in Holy Week. Satan has a real sense of liturgy."
While I had intended to do my typical write up of Palm Sunday, and encourage it's observance and shed some historical light on it, I have decided to go another route.  Let's face it, Christianity is under attack.  We face our own moral failings.  We are being attacked by a growing atheistic resistance.  We are being marginalized and challenged by Islam.
Why?  In my opinion it's because we're weak. Just as Christ had His temptation and trial before the Passion, the Christian Community has as well.  Unfortunately, we have failed.  We came up short. 
The point of this season, though, is Triumph, it's Victory, it's the Glory of Christ and the Power of God.  Jesus overcame death, and now the power of ressurection is ours!  Why not harness that this week?  We could focus on scandal and  failures, or division and controversey.  I'm not saying we should ignore the problems, but I'm saying we should look to God for new life, and a renewal of strength.  Christendom needs to overcome her death and be reborn this Easter. 

Lord Jesus Christ,
you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant
and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation.
Give us the mind to follow you
and to proclaim you as Lord and King,
to the glory of God the Father.

Just a Thought...

Is it just me, or are there some Anglicans out there that are more Roman than their Tiber Swimming Counterparts?  This far, far right...yes the ones embracing with zeal the Anglicanorum Coetibus...seems to me to be quite reactionary.  Don't misunderstand me, I'm no fan of what the US Episcopal's are doing.  However, it's odd at how much they are embracing Rome.  I don't know exactly what will keep them Anglican-ish.  Who are the Christians in the middle?   The Left keeps getting leftier, and the right is in the blackhole of conservativism.  I wouldn't dare make the fence-riding analogy, or use the term lukewarm.  Balance, and levelheadedness are needed in Christianity.  We are balancing the sideshow-esque nature of Evangelicalism with the secret-society-toned Catholics.  Where does one fit in and find Christ?  Both claim to have seen Him. 

Much Kudos to the Assemblies of God USA's Official Statement on Immigration

Assemblies of God USA's Official Statement on Immigration
After having a quick read of this statement I was quite impressed and proud of it's release from a denomination that is chock full of right wing conservatives who'd rather shoot Mexicans at the border than extend the hand of Christ.  Yes, I know that is a sweeping, over-steretype of the members of the AoG and sorry if I offended anyone, but it's how I feel, like it or not, based on way too many conversations.  While my personal view may be more liberal than the AG stance, it is compassionate enough and written with true concern for doing as Christ would have us do.

The NAE Immigration Resolution seeks to combine the compassion toward immigrants
required in Mosaic Law and obedience to just laws of civil government required in
Romans 13 to our present situation.  This resolution, in the view of the Executive Presbytery, is a biblically-based, theological reflective, carefully balanced, concise document.

Have a read for yourself.  I'm just thankful that someone realized how contentious this debate was getting and how out of hand the ultra right were getting.

Finally, the Papal Respone to Ireland

After waiting for something from the Pope in regards to the Irish Sexual Abuse Scandal a letter has been delivered to be given to the Irish Church.  I'm not sure what anyone expected.  I think most who are deeply bitter will remain that way.  It's not as if a letter from the Pope is a magic formula to make the past disapear.  So, obviously this will be faced with mixed reactions.  Below I will post some of those reactions along with a link to the official letter:

"Pope Benedict XVI's unprecedented letter to Ireland apologizing for chronic child abuse within the Catholic Church failed Saturday to calm the anger of many victims, who accused the Vatican of ducking its own responsibility in promoting a worldwide culture of cover-up" (Associated Press). 

"Pope Benedict called for healing, reparation and renewal in the Irish church but essentially his remedy is more prayer. His letter called for no resignations of bishops, although a few have already volunteered to leave their posts" (Belfast Telegraph).

"Clerical abuse survivor Andrew Madden reiterated his call for the resignation of Pope Benedict and Cardinal Seán Brady after studying the Papal pastoral letter this afternoon. Expressing disappointment with the document, he said: 'It changes nothing. They should both resign.' Mr Madden said that the document represented 'not an inability to do the right thing, but an unwillingness to do the right thing'. He did not feel that the pope would be any more willing to do it on a visit to Ireland than in Rome"(The Irish Times).

"The strongest point in the Pope's letter to Ireland is his unambiguous apology to victims of sexual abuse. By openly expressing his 'shame and remorse', he has accepted on behalf of church authorities the blame for past crimes and injustices. The most attractive aspect of his pastoral letter is his appeal to young people not to lose heart and his optimism that they can bring their 'much-needed enthusiasm and idealism to the rebuilding and renewal' of the church" (The Irish Independent).

"The Pope's statement may fall short of demands by victims' groups for an admission that abuse was systematically covered up, says BBC Religious Affairs correspondent Robert Pigott. The only direct reference to cover-ups is a reference to 'a misplaced concern for the reputation of the Church and the avoidance of scandal'.  The leader of one Irish victims' group said she was disappointed the Pope's letter did not recognise any responsibility of the Vatican in the crisis" (BBC).


PDF Link: PASTORAL LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER POPE BENEDICT XVI TO THE CATHOLICS OF IRELAND

Collect for Saint Patrick from the Church of Ireland

O almighty God,


who in thy providence didst choose thy servant Patrick

to be the apostle of the Irish people,

that he might bring those

who were wandering in darkness and error

to the true light and knowledge of thee;

Grant us so to walk in that light,

that we may come at last to the light of everlasting life;

through the merits of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord.

Saint Patrick's Breastplate

Seeing as we're only a few days from St. Paddy's, I thought I'd gently remind everyone of the spiritual signifigance of our beloved Saint of the Irish.  So, I would like to draw attention to an old hym taken from Pádraig's own words: Saint Patrick's Breastplate.
According to The Catholic Encylopedia, "The beautiful prayer of St. Patrick, popularly known as 'St. Patrick's Breast-Plate', is supposed to have been composed by him in preparation for this victory over Paganism."  From Wikipedia, "The words were translated into English verse by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1889 and set to two traditional Irish tunes, St. Patrick and Deirdre.  The hymn, also known by its opening line 'I bind unto myself today', is currently included in the English Hymnal, the Irish Church Hymnal and The Hymnal (1982) of the U.S. Episcopal Church. It is often sung during the celebration of the Feast of Saint Patrick on or near March 17, as well as on Trinity Sunday."
The words are classic, and to me are a true invocation of God's presence on ones life.  This prayer/statement of faith affirms the belief in the Trinity and the need of the Armor of God (a reference to the letter's of St. Paul: Ephesians 6:10-11; 1 Timothy 6:12).  Patrick also reminds us of the spiritual battle that we face everyday (again a reference to St. Paul's writting in Ephesians 6:12).  These are the words of Patrick, his thoughts, his prayer:

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through the belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness

Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today

Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,

Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,

Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,

Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today

Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,

In obedience of angels,

In the service of archangels,

In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,

In prayers of patriarchs,

In predictions of prophets,

In preaching of apostles,

In faith of confessors,

In innocence of holy virgins,

In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven:

Light of sun,

Radiance of moon,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of wind,

Depth of sea,

Stability of earth,

Firmness of rock.

I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me:

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's host to save me

From snares of devils,

From temptations of vices,

From everyone who shall wish me ill,

Afar and anear,

Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,

Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,

Against incantations of false prophets,

Against black laws of pagandom

Against false laws of heretics,

Against craft of idolatry,

Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,

Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today

Against poison, against burning,

Against drowning, against wounding,

So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness,

Of the Creator of Creation.

Clerical Celibacy and the Sexual Abuse Scandals

Pope Benedict XVI has his hands full.  After Ireland released the Murphy Report, worldwide attention has been turned again to a horrible blight on the face of the church and all of Europe seems to be coming out with similar claims.  The NY Times has reported that the Pope, speaking through the Vatican “shares the outrage, betrayal and shame” of the sexual abuse scandal. 
I know I'm not the first to raise this question, but is mandated Clerical Celibacy more of a stumbling block than an aid to the clergy? 
"Celibacy remains important for the clergy, the Vatican has reaffirmed, after Austria's Archbishop Christoph Schoenborn reportedly suggested a link between celibacy and abuse and urged for an "unflinching examination" of the possible reasons for paedophilia" (Cathnews).  In Contrast to this and similar statements, prominent theologian, Fr. Hans Kung, has not only publicly questioned clerical celibacy but provided his answer. The Times reports:

“'Why is it so prevalent in the Catholic Church under celibate leadership?'  He said that celibacy was not the only cause of the misconduct but described it as 'the most important and structurally the most decisive' expression of the Church’s uptight attitude to sex.  Citing the New Testament, he says that Jesus and St Paul practised celibacy but 'allowed full freedom in this matter to each individual'. St Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians wrote: 'Because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.' Peter and the apostles were married and their ministries did not suffer, he said, pointing out that thousands of priests protested when the new law was introduced as late as the 11th century.  Father Kung said: 'Compulsory celibacy is the principal reason for today’s catastrophic shortage of priests, for the fatal neglect of eucharistic celebration, and for the tragic breakdown of personal pastoral ministry in many places.'"

 Of course, if you browse the internet there are as many traditional catholic blogs and articles being written in defense of preistly celibacy.  To me this is not a question of modernity.  By that I'm saying that I'm not asking the church to "catch up with the times" but I'm looking back in time to the early church and asking, was there a mandate of priestly celibacy.  In this scenario history is against those who defend priestly celibacy as a dogmatic principle of faith.  Can we blame the sexual abuse issues soley on forced celibacy of the clerics?  Of course not.