Good Friday- Were You There?

Were you there? -Jesus bending under the weight of a rugged wooden cross beam… pulled along by a rope around his waist… crowds jeering…  soldiers doing what they do best… Calvary looming ahead. 

It is the tradition of many Christians on this day to walk the Way of the Cross with Jesus, also known as the Stations of the Cross.  Early Christians who would make their pilgrimage to Jerusalem would walk in the footsteps of Jesus along the route He took as He bore His Cross to Calvary.  When access to the Holy Land became either limited or dangerous following the Muslim conquest of the Middle East, churches in Europe placed “stations” in the nave of their churches depicting the events of Jesus’ journey to the Cross.  The artwork on the wall of our nave here at Holy Trinity continues this tradition.

Here at noon we walk to the Way of the Cross with Jesus, as countless other Christians will be doing on this day.  We gather in the nave of our church and move from station to station, event to event, reading Scripture, praying, meditating on the events depicted, until finally we come to Calvary with Christ. 

Good Friday is a day of fasting and reflection.  In the evening at our Good Friday Liturgy, we once again read the Passion Story, as we did on Palm Sunday, but this from the Gospel of St John.

Where is the “Good” in Good Friday?  Considering the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, this day is indeed “Good” for you and me.

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday (April 17)

(Maundy is derived from a Latin word meaning Commandment)

      This day, Maundy Thursday, is the day before Jesus’ Passion and Crucifixion.  Also for Jesus and His disciples that year, it is the eve of Passover (according the Synoptic Gospels- Matthew, Mark and Luke ) when the Jews celebrate the Passover Seder, the ritual meal commemorating the eve of the Exodus when death (the tenth plague) comes to Egypt but passes over (Passover) the homes of the Hebrews.  Death passes over the Hebrews because they are marked by the “blood of the lamb” on the doorpost of their homes. 

      It is on this night that Jesus gathers with His disciples in an upper room in the ancient city of Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.  Jesus commands His disciples (and us) to do two things.  First, He commands that we love others the way He loves us (John 13:34).  Jesus demonstrates this love by washing His disciple’s feet, and tells us to do likewise.  Jesus also commands that His disciples break bread with their fellow disciples in remembrance of Him.  Jesus goes on to infuse new meaning into the Passover meal by offering Himself as the Passover Lamb who is sacrificed for the sin of the world. Passover becomes for us not only what it has always been, a remembrance of the saving acts of God, but also a memorial and an assurance of Jesus’ “Real Presence” with us as he says that the Bread is His Body broken for us and the Wine is Blood shed for us. 

      At the Maundy Thursday service here at Holy Trinity (7:00 pm), we are obedient to both of these commands: we wash one another’s feet and we participate in the wonderful mystery we know as the Lord’s Supper.  Come join us in the ancient liturgy rich in symbolism, meaning and holy significance.

 

 

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Many churches celebrate a centuries-old tradition known as “Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.”  Shrove Tuesday has been a time to confess sins and prepare for the penitential Season of Lent.  The name Shrove has its root in an old English word meaning “to confess.”   It also is a time to use up food items such as fats, eggs and milk in preparation for our Lenten fast.  The tradition of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday came about as a way to use up these food items.  In the French culture, the consumption of all fats on this day became known as "Fat Tuesday" or Mardi Gras.

Why the Tradition of Calling Priests "Father"

        I have been asked the question as to why we use the title “Father” in addressing priests in the Anglican Tradition. This does not seem to be a large issue among us, but it is a good question worth answering. 

        The word “priest” is an English translation of the biblical word πρεσβύτερος (presbuteros), meaning “elder,” from which the adjective “father” has emerged.  It is, like “elder,” a title that expresses eldership, headship and ordained authority in the Family of God.  Some prefer, however, not to use the title in deference to Matthew 23:9: "Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.”  This is a sensibility for which I have no great problem and am open to. I like the well-used saying, “You can call me anything, but just don’t call me late for supper.”

        Is the use of the title “Father” a violation of Scripture?  The question hinges on Jesus’ intent in this passage and the word’s broader use in the Bible.  Was Jesus seeking to remove the words Father, Teacher and Master from our vocabulary, except when referring to God? (Note that the extended passage talks about all three descriptors,) Probably not, particularly since we would lose the power of these earthly metaphors in referring to God.  Was this a rabbinic style of teaching about the truth that God is indeed our ultimate Father, Teacher and Master?  I would say, yes. 

        Since Jesus used all three words in their earthly connotations, can we not also?  The broader Bible definitely uses these words; for instance, Abraham is called the “father” of the many nations (Abraham actually means “father of many”).  Granted, the Bible is literally the Word of God, but Biblical Literalism, which is not the same thing, can box us into corners that the Lord does not intend.

        Objection to the use of the word Father appears to have its origin in the Protestant reaction to the spiritual elitism of clergy of the late medieval period (known as clericalism).  Clearly this is an issue to react to, but it may have been a “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” thing. 

        I personally prefer one of two titles- Father or Pastor.  Both express my ordained calling to leadership: one more out of the Judeo-Christian Tradition of expressing headship, intercessory ministry and sacramental eldership; the other expressing eldership in a more interpersonal, teaching and shepherding sense.  Feel free to call me either, “just don’t call me late for supper.”                                                                                                Rob+

Anglican Identity

One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic, Trinitarian and Biblical

One:  “There is one body and one Spirit… ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:4-5)   We see ourselves as one tradition among many in the Body of Christ, and we affirm and stand alongside other Christian traditions and denominations as brothers and sisters in Christ who are also firmly anchored in the Trinitarian, Apostolic Faith.

Holy:  “…let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood… you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people…”  (2 Peter 2:5, 9)  We are a work in progress, being sanctified (being made holy and into the image of Christ) by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Catholic:  In liturgical and sacramental continuity with the ancient Church.

Apostolic:  “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship…. (Acts 2:42)  We are “…built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 2:20). We are committed to receiving and passing on to future generations the Faith once delivered to the Apostles.

Trinitarian:  “And I (Jesus) will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. ¹⁷This is the Spirit of truth…” (John 14:16-17)   

Biblical:  “…The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart…” (Romans 10:8). As Anglicans we see Scripture as clear, sufficient, supreme, authoritative and transformative.

Prophecy

One Sunday following Communion, we received a prophecy.  It was approximately as follows: 

I am here with you.

I am always with you,

Whether you believe it or not, I love you. 

I have always loved you.

Draw near to Me.

Prophesying, or speaking words and thoughts given by the Lord and directed to the people gathered, is a spiritual gift for the edification, exhortation, encouragement or comfort of God’s people.  St. Paul says about prophecy in 1 Cor.13:1, 3-   “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. ³…the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.”

The prophecy given was not planned; in fact, The person offering the prohecy was a bit surprised when these words came to her.  As the Celebrant that Sunday, I intentionally placed a moment of silence after the post-Communion Prayer of Thanksgiving to see what the Lord might say to us individually or corporately, silently or aloud.  

During these times of silence during the liturgy, listen for the Lord’s voice.  He may not be asking you to speak it to the congregation; then again, perhaps He is.  Either way, be attentive with your spiritual ears open.  The adult gathering following Sunday service is a good time to share what you hear and discern in our worship.

Father Rob

Science and Religion

Being an engineer with great love for math and science, I very much enjoyed a conference last week sponsored by the Diocese of SC.  All the speakers except one were world-class scientists comfortable with the relationship of science with their Christian Faith. The other speaker was a bishop who is very comfortable with his theology and its relationship with the sciences.  These speakers affirmed the understanding that the Lord is the master engineer, biologist, physicist and mathematician, and that there is not a conflict between His science and the Christian Faith.
 
Science intellectually attempts to answer the “how” questions of the universe; Christianity as a religion based on revelation from God gives us the “why” of the universe.  The synergy between science and the Christian Faith wonderfully reveal the workings of God’s world to us.
 
What I gained most from this conference, however, was a better understanding of a different sort of religion, Scientism. The core belief of Scientism is that science can explain the world without belief in the creating and sustaining hand of God.  I learned that Scientism requires far more faith than I can muster.                                                                                                                 Rob+