In the most recent edition of the Roman Missal (2002), the ancient “Prayer over the People” at the end of the Eucharist was restored – optional on weekdays of Lent, required on Sundays of Lent. For most people the challenge is to reduce the wordiness of our liturgies, to increase silence, and to emphasise the
Prayer Over The People Read More »
The irony of going to the Coen Brothers’ movie Hail, Caesar! was that it was preceded by a trailer for a “religious” film coming out by Easter, Risen. The religiously-motivate Risen is about a Roman soldier, at the time of Christ, coming to terms with who Jesus is. I have been sorely disappointed with recent
[Udate 21 March 2016 in red (further updating 23 April in green and 29 April in maroon) : Thank you to all who have been part of the discussion here – both online, in private messages, and IRL “In Real Life”. These discussions have clarified that a formulary expresses a doctrine. We have a process, with careful
An Improved Way Forward? Read More »
Let us pray (in silence) [that through this week we may share in Christ’s dying and rising] pause Almighty everliving God, [or God of transcendence] as an example of humility for the human race, you sent our saviour to become incarnate and to submit to the cross, grant us the grace to learn from this
Palm Sunday and Holy Week Read More »
We are drawing near to that time of year again (Good Friday) which traditionally has Christians praying for the (conversion of the) Jews. If you think that Pope Francis is radical in some of what he does in the liturgy, picture this: Pope John XXIII, at the first Good Friday service (one of the most
Praying for Jews and Muslims Read More »
In a recent comment, someone referred to Christian vestments as “playing dress up”. As is so often the case with digital comments, I cannot judge the tone of this comment, nor the attitude of it’s author. But comments like that are often made with a tone of denigration. As if dressing up is somehow wrong.
Christians disagree. About lots of things. We disagree about war, and when it is just to fight in war. We disagree about evolution and science. We disagree about divorce. We disagree about the place of women in church leadership. This post is not debating particular disagreements – this is looking at “the next layer up”,
When Christians Disagree Read More »
NIV, First-Century Study Bible, Hardcover: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context by Kent Dobson 1888 pages Zondervan (2014) This Bible is beautifully presented. The images are attractive; the tables are easy to understand and clear. This is, as it says, a study Bible that focuses explaining the original cultural context of what
NIV First-Century Study Bible Read More »
