I think the majority of people who sing the popular “O come, o come, Emmanuel” have no real idea of the background to this carol. Do you? In the daily office, the regular invariability of singing/chanting/praying of psalms and biblical canticles (songs) is “softened” by an antiphon, a line usually said/sung before, and then repeated
I recently had a conversation with a young man who had just completed 10 days in absolute silence, meditating 10 hours a day. This was at a Buddhist centre in New Zealand. 60 people attended. Attendance was free (koha – donation). Yes, there are places in New Zealand where you can go on a silent
Contemplative Community Read More »
The recent post on Common Worship led to my asking, “Why?” Why have common worship? Obviously, if you are praying alone – you can do whatever you want. When you start praying together with another person, or as a group – well, that’s quite a different ball game. Suddenly you meet innumerable decisions: When shall
Why Common Worship? Read More »
Loving God above all through all Let us pray (in silence) [that we may love God in all things and above all things] Pause O God, you have prepared for those who love yougood things which no eye can see,and which surpass our understanding;pour into our hearts such longing for you,that we,loving you in all things
Walking the Camino to Santiago is a lived parable of the pilgrimage of life. Others may have sent luggage ahead – my own personal decision was to carry my gear. What we carry can also, of course, translate metaphorically. There is all our emotional, intellectual, even spiritual baggage. And the invitation, and challenge, to travel
Travelling and at home, one of the differences between Roman Catholic and Anglican church buildings that has become a noticeable pattern to me is that if one goes into a Roman Catholic church building it would be very rare to find one where there isn’t someone praying; if one goes into an Anglican church building
From Anglicans Online 2005 O key, O king, O root, O mystical name. O Wisdom, O virgin, O Lord. They are riddles in prayer, woven around the canticles of the daily office from December 17 (or 16) to December 23 every year. The O Antiphons come at the end of Advent to tie together the
A Reflection on the O Antiphons Read More »
I recently read a thought-provoking article on “the most overlooked characteristic of who you want to marry“. Kevin Thompson wrote about “In sickness and in health”. Few people consider sickness and suffering when picking a mate. They consider how the other person might look in the morning or what bad habits they might have. They
Praying With Your Partner Read More »
The New Zealand Lectionary booklet for 2015 has been for sale for a while and is available online now. You can download it from here (1.46 MB). A lot of the lectionary booklet is unchanged in its format from this year. As previously, a wide variety of options are provided, some authorised by our church,
New Zealand Lectionary 2015 Read More »
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us
Lord, Teach Us to Pray Read More »
