Some discussions, on this site and elsewhere, are different variants of reflecting on what the Bible is for Christians. In the midst of some people’s tub-thumping of the term sola scriptura (belief in the Bible alone) some people can give the impression that those who do not use the term sola scriptura somehow do not
What is the Bible? Read More »
The Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) all have a tradition of ritual handwashing before prayer. Jews Christians In the third century there are traces of a custom of washing the hands as a preparation for prayer on the part of all Christians; and from the fourth century onwards it appears to have been usual for
What has the world come to if the Vatican cannot spell the name of the Saviour! [No, check the date, this is not one of my annual April Fools’ Day posts]. 6000 bronze, silver, and gold medallion coins have been minted with Jesus’ name as “Lesus”. No – I could not have made this up!
One of the sadder moments for me at the recent diocesan synod was communion time at the synod Eucharist. While I and others were going to receive communion, clusters of people, particularly clergy, were sitting around and chatting. We regularly see complaints about the Sign of Peace interrupting worship and degenerating to a catch-up time.
Prayerful Priests? Read More »
The Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer (page 18) has “The Ember Days, traditionally observed on the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after the First Sunday in Lent, the Day of Pentecost, Holy Cross Day, and December 13”. The mnemonic is “Lenty, Penty, Crucy, Lucy”. In ancient Italy the times (originally three) were associated with sowing,
We have been watching what is happening in Syria. We have been praying for Syria. Saturday, 7 September, is a day of prayer and fasting for Syria. You might use the resources in the Chapel here. Pray the Daily Office (online or with another), celebrate Eucharist with this intention. Light a candle (virtual or nonvirtual).
Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals [Hardcover] by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Enuma Okoro, and Shane Claiborne. Zondervan 590 pages. The book begins with, “If you love liturgy, this book is for you. If you don’t know what liturgy is, this book is also for you.” This is followed by a wonderful introduction (yes, for those
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This year, on 4 December, it is the 50th anniversary of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium), the first document promulgated by Vatican II. I was invited to write a reflection from an Anglican perspective for Liturgy, the Roman Catholic Auckland Diocesan Liturgy Centre publication. I am grateful that they are happy for
When belief shaped praying (part 3) Read More »
UPDATE: You can download the March 2025 (much expanded)version of the Book of Prayers in Common by clicking the link: Book of Prayers in Common. ***** You can also download it as an .epub file (This is for iPad and other mobile devices. I am not as happy yet with this – if you have the option, I
Book of Prayers in Common Read More »
I have been writing about the O Antiphons that many of us have been praying these days in the evening with the Magnificat. If this is new to you, follow links, tags, use the search box provided top right. A comment noted that the daily Mass Alleluia Gradual text surprisingly (at least to me), while
O Dayspring; King of the nations; Emmanuel Read More »
