The theme for the 2nd Sunday of Shrovetide, in accordance with our Pre-Lenten activities is prayer, or piety. Piety is a very important in the life of a Christian, and our prayer life, like our study of the Bible will help determine what kind of Christian we are. Piety, in part is a response to reading the written word, but is also a response to the world around us.
As with studying the Bible, our goal is to improve our Christian life, by starting where we were. Before we decide what we are going to do for Lent, we need to analyse our lives now, and see where we are.
There are at least two aspects of prayer that are all but forgotten in western Christianity outside of the monastery, silence and fasting. Silence should be part of our study, and it should be part of our prayer life. Silence allows us to reflect on our own prayers, and on our readings, and also gives God a chance to talk to us. In today's modern society, our lives are full on noise, TV, radio, telephones, texting, internet and others, and we rarely take time to reflect. We suggest that for every minute you spend reading the Bible, your should spend a minute reflecting on what you read. Likewise, after praying, we should reflect on our prayers and the prayers of others in order to listen to the Lord's voice. After all, he might expect you to be the answer to someone's prayer. In addition, before attending church services, and before praying we should take a bit of time in silence to centre our thoughts on Jesus.
Fasting too, as mentioned above is an aspect frequently forgotten in the western church outside of monasteries. Primitive Christians as near as we can tell fasted every Wednesday and Friday, and in my life time members of the Roman Catholic church fasted from midnight till taking communion.
How then, should we fast. Here, we are not quite so much doing an exercise to train us for the future, but something for all of Lent. Traditionally, Christians did not eat meat during Lent (not counting Sundays, which are feast days). Shrove Tuesday, also called Fat Tuesday, because that was the day lard was cleaned out of the house (often by making pancakes using the lard), so there would be no meat in the house. We leave it up to your conscience as to how much you would like to fast for Lent. We would hope that once the Fifty Days of Easter are over that all would fast or abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays.
We should also look at other aspects of piety, which should include public prayers, private prayers and prayers with your family. We would gladly send materials for use in family and private prayers. Again, look at where your are, and build on that. If your prayer life is non-existent, then start slow. Give yourself a chance to succeed. Too many people lay down a stiff round of daily prayer and are unable to complete it. Remember, public worship is also very important. If you are in a church that practices weekly communion, that should be an important part of your day as well.
The success of your Lent, will usually have to do with how much you plan in advance.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
1st Sunday of Shrovetide: 16 Februar 2014
Today is the first Sunday of Shrovetide, often know as Septuagesima Sunday, because it is 70 days before Easter. Shrovetide is still part of the Epiphany season, but we mark the last three Sundays of Epiphany as Shrovetide in preparation for Shrove Tuesday and Lent. In former times many went to the priest to confess their sins and have absolution pronounced (or to be shriven), and the penance that they kept for Lent was assigned to them at this time. For some, this penitence was necesary before being admitted to communion for some grievous sin. Lent was also a time of preparation for those preparing for baptism. Shrovetide, then for us is a time to prepare for confession if we so desire, and a time to think about how we would keep a holy Lent.
This first Sunday of Shrovetide, then we look at our study habits. All Christian study essentially begins and ends with the Bible, which is our chief source of knowledge. We need to study the Bible on our own and in groups. The more we know it, the more we can use it as a measuring stick. But it is very important to read it in groups as well, so as to benefit from thoughts and insights of others.
In addition to the Bible, it is a good thing to also be reading the pre-Nicene fathers. Especially the Apostolic fathers knew the New Testament and Old Testament in Greek and actually knew the Apostles. (http://www.tertullian.org/fathers2/)
Also it is good to read the history of the church, from the beginning to now, and it is good to understand the early heresies of the early church such as Gnosticism and Arianism. It isn't a bad idea to learn about your own church and churches in the community around you. To top it off, there are many how to books for Christians. Steer away from those promoting the prosperity Gospel (just ask yourself how many apostles died rich men?) and books promoting cheap grace. Yeshua did not die for us to continue on in the same way, but he died that we may be transformed into his image.
As in everything, be looking at how your study habits may be changed, not only for Lent, but after as well. Many of my habits regarding Church, began in Lent, but continued on after. Whatever you do, in study, prayer and apostolic action should be something you are capable of doing. As in all things, begin with what you already do, and add to it. Don't make it so difficult that you cannot keep to it
May your Lent help you grow in Messiah.
This first Sunday of Shrovetide, then we look at our study habits. All Christian study essentially begins and ends with the Bible, which is our chief source of knowledge. We need to study the Bible on our own and in groups. The more we know it, the more we can use it as a measuring stick. But it is very important to read it in groups as well, so as to benefit from thoughts and insights of others.
In addition to the Bible, it is a good thing to also be reading the pre-Nicene fathers. Especially the Apostolic fathers knew the New Testament and Old Testament in Greek and actually knew the Apostles. (http://www.tertullian.org/fathers2/)
Also it is good to read the history of the church, from the beginning to now, and it is good to understand the early heresies of the early church such as Gnosticism and Arianism. It isn't a bad idea to learn about your own church and churches in the community around you. To top it off, there are many how to books for Christians. Steer away from those promoting the prosperity Gospel (just ask yourself how many apostles died rich men?) and books promoting cheap grace. Yeshua did not die for us to continue on in the same way, but he died that we may be transformed into his image.
As in everything, be looking at how your study habits may be changed, not only for Lent, but after as well. Many of my habits regarding Church, began in Lent, but continued on after. Whatever you do, in study, prayer and apostolic action should be something you are capable of doing. As in all things, begin with what you already do, and add to it. Don't make it so difficult that you cannot keep to it
May your Lent help you grow in Messiah.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
The Church Calender
Instead of writing on the Tanach this week, I would like to talk some about the Church year and its seasons. For Christians, since the book of Acts, Sunday is the regular day of worship, and early on Friday and Wednesday were the regular days of fasting. Sadly in the west, fasting appears to have gone out of fashion. Aside from being based on the Civil calender, the church's calender is also based on the lunar calender. Easter, according to western usage is always the first Sunday after the first full Moon following March 21st, which basically puts it on the first Sunday after Passover. Therefore Lent, and Eastertide are determined by the date of Easter Sunday. Eastertide ends on Pentecost Sunday, 7 weeks after Easter, and Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which is forty-five days before Easter.
The principle feast day of the church is Easter. Other principle feasts are Assentionday, Pentecost Sunday, Trinity Sunday, All Saints Day, Christmas Day and Epiphany. Any of these days take place of Sunday if they so happen to fall on Sunday. Other feasts which may pre-empt Sunday are: The Holy Name and the Presentation. Other feasts of the Lord are: The Annunciation, Holy Cross Day, The Visitation and the Nativity of John the Baptist. Other major feasts are: Feasts of the Apostles, Feasts of Evangelists, St. Mary, mother of Jesus; St. Stephan, the Holy Innocents (Childermas), St. Joseph, St. Mary Magdelene, St. Michael and All Angels, St. James of Jerusalem, and Thanksgiving day.
The principle fasts are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. All Fridays of the year outside of the fifty days of Easter and the twelve days of Christmas are considered days of special denial, along with all days of Lent and Advent, excepting Sundays. Sunday is always a feast day and never a day of fasting in honour of the resurrection.
Advent is the first season of the church year. The word Advent comes from Latin for to come, and in Advent we prepare for the second coming of the Lord, as well as preparing for Christmas. Advent, traditionally is marked by fasting and self-denial. Many people will use an Advent wreath during Advent. The colour of Advent is blue, for the sky from where will come Jesus when he returns again. Advent Sunday, the first Sunday of Lent is always the fourth Sunday before Christmas.
The second season of the year is Christmas, which begins at Sunset on December 24th. During the twelve days of Christmas, we remember not only the birth of Messiah, but also St. Stephan the first Martyr, the Holy Innocents, John the Evangelist and the Holy Name. Each of these feasts point us toward the incarnation of Messiah, which is by many considered to be the grandest of all miracles, when God became man to pay for our sins. The principle colour of Christmas tide is gold (for the king)
The Epiphany begins on the sixth of January, and on the day itself we remember the wise men seeking Yeshua. Epiphany means manifestation, and on the day we remember how He was first manifested to the nations, and in the season, how we are to manifest Yeshua to the world. The first Sunday of Epiphany we remember the Baptism of the Lord, and that indeed is one of our four principle feasts for Baptism. The reading for Epiphany tide are concentrating on the miracles of Messiah. Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord use gold for the king, followed by green (for growth of the church) for the beginning of the season. The last three Sundays of Epiphany tide are Shrove tide, in which we prepare for Lent, by preparing for our confession if we so desire, and planning our spiritual disciplines for Lent. We use purple (preparation) for Shrove tide, except for Transfiguration Sunday which is God.
Lent begins with the Eve of Ash Wednesday, when we, together or separately confess our private sins. Ash Wednesday is a day when we focus more on our corporate sins as a church and a nation. All of Lent is marked by fasting and other signs of penitence. Traditionally, the presbyters appointed penitential excercised on Shrove Tuesday, when the people confessed their sins. Lent was a time of repentance, of preparing catechumens for baptism, and for restoring fallen church members to full membership. We use an Lenten array for Lent, burlap trimmed with purple. The last week of Lent, Holy Week, we used burgundy trimmed with black to mark the blood of Messiah shed for us. In Holy Week we remember the Events culminating in the crucifixion of Messiah.
Easter Even, we say adios to the events and celebrate the Queen of Feasts, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. The first 8 days of the Great Sabbath are celebrated in gold for the king, and correctly celebrated by daily Eucharist. The rest of Easter tide is white for purity and holiness. The white is replaced by gold on Assention day,a and the last day of the fifty days of Easter is flame red for the fire of the Holy Spirit. Easter too, was a major feast for baptisms, since the catechumens had spent Lent preparing for baptism.
The next season, known by some as Trinity tide for the first Sunday in it, is a seson where we work on spiritual growth, for the Christian and the church. The colour is green.
The last season of the years, starting 8 weeks before Christmas is Kingdom tide, in which we prepare to be part of the kingdom, and consider what it means to be part of God's kingdom. Once again, the colour is blue.
Hopefully this essay is of use in understanding the seasons of the church.
The principle feast day of the church is Easter. Other principle feasts are Assentionday, Pentecost Sunday, Trinity Sunday, All Saints Day, Christmas Day and Epiphany. Any of these days take place of Sunday if they so happen to fall on Sunday. Other feasts which may pre-empt Sunday are: The Holy Name and the Presentation. Other feasts of the Lord are: The Annunciation, Holy Cross Day, The Visitation and the Nativity of John the Baptist. Other major feasts are: Feasts of the Apostles, Feasts of Evangelists, St. Mary, mother of Jesus; St. Stephan, the Holy Innocents (Childermas), St. Joseph, St. Mary Magdelene, St. Michael and All Angels, St. James of Jerusalem, and Thanksgiving day.
The principle fasts are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. All Fridays of the year outside of the fifty days of Easter and the twelve days of Christmas are considered days of special denial, along with all days of Lent and Advent, excepting Sundays. Sunday is always a feast day and never a day of fasting in honour of the resurrection.
Advent is the first season of the church year. The word Advent comes from Latin for to come, and in Advent we prepare for the second coming of the Lord, as well as preparing for Christmas. Advent, traditionally is marked by fasting and self-denial. Many people will use an Advent wreath during Advent. The colour of Advent is blue, for the sky from where will come Jesus when he returns again. Advent Sunday, the first Sunday of Lent is always the fourth Sunday before Christmas.
The second season of the year is Christmas, which begins at Sunset on December 24th. During the twelve days of Christmas, we remember not only the birth of Messiah, but also St. Stephan the first Martyr, the Holy Innocents, John the Evangelist and the Holy Name. Each of these feasts point us toward the incarnation of Messiah, which is by many considered to be the grandest of all miracles, when God became man to pay for our sins. The principle colour of Christmas tide is gold (for the king)
The Epiphany begins on the sixth of January, and on the day itself we remember the wise men seeking Yeshua. Epiphany means manifestation, and on the day we remember how He was first manifested to the nations, and in the season, how we are to manifest Yeshua to the world. The first Sunday of Epiphany we remember the Baptism of the Lord, and that indeed is one of our four principle feasts for Baptism. The reading for Epiphany tide are concentrating on the miracles of Messiah. Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord use gold for the king, followed by green (for growth of the church) for the beginning of the season. The last three Sundays of Epiphany tide are Shrove tide, in which we prepare for Lent, by preparing for our confession if we so desire, and planning our spiritual disciplines for Lent. We use purple (preparation) for Shrove tide, except for Transfiguration Sunday which is God.
Lent begins with the Eve of Ash Wednesday, when we, together or separately confess our private sins. Ash Wednesday is a day when we focus more on our corporate sins as a church and a nation. All of Lent is marked by fasting and other signs of penitence. Traditionally, the presbyters appointed penitential excercised on Shrove Tuesday, when the people confessed their sins. Lent was a time of repentance, of preparing catechumens for baptism, and for restoring fallen church members to full membership. We use an Lenten array for Lent, burlap trimmed with purple. The last week of Lent, Holy Week, we used burgundy trimmed with black to mark the blood of Messiah shed for us. In Holy Week we remember the Events culminating in the crucifixion of Messiah.
Easter Even, we say adios to the events and celebrate the Queen of Feasts, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. The first 8 days of the Great Sabbath are celebrated in gold for the king, and correctly celebrated by daily Eucharist. The rest of Easter tide is white for purity and holiness. The white is replaced by gold on Assention day,a and the last day of the fifty days of Easter is flame red for the fire of the Holy Spirit. Easter too, was a major feast for baptisms, since the catechumens had spent Lent preparing for baptism.
The next season, known by some as Trinity tide for the first Sunday in it, is a seson where we work on spiritual growth, for the Christian and the church. The colour is green.
The last season of the years, starting 8 weeks before Christmas is Kingdom tide, in which we prepare to be part of the kingdom, and consider what it means to be part of God's kingdom. Once again, the colour is blue.
Hopefully this essay is of use in understanding the seasons of the church.
Monday, July 22, 2013
21 July
Sirach always has good sound advice for us, and this week is the same. Sirach often resonate with Jesus the Messiah, as in this week he tells us, what God really wants is obedience, not sacrifice. But as Paul, he tells the importance of giving cheerfully, and most important to remember what we give back to God is very little compared to what he has given us.
But we are reminded as well, that God will not accept bribes, and will not favour the poor over the rich, but will see that justice is done.The prayers of the righteous will pierce through to heaven, no matter what.
Our lesson from Judges is a reminder. The Jews were not a monolithic people. Many others came with them through the desert, and during the period of the Judges, language began changing. We see too that the Jews, like u were not perfect people, but that God was preparing them, still causing them to behave as one people in the 400 year time peoriod of the judges where they are knit together by adversity.
But we are reminded as well, that God will not accept bribes, and will not favour the poor over the rich, but will see that justice is done.The prayers of the righteous will pierce through to heaven, no matter what.
Our lesson from Judges is a reminder. The Jews were not a monolithic people. Many others came with them through the desert, and during the period of the Judges, language began changing. We see too that the Jews, like u were not perfect people, but that God was preparing them, still causing them to behave as one people in the 400 year time peoriod of the judges where they are knit together by adversity.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
14 June 2013
Torah: Genesis
25:1-33
Prophet: Judges 11:1-40
Writing: Sirach 34:1-26
Our first two readings are reminders that God does not see the way man does. In Genesis we rehearse the story of Avra'am down to Yitzhakh and Y'akov. We are reminded that Y'akov was not the first born, but that God had chosen him before he was born. The theme is mentioned again in our readings from Judges, as our hero, Yiftach is the son of a prostitute. We see this theme reported over and over, the choosing of Moshe, of Yosef, of David, none of them the strongest, but all willing to allow God to use them to further his purpose, and indeed God has a purpose for each of us.
A brief comment on Yiftach's daughter. Some think she was offered in sacrifice, but many believe that she essentially became a temple servant, and would have remained a virgin all of her life.
Briefly on Sirach, many things we find in Sirach are reflected in the words of Jesus. Sirach also has much practical advise. We are not to be misled by dreams, unless they are the ones sent by God. How do we know they are sent by Go?. Two ways, a dream sent by God will not be in conflict with the Bible. Secondly, if a dream is sent by God, he will confirm it. We are also told in this lesson that traveling is good for us, and that if we fear the Lord, we shall live. In fact if we truly fear the Lord, then we need have no fear of anything else, for God will protect us.We are then given a strong warning against sin. When we repent, it needs to be a true repentance. When we repent and return to our sin, not even God will listen to our prayers, so our repentance must be serious.
Friday, June 7, 2013
2 June 2013
Genesis 20:1-18:
Today's reading is quite interesting and leaves food for thought. First, we might want to know what was it about Avraham's family that is so important. Avraham marries his half sister, Sarah. His son Yitzhak marries his cousin, Rebekka. Yakov, his son marries his cousins, Rakhel and Leah. Avraham & Sarah, Yitzhak & Rebekka, and Yakov and Rakhel are all ancestors of King David and of our Messiah, Yeshua. (and let us not forget Lot, Avraham's nephew, who also is an ancestor of King David and Yeshua through Ruth.) We note in passing, they are all descendents of Terah, who left the land of Ur to go to Canaan with his family, but got sidetracked in Haran, (Was a familial blessing the result of Terah being willing to leave for Canaan?)
Now for the story. Avimalekh has taken Avraham's wife, believing her to be Avraham's sister. Yahwey appears to Avimalech in a dream and informs him of what he has done. He also tells Avimalekh that he protects the innocent. In the light of some of the disasters we have had this year, we might wonder if God really protects all the innocent, but, if we seek we shall find answers. In Sirach we are told that God takes some people from this life at a young age, because they will not be able to resist temptation. An interesting thought, because indirectly, it means that we, with God's help CAN resist temptation. The question is whether we will decide to or not. With God, we have the power, but many of us will not fight, and will fall into sin. So be confident. If you are here, with the power of God, you can resist whatever temptation it is. Thirdly, trials, temptations and tribulations build us up as good Christians.
But the lesson is important as well in what it says about God and Avraham. In this lesson, Avraham doesn't show in particular great trust in God. He is afraid Avimalekh will kill him to take his wife Sarah, and doesn't seem to trust God to take care of the situation. But take care of the situation is exactly what Yahweh does. Not only does God protect Sarah's innocence, but he sends a dream to Avimalekh, and to make sure Avimalekh is listening, he makes every animal and person barren until the situation is taken care of. Now we note, once Sarah is taken, Avraham did nothing to cure the situation, he had total faith in God to work it out and God did. It is important to look at Avraham's relationship with God. Avraham was a man who love and trusted God. He was God's friend, and I often picture Avraham being like Tevya in "Fiddler on the Roof," sharing with God his problems and preoccupations. God was eminently real to him, in a way that he does not seem to be real to most of us. Avraham (and David, and the prophets) knew that the spiritual realm is just as important as the physical realm. Their friendship with God was a true complete friendship, which resulted in blessings. (bear in mind blessings does not mean riches, and can be both spiritual and/or physical. Long term friendship with God, leads us to become more like God. Just as older couples come to resemble each other through years of intimacy, the more we become like God, when we make him a regular part of our lives through studying the word of God, prayer, and obedience to him.
Lastly we note Avraham's forgiveness. He prayed for Avimalekh to be healed. How many of us would be so charitable to one who took our spouse from us? Love, prayer for, and taking care of our enemies, is deeply entrenched in the Tanakh and the New Testament.
Today's reading is quite interesting and leaves food for thought. First, we might want to know what was it about Avraham's family that is so important. Avraham marries his half sister, Sarah. His son Yitzhak marries his cousin, Rebekka. Yakov, his son marries his cousins, Rakhel and Leah. Avraham & Sarah, Yitzhak & Rebekka, and Yakov and Rakhel are all ancestors of King David and of our Messiah, Yeshua. (and let us not forget Lot, Avraham's nephew, who also is an ancestor of King David and Yeshua through Ruth.) We note in passing, they are all descendents of Terah, who left the land of Ur to go to Canaan with his family, but got sidetracked in Haran, (Was a familial blessing the result of Terah being willing to leave for Canaan?)
Now for the story. Avimalekh has taken Avraham's wife, believing her to be Avraham's sister. Yahwey appears to Avimalech in a dream and informs him of what he has done. He also tells Avimalekh that he protects the innocent. In the light of some of the disasters we have had this year, we might wonder if God really protects all the innocent, but, if we seek we shall find answers. In Sirach we are told that God takes some people from this life at a young age, because they will not be able to resist temptation. An interesting thought, because indirectly, it means that we, with God's help CAN resist temptation. The question is whether we will decide to or not. With God, we have the power, but many of us will not fight, and will fall into sin. So be confident. If you are here, with the power of God, you can resist whatever temptation it is. Thirdly, trials, temptations and tribulations build us up as good Christians.
But the lesson is important as well in what it says about God and Avraham. In this lesson, Avraham doesn't show in particular great trust in God. He is afraid Avimalekh will kill him to take his wife Sarah, and doesn't seem to trust God to take care of the situation. But take care of the situation is exactly what Yahweh does. Not only does God protect Sarah's innocence, but he sends a dream to Avimalekh, and to make sure Avimalekh is listening, he makes every animal and person barren until the situation is taken care of. Now we note, once Sarah is taken, Avraham did nothing to cure the situation, he had total faith in God to work it out and God did. It is important to look at Avraham's relationship with God. Avraham was a man who love and trusted God. He was God's friend, and I often picture Avraham being like Tevya in "Fiddler on the Roof," sharing with God his problems and preoccupations. God was eminently real to him, in a way that he does not seem to be real to most of us. Avraham (and David, and the prophets) knew that the spiritual realm is just as important as the physical realm. Their friendship with God was a true complete friendship, which resulted in blessings. (bear in mind blessings does not mean riches, and can be both spiritual and/or physical. Long term friendship with God, leads us to become more like God. Just as older couples come to resemble each other through years of intimacy, the more we become like God, when we make him a regular part of our lives through studying the word of God, prayer, and obedience to him.
Lastly we note Avraham's forgiveness. He prayed for Avimalekh to be healed. How many of us would be so charitable to one who took our spouse from us? Love, prayer for, and taking care of our enemies, is deeply entrenched in the Tanakh and the New Testament.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Holy Week and Bright Week
It is not our custom to remember particular saints during Holy Week and Bright Week, so if one of your favourite saints were missed, they will be back next year. Saints that were missed were:
Richard of Chichester (3 April)
Martin Luther King Jr. (4 April)
Richard of Chichester (3 April)
Martin Luther King Jr. (4 April)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
