Month: May 2016

Trinity Sunday: A Few Traditions and Links

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The Collect for Trinity Sunday “Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; We beseech thee that thou wouldest keep us steadfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.” On Trinity Sunday, it is a tradition to sing  “I Bind Unto Myself Today.” For more on this glorious hymn, you can read our post on “The Breastplate of St. Patrick.” Along these lines, here is also  a beautiful post on Celtic Christianity and Trinitarian Theology, specifically how it manifests itself in the Carmina Gadelica, a collection of Gaelic hymns and prayers: For the Gaelic writers, the Trinity is not an esoteric dogma to be recited and systematized but rather a living and lived reality, for God as Creator is near to us in creation, and all that he has made is a reflection …

“The Person of Love in the Life of God”

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We have compiled some quotations for pertaining to Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, from the Church Fathers and others. St. Iranaeus: “He had promised through the prophets that in these last days he would pour out his Spirit on his servants and handmaids, and that they would prophesy. So when the Son of God became the Son of Man, the Spirit also descended upon him, becoming accustomed in this way to dwelling with the human race, to living in men and to inhabiting God’s creation. The Spirit accomplished the Father’s will in men who had grown old in sin, and gave them new life in Christ.” St. Ambrose of Milan: “So, then, the Holy Spirit is the River, and the abundant River, which according to the Hebrews flowed from Jesus in the lands, as we have received it prophesied by the mouth of Isaiah. This is the great River which flows always and never fails. And not only a river, but also one of copious stream and overflowing greatness, as also David said: “The stream of …

Simple Pentecost Traditions for the Home

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Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16:7-11 (ESV). As always, we would direct you to the extensive repository of information to be found at Full Homely Divinity. We thought we would also highlight a few ideas. Pentecost Litany Here is a printable of a Litany of the Holy Ghost, provided by our priest Fr. Wayne McNamara: Litany of Holy Ghost Barefoot on Pentecost: When researching this day, we learned that one Pentecost tradition is to go outside barefoot on Sunday morning and walk around in the dew. This originated from a verse in the …

Ascensiontide Novena

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A Novena is an act of devotion, consisting of nine successive days of prayer. The original novena is actually the nine days between Ascension and Pentecost. So, for that reason, we decided to share with you a printable for the Novena for the Gifts of the Spirit. Traditionally, you begin praying this Novena today (the Friday after Ascension Day) and continue until the Eve of Pentecost. Novena Printable This is a lovely rendition of the hymn to be sung before the prayers in the Novena, “Come, Holy Ghost” [Note that the hymn is in Long Meter (L.M.), so you do not have to sing this particular tune. Other familiar long meter tunes that could work with this hymn are the tunes for “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts” (Abends), “What Star is This” (Puer Nobis),  and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (Hamburg).] Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, and lighten with celestial fire. Thou the anointing Spirit art, who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart. Thy blessed unction from above is comfort, life, and fire of …

Ascension Day: Christ Our King & Christ Our Brother

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In the past, when I’ve thought about the Ascension, I’ve wondered, “What’s the big deal about Christ floating up into the clouds?”  I’ve felt that perhaps, the Ascension is slightly anti-climactic after the resurrection event. My imagination also has been stunted, since I can’t seem to picture the Ascension in any way that doesn’t seem ridiculous, whether flannel-graph-childish or Cape-Canaveral-Spaceship-launch. But this year, meditating on the Ascension has brought me great joy because this statement has been singing through my mind: The Ascension means that Christ is our King and is also our Brother. The Ascension is more than a miracle showing Jesus’ mastery over the physical world. It is Christ’s enthronement, when he is seated at the right hand of God as King and Priest. To be seated at God’s right hand is a frequent Biblical metaphor, especially noteworthy in Psalm 110, where a figure is foretold who unites the offices of King and Priest, with all things subjected under him.  Hence, right before his Ascension, Christ could declare “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given …