Easter Day
Listen to the Sermon for March 27, 2016
Read the Sermon for March 27, 2016
Tag: Hope
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Why Blue for Advent?
The Season of Advent
The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin Adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival.” It is the season of preparation for the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ, God’s Messiah. Advent has been observed in the Western churches, since about the fifth century C.E.. Advent begins the liturgical year and includes the time from the fourth Sunday before Christmas, until Christmas. The first Sunday of Advent is always the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, November 30th, and always falls between November 27th and December 3rd.
The Color for the Season
For centuries, the season of Advent was observed as a penitential season. Sometimes, it was even referred to as the “Little Lent.” And, following the pattern of Lent, the designation of the four Sundays of the season were Sundays “in” Advent rather than Sundays “of” Advent. Also, as in Lent, the color violet or purple was the seasonal color.
During the ecumenical liturgical reforms of the 1960’s and 1970’s, a strong consensus emerged that Advent should be a season of hope and anticipation, rather than penitence. As the new lectionaries were developed, the Sunday readings reflected those themes. Many churches sought a different seasonal color. Liturgical leaders were drawn to the color blue, which was used in the ancient Sarum rite (Salisbury, England). In subsequent years, use of the color blue has become widespread during Advent. Blue symbolizes hope, confidence, anticipation and expectation, all adjectives that describe the season of Advent.
The Advent Wreath Candles
Use of the Advent Wreath entered our observance of the season during the last century. The wreath
consists of four candles, one of which is lighted on each of the four Advent Sundays. As the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, we light more candles until we celebrate the birth of the Light of the World on December 25, symbolized by a larger white candle in the center of the wreath.
When purple or violet was the seasonal color, that was the choice of color for the hangings, vestments, and Advent Wreath candles. However, rose, a lighter shade of purple, was often used on the third Sunday. Rose was thought to be representative of a less penitential theme for that Sunday, on which the first word of the Introit was “Rejoice.” Now that Advent is no longer observed as a primarily penitential season, the candles are blue and there is no need for a rose candle to suggest that we “lighten up.”
I invite you to take time in this season of Advent to prepare your heart and mind in new ways for the news of the birth of Jesus Christ, God With Us.
The Very Reverend Ronald D. Pogue
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Sermon at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jackson Hole ~ May 24, 2015
The Day of Pentecost
Listen to the Sermon for May 24, 2015
Read the Sermon for May 24, 2015
HERE is the link to my reflection concerning the tragic loss last week in Jackson Hole.
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Pray for Oklahoma!
We are shaken by the news of the massive tornado that touched down yesterday, May 20, in Moore, Oklahoma. Here are some resources for responding in ways that will help those whose lives are affected by this devastating storm.
PRAYERS
On the Occasion of a Disaster
Compassionate God… Draw near to us in this time of sorrow and
anguish, comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who are weary,
encourage those in despair, and lead us all to fullness of life; through
the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who liveth and reigneth
with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen— Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints (Church Publishing: New York), page 733
A Prayer for First Responders
Blessed are you, Lord, God of mercy, who through your Son gave us a
marvelous example of charity and the great commandment of love for one
another. Send down your blessings on these your servants, who so
generously devote themselves to helping others. Grant them courage when
they are afraid, wisdom when they must make quick decisions, strength
when they are weary, and compassion in all their work. When the alarm
sounds and they are called to aid both friend and stranger, let them
faithfully serve you in their neighbor. We ask this through Christ our
Lord. Amen.— Adapted from the Book of Blessings, #587, by Diana Macalintal
Prayer for Preparedness and Response
O God, our times are in your hand. In the midst of uncertainty lead
us by your never-failing grace as we seek to be agents of healing and
hope. Walk with us through difficult times; watch over us in danger;
and give to us a spirit of love and compassion for those who suffer and
mourn. And finally remind us that you have promised never to leave us
so that even in the valley of the shadow of death your love may be felt,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.— The Rev. Lyndon Harris, from the Episcopal Diocese of New York disaster preparedness plan
For a Person in Trouble or Bereavement
O merciful Father, who have taught us in your holy Word that you do
not willingly afflict or grieve your human children: Look with pity
upon the sorrows of your servants for whom our prayers are offered.
Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their souls with patience,
comfort them with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance
upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Book of Common Prayer, page 831
CONTRIBUTIONS
Give through your local church, your denominational relief agency, or to a church or judicatory in Oklahoma. Here are some Episcopal Church links:
Episcopal Relief and Development
TALK WITH CHILDREN AND TEENS
Many of those who were injured or killed in this tornado were children. Our own children may have fears about their own safety as they hear the news and identify with them. HERE are some helpful thoughts to guide you as you spend time and talk about this tragedy with the children and teens in your life. This resource was originally prepared following the Haiti earthquake and contain appropriate guidance in any tragic situation that touches the lives of those for whom we care.
A public official in Oklahoma, speaking with a reporter this morning, said, "In Oklahoma, when a neighbor comes to your home asking for help, we take them in and care for them. That's what we do." Those of us who are far from Oklahoma can't provide that kind of direct care for our neighbors in Moore, Oklahoma. But we can "take them in" to our homes through our prayers, our contributions, and by caring for those near us who look to us for wisdom and reassurance.
Blessings to you and yours,
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Sermon at Christ Church Cranbrook ~ December 2, 2012
The First Sunday of Advent
Listen to the Sermon for December 2, 2012
Read the Sermon for December 2, 2012
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Enemies of Discernment: Fear
Fear is one of the greatest enemies of spiritual discernment. If you are involved in a process of spiritual discernment, you need all the verifiable facts and details of the situation before you. But you also need wisdom, courage, hope, and vision in seeking God's will and fear gets in their way.
- If you find yourself feeling afraid, breathe deeply and listen for the still small voice of God saying, "Peace. Be still."
- Go to your bible concordance and see how many times someone facing a spiritual decision is told, "Fear not!" or words to that effect. Some say there are at least 365 instances.
- If there are people in your life who are saying things that strike fear in you during discernment, RUN! Get away from them.
- When you are speaking to another person and begin a sentence with, "I'm afraid that…" STOP! It may be hyperbole and, what's worse, you may be instilling fear in someone who needs your encouragement.
Fear is a natural and instinctive response, which human beings have in common with reptiles, aquatic life, birds, and other mammals. It stems from the brain's limbic system and is necessary for survival. However, unlike the other creatures with which we share this planet, we are endowed with the cerebral cortex, giving us the ability to reason and to find resources with which to overcome fear. That ability is necessary for human beings to be stewards of creation and co-creators with God. The ability to overcome fear is essential for any pioneering endeavor. Every person or group who have ever contributed to the forward progress of civilization have had to overcome fear, and that is particularly true in the realm of spiritual progress.
It is fair to say that the entire canon of Scripture is a testimony to the triumph of spiritual discernment over fear. Some examples:
- Abraham had to overcome the fear of leaving everything familiar, his lands, his kinfolks, and the comforts of his life in order to go to "God knows where."
- Moses response to God's call was the excuse that he would be afraid to speak God's words because of his speech impediment.
- The prophets were all frightened when God called them.
- Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds in the field – all had to be told to "fear not."
- Jesus sweated drops of blood, the product of fear, the night before his crucifixion.
- Do you think St. Paul was frightened out there on the Damascus Road?
When God's people were in exile, their fears almost overcame their hope of ever returning home. The prophet Isaiah gave them a message from God to overcome those fears. Those words, recorded in the 43rd chapter of the Book of Isaiah, inspired the talented Anglican musician, Philip Stopford, to compose this lovely anthem. My prayer for you, in the midst of your time of discernment, is that they will help you rise above your fears and hear the words of wisdom, courage, hope, and vision God has for you.
Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name;
you are mine.When you walk through the waters,
I'll be with you;
you will never sink beneath the waves.
When the fire is burning all around you,
you will never be consumed by the flames.Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name;
you are mine.When the fear of loneliness is looming,
then remember I am at your side.
When you dwell in the exile of a stranger,
remember you are precious in my eyes.Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name;
you are mine.You are mine,O my child,
I am your Father,
and I love you with a perfect love.Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name;
you are mine. -
An Advent Story
Advent is a time of preparation. The messages of the Hebrew prophets and of John the Bapitzer tell us that repentance is a necessary element when we are preparing for God’s entrance into our lives. The call to repentance is a call to examine our lives and change directions in ways that open our lives for God to do something new.
At this time of year, many people turn again to the wonderful Victorian era classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. As I read it, A Christmas Carol is really an Advent story. The surly old curmudgeon, Ebenezer Scrooge, lives a miserly existence with his entire being. Then he is visited in a dream by three Christmas ghosts. He sees his past and then his present. But what is most frightening to him, what shakes him to the core, is the vision of his future. Scrooge awakens to find that nothing has changed. Dickens says, “The bedpost was his own. The bed was his own. The room was his own.” Then Dickens adds, in what might be an Advent text, “Best and happiest of all, the time before him was his own, to make amends in.”
Scrooge undergoes a radical transformation and becomes an entirely new person. He leaves behind the cold and indifferent miser and becomes generous and compassionate. He seizes the time and becomes what the Bible might call “a new creation.” The world has not changed, but he has!
It is a heart-warming story. But more than that, it is a hopeful story. It provides us with the hope that we too can have a change of heart and mind when we know we should. John the Baptizer tells us that someone is coming, someone so spectacular that it is not enough simply to hang around waiting for him to arrive. It is time to get ready, to prepare the way, so that when he comes he can walk a straight path right to us.
That’s what makes the news good! The call to wake up and change directions is filled with the promise that something new is about to happen right before our eyes and in our lives. The time before us is our own “to make amends in” as we prepare room for God to make us new creatures. May this Advent be such a time for you!
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Sermon at Church of the Good Shepherd ~ November 27, 2011