This Tuesday we are gathering to have Father Gabriel lead us once more in a discussion on Mary. The focus of his discussion this week will be on the Magnificat found in Luke 1:46-55. Please read through the Song of Mary this weekend and prayerfully consider her great hymn. As you read through it, think how this song belongs not only to Mary but also to the Church and each of us individually. How does your soul magnify the Lord? How does your spirit rejoice in God our Saviour? In what ways does God cast down the mighty and lift up the lowly in your life?
One of the questions that has arisen in our discussion is what do Anglicans believe about Mary? One of the best answers to that question lies in Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ which is a statement issued by the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) in 2004. ARCIC was formed in response to Vatican II in an attempt to reconcile Rome and Canterbury. Frank Griswald, who at the time was the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, chaired the committee that drafted the statement. If you have time this weekend, please take the opportunity to read through the document beginning with the Conclusion. Another good resource is the Church of England’s response to ARCIC’s statement. This response covers most perspectives from conservative evangelical to liberal feminist.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is Swedish meatballs. Discussion about 6:45. Hope to see you here.
I will bless the Lord at all times; *
Psalm 34:1-8
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
I will glory in the Lord; *
let the humble hear and rejoice.
Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord; *
let us exalt his Name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me *
and delivered me out of all my terror.
Look upon him and be radiant, *
and let not your faces be ashamed.
I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me *
and saved me from all my troubles.
The angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him, *
and he will deliver them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good; *
happy are they who trust in him!