Ancient Anglican

Praise to the Trinity—the sound and life and creativity of all within their life, the praise of the angelic host and wondrous, brilliant splendor hid, unknown to human minds, it is, and life within all things. Laus Trinitati, Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

While they were gazing into heaven as he went, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go.”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking, Jesus drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

“Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.”

What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body.

The final chapter of Archbishop Rowan William’s book Being Disciples: Essentials of the Christian Life is about “Life in the Spirit.” This is the end goal of Christian discipleship – to live by the Spirit. Too often when we speak of a “life in the spirit” we envision a monk dedicating himself to prayer in a monastery or a Pentecostal speaking in tongues or maybe a particularly “great” or “moving” worship service. But, as Dr. Williams points out,…

This week’s reading is Chapter 5 – Faith in Society – of Archbishop Rowan Williams’s book Being Disciples: Essentials of the Christian Life. The question that Dr. Williams explores is “What place does Christian discipleship have in a modern democratic society?” Historically, there were different answers to the question of a Christian’s role in the world. In the early Church, there was a recognition that God’s kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36), but that…

This week we are discussing chapter 4 – Holiness – of Archbishop Rowan Williams’ book: Being Disciples: Essentials of the Christian Life. The word “holy” in Hebrew – qodesh – means to be sacred or set apart. The Sabbath is holy because it is set apart from other days. The Aaronite priesthood is holy because it is set apart from other Israelites. Israel is holy because it is set apart from the other nations. Being set apart means having…

Tonight we will be gathering to discuss chapter 3 – Forgiveness – of Archbishop Rowan Williams’ book: Being Disciples: Essentials of the Christian Life.  Please read over this chapter slowly in preparation for this evening. A blog that I read often is Glory to God for All Things. It is written by Fr. Stephen Freeman who grew up conservative Baptist in upstate South Carolina, converted to the Episcopal Church in college (eventually becoming a priest), and who moved…