According to the Calendar of the Church of England, the commemorations on the days of the Primates’ Conference in London are as follows:
October 15 Teresa of Avila
October 16 Nicolas Ridley and Hugh Latimer
October 17 Ignatius of Antioch
The classic Anglican style of Collect does not ask for the intercession of the saint/martyr but rather looks to virtues of the saint as examples to follow.
Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), Spanish Carmelite Nun and mystic is the teacher of the Path of Contemplative Prayer, the Way of Holiness, Sanctification and Perfection. By her example and teaching, the Primates are taught that “those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength”, that true ecstasy is in union with the Holy Trinity, that “without holiness no one shall see the Lord” and that “the will of God is your sanctification.”
Unless the Primates, led by Archbishop Rowan, are deep in meditative prayer & consecrated and sanctified to the service of the Gospel and to the Way of the Lord Jesus, their deliberations and decisions will be worth nothing in terms of the kingdom of God – however much interest Episcopalians show in them.
Ridley (1500-1555) and Latimer (1485-1555), burnt at the sake in Oxford on October 16, are examples of pastors and preachers who fearlessly proclaimed that salvation is wholly by the grace of God and is received by faith – a faith that is faithful and is expressed in love. Their reformed Catholic zeal and devotion and opposition to medieval errors present to the Primates the example of total dedication to the will of the Lord, whatever the cost, including being burnt at the sake.
Unless the Primates, led by Archbishop Rowan, are wholly dedicated to the Gospel and to the purity of life for which the Gospel calls, then their deliberations and decisions will be worth nothing in terms of the kingdom of God – however much interest the media shows in them.
Ignatius of Antioch (d.107) as the Bishop of Antioch presents to us an example of total dedication to his Lord, to the young Church of the Lord in Turkey & Rome, and to the privilege of martyrdom for the Lord in the Coliseum. Here is a saint of God whose passionate desire is to be with his Lord, even if by the powerful teeth and hunger of ravenous animals in Rome, and yet who cares for the flock of God at the same time.
Unless the Primates, led by Archbishop Rowan, are more concerned about the honor and name of the Lord Jesus, and of heaven as the true home of the faithful baptized, than they are about earth and human reputation, then their evaluation of the ECUSA & human sexuality on earth for disciples of Jesus will not be that which is held & approved in heaven!
“O Gracious Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church and particular for that jurisdiction of the same known as the Anglican Communion; that thou wouldest be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it. When its Primates meet on October 15-17 in London bless, direct and unite them in thy love, for the sake of him who died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord. Amen.”
The Rev'd Dr. Peter Toon M.A., D.Phil. (Oxon.)
No comments:
Post a Comment