Good News and Bad News
Third Sunday of Advent: December 16, 2012
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come
among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins,
let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver
us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and
the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end.
Amen.
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come
among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins,
let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver
us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and
the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end.
Amen.
We of catholic origin and heritage are reluctant to part with things of old, tradition, liturgy, sounds, words, music, prayers. In some cases, unduly so, unduly reluctant. A prayer from Gelasian to Gregorian, Gallican, Sarum up to present, is not necessarily suited to modern theology, or suitable to a twenty-first century worshiper who has come not to roll in ashes but to anticipate and celebrate. It may signify arrogance, but this Advent collect from the Dark Ages doesn’t synch with me. Especially in that, unlike those of ancient times, up to and including Cranmer, who may have been motivated by fears of hell, I do not feel sorely hindered by my sins.
Some other collect may have been better for Advent 3.
Although, seeing our Gospel for the day, perhaps not.
Luke 3:7-18 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
There’s good news and bad news. This from John the Baptist is the good news. And the bad news is ... ?
About the Collect. White flag and out of here.
TW+