. . . if hearing people pray in the language of "jesuswejus" makes you want to scream.
Not sure what that bit means, but I wholly agree with the rest. :-)
"...very God from Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made..."
or "...to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid..."
or the familiar but, when actually considered, rather chilling
"We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen."
That, I think, is the essence of much Episcopalianism (not everyone's, I hasten to add, but that of many):
DON'T THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
I mean, "Grant us the honour of drinking your son's blood"? Is that anything but disturbing and creepy when you stop and think about it? But thanks to dear old Archbishop Cranmer, it is all so beautifully expressed and so familiar that if you just let the words carry you along, it just sounds wondrous. :-)
want to scream.
Not sure what that bit means, but I wholly agree with the rest. :-)
"...very God from Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made..."
or "...to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid..."
or the familiar but, when actually considered, rather chilling
"We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen."
That, I think, is the essence of much Episcopalianism (not everyone's, I hasten to add, but that of many):
DON'T THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
I mean, "Grant us the honour of drinking your son's blood"? Is that anything but disturbing and creepy when you stop and think about it? But thanks to dear old Archbishop Cranmer, it is all so beautifully expressed and so familiar that if you just let the words carry you along, it just sounds wondrous. :-)
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment