Good Friday Moments
This morning, when I woke up, there was an almost pristine but dead dove on my deck. It had flown into a window. That’s the first time that has happened.
During the Stations of the Cross, the rector’s two-year-old son wandered off to the altar . . . and bowed deeply to it. That may be the first time that has happened, too.
I understand that your parish is part of the REC. Do your remarks imply that your parish supports transubstantiation?
ReplyDeleteIf so, this is quite a departure from what I understand of REC doctrine and practices. It seems to me that ever since the REC has been in communion with the APA (which is definitely Anglo-Catholic even though some of the APA parishes may not appear to be such) that it has support more and more "high church" practices such as Stations of the Cross(or perhaps it has not expressed disapproval of REC parishes that have been moving in that direction).
Nevertheless, if your parish supports transubstantiation, this is not just a move to more "high church" practices but acceptance of Anglo-Catholic doctrine! This is certainly a 180 degree turn from the reformed doctrine upon which the REC was founded. Such acceptance must certainly leaves many REC members with a desire to jump ship.
As an orthodox(not in the TEC) non-Anglo-Catholic Anglican I am disturbed by this. Perhaps I misunderstood what your wrote --- I hope so.
Newbie, Forgive me for "jumping in" but I just had to answer "anon."
ReplyDeleteI don't see anything in the post about Transubstantiation. He mentioned the Stations of the Cross which is becoming more common even in non-liturgical churches. I know of a presbyterian church which does it. He also mentions that the priest's son "bowed to the altar". Since there was almost certainly no communion there, how does that "support transsubtantiation?" When one crosses in front of the altar (or Lord's Table if you wish!) one bows TO THE CROSS WHICH SYMBOLIZES THE KING!!! You bow to the King.
I used to be in ECUSA and attended churches from "High" to "VERY LOW" but we always reveranced (bowed to) the Altar.
Trust me, nobody in the REC believes in Transsubtantiation. We do, however, have a number of people who believe in the VERY ANGLICAN concept of "the true presence."
REC Chip beat me to it. . . . which is probably a good thing. ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter everyone.
newbie
Greetings, Mark! I was talking to Father John, and asked about you and decided to check up on your blog.
ReplyDeleteJust a comment regarding the anon. post. It's not just the cross which symbolizes the King, but we reverence the altar out of respect for the place of sacrifice.
On Good Friday, the altar was completely bare after the burial of the cross, and I still reverenced it and got a question. I don't claim to be any authority, but even without the cross on it, that is the place where we make oblation (of bread and wine, tithe, ourselves, "body and soul") and so I reverenced such a sacred place, recognizing the unbelievable grace received by the hand of Christ through his ordained ministry. No less a sage than the Bishop Jeremy Taylor talks of this in his work: "On the Reverence due to the Altar."
Hope it was a helpful comment.
Blessed Eastertide!