tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post116631215895041788..comments2024-03-23T14:04:57.635-05:00Comments on Father Hollywood: Sermon: Advent 3 (Gaudete)Rev. Larry Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705910892752648940noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-1166390716892664402006-12-17T15:25:00.000-06:002006-12-17T15:25:00.000-06:00Sorry, wrong Phil. Philippians. You knew that.Sorry, wrong Phil. Philippians. You knew that.Past Elderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10541968132598367551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-1166369777166238552006-12-17T09:36:00.000-06:002006-12-17T09:36:00.000-06:00Gaudete Sunday. Rejoice Sunday. From the incipit...Gaudete Sunday. Rejoice Sunday. From the incipit to the Introit for the day, quoting Philemon, Rejoice in the Lord always. Why there is a rose candle amid the three purple ones in the Advent wreath, lit this Sunday. Why rose vestments are worn for one of only two times in the year, the other being Laetare Sunday in Lent, a similar breaking out of the joy to which the penitential season leads.<BR/><BR/>But not in the Brave New Church. We have now Advent 3, blue vestments, and the body will be placed in my hand, not my mouth. Gaudete is one of those times (Laetare being the other)when I wonder how it is that even among generally traditional and conservative circles, we behave like Vatican II happened in St Louis or Milwaukee, not Rome.<BR/><BR/>I was RC in one of the hot spots for "liturgical renewal" and historical-critical method. When communion in the hand came, it was explained that this showed a deeper understanding of the Eucharist, getting away from the passivity of the bad old pre conciliar days, that extending my hand and placing the host in my own mouth expressed that faith is both God's action toward us and also our action toward him.<BR/><BR/>Blue vestments remove the last visible trace of the old downer of repentance and sin, that this birth which the world celebrates as the "Christmas Spirit", let's be better persons because that's what Jesus (and all the other great teachers and examples) would do -- this birth is also a sword, this time a time of grace, repent and believe the Gospel.<BR/><BR/>Yes, there is no promise, command or example for purple vestments, historic lectionaries or communion in the mouth in Scripture. On that basis wear plaid vestments if you like. Or do like WELS and abolish Introits altogether in your service book. With reference to similar problems in his day, Walther said something like this -- if you don't believe as Methodists do, then why worship as they do?<BR/><BR/>I saw first hand that the changes to liturgical practice begun at Vatican II, and adapted by the mainline churches since, were all of them intended to replace traditional faith at worship with the "faith" of the historical-critical school at worship. As with communion in the hand, all of them stepping away from traditional faith for what is nothing more than a works righteousness couched in language of "community", making it all about us rather than all about Him in Word and Sacrament no less than a Rick Warren feel good praise service.<BR/><BR/>What I don't get is, there are many good and faithful pastors and laity who understand and avoid the latter day Pietism of the happy clappy crowd, but do so not with the traditional liturgy but a Vatican II for Lutherans revision of it that no less than mega church service styles replaces the traditional faith of Him coming to us in Word and Sacrament with me/us and what I/we feel and do.<BR/><BR/>Ich bin am Ende. Gaudete indeed -- rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice! A little rant on Father Hollywood's blog helps clear my version of the struggles you mention.Past Elderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10541968132598367551noreply@blogger.com