29 March 2013
Chief Service
We went in weary and depressed. We've had trouble just focusing on stuff that needs doing. Somehow the first part of the liturgy was hard to concentrate on. It was a chore to sing through O Sacred Head interspersed between the Passion reading from St. John. But Pastor preached us a powerful sermon on the mighty tetelesthai and the service became easier thereafter. The great Bidding Prayer was followed by the adoration of the cross. Then both pastors stepped out to set the altar, and Pastor Ball returned with a beautiful black chasuble and the very simple celebration of the Supper commenced. Lutheran Service Book: Altar Book provides for a spoken preface, and the proper preface for Holy Week moving directly to the Our Father and then the Words of Christ and the peace. Distribution takes place without singing. A collect and then "The Royal Banners" close out the liturgy. We left still quite sad, but not nearly so weighed down. "He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows..."
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10 comments:
Peace be with you and your family. Prayers ascend for blessed St. Jo, who basks in eternal Eastertide!
Fr. Weedon,
I was listening to you on "issues, etc." the other day and I was amazed to find that Lutherans do not have a pre-sanctified Liturgy on Great Friday like the Roman Catholics. WHy? You said that Lutherans cannot distribute the communion unless the verba are spoken. Well, if the verba are spoken and some of the Eucharist is placed in reserve, why would there be a need to speak them again? Do the words lose their efficacy over time? I'm very puzzled by this especially since the tradition of the Pre-Sanctified has a pedigree in the East beginning with Pope St. Gregory I the Great.
And just to make sure I understand fully, so when you bring the Eucharist to a shut-in from the Eucharist that was previously consecrated on a Sunday, must you recite the verba again?
That seems unnecessary and assumes that the verba are not all powerful?
Thanks.--Chris
There are Lutherans who will offer from the reserved sacrament, but always with speaking of the Words of Institution (usually along these lines: "When our congregation gathered to celebrate the Supper we heard how our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night..." - that's the ELCA's typical form, I believe). But the overwhelming practice of Lutherans historically and still today is to consecrate in the presence of those who are receiving. The idea of reservation is not one readily embraced in our Church, despite its antiquity. We do not forget how Cyprian said: "Custom without truth is merely the antiquity of error."
Fr. Weedon,
OK, so it's not part of your tradition, but you still haven't addressed my questions. Do the verba lose efficacy? How does your quote of Cyprian prove that the Eastern Churches and the ROman Catholics on Holy Friday are in error by reserving the sacrament for consumption (not for adoration) at a later time by those unable to come to Liturgy or because of our Lenten practice to not celebrate the full Liturgy during the weekdays of Lent. What is the error that you use Cyprian to condemn?--Chris
Christopher,
In the minds of some, it is not a matter of the Words losing their efficacy, but of their efficacy being attached to the entire action they indicate: take, bless, eat and drink. When the eating and drinking are somehow separated from the taking and blessing, then uncertainty is inserted; and the Gospel is the antithesis of uncertainty. So we "keep together" what our Lord gave us together. The taking, blessing, and receiving. Hope that helps.
P.S. My own position is that there is no "expiration date" on the promise of the Verba; however, pulling apart what the Lord gave us together is clearly a human custom without divine warrant.
Fr. Weedon,
you are impugning the Orthodox practice and if the verba do not lose efficacy then there is NO error in any delay of the consumption of the gifts from when they were consecrated. You keep saying we are in error but you fail to say how except by appeal to your own less-than-500-year-old tradition. I wonder why Lutherans would keep any of the Sacrament in reserve in the first place if there was going to be a reconsecration later.--Chris
Chris,
I'm not going to argue with you on this or anything else. I've explained why Lutherans regard the practice as an abuse. You should understand by now that Lutherans are not normed by Orthodox standards, but by their own standards and that when you criticize us for not being, well, you, we roll our eyes and yawn. Again, let Lutherans be Lutheran!
Chris- Fr. Weedon is a man and can handle himself, but havent you noticed that his dear mother in law has died and has yet to be put to rest? Do you think you could give picking theological fights a break? You are simlpy being rude, should examine yourself and turn from such boorish behavior.
Mr. Ball,
I was not yet made aware of the passing of Fr. Weedon's mother-in-law when I posted those comments. Forgive me for the lack of foresight.
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