I haven't had the time or energy to find new poems for Holy Week this year as I have in the past. Father Petersen already mentioned that Maundy Thursday is the night of "failure and betrayal." I don't think I could find a poem better than the one I found a couple years ago to capture those emotions, anyway. So here, at least, is one poem for Holy Week, for Maundy Thursday, and the night in which the Bridegroom was betrayed.
Wan Chu's Wife In Bed
BY: RICHARD JONES
Wan Chu, my adoring husband,
has returned from another trip
selling trinkets in the provinces.
He pulls off his lavender shirt
as I lie naked in our bed,
waiting for him. He tells me
I am the only woman he'll ever love.
He may wander from one side of China
to the other, but his heart
will always stay with me.
His face glows in the lamplight
with the sincerity of a boy
when I lower the satin sheet
to let him see my breasts.
Outside, it begins to rain
on the cherry trees
he planted with our son,
and when he enters me with a sigh,
the storm begins in earnest,
shaking our little house.
Afterwards, I stroke his back
until he falls asleep.
I'd love to stay awake all night
listening to the rain,
but I should sleep, too.
Tomorrow Wan Chu will be
a hundred miles away
and I will be awake all night
in the arms of Wang Chen,
the tailor from Ming Pao,
the tiny village down the river.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Thoughts for Easter Vigil/Easter Sunrise
This idea comes from Fr. Christopher Seifferlein, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Adell, Wisconsin. He credits these thoughts to John Mason Neale's commentary on Psalm 93:1 "The Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel: the Lord hath put on His apparel, and girded Himself with strength."
Clothing is important. We dress for the occasion. We dress differently for work than we do for play. For when you see a man dressed you know his purpose.
For this reason the king at war would clothe himself according to the occasion. If victory, then crown and glorious apparel. If defeat, sackcloth and ashes. The king's apparel proclaimed and announced either victory or defeat.
And so it is that clothes aren't reserved only for the living. We dress the dead also. We put them to rest in their final clothes. But these clothes aren't those of victory but of defeat. They are a reminder of what once was and now is no more.
Christ, too, died and was buried. He was dressed in the clothes of defeat, the clothing of death, of sin. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus dress the Lord of life in the smells and spices of death. They wrap him with linen, the clothing of sin and the shroud of iniquity. Apparel that confesses defeat not victory.
But today/tonight we see our King Christ, who suffered on the cross and rested in the grave, we see Him not as one defeated, not wearing the clothing of death. We see Him in glorious apparel. For He passed through defeat and death thereby claiming victory of sin, death, and the power of the devil. He has left the clothing of defeat, the apparel of sin and death in the grave. They are folded neatly where he once lay. He has overcome them. And he adorns Himself now with victory, with glory, with strength. And this announces to all who wear mortality and suffer from sin that death is dead, sin is atoned for, satan and hell are vanquished. For Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
But it is not merely the clothes that He wears but the clothes He dresses us in. By water and His Word, through the power of the Holy Spirit, He wrapped you not in the shroud of death but in His clothing of resurrected life. For do you not know that you were therefore buried with Him through Baptism, and so it is that in Baptism, you were also united to Him in the resurrection to life immortal? Thus, you can say, "O death, where is you victory, where, O grave, is your sting?" For Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Christ is adorned in kingly vestments of victory. This is the clothing by which you have victory also. So gaze at His robes and delight in His glorious apparel. For this, too, is yours. You have put on Christ, and thus you wear not the clothing of death but the vestments of eternal life. For Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
+ IN NOMINE IESU +
Clothing is important. We dress for the occasion. We dress differently for work than we do for play. For when you see a man dressed you know his purpose.
For this reason the king at war would clothe himself according to the occasion. If victory, then crown and glorious apparel. If defeat, sackcloth and ashes. The king's apparel proclaimed and announced either victory or defeat.
And so it is that clothes aren't reserved only for the living. We dress the dead also. We put them to rest in their final clothes. But these clothes aren't those of victory but of defeat. They are a reminder of what once was and now is no more.
Christ, too, died and was buried. He was dressed in the clothes of defeat, the clothing of death, of sin. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus dress the Lord of life in the smells and spices of death. They wrap him with linen, the clothing of sin and the shroud of iniquity. Apparel that confesses defeat not victory.
But today/tonight we see our King Christ, who suffered on the cross and rested in the grave, we see Him not as one defeated, not wearing the clothing of death. We see Him in glorious apparel. For He passed through defeat and death thereby claiming victory of sin, death, and the power of the devil. He has left the clothing of defeat, the apparel of sin and death in the grave. They are folded neatly where he once lay. He has overcome them. And he adorns Himself now with victory, with glory, with strength. And this announces to all who wear mortality and suffer from sin that death is dead, sin is atoned for, satan and hell are vanquished. For Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
But it is not merely the clothes that He wears but the clothes He dresses us in. By water and His Word, through the power of the Holy Spirit, He wrapped you not in the shroud of death but in His clothing of resurrected life. For do you not know that you were therefore buried with Him through Baptism, and so it is that in Baptism, you were also united to Him in the resurrection to life immortal? Thus, you can say, "O death, where is you victory, where, O grave, is your sting?" For Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Christ is adorned in kingly vestments of victory. This is the clothing by which you have victory also. So gaze at His robes and delight in His glorious apparel. For this, too, is yours. You have put on Christ, and thus you wear not the clothing of death but the vestments of eternal life. For Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Another religious freedom case
A mother has been charged with criminal contempt of court for having her kids baptized without the consent of her ex-husband. The court ordered that there be court mediation if the parents could not agree on the religious upbringing of the kids; mom wanted them baptized (she's Methodist), dad didn't (he's Presbyterian).
I hope this case goes through the appellate system and is overturned. It is a long standing rule in Western Christianity that the consent of only one parent is required for the baptism (see the Code of Canon Law sec. 868.1). I can't see it as a good thing for our ministries if courts start forbidding baptisms until we get the consent of Presbyterians, Baptists, or Atheists.
+HRC
I hope this case goes through the appellate system and is overturned. It is a long standing rule in Western Christianity that the consent of only one parent is required for the baptism (see the Code of Canon Law sec. 868.1). I can't see it as a good thing for our ministries if courts start forbidding baptisms until we get the consent of Presbyterians, Baptists, or Atheists.
+HRC
Friday, March 30, 2012
Free Bible Study from CSL
A while back I was puzzling over CSL charging $50 for Bible Studies from profs - I just got this email today from SemPress advertising what sounds like a great product for free download or $10 if you want it shipped to you on DVD. Good for CSL. This is a solid product for parishes that use video Bible Studies from time to time, good publicity for the Sem, and keeps the profs more directly connected to parish reality.
+HRC
From: <sempress@csl.edu>
Date: Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Subject: New ‘In The Word’ Bible Study Series Available
To: sempress@csl.edu
+HRC
From: <sempress@csl.edu>
Date: Fri, Mar 30, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Subject: New ‘In The Word’ Bible Study Series Available
To: sempress@csl.edu
“In the Word” Bible Studies from Concordia Seminary are unique, complete electronic Bible studies-in-a-box. All the materials are downloadable – the Student study sheets, the Leader Guides, and the video presentations.
The newest series, “Reaching the Summit and Holding On to Hope: 1 Corinthians 15 and the Resurrection,” is presented in five video vignettes. The first four videos feature discussion of the text of 1 Corinthians by Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs and Dr. Jeffrey Kloha in a casual setting. In the video for the last session, Dr. Gibbs and Rev. Gary Ellul discuss implications for hope in Christ as it applies to challenging questions of life and death. The Leader Guides and Student Handouts were written by Pastor Ellul. The flexible format allows the facilitator to complete this study in one session, or up to five.
“The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event that has ever occurred — this is the day that changed everything,” commented Dr. Jeffrey Kloha. “This study works through 1 Corinthians 15 to help understand the present and future hope that we have because Jesus rose.”
Bible study groups that begin the study on April 15 (Second Sunday of Easter) will have the opportunity to post questions and comments on Concordia Seminary’s faculty Facebook page, www.facebook.com/
You can preview the videos on concordiatheology.org, or download them for free via iTunesU. The full package is also available on DVD for a $10 handling fee. Please visit https://store.csl.edu/bible-
The Reproaches
Here are the Reproaches sung (right click to open in a new tab so that you can read and listen at the same time) by Rev. Douglas Punke of Zion Lutheran Church in Ft. Wayne and then Sem. Matthew Jeffords, now pastor of Incarnate Word Lutheran Church in Florence, SC. The Reproaches were sung at Redeemer on Good Friday, 2005. The tune is the Gregorian tune from the Liber Usualis. The English translation was provided by the St. Andrew Daily Missal.
Rev. Jeffords wasn't miked so he is a bit tough to hear, but Rev. Punke comes through very nicely.
Historically, the Reproaches weren't used in their entirety the way we do here at Redeemer. The Reproaches follow the procession and unveiling of the cross. They were sung while the people came forward to adore the cross similar to the way we might use distribution hymns. But here, at Redeemer, only the celebrant, deacon, and subdeacon adore in that way, with a kiss and prostration, while the people simply sit or kneel, in adoration, and all of the Reproaches are sung. Certainly we could cut some, but why? They are moving and appropriate and we are in no rush.
Here is the text:
PART I
Pastor: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me. Because I brought thee forth from the land of Egypt: thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Saviour.
Cantor I: Agios o Theos.
Cantor II: Holy God.
Cantor I: Agios ischyros.
Cantor II: Holy mighty.
Cantor I: Agios athanatos, eleison imas.
Cantor II: Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
Pastor: Because I led thee through the desert forty years, and fed thee with manna, and brought thee into a land exceeding good: thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Saviour.
Cantor I: Agios o Theos.
Cantor II: Holy God.
Cantor I: Agios ischyros.
Cantor II: Holy mighty.
Cantor I: Agios athanatos, eleison imas.
Cantor II: Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
Pastor: What more could I have done unto thee that I have not done? I indeed did plant thee, O My vineyard, with exceeding fair fruit: and thou art become very bitter unto Me: for vinegar, mingled with gall, thou gavest Me when thirsty: and hast pierced with a spear the side of thy Saviour.
Cantor I: Agios o Theos.
Cantor II: Holy God.
Cantor I: Agios ischyros.
Cantor II: Holy mighty.
Cantor I: Agios athanatos, eleison imas.
Cantor II: Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
PART II
Pastor: I did scourge Egypt with her first-born for thy sake: and thou hast scourged Me and delivered Me up.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I led thee forth out of Egypt, drowning Pharaoh in the Red Sea: and thou hast delivered Me up unto the chief priests.
Cantor I: O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I did open the sea before thee: and thou hast opened My side with a spear.
Cantor I: O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Pastor: I did go before thee in the pillar of cloud: and thou hast led Me unto the judgment-hall of Pilate.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I did feed thee with manna in the desert: and thou hast stricken Me with blows and scourges.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I did give thee to drink the water of life from the Rock: and thou hast given Me to drink but gall and vinegar.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I did smite the kings of the Canaanites for thy sake: and thou hast smitten My head with a reed.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I did give thee a royal sceptre: and thou hast given unto My head a crown of thorns.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I did raise thee on high with great power: and thou hast hanged Me upon the gibbet of the Cross.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
PART III
Pastor: We venerate Thy Cross, O Lord: and praise and glorify Thy holy Resurrection: for by virtue of the Cross joy has come to the whole world. God be merciful unto us and bless us.
Cantor I: And shew us the light of His countenance, and be merciful unto us.
Pastor: We venerate Thy Cross, O Lord: and praise and glorify Thy holy Resurrection: for by virtue of the Cross joy has come to the whole world.
Cantor I: Faithful Cross, above all other, one and only noble Tree: none in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit thy peer may be. Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron, sweetest weight is hung on thee.
Here, again, is the link to the audio: http://79456.info/axisdata/redeemer/audio/488.mp3
Rev. Jeffords wasn't miked so he is a bit tough to hear, but Rev. Punke comes through very nicely.
Historically, the Reproaches weren't used in their entirety the way we do here at Redeemer. The Reproaches follow the procession and unveiling of the cross. They were sung while the people came forward to adore the cross similar to the way we might use distribution hymns. But here, at Redeemer, only the celebrant, deacon, and subdeacon adore in that way, with a kiss and prostration, while the people simply sit or kneel, in adoration, and all of the Reproaches are sung. Certainly we could cut some, but why? They are moving and appropriate and we are in no rush.
Here is the text:
PART I
Pastor: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me. Because I brought thee forth from the land of Egypt: thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Saviour.
Cantor I: Agios o Theos.
Cantor II: Holy God.
Cantor I: Agios ischyros.
Cantor II: Holy mighty.
Cantor I: Agios athanatos, eleison imas.
Cantor II: Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
Pastor: Because I led thee through the desert forty years, and fed thee with manna, and brought thee into a land exceeding good: thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Saviour.
Cantor I: Agios o Theos.
Cantor II: Holy God.
Cantor I: Agios ischyros.
Cantor II: Holy mighty.
Cantor I: Agios athanatos, eleison imas.
Cantor II: Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
Pastor: What more could I have done unto thee that I have not done? I indeed did plant thee, O My vineyard, with exceeding fair fruit: and thou art become very bitter unto Me: for vinegar, mingled with gall, thou gavest Me when thirsty: and hast pierced with a spear the side of thy Saviour.
Cantor I: Agios o Theos.
Cantor II: Holy God.
Cantor I: Agios ischyros.
Cantor II: Holy mighty.
Cantor I: Agios athanatos, eleison imas.
Cantor II: Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
PART II
Pastor: I did scourge Egypt with her first-born for thy sake: and thou hast scourged Me and delivered Me up.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I led thee forth out of Egypt, drowning Pharaoh in the Red Sea: and thou hast delivered Me up unto the chief priests.
Cantor I: O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I did open the sea before thee: and thou hast opened My side with a spear.
Cantor I: O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Pastor: I did go before thee in the pillar of cloud: and thou hast led Me unto the judgment-hall of Pilate.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I did feed thee with manna in the desert: and thou hast stricken Me with blows and scourges.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I did give thee to drink the water of life from the Rock: and thou hast given Me to drink but gall and vinegar.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I did smite the kings of the Canaanites for thy sake: and thou hast smitten My head with a reed.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I did give thee a royal sceptre: and thou hast given unto My head a crown of thorns.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
Pastor: I did raise thee on high with great power: and thou hast hanged Me upon the gibbet of the Cross.
Cantor I: O My people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
PART III
Pastor: We venerate Thy Cross, O Lord: and praise and glorify Thy holy Resurrection: for by virtue of the Cross joy has come to the whole world. God be merciful unto us and bless us.
Cantor I: And shew us the light of His countenance, and be merciful unto us.
Pastor: We venerate Thy Cross, O Lord: and praise and glorify Thy holy Resurrection: for by virtue of the Cross joy has come to the whole world.
Cantor I: Faithful Cross, above all other, one and only noble Tree: none in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit thy peer may be. Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron, sweetest weight is hung on thee.
Here, again, is the link to the audio: http://79456.info/axisdata/redeemer/audio/488.mp3
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