Cæli enarrant If the first two sorrowful mysteries — our Lord’s agony in the garden and scourging at the pillar — directly confronted us with the Passion, dropping us in the deep end, the last three only repeat and intensify the regimen. Their sole purpose is to fix our attention on things as they are: the form of God’s suffering love. To pray these mysteries — traditionally … [Read more...] about Thorns, Cross, Crucifixion
Good Friday
Christ’s Agony and Scourging
liz west/Flickr Cæli enarrant By Christopher Wells The great gift and power of the rosary is its laser focus on the “mysteries” — the sacraments — of our faith (see Eph. 5:32), which God would break open before and in us. He seeks to show himself to us entirely, and in so doing to place us in the flesh of his Son. Every feeling, hope, dream, and fear; every love, … [Read more...] about Christ’s Agony and Scourging
No Substitute for Substitution
Defending Substitution: An Essay on Atonement in Paul By Simon Gathercole. Baker Academic. Pp. 128. $19.99 Review by Fleming Rutledge It may or may not come as a surprise to some readers of The Living Church to know that the simple statement, “Jesus Christ died in my place for my sins,” might bring down the wrath of the academic community upon the unsuspecting head … [Read more...] about No Substitute for Substitution
Love that Never Dies
Homily for Good Friday, Year A (RCL) • Fr. Matthew S.C. Olver Cathedral Church of All Saints • Milwaukee • Noon The Love that Died, and Never Dies Jesus says to the Rich Young Ruler: “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.” In the † Name of the crucified God, Jesus, Son of Mary. Amen. “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asks. Good. This is not the word we … [Read more...] about Love that Never Dies
Jesus Defeats Dionysus
From the Pulpit By G. Willcox Brown The first lesson for 3 Easter this year began with Saul “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.” The reading ended with Saul being baptized and finding illumination and strength. And Ananias tells Saul that Saul is to regain his sight and more: he is to be filled with the Holy Spirit and with strength. Here … [Read more...] about Jesus Defeats Dionysus
Second Annunciation
By Jon Adamson Woman, behold your son: behold your mother Thirty-four years before these words, Our Lady received the angel’s message — declaring her full of grace and soon to be full with the Child who would pour grace upon the whole world. At this Annunciation, she was troubled at the saying. She was betrothed but had not consummated the marriage and her mind reeled to … [Read more...] about Second Annunciation