Anglican Mainstream

WEDNESDAY – Advent III – An Ember Day

In the selections we have from the prophet Zechariah we are reminded again of the marvelous purposes of God's grace toward his people appear in the judgment of the enemies and the restoration of both the land and the people. But a crucial question arises: How can an infinitely holy God accomplish such a plan with a sinful and blemished people? One might say there are people in our town, our jobs, our schools , even our homes who ask that very question about us as we busily prepare for his coming. How can we do that amidst our brokenness?

Zechariah emphasized that God has used His prophets to teach, warn and correct His people. Unfortunately, the prophets are imperfect as are the people they serve. All of us human beings we are “earthen vessels,” fragile yet beautiful. In order for us to become perfect we must be fashioned and shaped by the Lord.

The ember days of advent (Wed, Fri and Sat of Advent) are excellent opportunities to do just. Originally tied to the earth, to the birth and growth of crops, a new meaning was given to them by the fifth century: the Ember Saturdays became the quarterly dates for the ordination of deacons and priests. Thus, the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays became days of fasting and supplication not just for the earth, but for the Church, for its ministers and ministry. They became a time to pray for the Church and still are.

PRAYER: O ALMIGHTY God, who hast committed to the hands of  you people the ministry of reconciliation; We humbly seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to be put it into the hearts of many who offer themselves for ministry; so that humankind may be drawn to your blessed kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Discipline/Activity – The Ember Days are celebrated with fasting (no food between meals) and half-abstinence, meaning that meat is allowed at one meal per day. (If you observe the traditional Friday abstinence from meat, then you would observe complete abstinence on an Ember Friday.) If you cannot fast because of health or lifestyle concerns consider praying the litany for the church. For those who see a more reformed spirituality go to http://www.covenantnetwork.org/sermon&papers/wilkinson2.html for those who have a more catholic approach http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litany_of_humility

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “After the confession of the Blessed Trinity, you profess faith in the Holy Catholic Church. The Church is simply the community of all the saints. All who from the beginning of the world were or are or will be justified whether Patriarchs, like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, or Prophets, whether Apostles or martyrs, or any others make up one Church, because they are made holy by one faith and way of life, stamped with one Spirit, made into one body whose head, as we are told, is Christ. “– Niceta of Remesiana, Instruction on the Faith”

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