For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified
I have a visit to the dentist today – emergency type! I am terrified. I do not like the whole doctor thing but the pain is not much fun either. So the least evil of the two!
The above is from Mattins (1871 lectionary, if you must know). Nothing but Jesus! “Carry your cross and follow me”. Maybe that is the image to carry today?
Anyway …
If you could relive one day from your past, which day would it be and why?
There are many days I remember with fondness, I would not want to relive any!
Why? My memory is better than the reality because it has a layer of time and emotion. Meeting a person is only special because of who they became to me. So some moments are special because of what came after them. So memory of what happened is better than the actual event.
How strange is that?!
Cosin’s Primer, on the other hand, appearing unexpectedly and subversively in ‘our aged and noontide seasons of the Gospel’, was no less than a step on the way back to Popery, the provision for the observance of the canonical hours importing nothing else ‘but a necessitie of bringing in Monkerie and so of erecting cells again’
Introduction in JOHN COSIN, A Collection of Private “Devotions”
If you could erase one event from history, what would it be?
I wouldn’t!!! Because today would no longer be today. Yes, there are super sad events in the past. But those events, alone with the super nice ones, shape the now. And the now would no longer be the now without those events.
The Religious Societies of the seventeenth century offer most practical and important witness. Associated with Anthony Horneck’s ministry at the Savoy Chapel, London, and later with William Beveridge and Robert Nelson, these societies arose as an attempt – and a successful one – to practise the full teaching of the Church as enshrined in the Book of Common Prayer. The initial influence of these societies, these “Faithful Remnants”, was enormous, and history supports their sanity and zeal. The recitation of the daily Office was central to their activity, a priest-director was an essential part of the system, while works of charity towards the poor were a natural outcome. It is significant that their demise came when extraneous interests in politics and sociology overbalance the original Godward intention. For most of our modern parochial organizations, the writing on the wall could hardly be plainer.
English Spirituality, 266
What’s a conspiracy theory you actually find believable?
While I am not sure what officially qualifies there is one I heard that makes me think: Sean Puff Daddy Combs was actively involved in the death of Tupac Shakur. And, btw, Tupac and Biggie Smalls are living it up in a secret location.
Am I alone?
Also: I think there is some “insight” in Sedevacantism and Conclavism but I cannot locate it.
Wherefore, except Vespers and Nocturns, there are no public services among them in the day except on Saturday and Sunday, when they meet together at the third hour for the purpose of Holy Communion. For that which is continuously offered is more than what is rendered at intervals of time; and more acceptable as a free gift than the duties which are performed by the compulsion of a rule: as David for this rejoices somewhat exultingly when he says, Freely will I sacrifice unto You; and, Let the free will offerings of my mouth be pleasing to You, O Lord.
Institutes, 3.2
Bishop Cosin wished to define the hours at which it was to be said within certain limits, by adding to “a convenient time before he begin,” “which may be any hour between six and ten of the clock in the morning, or between two and six of the clock in the evening” and although his alteration was not adopted, it serves to show us what were then considered the canonical limits of the times for Mattins and Evensong.
Annotated Prayer Book, 20
How do you deal with uncertainty?
Hmmm?! The assumption, methinks, is that “uncertainty” is something difficult that needs a choice. Well, I simply embrace it! Uncertainty is part of every moment and fighting it takes away energy from living. Control what I can control and surrender the rest!
Or, I surrender again to Jesus! Methinks it is central to monastic life – focus on Jesus. Uncertainty will come but Jesus will remain the same.
a fool and his prayer book 