Advent warnings

The collect for today, the second Sunday of Advent, speaks of warnings:

"Give us grace to heed their [the prophets] warnings ..." (BCP, Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent)

We (all of us?) are not very good at heeding these kinds of warnings.  For many people, I suspect, the word "warning" does not mean anything at all; it does not even register.  For some others, it causes a slight twinge of embarrassment, for even fewer, a vague feeling of guilt.

Thomas Cranmer from Wikimedia Commons

I am reminded of some striking words from the Homilies of Thomas Cranmer:

"But when he withdraweth from vs his Word, the right doctrine of Christ, his gracious assistance and ayde (which is euer ioyned to his word) and leauth vs to our own wit, our owne will and strength: he declareth then, that he beginneth to forsake vs." from the "Homily on the Declining from God," from Homilies by Thomas Cranmer, Oxford City Press, 2010 with preface from 1562.

First the wrath; then the turning away, the hiding of the face.  I have underlined a rather significant phrase from Archbishop Cranmer.  How deaf to warnings are we now that we consider these things (our own wit, will, and strength) to be virtues and not vain, and even damning illusions.

John of Damascus

Today the church remembers John of Damascus (676-749), a Syrian polymath who served under a Muslim caliph.

John of Damascus from Wikimedia Commons

I also wanted to point out that tonight is the fourth night of Hanukkah, so the four candles should be lit (well, technically five).  This is an interesting evening - halfway between darkness and light.

John of Damascus was also associated with writings about the Assumption of Mary and the defense of iconography.

As you wait in Advent, think, meditate, study.  And read 2 Maccabees.

The first week in Advent

This is the first time I have done this to my recollection, but this really is a nice, quiet reflection on Advent by Archbishop Williams:

ABC's Commentary on Advent

Somehow it seems quite consistent with this morning's New Testament reading from 1 Thessalonians:

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands..." (1 Thess 4:11)

You, O Lord, are my lamp

From Psalm 18:

"You, O Lord, are my lamp; my God you make my darkness bright." (Psalm 18:29)

St Mary's Episcopal, Memphis, TN

Little Gidding

Today is the day the church recognizes Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon (1637).  My understanding is that Nicholas Ferrar felt a calling to return to England and found something of an abandoned village.  He lived there with his family.  I have read that there was always someone in his family at prayer.

Little Gidding Church from Wikimedia Commons

And yes, this is the same Little Gidding that is the subject of No. 4 of the Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot.