Ember Days of Autumn- Luke 4:16-21

This Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday are the traditional autumn Ember Days (after the feast of the Holy Cross on September 14). The traditional Ember Days are days of fasting and prayer near the changes of the four seasons. These days seem to have originated in Rome during the third century, and they may have been established as Christian days of fasting in contrast to pagan feasts near changes of the seasons. Gradually, the observance spread throughout the Western Church, and in the early Middle Ages, the days also became associated with ordinations. Until liturgical revisions of the 1960s and 1970s, Anglican, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic calendars included Ember Day prayers. However, as newer calendars made them optional, the Ember Days practically disappeared in many places. 

Among the general prayers, the 1662 Book of Common Prayer contains two Ember Day prayers for those about to be ordained. The 1928 Book of Common Prayer has an additional general prayer for the increase of the ministry and a set of Ember Day propers. The Collect for the Day focuses on increasing the number of candidates for ministry. The Gospel from Luke 4:16ff is about the beginning of Christ's public ministry in Nazareth. The 1962 Canadian BCP includes propers for each set of Ember Days. The autumn theme focuses on Christian labor.

Seasonal days of prayer and fasting are certainly appropriate. It is also fitting that we pray for sound vocations to ordained ministry, especially in societies where clergy and church membership are aging. The Church always needs candidates with sound spiritual, moral, and mental qualities to pursue ordination. Those already ordained also need the Church's prayers that they may fulfill their vocations in a godly manner.

Holy Cross Day- 14 September- Galatians 6:14

Holy Cross Day, also known as the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, is observed on September 14. It is one of the medieval feasts that is included as a "black letter day" or minor commemoration on the calendar of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. The 1962 Canadian BCP provides a Collect for Holy Cross Day and suggests the Epistle and Gospel for Passion Sunday (Lent V). The day is also referenced indirectly in the 1928 American BCP (page li) and wherever the autumnal Ember Days have continued to be observed. These traditional days of special prayer for Christian ministry occur on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday following Holy Cross Day.

While many Anglicans do not accept all the ancient legends and medieval accretions associated with this festival, Holy Cross Day can be a useful reminder. The cross is a basic symbol of Christianity, and good theology is centered on Christ's cross. In a sense, every day is a holy cross day for Christian believers. We have been baptized into the cross of our Lord, we continue to be saved by the work Christ performed on the cross, and we anticipate the final triumph of the Crucified Savior and our heavenly fellowship with Him. It is appropriate for us to pause and give thanks that the horrible instrument of death has been transformed by God's redeeming work in Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul says in Galatians 6:14, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."

Advent III Readings

 As previously noted, one theme of Advent is a renewal of devotion to and attention to Holy Scripture.  During this Third Week in Advent, Wednesday, Friday. and Saturday are traditional Ember Days of prayer and fasting for the Church's ministry.  With that emphasis in mind, here is a basic list of Scripture readings for each day of the week.

Psalms and Lessons for MORNING PRAYER (according to the 1945 lectionary in the 1928 BCP)

Days                                                   Psalms          First Lesson         Second Lesson

THIRD SUNDAY N ADVENT     85, 107:1–16      Isaiah 35                 1 Thess. 5:12–23

Monday                                         84                       Isa. 29:1–4, 9–14    Mark 5:1–20

Tuesday                                         90                       Isa. 30:8–17            Mark 5:21

Ember Wednesday                        1, 15                   Jeremiah 23:9–15    Luke 12:35–48

Thursday                                       96                       Isa. 32:1–4, 15–20   Mark 6:1–6

Ember Friday                                40:1–16              Jer. 23:23–32            2 Cor. 5:5

Ember Saturday                            42, 43                  Malachi 2:1–9          Matt. 9:35–  10:15

Advent III- I Corinthians 4: 1-5; Matthew 11: 2-10

The Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent provides an interesting approach to the themes of the day and the season. It calls upon Christians to continue preparing the way of the Lord. As John did in his ministry at Christ's First Coming, we need to call others- and ourselves- to repent and to prepare hearts for Christ to come among us. Such preparation also looks ahead to Christ's Second Coming to judge the world. We continue to hope that through grace we will be an acceptable people, a people prepared anew each day for our Lord's holy presence.

The Epistle from I Corinthians 4:1-5 brings up the theme of Christian ministry. (This theme is especially appropriate because the Advent Ember Days occur this week.) All Christians are called to ministry or service for Christ, and all too often we forget this, at least in practical daily speech and behavior. Every person baptized has been set aside and transformed in the name of the Holy Trinity. This setting aside for service has a special application to the ordained ministry. The clergy are called to be "stewards of the mysteries of God." These mysteries emphasize the core of Christ's Gospel- from the Annunciation and Nativity to the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. And these mysteries become visible and immediate for us in the concrete sacred mysteries or sacraments, Baptism and the Eucharist. So during this Advent, let us pray that all Christians, especially those ordained, may be constantly renewed by divine grace for God's service.

The Gospel from St. Matthew 11:2-10 considers the theme of Christ's Coming by referring to the ministry of John the Baptist. When the imprisoned John sends followers to clarify the mission of Jesus, our Lord responds by citing the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies (Isaiah 29:18, 35:5-6, 61:1). Our Lord also speaks of the work of John the Baptist as the Forerunner, the messenger who comes before the Lord to prepare His way (Malachi 3:1). Like John, may we prepare the way of the Lord, especially as Advent draws to a close.

Third Sunday in Advent- I Corinthians 4: 1-5

For Advent III this year, my thoughts are drawn to the theme of ministry as expressed in the Collect and Epistle from 1 Corinthians 4: 1-5.: Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Of course, all Christians are called to ministry or service for Christ, and all too often we forget this, at least in practical daily speech and behavior. Every human being is called to serve his/her Creator. Every person baptized has been set aside and transformed in the name of the Holy Trinity. Every person confirmed has been strengthened for ministry by the Holy Spirit.

Yet, from the days of Christ and the Apostles to the present, the ordained ministry has been set aside, dedicated, and given grace for special service. Ordained ministers fail in many ways. We do not always live as recipients of special graces and responsibilities. But ordained ministers have been, among other things, called and ordered as "stewards of the mysteries of God." These mysteries are the teachings of Christ's Gospel- from the Annunciation, Visitation, and Nativity to the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. And these mysteries become concrete and immediate for us in the sacred mysteries or sacraments, especially the Eucharist.

The clergy are called and ordained to honor, administer, and share these mysteries with the whole people of God and to proclaim them to all people near and far. So during this Advent, and especially on the approaching Ember Days, let us pray that all the ordained and all men considering or approaching ordination may be constantly renewed by divine grace so that they may be faithful stewards of God's mysteries.