February 27th 2011

            St. Paul wrote to the people of the Church of Rome, “I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, or rather that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:11) Like all Christians, Paul felt the need, the longing, to be with fellow believers. The stronger our faith the more we feel the need to come each Sunday and other special occasions to be together in God’s presence and gain strength from each other.

            As Anglicans our liturgy is part of our oneness. From childhood or later, the prayers responses and hymns have become part of us thus enabling the whole church family to worship together. We find security not in attachment to particular places or ways of doing things but in relationships with each other and our God. This oneness as we worship is enable by the liturgy. Instinctively we respond as the priest says ‘Lift up your hearts”, with “We lift them to the Lord”.

            As years go by we grow in the power of the Holy Spirit we grow together in our faith and understanding. These new enlightenments need to reflect in our liturgy as we move forward in faith and understanding together. Some of us do not move as fast as others. That is perfectly alright as long as we reach out to each other for strength and comfort when the going gets hard. We say it in the alternate prayer after communions.

                        May we, who share his body,

                        live his risen life;

                        we, who drink this cup,

                        bring life to others;

                        we, whom the Spirit lights,

                        give light to the world. (BAS page 214)