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Letters from 26 March to 1 April 2007

Like all letters to the editor everywhere, these letters are the opinions of the writers and not Anglicans Online. We publish letters that we think will be of interest to our readers, whether we agree with them or not. If you'd like to write a letter of your own, click here.

Feast of the Annunciation

With regard to the Feast of the Annunciation you may be pleased to hear that this Festival is celebrated by the Mothers' Union worldwide. The C of I Lectionary says that the Feast is transferred to Monday 26th or, for those who do not wish to celebrate festivals in Passiontide, to April 16. My branch of MU here in Kilmocomogue Union will celebrate on the Monday (as I imagine will many more) with a specially devised liturgy. See the Mothers Union website for further info on MU and to download resources.

Sandra Dukelow
St James Church of Ireland
Durrus, County Cork, IRELAND
26 March 2007

Thank you so much for your reflection on the Annunciation. I am embarrassed to say that (for a number of personal and work related reasons) it just blew right by me. But the Holy Spirit didn't forget and prompted this bit near the end of my sermon yesterday:

"Because we are like Mary, and Martha, and Lazarus and the disciples, and even like Judas; we are among the company of those who have staked our lives on Jesus – on what he did and what he taught and, most of all, on who he is: the Messiah, the Christ, God’s Anointed One, God Incarnate.

God came into human life in the person of Jesus, and then willingly gave up that life so that we might live and be drawn into God’s own life forever.

What can our response be, other than love, devotion and awe?"

Life and death and new life are not only wrapped up together for Jesus, but for us as well and ,I daresay, for the Anglican Communion and The Church as well. How that happens and how it will play out is a mystery, just as Annuniciation, Incarnation, Crucifixion and Resurrection are. Let us trust God for the working out of our salvation, and not we ourselves.

Victoria Geer McGrath
All Saints'
Millington, New Jersey, USA
allsaints_rector@patmedia.net
26 March 2007

Thanks very much for your article on the Feast of the Annunciation. Yes we observed Lent 5 Passion Sunday on the Sunday and Monday was the Vicars day off. However we celebrated the Annunciation 2 days late at our Tuesday evening Eucharist. We usually do this when a festival falls on a Lenten Sunday or on any mondays during the year which is always the Feast of Vicars day off and he deserves it. Better on the wrong day than not at all; do you agree?

David Memmott
St Peter Greenhill. Sheffield United Kingdom
Greenhill Sheffield, UK
28 March 2007

(Ed: We agree.)

Bonds of Affection

The expression "bonds of affection" came from Hosea 11:4, and has been quoted for some time as a reflection of God's maternal side. However, the original meaning of the verse, "I drew them with cords of a man and with bonds of love (affection)" would seem to be that God drew us not with ropes and harness like oxen or donkeys, but with love, as we draw others to ourselves.

Hope this helps. Excellent letter, as always.

Pierre Whalon
American (Episcopal) Churches in Europe
Paris, FRANCE
bishop@tec-europe.org
26 March 2007

(Ed: Thank you.)

Take a risk for unity

Oremus published an article by James Kiefer, today (3/27/07) commemorating Charles Henry Brent, Bishop of the Philippines, and of Western New York, in which the Bishop is quoted:

“The unity of Christendom is not a luxury, but a necessity. The world will go limping until Christ's prayer that all may be one is answered. We must have unity, not at all costs, but at all risks. A unified Church is the only offering we dare present to the coming Christ, for in it alone will He find room to dwell. “

It seems to me that in these times of strife in and out of the Communion, these words, from early in the twentieth century, hold a very real truth, one which ought to compel us to risk for the unity of Christ’s Holy Church! Pray for that unity!

Lyle Clark
Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, Saranac Lake, NY
Tupper Lake, New York, USA
lyleclark@verizon.net
27 March 2007

Horns like a lamb

We have found and were reading through your web site and a question has arisen that you may be able to help us answer.

Why does a Christian organisation use the symbol of the dragon on their web site, when the book of Revelations (which I take it you have read) clearly states that this is the symbol of satan?

We were just wondering. Many thanks for your assistance.

Jeff
Llandrindod Wells, WALES
jeff@highlandmoors.co.uk
29 March 2007

(Ed: It's not a dragon, it's a gryphon, and if you click on it, or click here, you'll see the history of its symbolism.)

Earlier letters

We launched our 'Letters to AO' section on 11 May 2003. All published letters are in our archives.