Grouse Mountain

Today I went snowshoeing at Grouse Mountain, with Ted and family, as well as my parents' missionary friends visiting from Mexico. It was an awesome day up on the mountain, it snowed all day long, and by the end of the day close to 30cm's of fresh new snow had accummulated. Here are are some of the pics:

Leaving Seminary Workshop

Today I attended a workshop on leaving seminary. I actually found it helpful, but am not excited about what I learned: transitioning from (leaving) seminary can sometimes take up to 2 years.

My faith and my patience are being tested. From a worldly perspective, I'm of no use to society right now: I'm not working, I'm not studying, I'm not being "productive." I'm not doing anything, really, except waiting upon God. I yearn to see the face of God. Only in doing so will I be able to take the next steps in obedience.

Consequences

On Good Friday and Holy Saturday I went to an anglo-catholic church here in Vancouver. After the Easter Saturday Vigil, the Rector invited everyone into his home for sherry (only in an Anglican Church would you be served sherry at the Rector's place .. hehe).

And while James and I were enjoying the sweet drink, the Rector came up to us and talked to us about the liturgy, and specifically, the physical aspects of the liturgy: crossing ourselves, genuflexing, venerating the cross, etc...

He said something very interesting that made me think: "Every physical action we make has a spiritual consequence." It's a very simple statement, but I think it has profound implications, and of course, it's true. Everything we do has a spiritual consequence.

Therefore, physical acts we perform during the liturgy have the spiritual consequence of acknowledging (amongst other things) our brokenness, our need for God, and declaring loyalty/allegiance to the Triune God revealed in the Bible.

Essentially, his statement provides the foundation for the sacraments: an acknowledgment of the spiritual and physical world working in tandem, rather than one submitting to the other.

The question then becomes, is the spiritual consequence "automatic", or does it depend on whether we perform the physical act in faith? I believe that faith is required.

Angelus Autem Domini

The Angel of the Lord came down from heaven,
and rolled away the stone,
and sat upon it;
and said to the women,
"Do not be afraid;
you seek him who was crucified:
he is risen,
come and see the place where the Lord's body was.

"Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!"

-----

Motet composed by Felice Anerio

O Gladsome Light, O Grace

O gladsome light,
O grace of God the Father's face,
the eternal splendour wearing;
celestial, holy, blest, our Saviour Jesus Christ,
joyful in your appearing.

As day fades into night,
we see the evening light,
our hymn of praise outpouring,
Father of might unknown,
Christ, his incarnate Son,
and Holy Spirit, adoring.

To you of right belongs all praise of holy songs,
O Son of God, lifegiver;
you, therefore, O Most High,
the world will glorify,
and shall exalt for ever.

The Reproaches (Improperia)

My people, my people what have I done to you,
how have I offended you?
Answer me!

I led you out of Egypt from slavery to freedom,
but you have led your Saviour,
and nailed Him to a cross.

Hagios OTheos, Hagios ichyros,
Hagios athanatos eleison himas.
Holy is God, Holy and Strong,
Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us.

For forty years in safety,
I led you through the desert,
I fed you with my manna,
I gave you your own land,
but you have led your Saviour,
and nailed Him to a Cross.

Hagios O Theos, Hagios ichyros,
Hagios athanatos eleison himas.
Holy is God, Holy and Strong,
Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us.

O what more would you ask from me?
I planted you, my vineyard,
but sour grapes you gave me,
and vinegar to drink,
and you have pierced your Saviour and pierced Him with a spear.

Hagios OTheos, Hagios ichyros,
Hagios athanatos eleison himas.
Holy is God, Holy and Strong,
Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us.

For you scourged your captors,
their first born sons were taken,
but you have taken scourges and brought them down on Me.

My people, my people what have I done to you,
how have I offended you?
Answer me!

From slavery to freedom I led you,
drowned your captors.
But I am taken captive and handed to your priests.

My people, my people what have I done to you,
how have I offended you?
Answer me!

Your path lay through the waters,
I opened them before you,
my side you have laid open and bared it with a spear.

My people, my people what have I done to you,
how have I offended you?
Answer me!

I led you, held securely,
My fire and cloud before you,
but you have led your Saviour,
hands bound to Pilate's court.

My people, my people what have I done to you,
how have I offended you?
Answer me!

I bore you up with manna,
you bore me down and scourged me.
I gave you saving water,
but you gave me soured wine.

My people, my people what have I done to you,
how have I offended you?
Answer me!

The kings who reigned in Canaan,
I struck way before you.
But you have struck my crowned head,
and struck it with a reed.

My people, my people what have I done to you,
how have I offended you?
Answer me!

I gave you a royal scepter but you gave me a thorn crown.
I raised you up in power,
but you raised me on the Cross.

Hagios OTheos, Hagios ichyros,
Hagios athanatos eleison himas.
Holy is God, Holy and Strong,
Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us.

Ubi Caritas

Where charity and love are, God is there.
Christ's love has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.
And may we love each other with a sincere heart.

Where charity and love are, God is there.
As we are gathered into one body,
Beware, lest we be divided in mind.
Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease,
And may Christ our God be in our midst.

Where charity and love are, God is there.
And may we with the saints also,
See Thy face in glory, O Christ our God:
The joy that is immense and good,
Unto the ages through infinite ages.

Amen.

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Ubi Cartitas is taken from the antiphons sung during the ceremony of the Washing of the Feet at the Mass of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday. As is the entire Mass of the Last Supper, this hymn is intimately connected with the Eucharist, and is thus often used during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Recent tradition has the first line as "Ubi caritas et amor" (where charity and love are), but certain very early manuscripts show "Ubi caritas est vera" (where charity is true). The current Roman Missal favors this later version, while the 1962 Roman Missal and classical music favors the former.

In Young, Ted & Family

Shortly before noon today I picked up In Young. He's in town from Hobema (Alberta) for the next 5 days. He'll be staying with me.

In the afternoon I drove to Abbotsford to help Ted paint his house. I really enjoy painting, as it allows me to pray and contemplate while doing work. This is probably what Saint Paul meant when he said "pray without ceasing" (I Thes 5:17), and I find that the more I do it, the more joy I get. Afterwards, Ted made a very delicions asado (grilled steak) for dinner. Very yummy, especially in light of a hard afternoon's work.

Shopping

Today I went shopping at an outlet mall in the Seattle area with Clau, and much to my joyful surprise, I finally found some nice dress clothes that fit properly - no alterations necessary - at a reasonable cost.

I got myself 3 dress shirts, white, blue, and striped light blue at UCB.

I also got myself 2 dress pants, gray striped, and brown, at BR.