We saw last week how Anglicanism spans the divide between Catholic and Protestant there is something else which makes Anglicanism unique and that is the character of English spirituality. In his 1963 study the theologian Marin Thornton identified six characteristics which distinguish English Spirituality.
They are:
1. a union of heart and head - prayer, worship and the whole of life must be grounded in sound theological teaching with little room for the ecstatic or the spectacular.
2. the unity of the church – the Book of Common Prayer was meant to be just that a form of worship suited equally to the parish church, a monastic basilica, a college chapel, and a family home.
3. humanism and optimism – the conviction that, in Julian of Norwich’s words, all shall be well because whatever befalls us God will sustain us
4. a firm liturgical foundation – built of course on the Book of Common prayer and now on Common Worship.
5. the practice of habitual recollection – a continual awareness of Christ’s presence in daily life unifying worship and work
6. spiritual direction – helping people to find God in their daily lives by responding to what life brings rather than applying some form of spiritual discipline.
English spirituality may seem rather difficult to pin down, it’s more a question of you know it when you see it, but its expression is a vital characteristic of Anglicanism. It may strike you as rather dour and unemotional but that reflects the English character generally, but that is not the whole story. The spirituality of Julian of Norwich for instance is full of joy and love. This distinctive spirituality should inform and influence not only the worship but also the daily lives of all our people.
READINGS AND PRAYERS
SUNDAY 20 JUNE– THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY – Mark 4.35-41 – the stilling of the storm – that we may have confidence in God’s love and care for us.
MONDAY 21 JUNE– Matthew 7.1-5 – do not judge - for fairmindedness.
TUESDAY 22 JUNE– Alban, First Martyr of Britain, c.250 – 2 Timothy 2.3-13 – a good soldier of Christ Jesus – that we may faithfully serve Christ.
WEDNESDAY 23 JUNE– Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely, c.678 - Matthew 25.1-13 – keep awake – members of religious communities.
THURSDAY 24 JUNE- THE BIRTH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST – Luke 1.57-66, 80 – his name is John – for all who suffer for the faith.
FRIDAY 25 JUNE– Matthew 7.21 – end - the house on the rock – for Fr Younis our Rector designate.
SATURDAY 26 JUNE– 2 Kings 25.1-12 – the fall of Jerusalem - for the growth of the Kingdom of God
Love and Prayers
Michael
Back to the green hymn book this week for a hymn to complement our Gospel reading from St. Mark. Jesus, asleep on board a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee is woken by his terrified disciples as they are caught in the grips of a sudden storm. Jesus’ love and care for his friends in calming the storm and saving them must have been in the thoughts of a multitude of seafarers across the centuries as they faced the peril of a raging storm.
The hymn “Eternal Father, strong to save” was written in 1860 by William Whiting (1825-1878) who was an English writer and poet. He was educated at Winchester College and eventually rose to become master of Winchester College Choristers’ School. “Eternal Father” is his best-known hymn, inspired by the words of Psalm 107 (They that go down to the sea in ships) and is most frequently associated with Remembrance and the Royal Navy.
The hymn has also been adopted by other branches of the armed services in the UK and the US and the text of the hymn has been adapted and extended accordingly. The tune most usually associated with this hymn is Melita by John Bacchus Dykes, a noted author and priest, remembered for having written over 300 hymn tunes including Dominus regit me, the tune set to the hymn “The King of love my shepherd is”.
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bid'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea.
O Christ, Whose voice the waters heard
The winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walkedst on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea.
O sacred Spirit, who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
Who bid’st its angry tumult cease,
And gavest light and life and peace;
O hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Trinity of love and power,
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
And ever let there rise to thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.