liturgical time: walking the seasons: 7 Quick Takes Featuring Snow Melt, Latin Mass, and St. Thomas

--- 1 ---

We are behind on our Jesse tree. Seriously behind. We are going to have to have a marathon session this weekend.

--- 2 ---

We saw the infamous bobcat, and her companion, wandering about in a neighbors front yard, casually, like they pay property tax and own the place or something. The good news is, all three little dogs are present and accounted for. I know this for certain, because they are, at this very moment, vying with the laptop for space on my lap.

--- 3 ---

Our snow is melting a bit, but we're hoping for more on Sunday. The thing about California snow is that temperatures warm up as high as to the 40s during the day, melting it some, and then drop to the teens at night, freezing it up like an ice rink on treacherous mountain roads. Maybe it's like that everywhere? I've only ever lived in California.

--- 4 ---

We've started our Christmas decorating. The tree is up, lights are strung, and the staircase rail is swathed in green. I know that it's still Advent, but somehow the pink candle, with its cry of Gaudete! ~ Rejoice!, gives permission to break open the decorations boxes in our home. That's our compromise between traditional observance and modern culture.

--- 5 ---

We're getting ready for Christmas baking. Time to make a list for going into town.

--- 6 ---

I am finding it ironic that a Personal Ordinariate priest has confirmed my suspicion that, if visiting a Roman Catholic church, we would be most at home in a Latin Mass, as most similar to what we are accustomed to as Anglo-Catholics. I'm quite sure that I would sorely miss the "smells and bells" and exquisitely beautiful language of Anglican worship in the modern Novus Ordo. Okay, now I've probably made a lot of Catholics angry. :)

I'm sure that this will be of no interest readers who are not Anglican and that the irony will likely be lost on them. The thing is, contrary to popular understanding, there was actually more to the genesis of the Anglican church than Henry's wives (not that I deny this was a factor). A major factor was getting the Bible into the hands of the people and the mass into the vernacular. So...a Personal Ordinariate priest encouraging an Anglican toward a Latin mass is surely a sign that centuries have passed. Nonetheless, the question of whether attendance at Latin masses is consistent with Anglican patrimony is controversial in some circles.

--- 7 ---

Today is the Feastday of my Patron Saint (for folks who are stuck in the past, anyway.)
So...

This:

The Gospel. St. John xx. 24.

THOMAS, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nai1s, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, be cause thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

And this:

Saint Thomas the Apostle.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who, for the greater* confirmation of the faith, didst suffer thy holy Apostle Thomas to be doubtful in thy Son's resurrection; Grant us so perfectly, and without all doubt, to believe in thy Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in thy sight may never be reproved. Hear us, O Lord, through the same Jesus Christ, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and for evermore, Amen. (Book of Common Prayer-PD)

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