A wise old priest is once said to have advised his young curate thus: ‘Young man, if ever you are wondering about what you should preach on a Sunday, look no further than the Collect. You could do far worse by choosing something else.’ I have always been amazed by how full of meaning the collects are if you analyse them, and how well they are crafted. Many of the Collects used in contemporary versions of Anglican liturgy have their root in the Book of Common Prayer and are a testimony to genius of Archbishop Cranmer. Outstanding among them are the Collects of Advent and Lent.
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are nothing worth: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you. Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
My sacrifice, O God, is[a] a old broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’
Comentários