AscensionNYC

Inquirer's Classes 2010

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 20:39:00 +0000

The following is the schedule for this season's inquirer's class, for those interested in learning more about the Episcopal Church, the Church of the Ascension, and those who wish to be baptized, confirm (or re-confirm) their baptism, or be received into the Anglican Communion from another communion of apostolic succession.

All classes meet on Tuesdays, at 7pm in the Ground Floor Meeting Room, 7½ West 10th Street.

March 23rd

Welcome to the Episcopal Church — Fr. Andrew

March 30th

Introduction to the Book of Common Prayer — Fr. Mark

April 6th

Sacraments: Participating in Signs of God's Grace — Fr. Andrew

April 13th

An Overview of The Church of the Ascension — Steve Hubbard & Sarah Standing

April 20th

Baptism: The Sacrament of New Birth — Fr. Mark

April 27th

Holy Eucharist: Do this For the Remembrance of Me — Fr. Andrew

May 4th

History: Ancient & Medieval Foundations through The Reformation — Fr. Mark

May 11th

Creating a Global Family and the Church Today — Fr. Mark

May 15th

The participants of the Inquirer's Classes, including those who are preparing for upcoming Baptism, Confirmation and Reception, as well as their parish sponsors, spouses and partners are invited to a cocktail party and dinner at the Rectory with Ascension's Clergy and Bishop Andrew St. John beginning at 6:00 p.m.

May 16th

Ascension Sunday, 11:00 a.m.: Holy Eucharist with Confirmation & Reception into the Episcopal Church

An Invitation from the Rector

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:26:00 +0000

Lent IV, 2010

Dear Friends of Ascension,

One of the most profound guides to the Christian faith in the twentieth century, Thomas Merton, made these observations about the feast of the resurrection. “In the old days, on Easter eve, the Russian peasants used to carry the blest fire home from church. The light would scatter and travel in all directions through the darkness, and the desolation of the night would be pierced and dispelled as lamps came on in the windows of the farm houses, one by one. Even so today, the glory of God sleeps everywhere, ready to blaze out unexpectedly in created things. Even so God’s peace and order lie hidden in the world, even the world of today, ready to re-establish themselves in God’s way, in God’s own good time: but never without the instrumentality of free options made by free people.”

I invite you to join us as we celebrate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord. Even though we have been temporarily displaced from our sanctuary this year, we will celebrate the liturgies of this solemn time with our accustomed beauty and dignity. We will conduct the services for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in the Parish Hall in a somewhat less formal and slightly shortened manner. On Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday we will enjoy the hospitality of the General Theological Seminary as we join the seminary community for the Great Vigil of Easter on Holy Saturday night and conduct our own festival Eucharist with organ and choir in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd in Chelsea Square on Easter Day.

Please take part in these liturgies as much as you can during Holy Week, as once again we retrace the Way of the Cross, which leads to the glorious Alleluias on Easter morn.

As your pastor and friend, I wish you a deeply meaningful Holy Week and pray that you will come to know the joy of the Resurrection.

In Christ Jesus,

Fr. Andrew Foster, Rector

Services for Holy Week and Easter 2010

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:12:00 +0000

March 28

The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
9 a.m. • The Holy Eucharist with the Liturgy of the Palms in All Saints Chapel
11 a.m. • The Holy Eucharist (with Choir), with the Liturgy of the Palms and the reading of the Passion Gospel in the Parish Hall

Monday–Wednesday, March 29–31

Evening Eucharists for Holy Week
6 p.m. • Penitential Office and the Holy Eucharist in All Saints Chapel

April 1

Maundy Thursday
6 p.m. • The Maundy Thursday Liturgy (with Choir), with the Washing of Feet and Setting of the Altar of Repose in the Parish Hall
After the evening service, an all-night Vigil before the Altar of Repose
will be kept in All Saints' Chapel.

April 2

Good Friday
12 noon to 2 p.m. • The Liturgy for Good Friday (with Choir) in the Parish Hall with the reading of the Passion Gospel according to St. John, Solemn Collects, Veneration of the Cross, and Meditations by the Rector.

April 3

Holy Saturday: The Easter Vigil
8 p.m. • The Great Vigil of Easter at General Theological Seminary worshipping in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd with the seminary community
Due to construction at GTS, enter the seminary close at 440 W. 21st Street, between Ninth and Tenth Avenues.

Sunday, April 4

Easter Day: The Day of Resurrection
11 a.m. • Festival Eucharist for Easter Day (with Full Choir and Organ) in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at General Theological Seminary (enter at 440 W. 21st Street, between Ninth and Tenth Avenues)
Weather permitting, an Easter Egg hunt for children and a reception will be held on the Seminary Close following the service. Child care during the service will be provided.

Doors, stairs, windows, bridges, and towers

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:44:00 +0000

Architecture of the Imagination

Thursdays (see dates below), 7 p.m.

Architecture of the Imagination is a five-part film series that treats five elements of constructed space: the door, the staircase, the window, the bridge, and the tower. It explores the imaginative and archetypal dimensions of each element as they appear in film, psychology, religion and dreams. The films will be preceded by a look at how each element figures in the scriptural imagination.

The series was created by award winning filmmaker and artist Mark Kidel and originally aired on the BBC. (Read a review from 1993.) It was most recently featured in the Lunch Matters film series at the Rubin Museum as part of their exhibit and exploration of Carl Jung's Red Book. Permission to use the films in this format has been generously granted by the artist. Facilitated by the Rev. John Merz in the Parish Hall at 7 p.m. All are welcome. Each film runs 35 minutes, with discussion to follow for those interested.

The Door Thursday, February 11
The Staircase Thursday, February 18
The Window Thursday, February 28
The Bridge Thursday, March 4
The Tower Thursday, March 25

A film for Epiphany

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:36:00 +0000

River and Tides: Working with Time

Tuesday, January 26, 7 p.m., in the Parish Hall, 12 W. 11th Street

Between the celebration of Christmas, when many go all out with parties, revelry and the giving of gifts, and Lent, when we take our hair-shirts to the dry-cleaner, place tacks in our shoes and earnestly repent our sins, sits the odd season of Epiphany.

This is the season of "revealing" or "manifestation" when Jesus’ identity — his life’s work and purpose — becomes clearer to the disciples (and to us). Epiphanic moments usually happen all at once. These are "Aha!" moments where the quotidian is revealed to have extraordinary depth and beauty. To assist us in our epiphanic musings, we will watch a film documenting the creative process of the renowned contemporary artist Andy Goldsworthy. Mr. Goldsworthy utilizes natural elements: ice, clay, cast off branches, to craft works that draw the mind to the extraordinary processes of nature and the ephemeral beauty of our world.

Popcorn and drinks provided. Discussion will follow if people want to talk about it.

Upcoming Activities at Ascension

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:09:00 +0000

The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL): What is it, and why do we now use it?
Wednesday, January 13th from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the ground floor of the Rectory
The RCL is the sequence of lessons that we use at Ascension in our Sunday worship, and in Advent, 2010 will be the only Lectionary permissible in worship in the Diocese of New York and throughout the Episcopal Church USA. The RCL is a work of The Consultation on Common Texts, an ecumenical consultation of liturgical scholars and denominational representatives from the United States and Canada who produce liturgical texts for use in common by North American Christian Churches. Find out more about how the RCL enriches our worship.

The Social Concerns and Action Committee meeting originally scheduled for the third Sunday of the month has been postponed until Sunday, January 24th at 12:45 p.m.

The Annual Meeting of the Parish will take place Sunday, January 31, following the 11 a.m. service. This is the time when we hear more about the status of the parish, where we have been in the past year and where we would like to go in 2010. We will also elect four new members to the vestry. Mark your calendars now, and plan to join us.

Ascension's Recovery Eucharist focuses specifically on the brokenness that comes from addiction, both for the afflicted and the affected and the significance of God's gift of love, grace and understanding in the midst of it. Join us for music, prayers and communion.
Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 4 p.m.
Our preacher is Father Mark Collins from Christ and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.

Preparing yourself for a Holy Lent
"The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting" (The Book of Common Prayer, 1979, pp. 264-265). Lent is sometimes referred to as a pilgrimage or a journey. Very few people set out on any kind of journey without packing a bag. What are the things that we need to include in our Lenten luggage? Both the Eastern and Western Churches have long traditions of a pre-Lenten season that is designed to set the stage for keeping a productive and holy Lent. Wednesday, February 10th from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the ground floor of the Rectory.

In honor of the recognition of Absalom Jones, the first African-American ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church in February 1804, the Social Concerns and Action Committee offers a Reparations Workshop on February 14th at 12:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall The New York Diocesan Reparations Committee was created by Diocesan Convention in response to three 2006 General Convention resolutions calling on dioceses to respond to the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its aftermath of segregation and discrimination. The Reparations Committee of the Diocese of New York will be conducting this workshop that will include the showing of a DVD and discussion. A light lunch will be served.

The parish's Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper — a tradition for many Anglican churches on the day before Ash Wednesday, also known as Mardi Gras — will be in the Parish Hall on February 16 at 7 p.m. Bring your appetite — we have to use up all that rich food in the pantry before our Lenten fasts begin the next day!

Voices of Ascension receives Grammy nomination!

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:13:00 +0000

Voices of Ascension — the professional choral ensemble in residence at the Church of the Ascension — has received a Grammy nomination for Song of the Stars, a recording featuring Catalan composers Pablo Casals, Enrique Granados, Enric Morera, Manuel Oltra, and Manuel Blancafort.

Described by the Wall Street Journal as "real cause for celebration," Song of the Stars was released in June 2009 and features Cant de les estrelles, a never-recorded work for chorus, piano and organ by Catalan composer Enric (Enrique) Granados. Song of the Stars hit the Billboard classical charts and was described by the Wall Street Journal's Stuart Isacoff as "gorgeous in every way — from the engineering quality to the impeccable performances of both singers and instrumentalists."

Selections from Song of the Stars including Casals's Recordare, Virgo Mater, Nigra Sum and Enric Morera's Ave Maria will be featured in the Voices of Ascension "Christmas Candlelight Concert," Tuesday, December 15, 8:00 pm at the Church of the Ascension.

Conductor Dennis Keene, Voices of Ascension and organist Mark Kruczek collaborated with pianist and Granados scholar Douglas Riva and Naxos to produce the North American premiere performance and recording of Granados's Cant de les estrelles, Salve Regina, and Escena Religiosa. Cant de les estrelles received its premiere in 1911 at Barcelona's Palau de la Música Catalana with Granados at the keyboard. The manuscript was never published, and was only recovered in 2004 through the efforts of Mr. Riva and Granados biographer Walter Clark among others. Works by Catalan composers Pablo Casals, Enrique Morera, Manuel Oltra, and Manuel Blancafort complete the recording.

Artistic Director Dennis Keene describes the work as "hauntingly beautiful. We are thrilled to add Song of the Stars to our repertoire and discography." Voices of Ascension has made 12 recordings with Delos including Beyond Chant which was on the Billboard Classical Chart for almost one year. Dennis Keene and Voices of Ascension's recording of the Duruflé Requiem was described by organist Marie-Madeleine Duruflé as the "perfect interpretation of my husband's music."

All Voices of Ascension recordings are available at their concerts, on the Web site www.voicesofascension.org and on Amazon.com.

Blankets and Coats Needed for Homeless LGBTQ Youth

noreply@blogger.com (Derek) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:56:00 +0000

Ascension's Social Concerns and Action Committee is collecting donations of blankets (new) and coats (clean) in adult sizes ranging from small to large for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) homeless youth served by the Streetworks drop-in centers on the Lower East Side and Harlem. Streetwork clients (children, teens and young adults up to age 24) are often victims of violence and abuse. At Streetworks they can feel safe, empowered, cared for and encouraged as they move from crisis to confidence. Please drop off blankets and coats at the basket in the Nave on Sundays, or at the Parish House during regular office hours.

Observe the Observer

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Join us for a presentation and discussion in the Parish Hall (12 W. 11th St.) on Thursday, October 22nd from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with Helen Grace Wangusa, the Anglican Communion Observer at the U.N.

According to the Web site for the office of the U.N. Anglican Observer:

A lay woman from Uganda, Hellen Grace Wangusa holds a BA (Hons), Diploma Ed (Hons) and an MA in Modern Letters. Her undergraduate studies were taken at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, where she worked as a teaching assistant and later as a lecturer for the Literature Department. After leaving this post, Wangusa worked as the National Women's coordinator for the Anglican Church of Uganda and was responsible for developing national programs, fundraising and managing a staff of 27 women. She was also the national link person for the global Mothers' Union movement and the Anglican Communion.

From 1997-2004, Wangusa worked as coordinator of African Women's Economic Policy Network (AWEPON), a faith based women's organization in Africa that also co-ordinates the UN's Millennium Campaign for Eastern Africa. In this role, she advocated for policies that meet the needs of women, children and those from marginalized groups, and ensured that those most affected were central in influencing economic decision making.

Wangusa is one of the founding members of AWEPON, as well as Gender and Economic Research in Africa (GERA), and the Council for Economic Empowerment of Women in Africa (CEEWA). She successfully reactivated two organizations that had been closed: The Joint Mothers' Union and Women's office in the Province of the Church of Uganda and AWEPON.

With her experience as a representative to the United Nations for the World Council of Churches (WCC), Wangusa said she will be able to deepen her contribution to the Anglican Communion as a key player in promoting International Relations at the UN through Peace, Dialogue and Diplomacy.

Open House New York, Oct 10-11

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:15:00 +0000

openhousenewyork hosts year-round educational programs celebrating New York City’s built environment, culminating in America’s largest architecture and design event, the Annual openhousenewyork Weekend. And this year, October 10-11, the Church of the Ascension, as one of New York's pre-eminent sites of sacred architecture, will be hosting OHNY tours each afternoon, from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. OHNY volunteers — as well as volunteers from the parish — will be on hand to point out some of Ascension's architectural treasures. For more information about openhousenewyork, visit their Web site. For more information about Ascension's architectural and artistic history, you've come to the right place.

Word up! Bishops and Deputies are in the House!

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:31:00 +0000

The 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church convenes today, Tuesday, July 7, in Anaheim, California. (Ascension parishioners Michael Macdonald and Sarah Johnson will be attending the General Convention.) Both the Episcopal News Service and the Church Pension Fund Web sites will provide more authoritative information about the various deliberations and decisions made during the Convention. Visit these sites for more information about this triennial gathering of Episcopalians: bishops in the House of Bishops, and clergy and laypeople in the House of Deputies.

Jazz Benefit, Thursday, June 11, 7pm

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:29:00 +0000

Ascension Outreach Presents: The Russell Branca Quintet, a fundraiser to benefit the Ascension Outreach Food Pantry, 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall, $25 suggested donation, all donations go directly to the purchase of food.

Join us!

Professional Network Group: upcoming events

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:55:00 +0000

Upcoming Meetings: Save the dates and spread the word!

June 4 Thursday evening Special Guest Speaker, Ascension Parish Hall
Career Resilience: Planning for Success

Guest speaker Jim Borland, PhD, a distinguished career counselor, shares his perspective on what it takes to succeed today, based on his extensive experience working with individuals and corporations, not-for-profits and public service
organizations. Ascension Professional Network Group is pleased to welcome him, so mark your calendar, invite your friends and spread the word! Learn more about Jim at http://www.drborland.com. 6:30-8:30 pm, Parish Hall.

June 14 Sunday
Dealing with the Psychological Challenges of Career Transition

Fellow Ascension parishioner Stanley Weinberg, a highly experienced psychologist, leads the discussion. Come with your questions and bring a friend who’s thinking about career transition. 1:00pm in the ground floor of the rectory, 7 West 10th Street.

July 12 Sunday
Am I called to ordination?

If you think that you may have a call to the ordained life as a priest or a deacon, or simply want to find out more, then join us for an informal discussion about the process of ordination at 1:00pm in the ground floor of the rectory, 7 West 10th Street. Thanks to Fr. Mark Hummel, who will lead the discussion.

Daily online Bible study, led by Ascension parishioner

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:43:00 +0000

Ascension parishioner Janine Economides is blogging her reflections on the scripture lessons of the Daily Office, the daily devotional practice of Morning and/or Evening Prayer in the Episcopal Church (and other Anglican churches) for individuals and groups.

We've added a link to her blog on the navigation bar that appears everywhere else on this site (EXCEPT here on the blog; a technical limitation of the blog publishing tool) under "Links > Scripture > Daily Bible Study." Or you can bookmark it directly: http://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/.

In the comments section, add your reflections to Janine's regarding the lesson chosen from that day's lectionary. Such online discussions can help each of us who pray the Daily Office connect with fellow pilgrims engaging in this same prayer discipline.

Ascension Professional Networking Group

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 06:31:00 +0000

Sunday, March 8, April 5, May 3

A social network focused on career enhancement and career transition, through the exchange of information, ideas and contacts, among members and with occasional guest speakers. The group kicked off January 5 with guest speaker Brad Agry; the next meetings are scheduled Sundays at 12:45 p.m.: Feb 8, Mar 8, Apr 5 and May 3, in the ground floor conference room. All are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Mary Kay Rafferty: 212-691-9018, or mkrafferty@yahoo.com

Discovery & Initiation classes: March - May

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 06:26:00 +0000

Do you want to explore issues of faith, or a spiritual life, or relationship with God?

I want to find out more about baptism.
Although already baptized, I want to become a part of Ascension’s life.
I have been baptized and confirmed in another tradition, but want to become an Episcopalian.
I have always been an Episcopalian, but I want to deepen my understanding of what it means to be an Episcopalian.

The conversations about each evening's topic begin over a light supper, followed by a presentation by the clergy. Each evening ends with the prayers for the close of the day. The first four "Discovery Classes" are open to all. The final four "Initiation Classes" are intended for those seeking Baptism, Confirmation, Reception or Reaffirmation on Ascension Sunday, May 17th at the 11:00 a.m. Eucharist. Please sign up in the Parish Hall.

Classes:
March 24 - Where did the Episcopal Church come from, and how is it organized?

March 31 - How is the Bible the living word of God?

April 07 - What do Episcopalians do in Church?

April 14 - What do we have to believe in order to be a Christian?

Initiation Classes

April 21 - How did God become important in your life?

April 28 - Where does Ascension fit into the New York church scene?

May 5 - How do you make your spiritual life real?

May 12 -How do you get ready to join the Episcopal Church?

Bible study blog

noreply@blogger.com (Derek) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:01:00 +0000

Ascension parishioner (and national Episcopal Church employee) Sarah Johnson started a blog a few months ago to generate a discussion among Episcopalians about the lessons they're going to hear the next Sunday in church. Take a look and give next Sunday's lessons a thought ahead of time. You may hear them very differently and with new-found apreciation after you've reflected on them and discussed on the Revised Common Lectionary Bible Study blog.

Web site redesign in progress

noreply@blogger.com (Derek) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:07:00 +0000

Please bear with us as we complete a redesign of the Ascension Web site. Some links don't yet work, others need to be added, and some pages are still in the process of being redesigned. But come back soon to see us once the dust settles!

Easter

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:30:00 +0000

Easter Wings

Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store,
Though foolishly he lost the same,
Decaying more and more
Till he became
Most poore:

With thee
O let me rise
As larks harmoniously,
And sing this day thy victories:
Then shall the fall further the flight in me.

My tender age in sorrow did beginne:
And still with sicknesses and shame
Thou didst so punish sinne,
That I became
Most thinne.

With thee
Let me combine,
And feel this day thy victorie:
For, if I imp my wing on thine,
Affliction shall advance the flight in me.

— George Herbert (1593-1633)

Holy Saturday, April 11

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 05:28:00 +0000

Psalm 27 / Hebrews 4:1-16 / Romans 8:1-11

When without teares I looke on Christ, I see
only a story of some passion
Which any common eye may wonder on
butt if I look through tears Christ smiles on mee
yea there I see my selfe: and from that tree
he bendeth downe to my devotione
And from his side the blood doth spinn, whereon
My hart, my mouth, mine eyes, still sucking bee.
Like as in Optick workes,* one thing appears
In open gaze, in Closer otherwise:
Then since tears see the best I aske in teares
Lord either thaw mine eyes to tears, or freeze
my teares to eyes, or lett my hart tears bleede
or bringe, where eyes, nor tears, nor blood shall neede.

— William Alabaster (1568-1640)

*Optick workes: drawings or constructions designed according to theories of optics or perspective.

Good Friday, April 10

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:25:00 +0000

Psalm 22 / 1 Peter 1:10-20 / John 13:36-38

The Agonie

    Philosophers have measur'd mountains,
Fathom'd the depths of seas, of states, of kings,
Walk'd with a staffe to heav'n, and traced fountains:
    But there are two vast, spacious things,
The which to measure it doth more behove:
Yet few there are that sound them; Sinne and Love.

    Who would know Sinne, let him repair
Unto mount Olivet; there shall he see
A man so wrung with pains, that all his hair,
    His skinne, his garments bloudie be.
Sinne is that presse and vice*, which forceth pain
To hunt his cruell food through ev'ry vein.

    Who knows not Love, let him assay
And taste that juice, which on the crosse a pike
Did set again abroach;** then let him say
    If ever he did taste the like.
Love is that liquour sweet and most divine,
Which my God feels as bloud; but I, as wine.

— George Herbert (1593-1633)

*vice: vise, the tool.
**abroach: to pierce (a cask, etc.) so as to let a liquor flow out

Maundy Thursday, April 9

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:25:00 +0000

Psalm 102 / 1 Corinthians 10:14-17, 11:27-32 / John 17:1-11

Hunger and thirst, O Christ, for sight of thee,
Came between me and all the feasts of earth.
Give thou thyself the Bread, thyself the Wine,
Thou, sole provision for the unknown way.
Long hunger wasted the world wanderer,
With sight of thee may he be satisfied.

— Radbod, Bishop of Utrecht (d. 917)

(tr. Helen Waddell, from Mediaeval Latin Lyrics, Penguin, 1968)

Wednesday in Holy Week, April 8

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:23:00 +0000

Psalm 55 / Philippians 4:1-13 / John 12:27-36

Look on thy God, Christ hidden in our flesh,
A bitter word, the cross, and bitter sight:
Hard rind without, to hold the heart of heaven.
Yet sweet it is; for God upon that tree
Did offer up his life: upon that rood
My Life hung, that my life might stand in God.
Christ, what am I to give Thee for my life?
Unless take from Thy hands the cup they hold,
To cleanse me with the precious draught of death.
What shall I do? My body to be burned?
Make myself vile? The debt's not paid out yet.
What'er I do, it is but I and Thou,
And still do come short, still must Thou pay
My debts, O Christ; for debts Thyself hadst none.
What love may balance Thine? My Lord was found
In fashion like a slave, so that His slave
Might find himself in fashion like his Lord.
Think you the bargain's hard, to have exchanged
The transient for the eternal, to have sold
Earth to buy Heaven? More dearly God bought me.

— Paulinus, Bishop of Nola (353-431)

(tr. Helen Waddell, from Mediaeval Latin Lyrics, Penguin, 1968)

Tuesday in Holy Week, April 7

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:23:00 +0000

Psalm 6 / Philippians 3:15-21 / John 12:20-26

Grief

I tell you, hopeless grief is passionless;
That only men incredulous of despair,
Half-taught in anguish, through the midnight air
Beat upward to God's throne in loud access
Of shrieking and reproach. Full desertness,
In souls as countries, lieth silent-bare
Under the blanching, vertical eye-glare
Of the absolute Heavens. Deep-hearted man, express
Grief for thy Dead in silence like to death —
Most like a monumental statue set
In everlasting watch and moveless woe
Till itself crumble to the dust beneath.
Touch it; the marble eyelids are not wet.
If it could weep, it would arise and go.

— Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

Monday in Holy Week, April 6

noreply@blogger.com (AscensionNYC) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:21:00 +0000

Psalm 51:1-18 / Philippians 3:1-4 / John 12:9-19

I wake and feel the fell* of dark, not day,
    What hours, O what black hours we have spent
    This night! what sights you, heart, saw; ways you went!
And more must, in yet longer light's delay.
With witness I speak this. But where I say
    Hours I mean years, mean life. And my lament
    Is cries countless, cries like dead letters sent
To dearest him that lives alas! away.

I am gall, I am heartburn. God's most deep decree
Bitter would have me taste: my taste was me;
    Bones built in me, flesh filled, blood brimmed the curse.
Selfyeast of spirit a dull dough sours. I see
The lost are like this, and their scourge to be
    As I am mine, their sweating selves; but worse.

— Gerard Manley Hopkins (1884-1889)

*fell: pelt, an animal's skin; also gall, bitterness.