Thoughts for the Day

Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.'
He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Messiah of God.’

He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today is an Ember Day, that is a time of prayer and for many Christians, of fasting. They occur four times a year in Western churches (Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter) sometimes for three days, and this week for two days, today, and tomorrow. They are primarily times of prayer for the Church, for its ministers and people. However, sometimes these days appear in Christian Calendars as "Days of prayer for peace". Anglican and Catholic Churches have historically always observed these days of prayer.

Ember Days seem to originate from our most ancient past, as we see in our Old Testament where the people fasted four times in the year - Passover (our Easter); Shavuoth (our Pentecost); before the placing of the Tabernacle in the Temple (which falls between Holy Cross Day and the Feast of Michaelmas in September); and at Hanukkah before the dedication of the Temple (which usually falls around St Lucy's Day in December).

There is an old English rhyme about this ancient custom of the Church: 'Fasting days and Emberings be Lent, Whitsun, Holyrood (Holy Cross), and Lucie (St Lucy).'

Our reading from Luke's Gospel shows us Peter's astounding answer to Jesus' question as to who he was. He boldly claims "You are the Messiah, the Son of God!" This Embertide can we first reflect on God's gift to Peter that he could make such a tremendous clim; second on our own ability to make a similar bold assertion; and third whether we can voice that with confidence to those around us?

Traditional we pray for vocations to ministry at this time:

Collect for Vocations
Almighty God,
You have entrusted to Your Church
a share in the ministry of Your Son our great high priest:
inspire by Your Holy Spirit the hearts of many
to offer themselves for the ministry of Your Church,
that strengthened by His power,
they may work for the increase of Your kingdom
and set forward the eternal praise of Your name;
through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord.
Amen.