The Thursday before Easter
Collects
Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
and
Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost 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 obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lessons
Epistles and Gospels
I Corinthians 11:17–34
Luke 23:1–49
Table of Lessons
Morning Prayer
Psalm 86; 87; 88
Daniel 9 or II Samuel 6
John 13 or Acts 14
Evening Prayer
Psalm 89
Jeremiah 31 or II Samuel 7
I Peter 1
Alternative Table of Lessons (1961) — Year I
Morning Prayer
Psalm 86; 87; 88
Exodus 24:1–11
John 17
Evening Prayer
Psalm 89
Leviticus 16:2–24
John 13:1–35
Personal Reflections
A fact that is particularly relevant to this reflection is that we are Anglicans. A particular member of the church was telling me about her Bible study for the week, focusing on the three days; a fitting topic for study during Holy Week. She also shared with me that she disagreed with translations of the the Apostle’s creed that claim the Christ descended into Hell.
… and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
The Apostle’s Creed as presented by the USCCB
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
However, We Anglicans affirm the Thirty-Nine articles of Religion which are the historically defining statements of doctrines and practices of the Church of England / Anglican Church. The third article actually declares this to be doctrinally correct.
III. of the going down of Christ into hell
The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion of 1571
As Christ died for us, and was buried, so also is it to be believed,
that he went down into Hell.
To complicate matters, the translation of the Apostle’s creed which appears in the ACNA 2019 Book of Common Prayer doesn’t actually include this particular wording, even though it DOES include the Thirty-Nine Articles of 1571 in its chapter containing Documentary Foundations.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
The Apostle’s Creed as Presented in the 2019 Book of Common Prayer
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
It’s just an oddity to me that people are ignorant of, or opposed to the official positions of the denomination to which they choose to belong.