Where Have I Been in Lent 2025?
I asked this question in my sermon this past Sunday. Then on Monday of this week I posted on Facebook my disappointment concerning the Advance Polling Dates for the Federal Election. They are Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday.
My concern is the Three Holy Days.
Have I created a ‘dust-up’!
Personally, most of the responses I have received from committed Christians have been negative towards my dissatisfaction with the chosen dates. One comment was Elections Canada stating they had no choice, as the Election Act dictates when the Advance Polls will be held.
My response: the government could have had some foresight on the chosen date. Elections Canada does not choose the date for the election.
As I respond to some of my colleagues, I like the recent quote I read from retired dean, Peter Elliot, (Christ Church Cathedral, Diocese of New Westminster) in reference to a program for parish development programs, and the National Church’s response of a lack of financial and personnel resources, as reported by Archdeacon Alan Perry, General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada:
To quote from an article in the Anglican Journal :
‘That would take a change in General Synod’s priorities, he says. “It would take the General Synod and Church House staff to say, ‘our core function is to serve dioceses and parishes in their ministries, proclaiming the gospel.” By contrast, in his view, General Synod’s recent priorities have centered on its role as the Anglican Church of Canada’s outward-facing representative to the Anglican Communion, on its relationships with its ecumenical and full-communion partners and on political social-justice causes.’
Sean Frankling/ April 9, 2025, Anglican Journal
Elliot’s words echo my sentiments. For some time, I have been voicing (in conversation) that it is time our Church returned to the basics of parish ministry.
One writer recently commented on the role of the preacher in the Three Days. The suggestion was at one time satisfactory to let the rich liturgies for the Three Days speak for themselves.
Alternatively, the writer says the consensus today is the robust preaching through each of the Three Days is vital in our cultural moment. (Those words were penned prior to November 5, 2024.)
My moment during these Three Days 2025 is a resounding call for the Church to return to a priority of proclaiming the gospel.
Blessings for these Three Days 2025,
Archdeacon Brian+
