Click here for Book of Common Prayer 1928 version of Eucharist.
SOME NOTES ABOUT THIS LITURGY
Rite 1 in the present Prayer Book is based on, but not identical to the 1928 service. From about 1662 until late 1900’s, Anglican churches worldwide ordinarily had only one Eucharistic liturgy, which might vary with the region – Canada, Wales, Scotland, England, Australia, South Africa, etc.
The tone of the 1928 service is the Cross with its emphasis on sin (our grievous and manifold sins, our miserable offences). The deliberate changes in the 1979 book are to move toward the Resurrection and its accompanying joy.
Note that the congregational role is much more passive than today’s book. I guess that lay-people weren’t trusted to do much, nor was it presumed then, as it is today, that the congregation reads. No psalm, no Old Testament lesson, No “peace” in this liturgy.
The officiant, the priest, has a different role now. Until the 1979 revision, the priest faced “east” with his back to the people as their “special representative” before God – speaking to God on their behalf and speaking to them on God’s behalf – God’s representative to the people. What is the priest’s role now?
The 1928 P.B. makes the assumption that receiving communion was something that one prepared for with penitence, fasting, and a desire for holiness. Contrast that attitude with today’s welcoming attitude – rather than a “special”, private tete-a-tete with Jesus, we
approach the sacrament as something to sustain us in our daily lives . . . maybe more like a celebratory dinner with friends.
Click here for Book of Common Prayer 1928 version of Eucharist.
No comments:
Post a Comment