O God of truth and peace, who didst raise up thy servant Richard Hooker in a day of bitter controversy to defend with sound reasoning and great charity the catholic and reformed religion: Grant that we may maintain that middle way, not as a compromise for the sake of peace, but as a comprehension for the sake of truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I know that these feast day threads attract hardly any comments or much attention, but this is an opportunity too good to pass up. This beautiful prayer asks for God to give us the grace to maintain Hooker’s famous Via Media, “[i]not as a compromise for the sake of peace, but as a comprehension for the sake of truth.[/i]” To which I can only say a hearty “AMEN!”
That is exactly what we need in Anglicanism these days, and it is precisely what is sadly so often lacking. All too often our attempts at maintaining good relations within our congregations and dioceses are marked by a desperate desire for peace at all costs, for which we are too often willing to compromise essential truths. But alas, that has always been a temptation we’ve found hard to resist, ever since the days of Queen Elizabeth I, who found it politically expedient to foster more compromise than real comprehension.
May Christ raise up more Hooker’s among us.
David Handy+
Thanks, Fr. David. I read tend not to read these posts because I am saying the Office with their propers and “Vita” already… but I value them as a sign this is really an Anglican place of discussion.
I like how this collect treats “comprehension” not as an excuse for sloppy or banal theo-blather (sadly the norm in TEC today), but as a call to considered, godly, prayerful, and deep colloquy leading to mission. I pray such a thing breaks out in the ruined shell of Hooker’s legacy here in the USofA.
Gee, I thought I proofed that! Should be “I tend not to read…” Sorry.
You’re welcome, Hursley.
I’m delighted that someone else added a comment here.
Keep praying the Office! As for me, this morning I did what I normally do, which is to chant it at home (to Gregorian chant, of course).
David Handy+