Tag: Book of Common Prayer

Bishop Jack Lumanog: Finding Comfort in Holy Scripture During Advent

Bishop Jack Lumanog reflects on personal grief and the significance of the Collect for the Second Sunday in Advent from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. Amidst holiday pressures, Bishop Jack Lumanog finds comfort in Scripture, emphasizing patience and meaningful reflection over consumerism. This perspective invites deeper appreciation of Christmas and faith.

Jack Lumanog

I have been suffering from a bit of “brain fog” lately. It’s been a prolonged season of grief and transition. Amidst all this, the Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent leapt off the page:

The Collect for the Second Sunday in Advent. From the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, International Edition (IVP).

It is the middle of December as I write and reflect on this and it seems an odd choice to exercise “patience” and seek “comfort of thy holy word.” Such an odd choice! It is nearly Christmas time after all!

But, the rhythm of life from the Book of Common Prayer is helpful like that sometimes.

The Church calendar supersedes my agenda for the day.

The Church calendar re-orders my priorities.

Sometimes, it helps to have something like a prayer to remind me of what an enormous gift we have in Holy Scripture to point us to the blessed hope of everlasting life in Jesus Christ.

There is so much to do especially around Christmastime. But is it really relevant to the celebration of Jesus and His birth? Or is it all “forced merriment” around this time of the year? It feels like “compulsory joy” which makes it even more like a pressurized month — especially if you are, like me, struggling with grief or loss.

My dog keeping me company as I take a breath and a moment in the Scriptures to “hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them” as reminded by the collect in the Second Sunday of Advent. What a great idea in the busy season of Christmas!

On second thought, it may not be such an odd prayer to offer in the middle of December after all. To choose “patience” and seek the “comfort of thy holy word” feels especially fitting as the rest of the world seems consumed by the frenzy of consumerism (allegedly) meant to commemorate the birth of Jesus.

Taking a breath and a moment in the Scriptures to “hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them” might be the best gift we give to ourselves and our Lord Jesus Christ in this busy season.

(Finally, I love this 1662 Book of Common Prayer International Edition from IVP. This BCP gently updates the text for contemporary use. State prayers of England have been replaced with prayers that can be used regardless of nation or polity. Obscure words and phrases have been modestly revised—but always with a view towards preserving the prayer book’s own cadence. And, there is a Daily Office site for Morning and Evening Prayer.)

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

(1662 Book of Common Prayer, International Version from IVP)
The Right Rev. Dr. Jon I. “Jack” Lumanog is an Anglican Bishop in good standing with the Apostolic Communion of Anglican Churches and the leader of The Anglican Diocese of St. Ignatius Loyola, overseeing clergy and congregations in the United States, South Asia, Africa and Southeast Asia. A pastor and evangelist at heart, Dr. Jack Lumanog has planted, revitalized and led churches, traveling extensively around the world to share the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He served as a denominational leader for eight years, providing executive-level oversight for more than 1,000 congregations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Dr. Lumanog is currently pursuing post-graduate studies in Management at Harvard University through the Harvard Extension School. He is an accomplished corporate strategist with extensive experience leading high-impact clinical projects for a Fortune 20 healthcare company.

Join Bishop Jack Lumanog in prayer … in French!

Jack Lumanog

For my French speaking brothers and sisters, join me in prayer. Responses are on the screen if you don’t have a French Book of Common Prayer. 

Complies – Le Livre de la Prière Commune 1979 avec Mgr Jack Lumanog, Évêque du Diocèse Anglican de Saint Ignatius Loyola.

The Right Rev. Dr. Jon I. “Jack” Lumanog is an Anglican Bishop in good standing with the Apostolic Communion of Anglican Churches and the leader of The Anglican Diocese of St. Ignatius Loyola, overseeing clergy and congregations in the United States, South Asia, Africa and Southeast Asia. A pastor and evangelist at heart, Dr. Jack Lumanog has planted, revitalized and led churches, traveling extensively around the world to share the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He served as a denominational leader for eight years, providing executive-level oversight for more than 1,000 congregations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Dr. Lumanog is currently pursuing post-graduate studies in Management at Harvard University through the Harvard Extension School. He is an accomplished corporate strategist with extensive experience leading high-impact clinical projects for a Fortune 20 healthcare company.