Brief Explanation

My dearest Reader,

Welcome to my new BLOG. I hope that if provides you some inspiration.

    Most of you know me to like my dose of theology and liturgy. Unfortunately, I oftentimes find myself more confused and distracted by many competing voices when I put a lot of time and energy into reading and trying to write about these [albeit good] foci. Go ahead and say it: "Welcome to the year 2010, Dale!" Admittedly, I've found myself getting my gander up while on my little soapbox about certain theological positions. I was and am wrong in for that... In any case, I had been searching for something to BLOG that had substance and inspiration, but that isn't just another voice in the chaos. I'm tired of talking heads and pointed anonymous commentary.

     When I stopped searching, I found it!

     Last month, in my life of prayer I began to pen prayers here and there. These are not positive statements about anything, really. They produce in technicolor all the doubts and concerns I have when I approach the Divine as well as my confidence, hope, and love. And, frankly, my Friends, there aren't a whole lot of answers. The more you pray, the deeper and more awesome the Mystery. It pervades us, grabs us, searches and shakes us to the core, and we're left to try and make what little sense we can.

    So far, these seem to come in stages. There are some days and weeks where I can't get much out. Thank God in those days for prayers that have been written by others and which I cling to when my faith is next to empty. Then I'll hit a bout of inspiration and... well, here that is. May they aid you in your discoveries of the Mystery.

    A word about the form. These are Collects. Collects are prayers said by one person on behalf of the community, "collecting" a period of silent personal prayer into a communal expression. They begin with the bidding: "Let us pray." A period of silence should follow. Then the collect, and the ancient communal response of affirmation"Amen", or "May it be so". I hope that these will not be my prayers alone, but yours too.

     A collect has a more or less set formula. It begins with the invitation: "Let us pray". Silence. Then there is an address to God. Then follows an ascription of praise about God. Then comes a petition for us. Next we add a subordinate clause that expresses how the petition fulfilled will affect us. The Collect closes with an clause of invocation. Finally, everyone affirmingly says: "Amen".

Invitation. Silent Prayer. Address. Ascription. Petition. Effects. Invocation. Affirmation.



The desired One is already pressing in upon us.

Blessings and peace to you all.

Always,
Dale