Magic Statistics

This morning's Recessional Hymn at Christ Church Cathedral, Whitehorse (and, I'm sure, many other churches), was "Now Let Us All With One Accord", words attributed to Gregory the Great (c. 540-604).

Now let us all with one accord,
in company with ages past,
keep vigil with our heavenly Lord
in his temptation and his fast.

The covenant, so long revealed
to those of faith in former time,
Christ by his own example sealed,
the Lord of love, in love sublime.

Your love, O Lord, our sinful race
has not returned, but falsified;
author of mercy, turn your face
and grant repentance for our pride.

Remember, Lord, though frail we be
in your own image were we made;
help us, lest in anxiety, we cause
your Name to be betrayed.

Therefore, we pray you, Lord, forgive;
so when our wanderings here shall cease
we may with you for ever live,
in love and unity and peace.

Lent & Beyond has begun a collaborative series of meditations for Lent. The complete set of entries can be accessed here.

Today's meditation, the sixth in the series thus far, is by the remarkable Binky, the chief Web Elf at Classical Anglican Net News (CaNN). Check out this thought- and prayer-provoking reflection on today's Gospel reading, St Matthew 4:1-11.

The collect for today, the First Sunday in Lent, from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer:

O Lord, who for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights; Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to thy honour and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Epistle: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10
The Gospel: St Matthew 4:1-11