Although it is late, here is my homily from Sunday, May 20th where I speak of the Feast of the Ascension.
Memorial Day
Tomorrow, May 28th in the United States we celebrate Memorial Day. Basically now we use it to make the begining of the summer. People go away to their lake houses and other such places. However, what is the traditional meaning of memorial day. Well, thanks to Wikipedia we have this article to guide us.
As of May 24, 2007 there have been 3, 435 American deaths in the War in Iraq. For a list of the names and pictures of the brave men and women who have given their lives check out the page at CNN. What ever your feelings on the war, we must pause and remember those that have given thier lives in the struggle.
Pentecost
Pentecost Sunday
John 7:37-52; 8:12
Article on the Pentecost Icon from Orthodox Wiki.
Pentecost by Fr. Alexander Schmemann
Icon from www.goarch.org
Ramblings
This week began with a retreat/conference with the other fire chaplains in Massachusetts. This is an annual event and each year we have a different theme. This year was Faithful in Our Calling: “Serving Those Who Serve” It was a blessing to be able to get away and spend time with other chaplains and also to get some rest. We had different session during the time are were asked to write on different topics. One was prayer and our prayer life and how that translates into our ministry. I usually do not like these kinds of things, getting in touch with yourself, but this was a great exercise and I learned many things for others. One thing I learned is that I do not pray enough and I need to change that.
So back to the real world and the tasks that need to be completed around the church. I spent most of the day yesterday cleaning the house, doing laundry, grocery shopping and putting the air conditioners in the windows of the house. This weekend it is supposed to be in the 90’s so I hunker down in the a/c and wait for the temp to drop. I do not like the heat. Let’s hope I get to heaven!
Tomorrow we have liturgy here at 9am for the deceased members of the parish. Traditionally Orthodox Churches have a liturgy on the Saturday prior to Pentecost for the deceased. Ours will be a 9am and I believe that Brother Michael will be here. He is visiting from California and I think he is going to make his way to the village. It will be good to see him again.
Sunday liturgy as usual and then on Monday we all go to the cemetery for the blessing of graves. I like this little tradition that we have as it gives me a chance to speak with people about their loved ones that I did not know. So we walk around the cemetery, in full liturgical vestments, we need to figure a way to give them some a/c maybe NASA can help, anyway we walk around and bless the graves. Then I plan to veg for the rest of the day and enjoy memorial day. I usually try to get to the parade in town but I hear rain is coming so we will see.
I will try to catch up on the Podcast. I have one for last week and just need to finish editing it and put it up. Maybe I can get to that today.
St. David I, King of Scotland
I missed this one yesterday.
Feastday: May 24
King of Scotland, the son of King Malcolm III and St. Margaret, born in 1084. He was sent to the English Norman court in 1093, and he married Matilda, the widow of the earl of Northhampton, becoming an English baron in 1113. David succeeded his brother, Alexander I, as the king of Scotland in 1124. Years of Struggle against King Stephen ended in 1139 when they made peace. David founded dioceses and monasteries in Scotland, instituted Norman law, started the office of chancellor, and conducted many charitable projects. He died in Carlisle, Scotland, May 24. He was never formally canonized.
From www.catholic.org
Russian Orthodox Reconciliation Hailed
MOSCOW, MAY 24, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Catholic archbishop of Moscow has applauded the reunification of the Russian Orthodox Church after an 80-year schism.
Interfax reported that Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow, said in a letter to Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia: “The bridging of divisions between Christians always means triumph of a love that overcomes everything.
“It is an instance of direct obedience to the commandment of Christ, ‘That they may all be one’; it is a good example for all people who are divided, an example not only for Christians, and not only for believers.”
Archbishop Kondrusiewicz added: “The healing of the schism and the Eucharistic reunification of Orthodox Christians will have a deep peacemaking effect on the entire Russian society, on the hearts and minds of our compatriots living both in Russia and outside of it.”
The archbishop also said that the agreement, reuniting the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church and the New York-based Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, is a sign of hope for further dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Catholic Church.
ZE07052416
Update on the Senate Debate
If you are following the debate in the US Senate of the Immigration bill you can follow it here
St. Cathan
Missed this one yesterday.
St. Cathan
Feastday: May 17
6th or 7th century
Bishop of the isle of Bute, in Scotland, called Kil-Cathan in his honor. A tomb bearing his name was found near Londonderry, Ireland, but Scottish scholars claim his remains are at Kil-Cathan.
From www.catholic.org