O Holy Apostle Philip,
Intercede with the merciful God
That He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost.
Today’s Epistle brings home to us the freedom of Christians who now are no longer under the Law of Moses but rather under the Law of Christ (The New Moses who promulgated his Law on the Sermon on the Mount), which is not written in stone tablets but written by the Holy Spirit in our Hearts.
The whole question of circumcision came up at the very beginning of the Church as the Apostles were sent forth to preach the Good News. In some ways this is providential, for, if the distinction of freedom that Christians enjoy was not answered, it is likely that those in the ancient world would have looked at Christians as merely another Jewish sect, like for example to Esseners who followed in the teachings of St John the Baptist. These latter took to the initial message but failed to see that Christ was the fulfillment. As Christians we are distinguished from the Jews by our belief in a Triune God, the God-Man who came among us and even saved us by the Cross.
The point really is not just the abandonment of circumcision by Christians, but that we live as New Creations transformed by the power of the Life-Saving Cross.
Thus, the greatest scandal to a Jew, namely, death on a Cross, “for cursed is he who hangs from a tree,” becomes something noble, and from something ugly, by grace becomes something beautiful. Beautiful to the point that Saints bear their Crosses with a holy joy.
The Gospel is pretty straight forward for us to understand. The message is that we are responsible and that God gives us the graces and gifts we need to save ourselves. The Rich man is damned because he chose not to use the gifts that were given to him.
We should note the contempt that is shown to this man in the parable: he isn’t even given a name! We will certainly merit that shame and disdain if we do not share the gifts that God gives to us.
Fr Christopher: This past week: The retreat went well. The funeral which followed in Tulsa likewise. I also met Dallas parishioners on a pilgrimage to the Abbey (850 pilgrims.) The last day saw me stop at the Hospital to anoint a 9 year old boy with Covid complications. He is, as I write this evening out of hospital. Please kindly pray for Aidan.
Change of Rites: I have found the paper work of what needs to be presented. If anyone would like to change Rites then contact me. Meanwhile, here is a link to interesting materials that can help in discernment:
WELCOME TO BECOMING BYZANTINE: CO-SPONSORED BY THE BYZANTINE CATHOLIC EPARCHY OF PHOENIX AND VINEYARD OF THE LORD CATHOLIC MINISTRIES This series is intended to be an online introduction to Byzantine Catholic Faith, Worship, and Life based upon the teachings of the Christ Our Pascha (COP) Catechism.
Each month, we will sponsor a 90-minute webinar which will serve as a conversation introducing the topics and themes from the catechism which can be read afterwards (paragraph numbers identified below), as well as from the recorded videos that will be available for free on our YouTube Channel. This can be used for individual, group, or parish study.
This is the link to access the BECOMING BYZANTINE YOU TUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzhBP62eRM1DurlY43SfNJw
The link to register for the free upcoming BECOMING BYZANTINE webinars. https:// http://www.tickettailor.com/events/vineyardofthelordcatholicministries/561626
The link to access the online version of the catechism CHRIST OUR PASCHA. http:// catechism.royaldoors.net
Announcements
- Tithes and Donations. Last Sunday, we received in tithes $, donations $, gift shop $, hospitality $, candles $ and miscellaneous $. Thank you for your generosity, may God bless you always. The collection amounted to $.
- Hospitality after Sunday Liturgy. If you wish to help out please put your name to the signup sheet.
- Mystery of First Confession: If you have a child ready to make his or her first confession please see me and I will start by instructing those who need it. This shouldn’t take too long, about 5 weeks and after that I hope that we will be able to relaunch Catechism for the children after Sunday Liturgies. Parents are invited to sit in on the classes, so as to be able to help their children with the homework. Also as part of ‘Safe Environment’ there will be another adult present
- Youth Group: After having spoken at the bi-weekly youth group with parishioners from 4 parishes and 4 Rites, I will continue to host a talk followed by ‘fun and games.’ There were about 20 or so youth. The meetings are mentored by Abouna Hezekiah (Melkite) and now by me. For details contact me or Tim Del Castillo. Ages range from early to late teens.
Liturgical schedule
Wed Oct 27, 6:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy.
Fri Oct 29, 5.30 p.m. – Moleben of the Holy Cross
Sun Oct 31, 8:30 a.m. Confessions. 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy.
Tone 6. Cantor: Tim Del Castillo – Reader: Victor Pacheco
For Confession, please call Fr. Christopher for an appointment, or come 30 minutes before or after scheduled services. If you desire Spiritual Direction then please see Fr Andrews for an appointment during the week so as to allow everyone an opportunity on Sundays for Confessions. Please consider those traveling from long distances.
Fridays in general are days of penance and fasting, we observe abstinence for meat foods. Let us remember one another as we offer our prayers and sacrifices to the Lord.
St. Philip the Apostle Byzantine Catholic Church 