Bulletin for 14 Apr 2024 – Sunday of the Myrrh Bearers

Christ is Risen! Indeed he is Risen!

Christos voskrese! Voistinnu Voskrese!

Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!

SUNDAY of the MYRRH BEARING WOMEN, Sunday April 14th , 2024.

RWP8RG Myrrhbearers icon, Palekh, Ivanovo region, Russia

Dear Friends,

Today we celebrate the Sunday of the Myrrh bearing women. We read in the Gospel of a group of ladies who were close friends of Jesus and Mary. They go to the tomb to perform a service to honor the lifeless body of Christ.

In some ways the very human side of things comes to light. Quite often when I think of funeral arrangements, where in other churches it is usual for a Eulogist to get up and speak about the deceased; it makes me ask: is this about the deceased? Or, is it a way for those grieving to find comfort hearing a more personal story about the deceased? When we honor the dead it is a mechanism that while they are gone, we can still present them something due to them as friends and family. They are gone but this is our way of doing what we still can, even after their death.

In the Roman Church, St Augustine is read in Matins for November 1st , which is their All Souls Commemoration. He states that we are wired this way and that it somehow gives us relief to show honor and respect.

St Augustine even mentions pagans whose funeral Rites and wishes are honored as something sacred. Pagans who unlike us, have no hope of resurrection. And yet, even in our own day, we honor to the letter the last will, Testament and funeral wishes of someone who is deceased. All of this speaks to our nature and the bonds we treasure.

The Myrrh bearing women show nobility by their desire to honor the lifeless body of Christ. They however had no notion that their charity towards Christ would be rewarded seeing the empty tomb, and hearing the Angel. Further, they are commissioned to spread this Good News and thereby be Apostles to the Apostles announcing the greatest news!

In a sense the Ladies were out of their minds, for, they even ask one another hurrying to the tomb: “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance?” On its face, they are out of their minds. However, the lesson for us is that their good intentions and their good work did not go without its reward.

May their zeal for simply honoring a friend and respecting the dignity of Christ’s lifeless body, inspire us, as believers, to be ready to perfume what is unsightly in others.

St Peter Chrysologus (+450) compares the Myrrh bearing Women to the Apostles writing: Mark Ch 16 v.1: “The Women were first to honor the risen Christ, The Apostles the first to suffer for him. The women were ready with spices; the Apostles prepared for scourges. The women entered the tomb; the Apostles would soon enter the dungeon. The women hastened to express their eulogy; the Apostles embraced chains for his sake. Women poured oils, the Apostles poured out their blood.”

St John Chrysostom: “Mark how Christ sends good tidings to his disciples by these women, bringing to honor, that sex, which was most dishonored, and to good hopes; and healing that which was diseased.”

Turning to the Epistle, we read the account concerning the creation of the order of deacons. The Book of the Acts of the Apostles is sometimes called ‘the Fifth Gospel.’ In it we see the Holy Spirit at work richly poured out to guide the nascent Church. The Apostles who out of fear were locked in the cenacle are emboldened to preach the Good News. The Spirit acts like a person: a voice commands, his ‘hand’ is felt upon people, he makes others to speak in tongue… he shows prophetic signs… All of this phenomena shows his ‘personality’ and also his care and strengthening of the Church.

This care for the Church is shown in the inspiration given to create deacons who will serve in order to facilitate the growth of the Church.

News of the parish:

I regret that another urgent matter has occupied my time and energy. I will not be presenting the required Safe Environment training until next Sunday. Regarding health: I will have my last detox treatment for heavy metals on Tuesday and Wednesday, please pray that this goes well. Then there will be an oncologist meeting at the end of April. All things considered, things are looking good.

Garden work: Many thanks to Gene Ford who has begun weeding under the rose bushes on the outer edge of the property. I apologize myself but due to urgent business and much rain I have not cut the grass myself. I hope on Friday afternoon to begin mowing and if anyone would like to help with this work while I am in Texas please let me know.

Welcome & Congratulations: as planned Ingrid Stewart has retired from her work and will be able to join us in person for Liturgies. Welcome back Ingrid!

Catechism: 20 minute mini-catechism to follow Divine Liturgy.

Prayer intentions:

• Last Week’s collection amounted to $ with xx in attendance. Many thanks!
• Hospitality: in addition to the hospitality sign up there is a ‘clean up’ column. Please sign on as you can.
• Prayer requests. Please pray for the sick of the parish: Gary Stewart. Please pray for Margaret Dean who remains united to us in prayer and while unable to drive the long distance here, certainly thinks of us and prays for us. Please pray for Fr Milan Kasperek, a priest of the Eparchy who is presently serving as an Air Force chaplain and has been deployed in the Middle East. Please pray for the many souls who call asking for temporal assistance.
• Please also pray for the following: Fr. Michael, Fr. Marcus, Fr. Chris, Fr. Randall, Fr. Michal, Fr. Patrik, Fr Christopher, Fr Theodore, Sr. Patricia, Margaret, Gary and Ingrid, Slawomir and Oceana, Darlene, Becky, Alexis, Marion, Curtis, Ronald, Jeanine, Taylor, Lorrie, Frances, Alex, Leroy, Michael, Thomas, Michael, Jennifer, John, Elizabeth, Judy, Ruth, Dimitri, Christie, Viktoria, Margaret, Patricia. Nadezda, Doug S, Murin family, Aisha, Faustyna, John, Maia, Najwa, Nadia, Favin, Nazmin, Barbara, Trish, Shalom World, Jesse, Charles, Monica, Matt, Jackie, Tim, Edward, Don S, Monica S, Rachel Pineda and family, John, Kazu, Jacob, Brent. Karen and Raymond Vincent and family. Mark Lopez. Dan and Sherrin. The Lauffer and Attias families in Jerusalem. Carmen Senior (+), Carmen Junior. Jacob Gonzales. Sarah. Theresa V., David. Lilly.

Liturgical Schedule:

Sun, Apr 14	8:30 am confessions 9:30 am Divine Liturgy	Myrrh-Bearer Sunday	Festal Tone  Reader: Richard
Mon, Apr 15	6:30 am Divine Liturgy
Thurs, Apr 18	5:30 pm Divine Liturgy
Fri, Apr 19	5:30 pm Divine Liturgy		followed by conference
Sat, Apr 20	9:00 am Divine Liturgy
Sun, Apr 21	8:30 am confessions 9:30 am Divine Liturgy	Sunday of the Paralytic Man	Festal Tone. Reader: Victor

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.