Bulletin for 21 April 2024 – Sunday of the Paralytic Man

Christ is Risen! Indeed he is Risen!

Christos voskrese! Voistinnu Voskrese!

Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!

SUNDAY of the PARALYTIC MAN, Sunday April 21 st 2024.

Dear Friends,

Today we celebrate the Sunday of the Paralytic man. His healing is not the only healing that we read today. We also read of healings by St Peter who heals Aeneas at Lydda, and the Tabitha in the town of Joppa.

The tie between the Gospel healing and the healing we read in the Acts of the Apostles is subtle, but there is link when we look at the number 38 knowing the sacred number of 40. It is two short of the perfect number. Concerning Tabitha we are told that she was “completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving.” These ‘two’ things justified her and most likely merited for her the grace of resurrection.

The Christians at Joppa knowing that St Peter was nearby sent ‘two’ disciples to fetch him. Upon arrival the widows who were destitute showed Peter the tunics and cloaks she had made for them. Even after death her own death, her good works bore witness to her Christian charity.

Further her name Tabitha (also translated as Dorcas in Greek) are the words for gazelle. The gazelle is a graceful animal and in the Gospel of Luke exemplifies the right attitude toward material possessions. Lk 6:30, 11:41, 12:33, 18:22 & 19:8 tell us how to make use of our material goods: “To him who asks, give,” “give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you,” “Sell your belongings, give alms … store up treasure in heaven,” “Go, sell what you have and give to the poor,” and like Zacheus, repay fourfold any injustice.

Tabitha shows herself to be without reproach and dearly loved by the Faithful for her graceful attitude to life, possessions and her neighbors.

Her being raised from the dead has a parallel with Mark 5:41where we read of Christ taking a little girl by the hand and saying to her “Talitha Koum, which means: Little girl I say to you, arise.” The Greek verb egeirein (arise) is generally used to express resurrection from the dead (Mk 6:14,16, Mt 11:5, Lk 7:14 and Christ’s own Resurrection Mk 16:6, Mt 28:6 & Lk 24:6.

Regarding Aeneas he was confined to bed for eight years, we see a number shy of ten. Ten is a sacred number, for, perfection lies in observing the 10 commandments and the Law is summarized in ‘two’ things: Love of God and love of Neighbor!

Thus, seeing all the numbers at play we see numbers two short of 10 and 40.

Now looking at the Gospel, the period of 38 years has significance. He patiently sat beside the pool where sheep would have been washed before being sacrificed. The mention of five portico’s hints at Christ the Lamb who by his five wounds and the regeneration that comes from baptismal waters grants us new life! Above all the fact that Christ did this great work on a Sabbath shows his Authority and Power.

Finally, consider here we are on the Lord’s Day! Let us aim for perfection with love of God and neighbor and thus be made perfect!

St John Chrysostom writes on St John Ch 5: and the cure of the Paralytic:

“What manner of cure is this? What mystery does it signify to us? For these things are not written carelessly, or without a purpose, but as by a figure and type they show in outline things to come, in order that what was exceedingly strange might not by coming unexpectedly harm among the many the power of faith. What then is it that they show in outline? A Baptism was about to be given, possessing much power, and the greatest of gifts, a baptism purging all sins, and making men alive instead of dead.”

News of the parish:

I would like a brief meeting after Liturgy today to discuss something which I have had to address with the Chancery. There will be no mini-catechism today and the material I must present for Safe Environment will be presented next Sunday when those going to be absent today will be with us next week.

Another agenda item will be addressing catechism for two groups. Please come to me if you are willing and able to help out.

In about two weeks I hope to have results from the detox treatment I have been undergoing from lead and uranium. Generally speaking, I do feel much more energetic and I am hopeful that my oncologist visit will reflect the healthier me resulting from the detoxification and healthy foods.

Conference: No conference this week for the young adults. I will however be speaking at St Lawrence the Martyr Parish on Thursday night at 7.30pm. (4325 Don Julio Blvd, Highlands, CA 95660).

• 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 Oliver Bardin and 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 presently serving in the Middle East.
• 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. Jacob Gonzales. Sarah. Theresa V., David. Lilly.

Liturgical Schedule:

Sun, Apr 21	8:30 am confessions 9:30 am Divine Liturgy	Sunday of the Paralytic Man	Festal Tone. Reader: Victor
Tue, Apr 23	5:30 pm Divine Liturgy	The Holy Great Martyr George
Wed, Apr 24	5:30 pm Divine Liturgy	Mid Pentecost
Sat, Apr 27	9:00 am Divine Liturgy
Sun, Apr 28	8:30 am confessions 9:30 am Divine Liturgy	Sunday of the Samaritan Woman	Festal Tone. Reader: Richard

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.