‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 April 15

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 15 April, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Saturday in Easter Week.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Low Sunday (Easter I).
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Stephen Harding, Abt.
• Tuesday: 6:30 PM, monthly Parish Requiem.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Alphege, Bishop & Martyr.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Feria, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Anselm, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Feria.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Good Shepherd Sunday (Easter II).

Alleluia, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia! Having just emerged from Great Lent, including the travail of Holy Week, things are now, blessedly, quiet. That will change with the Feasts towards the end of May, but, for now, we can be still in our knowledge of the life and light of our Lord, Jesus, the Christ.

What are we to with the gift of freedom that our Lord has given us ~ freedom from sin and from death? We are to accept the gift, and then to live it. We achieve this by living the life that He has given us without fear.

Holy Scripture tells us not to fear the one who who can take our life, but rather fear the One who may not only take our life, but cast our soul into Hell. This not Satan ~ he may kill us, but over our soul he has no power, beyond that given to him by we ourselves. Therefore, of all Creation, we need only fear God. However, that is a topic for another 'Post.

Suffice it to say that, in this life, we've nothing to fear. Witness the Saints, more especially the Martyrs. S. Lawrence, whose Feast we've yet to celebrate, this year, when he was being roasted to death, asked his murderers if they might turn him over, as he was certain that the side closest to the flames was done. Death held no fear for him, as his greater, eternal end was already known to him.

We must strive to be the same. When in situations where death might find us, we truly should be fearless, thus calm. What can our enemies do? The World? Take our lives? Alleluia, for if they do, we shall be nearer the Christ than ever before!

If we can remain fearless in the face of Death, then nothing else may claim dominion over us. We can proceed to love and live for our Lord, without hesitation. As it has been written, so now must we do. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Fr. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish