‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 June 17

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 17 June, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Sunday (tomorrow): 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity II.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Juliana Falconieri, Virgin.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass. Translation of King Edward, King & Martyr.
  6:30 PM, Evensong & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Aloysius, Confessor.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Alban, Martyr, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Vigil of the Nativity of S. John Baptist, with Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately after, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Nativity of S. John Baptist.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity III, Comm. Octave of the Nativity, Parish Brunch to follow the 10:00 Mass.

Yes, we are nearing the end of another month, believe it or not. Thus, the monthly Parish Brunch approacheth. During my tenure here, which will soon mark eleven years, I believe that this custom was begun by John and Shirley Murphy, may he rest in peace. We've been sporadic about it, at times, but it has endured.

Most Christians know that one of the appellations for S. John Baptist is The Forerunner, going forth before the face of the Lord, to prepare His ways ... making a highway for our God. In some theological views, S. John forms the third person of the Most Holy Trinity. Thus, the Heavenly Trinity, in this configuration, would most clearly mirror its opposite, the Unholy Trinity, of the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet, who also goes before his Lord, performing miracles in his name, preparing the way before him, that way which leads to Hell.

As is The Christ, so too is S. John Baptist our exemplar, the model after whose pattern we are to shape our lives, to direct our ways. His was total commitment to Jesus, The Christ. He forsook ALL things, left-behind ALL men, ALL relationships, ALL usual human ties, to serve Messiah.

In the bare minimum, we must follow him in proclaiming Jesus boldly, loudly, clearly, and without ceasing. ALL of these can be done without a fraction of the sacrifices made by S. John. Yet, if we only but choose, each of us can make those as-well, perhaps never rivalling him, but approaching his purity, his drive, his right fear of God, his clarion call to everyone to come unto the Lord.

When we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of S. John Baptist, remember these things. Keep them in your hearts, and ponder them deeply. If adopted, and followed, they will lead you unto the Lord, I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish