Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 March 18

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 18 March, the Feast of S. Cyril of Jerusalem. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Mothering Sunday (Lent IV).
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Cuthbert, Bishop & Confessor.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, S. Benedict, Abbot.
  6:30 PM, Sung Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Blessed James de Koven.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Joseph, Spouse of the BVM, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Gabriel, Archangel, with Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Stations of the Cross, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
  5:00 PM, Stations of the Cross.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Annunciation of the BVM.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Passion Sunday (Lent V).

There are envelopes in the narthex for the flowering of the Sanctuary at Easter. Please write ~ legibly ~ in the space-provided any dedications or memorials that you wish to have included in the Eastertide bulletins. Perhaps shockingly, there is not much more time to accomplish this, so act accordingly.

Just as there is symmetry permeating the Creation, so, too, in our Kalendar, we see the symmetry of His grand design. Light and Dark, both, are ever-present. Thus, even as we come-closer to the greatest Darkness, the death of our Lord, Messias, Jesus, the Christ, we see signs of the light, have we but eyes to see them.

On three successive days this-coming week, we Celebrate first the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Lord's earthly Father, Saint Joseph. Next comes Saint Gabriel, Archangel, Messenger of the Most High God. Lastly, we have the Annunciation, when S. Gabriel reveals to Holy Mary what, and the nature thereof, will soon happen to her.

In the spirit of symmetry, of unity, of intentional design, these clear indications of the Light to come reach us nine months prior to His earthly birth. Thus, on the eve of His death, and the dying of the light, we are reminded that His birth is coming, is always coming to save us from the horrors that we not only created, but imposed upon Him. He is constantly coming to save us, just as He is constantly wounded by our sin. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Fr. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish