To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. ~ Isaiah 61:3
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. ~ Isaiah 55:12
The Lord on high is mightier, Than the noise of many waters, Than the mighty waves of the sea. ~ Psalm 93:4
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. ~ Psalm 107:29
And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! ~ St. Matthew 8:23-27
Floral wedding confetti on church entrance floor mosaic – St. Sophia, Canada
Today is Forgiveness Sunday. Tomorrow Great Lent begins.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. ~ St. Matthew 5:7
A pebble tossed into a pond radiates countless ripples.
Forgiveness does this too. It releases waves of empathy and compassion, affecting everyone it touches, including ourselves.
Mercy is a powerful gift, restoring peace of mind, and helping us to move forward, sloughing off anger or resentment. Giving or receiving forgiveness bestows healing to our spiritual and physical health.
Great Lent begins tomorrow. Today, on Forgiveness Sunday, we greet each other by asking mutual forgiveness. (Whether in person if possible, or by a phone call or email) What a delightfully liberating way to start the Fast… with clean slates; in the spirit of mercy and Christian love.
Forgive me. God Forgives!
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ~St. Matthew 6:14 – 15
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ~ Ephesians 4:32
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ~ Colossians 3:13
Sincere repentance is a gift of God such that, although we may not have committed any severe fall into sin or evil deed, we still see ourselves in our true light, see how weak we are, how much we sin in the mind, in our feelings, and especially in our imagination. Looking honestly at ourselves, we have nothing left to say except “Lord God have mercy on me, help me, and forgive, forgive, forgive me!” Then forgiveness will come into our souls like Pascha, and we are as it were born anew. And if the Lord should forgive, who will condemn us? ~ Metropolitan Vitaly, Paschal Encyclical, 2001
Sometimes we do not see any outlet, any escape from our sins, and they torment us: on account of them, the heart is oppressed with sorrow and weary. But Jesus looks upon us, and streams of tears flow from our eyes, and with the tears all the tissue of evil in our soul vanishes. We weep with joy that such mercy has suddenly and unexpectedly been sent to us. ~ St. John of Kronstadt
You know it’s coming… yet, in seeming stealth mode, Meatfare Sunday still swoops in catching some of us off-guard (This year, March 7th). Not only is this the second Sunday before the start of Great Lent, but it’s also the very last day meat is eaten until Pascha (Easter).
More importantly, Meatfare Sunday is also called the Sunday of the Last Judgement, reminding us of the inevitable day when everyone will stand before God to give account of their life. This is hard to think about.
At Christ’s Second Coming, He appears in all His Glory as the righteous Judge, “Who will render to every man according to his deeds” (Romans 2:6). Today’s intense Gospel reading from St. Matthew 25:31-46 recalls how we shall be gathered before Him, and how He will separate one from another, like a shepherd dividing a flock of sheep from the goats. The sheep will be kept by His right hand, but the goats will be set on His left.
As we draw closer to great Great Lent, we must pass next through Cheesefare Week. It begins the day after Meatfare Sunday, and during Cheesefare we can still eat fish, dairy, and eggs (hence traditional pancakes), continuing a gradual preparation for the more strict fasting of Great Lent (This year, March 15th). Cheesefare Week ends on Cheesefare Sunday (March 14th), which is also called Forgiveness Sunday.
Forgiveness Sunday, more significantly, recalls the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, and the theme is forgiveness. We can’t begin a spiritual spring cleaning before the Great Lenten journey without first forgiving our offenders, and also asking forgiveness of those whom we have hurt or insulted. We forgive each other, for offenses known or unknown.
Person #1: “Forgive me.”
Person #2: “God forgives. Forgive me.”
Person #1: “God forgives.”
Then we move along to the next person, and so on. Beautiful. Simple. Cleansing. Renewing. Joyful.
Our family has a prized aphorism for the Meatfare Sunday Meal. This stems from a country drive years ago, passing a little hole-in-the-wall eatery called the Last Chance Cafe. Its name reminded us of our mad-dash-meat-menu scrambles on a Meatfare Sunday evening… the night before Cheesefare Week began.
Since then, on Meatfare Sunday, the remaining, yet dwindling familial carnivores… amongst the growing crowd of second and third generation pescatarian/vegans; try to gather for a Last Chance Cafe Meal of some sort, before galloping off into the gooey gouda glow of Cheesefare Week.
However, Meatfare Sunday is more than just grabbing that last beef burger with quivering anticipation. Much more. There are other kinds of “meaty” fare.
In John 4:32 -34, Christ said to his disciples: But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
The general reason for fasting and praying is to awaken a yearning to return to Eden, to a more spiritual way of life. Our Lenten Voyage helps enlighten our minds by showing us our own shortcomings. Lent inspires the desire to cleanse our souls through repentance, which prepares us to reach the joyful destination… The Feast of Feasts, and to greet the Risen Lord, at Pascha!
Our Meat, our Fare, is to do His will.
In a small way, this is what we’re trying to do… and in His Light, shall we see Light!
Rear view of family housing in Bari, Italy – 2017. This is near St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Basilica, which houses his myrrh-streaming relics. They were moved in the 11th century from his original shrine in Myra, Turkey, to Bari, Italy- for protection, when Myra came under Saracen rule.
This year, secular Family Day also falls on the ancient and beautiful Feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple.
Happy Feast Day and Family Day to my family, near and far… Related by blood or Spirit. May God grant all your petitions according to your salvation!
Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. ~ Exodus 20:12
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell in unity! ~Psalm 133:1
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. ~ Proverbs 6:20
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. ~ Proverbs 17:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. ~ Proverbs 22:6
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her… ~ Proverbs 31:28
As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. ~ Isaiah 66:13
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. ~ St. Matthew 12:50.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named… ~Ephesians 3:14-15
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ~ Colossians 3:20
Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers… ~ 1 Timothy 5:1
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ~ 1 Timothy 5:8
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation… ~ 1 Peter 2:2
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ~ 1 Peter 4:8
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. ~ Psalm 51: 6-7
Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! ~ Psalm 148: 7-8
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. ~ Isaiah 55: 10-12
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. ~ Proverbs 25: 11-13
What a beautiful day God has provided for us!
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. ~ Isaiah 60:1
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake. ~ Psalm 31:16
God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. ~ Psalm 67:1
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. ~ Psalm 80:1
Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. ~ Psalm 80:3
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. ~ Psalm 119:135
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. ~Proverbs 4:18
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. ~ James 1:17
Before the dawn, Mary and the women came and found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They heard the angelic voice: “Why do you seek among the dead as a man the One who is Everlasting Light? Behold the clothes in the grave! Go and proclaim to the world: The Lord is risen!” He has slain death, as He is the Son of God, saving the race of men. ~ Paschal Hypakoe
Shine! Shine! O New Jerusalem! The Glory of the Lord has shone on you! Exalt now and be glad, O Zion! Be radiant, O Pure Theotokos, in the Resurrection of your Son! ~ Paschal Hymn to the Theotokos
Bubbulsh: A toddler’s pronunciation of Bubbles.
Bubbles: A short-lived, transient phenomenon, as seen in feature photo.
Bubbles during these times: A small group of people with whom one solely has close social or physical contact. Bubbles are now “exclusive” in the sense of once we’re in one, we can’t form new bubbles.
Before COVID, we already existed in family, school, work, worship, or recreational bubbles… of all shapes and sizes, and for various lengths of time. Some bubbles were comfortable, others not so much.
One of my first experiences of a Daily Bubble was the Kitchen Table Bubble… grumpily eating breakfast cereal with another sibling before school. The way the teaspoon would annoyingly clank against their metal dental braces… or the way they would just breathe at me across the table. Not a morning person, I unknowingly made the Kitchen Table Bubble, unpleasant for everyone… including myself.
My first recollection of a Restrictive Bubble was the Blizzard Bubble… when my kid brother and I were snow-bound at our grandma’s. It felt like a month, but was only a couple of weeks. A no-nonsense, pious woman, her unique approach in resolving cabin-fever-fueled sibling scraps was by encouraging us with contests to memorize Psalms. The mercenary winner could receive anything from a penny to a nickel, depending on the accuracy of the recitation. With delusions of wealth and riches, my brother and I ended up with a combined total 27 cents, although we can still recite by heart most of what we learned – and that’s actually priceless!
Unfortunately, in between the Psalms, we also discovered how to use a Bible Concordance, learning how to creatively admonish one another using scriptural quotes, in childlike ways… and out of context.
Him (justifying a slushball to my mouth): “Leviticus 19:17.” (“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart.”)
Me (refusing to pass the pancake syrup): “Proverbs 25:16.” (Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.”); Then, graciously passing said syrup: “Proverbs 25:21 -22.” (“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.”)
Him (besting me): “Proverbs 25: 24” (“It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.”)
I could go on, but you get the picture.
During this past year, the initial new household restrictions sometimes bestowed joy and blessings. Families who could make it positive, spent extra quality time together… such as playing board games, or doing communal projects and hobbies.
Many acquired new skills! Some examples shared with me are friends and family who have taken up new crafts like knitting, painting, baking, and learning how to sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow in Klingon, on a ukulele.
Sometimes when we’re stuck inside a bubble for quite awhile, it feels like we’re going to pop.
When we forget to look up, we miss the light that make our temporary bubbles beautiful and iridescent… our small spheres become distressingly dull and nitpicky. Loved ones’ Foibles may seem to have duly earned the right to be spelled with a “capital F”.
Husband: “Did you know you always sniff once upon entering any room?”
Wife: “Did you know you always take three bites at a time when eating corn on the cob?”
I could go on, but you get the picture.
A wonderful passage which can be applied to anything, particularly Concerning Bubbles, is Colossians 3:12-16.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
We may miss the opportunity of being with more family. We may miss our friends, and coming together to worship. This is good.
But, if not careful, it can become a downer if we let it. Sometimes we do. Forgiveness and love are the keys to Bubble Tranquility. Bubbles became what we make them… ranging from the ordinary to the extraordinary.
A dear, wise, priest rightly encourages us to remember, “This is just for now.”
After Theophany, the days grow longer. Chirping robins return. Silver, furry catkins adorn bare branches. Fair Maids of Février poke up through cold earth. Everything is fresh and young again.
Each day, the Author of Life opens a blank new page for us to write on.
Isn’t is marvellous the unwritten pages of our daily deeds are already seen by Him as accomplished? Isn’t it amazing we retain the gift of free will to do as we choose on said pages? Isn’t it miraculous He loves us; regardless!?
Opening our self to God is Life. Allowing God to robe Himself within us suffuses our soul with Love and Light.
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? ~Psalm 27:1
Thy word is a lamp for my feet, a light unto my path. ~ Psalm 119:105
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. ~ Isaiah 60:1
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ~ St. Matthew 5:14 – 16
No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you. ~ St. Luke 11:33-36
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ~ St. John 1:5
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~ St. John 8:12
The Feast of the Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated January 19/6. After Pascha and Pentecost, this is the next greatest Feast Day of the Orthodox Church.
Theophany means Manifestation of God, as Jesus Christ is God the Word, Incarnate.
When our Lord Jesus Christ is baptized by John in the River Jordan, Christ comes up from the water, the heavens open, and the Spirit of God descends like a dove upon Him. God’s voice from heaven proclaims, “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” The Holy Trinity is revealed. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit shine forth...
In the Gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 3, verses 1-6, and 11; and verses 13-17, we stand on the banks of the River Jordan and watch this miracle occur.
In the Gospel of St. John, chapter 1: verses 32-34, we see St. John the Baptist bearing witness that Christ is the Son of God.
Theophany reminds us of our own Baptism, for “As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ, Alleluia!” In the waters of Baptism, we are washed clean from our old life, and we put on the new life in Jesus Christ.
Today is also the Blessing of the Waters.
The feature picture reminds me of a traditional festal family hike around some back lakes, many years ago after Liturgy, on Theophany. Music from the service remained with me… in particular… “The Voice of the Lord is upon the waters, the God of Glory thundered, the Lord is upon many waters. (Psalm 28:3)” Upon rounding a bend in the trail, we encountered the lake shrouded in a blanket of dense mist. A sudden shaft of sunlight pierced through illuminating everything. The swirling fog dissolved as if blown away by a great breath. This exquisite memory remains close to my heart. Each year when hearing said phrase at service, for a moment, I return to that peaceful place.
I believe all bodies of water are particularly blessed with a special beauty upon this feast day!
Troparion of the Feast (Tone 1)
When Thou, O Lord, wast baptised in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest! For the voice of the Father bare witness unto Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son! And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed His word as steadfast and sure. O Christ our God, Who hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee!
Kontakion of the Feast (Tone 4)
Thou hast appeared today to the inhabited earth, and Thy Light, O Lord, hath been signed upon us, who hymn Thee with understanding: Thou hast come, Thou hast appeared, O Light Unapproachable!
