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The Parish Messenger
May 1998
“Now is the Month of Maying...”
So begins the famous madrigal by Christopher Morley. This lovely Spring month has long
been
known in ecclesiastical circles as the month of Our Lady. One reason for this probably has
to do
with the madrigal of Morley and the sentiments surrounding it. Christianity has long made
use of
secular feasts and adapted them to sacred practice. Many saturnalian celebrations have
been turned
to religious celebrations (Christmas, Easter, All Saints being the most well-known). The
fertility
rites of Spring were transformed into the celebration of purity embodied in the Virgin
Mary.
Perhaps, too, this month was chosen to honor Mary because of its inherent beauty. The
budding
flowers, the scent of lilac wafting through the air all raise thoughts to the creator of
all. What better
time to consider her who offered herself in humble obedience to the Father to bring about
the “New
Creation” in Christ Jesus?
In the most recent issue of “Episcopal Life,” a magazine which attempts a
centrist position within
the American Church, the question put to the readership was, “Does the Episcopal
Church pay
enough attention to Mary?” The overwhelming response was, “no.” Those who
responded all
expressed a desire to give even more honor to her who is the “Theotokos” the
“bearer of God.” Even
the most diehard protestant evangelical should be able to acknowledge that she was the
first of
humanity to kneel before the Christ and claim Him as her Lord and Savior.
This parish has a long history of honoring Blessed Mary during the month of May. This
celebration
usually begins with the crowning of Mary as “Queen of the May,” “Queen of
Saints,” Queen of
Angels,” “Queen of Heaven.” It is a wonderful pious custom for the faithful
to make May altars for
their own homes. Children enjoy bringing gifts of dandelions to place before the statue of
Our Lady.
They learn this way to honor their heavenly Mother and in the process learn more about her
Son,
their Lord and Savior.
“O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.”
Are you still celebrating?
While the bunnies may be put away, the eggs turned into salads long-gone, the season of
Easter
continues and will do so until the Feast of Pentecost. The season of Easter is often
referred to as
“The Great Fifty Days.” Mother Church may make us fast for forty days, but she
makes it up to
her children by giving them fifty days of joy and celebration in return. Nothing can stop
the joy of
the Easter Feast - not even death itself - for Easter is the triumph of the Living Lord
over sin and
death.
Mark this season with a special celebration - a picnic, gathering of friends, etc. The
“Queen of
Feasts” is a special gift to us from God our Father and Mother Church. Revel in it -
a full fifty-days-
worth.
“Read all about it....”
We have been blessed to have Fr. Jack Kilby, a retired priest of the Diocese of Iowa, in
our midst
for the past few years. Fr. Kilby joins us for Mass weekly and often on special occasions.
Fr. Kilby
also assists at St. Andrew’s parish several days a week.
One of the things Fr. Kilby does best is share his faith with those he meets. He has
generously
offered us the use of his writings. These are in the form of inserts to the weekly
bulletin. Fr. Kilby
offers a reflection on something pertaining to the Season of the year and also offers a
Scriptural
verse for memorization and spiritual growth. I have heard many appreciative comments about
Father’s writing. Make sure you check them out in the weekly bulletin.
| O Holy Spirit of God,
come again to my heart and fill me.
I open the windows of my soul to let thee in;
come and possess me;
fill me with light and truth.
Of myself I am an unprofitable servant,
an empty vessel:
Fill me that I may live the life of thy Spirit,
the life of truth and goodness,
the life of wisdom and strength,
the life of beauty and love.
And guide me today in all things:
guide me to the people I should meet and help,
to the circumstances in which I may best
serve God,
whether by my actions or by my suffering.
But above all make Christ to be formed in
me, that I may dethrone self in my heart
and make Him King.
Bind me to Christ by all thy ways, known
and unknown, by holy thoughts, and unseen graces,
and sacramental ties, that He may be in me,
and I in Him, this day and for ever.
Walter Julius Carey, Bishop of Bloemfontein
(1921-1934)
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PENTECOST
. . . was first a Jewish festival day. In pre-Biblical days, the ancient
Israelites marked the beginning of the reaping season with a harvest festival - later,
after the exile in Egypt, to be called Passover. The close of this season was held "a
week of weeks” after Passover on Pentecost, the Greek for fiftieth day.
Later, Pentecost became associated with the delivery of the Law of Moses, the Ten
Commandments,
to the Israelites - in a sense the founding of the Jewish “church.” It was on
this founding day that
the Jewish disciples of Jesus gathered after the Resurrection. But, with the coming of the
fire of the
Holy Spirit, they became more than just followers; they became missionaries preaching the
good
news.
Their Jewish festival, then, took on new meaning for them as they were inspired to speak
and those
of many nations were inspired to understand.
For Christians, therefore, Pentecost is a time of commencement, not conclusion.
Historically, Jesus'
physical life on earth had ended, but the life of the Body of Christ, His Church, had just
begun, for
the warming breath of the Spirit of Truth animated the assembled disciples into Apostles
of Christ.
from “The Open Door”
Lectionary Readings
May 1 Sts. Philip and James
Isaiah 30:18-21
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
John 14:6-14
May 3 IV Easter
Acts 13:15-16,26-33(34-39)
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30
May 10 V Easter
Acts 13:44-52
Revelation 19:1,4-9
John 13:31-35
May 17 VI Easter
Acts 14:8-18
Revelation 21:22-22:5
John 14:23-29
May 21 Ascension Thursday
Acts 1:1-11
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24:49-53
May 24 VII Easter
Acts 16:16-34
Revelation 22:12-14,16-17,20
John 17:20-26
May 31 Pentecost
Acts 2:1-11
I Corinthians 12:4-13
John 20:19-23
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