Good day,

Zoom Bible Study Tonight, 7pm: We will be looking at parts of the Passion Narrative (from Mark 14:1 to 15:47). Please email me for the link (susan.montague2@gmail.com

Our final Lenten Lunch is this Wednesday, March 20, 12-1pm at Emmaus.

A Liturgical Note For You: When you enter the worship space on the morning of The Sunday of the Passion (Mar.24), you will see red hangings and altar coverings in your church buildings – and in the vestments worn by your presider and servers (but not Lay Readers). Here is what “red” indicates as a colour used in traditional icons:

Red: This is the color of heat, passion, love, life and life-giving energy, and for this very reason red became the symbol of the resurrection – the victory of life over death. The Anglican Church also associates red with the Holy Spirit as “the Lord, the giver of life.”  But at the same time, it is the color of blood and torments, and the color of Christ’s sacrifice. Martyrs (like Stephen) are depicted in red clothing on icons.  

The Sunday of the Passion begins Holy Week: There are never any calendar observances of other prominent Christian persons or days during Holy Week since the sole focus is on Jesus’ journey to the cross and his resurrection.  It is during this week that we gain the cross as our particularly poignant Christian symbol and have instituted for us, by Jesus, our central act of Christian unity with each other and with God – the Eucharist that we share in lives of humble service. Jesus showed us how to be the servants of all when he, the Master, washed the feet of his disciples. 

This is why, on Maundy Thursday, we wash one another’s feet. Something to think about in advance of this worship service: Some people feel super awkward about having a fellow parishioner or the presbyter washing their feet. Newsflash: We’re ALL supposed to feel awkward. Remember Peter? He did not want Jesus to wash his feet. In a few cases, people think they can avoid these feelings by having their hands washed instead. Oh my goodness! Please, do not do this! The only person in the story who washes their hands is Pilate. He washed his hands in the traditional and symbolic gesture of purity and innocence – he was washing his hands of the responsibility of killing Jesus. 

For a very brief rundown of the origins of Holy Week along with the importance of Easter, check out p.296 of the BAS: The Book of Alternative Services of the Anglican Church of Canada (rackcdn.com)

For Your Devotions (Wow…one every day!):

Monday, March 18th is the commemoration of Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Teacher of the Faith, died 386. When Cyril was alive, the Arian heresy (those who denied the divinity of Christ) was actually getting the upper hand on orthodoxy (partly due to political maneuvering…go figure). Cyril was accused of Arianism and was sent into exile three times. Sometimes, we can be saying the same thing in different ways and not realize we’re saying the same thing…trying to explain the mystery of the Trinity in limited human language is tricky business. Anyway, Cyril’s writings, Catecheses, are valuable as examples of early church ritual and theology. We have Cyril to thank for fostering the development of Jerusalem as a centre of Christian pilgrimage and likely also the procession with palms and other Holy Week liturgical practices. To read more:  http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/Cyril_Jerusalem.htm

Tuesday, March 19th is the Holy Day of Saint Joseph of Nazareth. We know next to nothing about Joseph – the earthly father of Jesus – other than that he was a tradesperson (“carpenter”) and married Mary despite the fact that she was pregnant. We can imply some things about Joseph’s character through this acceptance of Mary (plus we’re told he was “just”) and by the fact that God worked through him to move towards the accomplishment of God’s plan for salvation. If you’d like to read a little more…  https://www.biography.com/people/st-joseph-9358199

Wednesday, March 20th is the commemoration of Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, died 687. We don’t know much about his youth but, we know that Cuthbert greatly preferred the solitary monastic life to public life. Cuthbert reluctantly (in tears, apparently) accepted election as bishop in 684 then led his diocese (for just two years) in caring for the sick and in almsgiving. He is credited with many miracles which earned him the title “Wonder-worker of Britain”. Here is a site which details some legends: https://oca.org/saints/lives/2019/03/20/109071-st-cuthbert-wonderworker-of-britain and here is another…   https://orthodoxwiki.org/Cuthbert_of_Lindisfarne

Thursday, March 21st the commemoration of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, died 1556.  Thomas was an advisor to both Henry VIII and Edward VI. He was, in large part, responsible for placing English bibles in all of the churches, wrote prayers and parts of the liturgy in English, and was a main architect of our Book of Common Prayer. Thomas believed that the word of God and our celebration of the mystery of Christ should be in the vernacular so that it was accessible to all. The staunch Roman Catholic, Queen Mary I, ended Thomas’ life by having him burned at the stake. To read more of Thomas’ life and contributions to Anglicanism…  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Cranmer-archbishop-of-Canterbury

Friday, March 22nd is the commemoration of Thomas Ken, Bishop of Bath and Wells, died 1711.  In 1688, King James II issued his Declaration of Indulgence which was aimed at promoting Roman Catholicism. Thomas was among several bishops who refused to publish it in their dioceses and, in fact, published statements against it. This got him imprisoned in the Tower of London but he was later acquitted. Despite this, Thomas remained loyal to James when William and Mary (James’ daughter) arrived in the country to assist Protestants and Anglicans. James fled the country but Thomas and other bishops who would not swear an oath to William and Mary (because their king was still alive) were stripped of their offices and “retired”.  To read more:  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Ken

Saturday, March 23rd is the commemoration of Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop of Armenia, died about 322. A fifth century Armenian writing says that Gregory was a Parthian prince who fled during a Persian invasion. When in Caesarea, Gregory became a Christian and, upon his return to Armenia during a Christian persecution spearheaded by King Tiridates III, Gregory was imprisoned in a burial pit. Apparently, after escaping, Gregory actually converted the king to Christianity! Tiridates then became the first monarch to impose Christianity on his people.  To read more:  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Gregory-the-Illuminator

In the hope of Christ,

Susan