We celebrate our beloved St. Joseph or Arimathea tomorrow. As you know, Fr. David Belden founded our Parish over 25 years ago. With our merciful Saviour’s grace, the labours of Fr. David and Presb. Justina blossomed – much like St. Joseph’s staff that blossomed when planted in the land of what is now England. Fr. David, our Rector Emeritus, will be unable to be with us this year at our feast, but he greets us on our feast day, reminding us through the instructive writings of St. Theophylact – On St. Joseph of Arimathea and the Holy Myrrh-bearers: The name ‘Joseph’ means ‘increase’ and ‘arimathea’ means ‘taking hold of that.’ Let us be like Joseph, always increasing in virtue and taking hold of what is good. Let us also take the Body of Jesus, through Holy Communion, and place it in a tomb hewn out of rock, that is, my stony heart. Let us wrap the Body of Jesus in linen, a pure body, the garment of the soul. For I must receive the divine Body of the Lord not only with a pure soul, but also with a pure body as well. We must wrap it and unfold it within ourselves and not leave it exposed, for the mystery is something veiled and hidden, not something to be exposed.” In the Divine Service we pray regularly for the founders of our Parish, and for those who have served and labored in our temple – and especially for Fr. David and Presb. Justina. May our gracious Lord reward them for their untiring labours for His Church and our Parish.
Posted on: Sun, 04 May 2014 05:07:08 +0000