633 sligo avenue, silver spring, md 20910
633 sligo avenue, silver spring, md 20910
Rev. Susan G. Astarita
April 23, 2006
We now live in a period of rejoicing in the Risen Lord between the Easter Vigil and Pentecost on June 4 called the Great Fifty Days. During the season you will notice that the Paschal Candle is lighted for all services and "Alleluia" is sung on all possible occasions. We do not fast and it is our custom to stand for the Eucharistic Prayer. In some parishes members prefer to stand as they receive the Holy Eucharist at the altar rail.
Our liturgical color is white for purity, resurrection and celebration.
For the five Sundays of Eastertide (Easter 2 through 7) we include a reading from the Book of Acts as our second reading. We walk through the Book, attributed to the gospeller Luke, living with the early disciples through exciting and challenging moments as faith in the mission and ministry of the resurrected Christ is tested, challenged and accepted in the ancient world. In the gospels taken from John (except for today when we read from Luke about the Emmaus walk) we meet Jesus as the Good Shephred, Philip struggling to understand the intimate relationship beteween God and God's Son, Jesus portraying himself in the metaphor of the vine capable of helping all of us bear much fruit, and the final Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ leaving us in God's protection with the Holy Spirit to guide us.
On Easter 6 (May 21 this year) we again celebrate Rogation Day and our commitment to the stewardship of creation especially as the Holy People of God called as stewards in this place. Strictly speaking, Rogation Day has no real connection with the great Fifty Days, as the time for it was set in the church calendar to coincide with Spring planting in northern Europe. By tradition, the congregation led by the priest procssed through the fields within parish boundaries blessing them and praying for a fruitful season. We have planned a lively liturgy followed by a Parish gathering to spruce up our grounds for the Spring.
May the spirit of mission, commitment and ministry continue to grow in us as modern disciplies this season calling us to offer our best energy and gifts to ministry in the workplace and in the parish. May we continue to bloom and go forth in joy and gladness.
Faithfully,
Mother Susan +