Categories: reading, parish-life
Date: 08 July 2007 04:16:44
I got more books from our bookstall: as if I don't have enough already! Though I'm looking forward to reading them both: The Lenten Spring by Fr Thomas Hopko, ready for Lent next year; and the highly-recommended, from all who have read it, Wounded by Love: The Life and The Wisdom of Elder Porphyrios.
A great, and confronting [for me], sermon by Father today, taking his start from the Gospel reading [Matthew 9:1-8], and asking us if we look for the miraculous, the work of God, in our every day lives, or do we too readily ascribe the joys and triumphs to ourselves and our own strength, or to others? Do we live as "Sunday Christians" or do we reflect and proclaim Christ throughout the week, in all we do? May God help me.
We also welcomed in Isabella, a new baby, and welcomed back her very proud mum and dad. A beautiful baby girl and it was great to see mum and dad again. Babies are welcomed into the parish by the priest carrying them into the sanctuary and around the altar, while various prayers are said.
After Divine Liturgy, the choir director, also my sponsor/godfather [who had a birthday Wednesday: many years!], made an announcement that there will be a change to the hymnography and the service text in the coming months. We are correcting the English translation text we have [good news at last], as well as moving to full Byzantine chant, rather than the mix we have now [as I've commented previously, I do find parts of Arabic Byzantine chant alienating, but, it is a small matter and, God willing, a full Byzantine style will make the service seem more related]. He also asked for more people to sing in the choir: despite my poor voice, and despite my current feelings on some aspects of Byzantine Chant, I may give it a go -- or at least go along so as to hear what is happening. This may be God's way of drawing me in to the Arabic Byzantine Chant and better appreciating it, and to stop my whinging. :) And, as I said, it is a minor issue: the genuine love shown by those at my parish, the Gospel being preached; the Faith that I believe in -- these are to me the important things, and what keeps me out of bed and going: even on rather chilly Sydney mornings like today.
What happened at your church today?