Holy Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Mission

HOLY RESURRECTION BYZANTINE CATHOLIC MISSION
PASTOR REV. THOMAS O'CONNELL
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH
307 BLACK OAK RIDGE ROAD
P.O. BOX 817
SEYMOUR TN 37865
PHONE: 609-1081

Welcome to all visitors. Know that our Byzantine Mission of the Eastern Catholic Church can be your home. Here you will find that special Church that has maintained an unbroken link with the Apostolic Church. Here in the Eastern Tradition of the Byzantine Catholic Church, in union with the Holy Father Pope John Paul II, you will find the fullness of truth and eternal life with God, Our Creator, through Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. You are always welcome. We are Orthodox who are in union with Rome.

February 23, 2003 - Sunday of Meatfare - Commemoration of St. Polycarp, Priest - Martyr, Bishop of Smyrna, was burned alive AD 166 during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

If you would like the Divine Liturgy offered for a loved one who is deceased or living, please give your offering to Father and obtain a Liturgy intention card from William Gogar. Please write down the intention so it can be put in the bulletin.

Next Divine Liturgy - March 1, 2003 (Saturday evening) 5:30 PM; Akathist to the Mother of God, 5PM

On Saturday evenings at 6:30 PM, Byzantine vespers is prayed here at Holy Family, when there is no Divine Liturgy that weekend. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Third Sunday of the Month - bring non-perishable food items, soap, toiletries, for distribution to the needy.

Today's Gospel, taken from St. Matthew 21:31-46 tells us about the second coming of Christ. When Jesus came the first time, He came as a very humble infant to the stable of Bethlehem. The second time He will come in His glory and in His dignity. The first time He came, many people did not notice His arrival and instead of giving Him a throne to sit on they put Him on a cross. Next time, He will come sitting on the throne of His glory to judge the living and the dead. Christ does not demand great and difficult things of us except love and understanding of the needs of others such as extending a piece of bread, a glass of water, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and a good word to those jaiiled. Love as "giving" and "offering" has no limits either to the higher or lower classes. The first group will protest saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and gave You to drink." The second group will also protest saying, "Lord when did we see You hungry, thirst, naked, sick, imprisoned and did not minister to You?" Christ's answer will be that insomuch as we did it for one of His brothers, we did it for Him.

Today is called "MEAT-FARE" SUNDAY. Traditionally, fasting from meat begins after this Sunday. From the next day, Monday, one should, if one can, abstain from meat until Easter. We learn from the Gospel of St. Matthew (25:31-46) heard today, that the judgement of God is at hand. May we experience the Love of Christ and a place "on the right side" among the righteous.

It is only when we accept responsibility for ourselves that we take the first step to betterment. You cannot solve a problem unless you take responsibility for it. We see it in mental illness. A noted psychologist says, "My observation is that the patient who condemns himself, even to the point of thinking that he has committed the unpardonable sin, is likely to get well. It is the patient who blames others who does not get well." We see it in the family. Nothing heals the rifts in family life quicker than for the person who has been selfish or unthoughtful to confess the wrong and apologize. As soon as the guilty partner says, "I'm sorry. I was wrong," there is no more misunderstanding. It disappears immediately. In fact, the wife or husband may even say in return, "On, no, you're not totally to blame, it was my fault, too." This is what happens when we accept responsibility for ourselves as mature Christians and seek another's forgiveness."

The same thing happens in our relationship to God. Refusing to acknowledge our sin, blaming it constantly on others, is the greatest barrier that keeps people from God. But as soon as we place the blame where it belongs, - squarely on our shoulders; as soon as we are honest with ourselves, and say to our Heavenly Father with a frank and merciless honesty, "I have sinned," then there is reconciliation; then there is forgiveness; then there is acceptance; then there is peace, love, and joy."