St. Matthew Feast
Since I was serving, I asked Matushka Debbie to take photographs for me.
Martha fetched me at my house around 17:00. In fact, she was a few minutes early and I was hoping to get to the corner before she made the turn into my block. This way I could save her four extra blocks and five minutes of time. But she arrived at my house just as I was locking the front door.
We drove to the church with plenty of time, at least we thought so. But we did not know about the bad accident on Interstate 95 that closed the high way. But we still arrived ten minutes before the service, despite the fact that we almost got lost because of the forced detour.
I strongly believe that clergy and altar servers should arrive at the temple 30 minutes ahead of service, and no latter than 15 minutes, especially for a service like this when we need to work out any special details. I knew that I had to work out details with the other deacon plus I needed to find a photographer. Neither one of these was an issue as Deacon Nicholas was unable to attend and neither was Deacon Mark. So I was the only deacon.
The priests serving were Fr. Ray of St. Matthew, Fr. Ted of St. Andrew, Fr. Gregory of Holy Cross, and Fr. Duane of St. Matthew.
We started on time and we just presumed that Fr. Constantine and Dimitrios would arrive during the service. I did tell Fr. Ray that there was a bad accident on the highway. Martha and I did not realize that we must have got there just after it occurred. They did not arrive until after we completed the service and they approximately five minutes after Martha and I left and from only one mile from where we left. Fr. Lou and his presbyteria arrived much later.
Dimitrios was the speaker and he talked about missions.
St. Matthew summed up the Gospel in one phrase: “Go and teach all natins.” The bishop blessed the foundation with Holy Water and God blessed us with rain. I can’t imagine how strange we seem to attempt our faith skin covered with sun block, and digital cameras. The abuse of technology forced us to do other things. Instead of cell phones we wrote letters. Were we really missionaries for Christ? We did not baptize anybody, heal any sick, or tech any theology. Jesus spoke only two words to St. Matthew: “Follow me.” God did not promise him glory, but He still followed Him. We must all answer the same call of Jesus. When we get the call, let us open our hearts and say yes.
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