Last Epiphany Sunday - Rector's Rambling for February 6, 2022

       We have made it to the last Sunday in Epiphany.  Next week we switch to the purple vestments and hangings for the pre-Lenten season, known as the Gesima Sundays.

This past week we had two Feast Days.  On Wednesday (while the snow was beginning) we had the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, also known as the Purification of Mary. 

On this day the church commemorates the 40th day of Jesus’ life, when he was brought by his parents to Jerusalem and presented in the temple.  As the second chapter of Luke’s gospel reminds us, “every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”, harkening back to Leviticus Chapter 12.  Also, this being the 40th day after giving birth the mother is purified ‘from her issue of blood’ having had these days to have her body recover from giving birth.

In this event we hear about Simeon and Anna, a prophet and prophetess who confirm that this child is in fact the fulfillment of the promise of God to send a Saviour.  The words of Simeon, known as the Nunc dimittis, Latin for the first words of his statement, we recite every day after the second lesson of Evening Prayer, as well as at the nighttime office of Compline. 

On Thursday we celebrated the Feast of St. Blase, one of the 14 Holy Helpers.  He is invoked for healing and protection for ailments of the throat, from his legend of having healed a young boy who had a thorn in his throat.

Following one of the great traditions of the Church today we will be offering  after both Sunday Services the Blessing of the Throats in honor of St. Blase. After the services please come to the altar rail in The Chapel where I will have blessed candles (unlit) to place on your throat and I will pray for healing and protection for ailments of the throat and all other infirmities. Be sure to come back to the chapel to receive the blessing.