Theological Musings
Farewell to the Alleluia
Alleluia is a special liturgical word that means, "Praise God." But its significance is more mystical than the words "Praise God" can convey. Alleluia signifies that ineffable joy present in those heavenly habitations where saints and angels behold God face to face in God's perfect love. As we lift our hearts to God in prayer and praise, we use this word as an expression of our highest praise. Alleluia is a foretaste and a pledge of what awaits us in the life to come- a bit of heaven come down to earth.
Since the fifth century, the Church has suspended the use of this mystical word of praise during Lent, as a reminder of the separation from God that sin brings. We walk the Lenten journey of repentance so that the Holy Spirit may bring healing and wholeness to our wounded hearts. We do not say alleluia, because for a time we mourn our sins and seek God's mercy and forgiveness. But that does not mean that we do not offer any sacrifice of praise. Even as we contemplate our sins and seek God's healing, we replace our alleluias with praise to Christ who reconciles us to God and forgives our sins. During the Mass of the lenten season we sing, "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory,"- a glory which comforts and supports us during the Lenten season.
On the last Sunday after the Epiphany, we say farewell to the Alleluia. During medieval times their elaborate ceremonies evolved in which the alleluia was actually buried and "resurrected" on Easter. While we won't be burying the alleluia, we will end the Mass on Sunday with many sung alleluias, as we turn away from the beauty of our Lord in his Transfigured Glory, and turn towards the healing lenten desert which will take us to the Cross and finally back to Easter Joy.
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Prayer Requests
- Kathy Picazio asks for prayers for a special high school friend who has a son, daughter-in-law, and her daughter in Ukraine. Doug Newton, his wife, Zhenya, and her adult daughter, Anya.
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Juanita asks for prayers for Anna Crisolog who was just admitted to Hospice care and Heather Rotz who passed away suddenly at 23
- Bonnie Whalen requested prayers for her 28 yr old grandson.
- Linda Virtue
- The repose of the soul of Ed Miller.
- Chris Semanchik, who is very ill.
- Jane Linn's, granddaughter-in-law, Rachael.
- Keep Mike, Christine Kellam's dad in your prayers.
- Mary Irwin is experiencing some health issues.
- Prayers for the repose of the soul of Margaret Perritt, who passed away while in Hospice Care. Margaret was Alison Evans' mother.
- Philip and Nancy
Please send your prayer intentions to Philip at philip.muniz@gmail.com.
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OUTREACH
Outreach would like to thank everyone who contributed personal care products during the month of February.
During the month of March, we will be collecting items to assemble Easter Baskets for the children of our adopted family plus other children serviced by HOME (formerly IHN). We will need approximately 40 baskets for children ages 2 to 13. We would like contributions of baskets, grass, individually wrapped candy, and small toys & books. A labeled container will be in the narthex for contributions. This is a good way to find a home for all those floral baskets you have received over the years and didn’t have the heart to throw away!
SHIP is once again offering hot meals from the food truck. St Martins’ night is the third Wednesday of the month and we will need one or two volunteers each month to distribute the meals at Sacred Heart Church in Manville. There is a signup sheet on the bulletin board.
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Jubilee Parish
A Jubilee parish is a parish committed to the social justice ministry of advocacy and service for the poor and oppressed. It is a network of parish and diocesan Jubilee Centers throughout the Episcopal Church. It was established by an act of the 1982 General Convention as “a ministry of joint discipleship in Christ with poor and oppressed people, wherever they are found, to meet basic human needs and to build a just society.” The term “Jubilee” means the fiftieth year. It is derived from Lv 25:10, which says that the fiftieth year shall be a jubilee: “you shall return, every one of you, to your property and every one of you to your family.”
If you have a special heart of compassion and concern for the poor and oppressed and want to work for a more just church and society, perhaps God is calling you to be a member of our newly formed Jubilee Commission. We will be prayerfully discerning over the next several months what God is asking us to do in service of the poor in our county, in our state, our nation, and the world. Please speak with Father Rob if you are interested in this important work.
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Lent at St. Martin's
Mondays - 7 p.m. Bible Study - Women of the Bible at Juanita's house
Wednesdays - 6 p.m. Mass in the Lady Chapel
Thursdays - 10 a.m. - Noon Private Prayer and Adoration with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (come and go as you desire) in the Lady Chapel
Fridays - 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross in the church
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Lenten Book Study
All are welcome. This year we will be learning about and discussing six women from the Old Testament in five sessions. They include Jephthah’s daughter, the Shunammite woman, Esther, Judith, and Naomi and Ruth. Some will be familiar and some probably will not. All have a story to tell and things to teach us about their time and place, their beliefs and spirituality, and their relationship with God and their people.
We will be using the book “Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter”, by the Reverend Lindsay Hardin Freeman (ISBN 978-088028-391-5), It is available online, in both hardcopy and electronic format, from a variety of vendors, including Amazon. This is the same book we used for the 2018 Woman in the Bible program.
Meetings will take place each Monday during Lent beginning on March 7 and continuing on March 14, 21, 28, and April 4 at 7:00 pm. We will be meeting at the home of Juanita Hawkins
90 Vandeveer Drive
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
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INTRODUCING THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The Stations of the Cross are a series of images of Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion. Each station highlights an event from that day and is accompanied by a description and prayer. Christians have been walking the Stations of the Cross for centuries, especially during Lent. The objective of walking the Stations is to assist Christians as they contemplate the Passion of Christ while making a spiritual pilgrimage through Jerusalem. The images here are from a set of 14 icons recently given to St Martin’s in memory of Gloribel Ayala. We hope you will join us at the Church on Fridays during Lent, especially Good Friday, to walk the Stations of the Cross as you contemplate the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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THE FIRST STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And they all condemned him and said, “He deserves to die.” When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. Then he handed Jesus over to them to be crucified.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first, he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
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THE SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Jesus went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Like a lamb he was led to the slaughter; and like a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he opened not his mouth. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.
Let us pray. Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us the courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
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Confirmation
Are you interested in being Confirmed? If so please email Father Rob and let him know of your intention. There will be two confirmation classes offered: one for teens and one for adults. Information will be forthcoming, but we would like to compile of list of Confirmands as soon as possible.
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