Calvin Synod Herald, 2013 (114. évfolyam, 3-12. szám)
2013-03-01 / 3-4. szám
10 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD THE EASTER LILY Calvin Synod Homeland and Overseas Mission The Easter Lily. For many, the beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers symbolize purity, virtue, innocence, hope and life—the spiritual essence of Easter. History, mythology, literature, poetry and the world of art are rife with stories and images that speak of the beauty and majesty of the elegant white flowers. Often called the “white-robed apostles of hope,” lilies were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ’s agony. Tradition has it that the beautiful white lilies sprung up where drops of Christ’s sweat fell to the ground in his final hours of sorrow and deep distress. Churches continue this tradition at Easter time by banking their altars and surrounding their crosses with masses of Easter Lilies, to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and hope of life everlasting. Since the beginning of time, lilies have played significant roles in allegorical tales concerning the sacrament of motherhood. Roman mythology links it to Juno, the queen of the gods. The story goes that while Juno was nursing her son Hercules, excess milk fell from the sky. Although part of it remained above the earth (thus creating the group of stars known as the Milky Way), the remainder fell to the earth, creating lilies. Another tradition has it that the lily sprang from the repentant tears of Eve as she went forth from Paradise. The pure white lily has long been closely associated with the Virgin Mary. In early paintings, the Angel Gabriel is pictured extending to the Virgin Mary a branch of pure white lilies, announcing that she is to be the mother of the Christ Child. In other paintings, saints are pictured bringing vases full of white lilies to Mary and the infant Jesus. St. Joseph is depicted holding a lilybranch in his hand, indicating that his wife Mary was a virgin. The legend is told that when the Virgin Mary’s tomb was visited three days after her burial, it was found empty save for bunches of majestic white lilies. Early writers and artists made the lily the emblem of the Annunciation, the Resurrection of the Virgin: the pure white petals signifying her spotless body and the golden anthers her soul glowing with heavenly light.... A mark of purity and grace throughout the ages, the regal white lily is a fitting symbol of the greater meaning of Easter. Gracing millions of homes and churches, the flowers embody joy, hope and life. Whether given as a gift or enjoyed in your own home, the Easter Lily, along with other Easter blooms, serves as a beautiful reminder that Easter is a time for rejoicing and celebrating. During the Victorian era, however, the very conspicuous stamens and pistils were removed because they were seen as overt symbols of sexuality that might move the congregation to impure thoughts (Sara Williams). The following poem by Louise Lewin Matthews captures the spiritual essence of the Easter Lily: Easter mom with lilies fair Fills the church with perfume rare, /4s their clouds of incense rise, Sweetest offerings to the skies. Stately lilies pure and white Flooding darkness with their light, Bloom and sorrow drifts away, On this holy hallow’d day. Easter Lilies bending low in the golden afterglow, Bear a message from the sod To the heavenly towers of God. Jesus says: ‘‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:38 N1V). In this Bible verse Jesus teaches us specifically how to live a life of stewardship. Stewardship means managing the resources wisely that God has given you and me. According to Christ’s teaching, being good stewards of God needs to be our lifestyle. Three different times, in Luke chapter 6, Jesus said that if we don’t make our own lifestyle of giving, sharing, and loving there is nothing that separates us from the sinners and the world (v. 32-34). Let us follow our Savior Jesus Christ who modeled this lifestyle for us. We will reap many benefits and blessings by living a life of stewardship. May God bless us in our Christian calling of being good stewards. USA 1. We encourage our congregations' youngsters to attend the annual Calvin Synod Summer Youth Camp. 2. Support the Bethlen Communities Heritage Center Museum and Archives. TRANSYLVANIA 1. Fund Reformed schools and help poor people in Transylvania via Transylvania Reformed Assistance Committee (TRAC). 2. Ms. Gabriella Nádas - Donate to School Fund in Kolozsvár. 3. Fund charitable and mission work as requested by Rt. Rev. István Csűri in Nagyvárad. 4. Fund request by principal Zsolt Tőkés to support the school in Székelyudvarhely. 5. The Hungarian Reformed Church of Nagykároly-Kertváros (Carei) in Transylvania is asking for donations for their construction project of a new church building and parsonage. Further info available at the following website: http://kertvaros.freewb.hu/ 6. The Székelyudvarhely Reformed High School in Transylvania is asking for for donations for their school building's roof. UKRAINE 1. Support the Good Samaritan Orphanage and School in Nagydobrony in their mission work. 2. Support the food pantry named Crumbs for Lazarus to feed the hungry in Csap as requested by Rev. János Balogh. Please send donations to the Calvin Svnod Treasurer: Ms. Lisa Susan Toth-Maskarinec, 1836 Timothy Drive,West Mifflin, PA 15122 Tel.:412-872-5644 When sending your donation, please write the name of the Mission in the Memo section of your check. For more information please contact: Rt. Rev. Dr. Csaba Krasznai, Homeland and Overseas Mission Coordinator, 14530 Alexander Road, Walton Hills, OH 44146. Email: revkrasznai@gmail.com -Tel.: 440-221-5334. May God bless you for your kindness and generosity!
