When the Homily is about Immunology

Everybody's going fishing today except me

It is an absolutely gorgeous day here in the Northwest. The sun is shining and Mt. Rainier towers in the distance - sometimes she appears menacing when we recollect her sister's fury in the 80's, but today she seems quite majestic and solemn. The River is flowing high as the unseasonably warm temperatures furiously melt the massive snow packs in the Cascades, and the water runs a deep and rich jade color. The summer steelhead are running and as I pass over the Sultan Bridge I can see a large collection of boats preparing to launch for what promises to be a wonderful day of steelheading. Rumor has it the Chinook counts are up this year and the Wildlife department had decided to allow us to keep 1 Chinook a day - the first time since I began salmon and steelhead fishing. But alas, today I am going to work. (sigh)

Today is a feastday...the Ascension of our Lord - 40 days after Pascha. And therefore I have changed our Icon.

Troparion of the Ascension

Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened Thy disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit; and they were assured the blessing, that Thou art the Son of God and Redeemer of the World.

Kontakion of the Ascension

When Thou hadst fulfilled Thy dispensation for our sakes, uniting things on earth with the heavens, Thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, departing not hence, but remaining inseperable from us, and crying out to them that love Thee: I am with you and no one can be against you.