So I have kept the most important for last. Today is the day for travelers (those traveling during Thanksgiving anyway) to begin thinking about getting back home in time for work and school on Monday morning. The question that often NEVER makes even an appearance at the dialogue is whether or not to attend Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning prior to returning home. If we traveled via airplane then this issue needed to be addressed when we were purchasing our tickets. But for those who are driving it is normally a late night topic for Saturday.
In “The Lord's Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations” (c 70-100 AD) it states quite clearly, “But every Lord's day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving.” It doesn’t say anything about traveling being an exception. Of course it goes without saying that when, in the ancient days, a Christian traveled from city to city it could often taken longer than a week’s journey and that the Eucharist might not be received, that does not mean when we are visiting a city that does in fact have a Church that we should consider the “Travel Rule” to apply and skip the Divine Liturgy, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS SO WE CAN BE HOME EARLY ENOUGH FOR DINNER, etc. There are several reference to Saint Paul remaining in a certain city so that he could celebrate a particular feast.
So if it’s not too late, make plans to attend Divine Liturgy in the morning and THEN leave for home. Trust me; you’ll feel a lot better for it.
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