CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
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The Picture of Dorian Gray — in reverse! Oscar Wilde’s only novel is The Picture of Dorian Gray. The title character is a young man who becomes enamored with a hedonistic philosophy of life that finds gratification only in the immediate pleasures of the senses. Dorian despairs that life is too short to enjoy to the fullest, and as an artist is painting his portrait, Dorian cries out that he will sell his THE VERY REV. soul if only his youth, BARKLEY beauty, and enjoyment THOMPSON of life can endure. He gets his wish. Dorian’s life carries on through the decades, and he abuses and debases himself in virtually every way. Those whose lives are in orbit around his own find themselves shattered by the way Dorian treats and betrays them. But strangely, Dorian himself takes on not a blemish. He remains young, beautiful, energetic, and desirable. But Dorian notices that the portrait, which he keeps hidden, takes on all the effects caused by his behavior. The picture of Dorian Gray becomes a twisted, contorted, and perverse reflection of Dorian himself. As he looks upon it, he sees the true representation of who he has become, no matter how pure he may appear to the outside world. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a horror story, reminding us that our way of being in the world transforms who we essentially are, no matter how well we may hide it. God’s promise to us is that when we live by faith, the reverse happens! In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul says until we know God through the person of Jesus, our understanding of God and of who God has made us to be is cloudy, as though “a veil
IN REVERSE, page 8
Resurrection in a box BY THE REV. BECKY ZARTMAN
Have you heard the good news about worms? You might think I’m jesting, but I can’t think of any bad news about worms. And watching death turn back into life in your worm bucket is the most everyday, consistently quiet and beautiful sign of resurrection I know. Let’s get some terms straight, or this will be confusing. Vermicomposting is composting, usually with the species Eisenia fetida. In my opinion, naming the species “fetid” was extremely unfair. Yes, they can make themselves smellier if they’re afraid, but it’s never happened to me. If you like them, they’ll like you! Vermiculture is the cultivation of worms for vermicomposting or bait. Vermicelli is pasta. Our worm friends are fascinating. Those Eisenia fetida are usually called red wigglers.
And yes, they are red, and when you hold them in the palm of your hand, they wiggle away. I have never not giggled holding red wigglers. These are much smaller than the earthworms you find on the sidewalk after it rains. In fact, red wigglers are a type of worm
RESURRECTION, page 6
Easter at the Cathedral Maundy Thursday, April 14
12:05 pm First Eucharist of Maundy Thursday (in-person, online) 7 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II, Bilingual, Stripping of the Altar, (in-person, online)
Good Friday, April 15 12:05 pm Rite II (in-person, online) 5 pm Via Cruces (in-person)
Holy Saturday, April 16
8 pm Easter Vigil, Rite I (in-person, online)
Easter Sunday, April 17
7 am 9 am 11 am 1 pm 5 pm
Rite I (in-person) Rite II (in-person) Rite I (in-person, online) Rite II (Spanish) (in-person, online) The Well (in-person, online)