THE SOWER.
“The virtues build a new person radiating love to the world.”
(Metropolitan Paul of Aleppo who consecrated our temple.)
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
(Hebrews 4:15-16)
SUNDAY 13th OCTOBER. Commemoration of the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787). Martyrs Carpus. Papylus, Agathadorus, & Agathonika, at Pergamum (521). St. Theophilus of Antioch, Apologist (181). St. Nikitas the Confessor of Paphlagonia (838). St. Meletius, Patriarch of Alexandria (1601). New Martyr Chrysi of Bulgaria (1795).
ST. AMBROSE OF STARETZ OF OPTINA.
Feastday 10th October.
Born into a priestly family on 5th December 1812, his father being a sexton and his grandfather a priest in the Tambov region of Russia, Aleksander Mikhaylovich the future Ambrose was often stricken with illnesses throughout his life which he used as a support in understanding the human condition. As a boy he was mischievous and fun-loving, often being reprimanded by his strict grandfather. He was very clever and surpassed all in his learning. However he always attended church and sang in the choir. Eventually he graduated from Theological college, being taken seriously ill in his last year there and vowing if made well that he would become a monk. He did recover but put off being a monk being very gregarious and enjoying the company of those around him.
Eventually he did become a monk and great spiritual guide to many, not with the insight of a prophet, or with deep knowledge of folk but was renowned for his love of all who came to see him. Eventually he became Abbot of the famous Optina monastery. He died on 23rd October 1891, at a Shamordino Convent which he had founded for women. He was the first of the elders of Optina to be canonised on 6th June 1988.
On 11th October is the feastday of the Synaxis (meeting) of the Elders of Optina, those who were spiritual fathers of the monastery became the spiritual fathers of many, many people, bringing solace and comfort to those in distress. Their lives and advice made them spiritual giants that radiated throughout the Slavic lands and beyond and coming down to us today.
“If someone offends you, don't tell anyone about it except your elder, and you will be peaceful. Bow to everyone, paying no attention whether they respond to your bow or not. You must humble yourself before everyone and consider yourself the worst of all.” (St. Ambrose of Optina)
TODAY'S GOSPEL. Luke 8:5-8a, 9-15,8b. He spoke by a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. “Some fell on rocks; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. “But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” Then His disciples asked Him, saying “What does this parable mean?” And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that
'Seeing they may not see,
And hearing they may not understand.’
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. “Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they believe and be saved, But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. “Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. “But the ones that fell on good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Jesus explains the Parable of the Sower and in our life within the Church we see these things so often. It is always so sad when people appear and are received into the Church and then disappear. This phenomena is nothing new and Christ is aware of our weaknesses and failings. We who remain and are regular attenders should not be smug and self-righteous. Absence of the heart can be even more devastating than physical absence. Some people make great efforts and sacrifices to come to church and when we see them when they can make it, we are filled with joy. Let us also be aware that some very devout people because of illness, infirmity and the responsibility of caring for others or the demands of work are still valued members of the Church. Remember what the priest says at the Great Entrance “All of you Orthodox Christians, the sons and daughters of this parish here present and those who are absent for reasonable cause, the Lord God remember in His kingdom.........”
Often we are called away by the pressures and responsibilities of life, often we are tempted by worldly pleasures and distractions and become blind to God. These things are only dangerous if we have shallow roots, if we are nourished by God in His Church by the Bread of Life and listen to His word, then our roots will be firm and deep and will not easily be uprooted. Furthermore we should cherish and feed each other, that in times of trial and tribulation we may have the strength to bear all. Above everything we should be tolerant and loving, not judging other people, for judging others merely serves to hide our own weaknesses.
When we look around us in church do we see a beautiful cornfield filled with nourishing grain or do we see a few stalks of corn smothered in weeds? The answer lies in our own vision and in our own hearts not what other people may or may not see. If we keep our eyes fixed on the Sower, our vision will be clear but if we look at where the seeds are falling we will see all of the worst possibilities. As St. Seraphim of Sarov wrote to a priest friend “Keep sowing Fr. Timon, keep sowing.” Our hope is that many seeds will fall on good ground that only we can create by our own faithfulness and the love of God and bring in the harvest that we are called to create. Fertile soil gives a good crop, only we can make sure in the place that we find ourselves that the soil is fertile, we all, even the little children have our part to play. May God bless us all and allow our little seeds to fall on good ground in order to bring others to the truth of our faith.
Much Love,
Fr. George.
Advanced notice, there will be a Parochial Church Council meeting after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday 27th October.
Please continue to pray for peace in the Holy Land and an end to the suffering of the innocents caught up in man's inhumanity to man both there and in Ukraine and in all conflicts around the world.
Please pray for the sick and those in need:
Fr Michael Alexander, Margaret Lilley, Trudy (Elizabeth), Elena, Vasilica, Anne Marie and her baby daughter, Stephanie; Margaret; (Fr.) Bill; Magdalena; Mother Esodia; Doris; Mary, Maria; Emma; Megan; Olga; James; Jessie; Nick, Maddy and family; Catrina and Michael; Cornelia; Theo Valentino, George; Ondar; Christine, Christos and family. Also Archbishops Paul and John and all held in captivity.
and for the departed whose memory occurs this month:
Joan Wilkinson (11th); Lois Talbot (23rd)
Name days this month:
Thomasa Best and Thomas Ward (St Thomas the Apostle - 6th); Zlatina Pavlova (St Zlata Maglen 18th); Demitri (St Demitri 26th)
(Please note: any additions, alterations or requests for names to be included in the this prayer list should be addressed to me, James, either by SMS: 07412884765 or email: