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Father George's Letter

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Written by: Fr George

VENERATION OF THE CROSS.

Before Thy cross we bow down in worship, O Master, and Thy holy Resurrection we glorify.

 

“The virtues build a new person radiating love to the world.”

(Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi) of Aleppo who consecrated our temple)

 

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize 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 19^th MARCH. Veneration of the Cross. Martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria at Rome (283). St. Innocent of Komel, disciple of St. Nilus of Sora (1571).

 

“Come, ye faithful, let us adore the life-giving wood on which Christ the King of glory, stretched out his hands of His own will. To the ancient blessedness he raised us up, whom the enemy had before despoiled through pleasure, making us exiles far from God. Come, ye faithful, let us adore the wood, through which we have been made worthy to crush the heads of invisible enemies. Come, all ye kindred of the nations, let us honour in hymns the cross of the Lord. Rejoice, O cross, complete redemption of fallen Adam. With thee as their boast our faithful kings laid low by thy might the people of Ishmael. We Christians kiss thee now with fear and glorifying God who was nailed upon thee, we cry: O Lord, who on the cross wast crucified, have mercy on us, for thou art good and lovest mankind.”

                                            (Idiomela for the Veneration of the Cross.)

 

TODAY'S GOSPEL: Mark 8:34-9:1. “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ”For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”

 

      Today we look upon the Holy Cross, in fear, in horror, in wonder, in awe, in sadness, in gratitude and in adoration. How is it that through this instrument of torture and death we see a life extinguished, that came to save the world? Picture the Most Holy Mother of God and St. John the Beloved Disciple gazing on this scene of unimaginable trauma with breaking hearts and in utter despair. The beloved Son and the beloved Rabbi was dying. There were as well the women who followed Him and the mocking rabble who came to have a look, but were where the other disciples?

      He tells us in the Gospel that to follow Him we too must take up our cross. For each one of us this is our own personal response, do we shun the glories and joys, deceits, pleasures of the world with all its vanities, false promises and hopes? Or do we look to God knowing that the horrors of the crucifixion were swept away at Christ's resurrection to allow us to rise with Him.

      So today as we venerate the cross let us ask our God to give us the strength to follow Him and to confess Him before all people in this world which is increasingly opposed to our faith. He asks us to follow Him, to be with the oppressed, the suffering, those in need, the broken hearted, the despairing, the spiritual poor and to show our compassion, as His compassion sets us the bench mark for our actions. Let us look upon the Holy Cross and not despair but be glad that this symbol of shame and suffering has become to all who follow Him a beacon of hope and an example for us to imitate. Where were the disciples when Christ was nailed to the cross? They were afraid and hid away, yet Christ appeared to them after the Resurrection and bid them spread the Good News throughout the world. The Most Holy Mother of God died and we remember her Dormition (falling asleep). St. John the beloved lived to a great age. The other disciples who were not present at the crucifixion suffered martyrdom for their faith. Let the cross be a beacon to all who try to follow Him and in its shadow a refuge for all those in need of His love.

 

                                                                              Much Love,

 

                                                                              Fr. George.

Please try and attend church at Great Vespers on Saturday at 4.00 pm and on Sunday for the Divine Liturgy at 10.00 am, when our Archbishop will be visiting us. All are welcome to the buffet after the Liturgy and, if you are able, to bring some food to share.

Please see our Metropolitan's Pastoral letter, March 2023, "Mission Regions" - James)