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Father George's Letter

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Written by: Fr George

HOLY PENTECOST.

 

 

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

(Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi) 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. Therefore let us 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 4^th JUNE. HOLY PENTECOST. Sts. Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus (1^st). Martyrs Frontasius, Severinus, Severian, and Silanus, of Gaul (1st). Martyr Concordius of Spoleto (c 175). St. Mitrophanes, First Patriarch of Constantinople (325-6). St. Petroc, Abbot of Padstow (6^th).

 

“You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of one who gives and kindles joy in the heart of one who receives.”

 

“Maintain a spirit of peace and you will save a thousand souls.”

 

“ Whatever you do, do it gently and unhurriedly, because virtue is not a pear to be eaten in one bite.”

 

“The true aim of our Christian life consists in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God.”

                                           (St. Seraphim of Sarov)

 

TODAY'S  READINGS. Acts 2:1-11.

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all in one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty  wind, and it filled the whole house were they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat on each of  them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marvelled, saying to one another, ”Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?” And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia. “Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, “Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

 

TODAY'S GOSPEL JOHN 7:37-52, 8:12. “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified................................................Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

 

      We have the promise of the giving of the Holy Spirit in the Gospel for today from Christ Himself. There follows a dispute among the people who think Jesus is the Messiah and the rulers and Pharisees who think otherwise and would do anything to get rid of Him. In His own words at the end of the reading He tells us that those of us who follow Him will not walk in darkness but will have life filled with light. When the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples, apart from the noise, there are tongues of light like tongues of flames that came to each one of them.

      The Spirit of God brought order out of chaos at the beginning of creation. We should marvel at the power of God, His love for us and the filling of His Church with this same Spirit. When the deacon pours warm water into the Eucharistic chalice the words “The warmth of faith, full of the Holy Spirit” are most apt. The Holy Spirit is warm, comforting and all pervasive. The Spirit that moved over the face of the waters moves where it will, we cannot control when and where God's Spirit moves and lives. Warmth is characteristic of comfort whereas cold is uncomfortable. If in the Divine Liturgy we truly feel the warmth that the Spirit brings we should accept it with joy and allow our own warmth to spread to others. At Pentecost the disciples spoke to everyone in their own languages filled with the Spirit.

 People thought that they were drunk, but like new wine the Holy Spirit was fresh to them and it is as fresh for us today. Let us not be gloomy, miserable or petty in the little things of what is going on around us. Let us listen to the prayers, listen to the readings, look at the symbolism, rejoice in the beauty around us but today above all feel the warmth of the Holy Spirit and share it with our brothers and sisters. If we fail to do this and feel cold move closer to the warmth that the Holy Spirit brings us at today's Liturgy, warm our hands and hearts with the love that God pours out for us so we may be as one.

 

                                                                               Much Love,

 

                                                                               Fr. George.

What a privilege and a joy that when Fr. Jonathan (of the Russian Archdiocese) appeared last Sunday, I thought it meant that we had two deacons. However the previous week he was ordained priest in Paris so he concelebrated with us, his first Liturgy since ordination in our church, we are truly blessed. It was lovely also to see Catalina and little Michael as well. Fr. Jonathan and family may God grant you “MANY YEARS!”

Also please if you are able to bring some food next Sunday to have a meal in honour of St. Columba one of our Patrons, it would be greatly appreciated.

Please let us continue to pray for the sick and those in dark places,-  that our lights may spread healing and comfort in the world that we find ourselves in.