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Father George's Letter

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Written by: Fr George

CHILDREN OF GOD.

 

​20^th Century ​Greek Icon.
 

“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 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 29^th SEPTEMBER. St. Kyriakos the Hermit, of Palestine (556). Martyrs Dada, Gobdelas, Casdous & Casdoa of Persia (4^th). Schema Hieromonk Kuksha of Odessa (1964).

 

ST. SERGIUS OF RADONEZH.

Feastday 25^th September.

St. Sergius was a prominent monk in 14^th century Russia. He founded the famous Holy Trinity Monastery north of Moscow. He was very humble and deeply ascetic. After he was canonised the monastery became known as the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra. He was born sometime between 1314 and 1322. His baptismal name was Bartholomew. As a boy he found learning difficult and had difficulty learning to read. Perhaps today we would say that he was dyslexic. On meeting an old monk one day Bartholomew told him of his difficulties. The monk gave him a small piece of communion bread, telling him, “Take and eat, this is given to you as a sign of God's grace and for understanding of the Scriptures.” After this meeting the young Bartholomew found learning much easier.

 

In 1337 he was tonsured a monk, taking the name Sergius. For a while he retreated to the forest to be more secluded with his brother Stephen. Sergius was known to have no fear of wild animals like bears and wolves who never harmed him. He even shared his bread with a local bear. Eventually Stephen left for another less secluded monastery. Other monks came to join Sergius and the monastery grew and flourished. Almost four hundred monasteries were founded by the monks of the Holy Trinity Monastery spreading the faith all over Russia. Metropolitan Alexis of Moscow counted St. Sergius as a friend, even offering him to be his successor and awarding him with a gold cross both of which, because of his asceticism, he refused. He died on 25^th September in 1392, being buried in the monastery that he founded.  

 

“The Lord wants us to love one another. Here is freedom: in love of God and neighbour. In this freedom, there is equality. In earthly orders, there may not be equality, but this is not important for the soul. Not everyone can be a king, not everyone a patriarch or a boss. But in any position it is possible to love God and to please Him, and only this is important. And whoever loves God more on earth will be in greater glory in His Kingdom.” ( St. Silouan the Athonite)

 

 

TODAY'S GOSPEL. Luke 6:31-36. “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? “And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same “ And if you lend to those from who you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.  “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father is also merciful.”  

 

When we look at the icon of the crucifixion we see what true love is, Christ giving himself for “us ungrateful and wicked children”, as it says in a prayer of St. Basil in the prayers said in preparation for holy communion. These prayers we all should say as a necessary start to our journey to the Divine Liturgy and communion. In the Gospel Christ's words are very explicit, He tells us exactly what is necessary to follow Him. We are called to love our fellow human beings without thought for self, without expecting the praise of others. How often do we delude ourselves into thinking that what we do, we do selflessly? We are told to love our enemies, those who oppose us or those who we blame for things that we don't like and cause us anxiety, anger and running away or turning our backs on folk we are supposed to share our faith with. We even try to justify ourselves by thinking someone is not as good as we are, who are not as holy. This is pure and simple vanity, when we are all created in God's image.

      Often the grass appears greener on the other side of the hill, until we find it is just the same grass. Jesus tells us that the Most High is kind to the unthankful and evil. This seems hard for us to grasp but if God is kind even to those who are evil how dare we not love all of His children? How opposed this is to the vanity we see around us where power, wealth and the myth of self and the “because you deserve it" syndrome are so prevalent. When we are tempted to put ourselves before others and try to wield power and influence, all we need to do is look upon the cross and see what He did for us. In our own little ways we can make a difference. To love and not expecting love in return, is just a little Calvary for us, but we do love to be loved as though we have something to offer.

      This giving of self is precious in the sight of God more than all other things. By giving to others and sharing their burden we are giving a little love like a light bulb or a candle flame compared with God’s love that is brighter than the sun. One little light bulb or candle flame can light up a small area but if we all switch our lights on or light our candles and stand together, how great is that light?

 

                                                                             Much Love,

 

                                                                             Fr. George.

At this time let us pray for our community, for our beloved children who give us so much joy, for all who help to make our church so loving and welcoming, for those who are unable to come to church regularly because of illness, infirmity or having the responsibility of caring for others. Let us remember all those among us who face difficulties, sadness and the burdens of life. Lastly please spare a prayer for the clergy of our parish that we may love all without fear or favour and that we become truly the servants of the servants of God.

“Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts;

  Look down from heaven and see,

  And visit this vine

  And the vineyard which Your

  right hand has planted,

  And the branch that you made strong for yourself.”

                                                              (Psalm 80:14-15)