Dear all.
Gospel Reading
In yesterday’s gospel reading (Matthew 17:14 – 23) Christ calls in despair: “oh faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear you?”. Someone is perverse if they deliberately and obstinately act in a way that is at odds with reasonable practice. So, the question can be asked: in what way with the disciples and onlookers acting perversely?
The clue comes from the answer given to by Christ to the disciples in response to their question: “why could we not cast it out?”. Christ tells them it is because of their lack of faith. As people who have given up all to follow Christ, as people who have witnessed the many miracles of Christ and as people who have been his students one would have thought that they would have learnt sufficiently to cast out such Demons. It is because of their failure in the presence of their teacher to emulate him that they are called perverse.
So the question should be asked what was deliberately obstinate about their behaviour? Christ gives us the answer: it is because of their little faith. What marks their behaviour is that they seem to have deliberately chosen to disbelieve their eyes and ears to the miracles that went on around them. If that is the case, then how much harder is it for us, some 2000 years later to have true faith. No wonder Christ says to Thomas, after his Resurrection, “have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Those that have faith today are indeed blessed!
Perhaps it is time for us to ask some questions about our belief. Do we call ourselves Christians because we were born into the faith? Do we really live and walk in the faith? If the answer is yes then our conviction is unchangeable. If yes, we are resolute in joy and with equanimity accept the vicissitudes of life. The question that we ask is not “why me, Lord?” but “why not me, Lord?”. It is only in this way that we can grow and become “Christlike”.
Our radio programme
As you may know our parish, and the auspices of the Pan Macedonian Association, has a radio program on 6EBA FM each Friday from 7 PM to 8 PM. I have commenced a segment in Greek covering topical religious matters. The radio programme presented by Paula Tsakitsiris promotes our church. If you have the time please have a listen and telephone Paula and say hello to her.
Our food store
The Food store is progressing well. Thank you to those people who have made donations of food and money to purchase same. . If you wish to help financially the account details are: BSB 082057 account 616004624. All contributions welcome.
Greece Fires Appeal
You’ll be happy to know that our church collected $2375 for the appeal for Greece to assist those in need. The money has been forwarded to the Archdiocese.
Programs for the week
Monday to Friday from 3:30 PM Supplicatory Canon to the Theotokos; Tuesday night 6:45 PM adult education: this week’s topic is: the glorification of saints (in other words how does the Orthodox Church “make” saints) as well as the first Epistle of St Paisios; Saturday morning Divine liturgy in English 9 AM to 10:15 AM.
This week’s thought
The fear of the Lord is a beginning of wisdom. Wisdom leads to faith and faith overcomes fear thus leading us to the love of the Father.
Till next time.
In Christ.
Father John Athanasiou 0411 061 554
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