Dear all.
Gospel reading
Yesterday’s gospel reading (John 3:13 – 17) contains one of the most oft quotes of the new Testament. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” People today refer to this as proof positive that all that is needed is a declaration that you are Christian and ergo you are saved for, after all, God loves us and wants to save us.
To those modern Christians who rely upon their salvation upon the love of God only I would suggest that they revisit the pericope and focus upon the phrase: “whoever believes in him”. Belief in Christ is the door that one must go through for salvation. (John 10:9). But what sort of door is Christ? He is the narrow door that many will seek to enter but will not be able (Luke 13:22).
Christ himself declares: “not everyone who says to me “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord” did we not prophecy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.” (Matthew 7:21 – 23)
To further emphasise the point: Christ declares on the day of judgement all who are in the tombs will hear the voice of the Lord: “and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgement. I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgement is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of Him who sent me” (John 5:29 – 30)
A principal hermeneutical tool is to interpret Scripture through Scripture. By applying just some of the readings that are applicable to this reading we begin to get a very real sense that perhaps salvation requires an awful lot of hard work. After all unless you carry out the will of the father as revealed by Christ in his gospels and now through the Spirit you will not be saved. You see, there are some very real boundaries to the love of God that each one of us must understand in order to attain eternal life.
Programme for the week
The programme for this week is as follows:
- Tuesday 11th September 6 45 PM adult education continues with the epistles of St Paisios been studied,
- Friday 14th September Exaltation of the Holy Cross: matins from 7:30 AM… This is a day of strict fast… Please bring small bunches of flowers to be distributed.
- Saturday the 15th September Divine liturgy in English from 9 AM.
- Saturday 15th September children’s Christian catechism from 3 PM (mums/dads please bring a plate to share)
Food store
The more we engage with the community around us the more we realise the real needs of some people who are struggling. We have now begun a relationship with four schools in the area who reported a need. We anticipate shortly entering relationships with others. In the meantime our food stores are diminishing and it would be appreciated if you could contribute foodstuffs (no biscuits or chocolate please) to the food store. . If you wish to help the food store financially the details are as follows: NAB : BSB 082057 account 616004624. All contributions welcome.
We still need volunteers on a Thursday morning to assist with a breakfast club at one of the schools that we have a relationship with. You will need a working with children’s card which can be arranged. You will also need your own transport. The time involved is one-hour from 8 AM which includes set up, feeding the children and cleaning up. If you can assist please contact me. To those ladies who contacted me offering their services on Tuesday may you please contact me again so we can make the time when we can all go down together to the school.
Thought of the week
Belief is only the beginning of the journey, walking, through doing, is what gives completeness to the task. As St James reminds us: “but be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (1:22)
Till next time.
In Christ.
Father John Athanasiou 0411 061 554
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