Dear all.
Gospel Reading
Yesterday’s gospel reading (Matthew 4:18 – 23) struck not only a chord but a raw nerve with me. Let me explain: on Friday, 8 June, I was contacted by a social worker with Food Bank. At the time in question I was preoccupied with church affairs. I was asked whether I could assist a family close by who had no transport and were in dire need of food. Without thinking, I truthfully responded that we were not yet ready to assist. The call was then terminated. As soon as I had hung up the enormity of what I had done hit me. I had denied “Christ.”
So, when Christ declares: “follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” I was confronted with the shame of having said no. Each week I declare from the pulpit that being a Christian is a tough task and how quickly we can lose ourselves without even being aware of what we’re doing. In some small way I now understand just how bitter the tears of Peter were when he realised he had denied the Lord three times.
I have been talking about commencing a Food Bank at St Nektarios for some time. My failure was in putting the project in the “too hard” basket. I needed to be confronted by Christ in the other to realise my weakness. Accordingly, first thing this morning I went with a helper and purchased foodstuffs that we will henceforth be able to distribute to those in need. This will be an ongoing project.
Shortly I will put out a list of items for those who wish to contribute to purchase. Also, I ask that whoever knows of anyone in need to let me know on my telephone number: 0411 061 554. All information will be confidential and each client will be treated with the greatest of sensitivity. After all, but for the grace of God… And certainly if I was the recipient I know how I would wished to be treated.
Assisting the poor is not a St Nektarios initiative only. It is the responsibility of each one of us. The work that we do will be anonymous – we are certainly not undertaking this sacred mission for man’s praise. If any parish has a need then they can arrange for food parcels to be collected by the Parish and distributed by that Parish. Further, just as Christ does not differentiate need (Matthew 25:31 – 46) then neither will we. All are welcome.
If you wish to donate money so we can purchase foodstuffs then you may do so to the following Philoptoho account with the NAB : BSB 082057 account 616004624. This is a dedicated account so you know that your money will be spent directly and in accordance with your wishes.
Programme
The programme for this week is as follows:
- Tuesday evening NOTE start time for the lecture 6:45 PM instead of 7.00pm – the theme of the series of lectures is “who do you say I am”… The journey to Nicaea.” There will be an eclectic mix of heresies, apostolic fathers, secular history, Church history and the emerging Christological understanding up to the first Ecumenical Council. It promises to be richly rewarding and will give an overview of how “things slot into place with each other”. All are welcome. Please bring a plate to share.
- Saturday morning Divine liturgy in English 9 AM to 10:15 AM.
- Saturday afternoon from 3 PM to 5 PM teaching the young children about the faith – the talk will be about sharing. I do not know who enjoys this session more – the children or me. Parents also enjoy it. Please bring your children and grandchildren. We will also be commencing (after we have had something to eat) dancing lessons in Greek and then – play! All are welcome. Please bring a plate to share.
Thought of the week
For this week I can do no better than refer to St basils sermon to the rich: “But whom do I treat unjustly,” you say, “by keeping what is my own?”
Tell me, what is your own? What did you bring into this life? From where did you receive it? It is as if someone were to take the first seat in the theater, then bar everyone else from attending, so that one person alone enjoys what is offered for the benefit of all-this is what the rich do. They first take possession of the common property, and then they keep it as their own because they were the first to take it. But if every man took only what sufficed for his own need, and left the rest to the needy, no one would be rich, no one would be poor, no one would be in need. …
Is God unjust, dividing unequally the goods of this life? Why are you rich, while the other is poor? Isn’t it, if for no other reason, so that you can gain a reward for your kindness and faithful stewardship, and for him to be honored with the great virtue of patience? But you, having gathered everything inside the empty bosom of avarice, do you think that you wrong no one, while you rob so many people? …
He who strips a man of his clothes is to be called a thief. Is not he who, when he is able, fails to clothe the naked, worthy of no other title? The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.”
Yes, the tenor may be harsh but we all need a wake-up call.
Till next time.
In Christ.
Father John Athanasiou 0411 061 554
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