Dear all.
Gospel reading
Yesterday’s gospel reading (Mark: 8: 34 – 9:1) gives pause for reflection as it reminds us about what is truly important. “For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life?” Clearly nothing belonging to the transient is capable of being sufficient compensation for rejecting the intransient. This rhetorical question that Christ uses does however lets us think about our life and how we are approaching the eternal in this life.
No sensible person would choose the impermanent over the permanent. There is a methodology prescribed by Christ as the way to eternity. To choose what is needful involves a clear understanding of what needs to be done. Christ put it simply: deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me. How easy is it to say – and how hard is it to do?
We are told to put the other first by denying ourselves. We are told to assume our many responsibilities and take responsible for our actions for those that love us as well as those that hate us and by so doing take up our cross. We are told to use Christ and the example of his mission as the template for our life and by so doing so we follow Him. See! How easy it is to say.
Can we do it by ourselves?… Can we really follow Christ?… Christ tells us that whoever loses his life for his sake in the Gospels will save it. Here is the consolation. It doesn’t really matter if we fail in attaining the aspirational teachings of Christ. What matters is that we stand firm in our Christian faith. What matters is that we try to follow the way prescribed by Christ to the best of our ability… And as to the rest let us leave that to the mercy of God. May we all draw strength from the life-giving cross which was celebrated yesterday to continue our Lenten journey.
Programme for this week
The programme for this week is as follows: Compline 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Hours and Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM Wednesday and Friday; Service of the Salutations to the Mother of God 7 PM to 8:15 PM Friday; Divine liturgy in English Saturday 10th of March 9 AM to 10:15 AM …… Do not forget…. Wednesday 6 PM to 7 PM catechism and renewal class; 7 PM to 8 PM adult bible study – please bring your Bibles.
Thought for the week
To have doubts about one’s faith is a sign that we are alive to our faith. We are becoming – and the truth is that we are all works in progress. Pray for those who say they have no doubts whatsoever. They are saying that they have arrived. The reality is that no one arrives until they have taken their last breath.
Til next time.
In Christ.
Father John Athanasiou – 0411 061 554
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