Dear all.
Gospel Reading
Yesterday’s gospel reading (Matthew 5:14 – 19) emphasised two things: the light of truth and the fact that Christ came not to change the law but to fulfil it. Yesterday also commemorated the 630 holy fathers of the fourth Ecumenical Council held at Chalcedon in 451 CE. So, what is the connection between this gospel and this council?
You will recall the question posed by Christ to Peter: “who do you say I am?” You will also recall his response: “you are the Christ, the son of the living God”. You will also recall the last words spoken by Christ on the cross as “it is finished”. That means that Christ has totally revealed himself – after Christ there are no more prophets. The theological task remaining (and still remains) was to capture an understanding of Peter’s response to Christ.
One would have thought that having had the fullness of revelation after the crucifixion of Christ that it would be a simple matter to give understanding. However such is the mystery that we humans will perpetually struggle in our endeavours to capture the full meaning of what this answer means. Revelation from the perspective of Christ may be complete but our understanding will be a perpetual journey until the end time.
As instance of the difficulty consider the fourth Ecumenical Council. There the 630 holy fathers could not make up their mind as to the natures of Christ. They decided to set out the two competing positions and placed them in the relic hands of St Euphemia (commemorated last Wednesday). After three days her tomb was opened and the Monophysite tome was at her feet with the dyphyosite tome clutched in her bony hand. The Council according declared that Christ is acknowledged in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division and without separation; the difference of the natures being in no way abolished by the union, but rather the characteristics of each nature being preserved, and concur in one person and one hypostasis. There is the truth which is built on previous truths and will form the basis of subsequent truths.
The question posed by Christ and the answer given is of such complexity that it has effectively occupied the collective minds of the first six ecumenical councils. It also should occupy our minds. To worship something we make no attempt to understand is akin to idolatry. After all, if such a question was not important then why on earth did it occupy the minds of our great church fathers not to mention thousands of bishops who attended the first six ecumenical Councils over four centuries?
Programme
Programme for this week is as follows:
- Tuesday the 17th great St Marina matins from 7:30 AM.
- Tuesday 17th adult education continues under the theme of “who do you say I am?” From 6:45 PM to 7:30 PM and from 7:30 PM to 8 PM fellowship. Please bring a plate to share.
- Friday the 20th the prophet Elijah matins from 7:30 AM.
- Saturday 21st Divine liturgy in English 9 AM to 10:15 AM.
- Saturday 21st children’s catechism 3 PM to 5 PM. The topic for discussion is “the Christian attitude to bullying”. This is suitable for both children and parents and all are encouraged to come. Mum’s please bring a plate to share.
Food bank
A thank you to all for continued support our food bank. If anyone knows of anyone who needs assistance please let me know. There is no shame in sharing but there is shame in allowing our fellow human to go hungry. All communication is confidential. If you wish to assist financially the account details are: BSB 082057 account 616004624.
July luncheon
We have commenced selling our tickets for our luncheon which is held jointly with the Florina brotherhood of Western Australia. The luncheon is on Sunday, 29 July at the Hellenic Macedonian centre – ” Alexander the Great” and commemorates the feast day of St Pantelemonas. Tickets are $25 adults and $15 for children. Please support your Church and the Florina brotherhood. A special thank you to Zak and the Souvla boys who will be barbecuing our lunch. You can obtain tickets from me.
Thought of the week
A God who we claim we can know is not God. God is totally the other. This means that our task of seeking him is a never ending journey but, wonder of wonders, once that journey has begun then the more we seek the more we want to seek. It is then that most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord. Such is the joy of a Christian.
Till next time.
In Christ.
Father John Athanasiou 0411 061 554
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