Dear all.
Gospel Reading
Today’s gospel of the great Eucharistic prayer (John 17:1 – 13 is the great promise given by Christ that we are created to have a relationship with God and man: “And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.” (v 3). Man is a relational being. His only hope of salvation is if he loves not only God but his neighbour is much as he loves God.
Christ makes it plain that he does not pray for the world but for those that have been sent to him by the father. This may sound harsh however the reality is this: the world rejects Christ. It is only the committed Christians that embrace Christ. No matter how much Christ wants a relationship with those lost to the secular world, the reality is that those in the secular world do not want to have anything to do with Christ.
This of course does not mean that Christ does not want all to be saved but he cannot make us save ourselves. No matter how much he wishes our salvation we can refuse to be saved. That is the mystery of free will. That is why the son of perdition cannot be saved. Unless we want to be saved we cannot be saved.
In a real sense we have the power to defy and reject God. In that sense when we do reject God we become God’s ourselves. Is the point we condemn ourselves to the son of darkness. We become a son of perdition and instead of inheriting eternal life we inherit eternal punishment. Then Christ does not lose us but we lose ourselves.
Programme
The programme for this week is as follows: Monday, 21 May – at the church of St Constantine and Helene matins and divine liturgy (see flyer for details) – all churches will otherwise be closed; Wednesday adult bible class 6 PM to 7 PM (this is the last Bible class to be held on a Wednesday evening); Saturday 26thof May (All Souls) matins in Greek and divine liturgy in English immediately following: from 8 AM.
Do not forget
- We are now commencing our winter appeal please look at the flyer for further details. If you have sleeping bags in sound condition or can donate funds please let me know.
- Australia’s biggest morning tea is on this coming Thursday. If you want to purchase tickets please contact me. Come along and support a great cause.
- Speaking of good causes, the Pink Hat luncheon will be held on 24 June – see the flyer for details:
- On Tuesday, 29 May 7 PM at church we are commencing our adult discussions where we propose to share Christian ideas and give assistance relating to modern Christian living. It promises to be a great time for learning as well is fellowship. Tea and coffee afterwards. Please ring a plate to share.
- On Sunday the 27thwe will be holding a sweet/savoury stall at our Church (YLIKOPAZARO) as part of our annual fundraising activities. Everyone who can bake, slice, dice or otherwise put together a treat – please start making and baking for our parish. All contributions are welcome. I look forward to the stall being supported once again this year…PLEASE NOTE…no coffee/tea will be served that day due to the fact that vespers will be held immediately after the divine lturgy
Saturday afternoon classes for children.
Yesterday (Saturday) we held the first class for the young children… It came as no surprise to me (but I think it surprised a lot of parents) that the children not only engaged but they enjoyed being taught about our faith… It was decided unanimously that this class should occur on a fortnightly basis. ….SO… The next class will be on Saturday, 2 June, at the same time (3 PM to 5 PM)… Mothers please bring a plate to share (a big thanks to those that did yesterday)… The deal is as follows: you bring your children and I will not only entertain them teach them – I wait to see all parental and
Thought for the week
From St Mary of Paris (1891 – 1945 CE) a nun who led an all too human life before her conversion (smoked, drank, twice divorced and flirted with Bolshevikism) and who save numerous Jews only to be gassed to death on 30 April 1945 at Ravensbruk in Germany comes this week thought: “Christ, who approached prostitutes, tax collectors and sinners, can hardly be the teacher of those who are afraid to soil their pristine garments, who are completely devoted to the letter, who live only by the rules, and who govern their whole life according to rules.” Does this not apply to the majority of Christians today?
Till next time.
In Christ.
Father John Athanasiou 0411 061 554
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