Dear all,
Yesterday’s gospel reading of the healing of the Gadarene demoniac (Luke 8:26 – 39) is deeply edifying if we are prepared to put some thought into it. Indeed we might well say that, but for the grace of God, that demoniac may well be either you or I.
We are all subject to the immaterial world. Representative within us of the immaterial world is the soul. Time and time again we are told in the Bible of the vast difference between the corporal and the incorporal. Indeed, Christ tells us what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul and, again, what can a man give for his soul? So, there are no prizes for guessing as to whether or not the spiritual is more important than the material world.
This material world is under the control of the Devil. The devil, as spirit can do nothing on his own. But, as spirit, he can fill the soul of each one of us with darkness, with self-love, with self-centredness and with selfishness that allows no sense of the good to flourish. Thus through control of the material world the Word of the Lord falls within us amongst the thorns or on rocky ground or is quickly devoured by the birds of the air. Thus we turn from the Lord and the word of God and become his.
For all that the devil knows that he is subject to the word of the Lord. He cannot abide goodness. It is an anathema to him. So he uses material things to bedazzle and seduce the world. And by all reckoning he is doing a pretty good job of calling most in the world his own – and that is the tragedy.
Recognising our problem can galvanise resolution of the problem. We do this if we accept that the Lord is King and we live and act in his name and above all we participate in his body and blood through the Eucharist – which can only be made present in the divine liturgy. The divine liturgy, can only be celebrated as an offering between the priest and the people. We cannot make Christ real by ourselves only – it is an act of the people and of the Priest combined and that can only be undertaken in church.
Our first and strongest defence therefore is participating in the life of the church. That is one place that the devil will avoid at all cost. For, you see, everything that is valued in the church the devil eschews and the values that the devil places simply have no place in the church. You cannot do it on your own. Just as each soul is precious to the Lord and all the heavens rejoice if one is saved so also each soul is equally valued by the devil who rejoices in those of the lost. I guess, the choice is ours.
Programme for this week
Wednesday 25th October
6 PM to 7 PM – Catechism and Renewal Class
7 PM to 8 PM – Adult Bible Study
Thursday 26th October
7:30 AM to 9:30 AM – Matins and Divine Liturgy
Saturday 27th October
8 AM to 9 AM – Matins in Greek
9 AM to 10:15 AM – Divine Liturgy in English
Sunday 28th October
8 AM to 11 AM – Matins and Divine Liturgy
Take note… Henceforth unless Christmas Day or a similar feast day falls on a Saturday and, of course Holy Saturday, the services on Saturday will be in English to cater for the growing non-Greek speaking attendees.
On 9th November we will have the feast day of our church. Will be having a cake stall on that day. This is a call to all people to help with the making of cakes and savoury items for sale. So, he is your chance to help in a practical way. If you cannot bake, slice or dice then you can participate as a purchaser. Either way you will contribute.
Do not forget a Petrone luncheon 11th of November 2017. Tickets for adults $25; $10 for students between 15 six years of age. Under six free.
Raffle tickets
Our raffle tickets have slowed down. I know that there is a lot on at the moment – but that must be good because it shows that we are vigorous. Please help in the purchasing of tickets from myself or from the church.
Upcoming luncheon
Our luncheon tickets are now on sale for the feast day of Patronal Saint Nektarios on Sunday, 12 November. Please support your Church. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for children between 15 to 16 years of age and children under six no charge.
Thought for the week
Each and every one of us whether we know it or not is a prize either to the Lord of this world or the Lord of the next. The battle for each one of us rages within relentlessly. Although our eyes can aspire upwards the reality is that for most of us we are mired in the cares of this world. It is in how we prioritise what is important to us that attracts us to one Lord or the other. For all that, you cannot serve two masters and you must decide which to follow. There is no fence sitting in life.
Till next time.
In Christ.
Father John Athanasiou – 0411 061 554
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