Dear all,
Today’s gospel reading of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25 – 37) gives clarity to the not unimportant question of: “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” To the believing Christian there can be no greater question than that. After all, once we join the Church triumphant, it is too late to give any substance to that question. That question is answered in this world and not in the next.
We are told that God sent the son to save the world and not to condemn it. We are further told that whoever believes in the Son attains life eternal. We are further told in no uncertain manner that he who does not believe in this world is condemned already because of that unbelief. The Son condemns no one.
So, who condemns us? As paradoxical as it may sound it is ourselves that does the condemning. We condemn ourselves because we do not believe. Belief – and I mean true belief, is a very rare commodity. True belief sanctifies us – and we can just see how many saints our church has and consider how many billions of souls that have gone before us just how difficult attaining true belief is.
So we, like this lawyer, seek to clarify, differentiate and negotiate with Christ in the hope of treading an easier path to salvation. Through casuistry, we try and “worm our way through” to paradise. In so doing we only fool ourselves for ultimately Christ tells us that just as his love is unconditional towards us our love for him can only manifest itself through the unconditional love of others.
You see there is no answer to the question of “what should I do to inherit eternal life” other than to follow Christ. Do that and everything falls into place. If you don’t have that one thing that is needful then although you may possess all the virtues you possess none at all. The road to heaven has no shortcuts.
Programme for this week
Monday 13th November
7:30am to 9:30am – Matins and Divine Liturgy
Tuesday 14th November
7:30am to 9:30am – Matins and Divine Liturgy
Wednesday 15th November
6:00pm to 7:00pm – Catechism and Renewal Class
7:00pm to 8:00pm – Adult Bible Study
Thursday 16th November
7:30am to 9:30am – Matins and Divine Liturgy
Saturday 18th November
9:00 AM to 10:15 AM – Divine Liturgy in English
Sunday 19th November
8:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Matins and Divine Liturgy
Cake stall news
I’m happy to announce that due to your participation our cake stall raised just on $1000. Well done to all.
Luncheon news
Today, we held our luncheon which was very well supported. Thank you to the many people who came. Thank you to the special donors and sponsors that we had – without you it would be impossible to have a successful lunch. A special thank you to Katerina Demetriou for the work she put into the luncheon.
Thought for the week
Today, we are ruled by populists whose moral compass is the latest opinion polls. Consequently, what was correct yesterday, can through manipulation be wrong today. Sorry is a day when morality for all is determined by special interest pressure groups. Even more frightening is the inability of the populous to see through this charade. By entering an anamnesis of our morality we comfort ourselves that we are “enlightened” whilst sliding into our civilisation’s decline.
Till next time.
In Christ.
Father John Athanasiou – 0411 061 554
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