Dear all.
Gospel reading
- Yesterday’s gospel reading of the healing of the woman of the Sabbath (Luke 13:10 – 17) represents the stark contrast between the old and new Testament, between the law and love. Christ deliberately chose the venue (the synagogue), the day (the Sabbath), the witness to the healing (the synagogue leader) and the action of the healing – and his action consisted precisely of this: firstly, his statement “woman you are set free from your infirmity” and secondly, placing his hands on her.
- Instead of praising God that this woman had been loosed from her infirmity the synagogue leader took umbrage and declared: “there are six-days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” So the complaint against the actions of Christ is, as instigator, that he had broken Mosaic law. And such a breach draws clear penalty. When a man was caught gathering sticks on the Sabbath, Moses was told by the Lord: the man should be put to death, all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp. And all the congregation bought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones as the Lord commanded Moses. (Numbers 15:35 – 36)
- If one looks closely at the 613 mitzvoths that have been generated by the old Testament it is plain that Christ broke no law. Clearly, prayer was not a transgression of the law, for if it were, everyone in the synagogue who had gathered to prayer, including the synagogue leader, should be stoned to death. Further, placing a hand on another person also cannot be considered work within the 39 meanings and actions of that word. So, what is apparent is that this synagogue leader either did not know the law or deliberately chose to misrepresent it in pique at the act of love that Christ had just demonstrated to all.
- Here is the lesson: the Law of the old Testament maintained a life that was based on rules. You did not have to love God to follow the rules. With Christ comes a new law and it is a law of love: “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and you should love your neighbour as yourself.” It is at the intersect of love for the Lord and love for neighbour where you find the true Christian. It is only there where we stand before God’s love and where we, in turn, can manifest that God given love to our fellow man. Now is not that a great teaching?
Around our church
- The program for this week is as follows : Wednesday, the conception of St Anna matins from 7:30 AM; Friday hierarchical Vespers presided by his Grace Bishop Elpideos for the feast day of St Spyridon from 5 PM; Saturday feast day of St. Spyridon matins in Greek from 7:30 AM, divine liturgy in English 9 AM to 10:15 AM;
- Zoom class tonight from 6:30 PM. All catechumens and those interested in their faith should login.
- On Tuesday on radio station 6EBA FM from 5 to 6 PM I present “the Hour of Orthodoxy “. The focus will be on the coming Sunday’s epistle and gospel. On Thursday from 1:30 PM to 3 PM the divine liturgy recorded on Saturday (English) will be replayed and for 4:30 PM to 6 PM the divine liturgy recorded on Sunday (Greek) will be replayed. Note we also host a musical program on Friday from 7 PM to 8 PM during which a sermon in Greek is delivered.
- Zoom class on Thursday, at 7 PM. THE BOOK OF REVELATION CONTINUED.
- As you know we are collecting money to replace the carpet in the church. All donations, no matter how big or small are gratefully acknowledged. I would encourage everybody to assist in this worthwhile project. If you can please contact me. If you wish to make direct payment into the bank account you can do so on BSB 082057 bank account 608494969.
- Interested in theological learning? Then join us on 17 December at 3 PM at the Archdiocese office, 22 Dianella Drive Dianella, for a virtual open day at St Andrews theological College in Sydney. See the flyer for details.
- Do not forget this Sunday the Archdiocesean Christmas carols on the grounds of St Nektarios Church 22 Dianella Drive Dianella.
- Urgent… We are in desperate need for people to put their name down for the flower roster. The coming weeks require our church to be adorned. If you have a name day or wish to commemorate any other special day please put your name down and take responsibility for beautifying our church. The flower roster list can be located on the table next to the pangari.
Thought of the week
If Christ is love, why is there so much hatred in the world? If Christ is good, why is this such evil in the world? If Christ is patient, why do we never seem to have time for anyone or anything – always rushing in a hurry to nowhere? If Christ is humble and meek, why are we so perverse in how we puff ourselves with pride? Yet, the Lord never gives up on us. So, let us rejoice in the Lord and give praise to his forbearance, for if we were judged according to our works, then who could stand?
Till next time.
In Christ.
Father John Athanasiou 0411 061 554
