Dear all.
Gospel reading
- Yesterday’s gospel reading of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:9 – 31 has some very painful truths. To those of you who believe in universal salvation think, think again. To those of you that think that God is merciful and, as a God of love, will somehow redeem us – you now have been disabused. No such thing can or will happen. Mercy may well apply in this world but justice and judgement will prevail in the next.
- “Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able in a cross from here to us.” The message is as plain as it is clear. What you sow in this world you reap in the next. And, in the next it is too late to change the path you are chosen in this world for yourself.
- So, what is the sin of the rich man? The only sin suggested by the information provided is that he committed the sin of indifference to his fellow man represented in the person of Lazarus. His only concern was to spend his money on his own particular immediate material needs – and that was enough to condemn him to a place of torment. Now, for the plain truth: money is a brutal and unforgiving master. It leads us to be indifferent to neighbour and Indifference is the underlying basis of virtually all sin.
- So here it is: salvation is impossible if we are focused upon ourselves solely. We cannot walk around with our eyes closed. We know and if we know then we must do and, if we do not do, then we are self-condemned. As Christ puts it, when confronting the Pharisees: “if I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sinned; but now they have no excuse for their sin…” (John 15:22). Take heed, once you know about Christ then procrastination and greed is not an option. You are either for Christ or you are not. If for Christ you cheerfully help neighbour, if not for Christ you only help yourself. Your choice. Your consequence.
Around our church
- The program this week is simple: Saturday morning divine liturgy in English 9 AM to 10:15 AM;
- Our gratitude and thanks to St Andrews Grammar for their wonderful effort in collecting food for those in need. We received many, many bags of foodstuffs for our food store. Well done children: caring is sharing. The only thing we require is oil (vegetable and olive), coffee, black tea, rice and ladies personal hygiene products.
- Zoom class tonight from 6:30 PM.
- On Tuesday on six EBA 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.
- Zoom class on Thursday, at 7 PM. THE BOOK OF REVELATION CONTINUED.
Events seeking your support
- We are seeking your support and assistance to raise money to replace the carpets throughout our church. All assistance, no matter how great or small is gratefully accepted. If you wish to make a personal donation then please contact me or, you can make payment by way of direct credit into the church account: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia – parish of St Nektarios account number BSB 082057 account number 608494969.
- The program for the hundredth year celebration of the repose of our beloved St Nektarios will be as follows:
- Sunday, eighth of November, Hierarchical Vesper service officiated by our Bishop from 7 PM. All priests will be in attendance;
- Monday ninth of November, Hierarchical Divine liturgy officiated by our Bishop with all priests in attendance. Matins will commence from 7:30 AM.
- We will be holding a cake stall on 9 November. You may bring your cakes, slices, biscuits, pittes or other sweets/ savouries from Sunday, 8 November or on the morning itself. Note that we are commencing the Christmas fast from 15 November so you may consider making some some Lenten products.
- Sunday, 15 November, Hierarchical Divine liturgy, officiated by our Bishop after which we will be holding our luncheon in honour of our beloved Saint and Saint Elpidios. We will be serving a generous three course meal. The seafood to be served has been graciously donated by Damon and Daphne Venoutsos and family of New West Foods. Tickets are available from all churches. Cost of ticket is $40 for adults and $20 for children (between 14 to 4 years of age) under four free. Proceeds will be going to the needs of our church which is starting to show its age.
Thought of the week
Life is a challenge. Whenever you think you’re ahead of the game something knocks you sideways… One step forward, one step back. One day jubilation, the next day crushed. One day timid, the next daring. We don’t know what kicks life has in store. How can we last the course? To survive and prosper in the face of darkness is the trick. But how? The answer to a life well lived does not lie in an idea but in a person – Jesus Christ. With Christ you have everything, without Christ you have nothing.
Till next time.
In Christ.
Father John Athanasiou 0411 061 554
