Dear all.
Gospel reading
- Yesterday’s gospel reading of the parable of the sower (Luke 8:5 – 15) is one of those parables keeps on giving. There are so many themes so, let us focus on one: “other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.” The explanation of the parable by Christ is as follows: “the seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.”
- So here it is in a nutshell: you cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve God and mammon. If you are enamoured with the things of this world you will focus upon the trappings that we take as been symbols for having “made it”. The things that we aspire to are given importance by those who also aspire to possess them. People who love things do not love people. They are motivated by two competing considerations: the first is the accumulation of money and the second is the ostentatious spending of that money on themselves.
- Not for them charity. A dollar given away is one dollar that will never be made up. In the end what gives their life value is the envy of like-minded people who covet similar things. How sad: these people are truly to be pitied because a lot of money is equal to a lot of responsibility. That responsibility is for the other and, like the rich young man, when these people are invited to help their fellow man, they become thoroughly sorry because they are simply not able to part with any of their money even in the knowledge that their refusal condemns them.
- The end result is inevitable: “Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue for I am in anguish in this flame.” The response of Father Abraham: “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. 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 and none may cross from there to us.” Why would you risk eternity for dead things and for someone’s empty acclaim in this world?
Around our church
The program for the coming week is as follows:
- Saturday divine liturgy in English 9 AM to 10:15 AM.
- Zoom class tonight from 6:30 PM. Tonight at 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.
- The greatest joy that I receive is when people answer the call to help feed their fellow humans. This tells me that we care. This week the appeal goes out for the following: oil, full cream long life milk/milk powder, honey, salt, sugar, spaghetti, coffee, biscuits, plain flour, tins of peas/corn/beetroot/chickpeas, spam, tuna large and small, fruit juices, toiletries, toilet paper, serviettes, dishwashing liquid, canned fruit and ladies personal hygiene products . If you wish to help financially then payment can be made to the general account of the church (BSB 082057 account 608494969) into account: : BSB 082057 account 616004624.
Save the date
- On this Saturday 24th of October after the divine liturgy we will be having a spring clean of our church. This year marks the centennial anniversary of the repose of our St Nektarios. Therefore, we are obliged to put our best possible effort into cleaning our church and garden to honour him. We will need many hands to make our church shine without stain or spot. Please BYO gardening equipment. If someone can bring a wheelbarrow that would be greatly appreciated.
- On Friday, 23 October all the clergy will be present at the church of St Nektarios to conduct the service of St James under the direction of our Bishop. This will commence from 6 PM to approximate 8:30 PM. All are welcome.
- On Sunday, 8 November 2020 we will be holding our Vespers for the feast day of St Nektarios – further details to follow.
- On Monday 9 November we will be celebrating the centennial anniversary of the feast day of St Nektarios the wonderworker. We will be holding a cake/savoury stall. Further details to follow.
- On Sunday, 15 November we will be holding our luncheon to celebrate the feast day of our Patronal Saint. – Further details to follow
Thought of the week
Time is such a precious commodity for it is only time that allows patience to grow and thus giving to us opportunity to tend to the field of our heart, lovingly cultivating it, removing the rocks of indifference, burning away the weeds that would rob us of commitment and lovingly tilling of the soil with vigilance and perseverance until our heart becomes an eager vessel for the seed of the sower. But, for this to occur we need to make the first move and the first move is to decide: God or Mammon?
Until next time.
In Christ.
Father John Athanasiou 0411 061 554
