Amare

Homily on the 15th Sunday after Pentecost

Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. Mt 22:35-38

Over the years I have had the privilege to meet extraordinary people, who loved life and lived it to the fullest in Christ our God; continuously putting others before themselves and giving the time of day for others in need!

Therefore, one particular person comes to mind who I hold very close to my heart; my late grandmother who came to rest in the Lord several years ago – Benedetta Pulvirenti.

As far back as I can recall Benedetta started off her mornings with morning prayers followed by the recitation of the rosary. She would then prepare breakfast and lunch for the family; along with other household chores.

After lunch she would sit on her chair next to the window facing outside and begin to recite prayers once again. When she had finished, she would have a 1-2-hour siesta (Nana Nap as we say in our Australian native tongue) and would then proceed with preparing dinner and sometimes even desert depending if she wasn’t in too much pain due to her old age.

Thus, at the end of the day once everybody was in bed Benedetta would lay down in her bed once again reciting prayers. At times I could hear her thank God for me, my family and virtually every moment of the day; followed by one last recitation of the rosary.

In addition, I recall countless times she would sew broken shirts, pants, jackets ect.. for people from her local Church or in the street she lived in. I recall there was an elderly man Signor Matteo who had lost his wife and would often cry for hours on end. Moved with compassion Benedetta would arrive at Matteo’s house with a tray of Pasta al Forno (Baked Pasta). She would begin to clean his house and do a few loads of washing for him.

Thus, after a while when Signor Matteo learnt how to live with the pain of losing his wife, he began to cook, clean and look after himself with the constant support of Benedetta.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Mt 22:39-41

On the other side of the spectrum I have met people who are so caught up in their own invented understanding of the commandments of Christ; having interpreted scripture outside of the Apostolic faith which is Orthodox and has not changed from the time of Jesus and his Apostles. These supposed Christians (The ones who have interpreted badly) have ruined people's lives – in some cases resulting in death.

However, I would like to share a story that my Dad recounted to me several weeks ago. When my Dad was a young adult in his early twenties, his uncle and aunty had converted to the CULT Jehovah's witness!

For many years my grandfather and his three brothers where extremely close; gathering together in mass family lunches and dinners just for the sake of being united. Fast fording several years, one of his brothers along with his wife converted to Jehovah’s witness.

Therefore, as time passed my grandfather's brother’s and his wife began to drift further and further away from the family all in the name of Jehovah – which is a mere title for God not His name for His name has been revealed as Jesus Christ the name above all names!

Hence, one thing that must be made clear is that protestant reformists such as JW, Faith Christian Church, Shincheonji Church of Jesus and CityLife Church just to name a few, seek the control of its members in every way, shape and form. These somewhat demonic groups sole purpose is self-edification, boosting up their bank accounts; using the All Holy name of Jesus Christ in order for thus to become a reality. Yet it becomes a problem when these supposed Christian groups sever Jesus Christ from God. Hence, either He is or He is not God.

Thus, one day my grandfather's sister in law was admitted into hospital with a life-threatening condition and urgently needed a blood transfusion to save her life. Firstly, she was in a coma and was unable to make that decision for herself, so it was up to her husband to decide. 

Therefore, he made the decision to not give her a blood transfusion, opting for her to die with the excuse that it was the will of God and what is man to go against Gods will. My grandfather along with many other family members attempted to convince him otherwise but it was too late. His wife died due to JW BRAINSHAING its members with its DEMONIC doctrines; controlling their every move!

What an utter load of garbage; not being allowed to give blood or an organ for someone to have life!

The Lord God created us with mushy things inside our heads called brains which are to be used for understanding His (God) love for us and His precepts. Moreover, using that knowledge to better the human race in which He has given us charge over, by creating antidotes to deadly viruses, preforming life-giving surgery on the dying and the countless surgical medicals of today.

Hence, one of the many greatest graces (Free Gifts) God has giving us is that of free will. God is eternally transparent in all things especially His word. Free Will is just that! There are no hidden clauses in this gift: it is exactly what it is just as He Is Who He Is (Inscription on All Icons of Christ)

Therefore, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” if we can show love by giving a part of ourselves in order that a person may have life, how is this contrary to the Lords commandment? God IS eternal, the treasure of blessings and GIVER OF LIFE! If we have the chance to play our part in His (God) magnificent life creating/lifechanging plan, then how privileged are we?

Furthermore, as I stated in last week's homily, the greatest gift we can give another person is the gift of our time. To let someone, know that- Yes, someone does care for you! Thus, if anyone ever wants to know the best way to honor the Lords commandment: “Love your Neighbor” the act of being there for someone and showing you genuinely care is the greatest act of Love one can give!

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. Mt 22:41-46

Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Lord Jesus Christ our God Have Mercy on us!