Homily on the 25 Sunday after Pentecost.
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and Love your neighbor as yourself”. Lk10:25-27
These hallowing commandments that God gave onto the Holy Prophet Moses in the book of Deuteronomy have today been re-echoed for us by the lawyer in the Gospel proclamation. The older generation from yesteryear have observed these commandments wholeheartedly and unreservedly; teaching these Christian values and passing them down throughout the generations.
However, what is happening today that Church attendance has been drastically declining and the only faithful that fill the Church pews are the elderly? What has caused the young to lose sight of the ancient Church and the faith it has professed for 2020 years?
Firstly, there is no charity, care for the next person and the worst condition of them all self-obsession! How can anyone's heart be in line with the heart of God if there is no love or care about a son or daughter of God and if one only cares about themself and no one else?
For example, on Friday afternoon my family and I went to the shops to purchase Christmas presents for the children of my family. Whilst we were in one of the stores, my youngest daughter now a one-year-old began to cry because she hadn’t slept well and had become a tad irritable; something that is totally understandable.
Thus, as we continued shopping there walked past a lady with her 5-7-year-old son at which the son asked- “mummy why is that little girl crying?” at which the lady replied - “Because that little girl is naughty!”
I was absolutely dumfounded! How can an adult say to a child who has just asked why is a baby crying - “Because the baby is naughty”! What kind of a parent are you; teaching your child that crying is a bad behavior especially when referring to a baby? Worst of all, this comment came from a supposed mother! Look at how senseless people are raising their children and these so-called parents are meant to be teaching the faith?
The second reason for the young choosing to stay clear from Church would be the preaching of hatred against other orthodox jurisdictions and against those who are not of their heritage (nationalism).
Thirdly, totally focusing on the notion of sin rather than salvation given us by our Lord via His great love for us in His incarnation as the immaculate one. Via His saving passion on the wood of the cross as the unblemished calf and via His glorious Resurrection as the Redeemer and conqueror of death!
Thus, when people especially the young hear that their life is full of sin and they will burn in hell if they don’t change their ways, it is enough to put any young person off going to Church let alone pursuing any form of a relationship with God!
Therefore, for this exact reason the young generation are reverting to pagan worship and new age spiritual healing. In their minds they feel that they are excepted as they are; with no notion of sin and a more care-free way of spirituality. A truly sad reality, for we the faithful know that in the true orthodox Church sin is not what it is all about but rather our salvation and bettering ourselves and our relationship with the All-Holy-Trinity!
I recall a time several years ago in my rebellious stage, it even crossed my mind to convert to Islam for the Church and its clerics had buried me that deep in “sin” that I felt as if escape was the answer. However, I couldn’t bring myself to do it because although I was very upset at the institutional Church, I could not reject that I believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit one God!
Furthermore, one could even say that in some way spiritually speaking, I too was as the man who was attacked and left on the side of the road for dead. The Levite would have been those whom endorsed and promoted (death to sin) and the priest was exactly that; all the priests that ever told me that I would burn in hell.
Therefore, I was extremely blessed that God intervened and I met our Archbishop and that was the end of the rebellious stage. I then began the start of my life in Christ and His Church where I have been slowly but steadily growing in God; through the intercessions of our Holy Mother Theotokos, of all the saints and my prayers and encouragement of my family in Christ the Church!
Thus, just as orthodoxy was foreign to me, so too was it foreign/unheard of to see a Samaritan engaging with - never mind helping a Jew. Hence, just as the Child Emmanuel was born of an unexpected woman; inside a grotto, which people would not think twice to look for the Messiah, so too did God reach out to me (mercy) from an unexpected source on an unexpected day.
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ Lk 10:28-35
Today we celebrate the feast of the Apostle Matthew. As we know St Matthew was a tax collector a person who collected taxes for Cesar; often time charging extra and reaping the benefits. After the Lord called him to service the Apostle had a change of mind and heart (Metanoia). He thus aligned his heart with Christs, so that which once held him bound in shackles (impediments) was no longer of any consequence for he had now been liberated by God Himself in the flesh!
Thus, after St Matthew had proclaimed the gospel of Christ to the people of Ethiopia, he was burned to the steak and martyred by the ruler Fulvian. Hence, the saint's body was put in a coffin and sent out to sea; later being retrieved by Fulvian himself to which he repented and converted - later becoming a presbyter.
Here, is a great example of the love of God and how far one can go if they truly love their neighbour. If the apostle had not shed his blood for Christ and His Gospel then Fulvian who later took the name Matthew would have never been saved by Jesus through the apostle's example and zeal for Christ!
Therefore, if these Holy men and women of Holy Mother Church can spill their blood for our good and that of future generations, we must do our utmost best to give others the greatest gift of all; our time.
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Lk 10:36-37
In conclusion, if we truly are fair dinkum Aussies as we say in our Australian native tongue, then why is it so hard to show a little care or common courtesy or even a smile when we are out and about going about our lives? At times a smile can make a world of a difference for through that smile a person may see Christ our salvation!
Therefore, as is obvious in the Martyrs and Saints, living a true and authentic Christian life is not easy! People have lost their earthly lives in order for others to have it in Christ. Thus, may we confide in our Holy Mother for via Her response (Yes) to the Holy Spirit she became the tabernacle of the King of Glory and via His love for us He restored us the dignity that was lost in the first fall! (Adam and Eve)
Through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos Lord Jesus Christ our God have Mercy on us and Save us!
Troparion
With zeal, you followed Christ the Master, / who in His goodness, appeared on earth to mankind. / Summoning you from the custom house, / He revealed you as a chosen apostle: / the proclaimer of the Gospel to the whole world! / Therefore, divinely eloquent Matthew, / we honor your precious memory! / Entreat merciful God that He may grant our souls remission of transgressions.
Kontakion
Casting aside the bonds of the custom house for the yoke of justice, / you were revealed as an excellent merchant, rich in wisdom from on high. / You proclaimed the word of truth / and roused the souls of the slothful / by writing of the hour of Judgment.
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