Homily on the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost.
“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Mt 4:19
Several weeks ago, my wife Presbytera Lianna and I were cleaning the house. When randomly our eldest daughter Mia approaches us and states – Mummy I love, Daddy, I love you, and I love Lucy..... and I love my heart! So, Presytera asked her- “Mia why do you love your heart”? At which Mia replied - “Because Jesus lives in it!”
As a priest and as a dad, my heart cried with immense joy; even having shed a tear or two as I watch my little girl grow in our Orthodox faith!
Having stated thus, at one stage or another in our lives we have all disliked something about ourselves, whether it be a physical or mental attribute. Sometimes this imperfection may cause us to hate ourselves. Other times, as many of us know all too well, religious institutions place a guilt complex upon us, using our sins as the cause of our self-hatred.
However, in order to be useful to God and to our neighbour, we need to love ourselves first. How is it possible to share God’s love in the world if we don’t love ourselves who have been created in God’s very image?
I think we all unintentionally tend to forget that Jesus came to call the frail, the broken, the sinner, the outcast and those rejected by humanity. Not the pious, over-religious, schizo-fanatic extremists. Instead of radiating God’s love in the world, such people prefer to condemn others via laws based on outdated and man-made legislations that stems from the prince of darkness - via the power of suggestion!
I would like to share a wonderful quote I found online from Saint John Chrysostom - “Helping a person in need is good in itself. But the degree of goodness is hugely affected by the attitude with which it is done. If you show resentment because you are helping the person out of a reluctant sense of duty, then the person may receive your help but may feel awkward and embarrassed. This is because he will feel beholden to you. If, on the other hand, you help the person in a spirit of joy, then the help will be received joyfully. The person will feel neither demeaned nor humiliated by your help, but rather will feel glad to have caused you pleasure by receiving your help. And joy is the appropriate attitude with which to help others because acts of generosity are a source of blessing to the giver as well as the receiver.” (www.goodreads.com)
In addition, if any person forces themselves to give onto another out of obedience to God and to the Church Fathers; rendering thus bitterly, it is better to not give at all. For whenever we do things in life unwillingly, we render our actions bitter rather than sweet that stems from Christ who is the great due from on high!
Saint Paul writes to the Church in Corinth - Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:7
Thus, as I have stated in the past, giving doesn't necessarily mean to give money or provide shelter which are wonderful things to do. It also means giving your shoulder for someone to cry on, ears to listen or being the smile that changes a person's day.
I would like to share with you something that happened to me on Thursday afternoon. As I was making my way to the waste facility to unload my truck, a lady quickly ran out of her house; indicating for me to pull over, to which I did.
I climbed out of my truck and straight away she thanked me for stopping. She then said to me - “I’m really sorry to bother you but last night was my birthday and I had a few too many drinks. So, my husband and I forgot to put our rubbish bin out. Would you mind emptying it for us?”
I was more than happy to help this lady out because of her honesty and kindness. After I emptied the bin, she was so grateful. It was as if I gave her the best birthday present in the world she said - “Oh God bless you, thank you so much for this, I honestly hope God blesses you” and so on.
Hence, I clearly did nothing spectacular, I literally got rid of this lady's rubbish and she was so happy. It's not about what we do or give or how much we so, it’s how it’s administered as Saint John Chrysostom writes in the above quote. (Quality not quantity)
Thus, I cannot stress enough, we cannot give wholeheartedly, lovingly and joyously onto others unless we firstly love ourselves for who, what and how we are! Yes. There is always room for improvement within ourselves, however, the moment we begin pretending to become something we are not; forcing unrealistic ideas upon ourselves, we are erecting a massive wall; blocking God’s love from shining upon us - willfully living in darkness. (Hell – the absence of God)
Therefore, if one struggles with loving themselves the best place to learn how to is within the Lord’s Church. Once a person comes and meets God’s in His Holy-Temple (Church) the next step is to receive the life-giving mysteries – Confession, anointing with holy oils and Holy Communion; to receive the true Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
The Church is the hospital for our souls as Saint John Chrysostom writes. When we are sick, we go to visit our general practitioner to receive the advice we need to recover from bodily issues. When we have spiritual issues, we go to see the priests at the spiritual hospital the Church where we are prescribed the antidote for our ailments.
They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Mt 4:20
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Joseph Her spouse and the Holy Apostles, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Granting us the gift of love; the love that stems from your Heart. The very heart that was pierced by the spear whilst you hung upon the wood of the cross for the love of us your children! Amen
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