Better Late Than Never

Homily on the 29th Sunday after Pentecost.

“A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ Lk 14:16-20

God never ceases inviting humanity to come onto Him so we may - taste and see that He the Lord is good; for those who take refuge in Him are truly blessed! Ps 34:8

Watching my daughters grow in our faith which is orthodox is such a heartwarming and rewarding thing; from the first time they showed veneration to a holy icon to waving goodnight to Jesus before bedtime.

My girls are truly comfortable being in Church. I often look at them whilst I offer prayers; noticing that they are in awe at times as they look at all the icons in the Chaple. Moreover, there have been times where they have pushed the limits by touching a blazing hot thurible (incense burner) however, I gently and worryingly correct them.

Moreover, I am teaching my girls on a daily basis the love of God by reiterating His eternal presence amongst us through the mysteries of the Church; of course, I do it in such a way that they can comprehend.

In addition, as they grow it is my duty as a parent and cleric to teach my girls to not fear God as many other denominations including the state orthodox churches teach; may I explain.

For the past two years I have been studying the art of iconography. I have been truly blest to learn from a true artist our Archbishop Raffaele who has been painting for quite some time now.

Together, we have produced two pieces so far – the glorious cross of Christ used for Holy Week and an icon of the Holy face of Christ.

Thus, as I have been researching iconography online, I stumbled across a video of an iconographer from the United States who is an old believer belonging to the orthodox Church present in Russia. At the start of the video, he walks the viewer through his home; at times catechizing about the faith.

He then leads his viewers to an upstairs room filled with icons that he has painted; a prayer corner or chapel if you like. He then proceeds to speak about Gods unending forgiveness and when one falls into “sin” as orthodox Christians we don’t dwell upon the sin; we simply pick ourselves up and continue living our life - trying to do better next time.

Thus, he proceeds to state - “we are not like other religions – we do not have a guilt complex! When well fall we pick ourselves up and move on that’s it”! However, to my confusion the woman taking the video then asked the iconographer - “So what brought you to Pitsburgh (America) how did you get here?” Within a slit second having no time to actually think about the womans question the iconographer replies - “My sins! God sent me here because of my sins!”

Therefore, how can a person have no guilt complex but believe that the life they live is due to their sins like some form of punishment; it just doesn't make sense it is contradictive and sadly that is what many denominations and state churches are brainwashing the youth with.

Furthermore, as is evident with many pious and over religious people this obsession with sin, sin, sin leads to not only a spiritual schizophrenia but also a physical one; focusing every ounce of energy on the notion of sin eventually leading to clinical madness.

Who knows, one minute one may be obsessing over sin and the next minute they are having visions of their loungeroom turning into a roller-skating ring, chandeliers flying around the house and men dressed in black robes yelling at them. It is very plausible. Just look at what these religious nuters are teaching!

Therefore, how are people especially the youth meant to have an understanding or some sort of perception on Gods great love for us if they are taught that they are dirty, defiled, sinful, unworthy, repugnant and so on.

When I was growing up in the church of Rome this was a true reality for me – everything was based on sin one must do this in order to repent and do that to make an act of contrition ect......

Such teachings and practices send people mad! I recall a time of depression because of the above mentioned. Can you imagine a young boy opening the fridge and staring into it being scared of burning in hell because contemplating all the delicacies and at the same time being unworthy of thus according to such teachings? They were horrible times, however thanks to Gods intervention and my reply to His invitation; he has liberated me from that hell hole that I once lived in.

“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” Lk 14:21-24

The problem with many of us is that we are comfortable where we are even if it is in a horrible place. We fear change for change usher's uncertainty and not knowing - rather not being in control of every aspect of our lives is something that most of us find hard to deal with so we choose to be in control; or so we think.

In just under two weeks, the Exarchate will gather to celebrate our Lord’s Glorious birth. He (Jesus) has invited us individually to be with Him in such a lifechanging and intimate way to experience the ancient rites of the early Church. He calls us to come as we are; with all our baggage, passions, greed ect..... leaving it all in the past never to give these things another thought.

In his Paschal homily Saint John Chrysostom writes - If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in nowise be deprived thereof. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; He gives rest unto him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who has wrought from the first hour.

Therefore, just as it is never too late to come, worship and partake of the Lords banquet at His Holy Pascha (Holy communion within the context of the Divine Liturgy) so too is the same approach taken at His Glorious birth.

Today the Church commemorates St Lucy of Syracuse (304) St Lucy was a faithful Christian from a very young age. Her mother suffered from bodily ailments so they both decided to visit the tomb of St Agatha of Catania Sicily where they would pray for healing. St Lucy beheld a vison of Saint Agatha explaining to her that she too would become a great advocate for Christians and would receive a martyr's crown.

Thus, after her mother was healed of her affliction St Lucy consecrated herself to God. She left the man she was to be betrothed too and began to preach Christ Risen not only in word but in lifestyle.

Her ex-betrothed angrily consulted the pagan governor of those times; ordering that the saint works in a brothel. Remaining strong in her faith, and by the protection of Saint Agatha - St Lucy remained unharmed and untouched.

However, after being notified that his plans had failed, the governor ordered that St Lucy’s eyes be removed for she was blessed with a radiating beauty. Miraculously the Lord God replaced her eyes and they were all the more beautiful. Concluding that she had used some form of witchcraft, the governor ordered that she be beheaded! St Lucy fell asleep in the Lord and today is venerated in the East and West known also as St Petka (Slavonic) St Paraskevi (Greek) and Santa Lucia (Roman)

In conclusion, may we find that same courage as Saint Lucy found, to go to the Lord’s banquet and partake of Him in His fullness (Body and Blood) realizing that all He wants is for us to live life to the fullest and not just to merely be in existence; for He is the giver of life and all life proceeds from Him!

Therefore, may we meet Emmanual at the grotto to worship, glorify Him; responding to His request to the Heavenly banquet with a heartfelt Yes!

Through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos and Her spouse Saint Joseph Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us!