DRAWN TO COMMUNION

THE LAME LONGED FOR WHOLENESS – THE LORD DESIRED WHOLEHEARTEDNESS

He then entered the city of Capernaum after some days and word spread that he came amongst them at which many gathered - straining hospitality onto them due to the great number beyond the doors; he then spoke onto them that had come.

Then approached four men carrying a man who was paralysed but they could not get close due to the extraordinary number of people which had gathered. These then proceeded to draw near via the roof top and began uncovering the roofing whilst breaking through; lowering the man on a stretcher.

When he saw their faith he absolved the paralysed saying: You are set free from sin (Mk 2: 1-5) I thus command you to rise and take up your stretcher and go home. (Mk 2: 11)

- A Plea for Mercy - the longing for complete peace, strength and happiness; persisting to strive for thus via hope.

The gospel passage above describes how the members of the paralytic’s family came to an understanding that such a state was beyond the best physicians, remedies, prayers and alternative means for help.

Furthermore, such a grand action/intrusion was not only a leap of faith for those involved - although the Levitical law condemned those impeded in the body as it did with the leapers. Such was seen as an act of apostasy for adheres of the law in contrast to them (the paralytic’s relatives) and other believers in the Nazarene: complete wholehearted trust that Jesus can truly make their infirm relative whole!

We may all be watching the current events closely and many are bracing for what could be…..others are boasting how the wrath of God is near if we don’t repent. If that is not sickening enough, let me draw your attention to the poor people of the Ukraine who other nations are helping migrate.

One in particular that has an outstanding bible bashing brigade had the audacity to demand these orthodox Christians to except Jesus as their personal saviour. Holy Orthodoxy was there from day one (I invite you to look at our apostolic succession documentation) and these sects who were fabricated centuries later now tell people who are apostolic and suffering the pangs of hell if they know and accept Jesus….ignorance, fundamentalist religious mentalities and dictatorship is and always has been the downfall of society!

Then you have those who are convinced that like David of old God is on their side (Ps 109) and will smite their opponents: what happened to Thou shalt not kill!??? Oh no this is a holy war, a noble act of true valour – we will pray it away for God listens to us and acts if we ritualize correctly! What happened to take away these your offerings from my sight (Is 1:11) if you have a quarrel with your brother go and amend it and then come back (Mt 5:23) love does not keep records of the failings of others (1Cor 13:1)

Apart from the political and religious shenanigans the have and are plaguing the world at present, we are dealing with an economic crisis which raises concerns for our living arrangements – as if Covid 19 wasn’t enough. Fuel and grocery prices are rising along with other necessities…..we desire a solution in returning to normal. Modern society is not accustomed to change as such in previous years, centuries and civilizations who were far more advanced than we are – however ignorant we are kept concerning these facts in our age of technological brilliance.

Yet, are such indignities experienced helping us think and strive to live better in evolving as a race – the race God made in his image and likeness? (Gen 1:26) or will we be like the crowd at the shops in last couple of lockdowns who were fighting over the last few packs of lavatory paper extraordinarily escalated???

St. Gregory Palamas (1296 – 1359AD) who we commemorate this day was a bishop and Abbot of Esphigmenou monastery on the Holy Mountain of Athos in Greece. He was not popular amongst some of the monastics due to his rigid stance on monasticism, yet he was gifted in word and doctrinal homiletics - leaving us a nurturing homily regarding our present dilemma and this day’s gospel proclamation stating:

People in general are not only pleased to listen to sacred teaching, but also enjoy passing their opinions on the words, each one apparently scrutinising what is said, according to how ignorant or wise they may be.

Yet, putting such words into action, however, or reaping from them the fruit of beneficial faith, requires gratitude and good intent, which are not easy to find, especially among people who consider themselves righteous and are wise in their own opinion as were the scribes and Pharisees.

- Annunciation – Evangelismos; the desire of the Lord to remove the layers of human impediment in altering the laws of nature in order to be part of us via our wholehearted response in hope.

Although we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation on the 7th of April, yet this most vital occurrence within our evolving as a race highlights the desire of God reclaiming what is his – the people made in his image and likeness.

In today’s gospel passage we heard how the relatives of the paralytic were desperate out of love for their infirm family member to reach Jesus – removing the roof covering and lowering the stretcher so that he could be made whole by the Lord.

Yet in contrast, this is precisely what occurred at the Annunciation when Archangel St. Gabriel delivers God’s RSVP to Mother Mary Theotokos: God the All Holy Trinity removing the layers of our human fragility and altering the laws of nature in order to come to us as Jesus the Son via Mariam’s YES to his desire in healing a broken world – rendering wholeness!

St. Gregory Palamas again offers us another nurturing reflection upon this wonderful occurrence which changed the course of our race – the day which human hearts became God’s cradle in stating:

The Archangels’ words to the Virgin did contain something more, a reference to a greater mystery. “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you for He who is the Most High shall overshadow you in his power!’’ Why was this? This child to be born was not to be called a prophet or a man like Adam, but is Son of the Highest, he is the Saviour and Deliverer of the human race for he is the Eternal King.

The Virgin Mother, and she alone, is the frontier between created and uncreated nature. All who know God will recognize her as the one who contained he who cannot be limited. All who sing hymns to God will praise her next after him. She is the cause of the benefits which preceded her, the protectoress of those which came after, and through her those good things which are eternal shall be received.

Apparitions – seldom visitations invoke peace, transformation and healing in contrast to various supposed supernatural phenomena and its promoters; salvation subscription via club membership.

Since we are on the topic of Annunciation and our Holy Mother vouched for our salvation by saying YES to God, there have been various times that she has visited God’s people in the world and such visitations were accompanied via healing, transformation and peace – either directly via her glorified state or via an icon in her honour.

With such holy visitations there were very few words exchanged – most apparitions were silent as she was silent and obedient throughout the scriptures; the power of presence which nurtures! Yet, there seems to be various phenomena that resemble a meeting over coffee along with a real-estate contract and election deal!

May I remind people that orthodox countries have more churches consecrated to the Mother of God than the Lord and his saints!!! Secondly, there was such an apparition (1968 - 1971AD) that took place in the district of Zeitoun in Cairo of Egypt – the town where the Holy Family took refuge within the years of persecution which Herod the Great waged against the babies of Bethlehem.

Hence, at the time of the apparition, Egypt as a whole was experiencing a political revolution and the peace between the populace made up of various nationalities and creeds began to fragment. It was here that the Mother of God made her presence known via apparitions upon the roof top of the Coptic Orthodox Church dedicated to her as St. Mary.

Within such apparitions, there was no messages, no demands, no confusion, no condemnation, but it brought Egypt together as a nation, it reconciled various groups at odds with one another; peace and healing especially for incurable infirmities were bestowed to all regardless of creed and standing!

Furthermore, she the Theotokos (St. Mary) gave witness to her Son as the Saviour of the world by kneeling before the cross on the main dome of the church rooftop; she who is mother of the Most High pleads and bestows through the love of her Son who desires to draw all people onto himself.

- Crucifixion - he is the ransom and pearl of great price: God on trial.

Unfortunately, there is a tendency especially amongst orthodox Christians to cast blame and label its inheritance on the future generations of those who were indeed guilty of killing God the Son in the flesh via crucifixion; the one who came for the House of Israel and desires to bind the sheep of other folds also into that same holy pasture.

The Hebrew people made their way in the diaspora and knew the art of living and production – trade from biblical times was a prosperous legacy. Just as Joseph of Egypt prospered amongst the pharaohs via the Lord’s blessing upon him, so too did many of the saints and people of Israel make their presence known in the world via successful business – resented by many which resulted in sufferings to come.

Hence, under the persecutions waged on them by the demon of dictatorship (WWII) at the time via the Nazi regime, many became victims of hatred which ultimately resulted in national condemnation.

Thus within the concentration camps of Auschwitz, the people and rabbis resorted to the Talmudic teachings and considered placing God on trial (the charge of not bestowing mercy) due to atrocities of such holocaust. A brilliant production based on these occurrences which was taken from Elie Wiesel’s tragedy genera (The proceedings of Shamgorod 1979AD) was screened by the BBC in 2008AD entitled God on trial.

- God present in the goodness of his mercy via the compassion of some soldiers that rendered care onto the Jews.

Years later at a synagogue in commemoration of the event and memorial prayers for the lives of those who perished, the rabbinic ministers sang psalms and gave praise onto God for his glory, mercy, peace and presence amongst the Hebrew community.

At this same service, there was a lady who confronted one of the chief rabbis regarding God’s presence and mercy within the community saying: “Where was God when our children were starving and our people tortured and imprisoned? Where was God’s glory when our own blood was delivered onto the camps – many shot along the way whilst others met their lonely end at the gas chambers?”

“Yet one thing I know, when we were completely exhausted and tried; I saw his mercy in the discretion of a few soldiers who had compassion and passed us bread, a few blankets, water, and within their regimented state of office - offered us a kind smile in reassurance that that which befell us was never meant to be!”

- The call for the Christian to become his hands and feet in the world and transfigured body which crucifies the unthinkable of others via raising hope on wings of prayer.

During the week I sent a pastoral letter to a kind Russian priest I knew and have not seen for some years now….although we are part of the Ukrainian Church, yet this presbyter was kind to me when I was a deacon and served in the Russian Church – such was a letter that would raise the eyebrows of Pharisees, yet would be pleasing onto God who desires love amongst his people; may I share the following extract with you.

In these most uncertain times where human fragility seeks to point fingers with the passing of judgement and blame, Holy Mother Church is united with the thoughts, prayers, and sufferings of wholehearted believers who are her sons and daughters - experiencing the pangs of hell brought on via the jealousy of the ancient rebellion who desires to destroy the Father Pantocrator’s creation.

Unfortunately, the lust for power and prestige have and will always continue to exist in all parts of society including the instituted Church which indeed cripples the spiritual and fraternal growth of God’s people as a whole.

Having stated thus, it is paramount that the body of Christ’s Church (the faithful) become the immune system which fights the infection of hatred, slander, and hurt that is present when human passions stir – forgetting to anchor onto Jesus our Lord who reminds us to love unconditionally as he loves; becoming his hands and feet in the world via living out our baptismal promises as carriers of Christ – Christians!

Therefore, in this hurtful time where sister nations are overcome with human fragility and 12 century territorial disputes, I would like to convey my fraternal solidarity and sentiments of pastoral care which is the duty of any bishop, cleric and Christian onto you and your flock.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK.

When blind Bartimaeus heard you, O Lord, passing by, he knew that your line was royal for you were born in the city of David - Bethlehem and thus cried: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Hence, in compassion you called him and blessed the desire of his heart in contemplating your face via opening his eyes. Therefore, you are the Father’s mercy who enlightens the spiritual eyes of the hearts of your flock as they cry to you in prayer:

Jesus, through your Name you Created the celestial hosts.

Jesus, through your love you Redeem those below.

Jesus, through your passion, death and resurrection, you are Vanquisher of the nethermost powers.

Jesus, through your sanctifying grace you adorn all of creation.

Jesus, through your gift of the Spirit and presence in thy Holy Mysteries you Comfort our souls.

Jesus, through your grace and certainty of Pentecost you enlighten our minds.

Jesus, through your promise you remain with us especially when overwhelmed by assailing powers you gladden our hearts.

Jesus, through sanctified means which are filled with your presence you bestow Health in body and soul.

Jesus, through the Spirit’s cooperating power and grace as loving Son obedient to the Father’s will, you are the Saviour of your people.

Jesus, through the uncreated energies which radiated in you on the mount of transfiguration, you have enlightened your people inviting them to daily conversion.

Jesus, through your presence which was unbearable to the ancient rebellion which fled from thy sight; deliver your people from life’s torments.

Jesus, through your will to become Emmanuel and render us worthy to enter thy glory; save us your holy people.

Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.

(Extract from the Metropolitan Akathist prayer to the Lord – section 4)

May the Lord energize your prayer via the power of his all Holy Spirit (Jm 5:16) that you may nurture the fruits of the Lenten garden and have an abundant paschal harvest!

In the Lord, his Mother, and his Apostles,

+Raffaele