When Jesus perceived this person’s pain of parting with over-abundant wealth he sighed lamenting: “It is extremely difficult for souls who cling to such wealth to access the promised kingdom and enter into communion with God! Although when one patiently toils thread in order to refine it so that it may pass through the needles eye that a garment be sown; a rich person despairs at the thought of losing that which he must leave behind and is restless at parting from this life into the reality of the next!” (Lk 18: 24-25)
Many of us have shared in of the goodness of the Lord through the partaking of sanctified water within this Season of the Lord’s Theophany – the timeframe where houses and workplaces are blessed so that we are kept safe in the Lord’s mercy who bestows goodness and grace via the rites of his all holy Apostolic Church!
When we think of goodness in terms of blessings, there were various cultural and religious mentalities that interpreted such. Within the Hebraic observance especially back in biblical timeframes, certain groups had a dim vision of wealth as being a blessing and poverty a curse, yet we are by no means any less of a person if we originate from such. In actual fact the Lord invites all to his fold but asks us to lay aside that which impedes us to render wholeheartedly.
Yes we need to watch out wallet and have a good finance ethic, yet when this begins to master us and becomes number one in our life whilst neglecting other; we cease to cause good and sour. We distance ourselves from our family unit, perhaps frequent likeminded others and before we know it – we lose everything we have; the happiness quality of life our human heart craves.
Thus, we revert to other means to numb the pain which ultimately becomes our destruction and hastily lose hope; meaningless becomes the pattern of our existence.
If anything, we who call ourselves followers, disciples, apostles and whatever other name you can think of – are called to be persistent and steadfast when people come our way and are crying out for help.
Yes, the cry comes in different forms and often enough the person’s exterior is happy as Larry, but deep within, the person is drowning amidst the currents that have battered them and in shame or distrust – these keep silent!
I’ve always stated that most biblical translations are totally wrong due to an extraordinary lack of apostolic understanding and cultural command in the context of the common Greek employed in its execution. Anyhow, although the above scriptural quotation reflects the true translation from the Greek text – please see my blog entitled Season’s Greetings; the heart of the matter here is that our greed gets in the way!
We live in a society that seeks individual praise and recognition when something out of the ordinary is done – titles such as Australian of the year is bestowed to certify thus. Yet, we forget that we are supposed to LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR and step out of our comfort zones to constantly render good – a blessing onto others! Although the currents of ME MYSELF AND I promoted via various means have held sway for a most extensive amount of time, humanity ultimately returns to its origins due to the emptiness and depression that takes hold –in the rediscovering ourselves as: matter and spirit!
Having concluded the festive season where we may be encouraged to do good via rendering onto others via selected means, we tend to forget that the greatest testament we can portray is not so far away but very near. Thus, there is much need to exercise good within our own community, within our neighbourhood and not by donations in the monetary sense alone, but by the greatest gift we can give to another – our own time and labour!
Jesus then questioned the sincerity and depth of the person’s greeting stating: “How can you call me Good if you fail to realise the source of all goodness is God who calls all to choose good? You know very well what has been commanded as the means to pave the way; do not cheat especially in wedlock, do not take anyone’s life in vain, do not steal that which is not yours, do not lie in incriminating others, and above all – honour your parents!” Then the man affirmed that he kept all such commands saying; “I’ve honoured all that which the law requires since I was fairly young!” (Lk 18: 19-21)
When I was at university completing my theological studies in orthodoxy with particular interest in Byzantine Italy , there was talk of students from other jurisdictions being so proud stating: “this advent, we ran a soup kitchen for the homeless!” Although that was well and good, but should advent or any other festivity which beckons goodwill last only for that period of time? Surely each time we render good to someone – that is the equivalent of a Christmas dinner or Easter lunch!
I’m not a person to brag about my affairs, and I do not like those who do, but I can sincerely state that when I held the position of parish priest in our then city church, I would walk around the city on December 25th and I’d invite to lunch whoever I discerned had nothing and no one. We must be careful of professional beggars for the city is full of them, but it was with great joy to put a smile on the face of the forgotten who had a supper for one of the most important events of the calendar: FOR THE TIME BEING!!!
There was a crowd which gathered around him and heard the conversation to which were perplexed at such answers and one amongst them said to him; “Who then can be fitting for the grace of that which is promised in the hope of salvation?” The Lord then clearly exhorted: “It is not possible for man to save himself – only the Son of Man can make this possible for this is God’s favour and desire!” (Lk 18: 26-27)
The problem these days is that we have really strayed away from the Apostolic Faith; how many times have we heard certain so called Christians on religious channels preach the GOSPEL OF PROSPERETY? This of course is not only a heresy (departure from truth) but a tremendous delusion which produces fruit rotten to the core! If anything, our baptismal contract invites us to robe ourselves in the charity of Christ and render service in his Name to those who have nothing or are impeded.
When people were awaiting the Messiah and many were following John the Baptist who called people to shake away the dust of impediment (all that impedes us to render good) he exhorted that we should give our extra to those who have nothing. The Apostle James who was first Bishop of Zion clearly reminded us that if our faith doesn’t produce good works it is counterfeit!
When we look around and see the grand institutions Christendom has produced; we have derailed completely because (a) we are not to live as Lord’s (b) we are not a social justice agency (c) we are called to nourish our people spiritually (holy liturgy) and physically (feed, clothe, and shelter the poor) no equilibrium!!!
Again , I am nothing, yes I may be archbishop and exarch, but I first and foremost am a servant of Christ amongst his apostles; meaning that I get off my backside, and support others with my own money. It gives me great joy to pay for people’s medication in the community who survive on very little, and also take others who are doing it rough to purchase their groceries; we are called to be generous for the Father Pantocrator’s generosity extends on all who administer in his name (Divine Providence) Either we believe this or we should move along and not pollute the Church with insane doctrines!
As we know in true orthodoxy especially those of us who live within the Roman Byzantine tradition, the clergy have secular jobs to support themselves and the monastics are encouraged to give a good 70% to those in need. It makes my blood boil when I see clergy and especially bishops who top up their accounts with money they make from their institutions, go on nice holidays, deliver wonderful homilies (sermons) offer uplifting liturgies, but when it comes to do the work Christ ordained – they excuse themselves like the rich man who did not want to part with his wealth. What hypocrisy which renders uncanonicity – disqualifies apostolic succession!
There was a man of great wealth who was well versed in the traditions of his ancestors who came to Jesus addressing him as ‘the good teacher’ asking: “What is needful for me to do in order that I too may take part of the life which is eternal in God?” (Lk 18:18)
The other day I went to visit an old couple who are rather frail and spent some time with them, yes they have shire assistance; thank God we live in a blessed country as ours, but I wanted to do more. Yes, I am a good cook, I won’t say chef because these days everyone knows everything even if they have been in it for two minutes so to speak/write, but at the end of the day; “poca robba” as we say in Italian = little/poor results!!!! Anyway, that’s another discussion!
Thus, I was so happy to cook them a meal, serve them, feed them because they are frail, and wash up and take care of other domestics. If only we could realise the spiritual blessings we ourselves are bestowed when we show mercy (reach out) onto others in love!
It is so wonderful and emotional to make one smile - it’s like re-kindling in them the gift of life (quality life) they once had; the joy of new birth, the glory of new life! People need to know that they are loved! If we just get over our stupidity (pride etc.) we could not only promote goodness onto others but re-discover the love God deeply has for us as a human person; just as we are and not what we pretend to be!!!
This is the day of the Lord’s resurrection, let us walk in the light of his glorious presence. He who is love personified came to tend to the wounds of our hearts leaving us the words of divine medicine: “Love one another as I love you!” Therefore by this glorious and all holy feast let us embrace one-another in the joy of his resurrection in the hope that hate is redeemed by wholehearted forgiveness. Thus let us who are the Communion of Saints on earth and members of his mystical body now cry out in praise: Christ is Risen from the dead trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
(5th verse from the paschalion typikon of the southern cross)
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