Homily on the 7th Sunday of Pascha.
For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,
Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Acts 20:16-18, 20:28-36
Since the time of Christ’s earthly ministry, there have been many people who have infiltrated His Church with a personal agenda or mal intent; fueled by the “sin” of pride - one of the greatest obstacles that prevent one to truly and wholeheartedly love their neighbour!
Thus, in the time of the early Church, there where self-professed Apostles who would go around seeking the admiration of others via false testaments and often times paying others to preform fake miracles in order to attract fame.
There have been a number of times I’ve gone on YouTube and watched videos of certain Evangelical groups who cheat others into believing that the Holy Spirit speaks through them (many in the Charismatic movement) however, the truth of the matter is that it is babble that a 4 month old child can also do!
Hence, my favorite video is of a “pastor” waving his jacket around shouting - “receive the Holy Spirit” and people begin to fall; some even injuring themselves in the prosses. Although such may appear as comedy yet it is a mockery of that which is Holy and would be classified as hysteria.
The reason why this has happened is because such groups have totally misinterpreted Holy Scripture and allowed their emotions to take over. Sadly, this leads to the severing to Christ the vine – the Apostolic Church!
Earlier this week I was just pondering on the state of the orthodox Church and how much influence the world has on it resembling the current platform of Rome.
As I mentioned in a homily several weeks ago, there were talks of the orthodox Church in Greece changing the date of Pascha to coincide with Roman Easter. Thus, as I also stated within that homily, the Church Fathers are very clear about changing the date of Easter; if anyone of their own accord changes this Holiest of days - it is an instant Anathema or Excommunication!
In addition, the orthodox Church in Russia has built an enormous Church for its military and with all due respect its look like emerald city from the “Wizard of Oz". They have placed some sort of sculpture that I assume is meant to represent Christ as it hangs at the front of the Church; which to me looks like a pagan statue.
Thus, as everyone is well aware orthodox and heterodox, the orthodox Church forbids the veneration of statues! It has been shown many times in the past and present that people take things to an extreme when it comes to such. It may start off as a normal form of veneration however, with some people it can lead to the worship of them; placing them before the Holy Mysteries of the Church and even their own family!
That is why we have icons and many of the Saints shed their blood for their protection! Iconoclasm
Therefore, all the above is a clear sign that sadly the institutional Church has been plagued with careerists and clergymen or should I say clowns that are in it for personal gain rather than the true reason for the Church – the hospital for souls as Saint John Chrysostom refers to it.
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works
I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Jn 14:10-21
In today's Gospel acclamation, we learn that although times may be tough and things may not go according to plan, or it may appear as we have been left alone; the truth is we are not - providing we remain faithful to Christ and His commandments at all times!
Extraordinarily enough, it is in the trying times that reassure us - we truly belong to the Lord our God!
If we can recall what Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew in Chapter 10 Verse 22 - You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Or how about in the Gospel of Luke Chapter 12 Verse 53 - ‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’” Further, we have the Gospel of John Chapter 15 Verse 18 - "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
Therefore, signs of struggles are a testament that we are on the right path. When one has all the commodities of the world and things are just too comfortable; living like kings, there is something truly wrong.
Thus, it is exactly what we are seeing with the true Church of Christ in comparison to the institutional Churches. The true Church is constantly under persecution, ridicule and in more recent times attempted to kill a Priest of God right here in our own backyard of Melbourne!
However, as our Lord states when He converses with the Father He will not abandon us!
Then we have the institutional Church with all the bells and whistles so to speak however, they lack one vital piece to the puzzle – the Grace of the All-Holy-Spirit!
Therefore, at this moment in time that we cannot be united physically due to covid restrictions we must remember that through our faith in Christ and our prayers which are energized by the power of the All-Holy-Spirit we are always together!
In conclusion, if we place wholehearted love, the love of God for other, and adopted ill sentiments and unhealthy spiritual practices – we then fail to be His hands and feet in the world: Christians!
Through the prayers of the Theotokos and Her spouse Joseph of Nazareth, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us for we are thy people your inheritance!
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