Homily on the 13th Sunday after Pentecost.
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. Mt 21:33-34
“The Church is a hospital, and not a courtroom, for souls. She does not condemn on behalf of sins, but grants remission of sins" - St John Chrysostom
In today's day and age, one of the greatest CANCERS that has cunningly infiltrated into the very fabric of our society and that of Holy Mother Church is Nationalism; people placing their nationality above everything/everyone imaginable including God and His Church!
We have all heard stories of the young interracial couple that fall in love. However, due to their family's cultural differences, any form of a relationship/wedlock is strictly forbidden - for the Bloodline will cease to remain “Pure”.
Hence, films have portrayed such events in people's lives so well that it brings a tear to the eye. Watching how horribly people are treated for a love that only comes from one place – The All Holy Trinity (The source of all love) is truly heartbreaking.
“The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So, they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” Mt 21:35-40
Thus, the thought of not being able to live as one with my wife is heartache enough! These poor souls who are forced to marry a complete stranger and reject their one true love must feel as if their whole world has come crumbling down from right under their feet - due to the insensitivities, pride and nationalistic views the parents' harbor!
The Laudable Apostles' began to build the Holy Church upon Christ who is the stone in which the builders have rejected. Thus He (Jesus) has now become for us the cornerstone of His Church and that of our whole existence in Him!
“‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’ Mt 21:42
The frightening reality of the condition of the Church is that Nationalism (Greek, Russian, Serbian, Romanian ct...) has slowly taken over Christ agenda - (To bring souls onto Him for their salvation)!
Therefore, people like what they see and how they feel when they experience a liturgy for the first time. They perhaps attended several times before and summon the courage to ask the preist about the faith and how one would go about joining it.
Thus, this is where the demon of nationalism kicks in and takes over the agenda of the Church. The bishop/priest or the administrator (a lay person part of an IMAGINARY and INVALID lay synod who plays the role of bishop within that particular church – a completely wrong and UNORTHODOX way of Church life that WILL be IRADICATED at the appointed time) will in a roundabout way say to the person making the inquisition into the faith - “Well unless you conform to our ways by learning our language, our foreign traditions that make no sense to you what so ever and more or less denounce any of your traditions; only then will you be able to convert and become one of us”!
Therefore, this is obviously done in a more cunning and sinister way however, who in their right mind would want to be part of an institution that has basically said – “Come as you are but change to who we want you to be”? If that is not religious schizophrenia in its vastness, I don’t know what is.
What happened to our Lord’s comforting words that the Church is meant to mirror - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Mt11:28-29
If there is one thing that I have never liked and found hard to swallow is that Churches place monstruous flags of their nationality in front of the iconostasis/The Holy of Holies! The Temple is the house of God not a place to boast in one's nationality.
Hence, if one cannot help themselves and must have a flag, then it must be placed in the courtyard of the Church to indicate what language the liturgy will be celebrated in. However, to place it amongst the Holy icons of the Martyrs, Saints, the Theotokos (Mother of God) and Jesus is not expectable at all!
Having stated thus, just as Christ says to all “Come as you are” so too does this Holy Exarchate dedicated to the Holy Apostles say to all - no matter your past, present or future intentions; your faith, lack of faith, anger, sorrow, joy whatever the case may be. If at any time day or night a person is in need of spiritual assistance or needs someone to talk to, the clergy of this exarchate are at your disposition.
Therefore, one of the greatest gifts God has given onto us is that of each other! To have one another to pray for, to support in times of hardship and joyous occasions. Moreover, as I have stated in an early homily – we are to store treasures for heaven that is to say – our brethren those whom we pray with, liturgies with, eat with laugh and cry with! They are the greatest gift and treasures God has given onto us! Mt 6:19-21
Through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos Lord Jesus Christ our God Have Mercy on us and save us!
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