Homily on the ninth Sunday after Pentecost.
Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
Today the Gospel reminds us to not lose sight of Christ, in anchoring onto Him in every moment of our lives. Yes. There are times in life when we feel as if we are drowning in hardship, pain and sorrow. However, Jesus is by our side through all our pain and anguish. And thus, through Him and only Him, we will emerge out of our trials victorious; for He has ensured our victory via His Victory!
I would like to share a thought a had a few weeks ago. A month or so ago I came across a video of an elderly priest who was being interviewed by a young woman. She asked the priest if there would be humour in the kingdom of heaven.
Thus, in short the elderly priest replied, - humour is bound to this existence because it helps us to deal with the misery and pain of this world. He thus rejects the notion of humour in Heaven. However, my argument to this statement would be - humour makes one laugh and feel happy yes? It has been scientifically proven that laughter/joy/happiness has a positive impact on the body. An example of thus being lowering blood pressure caused by stress. This is not to say that humour is the answer to all our problems, however it is good for us and it's a start on the road to recovery! And where does all goodness and healing come from?....God!
Furthermore, Jesus fully became man including all our quirks. Christ also had a wonderful sense of humour and had many laughs with His Mum and Step-Dad, Apostles and those who He came close to Him. Thus, when Christ ascended to Heaven after His Glorious Resurrection, He ascended Fully Divine and Fully Man along with all humanly quirks! Hence, of course humour exists in heaven it is part of our humanity and a gift invented by God!
Having stated thus, the reason I believe the elderly priest rejects the notion of humour in heaven is due to two reasons. Firstly, being from Russia and the horrors they endured unde communism, they grew an extremely thick skin; meaning that after communism they would become quasi soldiers in order to defend the faith - and one cannot blame them for that. However, God has liberated them from those tragedies. But sadly they cannot let go of that mentality. One need only look at a Divine Liturgy to see that it's more like an army drill than Divine Worship. It's overly structured and extreme; it's more intimidating rather than welcoming.
Lastly, I believe humour is rejected for fear of people thinking that if there is humour in heaven, then it must be a circus act and thus people would see the faith as a joke rather than the place to receive salvation through the Holy Mysteries.
Having stated thus, this argument now leads us back to today's Gospel. Where is true faith and why have we allowed fear to blur it out?
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. Mt 14:22-34
Through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen
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