Homily on the 24th Sunday after Pentecost.
Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. Lk 8:41-44
Today the Apostle and Evangelist Luke has given us the recount of two miraculous events that took place within our Saviors ministry; giving us an insight of the infinite love, compassion and mercy (to reach out) of the All-Holy Trinity towards us the work of His hands!
There exists a practice/rule within the majority of the orthodox Churches that is wrong; farfetched from any form of the truth (Jesus Christ) and is a Levitical practice that no longer has a place within the current law Perfected in Jesus the Lord!
Thus, many women are brainwashed by the clergy and older generation stating that - if a woman is going through her Natural bodily menstruation cycle, she is forbidden to receive our Lord in the mysteries of mysteries. (Holy communion)
Hence, the book of Leviticus goes into specific details regarding the menstruation of a woman and protocols that must be taken. When one reads it, they can't help but laugh at the utmost stupidities this book entails. May I recite the first sentence from Lev chapter 15 verse 19 - Whenever a woman has her menstrual period, she will be ceremonially unclean for seven days. If one continues reading onto verse 33 it is the biggest load of regurgitated filth which has no room in Christ’s Church of the new Testament.
Sadly, many clerics have never let go of this distorted practice due to ignorance and lust for power. For lording over venerable people gives such gentleman a thrill; thriving off the power, the experience and the grief they cause others!
Another sad reality is the canonization of people who have spilt their blood for political interest (non-martyrdom related) rather than dying for the faith and in the Holy name of Jesus! The world is then given brave men and women that shed their blood in order to safeguarded our faith for future generations. However, certain bishops mounted on their toilet seat thrones refuse any request of canonization. For example, Yevgeny Aleksandrovich Rodionov a Russian soldier killed for not converting to racial Islam and for not removing his baptismal cross and Fr Daniel Alekseevich Sysoyev who was murdered for speaking the truth (Jesus) whilst in his Church also by an Islam extremist.
With martyrdom there are many aspects not always via shedding of blood but via the endless bigotry manipulation and wears and tears that the Church institution harbors on good men and women who strive to build the kingdom of God.
Thus, these unite with Christ the suffering servant as prefigured in the 53rd chapter of the prophet Issiah.
Thus, these holy men who died for Christ and His Church will be canonized and be rightfully recognized amongst the communion of saints on Saturday 21st of November 2020 in the year of our Lord. May their prayers be upon all the faithful of this Holy exarchate and of all who have recourse to them.
Moreover, when the book of Leviticus was written virtually nothing was known regarding the human anatomy due to lack of recourses and information. Thus, as I have stated in the past, when people don’t know something and do not want to admit they don’t know it - they will fabricate a convincing fable in order to convince others and themselves of the subject at hand.
Therefore, the flowing of blood would have been seen as something dirty; perhaps even a curse from God because of the fall of our first parents (Adem and Eve) and the obsession of sin.
However, when Jesus had abolished the old law and made it new with His very blood, rules that once applied where no longer valid; for as we see in the Holy Resurrection icon – Jesus pulls (Adem and Eve) us out of the clutches of death into His Holy embrace leaving the past (darkness, depression and death) behind.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Lk8:45-48
In addition, the notion of sin has totally taken over Christ’s agenda and that of His Holy Church which may I say is steadily becoming a circus act with its clergy being the clowns! It has me utterly baffled how clerics stand at the royal gates preaching week after week Christ’s love, patients, forgiveness and mercy; yet later go on and on about this being sinful and that being sinful and if one is not careful, they will burn in hell!
Thus, forgive me if I come across distasteful however, this to me is a recipe for disaster and one of massive confusion; which will most like result in people leaving the Church or worse losing their faith in God! The clergy then wonder why church attendance is becoming less and less; instead of stopping the flow of blood as Jesus had done, they make it worse by ensuring it gushes out resulting in spiritual death!
While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. Lk 8:49-53
As many of us know, when we lose a loved one, we experience immense sorrow because we know in this present order of existence, we shall no longer be able to hold that person, see them or touch them. We also know in faith that via God’s love, the prayers of the communion of Saints and of our prayers; that loved one will enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
However, clerics have not been equipped with the tools in order to heal people's wounds. Many clerics are versed in holy scripture and have read thousands upon thousands of religious books. However, when it comes time to pastoral care all these men can say are such things as these - God’s will be done, their time has come or don’t worry they are in heaven. All this will not help nor bring healing to anyone! People don’t want to hear – the fathers said this and that. People want their pain to be acknowledged and want a shoulder to cry on without a word being said.
They want to feel God’s paternal love and that is simply done via wholeheartedly caring about the person and giving them as much time as possible. (The greatest commandment of all – Love)
Furthermore, when they all astonished via Jesus saying that the daughter of Jairus was not dead but only asleep, what does this tell us? Firstly, there is no death in God but life everlasting. Secondly, in our faith we never use the notion of death when someone has passed away but as the Latin term Defunctis suggests; a soul that has been called forth.
In addition, the resting place for our departed brothers and sisters encapsulates this reality employing the Greek word Kimiteron/cemetery meaning the dormitory the place where the Lord comes to wake His children and take them home.
In conclusion, may we pray that God sends His Church good clergy to herd His flock into the pastures of eternal life. May we confide in our Holy Lady Theotokos and virgin Mariam for she is our protector from all evils and constantly intercedes for us throughout our lives.
But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. Lk 8:54-55
Through the prayers of the Theotoks Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us.
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