Homily on the 14th Sunday after Pentecost.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. Mt 22:2-3
There are times when Holy scripture needs no further explanation. Hearing what we already know time and time again can become quite boring and annoying! We as people want solutions to problems, we are faced with in 2020 not solution from the twelve-hundreds; however proper such may have been in those days but need solutions according to our days and our times.
Thus, the problem is that the institutional Church's within their seminaries (schools in which one studies for Holy orders-deaconate and priesthood) are producing clergy that aren't able to cope/deal with relevant problems in today's day and age! These men are being versed in Holy scripture, cannon laws and more – an important and integral part of training. However, when it comes to giving someone practical advice that will help; making a positive difference in someone's life - they are absolutely clueless for they live in their own world!
It is apparent that pastoral care is no longer a necessary requirement within the training process in the seminary's around the world! Spirituality has run dry hence it is either replaced by a spirituality that is foreign to our tradition or the whole matter becomes a philosophy where things that pertain to the spirit – we will deal with it when we get there if its real! The issue is that the seminaries are placing academia above pastoral care; brushing it aside and letting the furure clergy to figure it out for themselves.
This reality is quite sad for there are good and genuine men out there that truly want to make a difference in people's lives. It is also true that in seminaries one needs to belong to a certain group of people and such clubs become cancerous to every good intention. Therefore, the appropriate training is truly in question! Hence, instead of helping a person deal with their issues in the correct way, these men may be in actual fact the cause of the problem spiraling out of control.
An example of such being - When a loved one passes away, the last thing that we want to hear is - “In the Bible it say’s …......” In that moment of anguish in a person's life, the last thing anyone would want to hear is some guy dressed in black pointing his finger saying, “In the Bible......” At this point I would love to yell out at the top of my lungs: “SHUT UP!!!”
We don’t want to hear any of that, we just want to remember the person and be around the people we loved and that loved the person that died.
“Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Mt22:4-7
Heance, this leads us to the second issue, the lack of spiritual care-giving.
It has frightened me to learn how many clerics there are out there that dismiss and do not believe in spiritual/supernatural phenomena's; at time making those who believe feel as if they are losing their mind!
I recall a story that was told to me about a priest who could not say with certainty that the Resurrection of our Savior actually happened! If a priest out of all people, finds it hard to believe in the biggest supernatural occurrence in history/eternity, then how is this priest meant to call upon the All Holy Spirit to transform bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ? How is this priest meant to help people that are dealing with spiritual warfare - ei demonic possession, unholy presence within homes ect......?
Thus, it makes you wonder what the reason for these men joining the priesthood really is. Sadly, there are many who are clerics just for the sake of prestige and power! Many of these fine gentlemen love being kissed on the hands, being called all sorts of titles ei Father, Monsignor, grace, excellency..... They really get a thrill from the admiration of the people.
However, they tend to forget how horrifically Jesus was treated whilst in His ministry; the same ministry these men promised to continue. They forget that – Yes, Jesus was clothed with a long robe like a cape, He did have a crown on His head and held a staff in His hand. However, not in the same way clergy/bishops have today.
Bishops are clothed with a long robe which is held off the ground by priests or deacons and parade around like a king! Jesus had a cloth draped around Him and soldiers mocked Him crying out Hail o king!
Bishops have these crowns placed on their heads which looks like some wild mushroom that was plucked out from the planet Mars. Jesus had and crown of thorns which sliced and pierced his head causing blood to flow out of his wounds.
Bishops walk around with staffs to signify their authority. Jesus was whipped with a cane/staff then He was made to hold it. (Icon of Great Humility)
“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So, go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So, the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” Mt22:8-14
In giving us this day our daily bread which is a life and presence of the Lord in the Holy Mystery, we are called to become what we receive the hands and feet of Christ in the world. The grates gift we can give to another person is our time the gift of our presence!
Through the prayers of the Theotokkos, Lord Jesus Christ our God have Mercy on us and Save us!
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