PRIORITIES

Derailed from the path that was paved

An aspect of the Kingdom of heaven can be compared to a ruler that wanted to settle accounts with his servants; one such account was outstanding ten thousand dollars. This particular servant was unable to pay the sum – the harsh reality was that the servant and his family would be cast out of service and stripped of such dignity to amend the bill. At this, the servant prostrated himself before the ruler saying: “Master, please have patience with me until I can fully repay that which I owe you!” At this, the ruler was moved with compassion, absolved him of debt and restored dignity onto him and his family. (Mt 18:23-27)

In the Orthodox Church, we are still in the commemorative period of Dormition – which is the Pascha (Easter/Resurrection) of the Theotokos (Mariam of Nazareth) just as the burning bush on Sinai was alight but not consumed, so too was the womb of the New Ark of the Covenant (Mary) that carried the first fruits of the harvest (Jesus) uncorrupted by the elements.

Some would shun such talk because the Theotokos (Mariam of Nazareth) is an impediment to Christ….yet they forget that He who is the Law personified took of her bone, flesh and blood in order to come amongst us as Emmanuel. Hence, as it was the will of the Father Pantocrator, Jesus the Son honoured the Father in all things as he commanded Moses from Sinai; after that very command comes the second and equally important observance; Honour thy Mother!!!

Here we have it and just as the Lord loved and honoured that which was precious to him (his Mum) especially seen in the account of the Apostle Simon the Zealot’s Wedding at Cana (water changed to wine at Mariam’s request), so too does the Church honour and venerates the Mother of God as is commanded! Therefore, if we are Christians and profess Christ come into the world as the Saviour, then we must wholeheartedly give due reverence to the one who RSVP’D on our behalf – Mariam!

Thus, just as she represented us in signing the contract that Emmanuel sealed with his very blood, so too was the great absolution fulfilled with the fact of Mariam who died as we all must was then raised and given the dignity of glory beyond the Cherubim, Seraphim and blessed powers of heaven. The Ark of the Covenant was shielded by the fashioning of angelic hosts over it, so too was the Ark of flesh and Mercy Seat (Mariam’s womb) who enthroned God the Son raised beyond the corruption of flesh.

Others would still challenge such truths due to their NON APOSTOLIC (not belonging to the vine of the Church) even going to the extent of accusing us of heresy (error) regarding Mary being raised. May I remind the Sola Scriptura brigade (if it’s not in the Bible it can’t be true) that when the Lord physically died on the wood of the cross what happened? Did not the dead (the righteous) rise from their graves as Lazarus before them and thus enter the Holy City (Jerusalem) to give testimony to the Lord as THE MESSIAH???? (Mt 27:52)

Hence, if the righteous rose and gave witness to he who is life everlasting then what’s the problem with SHE WHO GAVE LIFE TO HIS EARTHLY BODY??? In truth, it is right and just for her to be raised for the dignity wholeheartedly bestowed her by the All Holy Trinity is THEOTOKOS (the one who carries God into the world)! May I say how terrible it is to hear amongst Greeks and Italians the horrendous and demonic habit of blasphemy especially when naming the Mother of God as to the standard of a cheap pleasure worker – this is one of the greatest sins against the Holy Spirit (for Mariam is the vessel of the Holy Spirit) such utterings bring condemnation; if anything, people should be invoking the Theotokos to aid them and plead to the Lord to visit them in his Mercy!!!

After some time, this very servant’s heart was filled with arrogance due to the pardon received, and thus went around seeking debts that other servants below his rank owed him; one such owed him a small sum of one hundred dollars. Hence, rage filled his heart and he decided to attack this servant via seizing him from the throat saying: “Pay me every last cent you owe!” After this servant was released from the hold of his hand and still gasping for air, he prostrated himself before his attacker saying: “Please have patience with me and I will resolve that which I owe you!” At this he decided to have the fellow servant arrested and cast into prison. (Mt 18: 28-30)

This brings to mind two issues that need flagging down which have utterly derailed our society, misguided that which is the Churches/Christian’s business and sent our priorities down the hill. This is what happens when our ignorance and stupidity place others on such levels that we become enslaved to them yet no one asks the question: “What are we doing and why are we allowing this to happen?”

No one desires anyone regardless to be afflicted in any way, but in all seriousness, when a celebrity has a health scare, or decides to skits it (rage) or even has a battle with the status quoe and brings God into the equation and they all come out of the woodwork and sort it out; the reality is that these (celebrities) have extraordinary resources!!!

We saw talented people like Madonna and Osborne have health scares etc., these either twittered fans about such crisis or held a televised interview……yes no one should undergo indignities especially regarding health, but in all reality these have more than enough money to have the best care possible. What about some poor folk that struggle and have nothing and are on waiting lists because they can’t afford insurance (another nightmare) they may not have the funds for the right medication nor afford to take time off for income is crucial.

Most of these celebrities (the non-old school who don’t necessarily work for their money) are thus because we place them there (a present reality) and then it goes to their head and we are enslaved by them and the world they are absorbed in…….this is a tragedy when our youth look at these idiots as role models (parents who are as big kids wanting their kids to become famous is a grand offender in itself) and then we wonder why such (kids) grow up derailed and have no purpose!!!!

Then there is the other tragedy – where sport celebrities make it their duty to bring in their understanding of religion into the game; something that should not be done for such as we witnessed makes so called Christianity look like a fascist regime. This then causes political Christian groups to make noise and use one fundamentalist to fuel their crusade which misguides the outlook of the mission of the Church – a place for anyone that wills in the Kingdom which is a lifetime growth towards perfection according to one’s disposition!

Again, this skilled sportsman has more than enough money and resources to fight his own battle which he chose to bring on himself – why is this so called Christian lobby funding his court case? How many poor folk who unfortunately have to deal with the supposed justice system are in certain cases eaten alive by lawyers, barristers, solicitors and struggle to bring food on the table and pay bills? What are we doing? Where have we gone? When will we awaken????

When fellow servants witnessed what had happened, they made haste to the ruler and gave an account of the injustice that had occurred. With that, the ruler summoned the servant he absolved saying onto him: “You vile wretch, I absolved your debt and reinstated you because you moved me to pity you when you pleased with me; why did you not render likewise to that poor fellow when he begged you for pardon just as you did me?” At that, he had this fool cast into prison which each day bore its own tortures until the time for the bill and other injustices was served. The Father Pantocrator also renders thus to those of you who lack compassion at the hour of need and will not absolve others who plead onto you for pardon. (Mt 18: 31-35)