Faith is a gift and the natural inclination of the spirit towards the divine!
“Dear Family of the Church, may I remind you most importantly that the gospel I declare and have preached to you, and having accepted thus via embodying it is your means of salvation – provided that your conversion is wholehearted and not in vain!” (1 Cor 15: 1-2)
Some of you may have read the heading of this homily and may be inclined to think: “Is this coming from the pen/mind of a bishop of the Church? Isn’t religion the whole point or catalyst that draws us to God? How can he state such? Is he like the rest of them that are falling towards worldly commodity and abandoning that which is doctrine?”
“If we have no religion as the means of guidance then would we not err and fall from God’s grace? Is he an agent of the fallen powers that seeks to hand us the Lord’s sheep over to the wolves to scatter and devour? We need religion especially in these uncertain times do we not? Have we been cheated and he’s another supposed bishop whose sole interest is Guruism?”
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church present in Corinth, he had to choose his words carefully and naturally he was aided by the Holy Spirit who guides his clergy! We need to bear in mind that society back then was much more advanced than we are today; they lived within the philosophical mindset and did not accept unsound statements lacking the totality of facts!
Hence, when the inclination of thought mirroring the thoughts described in the second and third paragraph linger; consider the Apostle Paul’s closing statement in the first paragraph – Conversion as a wholehearted response in humility rather than an act rendered in vain!
As we know, many people belong to a religious community, some follow as a means of tradition, others as a way to obtain favour; yet there exists an extraordinary amount that subscribe to it out of fear – keeping the divine happy least one ends up in the wrong place with unpleasant things happening along the way! Others who may have an inclination for that which pertains to the spirit either keep at a distance or decline to belong all together!
This Saturday we celebrated the beheading of St. John the Forerunner and Baptist who was silenced for speaking out against injustice and denouncing fraudulent leadership! Unfortunately, many have come to think that John was like these clowns that go around bible-bashing people; resembling overzealous…..TV evangelists - this is far from the truth!
John like many moved away from that which was established retreating to the desert; he like many of his contemporaries could not tolerate the hypocrisy to which he would always challenge openly. Although he abandoned the allotment of presbyteral duties that would befall him from the age of thirteen, yet he ministered to those who were marginalized and desired the promise of the One who would come amongst them as the Saviour; paving the way for he (Jesus) who is the Bishop of his Church!
When one reaches an advanced spiritual level (which no institution can teach for it is a gift of the Holy Spirit) then you learn that the things you thought were so important and vital - quite simply pale away into insignificance! The early monastics learnt this (Anthony of Egypt is a primal example) and desired to be liberated from worldly cares – a dying to one’s self as it were in order to grow and be sustained beyond our realities.
Although there are various levels of monasticism, yet John trained himself to reach the angelic state where he lived on bare essentials and the Holy Scriptures – the Word of God (Jesus) became his daily bread! His simplicity was mirrored via that which consisted of his clothing – a camel’s hair garment tied with a belt of raw leather. He ate once a day consisting with a diet of wild locust berries (not locusts as insects) for “Nazarite monks were vegans” and honey. (Mat 3:4)
Therefore, his ministry of the word was rendered in the spirit of metanoia which is the Greek word for change – the humbling of one’s self in order to place that which is truly important first whilst placing aside all those things that impede our growth towards God.
John was truly the one who re-echoed the voice of the Prophet Isaiah to awaken the people who dwell in delusion with the message of amending one’s life so that the one who is the Light of the world (Jesus) could transform their very existence; the means of new life which is eternal. (Is 40: 3-5)
This was the confirmation of John’s prophetic ministry that sealed him as the last of the Old Testament prophets, yet the waters of repentance which he administered at the shores of the Jordan was the affirmation of the presbyteral ministry to come with the New Testament Church which Christ sanctified. (Mat 3:11)
As we know, the Lord at times gives us that reassurance we crave and at other times, he speaks through others and of course without looking for things – through signs and wonders (miraculous occurrences)! Therefore, when cousin Jesus who John knew as a boy and perhaps did not recognize him initially as Emmanuel, came to the shores of the Jordan to confirm John’s ministry and sanctify those waters via his presence; John’s eyes fully opened when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Lord in the form of a dove. (Lk 3:22) Why a dove?
Doves don’t rest on anything polluted, and this was God’s way to make things click in the confirmation that Jesus IS the immaculate one – the unblemished lamb of the true sacrificial offering! This very statement was later affirmed by John to his disciples who then followed the Lord; “He is the Lamb of God who removes the world’s sin!” (Jn 1:29)
Hence, John bore witness onto the Lord who has come into the world to which the consistency of his ministry had many flock to the shores of the Jordan; all elements of society came to understand that holiness radiated from John to which many sort his council. He thus reminded all to render witness onto God by one’s very existence – offering those less fortunate around them with the bare essentials.
The military (certain members) who were rather unlawful back then came onto John because many of them had an awakening that they could not continue as they rendered – something was wrong and their souls were in a state of unease. He reminded them to not go beyond their limits via exploiting others, rather that they should be content with the stability such a life gave them (Lk 3:14)
Religion: a flawed criteria! The word itself means a following of rules – has very little to do with faith! There seems to be a mass confusion between these two and theories of how one can’t live without the other! Yet, faith is a gift from God as the Apostle St. Paul exhorts (Eph 2:8) and a natural inclination towards the divine – the Lord’s incarnation, Transfiguration and Resurrection proves thus!
How can religion then be a flawed criteria? Perhaps we are familiar with a common saying: “Too many chefs spoil the broth!” The Church – the living organism/body/communion of wholehearted believers that respond with humility to this conversion was always ONE body though many! (Rom 12:5) Yet, when conversion becomes an act rendered in vain with the gaining of power, status and prestige; the sheep who become enslaved under such tyranny eventually scattered.
We may be aware of an accusation that is charged against the Church when it discouraged people from reading the scriptures……this accusation is flawed! When one attends the Divine Services and Liturgies; Scripture is lived out, explained, and rendered in holy iconography! When the Apostle Paul cautioned the newly converted in his time; Holy Scripture is not to be interpreted outside the Church – this caution eventually evolved into a monstrous cancer that has caused divisions, grief and heartache!
The Church has always provided guidance for those who want to deepen their understanding of Holy Scripture via the Holy Fathers and Mothers who lived it! A common problem these days is when people pick up the bible, begin reading it and having little background in its regard; it will derail your thinking – presumptions and misconceptions surface! Let’s clarify that most versions of the supposed Holy Bible are totally wrong, out of context and I dare say demonic due to being remotely far from its apostolic mindset and context!
We may be familiar with a quote amongst chefs: “Food has a culture. It has history. It has a story. It has relationships.” For those of us who are food lovers - excelling in the kitchen; we have a good understanding when it comes to recipes and the altering of ingredients! Yet, there exists a problem with various chefs these days when certain dishes are labelled authentic; these are adjusted to the personal palate or expectation within the establishment rather than the cultural setting and regional reality of its origins!
God: the only absolute! There seems to be erroneous fusions integrated into God’s original recipe that has called us to be Family, Church, and his Mystical Body – the Lord’s Incarnation! As time moves forward and the pandemic harbours pumping broadcasts of various persuasions; erroneous fusions surface as a cancer – crippling faith and enforcing religious criteria!
Some of you may be familiar with these misguided religious individuals and the bigots that master them; YouTube has a phenomenal amount of such material that makes one’s head spin!
All sorts of apocalyptical sentimentalities emerge like: Heed to the warning, the chastisement to come, hell’s fires are burning, many souls shall be damned, the wrath of God shall be upon humanity, woe to them that fail to keep his word, repent before its too late, don’t pray for unbelievers or you shall be defiled!
Although the Lord came to save not damn and asked us to pray and render good onto all regardless; yet these folks that harbour such blasphemies camouflaged as God’s truths create tremendous unrest – spoiling his recipe where the divine balmkills rather than heals! The Lord has called us out of fear from the exhortations of the holy Prophet Isaiah:
“The people who dwell in darkness now see he who is the Light.” (Isa 9:2) to the Canticle of Zacharias: “The rising sun shall come from heaven who shines on those in darkness and live in death’s shadow – guiding them to his peace!” (Lk 1: 46-55) accomplished with the Lord’s own and constant affirmations: “Be not afraid!” (Mk 5: 36)
Hence, it is within our very fragility and brokenness that one begins to see the light of hope and grace of God reaching out beyond the walls of deception – resetting the heartbeat to the rhythm of life as opposed to mere existence! In short: God and his holy Church does not and never have placed a guilt complex upon us!
Therefore, within the Apostolic and Ancient Faith which is Orthodox – Sin does not mean guilt! Sin means the alienation from God! Just like we set goals and aim to follow them through – we may get obstructed and fall off the mark: this does not mean there is a punishment for that hurdle yet to be overcome!
We have probably hear about medieval fabrications called Indulgences; the religious criteria for obtaining pardon, blessings and a helping hand for those who are dead and locked out. This of course was an invention after the great schism (the first protest “Protestants” against Holy Orthodoxy) where the Heterodox See of Rome under the presidency of Pope Urban ii issued such doctrines at the council of Clermont (1095AD).
This was of course a valuable tool for dominion, funding, and convenience especially for the bloodshed of crusades and their remedy against the fifth commandment. Hence, no different from any religious ideology that justifies their right of dominion via the call for war – holy war! First and foremost, no one can go against that which God has set in stone; the minute we start to wezel our way around it – anathema (we cut ourselves off) end of story!
Some of you may be familiar with a second protester (protestant) by the name of Martin Luther (not M.L. King in the USA) but a German rogue who killed a man in a duel and then sought sanctuary at an Augustinian Monastery! Those days, the law could not touch anyone for 40 days who sought sanctuary; the deal was that after the sanctuary days are up – ether join the order of monks or face the penalty! Hence, Marin Luther (1483-1546 AD) decided to take up the cowl (enter the monastic life) and dedicated his life to translating the Bible.
Apart from the translation issues I have stated previously, Martin rightfully objected to this indulgence fabrication (1507 AD) particularly regarding indulgences concerning souls and purgatory. The notion of purgatory (Defined at the Heterodox Council of Lyon 1274 AD) is repugnant to Holy Scripture – although Holy Tradition accompanies the Scriptures, Liturgy, Patristics, and Hymnody; yet there is no such thing as a middle way – this resembles pagan mythological thought regarding toll houses!
Yet, there are numerous visions, testimonies and other such sentimentality regarding this subject; many poor souls fall victim to the Angel of Darkness appearing as the Angel of Light! (2Cor 11:14) The messages are all the same as stated before – in short: damnation, death, punishment, sin, iniquity and every other thought possible! The Lord calls us out of darkness, into wholeness; the call to live life to the full according to the totality of who we are and excelling in the perfection of our whole persona via grace!
Yet, when people are caught up with such destructive groups and mentalities - fear becomes the criteria of one’s spirituality; a mental breakdown or psychological dysfunction is imminent when anyone forces another to become something they are not especially under unpleasant and manipulative circumstances!
This state of mind many cult leaders portray in pretending to be that which they can never be nor acquire stems from their truly demented status; leading poor souls around them to dark and arid pastures. Why? Most of these dodgy characters who come back to a form or religion (not faith) in their late 40’s and early 50’s do so because they have exhausted many parts of humanity and have reached a dead end!!!
The problem with the supposed conversion of these dodgy characters is that because they have lived a worldly life with all its pleasures – these then decide to shun everything with vengeance! Such then endeavour to create a non-tolerance approach to others who perhaps are living normally; the dictatorship approach dished out by such radical fundamentalist nut jobs.
Unfortunately the average good soul trying to make his or her way in the world with their simple but beautiful (organic) faith are often plagued by such characters who are masters of manipulation and fraud! Sadly, these good potential souls end up walking away from faith all together –cult collateral damage!!!
Last Thursday, the Church commemorated the life of St. Elpidius of Militene also known as Expeditus in the West and Phanurios in the East. You may like to read about his life featured on our webpage section of the Saints. Apart from his military excellence and courage to give witness to the gospel of Christ via the shedding of his own blood; Elpidius was a kind young man who had a wonderful warm nature – he was well acquainted with suffering, yet his concern for others came first.
Concern for others! The greatest and true indulgence we have been given is God himself via his Church and the most precious gift we possess- life! When we receive the Divine Mysteries (Sacraments) of the Lord’s life amongst us; we become his hands and feet in the world – the call to minister, help, and serve in his name!
How wonderful and rewarding it is when we can just reach out and help another human being and give them the gift of our time – the gift of presence; that is holy indulgence rendered! It is truly breathtaking when we are finally able via his grace and our wholehearted collaboration to let go of those things that keep us chained; breaking such shackles and truly begin to live again rather than merely existing!
Jesus then said onto him: “If you desire to strive for perfection then let go of those things that impede you – part from excessive wealth and do good with it via helping those in need; the Kingdom shall be your treasury and you will then be able to follow me!” (Mt 19: 21)
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