Homily on the 12th Sunday after Pentecost
Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honour your father and mother, and love your neighbour as yourself.” Mt 19:16-19
This Friday the Church universal (Katholic) celebrated one of its most glorious feasts – The Dormition of The Theotokos (The falling asleep of the Mother of God).
When Jesus repeated the ten commandments that He (Jesus) handed onto the Holy Prophet Moses 14 centuries prior (for He is the word and Law personified), Jesus exhorts again; to honour your Father and Mother. Thus, it is right and just to honour our biological parents who tended to our every need as infants. Furthermore, for those who had foster parents, it is also right and just that we honour them.
However, what if a child had an abusive father or mother that caused verbal, psychological and worse physical (rape) abuse. Would God still command that we honour such a vile and unholy person? Of course not!
Hence, when Jesus stated to the Holy Prophet Moses and the man in today's gospel, He is referring to God the Father and our Mother Theotokos (True-Birth-Giver-Of-God) who was given us at the foot of the cross on Golgotha (The place of the skull).
Thus, the Church for 2020 years has held this commandment close to its heart! Honouring and venerating our Mother for the immeasurable love she has for Her children! (Humanity) She is our queen who stands on the right hand of God; unceasingly entreating Gods mercy, graciousness and patience on us!
Therefore, the Ark of the covenant that once held the tablets of the Ten Commandments has now been perfected! It is the Mother of God who is the Ark who contained our Salvation (Jesus). Having stated thus, just as the Ark was processed around the street in veneration and to bring about healing to all who believed, so too now is the Theotokos the Mother of our living God venerated and processed around the streets of the world!
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mt 19:20-22
This week a friend of mine and I were talking about all sorts of hobbies and activities that men/boys in general frequent. On pondering our conversation, it is clear to see why not many people even think of God these days let alone go to Church on the Sabbath. Most men/boys are so busy with altering their cars along with following their favourite sports team and countless activities that take up so much of their time they barely have enough sleep.
Thus, Jesus is not saying - “sell your possessions, stop altering your cars and stop following your favourite sports team”. In actual fact He is asking us if we can make some time for Him. He doesn't desire a lot of it perhaps if its 5 or 10 minutes per week. The simple act of going out of our way to say thank you for this day etc... is enough. Acknowledging His presence and basking in that certainty is a form of prayer in itself.
Furthermore, all clerics including myself feel that sometimes the long-winded prayers become somewhat pointless because firstly we can't wait until it's over and secondly, we know that the people have most likely gone off in their own world – and rightly so!
The long prayers that go on for hours are perfect for a monastic setting where the monk is trained to pray in that manner and has all the time in the world to do so. However, for the working-class cleric and faithful it is not practical! We all have jobs, families and other responsibilities to tend to. We just don’t have the time to do so and God is not expecting us to put ourselves through physical and mental pressure to do so. When we go to Him in prayer it has to be natural and should just flow comfortably; the minute it becomes a chore we must stop immediately and pray from the heart not out of a book; much to the disgust of the scrupulous religious neuters who feel they must follow every prayer and rule and obviously have a nervous breakdown due to their bitterness harboured to others.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Mt 19:23-26
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” What does this mean and what is the significance of the camel? Once again, we have come across the misinterpretation of scripture. In Latin the word camel is Cameli. In Greek it is Kamila. However, in Greek the word Kamelos’ with the apostrophe is the action for placing a thread between two fingers; twisting it in order to fit through the eye of a needle. So, we can see how and where the confusion has taken place.
Hence, now that the above has been differentiated it makes complete sense. As a dress maker you need a lot of patience, determination and focus to create an item of clothing - which truly is an art. In order for one to enter the Kingdom of Heaven one needs to acquire patience, determination and focus which is done via the humility of one's heart; invoking Gods Mercy (To reach out) and offering as much or as little time as possible for the individual wholeheartedly.
Therefore, if ever we begin to rush through prayers of begin to think “I can't wait until this is over”, stop immediately bow down and pray from the heart asking God to give you the focus and will power to slowly but surely develop a healthy prayer life. Furthermore, we mustn't feel bad and beat ourselves up over it because God understands us for He is our Father; He will not be angry with us. If anything, He will be grateful for your honesty! God is transparent with us at all time so too must we be transparent with Him!
Thus, through the prayers of the Theotokos Lord Jesus Christ Our God Have Mercy on us!
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