Homily on the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost
They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. Lk 8:26-29
For 2020 years, people (namely Christians) have attempted to unravel the quest to find information on the anti-Christ; who is it and when will the beginning of the end of time as we know it take place?
The answers many seek to find in relation to these types of questions have been in front of our very eyes and within our back yards for close to 2000 years. The anti-Christ is not a person nor an event that one can pinpoint; it is any given person that willfully complies to the power of suggestion (the demands of satan) for the corruption and destruction of a person's body, a person's soul and ultimately their objective is to seek the destruction and fall of the true Church of Christ which we know is orthodox!
Moreover, the anti-Christ has been at work with its followers for just as long. Yesteryear and going further back to the time of the Apostles, there has always been small self-professed “Chirstian” groups that claimed to be the authentic Christian Church; as is the case today with psychotic man-made groups such as – Hillsong church, Jehovah Witness, Born Again christians …..... the list goes on. Let us remember the Lords words “Many will come in My name – do not listen to them”! Lk 21:8
Protestantism is not something new that started in the 1500 – 1600s it was surly alive and well in the early Church were people used their corrupt and tainted version of the gospel accounts (let's not mention groups that take an interest in the following: Gospel of Thomas Gospel of Mary Magdalen ect...) as an excuse to become prominent members of society; further becoming leaders and using that power in order to lord over people and to boost their bank account funds! (A reality that many people can see these days predominantly within the big Church's)
Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. Lk 8:30-32
Thus, one may begin to ask themselves - “How can the Church of Jesus Christ fall?” Yes, it is true! Christ’s Chruch cannot and shall not fall! It shall for ever have victory over any enemies of God and His anointed (True Christians). Just as Christ destroyed the ancient rebellions hold over humanity via His descent into hades; shattering its gates and liberating those there - so too has His Church been given the grace, tools and equipment to combat such attacks. (Rite of exorcism, house blessings....) Hence why the Lord’s Church is referred to as the Church Militant. We who make up the body of the Church, the people to its clergy are spiritual soldiers which are constantly on guard (Spiritual Hazard perception) against attacks of evil.
Moreover, we have all the proof in the world of Gods unwavering love for His Church. All one needs to do is to read the lives of the saints and can see for themselves the countless times God hears the prayers of His anointed and liberated them from their enemies whether they were spiritual or mortal.
Hence, many Churches which once had authenticity as far as apostolicity is concerned have now become bankrupt! These have now become destitute such as in various ways SOLD THEIR SOULS! The place where God once resided and dwelt has now surely become the - “Den of thieves” Mt 21:13 Thus, where the is no Godliness neither is their God!
Therefore, due to the schisms of the Church, and in particularly the way orthodox jurisdictions have been behaving towards one another; the hatred that is being proclaimed by clergy from the Holy of Holies and the fact that via such behavior the clergy condemn the Lord’s flock instead of nurturing them via the love of the All Holy Trinity: God takes a step back and allows them do live out of His grace and devour themselves as vultures devour rotting flesh! For where love is conceited God does not dwell there despite ecclesiastical heritage!
Hence, we begin to see the fall of certain Church jurisdictions via their actions, bishops making a mockery of the Church via spiteful encyclicals published that are a means to incriminate their supposed “brother Church’s”. Patriarch's partaking in Pagan fire lighting ceremonies masked as a peaceful interfaith prayer services and more. Orthodox nations at odds with each other and siding with their governments in order to secure their stability. However, the most visible sign that a jurisdiction has no longer power from on high is when we see clergy burying people further into their graves instead of rising them out and rendering their lives whole as we have been called to do! To love one another!
Thus, humanity knows that it is broken and frail and is well aware of the notion of sin, it is something that has been imbedded into the minds of millions throughout the centuries. If the Church is meant to be a hospital as St John Chrysostom rightfully stated: Where are these supposed doctors (Clergy) getting their qualifications from? One may suggest from a cornflakes cereal box the way certain clerics compose themselves around the faithful.
In addition, one may like to read the story of Saint John of Kronstadt and the vision he beheld. In one part of his recount, he says that he had a vision of many lanterns falling from the sky but before they hit the ground the flames would go out and the lanterns would become ash! St John the asked the monk in his vision what this meant and the monk replied – These are the fallen Churches of the world.
When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left. Lk 8:34-37
I recall a story that a very close friend I mine told me once. He was talking to a friend of his and they were talking about sins and what happens to people when they sin and how God loves every human being the way he or she is and so on. His friend proceeded to say that he loves to help others because he wants the opportunity to change them and show them that their way of life will lead them to hell and all that type of over religious and pious talk.
My good friend then said to him - “Do you hear yourself? First you were saying that God loves all unconditionally and the Church teaches people to come as they are (Which is true! All are to come as they are because that is how God loves us) but then you say to these people - “Great know that you have come as you are let me completely change you and turn you into something other than who you are and God created you to be”!
If this if not religious schizophrenia of the highest order then I am ready to lock myself in a mental asylum and throw away the keys! Yes, there will always be room for improvement but never has it been said from the lips of our Lord or His Apostles - “Change your persona”! We are called to perfect that which is already good within ourselves. As this process takes place all the small, insignificant things which have no relevance (sin) will be wiped away for these will no longer be part of our way of life.
It is when we obsess over the notion of sin that we totally loose ourselves in mind and soul and begin to hate ourselves. Self-hatred is quite offensive to God for we basically say He has created something bad and that is not the case! God only creates perfection! That perfection has been given the liberty (free will) to remain and abide harmoniously within Him or to live outside His grace and become other. (Godlessness/Darkness)
In addition, how many poor souls have ended their lives due to clergy and lay people telling them that they are no good! That if they don’t change their ways, they will be eternally dammed! People are already suffering enough as it is! If one throws these pious religious bigots into the equation then of course with such immense suffering people end their lives because in their eyes there is no longer any hope. The lantern that is meant to illumine has been placed under a basket and all one can see is darkness! No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. Mt 5:15
Moreover, these religious nutters take it one step further even after one has taken their life – most Churches will refuse to conduct funeral services because the person had committed a grave sin “Thou shalt not kill!” Know this is a very touchy and lengthy subject; I shall not delve in it however what I will say is this - When one commits the act of taking a life whether it be their own or another, it has been said that it is as if that person wasn't in their own body when the act was committed! Hence, demonic possession. Furthermore, do we not injure brutally others when we attack them via what proceeds from out of our mouth? Although the Pharisees endeavor to justify themselves especially with fasting and obtain from certain foods, yet did not the Lord clearly say that - whatever you eat is not of no consequence but what comes out of your mouth is filth and deadly. Mt15:11
In addition, there is also the argument of free will which is very true but there is also the argument of mental illness we can't blame everything on demons because it is not always the case. The list is endless that’s why I will leave this topic here just as food for thought.
Therefore, more and more Churches are - let's say sleeping with Caesar (evil) and as a result the consequences are: family breakdowns, community breakdowns, no miracles in the Churches, preaching hatred, reformations new calendar opposes old calendar and so on.
In conclusion let us pray to the Holy Mother of God the Theotokos for she is the one who constantly asks Her Son for our very best and for our salvation. She will make sure that the pure in heart will not be abandoned but will have refuge firstly in Her under the strong protection of Her Holy Omophorion and secondly under the protection of Holy Mother Church for she is the one who is pure in heart that not only beheld God but God Himself took of Her flesh, bone and Blood so that He could become Emmanual and embrace the human race and raise it up to glory via His holy Mothers RSVA . Yes!
The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. Lk 8:38-39
Through the prayers of the Theotokos Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us!
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