ONE BOASTS AND THE OTHER PLEADS
MISERICORDIAS DOMINI
The crowd then complained at such an invitation for they were observers of the law; thus, classified Zacchaeus to be a sinner for complying with the empirical system which disqualified him in their eyes. Lk 19: 7
This Sunday being the first week of the Triodion (preparation period for Great Lent) Jesus presents us with the parable (story of Matthew) as the publican who comes to the temple for prayer. He (Matt) knew that the religious fanatics detested him and condemned him amongst the dammed. This of course adds to one’s inner grief, and can damage one psychologically if the notion of the spiritual reality of the Love of God does not rise above such heretical stupidities, the same stupidities which religious nutters pedal.
Yet, the religious nutter known as the Pharisee makes a theatrical spectacle of his version of prayer; thus adds in a loud voice so Matt could hear him with the opportunity to shame him more - especially in public: “I thank you Lord that I am far from that tax collector who defiles thy presence, for I observe all that is commanded by the Law of Moses!” (Lk 18:11)
When I was a deacon in the Russian church, there were very well off (rich) ladies and one in particular who had a rather false sense of humility – just because she washed a few dishes after the agape’ (fellowship lunch in the hall) she puffed up when one commented on how hard she worked. Then she (the lady said) “oh this is white martyrdom” (a notion given to people who put up with all sorts of things) I was more inclined to think that she was worried about her painted nails - now showing signs of so called hard work!
At that, the publican (Matthew) in the gospel account, stands with his head down in shame, and his mind must have been filled with all sorts of condemnatory thoughts – anyone who has feelings (is easily hurt by venomous words) would just cave in, and perhaps want to disappear there and then. Such feelings harboured come from a narcissistic source which in effect creates emotional homicide! Emotional Homicide has indeed become an epidemic within religious circles - cult mentalities.
Yet, in consideration of such truths, Matt (the Publican) just utters two words: “Have mercy on me” in other words: “Please help me!” It is interesting to note that the name Zacchaeus signifies innocence….thus, this innocence was tarnished by the thoughts and sentiments of very shallow people (the Pharisee) who thought to be pure in the eyes of God!
Then Zacchaeus was given grace before the presence of the Lord and wholeheartedly stated: “I desire to give much of my goods to the poor who have nothing, and further if I was compelled by the law to excerpt from people under false pretences - I now wish to make amends and restore it four times as much!” Lk 19: 8
False pretences…..conversion is a grace given by God in order to make you aware of who you are, what you have become, where you are, what you are doing, and where you should be! The greatest lie of all times is when we lie to ourselves – entertaining that which may be the means of earthly comfort, but is destroying us spiritually and forcing us to become something that we are not!!!
Yet, only a hand full of individuals broke the mould….although after some time others came to follow them. Alas, in time as seen in various instances, things tend to go back to square one – the institutional mould! I am not saying we are to have a church without law, order, and traditions, but what I am saying is that we in various instances in history, have become something totally other and need to sever the weeds of impediment so that we can grow according to our own climate!
Our own climate! Regarding that which is totally other, such becomes truly ineffective to our context, and our needs - the reason for the long awaited welcoming for the need of change. Hence, the need to break that very mould once again in order for necessary change to compliment! We are by no means promoting a repeat of the violations which took place within Vatican ii for the Byzantine orthodox context - God forbid!!!
What we intend is to adapt such treasures of our faith in Holy Tradition, and make them available and relevant to our culture, and our context via forming our very own tradition through divine grace and canonicity (Church mandate) imparted! There is a saying: ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do!’ Hence, we are Roman Christians of the Byzantine Church. We are not Greek nor Slav! We have a God given right to express the totality of our faith accordingly, for there is beauty and grace within the traditions we have received in the context of our Church!
This (change and foreign to the norm) of course allows nasty and perverted individuals (such who don’t want to be outed so they make it their business to try and out others before others do them in) in thriving on suppressing others (because they know they are very unclean) via their rigorous observances (such observances are totally fine and within the norm for a monastery or convent)
Yet, these deluded individuals are clearly at odds within themselves due to insecurity and identity complexes. These very same culprits derail the function of the Church – the mandate to leap out of its comfort zones in order to go to those who are in darkness due to all sorts of reasons.
The greatest tragedy is that those who supposedly administer in His Name are the greatest freaks! These have not understood the purpose of the Incarnation (although they may understand the theory of its theology) yet they are the equivalent of doctors without medicine (useless)! In many instances, such become ridiculous in taste and matters pertaining to the sacred.
In Western Christendom (the remnant thereof) there exist beautiful Norman and Medieval Churches, such a number of them rebuilt in a Victorian manner due to structural integrity issues. As we know, various aspects were either defaced or removed in the dark periods of the Reformation. Without getting into a theological debate, it is sound to employ the word ignorance and how it becomes a channel for evil to thrive in the context of Sacred Space - religious architecture and liturgical sensitivity.
It is obvious that when there is no fellowship space in an old ecclesial building, such is made according to good taste which allows distinction in elegance rather than the resemblance of a storeroom, a playground, and some sort of gathering/worship space. Thus, the Church building is a temple and not one’s lounge room or veranda! A place that is consecrated onto God and should never be sold (as done many times over) but handed down to those who will keep the integrity of worship and reverence!
Further, when one comes to terms with sacred space, or elements thereof which are no longer used, these should be reverenced as a relic of yesteryears tradition. One ought to have the intelligence of reverently recycling its usage in the context of today, or leave it all together as a venerable artefact. The Baptistery is the womb of the Church where people are reborn in Christ, yet some (due to newer constructions) as seen in such places have defiled its (the former font) usage – degrading it to a common greenhouse ornament which holds pot plants and other such things.
Some time ago, I was presented with a letter (the pharisaic usual hate mail) which described our holy Church as a Pageant (a theatrical spectacle) mind you, this person/s did in no way introduce themselves, nor had the curtesy to address accordingly – I do not talk to ghosts! Yet, on the subject of theatrical spectacles, I can reassure you that there are various leading pageants around the country in the name of church, parish and institution!
People are afraid of change, not in the sense of faith as some denominations are doing which is the equivalent of watering down wine. Rather, we are living in a society that is going through extreme phases, and as we know, all phases come to an end! Yet, humankind is no longer in a state of submission as yesteryear. We think and prioritise differently, and in this multicultural society, we blend accordingly and that blending must reflect its needs in worship!
When the Lord via the grace of his Holy Spirit brings about change (a change which is not always accepted) as the planter of the Vineyard, that very first vintage is new and needs to be nurtured/matured. Hence, it becomes rather hard for yesteryear’s mentality to process the wonders of God who works beyond our imaginings – Divine Grace which is truly wondrous and amazing!
Our Holy Church embodies the Sacred Tomos (Decree) imparted to look after Western Christians. Hence, catering for Western Christians who have nowhere to go because they feel malnourished. In other words, such people and young families who do not fit the mould, but long for communion, indeed find a warm, welcoming, and spiritually vibrant home in our Byzantine Church according to the traditions of Orthodox Rome!
Furthermore, the Byzantine Church of Eastern Christendom (Holy Orthodoxy) which is rich in cultural regalia, tends to miss the mark in the diaspora (outside its birth land and in foreign territory) – a land longing to be re-evangelized! Yes, re-evangelized, for the nominal Church in Australia is on life support and is on its way out. There is much work to do, yet the majority are not interested in letting go of yesteryears ways…..St. John Chrysostom also complained about this regarding traditions and context!
Let’s not kid ourselves, Australia in the 50’s 60’s and 70’s was rather racist towards the migrants. Not all Australians are racist as there where those who went out of their way wholeheartedly to welcome us. Yet, the new migrants of those times had to stick together to withstand dreadful injustices - this rightly encouraged cultural patriotism especially in religious circles.
Moving on, we need to come to terms with reality -those years are gone! We have evolved as a country and we have contributed to this country in various ways! Yet, we have forgotten an important aspect of our faith which calls us to the reality of Pentecost - embracing all nations under one kingdom as the Cherubicon hymn (Angelic Hymn of the carrying in with the gifts of bread and wine) chants! Alas, integration into one nation which is God’s Kingdom is not music to the ears for many believers.
For example, when a few so called byzantine Christians (fanatics in this case) gather to wave Greek or other national flags within the context of Church – these freaks become the pollution which taints the innocence of what the Church should be – a light to enlighten all people and the Glory of God in his Saints!
The Glory of God in his saints! A week ago we celebrated the wonderful feast of the Presentation of the Lord which in the west is known as Candlemas. This recalls the moment when the infant Lord after 40 days was brought up to the temple and was recognized by the presbyter Symeon and the prophetess Anna as the Light of the world and glory of his people. (Lk 2:29-32)
There is a sublime tradition where candles which were blessed on presentation day (Candlemas) were then used as a blessing whilst invoking the mercy of God who is wondrous in his saints: St. Blaise the bishop of Sebaste (Armenia) Bishop St. Blaise (291-316AD) was also a physician and a good hearted man who loved God and all those around him as a true shepherd – the reason why the people elected him as their spiritual father and apostle.
As many of God’s holy, the Holy Spirit manifested within the life of the saint especially with compassion for others who were suffering. Not only were people invoking his help, but so were the animals who recognized him as a godly man and sought healing for their own species.
Apart from the sufferings imposed on him by the enemies of Christ, St. Blaise always showed his faith in the face of extreme danger and torture – the cross as the invincible weapon of peace! Thus, a woman begged him (on the way to his martyrdom) to heal her child who was choking on a fishbone, and at his touch and invocation of the Holy Name of God (Jesus Christ) the child was immediately healed.
Hence, the blessing with the candles from the feast of Holy Presentation forming the letter X (chi/khi) which in Greek is the initial for Christ. The presbyters on this day bless the throats of the faithful (people suffering from throat cancer and other maladies) via the blessed candles and through the intercession of St. Blaise. Truly, such holy traditions from the Church of our birth (Orthodox Rome) should be kept alive amongst us, and the memory and living presence of our saints invoked but not treated as mere fable or superstition which is a common thought in fragmented Western Christendom!
On the topic of fragmentation, it is sad to see how the wonderful devotions which were in the West thus became dismantled by trying to see the logic in mysticism. Mysticism surpasses worldly logic as proven in the timeless miraculous occurrences such as healings within the body and signs from sanctified vessels such as icons. This is the whole reason why music and chant must not reflect the common worldly mimes, rather they are to reflect the grandeur of the mystical reality – heaven on earth!
On the note of the totality of mystical reality, although the Byzantine liturgy is filled with sublime richness, yet there needs to be a time for silence, and contemplation in beholding the wonder of this Communion of Saints as the Cloud of Witness around the Throne of God. That very same and All Holy presence which overflows from the altar and onto the sanctuary so that his people may know him as Emmanuel – the one who comes to dwell amongst us via pouring himself out into the wells of our souls as the living water!
Lent is not the season to give things up, but to take things on! Are we willing to collaborate and welcome the possibility of a new Pentecost via breaking down walls of separation, misconceptions, and personal insecurities? Shall we gather as members of Christ’s body, his family the Church and for once - lay aside our stupidities and differences as we recline at his table in offering true peace to our neighbour without conceit?
Are we willing to come before the Altar and ask for mercy which is the Lord’s intervention in our lives rather than turn around to others as usual and redirect our fragility on them in condemnation? Will we look into the garden of our souls and see how wild it has grown due to tending to the business of others rather than removing the weeds of our own impediments so that at Holy Pascha we may have an abundant harvest?
The Lord then marvelled and exhorted: “Salvation has visited you this day for you truly are a son of Abraham – I who am the Son of Man came to claim that which was lost and restore such to the fold given me!” Lk 19: 9-10
Comentarios