Homily on the 17th Sunday after Pentecost
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Jn 10:9-10
As a young adolescent, I was never happy with who I was; I always strived to be someone I wasn’t due to social/peer pressures – along with unrealistic expectations the Church of Rome places upon its members/faithful! A tarte that every now and again emerges due to my human nature/fragility.
Growing up, I always desired to firstly serve God and be an ambassador (if you like) of His unwavering love towards ALL of humanity – especially the “outcast” and “unwanted” by society and religious institutions! To educate as many people I can; delivering them from their living hell which may be of their own actions or other (demonic) is my goal in this present life!
Hence, by the love, compassion and mercy (to reach out) of God, He has raised me up from my broken state and taught me (via the guidance of my superiors) how to better deal with situations when they arise! Something that what previously impossible.
I recall as a young boy my parents taking me to a psychiatrist in order to find out what was wrong with me. I was always somewhat different to the other children growing up. However, the psychiatrist could not find a solution to the behaviors and to why I was so depressed at such a young age.
Therefore, after I was made a catechumen (person under instruction learning the faith) things that were imbedded into my self-conscience came afloat; were recognized and delt with immediately firstly via prayer and secondly practical tasks I had to undertake in order to deal with the issues that hijacked my life for many years.
Thus, the day I was ordained into the Deaconate into Christ, I felt that I was at home and that it was where I was meant to be. After all those years of prayer and imagining to serve God at His altar, He (God) had made it a reality; a reality that I have lived with much appreciation daily and have grown in all aspects – constantly remembering that all that I have was not possible before!
It truly hurts me to see how many clerics there are out there in the world that do it for the admiration of people and for the money. Yes, the money. Only several days ago I read that the orthodox Church of America pays its newly ordained clergy approximately $75,000 a year while priests that have served for a term of 12-20 years receive a salary of $100,000 per year! What happened to “You have received without pay, so give without pay” Mt 10:8
One thing that I love that this exarchate implement is that all clergy no matter that rank, must be self-sufficient! Meaning that they are to hold a secular job just like everyone else and provide for themselves and their families.
Thus, their commitment of service must be rendered freely and wholeheartedly something that is extremely rewarding but can from time to time be a little burdensome. There are many times I would love to go and play with my daughters or spend time with my wife, however I have an obligation to fulfill and the show must go on as it were!
Last year we had a close call with a gentleman who joined our exarchate purely for prestige! His ambition was to become a bishop as quick as possible in order to lord over others to make himself feel superior to all – one of the most destructive sins there are (Pride).
However, the Lord God unmasked his intentions very quickly and this person left the exarchate attempting to weasel his way into another jurisdiction with little success; these people are always publicly unmasked for the person he truly was and what his intentions where! A thief to steal to kill and destroy. Jn 10:10
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So, when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. Jn 10:11-13
There, are many Christians in the world who are Christian by name but evil and rotten to the core via their actions. For example, how many people have said - “Oh well we should pray for the leader of our country because of …...... have we forgotten the that Church Fathers included in the Divine Liturgy the prayer for those who govern a nation - “we pray especially for our government our armed forces and emergency services the us pray to the Lord” (litany of the Deacon)?
Therefore, how can we say we mustn't pray for those in a position of power that govern a nation: it is totally ani-Christian! I confess, I have used some colorful language in the past regarding the Victorian lockdown however, if it is the will of God to pray for all especially those how hate us - “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” Mt5:44 then we must, however hard it is for us to do.
Thus, if it is too much to ask then it must be left in God's Hands to deal with on our behalf. The worst thing we can do is lie to ourselves but more so lie to God – for we are all transparent (Exposed) before Him. He knows and sees all.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. Jn 10:14-16
Therefore, if we truly live in God, then via His statutes we shall receive gifts beyond comprehension! Things that were impossible before are made possible in Him who is the ancient of days!
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Lord Jesus Christ Our God save us!
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