Sunday of the
Healing of the Paralytic
St. Nicholas Bulletin - May 23, 2021 - Fourth Sunday of Pascha
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Christ is Risen! Христос Васкрсе! Χριστός Ανέστη! Cristo ha Resucitado! |
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The Paralytic:
Hoping, Healing, & Heralding
from Rev. Fr. Dimitrios J. Antokas
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Christ is Risen!
On the third Sunday after Holy Pascha, we hear the story of Jesus healing the Paralytic at Bethsaida (John 5:1-15). This passage is taken from what Biblical scholars have designated as “The Book of Signs,” i.e. John 1:19 through John 12. It precedes “The Book of Glory,” which deals with Christ’s Paschal Mystery (His passion, death and rising). The Book of Signs occupies much of John’s Gospel because, as Fr. Joseph Fitzmeyer notes: “It is the part of the Gospel where the Word reveals Himself to the world and is not accepted other than by His own.”
In John’s Gospel, “sign” is also used to mean “miracle.” Unlike the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke, John does not record very many miracles of Jesus. There are only seven listed in John, but each tells us very special things we need to know about Jesus. The seven are:
- Changing the water into wine at the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11)
- Healing the royal officer’s son (John 4:46-54)
- Healing the paralytic at the pool of Bethsaida in Jerusalem (John 5:1-15)
- Feeding the Five Thousand (John 6:5-14)
- Walking on the Water (John 6:16-21)
- Healing the man born blind (John 9:1-7)
- Raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-45)
Each of these “signs” underscores and illustrates what is the “Mission Verse” of John’s Gospel, its over-arching theme: “For God so lived the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Jesus enters the precincts of the Temple, near the five pillars, where a great pool of water stands. The pool’s name is Bethsaida, or “house of kindness and mercy” or “place of outpouring.” Dozens of sick crowded the portico waiting for the “waters to be stirred,” yet one person came within Jesus’ attention—a man who had been paralyzed for some 38 years (the number of years that the people of Israel were in exile!)
Jesus asks directly “Do you want to be healed? The man answers “I have no one to help me into the waters.” The Lord responds “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” After disputing with the Jews about the lawfulness of healing and carrying his mat on the Sabbath, Jesus meets the man in the Temple later and tells him “You are well; do not sin anymore, so nothing worse happens to you.” These being the major elements of the story, there are three lessons we can take from John’s passage.
38 Years is a Long Time
Imagine being paralyzed for 38 years. At the paralytic’s time, so much of life and the world were cut off to him, so many opportunities were closed. His potential was stifled the longer he couldn’t move. Living 24/7 with this physical handicap caused frustration, anxiety, and, I’m certain, depression. To survive those years, he needed genuine patience, what in Biblical terms was “long-suffering.”
Ironically, the origin of the word “patience” came in the 12th century from the Latin “pati” or “patientia,” meaning willing to bear adversities, or calm endurance of misfortune. The paralytic knew well of that endurance. St. John Chrysostom praises the paralytic for his indefatigable determination in the face of chronic suffering: “Having come across the incident of the paralytic who lay upon his bed beside the pool, we discovered a rich and large treasure, not delving into the ground, but by diving into his heart. We found patience and hope towards God, which is more valuable than any kind of jewel or source of wealth.”
When Jesus lived, there were actually few cures for diseases and patiently enduring suffering was seen as somehow heroic and godly. It is more difficult for us today to be patient in the face of suffering and illness, as we expect immediate and instant relief. With the dozens and dozens of pill and prescription ads on television, it is as if pain and suffering are not to be part of the human experience. Though suffering is never desired in Holy Orthodoxy, and though the Church Fathers unanimously teach that illness and suffering do NOT have their origin in God, when it occurs we are asked to endure and be patient. It can be a profitable teacher.
Fr. John Breck, a theological writer, puts it this way: “More than any other experience, pain and suffering signal the fact that we are not in control. It can bring a heightened self-consciousness and an appreciation of our limitations. It draws our attention to the present moment, forces us to reorganize our life priorities, and invites us to seek above all ‘the one thing needful’” (Luke 10:42) There is little doubt but that the suffering of the paralytic tempered his spirit and increased his responsiveness and receptiveness to Jesus. Yes! He desired to be healed. Yes! He was ready. For a third of a century his soul had fought a battle with his body and was now ready to conquer.
He hung on to hope and never let it die, as day after day he gazed at that pool. Jesus’ zeroing in on him above all the others waiting to be healed was no accident. In suffering or illness, Jesus zeros in on us as well. In life, how I handle suffering and sickness, be it physical, psychological/emotional, or spiritual? Do I do my best to hold on to hope through prayer? Do I seek out others to support me, or do I try to walk in the shadows alone? Can I see suffering and illness as “teachable moments”—not about disease but about myself, not about living in some pain-free utopia but about enduring, waiting in hope, meeting Christ in the ”pool” of my heart?
We Can’t Do It Alone
The greatest tragedy of the story of the paralytic is expressed in his words: “I have no one to put me in the pool…” Not a single person in 38 years had the compassion to lift him up and place him in those healing waters. Apparently no family or friends ministered to him. Everyone who was sick rushed into the pool to be healed first, and others, who were related to those suffering by love, by friendship, helped them to be healed first. If only one person had been there, if only one heart had responded with compassion, the paralytic might have been made whole years earlier.
The man’s illness was capped by loneliness and isolation. The Germans have a saying that is appropriate here: “Pain, when shared, becomes half as bad, but pain unshared is twice as hard.” The beloved confessor of the faith, Fr. George Calciu of blessed memory, who endured torture and isolation in the Romanian communist concentration camps, wrote: “To be alone is to fall, to perish. Being alone means not thinking of anyone but yourself because you are overwhelmed by the surge of your suffering. This is because a life lived alone, if you do not have God with you, is a futile, wasted life. Life lost its meaning back in that moment when you realized, at last, that you were alone.”
How often we think that there is nobody to lift us into the water, nobody to enter our pain, that there is nobody to help us feel the stirring of that water. Jesus is there, arms outstretched, ready to heal us. Our sickness or suffering can push us back into ourselves so far that we can see the demon of loneliness staring us in the face. That sight can paralyze us, unless we reach out to draw Jesus in, to invite another in, to reveal our vulnerability, realizing that, as St. Cyprian of Carthage tells us: “Each person falls in isolation, but we are saved in the community of the Church.”
Tell Others Your Story
The paralytic took up his mat and walked away healed—after 38 years—and forgiven. Who could hold that excitement in? Who wouldn’t tell others? How could anyone be mute about such a life-changing and soul-transforming experience? How can one “take a lamp and hide it under a bushel basket?” (Matthew 5:15) The Lord calls each of us to tell our story, to relate how He touched our lives, even in the smallest of ways, to hold us and to heal us, to lift us and to love us. Look into your own heart, think of the people in your family and your life, your friends and your fellow believers. How much frailty is there in them? How much pain has accumulated in their heart? How much fear of life, how much rejection, broken hopes, and loneliness? How long has “paralysis” held them captive?
Elder Joseph of Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos counsels us: “Let us look at one another with understanding, sensitivity and with attention. We will be answerable for each other, because there are so many ways in which we should be the eyes of Christ who sees the needs, the ears of Christ who hears the cry, the hands of Christ who supports and heals or makes healing possible.”
Tell your story. Share your struggles. Enter the common humanity of each other to speak hope and healing. Healing is useless if it is a secret that no one knows. It’s your and my responsibility, in the name of Jesus, to reveal that secret and to perhaps “strain” to lift up another and place them gently in the “healing water” of Christ’s love! Truly, He is Risen!
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PASCHAL TROPARION—TONE 1
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death; and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 3
Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown strength with His arm. He has trampled down death by death. He has become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted to the world great mercy.
HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS TROPARION—TONE 4
In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. Hierarch Father Nicholas, entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
PARALYTIC SUNDAY KONTAKION —TONE 3
By Your divine intercession, O Lord, as You raised up the paralytic of old, so raise up my soul, paralyzed by sins and thoughtless acts; so that being saved I may sing to You: ‘Glory to Your power, O compassionate Christ!’
PASCHAL KONTAKION —TONE 8
You descended into the tomb, O Immortal, You destroyed the power of death. In victory You arose, O Christ God, proclaiming: “Rejoice!” to the Myrrhbearing Women, granting peace to Your Apostles, and bestowing Resurrection on the fallen.
Instead of “It is Truly Meet…”
The Angel cried to the Lady, full of grace: “Rejoice, O pure Virgin! Again, I say: ‘Rejoice, your Son is risen from His three days in the tomb! With Himself He has raised all the dead.’” Rejoice, O Ye people! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem! The glory of the Lord has shone on you. Exult now, and be glad, O Zion! Be radiant, O pure Theotokos, in the Resurrection of your Son!
Priest: “Blessed is the Kingdom…” Choir: Amen. Priest: Tropar 2 1/2 times. Choir: Finishes.
Priest: “In the fear of God …” Choir: “Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord … “
Priest: “O Lord, save Your people …” Choir: “Christ is risen from the dead … “ (slow version)
Priest: “Always, now and ever …” Choir: “Let our mouths be filled …”
Slava Procession before "Budi Imja/Blessed be the Name", completing the procession with the cutting of the Slavski Kolac in front of the Church.
(At the Dismissal, the Priest says: “Glory to You, O Christ….,” and the choir sings “Christ is risen from the dead….” (thrice).
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ |
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READERS:
Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Nicholas Govelovich
Matins Next Week: Lenny Tepsic Epistle Next Week: Dasha Gencturk
EPISTLE: Acts 9: 32-42
EPISTLE: Acts 9: 32-42
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the First Tone: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
CHOIR: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
READER: v: Rejoice in the Lord, O your righteous! Praise befits the just!
CHOIR: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
READER: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us ...
CHOIR: ... as we have set our hope on You!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: I will sing of Your mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your truth from generation to generation.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: For You have said: “Mercy will be established forever; Your truth will be prepared in the heavens.”
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Дјела Ап. 9: 32-42
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 1 Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Хор: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Читач: Веселите се, праведници, пред Господом, праведнима доликује похвала.
Хор: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Читач: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе,
Хор: на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: читање из књиге дјела апостолских
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, У дане оне када је Петар обилазио све, сиђе и светима који живљаху у Лиди. И нађе тамо једнога човјека по имену Енеја, који већ осам година лежаше на одру, јер бјеше узет. И рече му Петар: Енеје, исцјељује те Исус Христос; устани и простри сам себи! И одмах устаде. И видјеше га сви који живљаху у Лиди и Сарону, и обратише се Господу. А у Јопи бјеше једна ученица, по имену Тавита, што преведено значи Срна, и она бјеше пуна добрих дјела и милостиња које чињаше. И догоди се у те дане да се она разбоље и умрије; онда је окупаше и положише у горњу собу. И будући да је Лида близу Јопе, ученици чувши да је Петар у њој, послаше два човјека молећи га да без оклијевања дође до њих. А Петар уставши отиде с њима; и кад дође, уведоше га у горњу собу и скупише се око њега све удовице плачући и показујући кошуље и хаљине што је радила Срна док је била с њима. А Петар изгнавши све напоље, клече на кољена и помоли се Богу, и окренувши се тијелу рече: Тавито, устани! А она отвори очи своје, и видјевши Петра придигну се и сједе. Он пак давши јој руку подиже је; и дозвавши свете и удовице показа је живу. И ово се разгласи по свој Јопи, и многи вјероваше у Господа.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Пјеваћу увјек милости Господње; од кољена на кољено јавићу истину Твоју устима својим.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Јер си рекао: Милост ће бити основана заувјек; на Небесима си утврдио истину Своју.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
John 5: 1-15
At that time there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’” Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Јован 5: 1-15
У вријеме оно бјеше празник јудејски, и изиђе Исус у Јерусалим. А у Јерусалиму код Овчијих врата постоји бања, која се јеврејски зове Витезда, и има пет тријемова. У њима лежаше велико мноштво болесника, слијепих, хромих, сухих, који чекаху да се вода заталаса. Јер анђео Господњи повремено силажаше и узбуркаваше воду; и који би први ушао пошто се узбурка вода, оздравио би, ма од какве болести боловао. А ондје бијаше неки човјек који тридесет и осам година бјеше болестан. Кад видје Исус овога гдје лежи, и разумје да је већ много година болестан, рече му: Хоћеш ли здрав да будеш? Одговори му болесник: Господе, човјека немам, да ме спусти у бању када се узбурка вода: а док ја дођем, други сиђе прије мене. Рече му Исус: Устани, узми одар свој и ходи! И одмах оздрави човјек, и узе одар свој и хођаше. А тај дан бјеше субота. Тада говораху Јудејци исцијељеном: Субота је, није ти допуштено да носиш одар. Он им одговори: Који ме учини здравим он ми рече: Узми одар свој и ходи. А они га запиташе: Ко је тај човјек који ти рече: Узми одар свој и ходи? А излијечени не знађаше ко је; јер се Исус бјеше удаљио због многог народа на ономе мјесту. Потом га нађе Исус у храму и рече му: Ето постао си здрав, више не гријеши, да ти се што горе не догоди. Човјек отиде и јави Јудејцима да је Исус тај који га учини здравим.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ |
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May Birthdays
Nicholas Hernjak (May 1), Cody Hewitt (May 2), Jelena Bowser (May 7), Chloe Lewis (May 8), Kaila Chung (May 8), Bobbi Lynn Wenner (May 10), Bella Gilroy (May 10), Meghan Livingston (May 11), Brankica Skinder (May 12), Trenton Petrovich (May 13), Maria Bowers, (May 21), Jelena Lojpur (May 22), Inna Reznitchenko (May 23), Nikki Lewis (May 24), Ryan Spangler (May 25)
May Anniversaries
Michelle & Donald Kingsbury (May 1), Heather & Erik Barber (May 1), Pete & Arlene Barber (May 3), Fr Srboljub & Protinica (May 14), Mike & Carole Radosinovich (May 15), Ben & Jovanka Shaffer (May 15), Rod & Angie Vorkapich (May 20), Sam & Peggy Radanovic (May 25), Nina & Eric Gilroy (May 26), Matt & Pam Healy (May 29), Greg & Haley Book (May 29)
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118th SLAVA
Today, we celebrate our 118th Slava celebration for our St. Nicholas Church. Before we sing “Budi Imja/Blessed be the Name” we will process around the Church, blessing the four sides of the Church. We will complete the Liturgy outside, with the blessing of the kolach and koljevo. We congratulate our Kumovi this year, David and Daria Milletics, giving thanks to God for their dedicated stewardship of our parish.
ANNUAL HOLY ASSEMBLY OF BISHOPS OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
All of the hierarchs of our Serbian Orthodox Church assembly tomorrow for the May Sabor/Assembly. Please keep them all in prayer, especially our Bishop, His Grace, IRINEJ, as they navigate Christ's Church through these pandemical waters.
DRIVE THRU PICNIC DONATIONS
We are in need of donations of Apple Strudel, Cherry Strudel, Savory Plain Cheese Gibanica and Potato Salad. If you are able and willing to donate any of these items for our drive thru picnic, please contact Popadija Andreja by May 30th. Please note we are only accepting those items to allow for easier packaging/selling/ordering. Donations can be dropped off in the church hall anytime Friday, June 4th but need to be delivered by 10am on Saturday the 5th.
GIFT SHOP HAS NEW ITEMS
The gift shop in the lobby has added Vintage Bulgarian Souvenirs which are available for purchase. Stop by after Liturgy.
SERBIAN/AMERICAN CLUB 2021 DUES
Peggy Radanovic is collecting club dues once again. Please mail your dues to her at her new address (203 Community Circle, Palmyra 17078) or here at church. You may call her with questions at 717-641-4249. Dues are $5 for the year.
ST NICHOLAS SENIORS 2021 DUES
JoAnn Filepas is collecting 2021 dues for the St Nicholas Seniors. Please mail your dues to her at (7054 Red Top Road, Harrisburg 17111). Dues are $5 for the year.
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May Charity
OCMC
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) is the official international mission agency of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and was created to "establish vibrant Eucharistic communities throughout the world, to develop and support indigenous church leaders, and to strengthen the infrastructure of their churches." OCMC recruits and trains Orthodox missionaries to minister to people in need of spiritual, physical and emotional support. OCMC missionaries are currently serving in Albania, Romania and Tanzania. Orthodox Mission Teams are periodically organized to serve where needed and you may volunteer to participate in this activity. Mission teams have built churches and offered training and services to communities in need. OCMC also operates a Support a Mission Priest (SAMP) program offering financial assistance to priests living in extremely poor areas in more than a dozen countries around the world. Through SAMP donations, priests can tend more fully to the needs of their flock. The donation you make this month will support an Orthodox Christian organization that provides important services and spiritual comfort to many people in Eastern Europe and Africa. Visit the OCMC website at www.ocmc.org for more information.
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We hope you enjoy this new addition to our weekly bulletin. Each week, we will include lessons and activities for our children to help them navigate the Church year. May it enable us all to bear the good fruit of a life in Christ!
Take some time this week to review this with your children or grandchildren by clicking on the button below to download the PDF.
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