Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas Bulletin - August 15, 2021
LIVESTREAM UNAVAILABLE THIS WEEK - WILL CONTINUE NEXT WEEK
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Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo esta entra nosotros! |
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Homily for the 8th Sunday
from Fr. Philip LeMasters
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Most of us are pretty good at finding ways to avoid acknowledging uncomfortable truths about ourselves, such as our weaknesses and failings. We know how to distract ourselves from focusing on them in order to preserve our illusions of self-sufficiency and perhaps even perfection. The problem with that approach, however, is that avoiding the truth inevitably weakens us and those around us.
In today’s epistle lesson, St. Paul corrected the very confused Christians of Corinth by calling them to confront the uncomfortable truth that they were consumed with fighting with one another as members of competing factions. They were more interested in dividing themselves over which spiritual leader was the most impressive than in being at peace through their unity in Christ. If the Church were simply a club of people with similar ideas, it might make sense to argue over who taught those truths in the best way. But since the Church is the Body of Christ, the Corinthians had to confront the unpleasant truth that they were ignoring that the Church is one. St. Paul called them to stop thinking of themselves as members of rival factions and instead to recognize that they are united as members of one Body. Their salvation would be found by humbling themselves to embrace their common life in Christ, not by trying to prove that they or their spiritual heroes were better than others.
Perhaps the Corinthians had fallen into their divisions because they did not want to give up the illusion of their own superiority. A common temptation is to hide our own weakness and imperfection by building ourselves up as we put others down. We identify with this or that faction, party, group, race, or class so that we can pretend that we alone are virtuous and powerful, and thus justified in getting our own way. That is a very popular coping mechanism because it is more appealing to fallen human beings than accepting that, like everyone else, we are broken, weak, often wrong, and in need of healing that we cannot give ourselves.
In today’s gospel lesson, we encounter a memorable portrait of a much better way to handle our own inadequacy. Jesus Christ had compassion on a large crowd of people and healed those among them who were ill. At the end of the day, the disciples wanted the Savior to send the people away to get their own food. He turned the responsibility back to the disciples by instructing them to give the people something to eat. Since they had only five loaves of bread and two fish, the disciples must have felt very inadequate to that task. But before they could start blaming one another about who was most at fault for failing to find more food, the Lord told them to bring Him the bread and fish. Then, in a way that foreshadowed the Eucharist, He blessed their small offering, which provided far more than enough for five thousand men and their hungry families.
The disciples certainly had their squabbles over who was the greatest, but on that day there seems to have been no argument about who could take credit for this miraculous feeding. In the face of such an astonishing event, they did not even try to hide their own inadequacy by building themselves up and putting others down. Their example shows us a far better path than that of the fighting Corinthians. Instead of trying to make themselves feel more powerful by attacking one another, they simply obeyed Christ by offering Him what they had, even though they could not imagine how that little bit of bread and fish would be sufficient to the task. They left the rest in the Lord’s hands and were not disappointed. Indeed, they were astounded at the abundance that He provided.
The challenge that we all face is to become more like the disciples in today’s reading and less like the Corinthians. It does not take much insight to see that we constantly face situations that reveal our own weaknesses and failings. The uncomfortable truth is that we are beset with thoughts and emotions that show we have a long way to go in finding healing for our souls. We routinely wound others with our words and find it so hard to control what we say. We have many habits that weaken us and harm others. Whether in our families, marriages, friendships, or at work, we are all in strained relationships that we cannot easily heal. And if that were not enough, just think about the ongoing strife in our nation and around the world, which reflects problems far too large for any of us to think that we can solve.
If we take a close look at our lives, we will see that we are just like those disciples facing a crowd of thousands of hungry people with five loaves and two fish. The needs are far greater than our resources. We can always try to distract ourselves from stressful situations and hard realities by blaming others or shutting our eyes to the truth. We may try to ignore problems or hope that they somehow fix themselves. If we are honest, however, we will recognize that as a false hope. St. Paul told the Corinthians that they actually had to take action by abandoning their political battles and embracing their unity in Christ. The Lord would not let the disciples send the crowd away to buy food, but told them to give the people something to eat. And it was through their obedience in what appeared to be a hopeless situation that He miraculously fed thousands of people.
It is a very dangerous, and strangely appealing, temptation to think that what we have to offer the Lord is so small and insignificant that there is no point in even trying to obey Him. In the face of great need and intractable problems, it is much more appealing to blame someone else or to convince ourselves that we can handle things on our own terms. And that is the problem; namely, that we want to avoid doing the work of obeying the Lord. When we live like that, we refuse to offer ourselves to Him. In every Divine Liturgy, we unite ourselves to His unique Self-Offering on the Cross. “Thine own of Thine own, we offer unto Thee on behalf of all and for all.” In order to share in the life of Christ, we must give ourselves to Him, including our anxiety and fears about our own inadequacy and brokenness. Otherwise we will inevitably fall into the idolatry of serving only ourselves.
We all know that we cannot conquer death and sin by our own power. But we can obey our Savior as best we can each day in the challenges that we face, refusing to accept our usual excuses to hide from reality. We must open the eyes of our souls to the truth of where we stand before Him. And then when we know our own inadequacy, it will be possible to offer ourselves truthfully—with all our brokenness, imperfection, and pain—to Christ for Him to bless and heal.
The Savior does not call us to fix all our own problems or those of others or of our world. If we could do that, we would not need a Savior. Those who think in those terms usually end up doing more harm than good, and then blaming others for their failings. Christ simply calls us to accept the truth about who we are before Him and to live accordingly. That will mean a life of humble obedience in which we do not have to keep up the illusion of being powerful, important, or always right. He fed thousands with five loaves and two fish, and He will use our small offerings—each day of our lives—to accomplish His purposes for the salvation of the world. All that we have to do is to obey by giving Him what we have, namely, ourselves.
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Commemorating the Translation of the relics of the Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople, Hieromartyr Stephen Pope of Rome and those with him, Finding of the relics of Righteous St Nikodemos, St Gamaliel and St Abibas, Blessed Basil of Moscow the Fool-For-Christ, Blessed Basil of Kubensk,
RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION—TONE 7
By Your Cross You destroyed death. To the thief You opened Paradise. For the Myrrhbearers You changed weeping into joy. And You commanded Your disciples, O Christ God, to proclaim that You are risen, granting the world great mercy.
HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS TROPARION—TONE 4
Truly 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.
ST STEPHEN TROPARION—TONE 4
Thy head was crowned with a royal diadem for the contest thou didst endure for Christ our God, O first to suffer among the Martyrs. For having utterly refuted the madness of the Jews, thou didst behold thy Savior at the right hand of the Father. Therefore always entreat him in behalf of our souls.
RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION—TONE 7
The dominion of death can no longer hold mankind captive, for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers. Hell is bound, while the Prophets rejoice and cry: “The Savior has come to those in faith; enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!”
HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD KONTAKION—TONE 6
Steadfast Protectress of Christians and constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not the cry of us sinners, but come speedily to help those who call on You in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for You always protect those who honor You!
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ |
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READERS:
Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Natalija Gligorevic
Matins Next Week: Nick Ressetar Epistle Next Week: Lincoln Govelovich
EPISTLE: I Corinthians 1: 10-18
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Seventh Tone: The Lord shall give strength to His people. The Lord shall bless His people with peace.
CHOIR: The Lord shall give strength to His people. The Lord shall bless His people with peace.
READER: v: Offer to the Lord, O you sons of God! Offer young rams to the Lord!
CHOIR: The Lord shall give strength to His people. The Lord shall bless His people with peace.
READER: The Lord shall give strength to His people.
CHOIR: The Lord shall bless His people with peace.
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: To declare Your mercy in the morning, and Your truth by night.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: I Коринћанима 1: 10-18
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 7 Господ ће дати силу народу Своме; Господ ће благословити народ Свој миром.
Хор: Господ ће дати силу народу Своме; Господ ће благословити народ Свој миром.
Читач: Принесите Господу, синови Божји, принесите му младе овнове.
Хор: Господ ће дати силу народу Своме; Господ ће благословити народ Свој миром.
Читач: Господ ће дати силу народу Своме;
Хор: Господ ће благословити народ Свој миром.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање је од Прве посланице Светог апостола Павла до Коринћана
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Молим вас пак, браћо, именом Господа нашега Исуса Христа да сви исто говорите, и да не буду међу вама раздори, него да будете утврђени у истом разуму и истој мисли. Јер сам чуо за вас, браћо моја, од Хлојиних, да су међу вама свађе. А ово кажем зато што сваки од вас говори: Ја сам Павлов, а ја Аполов, а ја Кифин, а ја Христов. Зар се Христос раздијели? Да се Павле не разапе за вас? Или се у име Павлово крстисте? Благодарим Богу што не крстих ни једнога од вас осим Криспа и Гаја, Да не би ко рекао да у име своје крстих. А крстих и дом Стефанинов; даље не знам да ли неког другог крстих. Јер ме Христос не посла да крштавам, него да проповиједам јеванђеље, не мудрим ријечима, да се не обеснажи крст Христов. Јер је ријеч о крсту лудост онима који гину, а сила Божија нама који се спасавамо.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Лепо је хвалити Господа, и певати имену Твоме, Вишњи.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Јављати јутром милост Твоју и истину Твоју сваке ноћи.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Matthew 14: 14-22
At that time, when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Матеј 14: 14-22
У вријеме оно Исус видје многи народ, и сажали се на њих, и исцијели болеснике њихове. А пред вече приступише му ученици његови говорећи: Овдје је пусто мјесто, а већ је доцкан; отпусти народ нека иде у села да купи себи хране. А Исус им рече: Нема потребе да иду; подајте им ви нека једу. А они му рекоше: Немамо овдје до само пет хљебова и двије рибе. А он рече: Донесите их мени овамо. И заповједи народу да посједају по трави, па узе оних пет хљебова и двије рибе, и погледавши на небо благослови, и преломивши даде ученицима, а ученици народу. И једоше сви и наситише се, и накупише комада што претече дванаест котарица пуних. А оних што су јели бјеше људи око пет хиљада, осим жена и дјеце. И одмах принуди Исус ученике своје да уђу у лађу и иду прије њега на ону страну док он отпусти народ.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ |
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August Birthdays
Ross Spangler (Aug 1), Tim Hook (Aug 1), Kaitlyn Hook (Aug 2), Protostavrophor Ilija Balach (Aug 2), Mara Sunajko (Aug 3), Ted Yanich (Aug 4), Mike Healy (Aug 5), Chris Radanovic (Aug 7), Cathy Fagan (Aug 7), Dieter Geib (Aug 7), Igor Pejcic (Aug 7), Russ Hewitt (Aug 9), Bo Venesevich (Aug 11), Ioanna Radanovic (Aug 11), Theodore Sukernik (Aug 11), Victoria Fithian (Aug 11), Tracey Stanovich (Aug 15), Eva Sutkliffe (Aug 15), Marina Skinder (Aug 20), Stefan Gligorevic (Aug 21), Chase Hewitt (Aug 23), Chuck Belic (Aug 25), Vaciona Petrovich (Aug 25), Ferris Atty (Aug 27), Maryann Seiders (Aug 28), Chuck Miller (Aug 30), Florence Ivanoff
August Anniversaries
Chris & Beth Ann Radanovic (Aug 1), Duke & Sue Petrovich (Aug 9), Chuck & Jean Miller (Aug 9), Mike & Stephanie York (Aug 20), Dn. Bojan & Sladjana Gligorevic (Aug 31)
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EMERGENCY CONTACT
In case of a Pastoral Emergency this week (August 15 thru August 21), contact Fr Ilija Balach (425.736.3016)
NO LIVESTREAM THIS WEEK
Due to Fr. Christopher's vacation, services will not be available via livestream this week. Services will continue as normal at the Church with Fr. Ilija Balach. Livestream will continue as usual next Sunday.
FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD
On Thursday, August 19, we will celebrate the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord with Divine Liturgy at 9 am. As one of the 12 Great Feasts of the Church, we should do everything possible to worship the Transfigured Lord during this feast.
RESUMING ACTIVITIES
This September we will resume our curriculum for Church School (youth and adult), Folklore (youth and adult), and Choir. All organizations are also encouraged to begin actively meeting again. May God bless our efforts as we begin to reunite in community!
SERBFEST (HELP NEEDED)
Serb Fest is returning this year to an in-person event! The date will be Saturday, September 18th starting at 11am. Plan on a wonderful day of good food, music and fun! A mailer will be coming out shortly with more information. Sign up sheets are in the lobby. And fliers are available for distribution to local establishments (see Daria).
COVID19 REMINDER
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all people wear masks in crowded places while indoors. This is due to the possibility of spreading the Delta variant of the SARS-Cov2 virus among those who are not vaccinated (especially children under 12).
MOTHER’S CLUB KIOSK
Don’t forget to check out the new greeting cards available at the Mother’s Club Kiosk in the Lobby!
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August Charity
Zoe for Life
Many women are fortunate to have the love and support structure to lead them to marriage, children, and a meaningful life. Others, however, are from different circumstances, and may find themselves in crisis because of an unplanned pregnancy. Their situation may have them in turmoil and panic, where healthy decisions are difficult to make. ZOE for Life!® serves as a conduit, guiding women to a wider range of support organizations, providing an attractive set of options and a promising outlook on their situation. There is counseling, housing referral assistance, referral for prenatal care, adoption and other services available for which most women in distress are unaware. It is the goal of ZOE for Life!® to offer more opportunities to women in unplanned pregnancies, and to empower them to make decisions everyone can live with. ZOE for Life!® is a pan-Orthodox outreach of Orthodox Christians. It is funded privately, and has received 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. All gifts are tax-deductible as specified by law.
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