20th Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas Bulletin - November 7, 2021
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Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo esta entra nosotros! |
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On Sharing Undeserved Mercy
from Fr. Philip LeMasters
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I have known people who have been troubled by the question of whether God is primarily characterized by human standards of love or justice. Some of them have worried that a God of love would simply overlook evil and hold no one accountable for their actions. Others have reacted against the view that God is primarily a harsh judge Who is out to get us and to make sure that we pay our pound of flesh for our sins.
Those with time to spare can have a debate about such abstract matters, as though God where a math problem that needed solving. But as Orthodox Christians, our focus must be different, for we humbly embrace God’s truth not as a speculative idea, but in the Person of Jesus Christ. He is not a bundle of competing definitions according to the standards of our limited minds, but the Son of God Who became fully human in order save us out of a divine compassion beyond our understanding. He lowered Himself, taking on the form of a servant to the point of death on the Cross, burial in a tomb, and descent into Hades in order to rise triumphantly over them in His glorious resurrection on the third day. And He did not do so for His own sake, but for ours. In Him, we encounter not merely the best human aspirations, but truly the Lord Himself Who alone is Holy, Holy, Holy.
What does it look like when the Alpha and the Omega of the universe becomes one of us, living in our corrupt world of sin, death, and personal brokenness? In today’s gospel text, we have a clear picture of what it means for the Word to become flesh and dwell among us. It means that He gives life to the dead and joy and comfort to those who mourn. Christ had compassion on the widow who had lost her only son. He consoled her, saying “Do not weep,” and then touched the coffin, bringing the young man back from death itself.
The Lord’s great act of mercy for this woman is a sign or enacted icon of our salvation. For we weep and mourn not only for loved ones whom we see no more, but also for how our own sins, and those of others, have broken, marred, and distorted the beauty of our world, of our souls, of our relationships, and of every dimension of our life. Death, destruction, hatred, fear, and decay in all their forms are the consequences of our refusal to live faithfully as those created in the image and likeness of God. We have worshipped ourselves, our possessions and our pride, and found only despair and emptiness as a result, as well as slavery to our own self-centered desires. So we weep with the widow of Nain both for losing loved ones and for losing ourselves.
The good news of the Gospel, however, is the unfathomable compassion of our Savior. Rather than simply observing human suffering and letting us bear the consequences of our actions, the Father sent the Son to enter into our suffering, into our distorted and disintegrated world, in order to restore us to the blessedness for which He created us. He came to heal us, to stop us from weeping, and even to raise us from the dead into the glory of the heavenly kingdom. He came to unite us to Himself in holiness. The Son touched the coffin of the dead man and he arose. Christ’s compassion for us is so profound that He also entered a coffin, a tomb, and even descended to Hades, the shadowy place of the dead because, out of love for humankind, He could not simply stand by and allow us to bear the full consequences of our actions.
No, our faith is not fundamentally about punishment or wrath for sinners. It is not focused on the bad news that we get what we deserve. Instead, we celebrate the good news of the infinite, holy mercy of Christ Who will stop at nothing to bring the one lost sheep back into the fold, Who is not embarrassed to welcome home the prodigal son, and Who will even submit to death on a cross in order to destroy it by rising in glory.
Of course, we have our part to play in responding to His great compassion. If we identify ourselves with Jesus Christ, if we are members of His Body, the Church, and are nourished by His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist, then His mercy must become evident in our lives. If we are partakers of the divine nature in Him, then His life must become ours such that, as St. Paul teaches, “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal. 2:2) If we claim to receive Christ’s compassion, then we must extend that same compassion to others, suffering with them in love, sharing their burdens as best we can, and going out of our way to show them the mercy that we have found in our Lord.
If we are to live the Christian life with integrity, we too must have the courage to relate to others with true compassion as they suffer, mourn, and live with pain and disorder of whatever kind. Perhaps they brought some of these conditions upon themselves. Like the rest of us, they have not always done the right thing and have suffered the consequences of their own bad choices. In some cases, they may actually believe that what they are doing is good. In other words, they are a lot like you and me. Instead of doing the easy and self-righteous thing by simply leaving them to their allegedly well-deserved misery, we must follow the way of our Lord, Who did not come to show mercy upon those who deserved it. Remember that mercy and grace, by definition, are not deserved. The widow of Nain and her dead son did not deserve the compassion of the Lord, but He showed love to them anyway. The relevance for our lives should be clear. If we have integrity as Christians, we will respond to others with the same compassion that we have experienced in Jesus Christ.
But we need to be clear: Extending Christ’s compassion to others is not the same thing as being what our culture calls “a nice person” or making sure that everyone likes us or that we always tell people what they want to hear. It took discipline, strength, and courage for the Lord to show compassion throughout His entire earthly ministry, especially during His journey to the Cross. And every time that He healed the sick or raised the dead, He knew that the Pharisees and perhaps the Romans were watching, noticing Him as a threat to their power. He offended them virtually every step of the way with what He said and did. If we live and speak with holy compassion, we can be sure that some will take offense and think that we are crazy or even dangerous. To be His disciple is not a calling for cowards afraid of their own shadow or for people addicted to the praise of others, for it requires discipline, self-control, and a strength of character beyond our own power. It requires a willingness to be out of step with the dominant ways of the world, whatever they may be in a given time and place.
Unfortunately, it has become second nature to defend our egos by damning others, by building ourselves up as we put others down. Thank God, that is not way of our Lord. If it were, we would have no hope for salvation. If it were, the dead would be left in the tombs and the mourners would sorrow alone. But because the Savior has come to us purely out of love for fallen, broken, sinful humanity, we must share His compassionate love with everyone we encounter, especially those whom we are inclined to ignore or condemn for whatever reason. For we do not relate to Jesus Christ as isolated individuals, but as members of His Body who share a common life. If we are members of His Body and receive His Body and Blood in the Eucharist, how can we disregard Him even in “the least of these” whose hearts and lives are broken, regardless of who is at fault for the circumstances?
Our Lord is a Person, not an abstract idea. Prepared by prayer, fasting, and confession, let us unite ourselves to Him in the Eucharist, receiving His compassionate mercy even as we extend the same holy concern to our neighbors, loved ones, and enemies. He came to call sinners to repentance, to heal the sick, and to raise the dead. He came to save, bless, and restore people as broken as you and me. If we receive Him, then we must receive them. For as hard as it is to believe, He works through us to extend His compassion to others. To be in Him is to become a living icon of His mercy, a personal sign of His salvation.
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Commemorating Martyr Marcian and Martyrius the Notaries of Constantinople, Venerable Martyrius the Deacon Recluse of the Kiev Caves, Martyr Anastasius the Fuller at Salona in Dalmatia, St Tabitha the Widow raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter
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
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.
HOLY MARTYRS MARCIAN & MARTYRIUS TROPARION—TONE 3
In holy zeal you dispelled the error of Arius and proclaimed the Trinity, one in essence. Holy Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius, unshaken bulwarks of Orthodoxy, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.
HOLY RIGHTEOUS TABITHA TROPARION—TONE 1
With the flow of the many-streamed river of almsgiving you watered the dry earth of the needy. Showering alms on the widows and the poor, you shone with the light of your works and were radiant with grace, O Tabitha. Glory to Christ who loves you! Glory to Christ who has blessed you! Glory to Christ whom you followed as a true disciple and a spotless lamb!
RESURRECTION KONTAKION—TONE 3
On this day You rose from the tomb, O Merciful One, leading us from the gates of death. On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; with the Prophets and Patriarchs they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Your power.
HYMN OF THE THEOTOKOS—TONE 6
Steadfast Protectress of Christians, Constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not the cry of us sinners, but in your goodness come speedily to help us 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: Epistle:
Matins Next Week: Nick Ressetar Epistle Next Week: Aleksandra Saran
EPISTLE: Galatians 1: 11-19
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Third Tone: Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
CHOIR: Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
READER: v: Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
CHOIR: Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
READER: Sing praises to our God, sing praises!
CHOIR: Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Galatians
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, I make known to you, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: In You, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never be put to shame!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Be a God of protection for me, a house of refuge in order to save me!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Галаћанима 1:11-19
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 3 Појте Богу нашему, појте! Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Хор: Појте Богу нашему, појте! Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Читач: Сви народи, запљескајте рукама, покликните Богу гласом радосним!
Хор: Појте Богу нашему, појте! Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Читач: Појте Богу нашему, појте!
Хор: Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање је од посланице Светог апостола Павла до Галаћанима
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, a дајем вам на знање, да јеванђеље које сам ја благовијестио, није од човјека; Нити га ја примих од човјека, нити научих, него откривењем Исуса Христа. Јер сте чули моје живљење некад у Јудејству, да одвише гоних Цркву Божију и пустоших је. И напредовах у Јудејству више од многих врсника својих у роду своме, будући одвише ревнитељ за своја отачка предања. А када благоволи Бог, који ме изабра од утробе матере моје и призва благодаћу својом, да објави Сина својега у мени, да га благовијестим међу незнабошцима, тога часа не питах тијела и крви, нити изиђох у Јерусалим онима који су били апостоли прије мене, него отидох у Арабију, и опет се вратих у Дамаск. А потом, након три године, изиђох у Јерусалим да видим Петра, и остадох код њега петнаест дана. А другога од апостола не видјех, осим Јакова брата Господњега.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: У тебе се, Господе, уздам, немој ме оставити под срамотом до вјека.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Буди ми Бог заштитник, дом уточишта, да би ме спасао.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Luke 7: 11-16
At that time, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Лука 7: 11-16
У вријеме оно, Исус иђаше у град који се зове Наин, и с њим иђаху многи ученици његови и мноштво народа. А када се приближи вратима града, и гле, изношаху мртваца, јединца сина матере његове, и она бјеше удовица; и многи народ из града иђаше са њом. И видјевши је Господ сажали се на њу, и рече јој: Не плачи! И приступивши дохвати се носила, а носиоци стадоше; и рече: Момче, теби говорим, устани! И сједе мртвац и стаде говорити; и даде га матери његовој. А страх обузе све, и слављаху Бога говорећи: Велики пророк подиже се међу нама, и Бог походи народ свој.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ |
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November Birthdays
Vadim Reznitchenko (Nov 2), Calvin Filepas (Nov 5), Dori & Doug Bert (Nov 6), Mila Ann Livingston (Nov 6), Jim Werner (Nov 9), Marko Rocknage (Nov 11), Tomislav Gligorevic (Nov 13), Leann Cox (Nov 13), Trenton Petrovich Jr, (Nov 13), Philip Lamancusa (Nov 15), Helen Kapac (Nov 16), Dori Barry (Nov 16), Matt Healy (Nov 18), Millie Yezdimir (Nov 19), Tomislav Lojpur (Nov 19), Michelle Kingsbury (Nov 20), Michael Dean Stefan (Nov 21), Brian Lewis Sr (Nov 21), Brandon Mumma (Nov 22), Dianne Martin (Nov 23), Marko Miljkovic (Nov 24), Fr Srboljub Jockovich (Nov 29), Eva Stimac (Nov 29)
November Anniversaries
Danielle & Joseph VanHuysen (Nov 4), Paula & Jim Werner (Nov 5), Nicholas & Joann Hernjak (Nov 5), Mira & Milijan Lukic (Nov 11), Doni & Steve Cashman (Nov 21), Nick & Terry Govelovich (Nov 23)
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EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Fr. Christopher will be undergoing a surgical procedure on November 5. Pastoral emergencies will be covered by Proto Ilija Balach 425.736.3016, Fr. Steven Vernak 717.602.0504, and Fr. Timothy Hojniki 717.645.5281 from November 6—November 14.
CHURCH SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Please do not forget to register your children for Church School. The registration link can be found at: https://goo.gl/forms/xsYDlxcOMs1I9das2 Or, by filling out a form at the Tutor’s stand.
ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES POSTPONED
The Bible Study and Orthodoxy in Practice classes will be postponed until November 15 and 17, respectively. Thank you for your understanding.
SOTAYA ČEVAPI SALE
Our SOTAYA Group is once again selling frozen packs of cevapi at $12/pack (32 pieces). To order see Dn. Bojan Gligorevic, Matthew Hoover, or call the office at 717.939.3872.
SAVE THE DATE
The Mothers Club will be holding a meeting on November 14 after Liturgy. All members are urged to attend.
BREEZE CHURCH MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
Many stewards of St. Nicholas have been asking for a better way to connect to the church. The Council has been researching this and decided to use a program called BREEZE for our church management software. We have been using this program to keep track of donations and income.
But there is much more available to us.
BREEZE will allow us to receive giving through smartphones, online donations, and many other ways of giving. It also allows us to utilize SMS messaging (mass text messages to all cell phones). If we have your number, we will be sending a text message in order to confirm whether you would like to participate in this program. There is no additional cost to use this function for the Church, although standard text message rates may apply. If we do not have your number, feel free to call or email the office to sign up for this program.
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Will You Help Kosovo This Growing Season?
Summer may be the growing season, but it is never too early to think about what seeds come next.
Lasting impact is the goal of IOCC’s efforts, motivating us to provide the foundation for stable lives and livelihoods. Our efforts in Kosovo have resulted in a Church farm estate that provides for the surrounding communities, complete with grain mills, a dairy farm, and holdings for hundreds of livestock. These efforts are only possible through generous contributions from people like you.
And today, your gift can go twice as far.
IOCC's Chairman of the Board, Jasmina T. Boulanger, has offered to match all gifts for Kosovo up to $50,000. That means that your donation will be doubled to support struggling families. Our world is longing for the hope that your gifts can bring. We thank you for them and pray that the summer months bring a rejuvenation of spirit and body to you and your loved ones.
Let’s plant seeds of hope together.
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November Charity
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
IOCC has maintained an active partnership with the Serbian Orthodox Church since 1992, initially responding to crises of war, dislocation, and other hardships. IOCC aids those in need around the world, without discrimination, as it works to strengthen the capacity of national and local Orthodox Churches and organizations to avert disasters, respond to emergencies, and rebuild communities. IOCC has provided emergency assistance and sustainable development programs in all parts of Serbia. The more we practice spiritual hospitality, the closer we draw ourselves to Christ, and with Christ in our hearts and souls, the greater is our love for all people. Our donations become IOCC’s humanitarian works. It is our responsibility and our blessing to help IOCC continue its ministry. To learn more about IOCC’s programs, please visit the website at www.iocc.org
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