23rd Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas Bulletin - November 28, 2021
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Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo esta entra nosotros! |
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Awakening from delusion
from Fr. Anthony Hughes
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I do not like to talk about demons much. They are so into themselves that I don’t want to cooperate in their narcissism.
Also, I accept completely the Orthodox understanding that sin, death, and the devil (along with the demons) were defeated when Jesus died on the Cross and was resurrected, so It seems a little un-Orthodox to give demons as much credit as some people do. They are not gods. They are not omnipresent, or omniscient, or omnipotent. They are creatures and sad ones at that, best not given a place of prominence because they do not have a place of prominence.
One thing about them does interest me though. That is, one of the signs of their influence is that when they are around and given a place of prominence, they tend to make people crazy. In our Gospel story this morning the demoniac is exorcized and afterward, we are told, he sits before Jesus “clothed and in his right mind.”
There seems to be a connection between being in your right mind and being free of demonic influence whether it is from some actual fallen angel or simply demonic in nature and more typical like fear, pride, possessiveness, greed, lust...you know, that kind of stuff. Being in your right mind, I think, is a sign of spiritual health just as not being in your right mind is a sign of spiritual disease.
That is why I think that perspective is so important. We need to adopt a proper understanding of God, the world, ourselves and our neighbors. The Orthodox Church insists that right belief is essential and I absolutely agree. That is, for most of us, where we must begin to change our minds from being deluded to being, as the Gospel says, “right”. “Put on the mind of Christ,” Paul writes. So let’s do. We can’t do it all in one fell swoop, but we can do it, little by little. So let’s start with the Orthodox perspective on who we are.
Dan Hakim sent me a most wonderful link to a graduation speech given by George Saunders at Syracuse University. Saunders is a teacher there and an acclaimed writer of essays, short stories, novellas and children’s books. It touches on the message I want to give you to take home today.
Saunders tells the students:
That luminous part of you that exists beyond personality – your soul, if you will – is as bright and shining as any that has ever been. Bright as Shakespeare’s, bright as Gandhi’s, bright as Mother Teresa’s. Clear away everything that keeps you separate from this secret luminous place. Believe it exists, come to know it better, nurture it, share its fruits tirelessly.
In that little paragraph is the core understanding we Orthodox have about who and what you and I are. If that perspective is off, then we will not “be in our right minds.” The perspective is this: we are made in God’s image. The image of God is who and what we are. Nothing can take that away. Nothing can change it. We are mirrors that reflect God’s glory. His glory shines in us all the time. The mirror is dirty, but it is there. It needs to be cleaned and polished.
At the core of every human being, writes St. Gregory Nazaianzus, is this amazing spark of divinity, created by God, put there by God which nothing, not even sin and death and the devil, can adversely affect. Sin obscures our vision of this truth. Fear distracts us from seeing it. The traumas and pains of life keep us from touching it. All this negative stuff makes us believe wrongly that we are not the image of God, that we are separate from God, that he is far away from us and we are far away from him. But this is not true. It is impossible. The Psalmist tells us that the will of God cannot return to him without accomplishing its purpose, so the image is indefectible. It is like a seed that cannot be destroyed and it is growing and will grow forever until it reaches full fruition over and over again because there is no end to growing.
At the beginning of the spectacular movie GRAVITY a phrase pops on the screen. “Life in space is impossible.” The movie is ostensibly a space movie, but it takes place in two spaces. Outer space, above our heads, and inner space inside our heads. Life in outer space is impossible, yes. There is no air, or warmth. But life lived mindlessly, without a proper perspective, in “darkness” is also impossible because without a good understanding of who we really are we will drift aimlessly and be lost in a darkness of our own making.
The answer is, as Saunders says, to “Clear away everything that keeps you separate from this secret luminous space. Believe it exists, come to know it better, nurture it, share its fruits tirelessly.” I could not give better advice or say it more beautifully than that. Clear it all away through spiritual effort, through love, through compassion, through worship, and sacrament, using every tool available to awaken yourself from the delusion that God is not (right now and always) closer to us than our heartbeat, closer to us that our breath.
The demons represent all those things that support the illusion of separateness. Jesus calls Satan the “father of lies” and the greatest of these lies is that God does not love us, is not in us and around us, caring for us all the time, that there is no luminous core, no image of God in us. To be in our “right minds” means to know He does and is and we are.
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Commemorating Holy Martyrs and Confessors Gurias, Samonas, and Abibus of Edessa, Martyrs Elpidius, Marcellus and Eustochius who suffered under Julian the Apostate, Martyr Deme trios of Thrace, Venerable Paisios Velichkovsky, Saint Philip of Rabanga
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 6
The angelic powers were at Your tomb; the guards became as dead men. Mary stood by Your grave, seeking Your most pure body. You captured hell, not being tempted by it. You came to the Virgin, granting life. O Lord, Who rose from the dead, glory to You.
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.
MARTYRS TROPARION—TONE 5
Christ our God, You have granted us the miracles of Your holy martyrs Gurias, Samonas and Abibas, as a stronghold and protection. Through their prayers, strengthen those in authority in every good deed, for You alone are merciful and the Lover of mankind!
RESURRECTION KONTAKION—TONE 6
When Christ God the Giver of Life, raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with His mighty hand, He bestowed resurrection on the human race. He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.
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: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Natalija Gligorevic
Matins Next Week: Nicholas Ressetar Epistle Next Week: Marko Rocknage
EPISTLE: Ephesians 2: 4-10
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Sixth Tone: O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance!
CHOIR: O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance!
READER: v: To You, O Lord, will I call. O my God, be not silent to me!
CHOIR: O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance!
READER: O Lord, save Your people ...
CHOIR: ...and bless Your inheritance!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, but God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom
READER: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the heavenly God.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: He will say to the Lord: “My Protector and my Refuge; my God, in Whom I trust.”
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Ефесцима 2: 4-10
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 6 Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Хор: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Читач: Теби, Господе Боже мој, вапим: немој ме оставити без одговора.
Хор: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Читач: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој
Хор: и благослови наследство Своје.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање посланице Светога апостола Павла Ефесцима
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, a Бог, који је богат у милости, због велике љубави своје којом нас завоље, и нас, који бијасмо мртви због гријехова, оживи са Христом – благодаћу сте спасени – И с Њим заједно васкрсе и заједно посади на небесима у Христу Исусу, да покаже у вијековима који долазе превелико богатство благодати своје добротом према нама у Христу Исусу. Јер сте благодаћу спасени кроз вјеру; и то није од вас, дар је Божији; Не од дјела, да се не би ко хвалисао. Јер смо његова творевина, саздани у Христу Исусу за дјела добра, која Бог унапријед припреми да у њима ходимо.
Свештеник: Мир ти читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост.
Читач: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Који живи у закону Вишњега, у сјени Свемогућега почива.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Говори Господу: Ти си уточиште моје и бранич мој, Бог мој, у кога се уздам.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Luke 8: 26-39
At that time, they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned. Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Лука 8: 26-39
У вријеме оно, Исус доплови у земљу Гадаринску која је према Галилеји. А кад он изиђе на земљу, срете га неки човјек из града у коме бијаху демони дуго времена, и у хаљине не облачаше се, и не живљаше у кући, него у гробовима. А кад видје Исуса, узвикнувши паде пред њим и из свега гласа рече: Шта хоћеш од мене, Исусе, Сине Бога Вишњега? Молим те, не мучи ме! Јер он заповједи духу нечистоме да изиђе из човјека; јер га мучаше много година, и везиваху га веригама и ланцима чувајући га, и кидаше везе, и тјераше га демон по пустињама. А Исус га запита говорећи: Како ти је име? А он рече: Легион; јер многи демони бијаху ушли у њега. И мољаху га да им не заповједи да иду у бездан. А ондје пасијаше по гори велико крдо свиња, и мољаху га да им допусти да у њих уђу. И допусти им. А пошто изиђоше демони из човјека, уђоше у свиње; и јурну крдо са стрмени у језеро, и утопи се. А кад видјеше свињари шта се догодило, побјегоше и јавише у граду и по селима. И изиђоше да виде шта се десило, и дођоше Исусу, и нађоше човјека из кога бијаху изишли демони гдје сједи одјевен и присебан код ногу Исусових; и уплашише се. А они што бијаху видјели, обавијестише их како се спасе бјесомучни. И мољаше га сав народ из околине гадаринске да оде од њих; јер бијаху обузети страхом великим. А он уђе у лађу и врати се. А човјек из кога изиђоше демони мољаше га да би с њим био; али га Исус отпусти говорећи: Врати се дому своме, и казуј шта ти учини Бог. И отиде проповиједајући по свему граду шта му учини Исус.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ |
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December Birthdays
Laurie Brosius (Dec 1), Stephani York (Dec 2), Alex Govelovich (Dec 2), Georgi Herigan (Dec 4), Gordana Fasnacht (Dec 4), Alexandra McFall (Dec 4), Paul Kasper (Dec 7), Alexa Healy (Dec 10), Nicholas Blitva (Dec 11), Sarah Milletics (Dec 11), Lorraine James (Dec 15), Quinn Gilroy (Dec 15), Irina Miljkovic (Dec 17), Steve Barry (Dec 17), Michael Filepas Jr (Dec 23), Carole Blitva (Dec 25)
December Anniversaries
Alex & Nicole Bazdar (Dec 11), Dori & Doug Bert (Dec 18), Lauren & Ross Spangler (Dec 21), Pharon & Christine Bertsch (Dec 27)
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FEAST OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS
The Feast of the Entrance into the Temple of the Most Holy Mother of God begins Friday, Dec 3, with Festal Vigil at 6:30 pm. We will continue Saturday, Dec 4 with Liturgy at 9 am.
NATIVITY FAST
The Nativity Fast begins on Sunday, November 28. This means that we prepare the body to receive the Incarnate Christ Child through fasting, alms-giving and prayer. It is a time to focus upon giving alms to the poor. It is a time to focus upon offering ourselves to God’s Church. It is a time to re-dedicate ourselves to praying to God, both in Divine Services and at home. Receive the Fast with Joy!
THANKS TO GOD
Wishing Fr Chris, his family and my very dear church family a joyous Thanksgiving with lots of laughter and sunshine. May God bless you all richly and keep you safe and protected. Miss you all very much. With love and prayers always, Olga Gaydebouroff
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.
NEW ITEMS AVAILABLE IN THE DISPLAY CASE
The Mother’s Club Display Case has new Nativity/Christmas Cards available. Check them out!
SOTAYA ČEVAPI SALE
Our SOTAYA Group is once again selling frozen packs of cevapi at $15/pack (32 pieces). To order see Dn. Bojan Gligorevic, Matthew Hoover, or call the office at 717.939.3872.
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"On Fasting"
Prayers by the Lake
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With fasting I gladden my hope in You, my Lord, Who are to come again. Fasting hastens my preparation for Your coming, the sole expectation of my days and nights. Fasting makes my body thinner, so that what remains can more easily shine with the spirit.
While waiting for You, I wish neither to nourish myself with blood nor to take life–so that the animals may sense the joy of my expectation. But truly, abstaining from food will not save me. Even if I were to eat only the sand from the lake, You would not come to me, unless the fasting penetrated deeper into my soul. I have come to know through my prayer, that bodily fasting is more a symbol of true fasting, very beneficial for someone who has only just begun to hope in You, and nevertheless very difficult for someone who merely practices it.
Therefore I have brought fasting into my soul to purge her of many impudent fiancé’s and to prepare her for You like a virgin.
And I have brought fasting into my mind, to expel from it all daydreams about worldly matters and to demolish all the air castles, fabricated from those daydreams. I have brought fasting into my mind, so that it might jettison the world and prepare to receive Your Wisdom.
And I have brought fasting into my heart, so that by means of it my heart might quell all passions and worldly selfishness. I have brought fasting into my heart, so that heavenly peace might ineffably reign over my heart, when Your stormy Spirit encounters it.
I prescribe fasting for my tongue, to break itself of the habit of idle chatter and to speak reservedly only those words that clear the way for You to come.
And I have imposed fasting on my worries so that it may blow them all away before itself like the wind that blows away the mist, lest they stand like dense fog between me and You, and lest they turn my gaze back to the world.
And fasting has brought into my soul tranquility in the face of uncreated and created realms, and humility towards men and creatures. And it has instilled in me courage, the likes of which I never knew when I was armed with every sort of worldly weapon.
What was my hope before I began to fast except merely another story told by others, which passed from mouth to mouth?
The story told by others about salvation through prayer and fasting became my own. False fasting accompanies false hope, just as no fasting accompanies hopelessness. But just as a wheel follows behind a wheel, so true fasting follows true hope.
Help me to fast joyfully and to hope joyously, for You, my Most Joyful Feast, are drawing near to me with Your radiant smile.
ST. NIKOLAI OF ZICA, OCHRID AND ALL-AMERICA
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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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