Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas Bulletin - July 18, 2021
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Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo esta entra nosotros! |
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Homily for the Fourth Sunday
from Fr. Philip LeMasters
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So much in our world today seems to boil down to money and power. So many will sacrifice everything for those false gods. But today we are reminded that God’s ways are not our ways, that His love, mercy, and blessing are not the prisoners of the false boundaries that we have constructed between ourselves and others—and between ourselves and Him. That was shocking news to the Jews of first century Palestine and it still challenges us all today.
In the time and place of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry, most people wanted to limit God’s salvation to their own kind, to those who were part of their group. They wanted a savior, a messiah, who would be a regular earthly ruler who would free their land from the control of the pagan Romans. And the Romans believed that their gods protected their empire. By the end of the first century, they persecuted Christians who would not worship the gods of the Rome because they were considered traitors who would not do their part to serve the empire. And they crucified the Lord as though he were a rebel, one who challenged the authority of Caesar. That’s why the sign at the top of the cross identified Him as the King of the Jews. The Romans used His death to remind the Jews what would happen to anyone who dared question their authority.
So imagine how strange it must have seemed to everyone when a Roman centurion asked Jesus Christ to heal his sick servant. A centurion was a Roman soldier with a hundred men under his authority, but this centurion had so much humility that he knew immediately that he was not worthy that Christ should enter his home. And he had so much faith that he knew that the Lord didn’t need to enter into order to heal his servant. “Only speak a word, and my servant will be healed,” the man said. Our Savior marveled at his faith, which surpassed that of anyone in Israel, of any of the Jews. This humble, faithful Gentile, this hated foreigner, was a sign that “many will come from the east and the west, (from all over the world), and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”
In other words, this gospel passage shows that God’s promises to Abraham and his family from the Old Testament apply to everyone with faith in Jesus Christ. He is the Messiah of the Jews in Whom God’s promises are extended also to the Gentiles, to the entire world, to all people regardless of nationality or culture. That is how a Roman centurion became the model of faith, the great example of a hated foreigner who will join in the heavenly banquet with the saints of the Hebrew people.
His story reminds us that, in Christ Jesus, the petty distinctions we make between ourselves and others do not matter very much; indeed, they are irrelevant in the Kingdom of God. For as we see in the Lord’s encounter with the Roman centurion, true humility and faith are not the exclusive possessions of any nation or race. People from all over the world will enter God’s Kingdom not because of the passport they hold, but because they have become participants by grace in the eternal life of the Holy Trinity.
We also commemorate today Sts. Comas and Damian, the unmercenary healers and martyrs. They provided medical care free of charge to their patients; and if that weren’t miraculous enough in itself, God also worked healing miracles through them. The Lord certainly did not charge for healing and these saints continued that ministry by extending His mercy, love, and blessing to the sick regardless of whether they were rich or poor. Their care was a sign of His gracious salvation that extends to all.
As we all know, it’s a temptation to prize wealth and power in ways that separate us from God and one another. At the time of our Lord’s earthly ministry, the Jews commonly assumed that rich people were wealthy because they were holy. Likewise, they assumed that the poor were in need as punishment for their sins. Christ and His apostles challenged these assumptions on many occasions by word and deed. In fact, it was often the lowly who responded most readily to the Lord’s teaching, perhaps because they had no illusions about their self-importance or righteousness. And the Church has canonized as saints the unmercenary healers who became living icons of the humble, selfless love of Christ in restoring the sick to health with no regard to financial resources. Since they received freely the blessing of the Lord, they gave freely to others. They paid it forward, you might say.
Today we remember that our Savior challenges all the earthly distinctions that we have created in order to build ourselves up and put others town. The division between Jew and Greek, between Hebrew and Roman, between rich and poor, between strong and weak, are broken down in Jesus Christ. The same is true for the national, ethnic, and political distinctions that divide people today. Did you notice that Christ did not call upon the centurion to take on a new political affiliation, resign from the Roman army, or become a Jew? Instead, He simply praised the faith of that humble man, healed his servant, and used the occasion as an opportunity to prophesy that many foreigners will join the great patriarchs of the Old Testament in the Kingdom of heaven, while many Jews will be excluded.
And that was truly an amazing and shocking thing to say. Don’t forget that the centurion was an officer in the army that occupied our Lord’s homeland. Contrary to what everyone expected from a Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ apparently had nothing against him on that account. He was not concerned with kicking out foreign invaders. He did not treat the centurion as an enemy soldier to be defeated or a political foe to be overthrown, but instead as a child of God with faith superior to that of His own people. For Jesus Christ is not a tribal deity only concerned with those of a certain land or background. He is the second Adam Who heals our common corruption and conquers death, which is the wages of sin for all human beings. The blessings of life eternal are available in Christ to all who have the humility and faith shown by that most unlikely believer, the Roman centurion.
And if we are truly faithful to the Lord, we may not claim Him only for ourselves and those like us. Instead, we will manifest His love, mercy, and blessing to all by how we welcome and serve them, and how we speak and think of them, regardless of their nationality, race, wealth, poverty, or anything else. We encounter Christ in every person we meet, for all human beings are created in His image. How we treat “the least of these” is how we treat Him. He does not limit His mercy to those who deserve it and neither should we.
It is so easy to judge and divide others according to the corrupt standards of our world, which usually boil down to money and power in one form or another; but that is certainly not what the Lord did in how he responded to the Centurion. In ways that surely shocked everyone, He saw faith and humility in a hated foreigner that surpassed those of His own people. The challenge to us is to follow His example and that of the holy mercenaries, fighting the temptation to make God in our image and to limit His mercy to those whom we think deserve it for some reason. The challenge is to reflect, to convey, to make present the same grace and love that we have freely received to those whom we encounter each day without exception, no matter who they are.
So with mindfulness and repentance, let us learn to view everyone—even those whom we find it hard to love or even tolerate-- as someone called to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven. Let us live as those who know the undeserved mercy of God and share His grace with others in how we treat them. That was the way of the holy unmercenaries Sts. Comas and Damian, and it must be our way if we wish to follow them into eternal life. We have freely received Christ’s mercy; let us then freely give.
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Commemorating the Hieromartyr Lampados of Irenopolis, Hieromartyr Cyprian of Mt Athos, Martyr Anna at Rome, Martyr Cyrilla of Cyrene in Libya, Venerable Athanasius founder of the Great Lavra and Coenobitic Monasticism on Mt Athos and his six disciples, Uncovering of the relics of Venerable Sergius of Radonezh
RESURRECTIONAL 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 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 SERGIUS TROPARION — TONE 8
From your youth you received Christ into your soul, O ven’rable one, and above all desired to leave behind the turmoil of the world. You courageously settled in the wilderness, where you raised children in obedience, the fruits of humility. Thus, as an abode of the Trinity, you enlightened all who approached in faith and granted healing to all. Our Father Sergius, pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved!
RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION — TONE 3
On this day You arose 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 the patriarchs they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Your power!
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: Lenny Tepsic Epistle: Marko Rocknage
Matins Next Week: Nicholas Ressetar Epistle Next Week: Matthew Hoover
EPISTLE: Romans 6: 18-23
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, O people, 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 Romans.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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: Римљанима 6: 18-23
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 Римљанима
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, ослободивши се пак гријеха, постадосте слуге праведности. Као човјек говорим због немоћи вашега тијела. Јер као што давасте уде своје да робују нечистоти и безакоњу за безакоње, тако сада дајте уде своје да служе правди за освећење. Јер када бијасте робови гријеха, слободни бијасте од праведности. Какав, дакле, плод имадосте тада од онога чега се сада стидите? Јер је крај онога смрт. А сад, ослободивши се од гријеха и поставши слуге Божије, имате плод свој на освећење, а крај живот вјечни. Јер је плата за гријех смрт, а дар Божији је живот вјечни у Христу Исусу, Господу нашем.
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:
Matthew 8: 5-13
At that time, when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Матеј 8: 5-13
У вријеме оно, кад Исус уђе у Капернаум, приступи му капетан молећи га и говорећи: Господе, слуга мој лежи дома одузет, и страшно се мучи. А Исус му рече: Ја ћу доћи и исцијелићу га. И капетан одговори и рече: Господе, нисам достојан да под кров мој уђеш, него само реци ријеч, и оздравиће слуга мој. Јер и ја сам човјек под влашћу, и имам под собом војнике, па речем једноме: иди, и иде: и другоме: дођи, и дође; и слуги своме: учини то, и учини. А кад чу Исус, задиви се и рече онима што иду за њим: Заиста вам кажем: ни у Израиљу толике вјере не нађох. А кажем вам да ће многи од истока и запада доћи и сјешће за трпезу с Авраамом, и Исаком, и Јаковом у Царству небескоме; а синови царства биће изгнани у таму најкрајњу; ондје ће бити плач и шкргут зуба. А капетану рече Исус: Иди, и како си вјеровао нека ти буде. И оздрави слуга његов у тај час.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ |
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July Birthdays
Edie Venesevich (July 6), Jovanka Shaffer (July 7), Christian Gunther (July 8), Sloane Ivey Semic (July 8), Cindy Semic (July 10), Kyle Barber (July 10), Faith Kingsbury (July 10), Duke Petrovich (July 11), Paula Werner (July 11), Bo Hudson Paddock (July 11), Melania Skinder (July 12), Andrea Gunther (July 13), Jazmin Cruz (July 13), Pam Healy (July 14), Jevgenija Radanovic (July 16), Lenny Tepsich Jr (July 16), Alana Tepsich (July 17), Igor Skinder (July 18), Milan Radanovic (July 22), Paul Kessler (July 30), Erik Barber (July 31), Jovan Grujic, Bojan Lazarevic
July Anniversaries
Dennis and Chloe Ruff (July 17)
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SUMMER SERVICE SCHEDULE
As we will continue to have the doors of the Church open during services, Matins will begin at 8am followed by Divine Liturgy at 9am.
CONGRATULATIONS!
We offer heartfelt thanks to God and congratulations to the newlywed couple, Chloe & Dennis Ruff, as they begin their lives together, united in Christ. May God bless them with every good thing, so that having more than enough of everything, they may in turn give to those in need.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR
Beginning in August, we will resume organizations taking responsibility for Fellowship Hour. The month of August is organized by the Kolo Srpskih Sestara.
DEADLINE (TODAY) FOR ENVELOPE ADDRESS CHANGE
If you are not receiving envelopes and wish to, receiving envelopes and no longer wish to, or you need to make an address change, please inform the office TODAY, July 18!
SERB PARK CLEAN-UP
On Friday, July 23 and Saturday July 24 we will be getting Serb Park ready for the picnic on Sunday. Please bring your work clothes, buckets and rags to clean bathrooms, tables, etc.
CLUB PICNIC VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Your church needs your help. Please consider volunteering your time for the Club’s Annual Picnic on Sunday, July 25, which will be held AT SERB PARK!!! No amount of time is too small. Please contact Paula Werner (717-433-4158) if you are able to work.
PASTRY DONATIONS NEEDED
We are also in need of Home Made Pastry donations for the Club’s Annual Picnic on Sunday, July 25. Please contact Paula Werner (717-433-4158) if you are able to donate.
MOTHER’S CLUB KIOSK
Don’t forget to check out the new greeting cards available at the Mother’s Club Kiosk in the Lobby!
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!
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July Charity
Monastery New Marcha
On July 26, Monastery Marcha celebrates its Slava, the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel, so it is fitting that the monastery is our Charity Sunday recipient this month. It is the first monastery established for Serbian Orthodox nuns in the United States and was begun in 1975 by His Grace, the late Bishop Dr. Sava. Its inspiration was the original 17th century Monastery Marcha of Serbia, destroyed by war twice in the 20th century. From modest beginnings, Monastery Marcha has grown. In addition to the new monastery church erected in 2001, there is a residence and lodgings for visiting monastics. The weekly Divine Liturgy is celebrated by nearby clergy. Mother Anna, of blessed memory, was the first American-born Serbian Orthodox nun who took residence at Monastery Marcha, and we, at St. Nicholas Church, counted Mother Anna as our dear friend. We have been blessed to have had her visit with us. Monastery Marcha’s main income is derived from the sale of candles, prayer ropes and other religious articles. If you travel to the Cleveland, Ohio area, plan to visit Monastery Marcha in nearby Richfield. It is a beautiful and uplifting spiritual site and visitors are welcomed with great warmth and hospitality.
You can send an email to the Monastery at monasterymarcha@yahoo.com
Monastery Marcha, 5095 Broadview Road, Richfield, OH 44286, (330) 659-3809
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