Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas Bulletin - July 25, 2021
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Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo esta entra nosotros! |
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Homily on the Miracle of the Gergesene Demoniacs
from Fr. Anthony Hughes
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The extreme case Jesus faced in today’s Gospel reading called for great compassion and courage. While I know it is tempting to focus on the drama and display of power, I think the point of the story leads us in a different direction.
It is counterproductive to focus our attention on evil especially if we consider the verse from Deuteronomy, “As a man thinks in his heart, so he is.” We surely do not want the contemplation of evil to darken our hearts. It is far better to focus on beautiful and holy things as St. Paul writes in Philippians, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” After all, if for no other reason, having heard thousands of confession, I can assure you that evil is boring. Holiness, on the other hand, is always interesting! So, let’s not focus on the demons today (or ever), but on Christ and the power of God’s love.
In Philippians 2 St. Paul quotes a hymn of the early church about the incarnation. The Son of God “made himself nothing by taking on the form of a servant…and humbled himself even unto death.” In today’s Gospel reading the Servanthood of God comes alive again. Christ reaches out to serve two untouchable men without any regard for his own safety or reputation. Here were two poor, dangerous men, labeled as demon possessed, isolated, persecuted, ostracized, cast out from any kind of human society and any compassionate support and Jesus became their servant, healer and friend.
It does not amaze me that Jesus had power over demons (why would that be such a big thing for the Son of God?). What never ceases to move me is the Lord’s never-ending display of compassion in the face of extreme human suffering. Jesus never turned away from suffering people. He never tried to protect himself from those who were despised and rejected the way we often do. He let nothing stand in the way of Love. This was how he fulfilled the will of his Father who is love. God is love is the Good News! This is the message the world longed to hear then and longs to hear now and in Christ we not only hear it, we see it in action. In us, too often, it is neither heard nor seen.
Those who truly love God are easy to find because they are full of love. Love is the one unmistakable sign of a disciple of Christ. Corinthians 13, “if I have not love, I am nothing.” Hatred may cross their minds, but, like a passing cloud, they have learned to let it come and let it go. And if we read the Gospels we discover something else surprising, it is often not the religious and the pious who get it, it is the ones who know they are nothing. Yannaras writes of this:
"In the language of his place and time, Christ spoke of the mode of existence and life ‘according to truth’ as the ‘kingdom of heaven.’ He preached that those who guide us toward this ‘mode’ are not pious religious people, those who find satisfaction in being virtuous, those who shore up their ego by keeping some kind of law. Those who guide us are people who have lost all confidence in their own selves, people who expect no personal reward whatsoever, and only thirst to be loved even if they don't deserve it - despised sinners: tax collectors, robbers, prostitutes, and prodigals.”
Dostoevsky chimes in on the same theme from CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, “Then Christ will say to us, 'Come you also! Come you drunkards! Come you weaklings! Come you depraved!' And he will say to us, 'Vile creatures, you in the image of the beast and you who bear his mark. All the same, you come too!' And the wise and prudent will say, 'Lord, why are you welcoming them? And he will say, 'O wise and prudent, I am welcoming them because not one of them has ever judged himself worthy. And he will stretch out his arms to us, and we shall fall at his feet, and burst into sobs, and then we shall understand everything, everything! Lord, your kingdom come!”
How glorious is the grace of God! It makes one wonder where all this legalism we think of as “orthodox” comes from.
I heard about a man in Los Angeles (you may have as well) who lives the life of a true lover of God. He is a widower, alone in the world. When he discovered he had cancer, he had to face it alone, with no one to hold his hand, and no one to support him. He admits that he was terrified. When he recovered (thank God), he thought to himself, “If I, a grown man, was so terribly afraid, how much more frightened must children be when they are facing death alone?” So he began his life’s work. A work of great love, self-sacrifice, and humility. He takes in children who are alone and dying and cares for them until the end. Some of them live for only days after they are sent to him. Others live longer and he loves them all and suffers with them and mourns them when they die. He lives a life full of joy and tremendous sorrow and he does it willingly. 24/7 he does this work without pay, without time off. His name is Mohamed Bzeek and he is an immigrant from Libya. “Blessed are those,” Jesus says, “who hear my words and do them.”
St. Isaac of Syria tells us, “Wherever there is love, there is God.” Whenever and in whomever we find such ego-transcending compassion, we can be sure that we are looking at someone who has heard the voice of the Son of God and taken it to heart. "Love all God's creation,” writes Dostoevsky, “ the whole of it and every grain of sand. Love every leaf, every ray of God's light. Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things."
My belief is that if all of us are called to discover and live this kind of life. The question then is: what is your calling and how will you live it out?
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Commemorating Martyrs Proclus and Hilary of Ancyra, Martyrs Theodore and his son John of Kiev, Martyr Golinduc of Persia, Venerable Michael Maleinos, Venerable Arsenius of Novgorod the Fool-For-Christ, Venerable Simon Abbot of Volomsk, Venerable John and Venerable Gabriel the Georgians of Mt Athos, St Veronica the woman with the issue of blood, St Serapion the New
RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION—TONE 4
When the women Disciples of the Lord learned from the Angel the joyous message of the Resurrection, they cast away the ancestral curse and elatedly told the Apostles: “Death is overthrown! Christ God is 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.
MARTYRS PROCLUS AND HILARY TROPARION—TONE 4
You holy martyrs Proclus and Hilary, O Lord, through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, Our God. For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. Through their intercessions, save our souls!
VENERABLE MICHAEL TROPARION—TONE 8
The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Father, for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By so doing you taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes away but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal. Therefore your spirit, O holy Father Michael, rejoices with the Angels.
RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION—TONE 4
My Savior and Redeemer as God rose from the tomb and delivered the earth-born from their chains. He has shattered the gates of hell, and as Master, He has risen on the third day!
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 in your goodness 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: Nicholas Ressetar Epistle: Matthew Hoover
Matins Next Week: Milan Radanovic Epistle Next Week: Dasha Gencturk
EPISTLE: Romans 10: 1-10
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Fourth Tone: O Lord, how manifold are Your works; in wisdom have You made them all.
CHOIR: O Lord, how manifold are Your works; in wisdom have You made them all.
READER: v: Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great!
CHOIR: O Lord, how manifold are Your works; in wisdom have You made them all.
READER: O Lord, how manifold are Your works;
CHOIR: In wisdom have You made them all.
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Go forth, prosper and reign, for the sake of meekness, righteousness and truth!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: For You love righteousness, and hate iniquity.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Римљанима 10-1-10
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 4 Како је много дјела Твојих, Господе! Све си премудро створио.
Хор: Како је много дјела Твојих, Господе! Све си премудро створио.
Читач: Благослови, душо моја Господа! Господе Боже мој, велик си веома.
Хор: Како је много дјела Твојих, Господе! Све си премудро створио.
Читач: Како је много дјела Твојих, Господе!
Хор: Све си премудро створио.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање је од посланице Светог апостола Павла до Римљанима
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, жеља је срца мога и молитва Богу за Израиљ да се спасе. Јер им свједочим да имају ревност за Бога, али не по разуму. Јер не познајући правде Божије и настојећи да своју правду утврде, не покорише се правди Божијој. Јер је Христос завршетак Закона за оправдање сваком који вјерује. Јер Мојсеј пише за праведност која је од закона: Човјек који то чини живјеће у томе. А праведност која је од вјере овако говори: Да не речеш у срцу своме: Ко ће се попети на небо? то јест да сведе Христа; Или: Ко ће сићи у бездан? то јест, да изведе Христа из мртвих. Али шта говори (Писмо)? Близу ти је ријеч у устима твојима и у срцу твоме, то јест ријеч вјере коју проповиједамо. Јер ако исповиједаш устима својим да је Исус Господ, и вјерујеш у срцу својему да га Бог подиже из мртвих, бићеш спасен. Јер се срцем вјерује за праведност, а устима се исповиједа за спасење.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Похитај, напредуј и владај, ради истине, кротости и правде.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Љубиш правду и мрзиш безакоње.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Matthew 8:28-9:1
When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region. So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Матеј 8:28-9:1
У оно вријеме Исус дође на ону страну у земљу Гергесинску, сретоше га два бјесомучника, излазећи из гробова, тако опака да не могаше нико проћи путем оним. И гле, повикаше говорећи: Шта хоћеш од нас, Исусе, Сине Божији? Зар си дошао амо прије времена да нас мучиш? А далеко од њих пасијаше велико крдо свиња. И демони га мољаху говорећи: Ако нас изгониш, дозволи нам да идемо у крдо свиња. И рече им: Идите. И они изишавши отидоше у крдо свиња. И гле, навали све крдо свиња са бријега у море, и утопише се у води. А свињари побјегоше; и дошавши у град казаше све, и за бјесомучнике. И гле, сав град изиђе у сусрет Исусу; и видјевши га, молише да оде из њиховог краја. И ушавши у лађу, пређе и дође у свој град.
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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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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.
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.
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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