Parish life
Last Sunday we celebrated our kids graduating from Pre-School, complete with caps, gowns, certificates and a cake. The parents extend their heartfelt gratitude to the servants who planned this day in celebration of this milestone.
Praying on Sunday
Fr Luke
Wed
Early Liturgy, 5 to 7am
Thu
Fortnightly Thursday Liturgy, 8:30am (next one 25 December)
Bible Study, 6:30 to 7:30pm
Kids Karate (ages 7+), 6:30 to 7:30pm
English Classes, 6:30 to 7:30pm
Tasbeha, 7:30 to 8:30pm
Babysitting available, 6:30 to 8:30pm
From the pulpit
In today's Gospel we hear about a very common theme, and that theme is waiting. Are you waiting for an answer from God on something? There are lots of times where we wait for things: in queues at Coles and Woolworths, in traffic, for new jobs.
Today, we learn that Zachariah was waiting for something bigger. Zachariah and Elizabeth waited decades to bear a child, and in today's Gospel the Lord answers this prayer. One thing we will focus on today is how we should wait.
For predictable elements of our lives, preparedness is important. That's why things like superannuation exist. They help give us comfort in later chapters of our lives, when there are fewer elements in our control, like health. Competitive sports players go in with preparation. It ensures they play their best when game day arrives. In each chapter, we are called to wait for outcomes, but how do we get through the waiting periods?
If you want a masterclass in how to wait, it exists in David in Psalm 130. He says, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope." So how does he wait? It's subtle, but this encapsulates how to wait for God. We start with hope. Hoping in the Lord's word will never be futile. The Lord's words are powerful. We see this when He says to the little girl "Arise," when He instructs the paralytic man to take up his bed and walk. His words hold power, depth, meaning and clear instruction. The word of the Lord is powerful, but it needs to be accepted with faith.
In the Orthodox Church, we're very good at many things. There is reverence, there are sacraments, readings of Scripture, incense, but we shouldn't forget that the common thread which binds and strengthens these sacraments is faith.
In Hebrews chapter 11, St Paul says that without faith it is impossible to please God. We need to remember to carry faith in our actions, and in our waiting periods.
There is a survey where more than 100,000 people were studied. The hypothesis was to look into the effect of reading the Bible at least four times a week. The survey found you are 57% less likely to abuse alcohol. You're 59% less likely to view bad things online. You are 68% less likely to be unfaithful to your wife or husband. You are 74% less likely to gamble. You are 40% less likely to have bitterness in your relationships. You are 32% less likely to have destructive thoughts. You are 30% less likely to experience loneliness, and you're 31% less likely to lash out at people in anger. Very encouraging results.
If you ever ask a confession father what the spiritual failing is of someone who is viewing unsavoury things online, the common factor is usually that they aren't reading their Bibles each night. Reading the Bible was also found to improve your emotional, physical and spiritual health. So what are two ways that we can show God we trust in His word?
I was listening to a Bible study by Father Michael and also by a monk who serves in Sydney. The first lesson they teach us is, "Don't go to problems with your words. Put God's word in the midst of the problem instead." The word of God is extremely powerful to win souls, to fix problems and to hold hope. Sometimes, if we're talking to someone, you might be thinking in your head, what is the next thing I can say to profoundly change the person in front of me? This is foolish. We need to think of God's word and relinquish the power we think we have.
I attended a wedding reception before I was a priest, and I bumped into a former Sunday School student of mine. He had drifted so far away from the church, and he appeared to be making a comeback. He told me the secret of his comeback was Bible reading. He confided that the verse he came across was Matthew 16:26: "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul?" That was the catalyst for his change. A love of riches could not help him attain heaven. Only a relationship with God could save and satisfy him.
The other thing we can do with the word of God is apply His word in our lives. Pope Tawadros, our current Pope, says to have a verse for everything in your life. We sometimes think learning verses is for elementary school, but it's not exclusive to kids. We should all be armed with the word of God in order to respond to life's temptations and trials.
Imagine if we took the Pope's advice and every problem in our life had a solution in the Bible. For example, when you are expecting something, instead of thinking catastrophically, why not apply Psalm 62:5: "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." You can worry 40 times in a day, or every time you have a worrying thought, you can recite this verse, meaning you'll pray 40 more times than you ordinarily would. If we live this advice, you will find extreme peace and comfort.
The Bible encourages trust in His power. 1 John 4:4 says, "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." He gives the solutions. He gives the assurance. He quiets our troubled souls.
There are two habits I would love you all to develop in your daily rituals.
If we forget to read the Bible, I suggest we put it in our pillowcase. It will mean that each time we come to sleep, we will be reminded to seek God's word first.
If you find the Upper Room Media app, which was developed by Father Mark, there is a tab called "The Bible Project" which provides context to what you are reading, to help you absorb the richness of what you are consuming. I encourage you to open the app to support your Bible reading so you receive the full benefit.
The benefits of Bible reading are proven and they are yours to gain.
Glory be to God. Amen.
Parish life
A reminder that Father Luke will return to St John's on 20 December. We will take part in the Rite of Receiving the New Priest, which marks the end of his 40 days at the monastery. Please arrive by 5:30pm at the latest, so Abouna returns to a full church congregation who are ready and waiting to receive him. Father Mark has asked us all to be present with our kids, to celebrate the return of our new parish priest and the start of his fatherhood with us.
4 photos. Tap one to enlarge it.
