This week's Gospel tells of the man born blind. When the disciples ask whose sin caused his blindness, Christ answers that neither he nor his parents sinned, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." He makes mud with His saliva, puts it on the man's eyes and sends him to wash in the Pool of Siloam, and the man comes home seeing.
The healing happens on a Sabbath, and the Pharisees question the man, then his frightened parents, then the man again. He will not be moved from what he knows: "One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" They throw him out of the synagogue.
Then Christ finds him and asks, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" The man asks who He is, so that he may believe. Christ says, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you." And the man says, "Lord, I believe," and worships Him.
Bible Study, 6:30 to 7:30pm (from 5 February) Kids Karate (ages 7+), 6:30 to 7:30pm (from 5 February) English Classes, 6:30 to 7:30pm Tasbeha, 7:30 to 8:30pm Babysitting available, 6:30 to 8:30pm Mothers group and Liturgy, 12 February
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Additional Liturgy, 7 February, 8:30am
Sun
Kids Liturgy with Fr Luke, arrive 8:45am, doors close 9:15am (ages 5+ only) The Way: coffee and a chat to delve deeper into our faith, 11 to 11:45am, starting 15 February
From HH Pope Shenouda III, Contemplations on the Book of Jonah, chapter two
"Jonah was thrown into the sea, yet he was not thrown unto death. God's Providence still held him, and God was still with His plan of sending him to the city of Nineveh for the sake of its salvation.
Is this man, O Lord, still suitable for this great ministry, after all he has done?
Yes. This Jonah is My son, and My beloved. He is also My prophet, and I will send him to Nineveh. If he sinned I will correct him and make him useful for My ministry. I will save his soul and save the city through him. This unpolished stone, I undertake to chisel until I make it suitable for building.
Indeed, God is wondrous in His longsuffering. He does not hastily abandon or become angry with His servants who fall."
From the pulpit
A state of churches
Fr Jonathan · On the eve of Jonah's fast
A couple of days ago I went to Adelaide to visit my sister. As we were driving through the streets, I noticed a very old and beautiful church that had been converted into a temple for a non-Christian community. I asked her, "What has happened to the churches here?"
She told me that many years ago South Australia was known as the City of Churches, but more recently it has been called the City of Festivals. Many churches have been sold and converted into restaurants or retail outlets.
That led me to wonder about our own physical and spiritual state. How do we identify who we are? Am I in a state of "church" or a state of "festivals", spiritually and personally? Are we focused only on fun, or are we protecting our spiritual life, following God's teaching, and choosing the narrow gate?
Tomorrow is the start of Jonah's fast for three days. Are we ready to be in a state of churches, willing to live ascetically, or are we chasing the world's festivals, concerts, Netflix and social media? Which way will we go?
There is a woman in our church whom I look for at the beginning of Lent each year for confession. When she doesn't come, I search for her. I search for her because she understands the ascetic purpose of the Christian life. She understands the blessing of sacrifice. She is joyful in personal sacrifice and in being deeply rooted in God's word. This is the life of asceticism.
Sadly, the world's focus is often on fun. It was not always this way. If my soul were a "state of Adelaide", would my holiness slowly disappear? Would it be sold off to worldly things? Would I lose my connection with God?
We thank God for fasting periods that give us the chance to deny ourselves. Over these three days, we can choose to be in a state of churches. We can delay small comforts, even a morning coffee, and practise self-denial. The body may complain, but holiness is the fruit of sacrifice.
Pope Kyrillos was a model of holiness. When he passed away, his disciples searched for suitable clothing for his funeral and could not find anything new. Though he was a pope, he kept nothing of value for himself and lived poorer than the poor.
Let us set aside social media during Jonah's fast. Delight in the Lord. Use your time wisely. Embrace quiet contemplation, calmness and stillness to preserve your peace.
There is a wide gate and a narrow gate. Choose the path that leads to heaven. Let go of the world's vanity. Amen.
Parish life
Noticeboard
St John's Church app update: an important update has been released for both Apple and Android. Please make sure your phone has the latest version, for bug fixes and to be able to order food and coffee. Food pre-orders open Saturday at 3pm.
Saturday 7 February 2026, from 9amMen's ConferenceA day of men's fellowship, starting with a Liturgy at 9am, at St Huberts Island. Bring a mate!
Sundays from 15 February, 11:15am to 12pmThe WayLearn more about your Coptic Orthodox faith over a coffee and a chat. At 37 Culwulla St, South Hurstville.
Saturday 21 February, 7pmMums of St John's: Spiritual EveningAn evening of fellowship and an overview of St Paul's epistles, guided by Fr Daniel Fanous.
27 February to 1 March 2026Father and Son Camping TripSt Shenouda's Monastery, 8419 Putty Rd, Putty NSW.
Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March 2026St John's Family Retreat: Abide in MeThe Fairmont Resort, Blue Mountains (1 Sublime Point Road, Leura). Bookings were through TryBooking.
Coming soonUpper Room Christian Bookshop CaféA new bookshop café on the corner of Rocky Point Rd and Ramsgate Rd: books, media, icons and good conversations over coffee. You can help by sponsoring a book (order 10 copies of a favourite book for the shelves), sponsoring the fitout, or bringing a friend along for a coffee. Speak to Fr Mark.
