St John's has been blessed with a wonderful new addition to our church community: a dedicated Orban Room. This special space will support our growing efforts to become self-sufficient in preparing the blessed Orban (Hamal) used in the Holy Sacrament of Communion.
With services held each Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, we are now inviting parishioners to join a roster to assist with this important ministry. Volunteers can participate as often or as little as they wish, with duties rotating weekly.
Thank you to everyone who has already expressed interest. To join the roster, speak to the church office or ask through the St John's app. It's the perfect Saturday night activity for you and your families to participate in.
Praying on Sunday
Fr Luke and Fr Anthony
This week at St John's
Wed
Early Liturgy, 5 to 7am
Thu
Morning Liturgy, 8:30 to 10am 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 Mothers Meeting, every second Thursday (next on 18 June)
Sat
Divine Liturgy, 8:30am Vespers, 4:30pm
Sun
Divine Liturgy, 8:30am Kids Liturgy, 8:30am (ages 5+ only) The Way: coffee and a chat to delve deeper into our faith, 11 to 11:45am
Whenever I hear this Gospel (Matthew 12:22–37) and read of the Lord healing this afflicted man, I think of myself. We are under continuous attack from the devil, and often we do not even realise it.
The man whom the Lord Jesus healed was blind and mute. He could neither see nor speak properly, and yet through Christ he came to know God. In many ways, we are like him. Our eyes are not always primed to see the full glory of God, and our ears often fail to hear His word. This is one of the devil's recurring attacks on us: to blind us to the beauty of God and to deafen us to His voice.
Those who truly see and hear the Lord are not easily ensnared by the world. When you see the beauty of God, the beauty and attractions of the world begin to fade.
There is a beautiful reflection from Fr Matta El-Meskeen that contemplates why we need Christ. We need Him for freedom. We come to church, we listen to sermons and hear God's words, but sometimes those words do not penetrate our hearts, and we struggle to see the right path before us. Only Christ can open our eyes and free us from our spiritual blindness.
St Moses the Black
We see God's hand clearly in the life of St Moses the Black. This man was almost completely owned by the devil. He was physically strong, feared by many, and lived a life of violence and sin. Yet he discovered that his strength meant nothing before God.
There is a Catholic monastery in Mittagong that holds St Moses the Black as its patron saint. They once contacted Fr Pavlos at our monastery in Windsor and asked for an icon of St Moses as a reminder of the freedom that God grants from the bondage of the devil.
Once St Moses encountered Christ, his senses changed, his heart changed, and his whole life was transformed. The best thing the Lord can do for any of us is to heal us.
I recently spoke with a young man who can already see the beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ. I could see it in his eyes: he had discovered something precious. He desired to be baptised because he could see the beauty of the throne of God and the joy of belonging to Christ.
The freedom in our eyes
The freedom in our eyes is the healing that comes from Christ. We pray that the Lord will free us from the bondage of the devil and open our spiritual senses.
When Jesus performed this miracle, He did so before a crowd. The simple people glorified God and said, "Could this be the Son of David?" The Pharisees, however, were more complicated in their thinking and refused to see the good that stood before them.
If you need freedom, ask for it from the Lord. His freedom brings true happiness and lasting peace.
Sometimes we struggle financially, and we witness the decline and suffering of people around us. Yet I have never known money to bring true joy to anyone.
Real joy comes from seeing Christ, hearing His voice, and living in the freedom that only He can give.
Book recommendation
Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity is a powerful exploration of the core beliefs shared by all Christians. Originally adapted from a series of radio talks during World War II, the book presents a logical and accessible case for the Christian faith. Lewis begins by arguing that there is a universal moral law written on every human heart, pointing to the existence of God. He then explains humanity's problem of sin and our inability to live according to God's standards, revealing our need for a Saviour.
Lewis goes on to unpack the central doctrines of Christianity, including the divinity of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, and the transformative work of grace in the believer's life. He emphasises that Christianity is not merely about being a good person but about becoming a new creation in Christ.
Key takeaways for Christians include the importance of pursuing holiness, surrendering every area of life to God, cultivating virtues such as humility and charity, and recognising that true joy and purpose are found in complete obedience to Christ. Christianity is ultimately about transformation into the likeness of Jesus.
