Pastoral Message from the August Beacon
08/01/2019
Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption,
August 1st marks our anniversary! That is yours and mine – 5 years together at the Assumption. I don’t know why, but 5 years seems more important than 3, 4 or 6. Perhaps is a bit of numeric OCD in which multiples of 5 are more pleasing and take precedence. Whatever the cause, it is a time for looking both to the past and to the future.
As the one given to the Assumption as shepherd to the community, I am constantly looking for ways that I, and we, can grow both our faith and our community. How can we become more faithful and become greater beacons of Orthodoxy as Christians and as a Parish?
The most common answers are typically very specific: be on time to Divine Liturgy, attend more frequently, participate in Bible Study, increase stewardship, fast more (or at all), etc. But these are merely examples, or symptoms, of the changes that are needed. So, what needs to grow? The answer is actually quite simple, even if its internalization is not easy.
The answer is 3-fold: obedience, commitment and discipline.
Obedience to God is simply submitting to His authority. This means that we must truly understand that He is our King, our Savior, our God; that I am (we are) the chief of all sinners; and, that the only thing that connects the one that is greater than the heavens to us is mercy. This is truly the power of the Jesus Prayer, “Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, the sinner.” This is the first step – it is the “Ah-ha” moment in which we truly understand, and our reality is forever altered.
Commitment to God (or faithfulness) is consistent dedication to His will. Having submitted to God in obedience, we now must allow the “rubber to hit the road.” What is His will? This is the question that we ask ourselves (or try and discern) at almost every decision. When we are looking to buy a house or change jobs, do we consult God as to His will? Do we use our gifts to help others? Do we see ourselves in His world as the creation, or are we constantly seeing ourselves empowered as though we are the creator? None of these are easy questions – but in obedience, He gives us the answers.
Discipline is putting aside what you want right now for what you really want. This is where “eschatology” enters. The “eschaton” is the point at the end of temporal history and the beginning of eternity. In common terms, it is the “last judgement” or the “end of the world” – although it is not the end of the world, just the end of the world as we know it. Discipline is to see the present world through the lens (or filter) of the eschaton. It is to desire salvation more than anything that the physical world can give us.
As stated earlier: The answer is 3-fold: obedience, commitment and discipline. A simple, but not easy, solution.
So, where do we see our beloved parish in 5 years? Ultimately, many more dedicated members in participation in the sacraments; a new community center to not only service our current faithful, but also provide for future generations and those that are brought to the faith; philanthropic efforts that make the Assumption a place of faith, hope and love to the greater Louisville community; and most importantly, a place where His will is manifested though obedience, commitment and discipline.
Will this remain merely a vision? Or will we, as His body, make it the reality? Will my letter on our 10th anniversary be a repeat of this one? Or will we be rejoicing in our journey? Our beloved parish has already had an extraordinary journey – will we continue it? That is up to us, both you and I…
I remain,
In His Service,
Rev. Father Jon Boukis
Proistamenos
"Attract, Serve, Illuminate"