Cross & Covenant in Old Testament (9-9-2018)

   The Vikings begin their 2018 season today against the San Francisco 49ers. The Vikes are 3 to 6 point favorites which seems pretty close. There is a slight chance the game could go into OT. When I say OT almost everyone knows I am talking about ‘overtime’ in the context of football and sports. In the setting of the Church and Christianity what does OT stand for? It stands for Old Testament? If someone asked you what is the Old Testament, how would you answer? A Jewish person might call it the Hebrew Bible. It’s a little confusing because most people equate the word ‘testament’ (Greek = diathike) with a last will and testament that disposes someone’s assets and personal property upon his/her death. Probably the more correct term we Christians should use is ‘covenant.’ A covenant is an agreement or promise between two parties.

   The Old Testament is the first part of the Holy Bible that describes the original covenant between party one--God and party two--His chosen people. Actually, there are five sub-covenants in the OT. The first is with Noah after the flood in which God promised to never again destroy the earth (Genesis 9:11). The sign of the covenant is the rainbow. The second is with Abraham and his descendants, the Israelites, to be their God and they to be His people (Gen.17) and the sign is circumcision. The third covenant is with Moses and the Jews (Exodus 19-24) and the sign is the Law written on tablets of stone. The fourth is the covenant with David that the Messiah would descend from his lineage (2Samuel 7; 1Chronicles 17:11-14; 2Chronicles 6:16). Technically, there is no sign. It’s an unconditional promise. God will fulfill it regardless of how David responds. The fifth covenant is called the New Covenant as outlined by the Prophet Jeremiah (31:31-34):

   31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, [a]though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their [b]hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

   This fifth and final covenant is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ and He Himself confirms it when He says at the Last/Mystical Supper: For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins (Mt.26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1Cor.11:25). The sign of the new covenant is blood, not of circumcision, not of a little lamb slaughtered for the Jewish Passover, but the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the Cross of Crucifixion which we partake of in Holy Communion. Of course, the New Covenant/Testament is the second part of the Holy Bible centering on life, teachings, miracles, passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Gospels and the Church that He establishes on the Apostles as outlined in the Epistles. God’s people are no longer just the Jews but the Gentiles as well—everyone who receives Jesus in baptism and the Holy Spirit in chrismation.

   So, just like we have briefly reviewed the covenant between us and God that stretches from the Old to the New Covenant, let’s take a closer look at a very important part of the New Covenant that stretches from OT to NT and that is the Cross. In today’s Gospel reading from the Sunday before the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Cross (Sept.14^th) we hear Jesus say:

     ¹³No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.¹⁴And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. ¹⁶ "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. ¹⁷ "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:13-17)

   When Jesus says, “lifted up,” He of course is referring to His crucifixion and He draws a direct connection to Old Covenant with Moses who lifted up a serpent in the wilderness as recorded in the Book of Deuteronomy 21. After the people were bitten by serpents and many died, they came to Moses, confessed their sin and pleaded with him to save them. ⁹So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. (Dt.21:7-9). This is why an Orthodox Christian bishop’s staff/crosier is made to look like a bronze serpent. But this is not the only connection between the Cross of Christ and the OT.

   In Orthodox liturgical hymnography, the Cross is often referred to as ‘the Tree’ or simply ‘the wood.’ And this is done purposely to connect it with Old Covenant starting first with the Garden of Eden. Everyone remembers the tree of the knowledge of good and evil but few remember the other tree in the middle of the Garden—the Tree of Life (Gen.2:9). The Cross of Christ is the NT Tree of Life.

   Second, the rod of Moses is a type of the Cross and he uses it to part the waters of the Red Sea for the Israelites to escape the pursuing Egyptians (Ex.14:1-31). He uses it again during the Israelites war with the Amalekites. When Moses lifted up his arms and the staff he made the form of the Cross and the Israelites prevailed (Ex.17:1-6). When the Israelites came to Kadesh in the wilderness and were dying of thirst, Moses took the rod and struck the rock and pure water came forth, saving the people (Numbers 20).

   Thirdly, even before Moses rod, his brother Aaron carried a staff/rod that also had great power, turning into a serpent and swallowing the serpents of Pharoah’s magicians (Exodus 7). Aaron’s rod, along with the tablets of the law and the heavenly manna become the holy artifacts contained in the Ark of the Covenant.

   Fourth, although not recorded in the OT, it is believed that “Having once been thrown into the lion’s den the great prophet Daniel extended his arms in the form of a cross and was saved unharmed from being devoured by them” (Ode 8 of Canon - Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross). The same gesture was attributed to the Prophet Jonah so he could escape from the belly of the sea monster (Ode 6 of Canon- Cross).

   Fifth, going back to the Book of Numbers, we hear that Balak, the King of the Moabites, wanted Balaam to curse the people of Israel. But Balaam would not do this after seeing the tribes Israel encamped around the Holy Tabernacle in the form of a cross, some to the north, south, east and west (Num.22:41-23:12).

   Six, remember Samson the strong man of the Israelites with long hair? He was betrayed by his lover Delilah, and captured by the Philistines who then gouged out his eyes and forced him into slavery. When Samson was brought into the temple their god Dagon, he stretched out his arms in the form of a cross and placing his hands against two pillars, toppled them over so the temple collapsed killing over 3,000 Philistines (Judges 16:23-30).

   In conclusion, there could be a few more types of the Cross in the OT but six is enough for today. After all it’s the points awarded for each touchdown in football and it’s the number of points that should cover the spread in today’s Vikings game. But, we should be careful not to boast too much about our supposedly Superbowl bound Vikings. Not because they usually disappoint us their fans but because as the Apostle Paul says in today’s Epistle reading from Galatians 6:11-18, ¹⁴But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. My brothers and sisters, let us boast in the Cross of Christ by wearing it around our necks, making it over ourselves and remembering its deep and rich history from the OT to the NT. After all it is the sign of our new covenant with God in Christ, the promise of our salvation and eternal life. Let us therefore, walk in newness of life. Amen!

ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

 Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter

1111 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105, (651) 222-6220, www.stgeorgegoc.org

September 16, 2018                                                                             SUNDAY AFTER HOLY CROSS

TODAY’S EVENTS: Sunday School begins, 11am; Church Picnic at Hidden Falls, 12pm; LOMCP Gala Fundraiser in Stillwater, 4pm.

Memorial: James Andrews (2 years)     Prosfora: anonymous       Head Greeter: Bob Baffa

Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati         Fellowship: picnic           

Tuesday       09-18     Parish Council meeting                                                                                  6:30PM

                                  Catechism Class: God-Holy Trinity with Dcn. Jason Ketz                                 7:00PM

Thursday     09-20     Glad Tidings mailing – volunteers needed                                                    10:00AM

                                   AHEPA meeting                                                                                             7:00PM

Saturday      09-22    DIVINE LITURGY in Eau Claire, WI                                                                 9:30AM

Sunday         09-23    ORTHROS (8:15am) &DIVINE LITURGY- FIRST SUNDAY OF LUKE                   9:30AM

                                   Greek dance practice                                                                                     4:30PM

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Hellenic College / Holy Cross Day: Today Philoptochos will receive an offering for seminarian scholarships. Make a difference and support future Orthodox leaders. Your gift helps to advance the educational center of Orthodoxy in America. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sunday School Starts Today: Happy first day of Sunday School! There are classes for all youth, pre-school through senior high school. Our youth will visit Como Zoo on Saturday, October 6^th at 12pm!

Annual Church Picnic: today beginning 12pm at Hidden Falls Park, off of East Mississippi River Blvd in St. Paul (https://www.stpaul.gov/facilities/hidden-falls-regional-park), following liturgy. Everyone is invited and there is no cost. 1313 Hidden Falls Dr, St Paul, MN 55116.

MCP Fundraising Gala: today, 4-7pm on the terrace of the Stillwater Public Library, 224 3^rd Street N, Stillwater. Tickets for the Lyn Olson Medical Crisis Program Annual Fundraising Gala are available at the door.

Think About It: The key to the kingdom of heaven is prayer.          St. Elijah the Priest

Thank you! To our volunteer committee, participants and guests for Metropolitan Nathanael’s listening tour event here at our parish this past Wednesday. Metropolis council leadership ranked it as one of the best!

Fr. Rick on Vacation: September 16 to 29. For pastoral emergencies, contact St. Mary Greek Orthodox Church 612-825-9595.

Greek School: Modern Greek language classes for kids and adults start Sunday, Sept 30^th after church at 12:15pm in the lower level classrooms. Classes offered for both beginner and advanced students, as well as a preschool class for young kids. All are welcome! Contact Stella Hofrenning at hofrenni@augsburg.edu or Angela Mortari at 651-730-1652 with any questions.

Exterior Restoration- began on August 24 and will continue for about three weeks. Brick, block and tuckpointing will be repaired or replaced as needed. This project will cost $113,000. All parish council members and many others have already pledged financial support. Please join us in this important work. Thank you!

Intro to Orthodoxy: a 12-week class on the basics of Eastern Orthodox Christianity began on September 4 and will be held Tuesday evenings 7-9pm. The class is open to everyone, especially inquirers and those interested in converting to Orthodoxy. Classes are held here. See insert for details; register online atwww.meocca.org.

Wisdom from the Church Fathers: Love everyone. If you cannot, at least show goodwill. How do we love an evil person? Hate the evil but love the person. Who knows, maybe one day he/she will repent of their sins by the powers of prayer, tears and confession.                                St. Gabriel Urgebadze (+1995)

Request from Metropolis: all parishioners are invited to provide valuable input that will be used in the new Metropolis Strategic Planning process. Please contact Julie in the office to receive electronic forms. They must be submitted no later than September 20^th either by mail or email at SWOT@chicago.goarch.org.

Church Fathers Speak: A mother should not be satisfied by giving only a physical caress to her child. She must also coddle her child with the caress of prayer. In the depth of his/her soul, the child senses the spiritual caresses of the mother. The child feels security and certainty when the mother mystically embraces him/her with constant, intense and fervent prayer.                        St. Porphyrios the Kapsokalivite (+1992)

Sunday Fellowship Hour: If you have not served, not served recently, or would like to serve, please call Naomi Tsantir at 612-781-6485 to schedule. You can be paired up too. "Many hands make less work for all"

Join Greek Dancers of MN: first practice of season is next Sunday, Sept 23, then every Sunday 4:30-6:30pm. There is no fee. Everyone and anyone is welcome. Contact Angela at 651-730-1652.

Pan-Orthodox Ladies Tea: 2:30pm, October 6, 2018 at Holy Trinity Church, Archangel Michael Hall. Vespers follow at 5pm. Contact Matuska Vera Proctor with questions at 651.324.2705 or vsproctor@gmail.com.

60^th Anniversary Celebration: Transfiguration GOC parish in Sioux Falls is celebrating their 60^th anniversary with a Grand Banquet on October 6^th, and a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday, October 7^th.For more information, see posting in social hall or visit transfigurationgoc.org

Patristic Wisdom: The tongue of a back-biting soul is three-pronged: it injures the speaker, the listener and sometimes the person being maligned.                                          St. Thalassios the Libyan (7^th cent.)

Bible Study: Wednesday, October 10 from 1:30-3pm at the home of Steve and Kathy Ryan. Topics and future meeting times will be discussed. Please contact Kathy to RSVP at aikatepivn@aol.com or (651) 292-9948.

Family Camp: October 12-14. Are your kids spending too much time on technology? Are you not far behind them? Could you use some help? Join us at Camp Courage near Annandale, MN. Rev. Dr. Dcn. Perry Hamalis, Professor of Religion at North Central College in Illinois, will lead us in discussion on this very current topic: “Screens, Technology, and the Passions: Orthodox Christian Insights for Families.” Info and registration www.stmaryscamp.com. All ages welcome. Please register now before it fills up.

Place for Rent? If looking (or know someone who is) for a female roommate or renter for six months to a year, as soon as possible. please contact Aida at 651-434-7826 or aabebe74@gmail.com.

Game League Returns! Saturday October 13^th 7pm, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in West St. Paul. For adults 18+ to learn a new game, play a classic, teach a game, and have fun! Flyer in social hall; contact Nikki Beauchamp 612.910.2943 for details.

Metropolis Clergy Laity: the Twin Cities has been chosen to host the next Metropolis Clergy Laity September 25-29, 2019. The St. George and St. Mary Church communities will co-host. Stay tuned for more details!

Welcome Visitors Thank you for joining with us in prayer and fellowship. The worship of the Orthodox Church is deeply rooted in and very similar to that of the early Christian Church. Unique sensory stimuli and mystery are elements that go back even to the liturgy of the Jewish temple. Everything in an Orthodox Christian church communicates the majestic presence of God the Holy Trinity with His Saints. It is literally heaven on earth. It is a sad consequence of the divisions in Christianity that we cannot extend a general invitation to receive Holy Communion. Visitors are invited to receive the blessed bread (antithoron) at the conclusion of the liturgy. We pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all Christians. If you are interested in learning more about Orthodoxy, please contact Fr. Rick at fatherrick@stgeorgegoc.org. We are proud of our Greek heritage, but one does not have to be of Greek descent, nor speak Greek to be a Greek Orthodox Christian.

Note to Orthodox about Holy Communion: Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is one of the most Holy experiences for a Christian in order to be granted the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. We are never worthy to partake of Divine Nature. Yet, it is essential that we prepare ourselves for this sacred Communion by constant prayer, reading the Scriptures, regular fasting and periodic Confession. At a minimum, we should fast all morning before Communion, arrive at the beginning of Liturgy, and come for Confession at least once a year. In addition, we should not have separated ourselves from the Church through serious sin. Otherwise, please refrain from Communion to avoid “judgment…not discerning the Lord’s body” (1Cor. 11:29). Contact Fr. Rick for pastoral guidance.

 Glad Tidings deadline: The 10th of each month. Glad Tidings email: gladtidings@stgeorgegoc.org  Sunday Bulletin Deadline: Wednesday Noon each week.  Email: office@stgeorgegoc.org