True Crosses (9-16-2018)

   How many of us would say that today, or yesterday or this past week, we have suffered in some form or another, that we’ve had a bad day or a difficult moment in which we felt pain and despair? And when we felt this way did we ask: why me, why now or just why? And where was this question directed: towards another person, towards ourselves, or towards God? Where did we try and find relief from suffering: in some form of escape--playing video games, binging on Netflix, shopping? Or by talking with a faithful friend or a priest, or by searching for answers in the Holy Scriptures? Or by going directly to God in prayer?

   A lot of help and answers to these questions can be found in today’s gospel reading (Mark 8:34-9:1) from the Sunday after the Universal Exaltation of the Holy Cross. In this passage, Jesus states ““Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (v.34). When He says, “take up his cross”, what does Jesus mean by “cross”? Are we going to be crucified like Christ? Well of course not, so some people think that “cross” here means “any particular suffering” or “when things don’t go our way.” For example, one might say “I lost money in the stock market but that’s my cross to bear.” However, this is not what Jesus is talking about because not all suffering in this life is suffering for the sake of Christ. Often the suffering we experience is because of our own actions. Earlier in the Gospel of Mark Jesus said, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders ²² thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” (7:21). In Galatians 5, St. Paul takes up the same theme saying, ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal.5:19-21). Have we ever considered that our suffering could be coming from one or more of the behaviors just mentioned?

   However, if our suffering is not a result of our own sin, but a suffering given or allowed by God, what might that look like? Well, there are three types of suffering. The first type results from persecution of body and soul by other people. Secondly, there is suffering as a result of sickness and disease. And third, people suffer in spirit because of the sins of the world. We could include in the third type the suffering that occurs when a loved one dies, what we commonly call ‘grief’. With all these types of suffering, there are only two responses: The first response is humble acceptance and transformation towards salvation for one’s self and for others. This is what Jesus means when He says, ‘take up our cross.” In other words, Jesus is telling us to humbly accept our suffering and let it transform us so that it may become the way and the means of our salvation in Him, and perhaps even the way of salvation for other people.

   The second possible response is trying to defeat our cross by rebelling against it and rejecting it. This is the predominant message within our society today when dealing with suffering. This message says expend as much energy as possible towards creating comfort and luxury in order to prevent and avoid suffering. And if you see suffering coming your way, turn around and run away as fast as you can.

   For those who suffer, whether from persecution, from illness or from grieving, if we do this by the virtue of God, we will receive sufficient grace from God to be strong in the Lord. God’s grace will enable us to take up our cross--to be metaphorically crucified--for God’s glory and not for our spiritual death. In other words, when we suffer, we should suffer with the hope that Christ will help us get through it (not around it or away from it), with the hope that we will learn from it, with the hope that we will become better persons because of it, and with the ultimate hope that we will grow closer to Him in the midst of it. When St. Paul pleaded with the Lord three times to remove the thorn in his side, Jesus responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2Co.12:7-9)

   If we see that our suffering is separating us from God, then it is because of two reasons: 1) Either we brought it on ourselves by our own sins, and/or 2) we are not taking up our cross and following Christ. Christ suffered on the cross for our sake. He took on all the sin of the world so that we would not be enslaved by sin and death anymore. Yet, even if our suffering has been self-imposed through our own sinful actions, when we repent of and confess them, take responsibility for their consequences, and resolve to make restitution or correct the situation as best we can when appropriate, then this suffering can become a true cross.

   The most difficult suffering of all is not in the flesh but rather, in the spirit. It happens in the soul of the spiritual person when he/she sees the utter futility, ugliness and pettiness of sin that damages and destroys persons made in the image of God. It is the pain we feel when we see people persecuting each other in the body through torture and murder, or in the soul by gossip, slander, selfishness and abuse. It is the hurt we feel when we see others suffering in sickness, illness and disease. It is the grief we feel when we see someone die and how it affects their surviving friends and family. We suffer because we realize this is not the world, nor the life that God created. It is a world, a life, that has become disfigured, infected by sin and fallen from grace. Yet, even in the midst of this ugliness and disfigurement, Christ is with us. He never abandons us, for He said, “Behold, I am with you always” (Mt.28:20).

   When Christ says, “if you want to come after me, you must first deny yourself,” He means that we must deny sin and temptation in our life. We cannot grow closer to Christ while continuing to give in to unhealthy and self-serving behaviors. We can grow closer to Him through self-control, which is strengthened by practicing prayer, fasting, almsgiving and worship—the pillars of Orthodox spirituality. What we call ‘asceticism.’

   And finally, when Christ says, “take up your cross and follow Me,” He means to take whatever suffering comes our way and bear it with meaning and hope, following Him wherever He leads us. Denying ourselves and taking up our cross in this manner, this is what Jesus means when He says, “Whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it” (v.35). Denying, running away from, or rejecting our suffering will not save our life, but rather, cause us to lose it (v.35). Taking up our cross means we are willing to suffer and die in this life, so that we may inherit eternal life in heaven with Christ. Let us lose our life for Christ and the Good News understanding what the true crosses are in our life, and how they can help us grow closer to God. 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 23, 2018                                                                             FIRST SUNDAY OF LUKE

TODAY’S EVENTS: Greek dance practice 4:30pm.

Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati                                       Prosfora: Zoe Rylander

Fellowship: Eleni Hoffhines, John & Marina Antoniou     Head Greeters: Jon Kennedy & Bill Clemons

Tuesday       09-25    Catechism Class:”Mankind- Creation, the Fall, Messiah” with Fr.Wojcik       7:00PM

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

                                   Estate Planning presentation by Mr. Robert Chandler, JD                          12:00PM

                                   Greek dance practice                                                                               4:30PM

Monday       10-01     Loaves & Fishes at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church                                      4:30PM

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Please Welcome: Fr. Paul Hodge who is celebrating liturgy today while Fr. Rick is on vacation until Sept 29. For pastoral emergencies, contact St Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 612-825-9595.

Exterior Restoration- began on August 24. 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!

Youth Director Resigns: After almost four years serving as youth director for our parish community, Mr. Nathaniel Kostick will resign effective October 1^st. Nathaniel is pursuing a full-time job with his new Masters degree in Social Work. Nathaniel has served our children, parents and community with admirable dedication. We pray for all of God’s blessings upon his future endeavors. Thank you, Nathaniel!

Think About It: We attain freedom from sin in six ways: by preserving the purity of the five senses and by the spoken word.                           St. Elijah the Priest

Estate Planning Presentation next Sunday: in the social hall following Divine Liturgy. Attorney Robert Chandler will discuss disposition of assets, tax minimization, incapacity planning, and probate avoidance. Mr. Chandler has over 40 years of legal experience and was a guest speaker in the 2016 Lenten Lecture Series.

Other Youth News: Sunday School classes began last week. Please bring your children and have them participate. Classes begin after Holy Communion but everyone should be here for start of Divine Liturgy at 9:30am or earlier. Youth will be visiting Como Zoo on Saturday, October 6^th at 12pm! We will also be visiting the Twin Cities Corn Maze on Saturday, October 20^th at 12pm. Everyone is welcome to attend both events!

Greek School: Modern Greek language classes for kids and adults start next 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.

Join Greek Dancers of MN: first practice of season is today, then every Sunday 4:30-6:30pm at St. George. There is no fee. You do not have to be Greek or Orthodox. Contact Angela at 651-730-1652 or email greekdancersmn.com.

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"

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.

Wisdom from the Church Fathers: Light does not fail because people have blinded themselves. It remains, with its own properties, while the blind are plunged into darkness through their own fault.                St. Irenaeus of Lyons (+202)

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

Bible Study: Wednesday, October 10 from 1:30-3pm at St. George (CORRECTION). Topics and future meeting times will be discussed. Please contact Kathy Ryan 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?  Technology is here to stay.  Could you use some help?  Join us this year 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 .

Church Fathers Speak: Christianity transforms people and heals them. However, the most important precondition to recognize and discern the truth is humility. Egotism darkens a person’s mind, it confuses, leads astray to heresy. It is crucially important for a person to understand the truth of Jesus Christ.             St. Porphyrios the Kapsokalivite (+1992)

Death- The Final Frontier: A Saturday retreat on October 13^th 1-4pm at St Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral - All welcome. Speaker is the Very Reverend Dr John Behr, who is the Fr Georges Florovsky Distinguished Professor of Patristics St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, New York Metropolitan Kallistos Chair of Orthodox Theology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam.

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.

IOCC Emergency Kits: September is National Preparedness Month. IOCC is encouraging everyone to take the time to create emergency supply kits, for both your family and your parish. To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags, and put them all in one or two easy-to-carry containers. Be sure to include enough food, water, and medical supplies to last for at least 72 hours. See checklist posted in social hall or www.iocc.org.

Patristic Wisdom: It is useless to accuse those around us, even family members, of somehow interfering with or being an impediment to our salvation and spiritual perfection…Spiritual or emotional dissatisfaction comes from within ourselves, from inexperience and from poorly conceived opinions we do not want to abandon, but which bring on doubt, embarrassment and misunderstanding.      St. Ambrose of Optina (+1891)

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.

 75th Anniversary Album: is in the final stages, editing and reviewing the digital quality of the photos to ensure the highest print quality. Much progress has been made over the past few months. Thank you for your patience.

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