“They do not need to go away.”

With these words Jesus admonishes those who believe they are unable to give the sort of care needed for those around them. When the Disciples were not yet graced with the presence of the Holy Spirit, their weakness and doubt often was translated to become a lesson for those around them and for us today. In this example, Jesus was healing the multitudes when the disciples reminded Him, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” (Matthew 14.15)

Since they only had five loaves of bread and two fish, they did not believe they had the ability to help the people. I believe most of us today would have the same reaction. Our resources are so few, barely enough for us, that we could not possibly help those around us. And yet Jesus says, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14.16) More than five thousand were filled that day with only five loaves and two fish.

It is important to remember that, not only was there enough to feed the huge crowds, there was even more left over. “And they picked up twelve baskets full of broken pieces.” (Matthew 14.20) When we allow our resources, no matter how few, to be used by God to help others, great things can happen. When we put the needs of others ahead of our own immediate needs, miracles can happen. Most especially when we allow God to work through us, lives will be saved. Next time you consider how little you have to offer, remember that God can accomplish greatness with what you already have. “They do not need to go away. YOU give them something.”

Our Cathedral family has a long and beautiful history of helping others. Early immigrants sacrificed by bringing resources to the Cathedral from every catch and every harvest, so that our blessed Cathedral could be built. Many have sacrificed their own comforts so the Cathedral could remain a beacon of hope in Tarpon Springs, and we are thankful.

Dear St. Nicholas Cathedral Family, 

Last week we spoke about the Great Entrance and how that it acts as a “turning point” within the Divine Liturgy. The reason why I bring up last week’s discussion is because we have to keep in mind that as we move forward within our Liturgy discussion. When you look at the next part of the Liturgy, the Litany of Completion, it seems very similar to the Great Litany which was in the beginning of the Divine Liturgy. When I was younger and I was growing up, I will admit, it seemed slightly redundant and at sometimes repetitive. Why do we have to repeat these petitions?

It was not until I looked at them in detail. So I challenge you to look at them closely. When you do, you will see there is a difference between the Completion Litany and the Great Litany. The prayers of the Great Litany mainly focused on others (the whole world, the Archbishop, the priests, our country, the president, people traveling, the sick and suffering, etc.), The Prayers of the Completion Litany focus more on “us” (For our deliverance from affliction...,” “Help us, have mercy upon us, and protect us...,” “For an angel of peace, a faithful guardian of our souls...,” “For a Christian end to our lives, peaceful, without shame...”). We now begin to focus on ourselves and our journey towards salvation. The prayers are for our deeper more personal needs as Christians.

When you look at the depth of these petitions it creates a great moment within the Liturgy to pray to God to assist us in our own personal lives. This creates or rather prepares us to be in the mindset to receive Holy Communion. If you do not have your own words, look at the Offertory Prayer on page 35 in your pew books. This prayer calls us to give our whole heart in the condition that it is in, and offer it to God as a gift before the Holy Altar of sacrifice so that we may receive the Grace upon us to be comforted or healed in our trials.

After this the Priest turns to the people and says “let us love one another that with oneness of mind we may confess.” What are we confessing? If you look, we confess that the Father, Son, Holy Spirit: Trinity, one in essence and undivided which is confirmation of our belief (indicator that the creed is coming up!) AND “I will love you, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my foundation, my refuge and my deliverer.” We cannot do that without Christ in our lives and most importantly without the Eucharist.

To answer a question we had last week, It is at this time we would exchange the ‘kiss of peace.”  Follow the words at the footnote on page 37. The priests (when there is more than one) still do it to this day and in some parishes you still see it.

With Love in the Lord,

Rev. Fr. Sampson N. Kasapakis

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