Humility is the Key

An important Jewish leader had begged Jesus Christ to come to his home because his twelve year old daughter was very sick. Jesus agreed and, surrounded by a huge crowd of followers, was on His way to the house when He was interrupted by devout and humble woman. This woman, sick for twelve years, believed with all her heart, that if she just was able to reach out and touch Jesus, she would be healed. Unlike Jairus the Jewish leader, she didn’t beg Jesus. She didn’t even want anyone to know she was there to be healed. In fact you could say she was sneaking up to Him to be healed, and would have just walked away after she was healed if she could.

This is exactly what she tried to do when Jesus cried out, “Who touched Me?” (Luke 8.45) Still trying to remain unknown, even though she had been miraculously healed, she kept herself hidden until Jesus insisted, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." (Luke 8:46) Meanwhile, Jairus twelve year old daughter died from her illness and his servants had come to tell him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher." (Luke 8.49) Jairus was content to step away and return home when Jesus stopped him, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." (Luke 8:50)

The humility of both Jairus the Jewish leader and the unnamed woman are at the center of the Gospel story. Jesus healed many thousands of men and women during His earthly ministry. Why would the Gospel take the time to tell us of these two particular women? There must be something more that Saint Luke wanted us to learn than just that Jesus has the power to heal. The story is about the humility of two faithful followers of Jesus Christ. In both cases, it wasn’t about the power of God, but their humble faith. “Be of good cheer.....do not be afraid....” (Luke 8.48, 50) were the words of God for these humble servants. When we are humble, there is no need for sorrow and fear.

You may worry that, if you are humble about your needs from God, He will be distracted. Nothing could be further from the truth. Humility is always an honorable thing when it is genuine. If we “act” humble so that we may get attention from God and others, then our humility is just for show, and we shouldn’t expect much benefit. Consider the humility of the rich leader and ask yourself if you would be willing to walk away as he was. God knew his heart, and He knows our heart as well. If we desire to be saved, humility is the key.

+Fr. Athanasios C. Haros

TBD

Dear St. Nicholas Cathedral Family,

Today I will be breaking my rule of talking about Christmas before the Nativity fast even begins but it is for a good reason so we can learn about the Nativity, or Incarnation, of Jesus Christ. Many times, we confuse ourselves with the society’s celebration of Christmas and how as Orthodox Christians we celebrate Christmas. Starting on November 15 through December 24 is a period of fasting and reflective preparation. We do not get 40 days to do all our shopping but rather to reflect on the awesome miracle of the Son of God taking on flesh and becoming one of us. Therefore we call the holiday either the Nativity (to commemorate an historical event) or the Incarnation (to recognize the spiritual significance of the Nativity). Also, we don’t just finish celebrating Christmas on the night of the 25^th, our celebration of Christmas is from December 25 through January 7th. Popular questions I receive are: why was Christ born in Bethlehem? and, “Can you explain, as it is Christ’s Birth, how God is Divine and Human?” We will discuss these questions today and if we have time will add more questions regarding Christmas.

Christ was born in Bethlehem because Joseph being from Nazareth had to take Mary with him to fulfill the decree issued in those days by the Emperor Augustus, they might be registered in the census of those subject to Rome. Therefore, when the time came for the Virgin to give birth, and since because of the great multitude there was no place in the inn, the Virgin's circumstance constrained them to enter a cave which was near Bethlehem. Having as shelter a stable of irrational beasts, she gave birth there, and swaddled the Infant and laid Him in the manger (Luke 2:1-7). From this, the tradition has come down to us that when Christ was born He lay between two animals, an ox and an ass, that the words of the Prophets might be fulfilled: "Between two living creatures shalt Thou be known" (Abbacum 3:2), and "The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib" (Esaias 1: 3).

To answer the second question, Jesus of Nazareth is God, or, more accurately, the divine Son of God in human flesh. He is a true man in every way. He was born. He grew up in obedience to his parents. As a man Jesus experienced all normal and natural human experiences such as growth and development, ignorance and learning, hunger, thirst, fatigue, sorrow, pain, and disappointment. He also knew human temptation, suffering, and death. He took these things upon himself “for us men and for our salvation.” Christ has entered the world becoming like all men in all things except sin. Christ brings us closer to God to move away from falling to sin and conquers death by death bestowing upon His creation Eternal Life.

The Orthodox Church teaches that the Incarnation is the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham. It is the completion of the Law of Moses and the fulfillment of the prophets. To the Church, Christ incarnate is the final Prophet, Teacher, and King. He is the Great High Priest of Salvation. This is why Christmas means so much to us as Orthodox Christians.

With Love in the Lord,

+Fr. Sampson N. Kasapakis

Memorials

8:15AM Divine Liturgy (Greek)

Demetris Tsesmelis| 40 Day

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