Changing Seasons

Spending much of my life “up north” I have a great appreciation for the changing of seasons. I learned to be attentive to the signs of the changing seasons. Increased daylight hours, warmer temperatures, and that special first flower of spring, all became signs that winter was coming to an end. Of course, now that I live in Florida, I am forced to look for other signals that winter is over. Today is one of the signs that winter is coming to a close.

I’m not talking warmer temperatures and flowers. I’m talking about today’s Gospel lesson. The Sunday of Zacchaeus is that special sign in the Church calendar that reminds us….winter is almost over and before you know it, we will begin the Triodion followed by Great Lent. The words of Christ, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down for I must stay at your house today,” (Luke 19.5) are more than just a spring blossom. These words more than warm our hearts. Christ’s call to Zacchaeus is also a call to us, that He desires to come stay in our hearts.

As season changes go, spring signifies a new beginning for life after the dead of winter. In much the same way, the Sunday of Zacchaeus signifies a new chance of life after repentance. By welcoming Christ into his house, Zacchaeus began a new life. “"Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house.” (Luke 19.8-9)

Don’t let another season change without welcoming Christ to live in your heart. In the coming weeks, the Church will lead us through parables and miracle stories to inspire us to change our lives and embrace a new life in Christ. The Church will invite us to fast and pray as we prepare to walk with Him to Golgotha. Before you know it, our Cathedral will be filled with the warmth of candles shining with the resurrected light of Christ.

But for now, it’s still January, and we’re still up in the tree waiting for Christ to come by. Zacchaeus planned in advance so that he could see Christ. Maybe this year, hearing his story, will help us plan in advance so that we could see Christ.

 Dear St. Nicholas Cathedral Family,

Today we will be speaking about the Transfiguration of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ which is celebrated each year on August 6. The feast commemorates the transfiguration or metamorphosis of Christ on Mount Tabor, when our Lord appeared in His divine glory before the Apostles Peter, James, and John.

The event of the Transfiguration is recorded in three of the four Gospels:Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36. Jesus took the Apostles Peter, James, and John with Him up upon a mountain, and while they were on the mountain Jesus was transfigured. His face shone like the sun, and His garments became glistening white.

Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ, talking to Him. Peter declared how good it was for them to be there and expressed the desire to build three booths for Moses, Elijah, and Christ. This reference to the booths could imply that this occurred during the time of the Feast of Tabernacles when the Jews would be camping out in the fields for the grape harvest; for this Feast had acquired other associations in the course of its history, including the memory of the wanderings in the wilderness recorded in the Old Testament book of Exodus. While Peter was speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice came from the cloud saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him." When the disciples heard this they fell on their faces filled with awe. Jesus came to them and told them to not be afraid. When the three looked up they saw only Jesus. As Jesus and His disciples came down the mountain, He told them not to speak of what they had seen until He had risen from the dead.

Since I just recently gave a sermon speaking about the darkness we live in let me describe the light of Christ we should all recognize. It really comes down to being vigilant of where we stand in our lives spiritually speaking. First, are we in the light, or are we in the dark? Regardless of where we are, we still can come closer to the light. I remember hearing in a sermon given by Archbishop Demetrios, “How fervently are we praying to God for this great gift of His light, so we can be the illumined people of love and truth?” the Archbishop asked and stated: “We are sons and daughters of light, so let us ask God to fill our hearts and lives with the light of His Transfiguration, dissolve the gloom and darkness of injustice, corruption and poverty all over the world.” We must question ourselves  and recognize where we stand when it comes to being in darkness or light. Only then can we strive to get closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

With Love in the Lord,

Rev. Fr. Sampson N. Kasapakis

Memorials

8:15 AM Divine Liturgy (Greek) 

Sevasti Kouremetis - 40 Days

Efrosini (Flossie) Missos - 5 Years

John Pontikos - 6 Years 

11:00 AM Divine Liturgy (English)

 Antonios Axiotis - 3 Years

Panagiotis Zaxaratos - 3 years