We Need Help

When we are young children it is easy for us to acknowledge we need our parents. One of the realities of growing up into adults is learning that we no longer need our parents for everything, and eventually realizing standing on our own. We start families and we enjoy professional carriers. Every now and then we encounter a situation for which we need help. Whether it be a health issue, a legal issue, or any number of personal relationship issues, as adults we appreciate that there are just some things we can’t do alone. We need help. Occasionally there are times when our family and friends, or even doctors, cannot help us. We need more than the world can offer. At those times, we turn to God. We come to His Church, get on our knees and ask God, begging Him for help. 

If we’re honest with ourselves, most often we wait until the very last moment to come to God for help. We refuse to acknowledge that we need help. Sometimes we even walk away from God when His answer to our prayers doesn’t fit into the mold we expected. This was the case when a rich man asked Christ what he needed to do to live forever. Ultimately, Christ said, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come follow Me.” (Luke 18.22) This was too much for the rich man to bear. Instead of following Christ, the rich man walked away.

Realizing the total sacrifice that was required to follow Christ, the crowd asked, “Who then can be saved? But He said, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.’” (Luke 18.26-27) There will always be a time when we need God’s help. We can’t do everything on our own, we can’t save ourselves! Whether it is financial, health, relationships, or any other struggle we encounter, we need help. We need God.

As we continue our journey toward Christmas, during the Nativity Fast, I invite you to spend the remaining weeks in prayer, fasting, reading the Holy Scriptures, attend Church services, and even schedule a confession. God knows we need help, and He gave us the Church to help us. Allowing the Church to help in our struggles is a gift from God. The life of the Church helps us to remember that we can’t do it alone, but that it isn’t impossible when we follow Christ and His Church.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Somethings must be said about this Saturday's Epistle and Gospel. Saturday's Epistle, from Apostle Paul to the Galatians, warns us against about receiving, accepting or presenting a false version of the Gospel. Saturday's Gospel, from Apostle Luke, rejoices though for the one who has received the correct Gospel as if they were young children or babes. How can we, through our behavior, preach a false Gospel? By not following the commandments of Christ. How then can we preach or live the Gospel correctly? By immersing ourselves fully in Christ.

If we participate constantly in the Sacraments then we will be healed and transformed so that we become like Christ. As the hymn during the Sacrament of Baptism states, "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ..." (Galatians 3:27). If we Sacramentally continue to live a life of repentance, then we will preserve our spiritual baptism garment incorrupt. In this way we will acquire the Mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), where we will unceasingly say, with each heartbeat, the words, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!" Only then will we have fully embraced the Gospel in our hearts, "... that which has been hidden from the wise and understanding..." Only then can we truly preach the Gospel authentically, through our behavior, as Christians.

The only way to do this, is to approach the Sacraments, specifically Holy Confession & Holy Communion, with open hearts like young children or babes (Luke 10:21). The only path to becoming good, or rather becoming Christlike is by giving Christ a place to lay his head on the manger of our hearts. For this reason, it is not possible to do anything good without Christ (John 15:5). In Holy Confession, we wash clean the Stables of our heart. In Holy Communion we receive Christ. As we pass through Thanksgiving and prepare for Christmas, let us give gratefully give Christ a gift of a place, in our hearts, to lay His head (Luke 9:58). What other gift can we give Him, other than ourselves? And to Christ, we owe everything. If we do this, if we give Christ a Home in our Hearts by constant participation in the Sacraments combined with genuine repentance, we will become very warm and loving like Him, since we will carry Him with us all the days of our lives.

May Apostle Paul and Apostle Luke continue to pray for us always!

In Christ,

Fr. Simeon Pardalis
FrSimeon@StNicholasTarpon.org 

Memorials

Saturday - November 28

Irene Koutelas - 6 months

Fotini Fmolios - 38 years

Sunday - November 29

Macaria Zoumis - 3 years

Constantinos Lecourezos - 11 years

ST NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL REOPENS FOR PRAYER TUESDAY THRU FRIDAY FROM 11:00 AM TO 1:00 PM

 All ministries wishing to sign up and host the Coffee Hour, please contact Chris Palaidis at 727-808-3895, once the hall reopens.

St. Nicholas Kitchen will continue preparing the Monday meals from 7:30 – 11:00 am. The meals will be delivered to the new Hope Center at the Sheppard center where the meals will be given to those in need by their and our volunteers. We will still need volunteers, food and monetary donations. Meals will be served from 11:00 – 12:00 pm. For further information, please call Chris Palaidis at (727) 808-3895.  

MAKE AN OFFERING OF OIL - Following the ancient tradition of the Temple as commanded by God, Orthodox Christians bring an offering of olive oil to be continually burned in the Church lamps, serving as a reminder of the presence of the Light of God. We invite anyone to make an offering of oil to the Church along with the names of loved ones & friends who are alive in the Lord, or alive with us on Earth, so that we may pray for you, your family and friends.

  *THE DEADLINE IS MONDAY 5PM FOR ALL BULLETIN INFORMATION*

 Memorial & Artoklasia Service Planning