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Fr George's Letter

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Written by: Fr George

  

HOLY PENTECOST.

“The virtues build a new person radiating love to the world.”

(Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi) of Aleppo who consecrated our temple.)

 

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses but was in all points tempted as we are yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  

                                                                                (Hebrews 4:15-16)

 

SUNDAY 31^st MAY. Hermas of the Seventy (1^st). Martyrs Eusebius and Haralambos. Martyr Philosophus at Alexandria (252). Martyr Hermias at Comana (2^nd). Martyr Marus, the Magician who was converted on witnessing the Martyrdom of Hermias.

 

“Do not say, it is impossible to receive the Holy Spirit,

  Do not say, it is possible to be saved without Him.

  Do not say that one can possess Him without knowing it.

  Do not say, God does not appear to us.

  Do not say, People do not see the divine light,

  Or else, it is impossible in these present times.

  This is a thing never impossible, my friends, 

  But on the contrary altogether possible for those who wish.”  

                                                                  (St. Symeon the New Theologian) 

TODAY’S GOSPEL. JOHN 7:37-52,8:12. “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly thIs is the Prophet. Others said, “This is the Christ.”  But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” So there was a division among the people because of Him. Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him. Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?” The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived?” Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.””

 

The day of Pentecost is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles when the Holy Spirit came to them, likewise a mighty wind with flames of fire hovering over them fulfilled the promise of Jesus and empowered them. The Holy Spirit was there at the Creation moving over the face of the waters. The All Holy Spirit flows through the Church today. We may not hear a mighty wind or see flames hovering over us but the Spirit permeates all creation and will be with us today. Watch and see and feel when the priest, when pouring hot water into the chalice, exclaims “The warmth of faith, full of the Holy Spirit.” The promise fulfilled to the Holy Apostles at Pentecost is fulfilled for us today. Let us rejoice in this gift of God given so freely to us and bathe in its warmth.

 

                                                                          Much Love,

 

                                                                          Fr. George.