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Fr George's Letter

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Written by: Fr George

 

THE GREAT FEAST.

“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 6^th SEPTEMBER. Commemoration of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Colossae (Chonae). Martyrs Eudoxius, Zeno  (311-12). St. Bega (Bee), Solitary of Cumbria (7^th). New Hieromartyr Maximus Sandovich (Poland 1914).

 

Holy Columb's blessing on  me

That he may be my daily trail;

The High King’s blessing is on me

That I be spared perils and pain 

(Poem of Beccan of Rum 7^th century hermit)

 

The joy of God be in thy face,

Joy to all who see thee

The circling of God be shielding thee.

Nor sword shall wound thee

Nor brand shall burn thee

Nor arrow shall rend thee

Nor seas shall drown thee

(Carmina Gadelica)

 

TODAY’S GOSPEL. Matthew 22:1-14. “And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.‘” But they made light of it went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burnt up their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called but few are chosen.”” 

 

The wedding feast described in the parable is interpreted as the king being God the Father, the king’s son, the bridegroom, being Christ (the bride being the Church); the servants are the prophets, the invited guests being the Jewish authorities and leaders; and the destruction of the city may be interpreted as the sacking of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD. 

There is also a message for us in this parable. We are called to a great feast every time the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, we are all invited. Do we always accept the invitation or do we find some reason for not coming to the Liturgy when we have no reasonable excuse? At the Great Entrance the priest intones  “All of you Orthodox Christians, the sons and daughters of this parish here present and those who are absent for reasonable cause, the Lord God remember in His kingdom always now and ever and unto the ages of ages.” 

In today’s world the Sabbath day in our country is no longer a holy day for many people. It is often a day for enjoyment, entertainment or even a shopping day. Most of us will have been invited to weddings and know what a joyous day this is for the married couple and all the guests and we often go out of our way to make sure that we attend. Surely we who have been called have a duty to come to church, to enjoy the company of the other guests and to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. 

Some people have no choice but to have to work on Sunday and I know what anguish this causes many people. Let us receive God’s invitation with joy and may our response be to accept. Some folk in our parish set off from home while many of us are still in bed, travelling by bus and train to get to church on time. If we are incapacitated, ill or have problems of mobility, tell one of the clergy of your needs and we will do all we can to bring the Holy Gifts to you. We all have a choice, let us use our freedom wisely, remembering the words, “For many are called but few are chosen.” And our wedding garments will be waiting for us whatever our outward clothing may be. May God bless you all and may the prayers of the Most Holy Mother of God and all the saints guide and keep you.

 

                                                                                         Much Love,

 

                                                                                         Fr. George.