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Fr George's Letter

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Written by: Fr George

HEALING THE PARALYTIC. 

“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 12^th JULY. St. Veronica who was healed by Christ (1^st). Martyrs Proclus & Hilarion of Ancyra (2^nd). Martyr Serapion (2^nd). St. Michael of Maleinus (961). St. Paisios the Hagiorite (Mt. Athos 1994). Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God, of the Three Hands. 

 

“May the road rise to meet you

  May the wind be always at your back

  May the sun shine warm upon your face 

  The rain fall soft upon your fields

  And until we meet again 

  May God hold you

  In the hollow of His hand.”

(Ancient Celtic blessing on one departing on a journey.)

 

“Christ is the world’s Redeemer,

  The lover of the pure,

  The fount of heavenly wisdom, 

  Our trust and hope secure;

  The armour of His soldiers, 

  The Lord of earth and sky;

  Our health while we are living,

  Our life when we die.”  

                                   (St. Columba. )

 

TODAY’S GOSPEL.  Matthew 9:1-8. “So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? “For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” ----- then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.”  

 

Once again Christ knows the thoughts of the scribes, the learned and interpreters of the Law, who always within themselves seek to tie everyone to their rigid and uncompromising attitude. Contrast this with the simple and yet profound words of Christ. The scribes knew that only God can forgive sins and so reasoned that Jesus the Man blasphemed, not seeing His divinity. 

Here we see the two natures of Christ as true God and true Man. To forgive sins we see Christ our true God and in telling the paralytic simply to take his bed and go home, we see the human face of Christ. He walked among us as one of us being the human face of the Most Holy Trinity.

Jesus asked the scribes why they thought evil in their hearts by not even having the joy and compassion of seeing a very sick man healed before their eyes. Let us beware of thinking evil in our hearts, not recognising the afflicted in any way, shape or form. The love of God is poured out onto all of us so that we may share His love with others. 

He speaks to us, burdened with many worries and concerns that paralyze us in the world. His healing of the paralytic was brought about by the faith of the man’s friends who brought him to Jesus. Let us follow their example and in any way we can bring before Him in prayer and action those who need to be carried to Him. Piety in church is one thing; action in the world is another thing. Let us be pious and active in promoting peace and helping those in need. 

                                                                                            Much Love, 

                                                                                            Fr. George.