In this Gospel, Jesus forgives the sins of the paralytic man before healing him. It is a manifestation of God’s infinite mercy, but there is today and probably always has been, a rigorism which is uncomfortable of forgiveness without conditions.” It is, of course, quite reasonable to expect that one condition for forgiveness would be repentance and, really, that must be assumed. After all, Jesus’ preaching of the Gospel begins, “Repent (metavoite, “change your minds”), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)” (Read on the Sunday after Theophany) We are always free to reject God’s forgiveness. However, it is strange that in the gospel stories of forgiveness, “repentance” is downplayed. When our Lord forgives the woman caught in adultery, he does not ask, “Do you repent for your sin?” but instead interrogates her accusers. Only after they are gone and the woman is spared, does he say, “Go, and sin no more.”

The greatest model of forgiveness is the parable of the Prodigal Son. It is true, as a rigorist might point out, the loving Father does not go out to seek his son, but waits until he repents – that is, returns home. However, the son had prepared a little speech of repentance, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son. (Luke 15:21)” However, the Father completely ignores his little speech, it is of small consequence, and he restores him to the fullness of his inheritance. God’s mercy knows no limits. Also, in this gospel, the Lord does not ask the paralytic, “Have you repented of your sins,” but, without preamble, when he asks for physical healing, God says, “Courage! Your sins are forgiven.” Again, I am not saying that repentance is not necessary, just that it is striking how little the inspired writers make of it, in order to emphasize the infinite mercy of God. Perhaps this uneasiness about repentance comes from a fear that people will misinterpret God’s mercy, or maybe it comes from human hubris that the process of forgiveness depends first on our human will, on our repentance.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Romans 10:1-10; Matthew 8:28-9:1

In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus encounters two men in the Gadarene territory who are possessed by demons, by evil. The evil is distressed, and says, “Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” They knew that at the end there would be a judgment in the last days, but thought they had the right to stay in these men’s bodies until then. However, evil cannot abide in the presence of God, and so they must leave before the “appointed time” and destroy another evil – the unclean animals forbidden to the Jews. Can we say that Jesus is no longer with us as he was in the Gadarene territory. Has he left us to go to sit at his Father’s right? But St. Paul tells us that the presence of Jesus is not a geographical problem, “Who will go up to heaven? Who will go into the abyss? – to bring Jesus here. The mysteries of the descent into Hades and the Ascension are mysteries of God’s relationship with us, and so St. Paul says, “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. (Romans 10:8).”

Christ is with us, and evil cannot abide in his presence. He must be present both in our souls, in the center of our being, and also outside in our witness to others, in our lips or in any way that we communicate.

It’s not enough to be a “secret” Christian nor to be a hypocrite, saying “Lord, Lord,” but not believing. Only then can obstacles to our spiritual growth and progress be removed. Remember, the demoniacs were so savage that no one could travel by that road. Evil is so savage that it blocks our way to God, and God alone can remove that block.

For an interesting read on the Gadarene demonics, see Michael Willett Newheart’s book, ‘My Name is Legion’: The Story and Soul of the Gerasene Demoniacs (Interfaces, Liturgical Press, 2004). He follows, however, the Markan account.

Commentary from the Fathers:

The Demons Cried Out. Cyril of Alexandria: The divine nature of the only begotten Son was already scorching the demons in unspeakable flames. Christ was shutting up the fiercest demons in blocked roads. He was undoing the devil’s tyranny. “You have come before the time,” they cried out. For they knew from the Scriptures that Christ was going to come and would judge them. Treating the incarnation as if it had happened at the wrong time, they pled that he had come in an untimely way. This misrepresentation is not surprising. In their deceptiveness, they did not hesitate to say even this. Yet, although they know that vengeance is to fall upon them, they still say haughtily, “What have you to do with us?” They know that the final Judge in fact has a score to settle with them, inasmuch as they had broken his commandments. Fragment 101.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 7/09/17 5th Sunday after Pentecost
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Romans  10:1-10
Gospel: Matthew 8:28-9:3, Tone 4

Monday, 7/10/17 Venerable Father Anthony of the Monastery of the Caves, Kyiv
8:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 7/11/17 Repose of Blessed Olga (Olha), Princess of Kyiv, named Helen in Holy Baptism
8:00 a.m. +Iwan Sowa (Pan.) requested by Bohdan Sowa

Wednesday, 7/12/17 Holy Martyrs Proclus and Hilary
8:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 7/13/17 Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel
8:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 7/14/17 Holy Apostle Aquila
8:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 7/15/17 Holy Grand Prince Vladimir (Volodymyr), Equal to the Apostles, named Basil in Holy Baptism
9:00 a.m. +Fr. Vladimir Levitzky (Pan.) requested by Joseph M. Levitzky

Sunday, 7/16/17 6th Sunday after Pentecost
9:00 a.m. +Michael and Anna Lipcan requested by Barbara and Patrick Bagley
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Romans 12:6-14
Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8, Tone 5

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

St. Paul tells us, “Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)” Slaves? Slavery is a demeaning word. Are we slaves of God? Didn’t Jesus tell us, “I no longer call you slaves … I have called you my friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. (John 15:15) But listen carefully to what St. Paul says, “I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your nature. (Romans 6:19)” He is correcting our idea of freedom. We think freedom means freedom of choice – to decide to obey God or to sin. But to sin is to put ourselves into slavery to evil, and the only way to escape is to think of ourselves as slaves of God, for obedience brings life but “the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)”

Therefore, when we receive Holy Communion, the priest says, “The servant of God (name) receives … The Greek word for “slave,” which St. Paul uses is “doulos,” which means “slave” (in Slavonic, rab). The same word is used for both men and women, for we are all “slaves,” of God – in human terms – but “friends” in divine terms. We cannot and must not make ourselves slaves of what is sinful or evil. The centurion in the Gospel this Sunday understood this very well. He knew what it meant to give commands and to be obeyed and then to obey God. The centurion said, “For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it … “only say the word, [Master], and my servant will be healed. (Matthew 8:9)” Jesus marveled at his faith. Only faith in God and faithfulness to his word can bring us real and authentic freedom.

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras

On this Third Sunday after Pentecost, the Church proclaims the Gospel of Matthew (6:22-34). Let us seek the Kingdom of God –together.

Our Lord today confronts one of the dilemmas of human life: how do we gain control of our lives? A lot of people want maximum control, but Jesus points out the foolishness of this: “Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life span? (v. 27) Of course, we should all strive for some control of our lives, as St. Paul tells us: “We boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope. (v. 4)” One of the problems of life, however, is that over-control weakens our faith in God, and trespasses on the welfare of others. One of the most obscene sayings of the present age is Frank Sinatra’s song, “I did it my way.” We don’t have absolute control, St. Paul tells us, “God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (v. 8) and Christ admonishes us, “Your heavenly Fathers knows that you need” food and drink and clothing. (vv. 31-32)

The resolution to this tension is at the end of the Gospel, in the teaching of our Lord, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you besides. (v. 33) But what is the Kingdom of God. At his trial, Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. (John 18:36)” This does not mean it is somewhere up there in outer space, but that it is a voluntary sovereignty over our hearts. Governments must impose the laws by external force, they are not concerned with our souls, but the kingdom of God comes from our hearts and minds and souls. Only God can “control” our lives.

“Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.(Matthew 6:28-29)”

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras

On the First Sunday of the Great Fast, we heard the words from Hebrews, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. The whole forty-day journey through the Great Fast, to the Holy Week of our Lord’s Passion, and then through the fifty days of his resurrection and glorification, sending us the Holy Spirit to be with us always, we have kept our eyes fixed on Jesus. With open hearts we will find the perfection of our faith. This Epistle was repeated on All Saints’ Sunday, for those who have given themselves to Christ are the cloud of witnesses that support and strengthen our faith.

The Great Fast and the Holy Pentecostarion take up almost a third of the year of faith. Today we begin a second “third,” the proclamation of the Gospel of St. Matthew, which we read until the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. This period again begins by summoning us to always “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.” Today we are Simon and Andrew and James and John, hearing the voice of Jesus, “Come, follow me.” Today we hear the Lord calling us calling us to a life like his of caring for others and proclaiming the gospel, if not by words, by our actions and lives.

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras

Glory to Jesus Christ

Sunday, 6/18/17  Second Sunday after Pentecost
9:00 a.m.  For all fathers of the Parish, living and deceased requested by Sestrichi
10:30 a.m. For the People of the Parish

Epistle: Romans 2:10-16
Gospel: Matthew 4:18-23, Tone 1

Monday, 6/19/17 Holy Apostle Jude, Brother of the Lord According to the Flesh
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 6/20/17 Holy Priest-Martyr Methodius, Bishop of Patara
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, 6/21/17 Holy Martyr Julian of Tarsus
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 6/22/17 Holy Priest-Martyr Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 6/23/17 Holy Martyr Agrippina
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy
7:00 p.m. Moleben to Jesus Christ

Saturday, 6/24/17 Nativity of the Honorable and Glorious Prophet John, Forerunner and Baptist of Christ
9:00 a.m. Special Intention

Sunday, 6/25/17 Third Sunday after Pentecost
9:00 a.m. +Rosemary Waselik (8th Anniversary) requested by the family
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Romans 5:1-10
Gospel: Matthew  6:22-33, Tone 2

Over the last fifty-some days, we have celebrated the Paschal mystery – the central mystery of our faith, from our Lord’s crucifixion, resurrection, ascension to his sending the Holy Spirit on his followers. This Sunday, after all that has been proclaimed, we add a great “Amen!” “So be it!” This “Amen” will be great only if we make it more than just words but also actions. The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples that they might be witnesses to the Paschal mystery – our Lord’s death and resurrection, and the Greek word for “witness” is “martyr.” This Sunday was originally called the Sunday of All Martyrs – because those who witnessed to Christ had to be ready to give their lives for him. Many Christians did and still do. This is what it means to be a saint – the readiness to give our lives for the Lord. Therefore the Lord says in today’s Gospel, “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. (Matthew 10:32)” We should not seek to be killed for the gospel, but our priorities should be: 1) God; 2) God’s people, the “others” in our lives and 3) ourselves. Being human, and living in an individualistic society, we often reverse these priorities: 1) ourselves, no. 1; 2) others and 3) God, and putting God third is a practical atheism.

We often have the misconception that to be a “saint” means only a life of misery and self-denial, but people who put their own pleasure and comfort first usually end up all “messed up.” A saint is really someone who has their life in the right order, and so is full of the joy of the Spirit: “a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).”

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras

Glory to Jesus Christ

Sunday, 6/11/17 First Sunday after Pentecost — Sunday of All Saints
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Hebrews 11:33-12:2
Gospel: Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30, Tone 8

Monday, 6/12/17 Venerable Father Onuphrius the Great
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 6/13/17 Holy Martyr Aquilina
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, 6/14/17 Holy Prophet Elisha
9:00 a.m.  + Joseph Levitzky (Pan.) requested by Joseph M. Levitzky

Thursday, 6/15/17 Holy Prophet Amos
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 6/16/17 Our Father and Wonderworker Tychon of Amathus
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy
7:00 p.m.  Moleben to Jesus Christ

Saturday, 6/17/17 Holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabel, and Ismael
8:00 a.m. no intention for the Divine Liturgy

Sunday, 6/18/17 Second Sunday after Pentecost — Father’s Day
9:00 a.m.  For All the Fathers of the Parish, living and deceased requested by Sestrichi
10:30 a.m. For the People of the Parish

Epistle: Romans 2:10-16
Gospel: Matthew 4:18-23, Tone 1