Contents
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
HOLIDAY CALENDAR
STEWARDSHIP
TIS THE SEASON TO SAVE TAXES
COME ON A SPIRITUAL ODYSSEY
FAMILY-TO-FAMILY!
PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
HOLY CROSS OUTREACH
PRESCHOOL UPDATE
BLESSING OF HOMES
CONFESSION SCHEDULE FOR CHRISTMAS ADVENT 1999
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FAITH . . . THE ALL-IMPORTANT INGREDIENT (continuation from front page) |
At the center of our spiritual life and commitment is our Lord, Jesus Christ. In Orthodoxy the worship of God, Jesus Christ in the flesh, is first and foremost. Metropolitan Emilianos of Trimiadis states in his book "Priest, Parish and Renewal" that whatever reason one may give for not attending church begins from the presupposition that everyone is his own master and consequently can use his Sunday as it suits him. He then states the following, "If you do, you are sinning against God's order and commandment. You are not free to do with your Sundays as you like. God himself disposed of them by saying: "Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy!"
The dynamic within the life of any parish needs to be firmly rooted in the worship of God our creator. It is from this worship that we, the faithful, are spiritually fed and strengthened to go out into the world to effect needed changes. The Lord tells us in the Sermon on the Mount that as believers, we are the salt and light of the world. The dynamic of salt and light is that it changes, enhances, if you will, that which it touches. If we are to be effective in enhancing the flavor of our environment, the world in which we live, we need to be connected.
And what about our light in a world that, at the very least, is dimmed by worldly desires and affections? The Lord commands that our light shine forth and brightly for all to see. This is not a puffed up and egotistical arrogance that we are asked to display but a reflection of our Lord likeness, spiritually shining from within each of us. It is a brightness that derives its source from the source of light, the Lord Himself. It is a light that reflects the image of God in us.
This light can only be ignited by the Holy Spirit and maintained from our worship of God. The gift to speak to God in prayer is what marks the difference between us and the rest of God's creation. Yet with this gift comes a great responsibility and commitment. For if we are privileged to offer our prayers to our Creator and praise Him in worship then we can not help but be the positive and enlightened difference in a world dimmed with affliction.
The dynamic in our life must be our Lord and Savior. The dynamic in our parish must also be our collective embrace of Orthodoxy's tradition and practice. Faith shared in worshipful fellowship with the Holy Spirit and our brethren in Christ is the dynamic that can change the world in which we live. As we move to close this year and enter into the last of this millennium, I ask that all of us rededicate and renew our lives to Christ our God. Let us not think that simply by proclaiming the Lord's name salvation is ours. For as Christ tells, "Not all who say 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven." God's love will recognize the love in each who claim to believe in the Triune God. May the love of God be the dynamic in our life and may the love of self succumb to the presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
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