08th in Luke, Ocala 11/14/04     

Today is the 8th Sunday in Luke, and the excerpt we heard from the Bible described the Parable of the Good Samaritan. We have had occasion to speak based on this Parable, which is so well known, and which is a powerful lesson of love for our neighbor.

I chose instead to express a few thoughts based on the 1st verse of the 133rd Psalm, which is a powerful admonition for all people. The Psalmist states: 'Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." We can easily understand the relationship of this ideal state with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The Psalmist emphasizes the blessings of people living in unity, based on the selfless love, which undergirds unity. But, the sad state of affairs is that this desired unity is somewhat of a rare commodity. I think that we in our small congregation are blessed with this unity, which is the power that will propel us to become a formal Parish.

The crowning virtue of love, was continuously emphasized by the Lord and His Apostles in their writings, but our modern society, although Christian in name, does not strive to bring this crowing virtue to the forefront of their lives. And of course the lack of Christian love leaves a great void in the hearts of so many Christians, who sense this void but do not know how to fill it. Consequently, unhappiness and negativism sprout to bring misery when it is so easy to bring happiness through love.

It isn't by chance that St. Matthew the Evangelist says: "God is love!" St. John, the Disciple of love repeatedly stated: "Love one another." Just moments ago, before the recitation of the Creed, the Priest blessed the Congregation saying: "Let us love one another, so that with one mind we may confess." What is it that we confess with one mind in complete unity?

The choir states it with the hymn: "Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Trinity of one Essence and undivided."

For a moment, if we were to analyze the turmoil in the world, the strife of nations and people, and our personal perhaps unfulfilled and unhappy life, we shall surely agree that all these stem from the lack of Christian love.

The United Nations was established a half century ago, having spent untold billions to bring peace to the world. The Nations have convened in marathon meetings, while simultaneously the weapons of mass destruction were, and are aimed at one another. This armament, surely gives birth to the mistrust that Nations have among themselves, and as a consequence the hope for peace in the world is practically diminished.

How contemporary are the prophet Isaiah's words in the Old Testament, spoken almost 1000 years before Christ. The great Prophet sets the conditions, under which peace can be effected in the world. In the 2nd Chapter of his book, verse 4 he states: "The Lord will judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks. nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

Isaiah continues by saying, "that the world must raise God and His Church above all things of this world. God must be the greatest authority in our life, and all our expressions must be in consonance with His will. The weapons of battle must be melted by all the nations and pour the molten ore into moulds useful to all people."

How well these admonitions resound in the souls of God fearing people! But as we said, the tendency of nations, is in direct contradiction with the peace proposed by the Prophet Isaiah.

That is why the Christian Church, has the obligation to herald the fact, that the only road to peace is love and true brotherhood. I don't think it is necessary here, to state that love commences with each individual. But, it is true, that the more we show,our love for our fellow humans, the greater guarantee we have, that we shall coexist in harmony. There are myriads of ways, that we can express this love.

The good Samaritan of the Parable manifested his love for his neighbor, --- a total stranger him. He took time stopping to help the wounded man, who had just been passed over by his own countrymen, a Rabbi and a Levite.

We have heard it more than once, that our neighbor is not worthy of our love. But, did we ever stop to think of our own feelings to our neighbor? We defend ourselves by saying that our neighbor does not show his or her love, when all the while we never showed our love. There is no question that very often it is we, who initiate the good, as well as the negativity in our relationship.

During the last part of the 19th century many Americans started their trek westwardly to find a better life. On the way to the far west there were these small general stores, where the settlers bought their supplies. On the porch of a certain general store there was a pious old man in a rocking chair smoking his corn cob pipe. Along comes a wagon with a couple and their children seeking to purchase some supplies. The old gent welcomed the young couple and asked them where they were heading.

The man said, "we took the decision to go as far west as possible to make new friends and get away from those evil and terrible people back east." The old gent said: "My boy, it's too bad you made such a long trip in vain, because out here the people are very selfish, and indeed mean. "

A while later, another covered wagon stopped. A bright young couple stepped off their wagon and were welcomed by the old gent. He posed the same question as to their purpose coming west. The young couple said: "Well, we came out west for a better opportunity for the future of our family, but our hearts are heavy, because back home, we parted with so many friendly people.

The old fellow said: "Son, you have no idea how friendly and loving the people are out here. You can't forget your friends, back east, but you'll be so enriched by so many new ones."

When the couple left there happened to be a third person on the porch, who heard the contradicting comments of the old gent. He asked why the old fellow gave contradicting descriptions of the settlers out west. The reply was, that the first couple will always have problems in their relationships with people. The second couple will fare very well because they have the proper outlook on life. He then added, that every individual creates a good or bad environment.

It is so true. Life is a mirror. If we look in the mirror of life, we shall see goodness or evil --- happiness or misery, --- altruism or egotism. If we choose to be in proper order with others, we must firstly show our love and goodness.

The Church will continue to preach the message, that if we showed love and concern for our fellow humans, it is as if we directly were benevolent to the Lord.

Have we ever thought of the blessings and the privileges we have by attending and participating in Church? We are truly members of one large Christian Family. We may sit beside someone unknown to us. But, we pray together, we receive from the same Holy Chalice, and we don't concern ourselves as to who he or she is, what they have and if they are wealthy.

Love one another, commences from the Family and the Church, and should accompany us in our every day duties and obligations. Truly,. we have to take the time to digest the unlimited dimension of the greatest virtue, which is love.

May God grant that all of us will be enlightened by the spirit of God to open up widely the eyes and ear of our heart to recognize and receive love, and in turn reflect it on all others. Amen.

+Fr. George Papadeas

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