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04 in Luke Ocala 10/16/05 "And another seed fell on good ground. It sprouted and yielded a crop one hundred times more, than the seed that was sown." Luke 8:8 Once again, in the cycle of Gospel Lessons, we heard the Parable of the sower, who went out into the field to plant seeds to finally reap the harvest in time. The Parable, which we probably remember from last year, tells us that some seeds fell by the wayside, which was trodden and the birds of the air came and devoured them. A second seed fell in an area, which was full of rocks. The seed germinated, but withered away, because it lacked the necessary moisture. A third seed fell on ground, which was full of small thorny bushes. This seed sprouted, and showed signs of growing, but the thorny weeds grew much faster, and ultimately choked it. The fourth seed fell on good ground, and as mentioned in the verse we just quoted, "it yielded a crop one hundred times more, than the seed which was sown." The Orthodox World today, celebrates in commemoration the Holy Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council held in Constantinople in the year 787 A.D. This was the last Ecumenical Council of the seven, all of which became part of our Divine Tradition. The Holy Tradition, which gave Christianity the true interpretation of the Scriptures, by defining the Dogmas of the undivided Christian Church of the first 8 centuries. As we know, the first two Ecumenical Councils bequeathed to us the Creed, as we recited it once again in our Liturgy, about 20 minutes ago. The Church Fathers, who bequeathed to us our great spiritual treasures, without question were themselves the fertile ground, and were inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Overseer of our Holy Church, to make the proper decisions in the 8 Ecumenical Councils, so as to insure the Faith for all time. You know, --- when we think of it, --- our words are like seeds, which fall into one of the four categories we have just mentioned. For instance, one kind word, spoken to a receptive heart produces the finest relationship, and every one is happy to witness the pleasant atmosphere that it produces. Conversely, one word spoken in wrath, or in a fit of anger, is like the seed, which fell in thorny ground and was choked by the thorny weeds. Consequently, unhappiness, and oftentimes revenge is the ultimate result. In Matthew Chapter 5, verse 48 we read: "Be therefore perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect." This is the ultimate, which our Lord Jesus seeks from all of us; that is, to be focused, and to strive for perfection. But, the cares of this world, and the lack of our personal discipline become stumbling blocks, which prevent us from cruising freely on the road to perfection. In another instance the Lord said: "He or she, who is not with Me, is against Me." Matthew 12:30. The Lord does not provide for a middle condition. Does this sound absolute? It surely does. But, who does it depend on, to re-align his or her life, to absolutely conform with the beauty and serenity, which the words of the Lord guarantee? Of course it is up to the individual. His words are the seeds, which seek to be planted in fertile hearts, in order to produce the rich spiritual harvest. I think, we all know how our positive words are seeds, which have helped people, and conversely negative words, which were harmful. In my position of serving the Church, for almost six and one half decades, I have always sought to plant the necessary seeds to produce that, which we all wish in our Parishes. By doing this, it had become for me a matter of second nature. We're all familiar with the saying, that "habit becomes our second nature!" All Christians could and should discipline themselves, to habitually do the good by being positive. Over the years, I've received letters, phone calls, and visits, from what were young hearts, of forty and fifty and sixty years ago, --my students then, but today, they are Grandparents! Coincidentally, last week I received a brief letter, which literally brought tears to my eyes. It was from a young boy of 14, when he was part of the initial group, of our Ionian Village in Greece in 1971. When I was preparing our youth at this Village for Confession and Holy Communion, this young boy of 14 told me, that he had never been baptized, because his parents belonged to two different Churches, which they didn't frequent very much. It was truly providential, that I had to attend a Meeting in Los Angeles in 1971. At that time, I had written to him, asking if he was baptized as he so desired. And if he wasn't, I would be happy to baptize him during my stay on the West Coast. This did happen, and I don't have to describe to you how very moving this Sacrament was. Today, he is 49 or 50 years old, the head of his own Family, and most assuredly an ardent Orthodox. He wrote to me that the seeds, which I planted in the hearts of our Campers at the Ionian Village in 1970, germinated in their hearts and brought forth much fruit, which have nourished him and others, throughout the years. To me, that was the greatest reward, I could have ever received. He further stated, that already he is planning to come to Tarpon Springs to see the Patriarch Bartholomew, who will be presiding in the Epiphany Liturgy in January 2006, in celebration of the 100 Anniversary of the Church there. He looks forward to witness the tossing of the Cross by the Patriarch into the Bay, for the youth to retrieve. Yes, the Priest does cast the seeds of the Lord in the hearts of people. But, in order for these seeds to sprout, they must fall in hearts, which have fertile soil, and subsequently there is watering and cultivation. It is true that any word spoken, conveys meaning. Words together, express a message and constitute forms of communication from one person to another. Words and messages reflect the mind, and the character of the one, from whom these come. In a similar way, God's words, are God speaking to us forever. All the Lord's teachings have one central target, and that is, to bring us consciously into contact with God. The Lord's words are so edifying, which, if we practice, we shall truly sense a tremendous serenity in our heart. The Lord does not put the cares of this world above His words. For instance, He says: "Firstly, seek God's Kingdom and His righteousness, then all other things shall be added unto you!" Matt. 6:33. Another time, He repeated His favorite phrase, saying: "Love one another, as I have loved you!" John 13:34 "Be perfect therefore, as your Father in Heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48. "Whosoever exalts himself, shall be abased, and he who humbles himself, shall be exalted!" Matt:23:18 "And, whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. Even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his Life as a ransom for many." Matt: 20:27-28. All these, and so many other words of the Lord are seeds, which He seeks to plant into hearts that have soil, which will be conducive to cultivation, and become a guarantee of bringing forth fruits one hundred-fold. Some may reason and say, that it is impossible to follow all the teachings of the Lord. This is the greatest mistake, that one can ever make, because all the teachings can germinate in hearts, which have conformed to self discipline. Isn't it odd? We primarily cater to the needs of the body. We are deluged, and literally brain-washed with ads in the Newspapers, Magazines and T.V., as to how we can live fuller lives, by proper nourishment, --- by exercise, --- by taking certain "life-giving" vitamins,--by using creams to make wrinkles disappear, and make one look younger etc., etc. It is an endless campaign, to make one part with one's dollar. Let us suppose for a moment, that we do submit to all this advertising, and perhaps experience some measure of success. However, we must never lose sight of the fact, these ads appeal exclusively to the physical counterpart of the individual. But, I ask, will this alone bring happiness and contentment, which is the innate desire of all God-loving people? Surely not. Because, no matter how healthy the body, there will still be felt, and strongly in one's heart a void, or a vacuum, which is nothing more than the soul crying, that it is famished, and needs to be fed spiritually. Let us not forget the Lord's words: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." The body must be strong and healthy as possible, and Lord knows, that we do cater to it. But, the soul must be stronger, and should be the agent of discipline in our life. This self-discipline, so very lacking in the life of many Christians, is what will align us with the commandments of God, and will give us the true sense of fulfillment and contentment. Thus, the words of the Lord and our words are seeds, which need to be planted in good soil, --- to be watered and cultivated, so that they may bring forth the anticipated harvest, --- the harvest, which is not only life bearing, but life giving. Let us never forget, that the things in this life which count, and which are indeed the best for us in life, are free! + Fr. George Papadeas
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