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6th Sunday in Luke 2007 "For God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 It's not only God Who loves a cheerful giver, but every decent individual, witnessing an act of benevolence, has high praises for the person, whose heart spills over with love to help any individual or cause. This beautiful phrase of God's love for a cheerful giver is part of the Epistle reading we heard today. As a matter of fact, today's reading was very brief, but yet, profound in its simplicity, for all of us to take note and conform, to achieve peace through fulfillment. I am going to repeat the whole text, which is only 5 verses from St. Paul's 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians, verses 6-11. The God-inspired Apostle preached: "He who sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully, will also reap bountifully. So, let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly, nor of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. "Now he who supplies the seed to the sower, and bread for food, will also supply and increase your store of seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness. You will be enriched in everything so that you can be generous, which will result in thanksgiving through us, to God." How beautiful these words, and how fulfilling to the soul! That is why, it is very important to study the Scriptures and meditate on the passages;--- because words, no matter how beautiful and poetic are just that --- words. However, when we give the beautiful words substance and meaning in our life, our complete being changes. How deeply our hearts were saddened by the catastrophic fires that raged over all Greece. The European Nations responded because there was such great devastation generally. Each of us responded by opening up our wallets to contribute. And the question naturally arises: "why does there have to be some great catastrophe to move us, so as to show compassion for our fellow humans?" Today's Epistle Lesson, is a result of St. Paul's appeal to the Corinthians, to motivate them to contribute to the destitute in the Church of Jerusalem. He exhorts the Corinthians to be liberal in their contributions, and gave the assurance that God would make His Grace abound in them. Yes, God is able to make all grace abound in us. That is God's nature. He is all love. And selfless love doesn't skimp. Love does not give sparingly, but gives abundantly. The Lord's feeding of the 5000 in the wilderness with much food left over was a sign of God's love. Also when the prodigal son decided to return home, and ask for his father's forgiveness, the father, who had been waiting patiently with open arms embraced him and clothed him in his best robe,--- he placed a ring on his finger, and commanded to slay the fatted calf and celebrate, that his son had safely returned. The Parable of the prodigal son is the real story of God's love, for all His children. God is able to make all grace abound in us. That's God's gift. His productivity in nature reveals this. The one single seed that is planted in the earth, is watered by the showers, and warmed by the sun to bring forth fruit one hundred=fold. Abundance surely runs through the economy of God, but people oftentimes fail to recognize this. We look around us, and we see people living in abundance. I wonder, how many of these people recognize, that God is the true source of their abundance? And further, do they recognize, that they should be God's stewards? It is natural to question, why should some people have so much, and others literally struggle to survive? The fault surely lies with the one who is over-blessed materially, but is unwilling to share this abundance, and thereby refuses to become a vessel, or steward of God --- to become a channel of God's Grace. Recently, I read that the selfish queen of mean, Leona Helmsley left $12,000,000 so that her dog could be amply taken care of. Of course there are comparable examples, of how distant people are to their neighbor, who is may be literally suffering. But the wealthy, who are constantly showered in their materialistic selfish ways, cannot see other people's needs, because of the cataract that covers their soul. In the Daytona News journal just 3 days ago, I read where Jolie and Brad Pitt, idols of millions, ordered a diamond studded pacifier for their new baby at a cost of $17,000! And I say, something is very very wrong! If these two examples do not constitute sin, I don't know what does. We all know, that there is unlimited need in the world, and that a great part of humanity goes to bed hungry. This need would practically become extinct, if there was true sharing, and people chose to become the beneficent hand of God. I know a person, who recently sold his company for 3 billion, 800 million dollars, and I waited these last few months to read if some of this was to be returned to some human cause The other day I read that his family gave 1,000,000 dollars to the fire-plagued people of Greece. Is this token giving or what, ---- I ask you? If people would become more eagerly, and fully receptive to the gracious Gifts of God, they would surely be fulfilled, and would enjoy to the fullest, their spiritual and material blessings, by becoming practicing stewards of God. St. Paul speaks of abounding in every good deed. What blessings would be harvested universally, if people chose to abound in every good deed! But, how can a person accomplish this, when he or she is shackled by the chains of self-centeredness and greed? A person has to find the way to free himself or herself from their selfishness, if they are ever to rise even to the minimum of spiritual heights and true fulfillment. Yes, as dedicated Christians, we must sow abundantly in order, that we may reap abundantly. God gives us all His Grace, so that we may enjoy the sufficiency of His Grace. I think that we do not utilize God's Grace to the fullest, and thus there is a lack of good works. Even in our small Parish we have done so well, but how many ever bring to mind, that only one half of our people signed the pledge, and if the other half did proportionately, today we would be seeing construction on our beautiful 9 acre property. We all know, that in the mountains there are tremendous deposits of water, and that the plains are in need of this water. In an irrigated country sometimes the water channels are cut off, and then this country becomes like a desert wasteland. That is what St. Paul was telling the Corinthians; "Open the channels of Corinth, so that there may be water in Jerusalem," And of course, this applies to each and every Christian, as it also applies to us as a Community. We must strive to become true water channels. God's abounding Grace becomes an overflowing channel in the hearts of all. And when these channels are emptying, they are replenished again from the Source. So it is, that where the Grace goes, many other lives abound, and in turn, they also become life=flowing channels. Truly, this is the inspiring portrayal of God's love, and God's mercy; we must make a conscientious effort my beloved, to accept God's grace, and also become water channels, which will bring fulfillment to our soul, and make us worthy of our destiny in life. Amen. + Fr. George Papadeas
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