Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church Sunday, October 29, 2017 7th Sunday of Luke The Virtue of Patience Rev. Andrew Demostes One of the universal characteristics of the virtuous lives of the saints was their seemingly inexhaustible capacity to endure in times of great tribulation and danger. Oftentimes, the difference between sainthood and spiritual failure could be attributed to the gift of patience for which they fervently prayed, and which they put to such good use in their struggles. They never ceased to remember the wonderful admonition of St. Paul who wrote that we need to be patient, in order to do the will of God and receive what he promises (Hebrews 10:36). In contrast to their wonderful example, we are often quick to abandon our commitment to serve Christ at the first sign of trouble. In Jesus wonderful parable of the sower, he describes the various responses that people have to the gospel message. A person, for example, may seem to accept God s promise, but he stumbles in his faith when difficulties arise (Matt. 13:20-21). He is unmindful of the apostle s warning that My righteous people will believe and live; but if any of them turns back, I will not be pleased with him. We are not people who turn back and are lost. Instead, we have faith and are saved (Hebrews 10:38-39). We can only marvel at the complete honesty of our Lord Jesus Christ who did not hide from us the fact that the way of discipleship was also often the way of suffering. In his invitation to the Apostles, he said, If anyone wants to come with me, he must forget himself, carry his own cross, and follow me (Matt. 16:24). With these words, He makes it clear to us that faith is not a way to avoid suffering, as much as it is a way of enduring the inevitable pain that will come to our lives. For the mature Christian, faith is not an escape from tribulation; but rather a gracious gift that in the time of testing, allows him to continue to trust in the goodness of a loving God. 7560 South Archer Road, Justice, Illinois 60458 (708) 594-2040, fax (708) 594-8362 Web: www.holycrossil.org; Email: office@holycrossil.org Rev. Fr. Demetrios Kounavis Parish Priest
ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ EPISTLE READING FOR THE DAY GOSPEL READING FOR THE DAY Ἀδελφοί, εἰδότες ὅτι Brethren, knowing οὐ δικαιοῦται that a man is not justified by works of ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, ἐὰν μὴ διὰ the law but through πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς even we have be- faith in Jesus Christ, Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν lieved in Christ Jesus, in order to be ἐπιστεύσαμεν, ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ, καὶ Christ, and not by justified by faith in οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου works of the law, because by works of διότι οὐ δικαιωθήσεται ἐξ ἔργων νόμου the law shall no one πᾶσα σάρξ. Εἰ δέ, be justified. But if, in ζητοῦντες δικαιωθῆναι ἐν Χριστῷ, justified in Christ, our endeavor to be εὑρέθημεν καὶ αὐτοὶ we ourselves were ἁμαρτωλοί, ἆρα found to be sinners, Χριστὸς ἁμαρτίας is Christ then an διάκονος; Μὴ γένοιτο. Εἰ γὰρ ἃ κατέλυtainly not! But if I agent of sin? Cerσα, ταῦτα πάλιν build up again those οἰκοδομῶ, παραβάτην ἐμαυτὸν συνί- down, then I prove things which I tore στημι. Ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ myself a transgressor. For I through the νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον, ἵνα θεῷ law died to the law, ζήσω. Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι ζῶ δέ, that I might live to multitudes God. I have been οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δὲ ἐν crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who ἐμοὶ Χριστός ὃ δὲ live, but Christ who νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, ἐν lives in me; and the πίστει ζῶ τῇ τοῦ life I now live in the υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, τοῦ flesh I live by faith ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ in the Son of God, παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν who loved me and ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ. gave himself for me. At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said, "Master, the surround you and press upon you!" But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise." And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄνθρωπός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ ᾧ ὄνομα Ιάειρος, καὶ αὐτὸς ἄρχων τῆς συναγωγῆς ὑπῆρχε καὶ πεσὼν παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τοῦ Ιησοῦ παρεκάλει αὐτὸν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ, ὅτι θυγάτηρ μονογενὴς ἦν αὐτῷ ὡς ἐτῶν δώδεκα, καὶ αὕτη ἀπέθνησκεν. Εν δὲ τῷ ὑπάγειν αὐτὸν οἱ ὄχλοι συνέπνιγον αὐτόν. καὶ γυνὴ οὖσα ἐν ῥύσει αἵματος ἀπὸ ἐτῶν δώδεκα, ἥτις ἰατροῖς προσαναλώσασα ὅλον τὸν βίον οὐκ ἴσχυσεν ὑπ οὐδενὸς θεραπευθῆναι, προσελθοῦσα ὄπισθεν ἥψατο τοῦ κρασπέδου τοῦ ἱματίου αὐτοῦ, καὶ παραχρῆμα ἔστη ἡ ῥύσις τοῦ αἵματος αὐτῆς. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Ιησοῦς τίς ὁ ἁψάμενός μου; ἀρνουμένων δὲ πάντων εἶπεν ὁ Πέτρος καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ ἐπιστάτα, οἱ ὄχλοι συνέχουσί σε καὶ ἀποθλίβουσι, καὶ λέγεις τίς ὁ ἁψάμενός μου; ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν ἥψατό μού τις ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔγνων δύναμιν ἐξελθοῦσαν ἀπ ἐμοῦ. ἰδοῦσα δὲ ἡ γυνὴ ὅτι οὐκ ἔλαθε, τρέμουσα ἦλθε καὶ προσπεσοῦσα αὐτῷ δι ἣν αἰτίαν ἥψατο αὐτοῦ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ ἐνώπιον παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ, καὶ ὡς ἰάθη παραχρῆμα. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῇ θάρσει, θύγατερ, ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέ σε πορεύου εἰς εἰρήνην. Ετι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος ἔρχεταί τις παρὰ τοῦ ἀρχισυναγώγου λέγων αὐτῷ ὅτι τέθνηκεν ἡ θυγάτηρ σου μὴ σκύλλε τὸν διδάσκαλον. ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς ἀκούσας ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ λέγων μὴ φοβοῦ μόνον πίστευε, καὶ σωθήσεται. ἐλθὼν δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν οὐκ ἀφῆκεν εἰσελθεῖν οὐδένα εἰ μὴ Πέτρον καὶ Ιωάννην καὶ Ιάκωβον καὶ τὸν πατέρα τῆς παιδὸς καὶ τὴν μητέρα. ἔκλαιον δὲ πάντες καὶ ἐκόπτοντο αὐτήν. ὁ δὲ εἶπε μὴ κλαίετε οὐκ ἀπέθανεν, ἀλλὰ καθεύδει. καὶ κατεγέλων αὐτοῦ, εἰδότες ὅτι ἀπέθανεν. αὐτὸς δὲ ἐκβαλὼν ἔξω πάντας καὶ κρατήσας τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῆς ἐφώνησε λέγων ἡ παῖς, ἐγείρου. καὶ ἐπέστρεψε τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτῆς, καὶ ἀνέστη παραχρῆμα, καὶ διέταξεν αὐτῇ δοθῆναι φαγεῖν. καὶ ἐξέστησαν οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῖς. ὁ δὲ παρήγγειλεν αὐτοῖς μηδενὶ εἰπεῖν τὸ γεγονός. **************************************************************************** Μέσα ἀπὸ την άσκηση διευρύνονται οι δυνατότητές μας να ζήσουμε ολόκληρη τη Χάρη τού Θεού Προσέξτε, ἄν θέλω να πάρω νερό ἀπὸ το πηγάδι και έχω ένα πολύ μικρό δοχείο, λίγο νερό θα πάρω. Ἄν το δοχείο μεγαλώσει, περισσότερο νερό θα πάρω. Άρα, μέσα ἀπὸ την άσκηση διευρύνονται οι δυνατότητές μας να ζήσουμε ολόκληρη τη Χάρη τού Θεού. Βλέπετε είμαστε μάτια, νους, αισθήσεις, ακοή. Τα πάντα είμαστε. Ἄν όλα ταυτόχρονα τα καθαρίζουμε, διευρύνουμε τότε την είσοδο αυτού τού δοχείου και αφήνουμε τον Θεό πού μάς αγαπάει, μέσα ἀπὸ το Φως τού Αγίου Πνεύματος, να εισέρχεται μέσα μας ἀπὸ όλες μας τίς αισθήσεις. Προσέξτε ένα παράδειγμα, πού λένε οι Πατέρες και συνήθως το χρησιμοποιούν στην εξομολόγηση. Ἄν κάποιος έχει κάνει πέντε αμαρτίες και μετανιώνει ἀπὸ τίς τέσσερις, σημαίνει πού έχουμε ένα καράβι πού έχει πέντε τρύπες και κλείσαμε τίς τέσσερις. Το νερό θα μπει και θα βουλιάξει το καράβι ἀπὸ την πέμπτη. Έτσι, λοιπόν, επειδή είμαστε αισθήσεις, ὁ νους μας, ἡ καρδιά μας, τα μάτια μας, τα αυτιά μας, ο, τι ζούμε είναι αισθήσεις, όσο περισσότερο διευρύνονται οι αισθήσεις σέ όλα τα επίπεδα, ταυτόχρονη άσκηση σέ όλα, τότε αφήνουμε τον Θεό να εισέλθει μέσα μας. Αυτό είναι ἡ Χάρις τού Θεού. Κι έτσι, λοιπόν, αποκτούμε τέτοια εμπειρία, μιας απέραντης χαράς.
Joy in Christ The Sure Indicator of Our Spiritual Condition "Rejoice evermore" (I Thessalonians 5:16) "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice" (1 Thessalonians 5:16; Philippians 4:4) It is, unfortunately, not an uncommon phenomenon for us to see pious Faithful in whose faces joy, good cheer, and the light of Grace do not blossom forth. There are many excuses for this: family troubles, difficulties at work, various mishaps, economic misfortunes, health problems, unpleasant developments in national and political life, etc. Can it be that all of these things constitute substantial obstacles, such that a Christian is thereby deprived of the peace of the Holy Spirit and the Grace of Christ? Certainly not; for, the joy of the pious Faithful derives not from the absence of life s tribulations and afflictions, but from the presence of our Savior in their hearts. When a Christian has a humble attitude and laments for his sins; when his pursuit is "always that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men"; when he strives to keep God's commandments; when he continually partakes of the Spotless Mysteries; when he unceasingly reflects with gratitude on the love of God then, he is alive in the Lord and has the Giver of joy and peace in his heart. The believer who is God-Bearing and Christ- Bearing "rejoices evermore," and his presence in the world is a testimony to the Resurrection and to Pentecost; it is a revelation of the Kingdom of Heaven and the bliss of the Age to come, of which he already has a foretaste. To those who would object that it is impossible for one to rejoice at all times, St. Basil the Great wrote a marvelous homily, entitled, "Concerning Thanksgiving," in which he confronts those who dare "to accuse St. Paul of laying down things that are impossible for us." The blessed joy of Christians is the indicator of their spiritual condition: a lack of joy and indeed, of unceasing joy betokens a deficiency in communion with Christ, and also with our brother. It is especially when there is no love for our neighbor in our hearts, when we malign and hurt him, when we belittle and despise him, and when we cause him distress and upset, that the Lord is missing from our hearts and we have no communion with Him. The Apostle Paul urges us to "follow that which is good," by which he means: "Be intensely and exceedingly eager to do good to each other, that is, to your Christian fellowbelievers and to all; that is, [even] to the unbelieving and the godless." The opposite that is, arrogance and vengeance, coldness and apathy, hatred for our brother and ruthlessness will make us to resemble the bee, as St. John Chrysostomos strikingly notes: "Do you not see how the bee dies as soon as it has injured someone with its sting? By that animal, God instructs us not to
grieve our neighbors, because it is we who thereby first greet death. For, in striking at them, we may perhaps pain them temporarily; but we ourselves shall not live any longer, just as this animal does not." The most blessed Theotokos is the "joy of all generations, and in the Paraklesis (Services of Supplication) to her, we chant the very beautiful hymn: "Fill my heart with joy, O Virgin, who didst receive the fullness of joy and didst cause the sorrow of sin to disappear." Let us repeat this joyful Troparion frequently and sincerely, praying to our All-Holy Mother that she count us worthy to rejoice in the Lord evermore, in the joy of the Resurrection and the Kingdom. Amen! ************************* Meekness means having a heart that is humbled and peaceful. Children are meek. This is why the Lord says, If you do not become as children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 18:3). A proud person is never satisfied; everything bothers him, and he follows his own will. We must be obedient to the will of God in order to learn humility and meekness while we are in this life, while there is still time. A hear that is full of love thinks not of itself but of others. It prays for all living things and for the whole world. -Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica ************************* Να ζητάς από τους Αγγέλους και τους Αγίους... Να ζητάς από τους Αγγέλους και τους Αγίους να μεσιτεύουν στο Θεό για σένα, όπως θα ζητούσες κάτι από τους ζωντανούς. Να στέκεσαι πρόσωπο προς πρόσωπο απέναντί τους, πιστεύοντας πως και εκείνοι στέκονται πρόσωπο προς πρόσωπο απέναντί σου. - Άγιος Ιωάννης της Κρονστάνδης ************************* Our old self is an evil tenant within us. In order to evict him, we have to tear down the house and begin constructing a new building, the new man. St. John Chrysostom says, The Church is a hospital, and not a courtroom, for souls. She does not condemn on behalf of sins, but grants remission of sins.
HELP BUILD OUR SIGN Please join us in making this dream of a Holy Cross Church sign a reality! Work has already begun! We will need $20,000 to help cover the cost of the sign and other landscaping upgrades. More landscaping will be needed later as well. Please help support this long-needed addition to our church property. God bless your generosity!
NOTICE The Office will be closed from October 29- November 10. Fr. Demetri will be away on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In case of an emergency, please contact the Metropolis of Chicago at (312) 337-4130. MEMORIALS Fotini Makris, 40 days, Left 1-5 Metaxia Angelakos, 3 months, Right 1-4 Panagiotis Stavrou, 3 years, Right 5-8 Fotios Spanos, 5 years, Right 1-4 Panagiotis Makris, 18 years, Left 1-5 May their memory be eternal! Today s coffee fellowship is hosted in memory of Fotini and Panagiotis Makris and Panagiotis Stavrou. Everyone is invited to our community hall to enjoy fellowship. May their memory be eternal! SAVE THE DATE November 9: Christianiki Philoxenia at Assumption Church, Homer Glen November 12: 5:30pm - Grand Raffle November 14: Parish Thanksgiving Dinner November 15: Start of the 40 Day Liturgies November 18: Christmas Tree Decorating at Brookfield Zoo November 19: Parish Fish Fry November 24: 7pm - Vigil for St. Katherine November 28: Women s Group to make Christmas Cards December 10: St. Valentine s Couples Outing December 16-17: Philoptochos Bake Sale December 16: Greek American Nursing Home visit, Wheeling December 17: Christmas Pageant December 28: Parish Christmas Party December 31: New Year s Eve Party 40 DAY LITURGIES - This year we are blessed to have a forty-day-liturgies conducted in preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord beginning November 15th. Please come and pray with us during the Liturgies. More information will be forthcoming. Φέτος θα τελεσθεί Ιερό Σαρανταλείτουργο των Χριστουγέννων αρχίζοντας στις 15 Νοεμβρίου. Παρακαλούμε να συμπροσευχηθείτε μαζί μας στις Θείες Λειτουργίες.