Newsletter October 17, 2025

A Bishop’s Scribbles

Most believers are used to relating to their pastor in only one direction — he gives and they receive. They expect his hand to remain always extended toward them, carrying whatever they think they need or desire. To them, he exists to fulfill their requests. They often treat him like a “superhuman” or someone who must not make mistakes, get tired, or need rest! Why, they think, should he even have to worry about food or drink? They forget that he is a human being, and that he too needs to feel a living spiritual and emotional connection with his flock and with others. In fact, such connection is not a luxury, it is essential for him to continue his ministry and fruitful service.

Read the entire article: https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/2600

Please remember that our full calendar continues to be available at our parish web site. Here is a link:
https://stjfc.org/Pages/Calendar/calendar.php

Full schedule:
https://stjfc.org/Pages/Ministries/Prosphora/Docs/prosphora sched 2025 web.pdf

Full schedule:
https://stjfc.org/Pages/Ministries/Altar/Docs/epistle readers for 2025.pdf

Epistle: ST. PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS 11:31-33; 12:1-9

Brethren, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for ever, knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands. I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise –whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows — and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Gospel: LUKE 7:11-16

At that time, Jesus went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!

Launch into the Deep

Fr. Jeremy McKemy

In our post-Christian, post-Evangelical country with its many keyboard warriors who enjoy arguing about the truth of their theology online, I think it is helpful for us to take a step back and look at a spiritual interpretation of Luke 5:1-11. In this passage, we see a calling to spiritual introspection through our Lord’s request to the Apostle Peter to launch into the deep.

At the beginning of the passage, we see a group of fishermen, among whom is Simon Peter. They’ve labored all night but caught nothing. Symbolically, what does this tell us?

The night represents ignorance and spiritual darkness. They are searching for truth and meaning, letting their nets down into the depths of worldly philosophies, ideas, and enjoyments. But every time, their nets come up empty. For there is no truth or meaning in the vanities of this world.

This is life for everyone outside of Christ, outside of His Church; the life of everyone who doesn’t make Christ the center and gravity of their life. Solomon experienced such spiritual darkness and cried out, “Everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”

Read the entire article: https://www.orthodoxroad.com/launch-into-the-deep/