Newsletter July 1, 2023

The Modern Atheism

Modern atheism does not want any relationship between itself and God. It seeks to organize a person’s affairs in the light of what it sees as correct, useful, and necessary for him. The new motto of humanity has become, “What is appropriate is whatever I see fit.” The exclusion of God from human life is not new, but it has imposed itself in Western and Eastern societies in recent years as a way of life that is binding on everyone, whether they are believers, atheists, or indifferent.

God disturbs humans because He demands from them what is contrary to their desires and lusts, which kill them. He wants life for them, and they want fun; He wants permanent joy for them, and they seek temporary happiness; He wants them to ascend to the heights, and they want to remain attached to the earth. A person is afraid of abandoning what is familiar to him. He enjoys what he knows, avoiding the adventure of entering into what he is called to discover.

…

Believers are called to embody their faith in the purest form. They become “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14) when God’s light shines in them as a result of their purity and tender love, imitating the love of their Master. Then the Lord’s saying will be true in them: “All people will know that you are My disciples” (John 13:35).

Read the entire article:
https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/1658

Many parishioners have shared with me how much they enjoyed being a part of the Baptisms this year at Pascha. So, we will try something out and see how it goes: we have 2 baptism coming up and we will conduct them Sunday morning before Liturgy in place of Sunday Orthros. This coming Sunday, July 2, Edward G. will be baptzed. The services will begin at 8:45 and should end right at 9:30 so that we can transition immediately into the Divine Liturgy.

There is an opening in the Prosphora (bread for Holy Communion) baking schedule. If anyone is interested, please speak to Fr. Mark.

Next Saturday (7/8), 9:00 A.M. If you have any question regarding weather, etc., please call.

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 2023 web.pdf

Full schedule:
https://stjfc.org/Pages/Ministries/Altar/Docs/epistle readers for 2023.pdf

Epistle: ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE HEBREWS 9:1-7

BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.

Gospel: MATTHEW 8:5-13

At that time, as Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion answered him, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go, ‘ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come, ‘ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this, ‘ and he does it.” When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.” And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; be it done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

Fr. Iachint, My Good Confessor

Translation by Jesse Dominick

Father would say:

“If you’re traveling, if you’re at your obedience, if you’re sitting at the table, if you want to lie down to rest, don’t stop saying the Jesus Prayer. It’s the strongest prayer; it alone helps monastics, and they often fulfill their rule by keeping obedience with this prayer.

Having resolved us of our sins, Father would say to each of us:

“Brother, are you sorry that you grieved God? Are you sorry that you saddened your neighbor? Fight back. This is your obedience, your penance: Sin no more; grieve God no more; grieve your neighbor no more. As much as you can, be at peace with everyone!”

And I saw that Fr. Iachint himself truly was at peace with everyone.

“Fight with all your might and pray unceasingly!”

Read the entire article:
https://orthochristian.com/154560.html