November 5  (Nov.18 n.s.)

Martyrs Galacteon and his wife Episteme at Emesa (253). Apostles Patrobus, Hermas, Linus, Gaius, and Philologus of the Seventy (1st c.). Martyrs Domninus, Timothy, Theophilus, Theotimus, Dorotheus, Eupsychius, Carterius, Pamphilius, Agathangelus, and Castorus, of Palestine (307). St. Cybi, abbot, of Cornwall and Wales (550). St. Odrada, virgin of Balen (Neth.) (8th c.). St. Gregory, archbishop of Alexandria (9th c.). St. Gregory of Cassano, Calabria (1002). St. Jonah, archbishop of Novgorod (1470). Repose of Elder Hilarion, recluse of Troekurovo (1853) and Abbess Anna of Vrachevshnitsa Monastery (Serbia) (1975)

 

Eastern Rite Liturgy: Eph. 4:1-6; Luke 10:25-37

 

In the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Do you want to go to heaven? Do you want to be a citizen of God’s Heavenly Kingdom?  If your answer is “no”, then I wonder what you are doing in the Orthodox Church!  Of course you do!  It is your calling not only as a Christian but also as a human being! God the Father sent His Only-Begotten Son to take upon Himself the corrective action in order to free us from the Curse of Adam.  But He did one better, God in His Logos gave us a direct path to salvation if we choose to walk that long and narrow path.  Whether or not we accept it, it is nevertheless our Divine Calling.

Now St Paul speaks to us about that Calling in today’s Epistle reading. He begs us to walk worthily of that Calling.  Be humble and gentle, patient, kind and loving towards your fellow Christian.  In a manner in which supports and strengthens the unity of our oneness to one another.  What exactly is this “oneness” we share?  It is the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ and Our Lord Jesus is its Head.  “…just as you were called in one hope of your calling”, says St. Paul, there is only one Lord, one faith, and one baptism; only one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, this very same God is in you all.  So preserve the unity of the Church and witness your calling through your love, humility and longsuffering towards all mankind.

If you nurture such virtues within you, you too will act as the Good Samaritan acted in today’s Gospel reading.  In so doing you will have fulfilled Christ’s commandment that, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” [Luke 10:26-27]  Oh how our Lord knows us so well!  ‘Cause He knows that if we cannot love those whom we can see and touch, we will not love Him Who is both within us and beyond us in One Spirit unseen by our corporeal eyes.

Therefore my Beloved in Christ, pray always and nurture within you the virtues of humility, gentleness, undying patience, and forgiveness through love for one another; and no just those in your local parish, not just those in your family or immediate social circle.  Like the Good Samaritan, love those in need regardless who they are!  This is your Calling as Christians and simply as human beings!

In the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.