RESTORATION IN HIM

My soul finds its true rest and sanctuary in the Lord! (Ps 62-5)

This Sunday's Gospel is again presented as healing for the blind which at the conclusion of paschal tide, gives us perception of what lives in God lasts.

We have many beautiful churches around Melbourne and one admires the architecture and its surroundings, yet it is with a heavy heart when some of these buildings that have been used for worship, have either have been gutted within, or left derelict which of course will profit reel estate market - churches being in fashion! This is a classic example on both sides of the equation (former congregation - market) pearls thrown to swine. (Mt 7:6)

Holy ground should never be converted regardless!!! It should be given to those who share the APOSTOLIC FAITH, who have understanding of sacred buildings, sacred space, and who will not allow modifications that in many ways is the equivalent of gutting within -having a good sense of sanctuary. In other words, fellow Christians who understand Holy Ground, unlike the stupidity I witnessed some time ago when I walked into a church and they used a beautiful baptismal fount as a plant ornament!

I was invited by a friend who uses sacred space in such a church to bless it the apostolic way (as commanded in the Exodus 30:22-23 and the Fathers of the Church) - as it has been abandoned by its congregation for years. It was sad to see once a place of worship with inscriptions of praise now silenced for years. This can only happen via fragmentation from the Great Church - those who have chosen to produce their own fruit rather than remaining in He who is the new vintage of the paschal harvest!

Let us pray that the blindness of ego, prestige and self-obsession lifts from the body of the Church, so that it may be renewed once again as we come to the conclusion of paschal tide and await the coming of the All Holy Spirit who ushers grace and change once again at Holy Pentecost. May we be reminded that through virtue of Holy Baptism, we are the Lord’s hands and feet in the world – the call to bring presence and be present in the lives of all who cross our path on our pilgrim journey called life!

In conclusion, baptism and its form has been a featuring topic throughout the years particularly in Western Christendom. In the East, we have never had much of a problem regarding form, as it has been kept intact since apostolic times. We agree that the Holy Spirit in divine economy will bestow as he pleases especially in extreme circumstances.

Yet, the issue remains – sanctified water! Sanctified by whom? It is well and nice that we presume divine grace touching that which is rendered worthy, but there are various issues that need consideration. Sanctified water is produced by the invocation of the Holy Spirit by those (ordained men) set apart that can througsh their bishop trace their lineage to one of the apostles whom Christ ordained!

People tend to confuse the priesthood of the people and the priesthood of the ordained! It is the priesthood of those set apart that bring people into the fold of the common priesthood and not the other way around. Furthermore, if it were so (common priesthood sufficing) then anyone can walk into a bakery and a liquor store and go home and have some sort of communion – not needing the binding agent which are those set apart by God in Holy Orders. This warped theological position would most certainly render the whole thing a flop!

Then there are those who are outside of the Great Church who declare that Holy Baptism does not require water, but rather their intention which is then immersed into a baptism of spirit. Although with adult baptism, it is required that the Catechumen has had ample time to learn the faith and immerse themselves wholeheartedly, yet the Lord himself exhorts that all works made through him must flow accordingly.

Hence, when the Lord reclined with his apostles and disciples at the Mystical Supper, he offered hospitality within the meal, service (Liturgy) within the sacrament, and humility with the washing of the feet. When Simon Peter objected to his feet being washed, the Lord clearly stated that if he does not receive cleansing, he then cannot be part of the Lord’s body the Church, nor work in his name. (Jn 1-17)

Therefore, may we be open to the Lord’s commandments via humility – placing aside all those things that impede our growth towards him. May we come to a deeper appreciation of belonging to his Mystical Body the Church, and may we ask for the gift of abundant faith to remove mountains (obstacles) via identifying that fear is a result of the absence of deep faith!

As we prepare to celebrate the Lord’s ascension into the heavens (Lk 24:50-53) let us ask his holy Mother, the apostles, evangelists, and disciples for their intercessions as eyewitnesses to this sublime event – the angels reminding them and all who have faith, that the Lord’s words are everlasting and that he will return. Thus, no matter how dark our night becomes – (He) the dawn will come!   

“I must render the will of the Father with the work of my hands and desire of my heart whilst it is still day; the night hastily approaches in which the work will cease. I came to give light to this darkened world for I am the Light which shone at the first dawn.” (Jn 9: 4-5)