Second Chance

Second Chance

Homily on the 4th Sunday of Pascha.

As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Acts 9:32-42

In today's Gospel acclamation we learn that through faith and our prayer which is energized by the power of the All-Holy-Spirit (The uncreated energy/light) true healing in body and soul takes place. Thus, that which is impossible through worldly sources such as - medicine, doctors, science and so forth can only be cured/healed through the Giver of Life! (The All-Holy-Trinity) In conjunction with this earthly mean He has provided.

Therefore, this is the reason why Christ commissioned His Apostles and their successors to go forth and teach the Gospel to all nations: by the faith we profess in the Trinity, all wounds that have been caused by worldly institutions and the influences of evil personified are wiped clean by the precious blood of Christ when He went forth to His voluntary passion and nailed all the worlds impediments to the wood of the cross; the means to truly live in the fullness of His presence instead of mere existence!

I would like to share a very personal testimony with you regarding this topic. For many years as a young boy, through to my adolescent years and leading into my early 20s, I was a victim of depression.

Therefore, I recall a time where I would be sitting on my bedroom floor and crying for no apparent reason: many of those times contemplating what it would be like to no longer live in this world – they were extremely very dark days in my life which sadly is a very common attribute in young people due to society robbing them of their infancy in forcing them to grow up too quickly; thus having inadequate life experience: 10 year old minds in 20 year old bodies!

Therefore, via God’s grace (Free Gift) and intervention through His Holy Church and the Divine Mysteries He left us, Jesus has cleansed me and taught me how to deal with such impediments that prevented me back then from producing an abundant harvest for His kingdom!

Thus, as I approach ordination to the priesthood, I truly look forward in helping all people who are spiritually exhausted and parched – the poor in spirit! Hence, via the mysteries (Sacraments) of Holy Mother Church and via using my life experiences, I may render true healing via leading people to the physician of souls Jesus Christ our King and God!

I would like to share a testament of God’s love for His people via the grace He has bestowed me in Holy orders as a Deacon of His Church.

Several years ago, a friend of mine suffered from horrible headaches and he asked me if I could pray for him. Thus, I asked him If he would like to be anointed with the oil of gladness used for healing in body and soul.

Therefore, I brought him into my home Chaple and I prayed the prayer of the Heavenly King and anointed his head. Immediately after we had prayed together, he said to me - “What in the world did you just do? I promise you with no word of a lie my head doesn't hurt anymore!”

It is so sad that within the state Churches (Institutional systems) the Holy Diaconate in Christ has been suppressed and reduced to what they think of as glorified altar servers. The Holy Diaconate is so much more than that!

It is not only preaching the Gospel of Christ and teaching the faith to the people who wish to be baptized; it is praying for all people and thus, via his prayers (The deacon) which are energized by the power of the All-Holy-Spirit healing takes place!

Therefore, may I ask for your prayers as I begin my priestly ministry next weekend, that God may mould me into the priest he wants and desires me to be; always adhering to His All-Holy voice and His Divine commands as I am given the grace to offer Him upon His Sacred Altar!

Through the intersessions of the Holy Theotokos and Her spouse Joseph, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us for you truly are the physician of our bodies and souls and the Orient from on high together with the beginningless Father and the All-Holy, Good and life-creating Spirit always now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen