“I believe in frequent Communion, not casual Communion…”
Metropolitan Kalistos Ware
Metropolis of S.F. Clergy Laity Assembly Address 2008
Let us focus on the on-going miracle which takes place in the Holy Eucharist by preparing to receive the Body & Blood of our Lord God & Savior Jesus Christ. With recognition of this awesome gift, presented to us by God through His Church, our souls should yearn for the experience of Holy Communion each and every week! Honor this great honor by approaching with the fear of God, faith and love, not only in the final moments as your approach the chalice, but in the coming days which lead to the prayers of the Divine Liturgy. Each day of our life should be shepherded by love, faith, and the fear of God, and with this Christian lifestyle we will not only prepare ourselves for the miracle and grace of Holy Communion, but we will shine the Light of God into the world, by manifesting His grace throughout the world and into the hearts of mankind. Through the chalice, may our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to sanctify us and forgive us of our sins.
Today began the carpet installation in the church renovation process. Due to the phenomenal Christian stewardship of some of our Saint Basil family members, all of the preparatory efforts were completed prior to the installers arrival—making the entire process easier. Tomorrow the carpet installation is scheduled for completion, and the process of reinstalling the pews will continue, with the stellar efforts of our own parishioners, under the leadership of Parish Council member Rick Gaines, who has been extraordinary through out this entire process of renovation.
With much of the carpet now down in the church building, the new iconography is truly highlighted to an even greater extent—offering glory to God through the veneration of His saints.
We are tentatively scheduled to be back in the church building for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, March 9th. All are welcome to experience the beauty of God’s Church!
“The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
Gospel Account of John 12:8
Jesus’ response when asked by Judas Iscariot why expensive ointment, which was being used to anoint Him, was not being sold and used for the poor, provides us with an insight into our approaching Him through worship, and the environments in which worship takes place. To authentically worship God is a sacred experience, which sanctifies the worshiper and brings joy to the Lord.
To process of this blessed experience. Most profoundly, we prepare ourselves internally to express our dependence on the Lord, and then with thankful hearts and minds, receive His gifts of love and sanctification through His Church. Furthermore, as we prepare for sacred worship experience, externally we prepare ourselves to the best of our ability to approach the Lord with honor and respect, as we enter into an experience of the Lord Himself! The external preparation is secondary to the internal, and the very participation of the worshipper; however, when a particular level of spiritual maturity is achieved, the externals may become manifestations of the internal – proclaiming externally the internal presence to approach worship, with the fear of God, faith, and love… (From the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom).
In addition to our individual preparation, the environment of the worship experience must be addressed to the best of the worshiper’s ability. Sacred space is central to Orthodox Christian tradition, and is manifest in the beauty of Orthodox worship environments, whether found in an established church building, complete with iconography and sacred vessels of worship, an outdoor chapel that is neatly maintained, or a home altar where family prayers are offered on a daily basis. Any space where a person of faith offers themselves
to God is sacred and it is the responsibility of the worshipper(s) to maintain and beautify this space as a way of honoring the Lord, and the experience He expends to us through worship. This is our modern Christian experience of emulating Lazarus’ sister Mary, who anointed the Lord’s feet with costly ointment (John 12:3).
May our Father in heaven look favorably upon our humble efforts to beautify the sacred space of Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Christian Church with this current phase of iconography, which we offer for His glorification and the veneration of His saints!
After the interior flooding of our church, the reconditioning process continues to progress—new carpeting has been ordered, pew damage is being addresses, and the current iconography phase is now complete! We are anticipating at least another month before the reconditioning is complete, and until completion we will continue to worship in the hall on Sunday mornings. In these times, let us focus on the simplicity and humility of worship as we pray the Divine Liturgy together in the setting of our community hall.
NOTE: Liturgy this Saturday, in commemoration and celebration of the Presentation of the Lord, will not take place at St Basil’s, rather, all are encouraged to worship at our neighboring parish of the Annunciation, in Modesto, CA, where Fr. Luke will serve together with regional Vicar and Protopresbyter, the Rev. Fr Jon Magoulias. Divine Services will begin at 8:30am.
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