To God Be the Glory: Thank You for the Opportunity to Labor

Sep 01, 2011 by Fr Luke Palumbis

“To everything there is a season.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

In the baptismal service, reference is given to God’s plan of transitions — exemplified in the changes of yearly seasons, which take place for the benefit of His creation. With faith in our Lord, as has been announced, beginning October 1, I will assume new responsibilities within His Vineyard, upon a transfer to serve as the parish priest of The Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, in Novato, CA. Allow me to expound upon the nature of Christ’s Vineyard, and those who strive to labor therein. . .

For though you might have 10,000 guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 4:15

The Vineyard of our Lord is fertile, and lush for harvest! One corner of the Vineyard, known as Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church of Stockton, CA, possesses soil that has been tilled, manicured, and loved for multiple generations by many servant-leaders, clergy and laity alike. Lead by fathers-in-Christ, this corner has served as a spiritual home to tens of thousands, who when seeking have found solace and healing in the embrace of the Lord. Each spiritual father labors through personal inadequacies, but through faith in the perfection of priesthood, offers the perfect experience of Jesus Christ through the Gospel message, the sacraments, and the life of His Church. Truly, no priest is perfect; however, his priesthood is perfect, as Jesus Christ is perfect.

“For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” John 4:37,38

Allow me to recognize those who have labored in the Saint Basil corner of the Lord’s Vineyard — not by name, but rather by witness of the reaping that has taken place in over eight decades of labor: the establishment and continuum of sacramental worship, multiple forms of philanthropy, the building of sanctuaries, numerous forms of programming to serve the faithful, acquisition and development of lands, the reception of a relic of our Patron Saint Basil the Great, and the organic forming of a spiritual family. All of these fruits, together with the myriads of others which are unlisted, are built upon the greatest of all gifts — the grace of God. May our generous Lord continue to bless, or grant peaceful repose to all those who have labored.

“As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor — this is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 5:19

God has blessed my family in infinite ways, and in the time that I have served the Church as the Parish Priest of Saint Basil’s, we have become spiritually both wealthy and powerful, with the opportunity to receive a heritage of priestly ministry, and rejoice in this labor — truly we recognize these to be gifts from God! For over seven years, it has been my humble honor to serve, lead, and struggle together with the people of Saint Basil’s and Stockton. Both Presvytera and I, together with our sons, are grateful to God for the opportunities and challenges that He presented to us as we strive, despite our inadequacies, to the brilliant tradition of labor in His Vineyard. I thank our Heavenly Father for my multiple predecessors whose collective sowing and reaping in response to the needs of the faithful, complimented the presence of God, which created, maintains, and in essence — is Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church!

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing — for that would be harmful to you.” (Hebrews 13:17)

With high character manifesting your hope in God (Romans 5:4), you will greet, embrace and love the new spiritual father whom God has chosen, and Metropolitan Gerasimos will send. His ministry will be beautiful, and when received with love and respect — he will shepherd and care for you at the most substantive level.

I ask that as spiritual children, and brothers/sisters-in-Christ, you maintain our family in your prayers as we prepare to continue the labor of Christ’s ministry in another corner of His Vineyard. In return, know that the Saint Basil community will always remain in our prayers as our first spiritual home.

May our Patron and Intercessor, the Heaven-Revealer, Saint Basil the Great pray for us!

+ Fr. Luke Palumbis