Romans 2:14-29 (Epistle)
14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,
15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)
16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God,
18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,
19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.
21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?
22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?
24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.
25 For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
26 Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?
27 And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?
28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;
29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
Matthew 5:33-41 (Gospel)
33 Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’
34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.
37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
38 You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
Martyr Aquilina of Byblos in Syria
The Holy Martyr Aquilina, a native of the Phoenician city of Byblos, suffered under the emperor Diocletian (284-305). Her parents raised her in Christian piety. When the girl was only twelve years old, she persuaded a pagan friend to convert to Christ. One of the servants of the imperial governor Volusian accused her of teaching others not to follow the religion of their fathers. The girl firmly confessed her faith in Christ before the governor and said that she would not renounce Him. Volusian tried to influence the young confessor through persuasion and by flattery, but seeing her confidence, he ordered her to be tortured.
They struck her upon the face, then they stripped her and beat her with whips. The torturer asked, “Where then is your God? Let Him come and take you out of my hands”.
The saint answered, “The Lord is here with me invisibly, and the more I suffer, the more strength and endurance will He give me.”
They drilled through the martyr’s ears with heated metal rods. The holy virgin fell down as if dead. The torturer thought that the girl had actually died, and he gave orders to throw her body outside the city to be eaten by dogs.
By night a holy angel appeared to Saint Aquilina, roused her and said, “Arise and be healed. Go and denounce Volusian, so that he and his plans may come to nothing.”
Homily on the Sunday of All Saints
Metropolitan of Pisidia Sotirios †
Today, Heaven and earth celebrate the innumerable Saints of the Church of Christ, with glory and praise. This Feast honors all of the Saints who rejoice in God, from all parts of the world and in every age. Many of them we know by name, and we honor them throughout the year. However, there are many more that are unknown, and this is why the Church has set aside the Sunday after Pentecost to honor all Saints, so that they may also be venerated by all. The choice of this particular day is also significant, because it is with the Grace of the Holy Spirit that the Saints were sanctified.
According to the Synaxarion, these sanctified ones include: the Nine Orders of Angels; the Lord’s Forefathers, Patriarchs and Prophets from the Old Testament; the Holy Apostles; the Martyrs; the Hierarchs; Hieromartyrs; Confessors; Ascetics; along with all the Righteous, be they men, women, or children. This includes the countless ones whose names are known only to God. Additionally, we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. This day is also established to encourage us to follow the path of the Saints as much as we are able, to struggle with zeal towards holiness.
This can be a scary thing to think about, because we think of our sins and doubt. They think about the great saints like St. Nicholas and others famous for their miracles. What is important to remember is that we are not called to be miracle workers. Sanctity is the turning away from satan and his works. The honor these great Saints receive from God, including the gift of miracle working, is the fruit of their spiritual labors. In this way, they are able to help us.
We must be clear on what God is telling us when He says, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Leviticus 20: 7; 1 Peter 1:16). He is calling us to turn away from the devil and sin, and to live according to the will of God with faith, love, and devotion. It is not for us to say that we will become Saints by our own power. Only God is Holy, and whoever is in communion with God and is united with Him will share in this holiness. “I am the LORD who sanctifies you” (Leviticus 20:8). One can speak eloquently about Christ, give alms, donate generously to the Church, attend every Divine Liturgy, receive Holy Communion, and even perform miracles; but if a person does this for their own glory and declares themselves a saint, then to God they are nothing. They are no better than the Pharisees if they take credit, and do not glorify God. The Lord said, “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:22-23). Woe to the person who, upon hearing the praise of men, thinks that they have become a saint! The truly sanctified person believes that they are just lowly sinners. Let us remember the Great Apostle of the Gentiles St. Paul, who in the last days of his life wrote, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15). We also recall the words of St. Porphyrios, a Saint of our times, responding to the praise of others with the declaration that he was nothing more than “an old tin can” (useless and worthless).
My brothers and sisters, this is exactly what we need, the realization that we are sinners. This is our reality, because no one in the world is without sin. This is also true of the Saints we remember today. Some of them had very sinful lives, and were known for their corruption. The difference here is that they were cleansed by repentance. They turned against the passions, and were healed by the Sacred Mysteries of the Church. Enlightened by the Holy Spirit, they struggled and reached deification, resulting in their glorification as Saints. Understanding this, we can see that all of us can reach for holiness, no matter where we come from or what situation we find ourselves in. The Grace of God is a gift, and it is in this gift that we can experience sanctification. God’s Word assures us: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). This is why our Holy Church exists, so that with the Sacred Mysteries, teaching, and pastoral care it provides, God gives us the means to become Saints. This is His will, and we also need to want this great gift. This is why God’s Word urges us again: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
May we be inspired by the Saints we celebrate today, and with their intercession, follow in their footsteps. Amen.
This week’s calendar reminders:
Monday 6/9: Matins 8:30 a.m.; Stewards Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday 6/10: no services or events
Wednesday 6/11: no services or events
Thursday 6/12: Matins 8:30 a.m.
Friday 6/13: Matins 8:30 a.m.
Saturday 6/14: Women’s Group 9 a.m.; Catechumen Class 4:30 p.m.; Great Vespers 6 p.m.
Sunday 6/15: Hours & Divine Liturgy, Bryce Chrismation 9 a.m.
CLICK BELOW to donate online:
Christ the Savior Orthodox Church is located in Southbury, Connecticut, and is part of the New England Diocese of the Orthodox Church of America.
Mailing address: Christ the Savior Church, 1070 Roxbury Road, Southbury, CT 06488
PLEASE DONATE to help our parish do the work of the Lord, thrive and grow, and extend the Kingdom of God. May the Lord bless your generosity!
Fr. Moses Locke can be reached at frmoseslocke@gmail.com