Sunday-July 30, 2023

Christ performed many miracles. He performed miracles on people, such as when He cured the paralytic at Capernaum, the ten lepers, the son of the widow of Nain and so on. He performed miracles on inanimate material, such as when He multiplied the five loaves and cursed the barren fig-tree. In today’s Gospel reading, He calms the waters of the sea and makes the wind drop.

The absence of Christ

After the multiplication of the five loaves, He told his disciples to ‘get into the boat and go before him to the other side’ (Matth. 14, 22). When He had dismissed the crowds, He went up onto the mountain to pray. In the course of His prayer, the boat got into difficulties because the sea became very choppy and the disciples were ‘beaten by the waves’. In the early hours of the morning, Christ appeared and calmed the turbulent waters. His disciples had become used to His presence. He wanted to make them realize that they had to be closely connected to Him. ‘The more anxious they became, the more they desired the presence of Christ’, writes Saint John Chrysostom. A storm arose, the wind was against them, hours passed and there was no help to be had.
 
The Lord wished to see how patient they were. He wanted to get them to understand how ‘to bear what befell them with courage’ as one of the saints writes. The storm at sea was training for the disciples in patience, endurance and prayer. Whenever Christ was about to grant people an abundance of Grace, He always prepared them beforehand through temptations. The Apostles were to preach to the whole world, they were going to perform miracles, Christ would give them the power to work signs and supernatural events, which is why He first trained them through temptations, so that they wouldn’t despair when they encountered difficulties and adversities. Christ’s appearance in the early hours of the morning dispersed all their fears and also calmed the sea.

There are many temptations in our life. One kind has to do with faith. People have little faith in God, they don’t accept the teaching of the Church, deny the sacraments and are of two minds. When such temptations enter our lives, we say Jesus’ prayer: ‘Do not lead us into temptation’ (Matth. 6, 13).
‘Blessed are those who have withstood temptation, for having been tried, they will receive the crown of life’ (Jas. 1, 12) writes the Apostle. We have to believe that God won’t abandon us. It’s no good believing in Christ if we don’t have any confidence in His person. We have unshakeable faith that God will intervene in our life and, in the end, will smooth over our trials, so that we don’t drown in the seas of the daily temptations of our life.

This Sunday after the
Divine Liturgy,

Words of Wisdom

Wednesday, August 2 at 10:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy

LABOR DAY PICNIC...

NEEDS SOME HELP...

People always ask
"how can we help?"

We need as always your generous sponsor-ships, donations, prep work, support and attendance .
As you may know this is our one fund raiser and special event for the year, and we have been very,very successful with your tremendous love and support!

We are asking if you can share a little love again...it means a lot and really goes a long way...
further information will follow...

THANKS!!!

Be imitators of Christ

We would like to thank our
St. George Parishioners/Volunteers
who participate in our local Monroe Community
"God's work" program
which helps to feed the needy.

There are 2 more scheduled dates for this year should someone wish to help:

Friday, September 8 and
Friday, November 10.

Thank you again for being imitators of Christ!

Common questions about,

"I feel like I can never get a good answer on how Salvation works in the Orthodox Church"

It's important to recognize that we are on a journey that only ends in this world when we die. Salvation is a process. We are not "saved" as in one particular moment in time. Rather, we are being saved with every second.
As Orthodox, we are to live the Sacramental life of the Church. Go to Divine Liturgy, go to Confession, and receive the Eucharist. Don't forget prayer, which is so important. And most importantly, trust in God for he is a good God and loves mankind.

Just to share

something special

We at St. George in Monroe,

Are delighted that we are able to share with the community our new reliquary which contains the sacred relics of our parish patron Saint; the Great and Holy Martyr St. George. 

COME AND SEE!