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Sunday of the Paralytic
St. Nicholas Bulletin - May 15, 2022
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Christ is Risen! Христос Васкрсе! Χριστός Ανέστη! Cristo ha Resucitado! | |
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Excerpt from Commentary on the Gospel of the Holy Apostle & Evangelist John
Offered by St. John Chrysostom
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If someone’s really knowledgeable about gold mines, they wouldn’t be able to bear not examining the smallest vein for the wealth it contained. So, in the Scriptures, it’s impossible without loss to pass over the merest jot. We must investigate everything since everything’s uttered by the Holy Spirit, and there’s nothing written in them to distract us.
Consider, for instance, what the Evangelist says here, ‘This is the second miracle that Jesus did, when He came out of Judaea into Galilee’. Even the word ‘second’ hasn’t been added without a reason, but so as to further exalt the Samaritans, by showing that even when a second miracle had been performed, the people who beheld it [the Jews] still hadn’t reached the heights of those who hadn’t even seen one [the Samaritans].
‘After this there was a feast of the Jews’. What ‘feast’? I think probably Pentecost. ‘And Jesus went up to Jerusalem’. He was often in attendance in the city at feasts, partly so that He might appear to feast with them and partly so that He might attract the multitude that was free from guile, because, during these days especially, people of a more simple disposition met together more than at other times.
‘Now there is at Jerusalem a sheep-dip [the Gospel actually talks of a pool near the Sheep Gate] called Bethesda in Hebrew, with five porticos. In these lay many invalids- lame, blind, paralyzed’, waiting for the water to be moved.
What sort of a cure is this? What mystery does it signify to us? These things aren’t written carelessly, or without a purpose, but as ‘figures’ and ‘types’ they underline things to come, so that what’s extremely strange shouldn’t harm the faith of the hearers by coming unexpectedly. What is it then that they underline? A baptism was about to take place, one of much power, and the greatest of gifts, a baptism that purged all sins, and made people alive rather than dead. These things are foreshadowed, as it were, in a picture of the circumstances by the pool, and by many other situations. First there’s water which purges the stains of our bodies, and those defilements which are not actually, but seem to be, from a funeral [cf. Numbers 5], from leprosy, and other similar causes.
First then, as I’ve just said, He does away with the defilements of our bodies- and afterwards infirmities of different kinds- by water. Because, by desiring to bring us closer to faith in baptism, God no longer heals only defilements, but diseases, too. Those ‘figures’ which are nearer in time to the reality, both as regards Baptism, the Passion, and other events, are more obvious than the more ancient ones. Just as the guards closest to the person of a prince are more splendid than those further away, so was it with the ‘types’.
‘An Angel came down and troubled the water’, and imbued it with healing power, so that the Jews might learn that the Lord of the Angels could do much more, by healing the diseases of the soul. It wasn’t simply the nature of the water itself that healed (because then it would have happened every time), but water joined to the action [or ‘energy’] of the Angel. So in this case, it’s not merely the water that works; it’s after it’s received the grace of the Spirit that it dispels all our sins. Around this pool ‘lay many invalids- lame, blind, paralyzed’, waiting for the water to be moved. But, where once infirmity was a hindrance to those who desired to be healed, now each person has the power to approach, because now it’s not an Angel that troubles the waters, it’s the Lord of the Angels who does everything. The sick can’t now say, ‘I’ve got nobody’; they can’t say, ‘While I am making my way someone else steps down in front of me’. Even if everyone in the world were to come, the grace wouldn’t be used up, the power wouldn’t be exhausted, but would remain as great as it was before. Just as the sun’s beams give light every day, but are never exhausted, nor is their light decreased by providing such an abundant a supply, so, and much more so, is the power of the Spirit in no way diminished by the numbers of those who enjoy it. And this miracle was performed so that, on learning that it’s possible to heal the diseases of the body by water, and having become accustomed to this over time, people should believe more easily that it can also heal the diseases of the soul.
But why did Jesus, leaving the rest, come to one who’d been there thirty-eight years? And why did He ask him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ Not to find out- there was no need- but to demonstrate the man’s perseverance, so that we might know that it was because of this that He left the others and came to him. What did the man say? ‘Yes, Sir, but I have no-one to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am making my way someone else steps down in front of me’.
This is why Jesus asked, ‘Do you want to be made well’ and not, ‘Do you want me to heal you’ (because, as yet, the man had formed no great idea as regards His identity) but ‘Do you want to be made well’. The perseverance of the paralytic was astonishing: he’d been there thirty-eight years, hoping, each time, to be delivered from his disease. He continued in attendance, and didn’t give up. Had he not been so tenacious, wouldn’t the future, if not the past, have been enough to stop him being taken there? Just think, I beg of you, how watchful the other sick people would have been, since no-one knew exactly when the waters would be troubled. The lame and the paralyzed would have observed it, but what about the blind? Perhaps they would have realized from the clamour that arose.
We should be ashamed, my friends, ashamed, and lament our excessive sloth. The man had waited for thirty-eight years without getting what he wanted, but still didn’t give up. He hadn’t failed through any fault of his own, but through the oppression and violence of others, and yet he was still as keen as ever. We, on the other hand, if we’ve been praying for something for ten days and still haven’t obtained it, are too lazy thereafter to apply the same zeal. We wait on other people for any length of time, bickering, enduring hardships, performing servile tasks, and often, in the end, having our expectations dashed, but on our Master, from Whom we’re sure to obtain a reward greater than our labours- as the Apostle says, hope does not disappoint us- on Him we can’t bear to wait with due persistence. What chastisement this deserves. Even if we were to receive nothing from Him, oughtn’t we to consider our very converse with Him equal to ten thousand blessings? ‘But praying all the time is hard work’. Is anything that has to do with virtue not laborious? ‘Really’, some people say, ‘it’s very difficult that pleasure’s connected to vice, and labour to virtue’. I think a lot of people are troubled by this. What can the reason be, then? In the beginning, God gave us a life free from care and exempt from labour. We didn’t use the gift properly, but were perverted by doing nothing, and were banished from Paradise. Because of this, He made our life toil in future, assigning as it were His reasons for doing this to humankind. He said, ‘In the beginning I allowed you to lead a life of pleasure, but you were made worse by liberty and so I commanded that, from now on, labour and sweat be laid upon you’. And when even this labour didn’t restrain us, He then gave us a law containing many commandments, imposing it on us like bits and curbs on an unruly horse to stop it from prancing, as horse-breakers do. This is why life is laborious, because not to labour is bad for us. Our nature is such that we cannot bear to be doing nothing, and easily turn aside to wickedness. Suppose that somebody who’s temperate and who’s virtuous in all other respects, didn’t need to work and did everything in their sleep, how would they use their leisure time? Would it not be for pride and boastfulness?
‘But why’, you might ask, ‘has great pleasure been associated with vice, and great labour and toil with virtue?’ Well, what thanks would you have had, and why would you have received a reward, if the matter hadn’t been one of difficulty? Even now I can show you many who naturally hate having anything to do with women, and avoid conversation with them as impure. Shall we call them chaste; tell me, shall we crown them and proclaim them victors?
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Commemorating St Athanasius the Great Patriarch of Alexandria, Translation of the Relics of the Holy Passionbearers Boris and Gleb, St Athanasius of Lubensk Patriarch of Constantinople, Martyr Hesperus with his wife and sons at Attalia, St Boris Equal of the Apostles Prince and Baptizer of Bulgaria, St Matrona of Moscow
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 3
Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown strength with His arm. He has trampled down death by death. He has become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted to the world great mercy.
HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS TROPARION—TONE 4
In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. Hierarch Father Nicholas, entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
PARALYTIC SUNDAY KONTAKION —TONE 3
By Your divine intercession, O Lord, as You raised up the paralytic of old, so raise up my soul, paralyzed by sins and thoughtless acts; so that being saved I may sing to You: ‘Glory to Your power, O compassionate Christ!’
PASCHAL KONTAKION —TONE 8
You descended into the tomb, O Immortal, You destroyed the power of death. In victory You arose, O Christ God, proclaiming: “Rejoice!” to the Myrrhbearing Women, granting peace to Your Apostles, and bestowing Resurrection on the fallen.
Instead of “It is Truly Meet…”
The Angel cried to the Lady, full of grace: “Rejoice, O pure Virgin! Again, I say: ‘Rejoice, your Son is risen from His three days in the tomb! With Himself He has raised all the dead.’” Rejoice, O Ye people! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem! The glory of the Lord has shone on you. Exult now, and be glad, O Zion! Be radiant, O pure Theotokos, in the Resurrection of your Son!
Priest: “Blessed is the Kingdom…” Choir: Amen. Priest: Tropar 2 1/2 times. Choir: Finishes.
Priest: “In the fear of God …” Choir: “Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord...”
Priest: “O Lord, save Your people …” Choir: “Christ is risen from the dead … “ (slow version)
Priest: “Always, now and ever …” Choir: “Let our mouths be filled …”
(At the Dismissal, the Priest says: “Glory to You, O Christ….,” and the choir sings “Christ is risen from the dead….” (thrice).
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | |
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READERS:
Matins: Mian Radanovic Epistle: Lincoln Govelovich
Matins Next Week: MLenny Tepsic Epistle Next Week: Teddy Sukhernik
EPISTLE: Acts 9: 32-42
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the First Tone: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
CHOIR: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
READER: v: Rejoice in the Lord, O your righteous! Praise befits the just!
CHOIR: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
READER: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us ...
CHOIR: ... as we have set our hope on You!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: I will sing of Your mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your truth from generation to generation.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: For You have said: “Mercy will be established forever; Your truth will be prepared in the heavens.”
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Дјела Ап. 9: 32-42
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 1 Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Хор: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Читач: Веселите се, праведници, пред Господом, праведнима доликује похвала.
Хор: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Читач: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе,
Хор: на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: читање из књиге дјела апостолских
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, У дане оне када је Петар обилазио све, сиђе и светима који живљаху у Лиди. И нађе тамо једнога човјека по имену Енеја, који већ осам година лежаше на одру, јер бјеше узет. И рече му Петар: Енеје, исцјељује те Исус Христос; устани и простри сам себи! И одмах устаде. И видјеше га сви који живљаху у Лиди и Сарону, и обратише се Господу. А у Јопи бјеше једна ученица, по имену Тавита, што преведено значи Срна, и она бјеше пуна добрих дјела и милостиња које чињаше. И догоди се у те дане да се она разбоље и умрије; онда је окупаше и положише у горњу собу. И будући да је Лида близу Јопе, ученици чувши да је Петар у њој, послаше два човјека молећи га да без оклијевања дође до њих. А Петар уставши отиде с њима; и кад дође, уведоше га у горњу собу и скупише се око њега све удовице плачући и показујући кошуље и хаљине што је радила Срна док је била с њима. А Петар изгнавши све напоље, клече на кољена и помоли се Богу, и окренувши се тијелу рече: Тавито, устани! А она отвори очи своје, и видјевши Петра придигну се и сједе. Он пак давши јој руку подиже је; и дозвавши свете и удовице показа је живу. И ово се разгласи по свој Јопи, и многи вјероваше у Господа.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Пјеваћу увјек милости Господње; од кољена на кољено јавићу истину Твоју устима својим.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Јер си рекао: Милост ће бити основана заувјек; на Небесима си утврдио истину Своју.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
John 5: 1-15
At that time there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’” Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Јован 5:1-15
У вријеме оно бјеше празник јудејски, и изиђе Исус у Јерусалим. А у Јерусалиму код Овчијих врата постоји бања, која се јеврејски зове Витезда, и има пет тријемова. У њима лежаше велико мноштво болесника, слијепих, хромих, сухих, који чекаху да се вода заталаса. Јер анђео Господњи повремено силажаше и узбуркаваше воду; и који би први ушао пошто се узбурка вода, оздравио би, ма од какве болести боловао. А ондје бијаше неки човјек који тридесет и осам година бјеше болестан. Кад видје Исус овога гдје лежи, и разумје да је већ много година болестан, рече му: Хоћеш ли здрав да будеш? Одговори му болесник: Господе, човјека немам, да ме спусти у бању када се узбурка вода: а док ја дођем, други сиђе прије мене. Рече му Исус: Устани, узми одар свој и ходи! И одмах оздрави човјек, и узе одар свој и хођаше. А тај дан бјеше субота. Тада говораху Јудејци исцијељеном: Субота је, није ти допуштено да носиш одар. Он им одговори: Који ме учини здравим он ми рече: Узми одар свој и ходи. А они га запиташе: Ко је тај човјек који ти рече: Узми одар свој и ходи? А излијечени не знађаше ко је; јер се Исус бјеше удаљио због многог народа на ономе мјесту. Потом га нађе Исус у храму и рече му: Ето постао си здрав, више не гријеши, да ти се што горе не догоди. Човјек отиде и јави Јудејцима да је Исус тај који га учини здравим.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | |
May Birthdays
Nicholas Hernjak (May 1), Cody Hewitt (May 2), Jelena Bowser (May 7), Chloe Lewis (May 8), Kaila Chung (May 8), Bobbi Lynn Wenner (May 10), Bella Gilroy (May 10), Meghan Livingston (May 11), Brankica Skinder (May 12), Trenton Petrovich (May 13), Maria Bowers, (May 21), Jelena Lojpur (May 22), Inna Reznitchenko (May 23), Nikki Lewis (May 24), Ryan Spangler (May 25)
May Anniversaries
Michelle & Donald Kingsbury (May 1), Heather & Erik Barber (May 1), Pete & Arlene Barber (May 3), Fr Srboljub & Protinica (May 14), Mike & Carole Radosinovich (May 15), Ben & Jovanka Shaffer (May 15), Rod & Angie Vorkapich (May 20), Sam & Peggy Radanovic (May 25), Nina & Eric Gilroy (May 26), Matt & Pam Healy (May 29), Greg & Haley Book (May 29)
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COUPLES RETREAT
Holy Trinity in Camp Hill will be hosting a couples retreat on Saturday, June 4 from 9am to 2:30pm. Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Goussetis will be guiding the retreat. Father Alexander is the author of the Family Matters podcast on Ancient Faith Radio. The cost of the retreat is $15, and the deadline for registration is May 24, 2022. E-mail frmichael@holytrinityhbg.org.
GRADUATE BIOGRAPHY REQUEST
We humbly request all graduates to send in their information for the Slava Program. The info required is: Name, parents’ names, high school or university from which a diploma has been earned, and plans after graduation. You may also include clubs and activities with which you are involved. The deadline is Friday, May 20th.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
The Parish Council will meet on Tuesday, May 24 at 6:30pm. This is an adjustment to the calendar.
THE DEADLINE IS TODAY
If you are not receiving envelopes and wish to, or are receiving envelopes and no longer wish to receive them, or you need to make an address change, please inform the office TODAY, May 15!
SOTAYA FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY OPEN TO ALL
We have a great pleasure to host our brothers and sisters from our sister parish from Lackawana NY this coming July 6th and 7th. In conjunction with their group of children and parents on July 6th we are organizing a trip to the Sight and Sound theatre in Lancaster to see "David", followed by dinner and fellowship at our church, and the lecture from visiting priest Fr. Vladislav Golić, and on the 7th we will have the Liturgy at 9am and then go to the Hershey Park for the rest of the day. We are inviting everybody to join us, children, parents, grandparents, and friends, just let us know by the end of April, so we can buy the tickets and plan accordingly. For more details and questions please see or call Dn. Bojan. 717-333-6258
CHURCH PICNIC FLIERS (NEED HELP)
Our Annual Church Picnic is Back! And is being held at Serb Park on Sunday, June 5 beginning at 12 noon. If you are willing to help get the word out and distribute fliers around the area, please see Daria. There will also be available fliers in the church lobby (help yourself). And a big Thank You in advance.
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Stewardship Reflection
May 15, 2022
Paschal Sunday of the Paralytic
Every year when I hear today's Gospel, I say "why didn't someone help him?" And then I think about the many occasions where a homeless person asked me for help, an elderly person was in need, a family member called me or my Church could have used my Time and Talents. Then I thought - what was present back then is still our crutch today - greed, not having enough time, selfishness, a focus on one's own needs, excuses... but what can change is how we approach these same situations. If we become good and faithful Stewards of what God has provided us with - we can make a difference and eliminate the passions that have a negative impact. For we, too, can be made whole!
Сваке године када чујем овај део из Светог Писма ја се упитам " Зашто му нико није помогао?" . И онда се сетим свих оних прилика када ме је бескућник питао за помоћ, остарелу особу којој је требала помоћ, неко из породице или ме је неко из Цркве звао и тако сам могао да употребим своје Време и Таленте. Онда ми падне на памет да све што је некад био морални изазов и проблем тако је и данас - похлепа, немање времена, брига око овога света, брига само о сби , многи изговори ....итд. Али шта се променило је то да истим ситуацијамам можемо да приступимо из другог угла. Ако постанемо добри и верни Старатељи Божије творевине и свега што нам је Бог дао ми онда можемо да у многочему направимо разлику и елиминишемо страсти које нас нападају. Јер и ми можемо да постанемо цели!
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May Charity
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
St Augustine, FL
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) is the official international mission agency of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and was created to "establish vibrant Eucharistic communities throughout the world, to develop and support indigenous church leaders, and to strengthen the infrastructure of their churches." OCMC recruits and trains Orthodox missionaries to minister to people in need of spiritual, physical and emotional support. OCMC missionaries are currently serving in Albania, Romania and Tanzania. Orthodox Mission Teams are periodically organized to serve where needed and you may volunteer to participate in this activity. Mission teams have built churches and offered training and services to communities in need. OCMC also operates a Support a Mission Priest (SAMP) program offering financial assistance to priests living in extremely poor areas in more than a dozen countries around the world. Through SAMP donations, priests can tend more fully to the needs of their flock. The donation you make this month will support an Orthodox Christian organization that provides important services and spiritual comfort to many people in Eastern Europe and Africa. Visit the OCMC website at www.ocmc.org for more information.
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The Paschal Greeting
Arabic
El Messieh kahm! Hakken kahm!
Aleut
Xris-Tuu-Sax Agla-Gi-Kux! Aga-ngu-lakan Agla-Gi-Kux!
Belarusian
Khrystos uvaskros! Saprawdy uvaskros!
English
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Finnish
Kristus nousi kuolleista! Totisesti nousi!
French
Le Christ est ressuscité! En vérité, il est ressuscité!
Georgian
Kristé ardsga! Tchechmaritad ardsga!
German
Christus ist erstanden! Wahrlich ist Er erstanden!
Greek
Christos anesti! Aléthos anesti!
Japanese
Harisutosu hukkatsu! Jitsu ni hukkatsu!
Latin
Christus resurrectus est! Vere resurrectus est!
Malayalam
Massiha uyirthu ezhunettu! Sathyamayum avan uyirthu ezhunettu!
Romanian
Hristos a-înviat! Adevarat a-înviat!
Serbian
Hristos váskrse! Vaïstinu váskrse!
Slavonic
Hristos voskrese! Voistinu voskrese!
Spanish
Cristo ha resucitado! En Verdad, ha resucitado!
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