A Message from Father David

Epistle and Gospel Readings

for Sunday, October 18

Food for the Soul

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A Message from Father David

“Meditate on These Things”

“Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8)

It’s perhaps an understatement to say that our culture and society have descended in recent decades to new lows of coarseness, vulgarity, and cynicism. What in previous generations would have been considered as obscene is now normalized. A simple case in point is how prevalent foul language has become, not just in “private spaces” like the locker room, but now in public and even on the lips of leaders. I need hardly to point out the widespread presence of pornography and violence – the images and portrayals of which profane the image and likeness of God within us. How do we, as Orthodox Christians, live and respond to all of this? How do we live, “in the world, but not of the world?”

This is not a new problem. The world of the first century Roman Empire in which the Gospel was first preached and received was not so different from our own. Saint Paul’s command is not an invitation to naïveté, as though Christians should pretend that ugliness and corruption do not exist. It is a call to spiritual watchfulness. What we repeatedly welcome through our eyes, ears, and imagination takes root in the heart; and from the heart come our words, desires, and deeds. In a culture that often treats vulgarity as humor or “free expression,” we are called to guard our hearts, without fleeing and despising the world and others around us. 

Purity is not mere avoidance. It is the healing of desire. We turn from degrading speech and images so that our minds may become attentive to Christ, the true, the beautiful, and the good. This requires repentance rather than self-righteousness. We must refuse vulgarity in ourselves first, speaking cleanly, choosing that which is worthy of our attention, and answering coarseness with gentleness. The aim is not withdrawal into contempt for the world, but a heart so filled with prayer that it can enter a darkened world without becoming darkened by it – a heart so filled with God’s grace that the Light of Christ illumines all. “Meditate on these things!”

Blessings,

Father David

Psalm 18.4,1

Their voice has gone out into all the earth.

Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God.

The Epistle Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 4:5-11, 14-18

Brethren, conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one. Tychicos will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimos, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you of everything that has taken place. Aristarchos my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions if he comes to you, receive him), and Jesus who is called Justos. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brethren at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippos, "See that you fulfill the ministry which you have received in the Lord." I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my fetters. Grace be with you. Amen.

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The Gospel According to Luke 10:16-21

The Lord said to his disciples, "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will."

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Food for the Soul

"It is not the clever, the noble, the polished speakers, or the rich who win...but whoever is insulted and forbears, whoever is wronged and forgives, whoever is slandered and endures, whoever becomes a sponge and mops up whatever they might say to him."

St. Joseph the Hesychast, Monastic Wisdom (pg. 203)

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