(Centennial Year)
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Today, within the year of the hundredth anniversary of this parish’s establishment in n, we have renewed the Holy Table in this Temple. In renewing this Holy Table, we are offering ourselves to be renewed as well, so that we can effectively fulfil God’s purposes for us. As Father n has researched, the beginning of this parish 100 years ago was not part of what was planned by the Church authorities in New York at the time, because the authorities did not know that there were any believers here. However, God did. He sent the priest (who was intended to go somewhere else) to n instead, and the church was established here, as was needed 100 years ago. Ever since that time, this community has been a witness for love in n. This community has been a witness to the truth of Jesus Christ and also a witness to hospitality in Christ in n.
In today’s reading, when the Apostle Peter answers the questions of Christ, he confesses that Jesus is the Christ. After the Resurrection, the Apostle Peter will profess his love for Christ whom he has just confessed here and now. At that future time, when our Saviour hears his confession of love, He will say to the apostle : “‘Feed my sheep’”. Today our Lord says to him : “‘I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church’”. The Apostle Peter is, in fact, the chief of the rocks, as it were. When you and I encounter Christ, as the Apostle Peter did, and our hearts are warmed with love for Him, as is the heart of the Apostle Peter, and also the Apostle Paul (because their love for Christ cannot be denied at all), we, like them, must share that love. That love must be shared.
We must show Christ to the people around us by how we live as Orthodox Christians. We do this first by loving God above everything ; then by loving people around us, even people that are difficult ; and then, by having both joy and hope in caring for other people before ourselves. This is the way of Christ. We do not put ourselves first. In the love of Jesus Christ, we put others first. We serve. We do not ask to be served. This is the Orthodox Christian way.
As this parish has for 100 years now witnessed to the love of Jesus Christ and has been like yeast, here, in n. This parish is still a witness to Christ’s love (even in what has become a difficult neighbourhood). The light of Christ is still shining here in the city of n, in this community of people who care about Him and His service.
Therefore, let us ask the Lord that He give us the strength to be faithful witnesses every day of our lives, faithful witnesses to His love, faithful servants of Him through His love. Let us ask Him that everything we do in our lives may not glorify ourselves, but rather Jesus Christ, and only Jesus Christ, and glorify Him, together with the unoriginate Father, and the all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages.