Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 6; Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers of Heaven
Ephesians 2:4-10; Hebrews 2:2-10; Luke 8:26-39; Luke 10:16-21
All-Night Vigil Feast
Read Ephesians 2:4-10
I remember one day while studying for the priesthood in Ottawa, that we heard some shocking news: a gunman had opened fire in the parliament and there was a firefight underway! The rest of that day was a whirlwind of emotions. Fear drove me to keep my eyes glued on the television screen in the student lobby showing the same canned footage over and over again. I developed an intense desire to “have the latest update” even though in all reality, I was far enough away that really there wasn’t anything that I personally had to worry about, and there was nothing I could do about it anyway. I remember continually checking my phone for the latest updates. The duty of the moment, participating fully in class, had been taken over by the tyranny of fear, and an irrational fear at that!
At the heart of the fear of unknowing was the worry about being unprepared and not in control. Even though it may seem to be bad news, the gospel today is that we are in fact NOT in control! Our salvation is not earned or purchased or bought but given to us as a gift from God. We live in a culture which exalts assertive behavior and pushes the illusion of “being in control” at all costs, and yet a Christian must say ultimately that he cannot save himself through his own power, that he is not in control of his life or destiny!
Brothers and sisters, the Lord, in His love for us, has gifted us His very life and salvation. Let us resign ourselves to the fact that we are not in control and trust the amazing gift we have been given. This will free us up to trust in God’s Providence and encourage us to be generous gift-givers in our love for others!