Pre-feast of Theophany; Synaxis of the Seventy Holy Apostles; Our Venerable Father Theoctistus, Hegumen of the Cucomo Monastery in Sicily
James 2:14-26; Mark 10:46-52
Read James 2:14-26
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Recently, a government official in the USA stated that as he believed that God could be worshipped anywhere, there was no need for churches to gather together for worship. Each person could individually worship God in his or her own way at home, and, if they chose, to watch through the internet or television a passive virtual worship service. This was his justification for closing all places of worship where he lived. His position and conclusion are unfortunate especially when most Christians (Catholics and Orthodox) consider assembling the most important act of worship of the true God. We have been gathering for over 2,000 years to hear and ruminate on the Word of God (Scripture) and to receive His Life through the most wonderful Gift of His Body and Blood (the Eucharist). Why? Because our Lord commanded it.
Our Lord also commanded of us that our faith in Him be demonstrated. It is not a faith that remains only as an ideal somewhere in the ether of our minds. No, our faith is revealed and made manifest in our behaviours and actions. Recall the parable of the separation of the sheep and goats at the end of Matthew’s Gospel (see Matthew 25:31ff). Both groups had faith, but only one group made their faith manifest in their actions of feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting those who were sick or in prison, etc.
St. James reminds us of our Lord’s desire for us to love as He loves. Our faith is not only to be wishing the good for another but also to try to the best of our ability to do good for another. It is the only way for our faith to be alive. Whatever situation we find ourselves in through the various government lockdowns during this pandemic, there really is nothing that stops us from loving one another. Let’s keep the faith alive!