main : catechism : articles : Rev. Fr Raymond Smith

Gratitude - and some flow-on thoughts

Recently, my wife and I had the great joy of making 'the journey of a lifetime'. During that time, we visited and worshipped in Orthodox Churches from San Francisco to just below the Arctic Circle. We shall never forget the priests and people we were privileged to meet, nor their church buildings which were so obviously 'houses of prayer'.

It was wonderful to receive such sincere welcomes, generous hospitality and kindness. The parishioners of the various parishes have an obvious love of their Orthodox faith, and worship with deep devotion. We found it difficult to say "goodbye" and move on.

It is a joy now, to pray regularly for the priests and people of those parishes - all made us so thankful to be Orthodox.

We were made vividly aware that we should all be apostolic and contemplative. Luke 10 gives us a clear picture of this with the story of Martha and Mary. It is important to get the tension right between 'doing' and 'praying'. We should never apologise for 'wasting time' each day with our Lord. Others can discern if we are people of prayer.

By prayer we learn the truth that God is with us and so there is no need for us to be fearful that He will not protect us. We have our Lord's assurance that He is with us.

This knowledge should help us shed any shyness and strengthen us to communicate to people God's warm and intimate love. The love of God attracts and draws others to desire to learn about Him. We all learn (both believers and those who are being drawn to believe) as we read prayerfully chapter 15 of St Luke's Gospel, with its images of the Lost Coin, the Lost Sheep and that moving story of the Prodigal Son.

If ever we want to know what we mean to God, this chapter certainly reveals it, and especially if one is suffering from feelings of guilt, inadequacy, depression, or is 'down in the dumps' about life. Couple this with John 15:13 where we have our Lord's own action: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

After "wasting time" with our Lord, we can lovingly embark on action - action that is sensitive to the needs of others, especially those who are needy, the poor, the sick and suffering, as well as those in need spiritually.

Someone once told me to pray like Mary and serve like Martha.

I think Mother Teresa of Calcutta put it well when she said:

Love to pray. Feel often during the day the need for prayer, and take trouble to pray. Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. Ask and seek and you will grow big enough to receive Him.

.

Contact the Parish
P.O. Box 448
Southport   4215
Ph: (07) 5573 7977
E-mail: Fr Raymond
E-mail: Webmaster

Regular Services
Divine Liturgy
Sunday 8am
The Chapel,
18 Tonga Pl, Parkwood

The Parish of Saint Barnabas the Apostle, 2007-2008, is in the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand.
Website established as a Directed Project in the St Stephen's Course of Orthodox Theology.
Hosting supplied by Vasilios Theodorakis - Web Design Services.