The Worthy Heart II - Reveals God in Parish Life

St. Matthew 18:18-22;19:1-2, 13-15 (8/12) Gospel for Tuesday, 9th
Week after Pentecost

The Worthy Heart II ~ Reveals God in Parish Life: St. Matthew 18:18-22;
19:1-2, 13-15, especially vs. 18:19: "Again I say to you that if two of
you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done
for them by My Father in heaven." While the verses appointed for
today's Gospel are not continuous, they are one in addressing aspects of
the life in Christ that are commonly experienced in our Parish
communities - admission to the Holy Mysteries, prayer, worship,
forgiveness, healing and the active participation of children. Each of
these elements of parish life includes lay men and women, the clergy,
and, above all, God Himself Who actively reveals Himself in and through
our gathered life. An Orthodox Christian of a worthy heart seeks God
and seeks to reveal Him in all that happens within the parish community.

Being accustomed to the worship in a parish Church, some may mistake the
Divine services as "just another activity" of our community life. In
some parishes, announcements in the weekly bulletin wisely are grouped
under separate headings, with "Divine Services" listed apart from
"Meetings and Activities." Such separation calls attention to the
reality that Divine Services are unique. How so? They are the chief
means and moments that God appoints for revealing Himself among us. St.
Paul makes this point when he asks, "The cup of blessing which we bless,
is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we
break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?" (1 Cor. 10:16).

This miracle of the presence of God in the Holy Mysteries requires our
Orthodox Priests to guard the Holy Gifts from profanation. Priests are
responsible to protect the Chalice, turning away both those who are not
yet united to the Body of Christ through the Initiation Mystery and
those members who by sins have broken Communion with the Church and are
not yet reconciled with the Church. What Priests "bind and loose" is
bound and loosed in heaven (Mt. 18:18).

In addition, the Lord Jesus reminds us that as we pray, our Heavenly
Father responds to our requests. Whatever we ask "will be done,"
particularly as we "agree" (vs. 18:19). In the original, the word,
"agree," implies "agreement through talking over a matter." The miracle
of God's response to our prayers is neither automatic nor guaranteed.
We must work with each other to be led by the Holy Spirit and attain
deep agreement of heart. However, let none of us wickedly think that
because two of us happen to "agree," that God is obligated to violate
His will in a given matter. Agreement comes to us when our Lord leads
and is included: "Your will be done" (Mt. 6:10). God reveals Himself as
we agree with each other in the Spirit in prayer.

Forgiveness is a great miracle among God's People. May this holy wonder
bless all our relationships "seventy times seven" (Mt. 18:22), revealing
God's forgiveness in a hundred unnoticed reconciliations. This may also
occur formally at times as at Forgiveness Vespers before the Great
Fast. But let all forgiveness begin through our confession at every
season!

Thanks be to God that His miracle of healing is revealed frequently in
parish life. Our Lord still heals the multitudes who come to Him (vs
19:2) through holy water and oil, in special Unction Services, and as we
partake of the Holy Gifts, and by our constant intercessions.

God reveals Himself visibly in parish life through our children. We are
given the privilege of seeing tiny children grow in Christ as they
partake of the Holy Mysteries. Pray for the infants and mothers who
come to be Churched. Pray at Baptisms and for Church School classes.
Christ reveals Himself miraculously through the earthly hands of our
Priests who anoint, bless, and touch our children, for "of such is the
kingdom of heaven" (vs. 19:14).

"Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, Who alone doeth wonders" (Ps.
71:19).