“Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God’s mercy and love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall he saved.” – St. John Chrysostom
Dearly Beloved in the Lord,
My Thursday “work day” is almost over. Each week, I consider the writing of this message to be either the last thing I do today, or the first thing I’ll do tomorrow. Most weeks it is actually both! Thursdays are typically very busy days for me. Today was no exception.
Just to walk you through the course of my day, I want to share with you, the three main items that were on my mind, in my prayers, and on my list of things to do.
On Friday evening, I am participating in a very special occasion. Catholic Community Services of Salt Lake City is hosting their annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner. Having been asked to deliver the Invocation at this amazing event, I’ve been thinking and praying throughout the day, what it means to offer one’s services to God, through the least of His people. What motivates us to dedicate time and resources to the crestfallen and needy? How does God, not man, recognize such virtue?
For the many of us who offer some measure of assistance to those less fortunate, there are a precious few, who, like tomorrow’s Recipients, stand out through their dynamic and prolific works. We all want to lend a helping hand. But to some, their desire to change the world for the better, is taken to new heights and exalted realms.
I am deeply honored to pray for the blessing upon such an occasion; the celebration of humanitarian efforts. Earlier today I prayed, thought, jotted down some ideas, wrote and rewrote some phrases that I hope will bring glory to God.
Let’s see. What else did I do today/yesterday?
As I’m sure you’re aware, we have an election just around the corner. This election will define the course of our future, further establish our goals, and grant us the opportunity to lift up leaders from amongst the best of ourselves.
No, I’m not speaking of next Tuesday’s election. I’m writing about our parish election on December 4th, where we will elect a new Parish Council for the next year, and look to the coming months for further growth through God’s blessings, and through the proper fidelity and direction of St. Anna’s new and continuing leadership.
Now is the time of year, and today was the day, to prepare election packets, organize the forms, gather the Committee and pave the way for a smooth and well-executed Parish Council Election. But no matter how organized the committee, or how accurately prepared are the forms, there can be no election, without faithful and capable candidates.
I am continually impressed and humbled by the sacrificial service and continued levels of enthusiasm, demonstrated by our Parish Council. And to think of the new people who, perhaps for the first time, will respond to the Call, and enter a life of steadfast service to the church as future members of the Parish Council.
My I say parenthetically, that if you have any desire to run for the Parish Council, please contact me immediately. I would love to discuss your wish to serve the Lord through the people of our community.
Hmm.. Busy, busy…What else?
I starting jotting down notes about each of the Divine Liturgies that will be celebrated in the month of November. Ideas for little sermons. Besides Sunday mornings, there are still FIVE other Feasts to celebrate this month. They are as follows:
The Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, November 8th
St. Nektarios the Wonderworker, November 9th
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, November 21st
St. Katherine the Great Martyr, November 25th
St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle, November 30th
Each of these saints, including the Heavenly, Bodiless Powers; the Archangels, are lifted up, so that we can prayerfully contemplate their service to God. Through their unique ministries and personal acts of devotion to Christ, we have luminaries in our midst, of whom we can emulate and follow. Their stories should blend into our own paths towards salvation as we incorporate their zeal for Christ into our daily living. Today, I began to organize the rest of this month around these great and holy days.
And so it is, that with these completed tasks, and a few others, this day comes to an end. It was a lovely day. And it was lovely because my “to-do list” revolved completely around one, simple concept; service to God who is merciful towards us.
Philanthropists and Humanitarian leaders who are recognized for their contributions; future Parish Council Members who will one day soon, be spending hours, resources and energies towards the administration of our parish, and the Saints -recognized and honored- for their crowns of glory, all embody, in various degrees and through differing expressions, what St. John Chrysostom had to share in the above-referenced quote.
We can receive awards. We can serve on councils and boards. We can even be glorified and sanctified as saints!
But what does any of it matter, if God is not merciful towards us? Salvation is not gained through the work of our hands, if not by the saving nature of our Saving Lord. It is good to serve Him in any capacity. At all times and in every way.
Well what do you know, in the time it took to share these pastoral thoughts, today became yesterday, and it’s already tomorrow. I’ll be sending this message to you shortly.
With Much Love in the Service of Christ,
Fr. Anthony