Pastoral Message from the June/July Beacon
06/01/2017
Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption,
The most beautiful days of Summer are upon us. Many are relaxing and taking family vacations to places where one may relax, refresh and recharge one’s spirit - some choose the beach, others a quiet camp site with fishing or hunting. At times, we all need to “reset” ourselves away from the pace of life in this modern world. We all can agree that this is necessary.
So many take a week vacation away from their homes and months and months of “vacation” from their Father’s home. Our vacations, though, should not be ones that include an absence from the Church. Worship is not a source of distraction from which one must get a break - but a source of refreshment that one must always partake of through vigilant presence. It is the fallenness of the world that distracts and tires us, not our relationship with our Father in Heaven.
Faith and worship are essential elements of our lives. None of us would say, “I’m on vacation this week, I think I will take a break from eating and bathing. I think I’ll splurge and stop brushing my teeth also.” This is absurd and I’m sure it makes you chuckle even as you read it. Let us understand that worship is more essential than even these basic actions of our lives. Many Saints have survived without food and water, but none without the Lord!
I remain,
In His Service,
Rev. Father Jon Boukis
Proistamenos
“Attract, Serve, Illuminate”