Message from Metropolitan Alexios
My Beloved Ones,
This Sunday, as we begin a new season, we will also commemorate the First Sunday of Luke. It seems appropriate therefore, that this Sunday’s Gospel is also about beginnings.
We are in the small village of Gennesaret, where the multitudes who wish to hear Christ make it necessary for Him to speak from a fishing boat. Perhaps the fishermen themselves were only half listening to Christ during their work, but it is to them that Christ wishes to speak most of all.
When He finishes, He turns to Simon, the owner of the boat and suggests that Simon put down his nets. St. Luke makes it clear that while Simon is tired, having worked all night and most of the day with nothing to show for it, he still obeys Christ’s command.
The catch is miraculous, and though Simon is a man of little education, even he understands who Christ is, when the nets begin to break and one of the boats starts to sink from the weight of the fish. Simon is so overcome with awe, that his first words to Jesus are “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8).
Jesus however, does not leave Simon, or Simon’s partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Christ wished to prefigure that which He would teach them later, “…do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be of anxious mind… your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things shall be yours as well” (Luke 12:29-31). Indeed, instead of leaving, He simply tells them, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” (Luke 5:11)
Christ’s words to them are so enticing and simple to understand, that it is easy to forget James and John were leaving behind their father, Zebedee. Later in the Gospel, when we read we read of Christ healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, we know just what Christ demanded when He commanded His chosen disciples to leave their homes, and follow Him.
When we speak of what it means to be a follower of Christ, we are constantly faced with the notion that in order to go closer to our Creator we must deny ourselves. However, it is one thing to abandon love of worldly pleasures and materialism, but how many of us would be willing to abandon our homes, families, and friends as the disciples did? Indeed, speaking of ascetics throughout the world, there are only a select few who will be able to answer such a call.
Christ will call to each of us in different ways, and as the disciples understood firsthand, often when we are least expecting it. I pray that as we enter the fall season we hold fast to our Lord’s command not to be afraid. So long as we seek His Kingdom, God will continue to provide us with the comfort and strength to make each day a fruitful new beginning.
+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta
From the Chancellor's Deskk
The following story is about a mother confronting her quarrelsome child:
“Phillip, why are you sitting there all alone?”
“Nobody wants to play with me. They always fight with me.”
“Why don’t you go over and see Jeremy?”
“No, he always wants his own way.”
“You could play with Ian,” suggested his mother.
“No, we had a fight this morning. I punched him in the nose and his mother sent me home.”
“How about Jimmy?”
“We had an argument in the school yard.”
“If everyone fights with you, maybe it’s you,” said the mother.
“See, you’re picking on me, too. Everybody picks on me!”
“It is natural to disagree once in a while with people, but, if everybody quarrels with you and it takes two to quarrel, you must be looking for trouble.”
“I don’t care. I don’t like any of them.”
The adjective “quarrelsome” in describing the child in this story suggests someone who is disposed to quarrel, often in a petty manner. Synonyms for “quarrelsome” include argumentative, · confrontational, · pugnacious, · combative, · antagonistic,· contentious, · bellicose, · belligerent, · and cantankerous.
Someone who is regularly at odds with others could benefit from some self-examination. Certainly there are principles worth fighting for, but individuals that are constantly quarrelsome risk further hurt, as well as destroying beneficial relationships with those God places in our midst. Their misery is not authentic living. Love and respect for one another brings understanding, patience, and promotes peace. It seeks the highest goals for the well-being and happiness of all. St. Paul shared:
“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Gal. 5:13-14)
Thus, to sit in a corner all alone, day after day, at odds with others is a cruel existence. Our Lord shared in His Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Mt. 5:9) This teaching of Christ brings about human happiness. St. Paul reminded us of our freedom to choose to love others. As God’s children, what other choice is there?
+Fr. George Tsahakis
Chancellor
The Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan Updates
SAVE THE DATE: SATURDAY NOVEMBER 11 IN ATLANTA - FAITH FORUMS
The Faith Forums are where the 28 specific new programs and ministries developed to aid you and your parish community come to life with guided workshops to teach the content and answer your questions.
As a Metropolis family, together we are stronger and more capable. It is in this spirit that your Metropolis invites ALL laity and clergy from EVERY parish (regardless if you are a delegate or not) to join with us to explore exciting and positive best practices to help us on our journey as Christians and to make disciples of ourselves, our families, and our communities.
Why should I come?
We are excited to announce the following topics for the first official Faith Forums:
- 1.1 Parish Strategic Planning
- 1.3 Risk Management
- 4.2 Orthodox Leadership Training
- Managing Difficult Conversations
- Understanding Parish Finances
- 5.1 Early Parenting
- 5.4 Programs For Our Seniors
- 8.1 Spiritual Growth Resources
- 9.1 Comprehensive Stewardship
If any of these apply to you, you will want to attend! If you have any questions or wish to attend, please contact our Communications Director, Zoe Kafkes, at communications@atlmetropolis.org
Family Life Ministry
The Metropolis of Atlanta’s Family Life Ministry (www.familylifeministry.atlanta.goarch.org) strengthens individuals, families and church families through adaptable programs, blogs and educational materials as a means of fostering connection within our homes and our parishes.
Join us today as we discuss a Christ-centered marriage and the five love languages, how couples give and receive love, and how we must learn to speak our spouse’s primary love language if we want that person to feel loved.
We also share with you helpful links from the OCN and the Family Life Ministry of the Metropolis of Atlanta.
Journey of Marriage (Pre-Marital Seminar)
All couples marrying in the Metropolis must attend a Metropolis-sponsored Journey of Marriage seminar prior to their wedding. The couple will present their certificate of completion to their parish priest after the seminar.
- January 20, 2018 - Ft. Pierce, FL
- May 5, 2018 - North Miami, FL
To see the full list of seminars through 2017, some scheduled already for 2018, and to register, please visit: http://www.familylifeministry.atlanta.goarch.org/upcoming-events-2/
Shop with Amazon, donate to the DRC
Amazon Smile is a program that allows for 0.5% of your eligible Amazon purchase to be donated to the Diakonia Retreat Center (No Added Cost To You). To find our Amazon Smile page, visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-2187047.
Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in lov
