The Time I Snuck Out of the Parish Council Meeting

I was stuck in (I mean attending) another Parish Council meeting last night. Don't get me wrong, in a large parish, there is so much going on (for the glory of God!), but the meetings can be overwhelming at times. At the same time as our meeting last night, our associate pastor, Rev Fr Symeon Kees, was leading an Intro to Orthodoxy class down the hall.

My confession is that I haven't had a chance to attend, but I hear its quite the mix of attendants: those inquiring about the Orthodox Faith, those preparing for their own reception into the Life of the Church, and Orthodox Christians (mainly young adults) seeking further understanding of their Faith.

Our meeting was getting to be a bit too much; I needed a break, so I snuck out for a brief minute and walked down the hall to eavesdrop on how the class was going. I couldn't stay long for obvious reasons: a delayed absence from our Parish Council meeting would seem odd AND I would look ridiculous to the few class attendants distracted by the stranger in the doorway. But I did get to hear a few remarkable words of Fr Symeon (I'm sure clergy love being quoted haha), but he told the class:

"If our view of God is off, then so to is our salvation."

These simple, yet profound words kept my attention, as I went back into our Parish Council meeting. That phrase got me thinking (not always a good thing, but I'll make an exception in this case). Three main things came to mind that I tell the teens at St George Houston (over and over again, they must be tired of me saying it, but oh well):

1. "This is must be our foundation: God is the Creator, and we are His creation." -I take credit for the quote, but I'm sure I stole it from someone, just no clue who

2. "If you're not struggling towards salvation, you're not doing it right!" -V Rev Fr Alexander Atty, my former parish priest and spiritual father, now Dean of St Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary

3. "I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior." 
-John Newton, Anglican clergyman of the 18th century and author of the hymn, Amazing Grace (For more info, read HERE)

Although I'm not expounding upon these three sayings now, I do hope you make your own assessment into their correlation. Anyway, this has been another installment of...

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

The Bridegroom Service

During the 1st 3 days of Orthodox Holy Week, one of the most beloved liturgical services is celebrated: The Bridegroom Service.

To learn more about this service, please visit HERE for a detailed description, history, and reflection thanks to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

This service combines the historical process of our Lord's time while in Jerusalem prior to his Crucifixion and Resurrection with spiritual preparation learned from certain parables and stories of figures of the Old Testament. During Holy Week, we are called to remember the saving acts of our Lord in Jerusalem. Christ's acts are not happening each year, He has accomplished his work.

Christ the Bridegroom Icon

Image Source

But what did Christ accomplish with his Crucifixion and Resurrection? Are we guaranteed salvation because of what He did for us? There is a famous saying (no clue where it really comes from, but I like it): I am saved; I am being saved; I will be saved! Christ's saving act was simply to give us the OPPORTUNITY to receive salvation.

The Church and our participation in the Life of the Church offers the context for this opportunity to receive salvation. Especially during our Lenten journey and Holy Week, we prepare to receive the Risen Lord. We are called to remember His saving acts, be appreciative for them, and come to the realization of our own unworthiness to receive His grace. And when we come to this realization of unworthiness, we don't despair, but hunger and thirst even more for His divine grace, which our Lord pours out upon us freely. As we increase in our self knowledge, humility grows within us, and through his process, our dependance upon the mercy of God is strengthened.

This process is summed up by one of my favorite sayings, credited to John Newton (former slave ship owner turned Anglican minister, who said: "I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior."

The Bridegroom Service during the beginning of Holy Week makes this concept of awareness front and center. We should increase the watchfulness and concern for our soul because the Bridegroom (Christ) is coming. The hymns during this service are beautiful, and the two most important and popular are written below:

Behold, the Bridegroom comes in the midst of the night,
and blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching;
yet unworthy is he whom He shall find heedless.
Beware, therefore, O my soul,
lest you be overcome with sleep,
lest you be given up to death,
and be shut out from the Kingdom.
Wherefore, rouse thyself, and cry:
Holy, Holy, Holy are Thou, our God,
through the protection of the Heavenly Hosts, save us.

I see Thy Bridal Chamber adorned,
O my Savior, and I have no wedding garment, that I may enter therein;
O Giver of Light, make radiant the vesture of my soul, and save me.

Click HERE to listen to these hymns as well as many more from the liturgical services during Great Lent and Holy Week (for the hymned above, scroll down about half way).

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director