Dear Friends
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, ‘I thirst!’
John 19:28–30
Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.
Let us see here, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, that all things were accomplished according to Christ’s will and authority. For when we die we hold up our heads as much as we can until the spirit leaves us and our head falls, but Christ himself chose the moment of his voluntary death, he bows his head first and then releases the spirit.
But first, he pronounces the word of the Word, “It is finished!” This is not to say, “it is over,” nor “it is at the end.” The word used here, “Τετέλεσται” has a deeper meaning—”it is accomplished, it is fulfilled, it is made perfect.” The Creation of our race, started thousands of years before, has now been perfected in Christ, for it was indeed, as Pilate had prophesied a few verses earlier when he said,
Behold the Man!
John 19:5
Not, “Behold a man, behold my prisoner,” but “Behold the Man!” See here, before you all, mankind as he should be, behold the Man of whom his ancestor David speaks,
Blessed is the Man
Psalm 1:1–3
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in his law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
As I gaze upon the crucified King of Glory, I do not do so as one looking from afar—a spectator at a performance; the Church invites me to be a part, to enter into this deep mystery. For when I accept that Christ is crucified for me, when I place my hope and my trust in him, I am invited forward that I may receive the living bread,
I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.
John 6:51
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the Church offers to each one of us the living bread. Let us come together in this mystery which is offered for the whole world, which is for as many as would receive him, which is offered for me and is offered for you.
We were surprised and honoured our Father and Metropolitan Silouan graced us with his presence on Sunday 10th September. A brief report has been placed on our Archdiocesan website here.
Sayidna was pleased with the progress we have made over the last two and a half years since we have been meeting together in St Francis’ Hall. He made the surprise visit so he could see what an “ordinary Sunday” was like.
Sayidna formally declared that we are not a mission but a parish of our Archdiocese. Not only is this an endorsement of our work but a challenge for us to do more. It is our responsibility to,
preach the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and invite all to come to greater knowledge of the Father through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This we must make a reality in our own lives—for ourselves to be continually converted to Christ through repentance—as well as make accessible to all who seek Christ, who seek Truth, who seek eternal Life.
May we work together to see this a reality for the sake of all who live in our town and region.
We serve a meal following the Liturgy on Sundays. All are welcome.
Do you, or someone you know, want to join our mailing list and receive our weekly email? Then let me know.
Sermon
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God, Amen.
The Roman Empire knew how to maintain law and order, to maintain stability, to maintain the pre-eminence of the Roman citizens, and this Pax Romana was maintained through brutality and cruelty: as recorded by Tacitus,
“If the enemy be rich, they are rapacious; if he be poor, they lust for dominion; neither the east nor the west has been able to satisfy them. Alone among men they covet with equal eagerness poverty and riches. To robbery, slaughter, plunder, they give the lying name of empire; they make a desert and call it peace.” (Agricola, 30)
And for the most wicked of its enemies, those for whom mutilation, slavery or slaughter were too kind, they invented a tortuous death from where we get the word excruciating, they invented crucifixion. Only rarely would they die from blood loss: striped naked and left exposed to the unyielding sun, with the arms held unnaturally high, the crucified would find it increasingly hard to breathe, so they would endure the pain of pushing themselves up with their legs to snatch a breath before slumping down again: hours would pass until the soldiers decided to break the legs so the condemned would finally suffocate. Then often they would be left on the cross as carrion for vultures and a reminder to would-be freedom fighters not to challenge the Roman Peace. Yet, despite this cruelty shown to the condemned, the prophecy of the High Priest rang true, “it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” (John 11:50) For Caiaphas knew the Roman Army would be content to turn Jerusalem into a wasteland in order that Roman Peace be maintained in Judea and in the Empire.
…
Read last Sunday’s Sermon, A crucified God.
Archive of Past Sermons.
Services this week
Friday 15th September
Discussion on the Divine Liturgy, 8 pm
Online only
Saturday 16th September
Great Vespers, 6.30 pm
At St Francis’ Hall, Eastleigh
Sunday 17th September
Matins & Divine Liturgy, 9 am
At St Francis’ Hall, Eastleigh
Online session is via Google Meet: please get in contact for the details.
Please join us: all are welcome, come and see.
Attending Church
We meet at St Francis’ Hall, Nightingale Avenue, Eastleigh, SO50 9JA. Come and See.
Can I help you?
I am here for you, you need only ask. Is there a way I can support your life of faith? Get in touch.
Can you help the parish?
Yes, absolutely. Offer yourselves to the Lord: pray! Make available to him all your talents and ask him how he would like you to use them — listen for his reply.
Your prayers!
With love in Christ
Fr Alexander
[email protected]