Today's Sermon in a Nutshell:
As you know, I love to read. And over the years, my love of reading has provided me with a treasure trove of quotes that I’ve gathered and accumulated in a file from literary giants, politicians, presidents, musicians, and every day people. Some are profound, some philosophical. Some are beautifully descriptive, others poetic. Some are brilliant, and some are so sharp they could cut glass.
One of my all-time favorite quotes was written by a little Jewish girl in Holland, during World War II. She and her family were hiding out in an attack so as not to be arrested and deported to one of the many Death Camps run by the Nazis.
This little girl, Ann Frank, kept a diary for over two years during their confinement in that small, cramped space – detailing her innermost thoughts, fears, joys, and hopes. Yet, after their arrest and death, when her diary was found, one of the most telling and priceless passages contained this quote: “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
Such a profound quote from someone so young shows great spirituality maturity: a kind heart, a reverence for humanity, and a tremendous love of God.
The essence of this quote becomes manifest in Christ’s parable of the Good Samaritan. For even if two men ignored the beaten man, there is still one more who came along with a compassionate heart.
On this date, November 15, 2009, His Holiness, Patriarch Pavla of Serbia reposed in the Lord. His Holiness was a very saintly man who, actually visited our parish in 2001, praying in our altar and signing our gospel book.
He was a very tiny man, but a man of immense faith and love; the kind of love that can only be bourn from years of suffering for Christ under brutal communist oppression.
He, too, like Ann Frank, had this same positive outlook on mankind – seeing the best (or Christ) in others. Thus, despite all the evil and hardships he experienced, his love of Christ made his heart strong and golden.
Patriarch Pavla once said, “The world is full of good people. If you can’t find even one good person, then be one yourself.”
Brothers and Sisters: as we now embark upon the Nativity Fast in preparation for the Coming of the Messiah, let each of us do our part to bring peace, goodness, love, and light into the world by our actions. And as His Holiness intimated, even if others do not, continue to do good yourself…for Christ’s sake and the world.
Fr. John
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