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3rd Sunday in Luke 2007 "For we have no city here which remains, but we seek the City, which is to come." (Hebrews 13:14) These words were spoken by St. Paul, for the sole purpose of instilling in the hearts and minds of his listeners, that this life was only of a temporary nature, in order that it could lead them to the City, which is to come, that is, Eternal Life in God's Glory. For St. Paul to stress the importance of the "After Life" means, that so many questioned this belief. But, I ask you, do we not have doubters of the Eternal future Life, even among baptized Christians? So many Christians, truly without any foundation will repeat ideas such as: "here on earth is Heaven and also Hell!" If they would truly analyze what they are saying, how do they justify the fact, that decent, law abiding citizens often suffer untold trials and tribulations, whereas the ungodly and rampant sinners do not suffer physically. The Lord's Resurrection and His Ascension to Heaven on the 40th day after His Resurrection is truly a guarantee of our Resurrection and our Life in Eternity. The Gospel Lesson we heard today describes the Lord raising from the dead the young man from Naeen in Israel. What a heart rending drama it must have been to see the young widow, literally being dragged on the way to the cemetery to bury her only son. Close to the cemetery, the Great Healer and Teacher approaches the mother and tells her: "Do not weep." Then touching the bier He says: "young man, I say unto you, arise." The young man sat up, and Jesus gave him over to his overjoyed mother. The throngs, who had witnessed the miracle declared that a Prophet had arisen among them and all gave glory to God. One of the basic tenets of our Holy Orthodox Church is the immortality of our soul. The same holds for the conservative believers of other Christian Denominations. In the Nicene Creed that we repeat every Sunday, we say: "and He shall come again in Glory to judge the living and the dead." The belief, and I would say, the feeling of immortality is testified in the life of the Ancient Greeks. In Homer's writings, who lived almost 1000 years before Christ, we read that the nether world exists, where the souls repose: The souls have the power of memory, they have feelings and they converse, according to Homer. The great philosophers, Socrates and Plato, who lived in the midst of an idolatrous atmosphere, came forth with teachings which parallel the teachings of our Lord, about 400 years later. One of their teachings was, "that the person who has lived a clean life has nothing to fear, neither in this life, nor the next." It could easily be said, that that these two philosophers were in a sense forerunners of Christianity, and had to be God-inspired.When one reads the biographies of the Apostles, the Church Fathers and the Saints, one cannot but bring to mind their great sacrifices, and then to think of how distant we are from those Christians, who glorified God, and in turn were glorified by Him. History records incidents of the executioners of the first Christians, marveling at their courage and faith, laying down their swords, and pleading with the Saints, who were about to be beheaded, to lead them to the God Whom they worshipped. This is an instance, giving substance to the Lord's teaching: "So shall your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, who is in Heaven." The Martyrs of Christianity considered the day of their death as their true birthday, because they would be born to a new Eternal life, where there is no strife, no pain and no anguish, but Eternal Life, with indescribable glory. Unfortunately, and not uncommon, the opposite holds true, that for many Christians, death is the most horrible part of this life, and the most inexplicable, whereas death should constitute a part of our Christian life! The conscientious Christian reasons, and more importantly truly believes, that this life is a preparation for the next, which is Eternal. The physical and spiritual life of the believer in the Lord and His commandments is the central focus of the Christian. Conversely, the unbeliever, the atheist, and the fallen, unrepentant Christian, lives only for this world, Spirituality, morality and life Eternal, has no relevance in their life, because their life is strictly materialistic. Most readily, they can identify with the Epicurean philosophy: "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may die." Since materialism does have such a grip on those, who live only for this world, these people seek to justify their manner of living, and declare, as we said before:" what is this belief in Heaven and Hell? Heaven and Hell are experienced here on earth." But, as we said, how do they explain, and how do they reconcile justice with injustice? We witness it daily. So many evil people and confirmed criminals, not only are they not condemned by law, but they go so far as to mock the law. The tragic part is, that these infamous characters become idols for too many, and especially the young. On the other hand, we have those, with sterling character, exercising all the Christian virtues, who are virtual heroes, and yet they struggle and suffer so many trials in life, but fortunately there is the consoling factor, that their spirit is indomitable. How then, can any logical person say, that here on earth we experience Heaven and Hell? The natural question is., what is the relative teaching of Christianity? It is contained in so many passages of the Holy Scriptures. A very vivid lesson of the hereafter is the Parable of the Rich Man and the Poor Lazarus? The Rich Man lived very selfishly in his opulent palace, basking in his immeasurable wealth, without even the slightest concern of things, that didn't come under his prism directly. Then, came the moment he least envisioned, and he finds himself in Hell. He wasn't condemned because of his wealth, but because of the fact that he lived selfishly in his opulent palace, overwhelmed by his materialism, which gave him the feeling that he had no need of anyone. How many times he must have seen the poor Lazarus begging at his gate, but went on pretending that he wasn't there. Now, when Lazarus died, the Gospel states, that he was embraced in the bosom of Abraham, amongst the just. Lazarus didn't attain Heaven because he was poor, but rather, that he sustained so many of life's trials with exemplary patience. Now, the picture is diametrically different. The Rich Man suffering the tortures of Hell, asks Abraham to have Lazarus dip the tip of his finger in water, and to send him to touch his lips, to relieve his great suffering. He received his answer when Abraham told him it was impossible, and to remember, that he had an overabundance of material pleasures all his life, and Lazarus, the opposite. That is why you are tortured and Lazarus is comforted. For this reason, regardless of our age, we should always remember, that one day we shall be called Home, and oftentimes when least expected. But, when our life is in tune with God, we have nothing to worry about, because our life is not only fulfilled living God's commandments, but we are always in readiness. Being close to God gives us power and comfort. It's not as important of when we leave this world, but rather, in what state we leave it. Plato, who can be equivalent to a Prophet in the Old Testament period, gave the following admonition to his followers, which parallels teachings from the New Testament. He said: "True philosophy is the study of death, because, when anybody makes a study of death, and moreso sudden death, he or she doesn't run the risk to become entangled in the web of materialism, and does not drift into a sinful life, but rather lives on a higher and more spiritual plain." This, from a pre-Christian philosopher, living in the midst of an idolatrous age. Thus, my Beloved we should never lose sight of our destiny, and if there is a need to change certain modes of our living, we must take steps to free ourselves from any shackles, which prevent us from ascending to spiritual heights. Amen. + Fr. George Papadeas
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