Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

November 8th, 2020: 7th Sunday of Luke – Resurrection of Jairus Daughter

SAINTS: Holy , , , Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Joel, Olga of Alaska the Midwife, Philaret, Metropolitan of New York and East America

ANNOUNCEMENTS St. Nectarios Great Vespers: Today, 7:00 PM, 39 Belgrade Ave, Roslindale MA 02131 St. John Chrysostom Feast: Friday, November 13th, Orthros: 8:30 AM, Div. Liturgy: 9:30 AM St. Philip Great Vespers: Friday November 13th, 7:00 PM, 500 W. Hollis Street, Nashua NH 03062

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading - Eleventh Orthros Gospel, John 21:14-25 At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after he was raised from the dead, and he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify .) And after this he said to him, "Follow me." Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remains until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So, the word went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die; but Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. AMEN

Epistle Reading - St. Paul's Second Letter to Hebrews 2:2-10 BRETHREN, if the message declared by was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his own will. For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, "What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? Thou didst make him for a little while lower than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet." Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering. AMEN

Gospel Reading - 7th Sunday of Luke - Luke 8:41-56 At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you and you say who touch me?" But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; for I perceived that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not burden the Teacher anymore." But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Tabitha koumi” (Young girl, arise). And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given to her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened. AMEN

Do not fear, only believe! Two miracles, which when put together, they show the Lord’s power over the living and the dead.

Two very different people approach Jesus: the first, a powerful man, the head of the synagogue; the second, a weak woman, sick and unknown. The first … comes directly, from the front and asks for help. The other… comes silently, from the back and “steals” the healing. Both are people of strong faith. Yet, the woman’s faith is stronger. How do we know? Because she came second, but left justified first. Are they also a metaphor for the Publican and the Tax Collector? Yes, in a way. What’s more, the Lord calls her “daughter.” Her strong faith makes her His relative! Did the Lord need to be told who touched His garment? No, not really! Yet, He insists on bringing her forth. This is so everyone sees the fruits of faith and emulates her, but also in order to give courage to Jairus, who is just about to receive grave news.

Much like with Lazarus later on, the Lord is late to arrive to Jairus’ house. So, the girl dies! Is the Lord habitually late? He is late on purpose! He is late so the glory of God is revealed through resurrecting them both.

For both Lazarus and the girl, the Lord says they are SLEEPING. Then, with His Word alone, he orders the spirit to return into their bodies! Who is this rabbi who with His Word alone can command the spirit back into a dead body? And why does the spirit obey Him? It is because He who appears as a humble rabbi is truly the Word of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, the One who “looks on the earth, and it trembles; the One who touches the mountains, and they melt away” (Psalm 104:32). Before His Glorious Resurrection, before His Enthronement at the right hand of God the Father, while He is still walking around wearing the flesh of us mortals, our Lord slightly lifts up the veil hiding the mystery of God and lets us take a peak. “Do not fear” (death), He says, “Only believe and I will raise you.” My Father made you and fashioned you and with His divine breath gave you spirit. When the spirit leaves your body, you will go to sleep - like taking an afternoon nap on a chair. Then, on my Word alone, an will tap you on the shoulder as he did to Joseph the Betrothed and you will wake up. I will not raise spirits alone from sleep, but all flesh will rise as well. You will be together again with your parents, friends and your children of all generations. And then I will lift you up to meet me in the air.

This will be in order to fulfill what the prophet wrote: “And the Lord asked me: ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones hear the word of the Lord. I will make flesh come upon you. I will make breath enter you and you will come to life. Then you will now I am the Lord!’” (Ezekiel 37:4-6).

Wisdom of the Fathers

With these two miracles, Christ signifies that it is easy for Him to raise the dead ... and He is also teaching us not to fear death; for it will not be called death anymore; henceforth, it will be called “a sleep.”

St. John Chrysostom - Homily 31 on Matthew 9, 4th Century