In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Today the Lord goes to a region outside the traditional Jewish territory. If you know anything about the ways of Jewish culture even in the time of the New Testament, you will understand that Jewish people did not have anything to do with anyone else. However, even if they did not have anything to do with anyone else, they still lived in diaspora. That means that some Jewish people were living in the region of Tyre, and Sidon; they were living in various parts of North Africa; they were living in parts of what is now Turkey, and Greece, and they were certainly living in Egypt.

Jesus went to speak with some of these people, and a woman of the Canaanites came to speak to Him. As we were told just now, the Lord was very sharp with this woman. This sort of sharp exchange is similar to the exchange He had with the Samaritan woman later. He said very clearly when this woman was asking for help for her daughter that they were not supposed to have anything to do with each other. The woman was very insistent, and even when He said to her that it is not right to give the children’s bread to the dogs, she said: Still, even little dogs are eating crumbs from the master’s table. The Lord was obviously asking these sorts of questions to show everyone around what sort of humility this woman had. Her humility, and her love truly were great. She was not asking anything at all for herself: only for her daughter. I have met many such people in my life already, too, and it gives me a great deal of hope that there are still such people among us. This illustrates exactly the Christian way of living, and it shows us how the love of Jesus Christ is lived.

When we, who follow Christ, are truly following Christ, then we are putting everyone else first in front of us. We are doing this in the same way as the Saviour, who serves us to this day. He didn’t come into this world to please Himself or to make a comfortable place for Himself here. He came to give life. He came to save us. The way of saving us is the way of His love. It is only His love which gives us peace, and joy. It is only His love that gives eternal life.

The Apostle Paul is telling us today, in connexion with this, on the one hand, that we are not to be associating with the world, and the ways of darkness. All around us are people who are associating with the world, trying to get comfortable in the world. they use the ways of darkness. We are living among them every day, and they can have a negative influence on us. It is our responsibility, therefore, to know who we are, and Whom it is we are serving. We have to know the difference between the Way of life, light, and love, and the ways of darkness, fear, and death. It is really crucially important for us to know the difference. We, like the Lord, must shine with light, and life. The purpose of this light shining is to enlighten, and illuminate the people who are in darkness. We don’t bring people to the life, and love of Jesus Christ by living in the ways of darkness. We have to live among people who are searching, it is true. However, in living among them, we need to be living examples of how there is a better way.

Right now we are living through a terrible period. The stock markets, and the economies of the world are all in turmoil. People are panicking. This is exactly the way of the world, and the way of the devil in particular. All this turmoil develops because someone makes a rumour that spreads fear. People are afraid that they are going to lose money. They sell in panic, and the more people panic, the worse things get. These things are not just happening by accident. As far as I can see in my experience in life, there are plenty of people who understand the weaknesses of human beings, and they play with them cynically. I can see all of the tell-tale signs of this cynical exploitation happening now. Our responsibility as Orthodox Christians is not to live in this panic. All this panic is simply fear. Where is our hope? Where is our stability? Where is our peace? It is not in the size of a bank account. It is in Jesus Christ, our life. If we keep the eyes of our heart and mind, on Him, He will guide us through all these dangers and turmoils in peace.

It is important for us to ask the Lord what is His will. What are we to do? If we listen to our hearts, the Lord speaks to us in peace. If we feel peace in our hearts about a particular direction of action, this is likely to be the way the Lord wants us to go. No matter what, everything for us Orthodox Christians has to be motivated by the love of Jesus Christ. We must always be remembering to ask His blessing on everything every day.

In conclusion, we are serving today with one bishop, one priest, and five deacons. For me, this gives great joy. It’s a bit confusing for the deacons because I don’t think any of them is used to serving with five, and it’s hard to know who does what. However, they are doing very well, and it is this diaconal multiplication here today which is really a sign of our Church’s life, and future. By their lives, by their service, by what they do, they are examples to the rest of us of how Christians are supposed to be behaving. The deacons are the ones who are serving. They are caring about the service, and they are caring about every other detail of life, too. In an ideal, normal parish life a deacon is in charge of social service, and helping to meet the practical needs of people. That is what we are all supposed to be doing. So, I want to say “Glory to God” for this opportunity to serve with five deacons. Glory to God for everything. May this same Lord help us to be faithful to Him in love, so that our whole lives will glorify the all-holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

† Archdiocese of Canada - Orthodox Church in America