Saint John the Baptist Orthodox Christian Church
  • Home
  • Orthodox Christian Faith
    • What we believe
  • Parish
    • Our Patron Saint - Saint John
    • Our History >
      • Where we were and where we are...
      • "Remember your leaders..." (Hebrews 13:7)
      • What's in the name?
    • Administration
    • Saint John's Faith Formation: Christian Education
    • Chapel
    • Become a member!
    • Parish Library
    • Service request form
    • Donate
  • News
    • Sermons & Articles
    • Pictures & Videos
    • Weekly e-Bulletin
    • Quarterly Newsletter
    • Friends & Neighbors
    • Looking Ahead to Next Sunday (LANS) [archived]
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Useful Links
    • Choose Life!
    • Online Christian Bookstores >
      • St Vladimir's Seminary Press
      • St Tikhon's Seminary Press
      • Holy Trinity Bookstore, Jordanville
      • Eighth Day Books
      • Hermitage of the Holy Cross Monastery, WV
      • Nevsky's Books
      • Fr Daniel Sysoev Bookstore
      • Издательство Московской Патриархии
      • Магазин Сретенского Монастыря, Москва
      • Православный Книжный Магазин
    • Orthodox Intro
    • Orthodox Christian Radio

Sermon: Nov. 8 - what do you really, really want?

11/8/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Sunday sermon on the Gospel lesson taken from Luke 16:19-31
​The parable of Lazarus and the rich man

​In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
​
The parable of Lazarus and the rich man on its surface seems to be about what happens after we die, about heaven and hell, about the future life. The bad, rich man is tormented in hell, while the poor Lazarus is comforted in Paradise next to Abraham.
No story is that simple, however, no parable of Christ is that shallow. For example, we know that the rich man was rich, but his wickedness is never fully described or even suggested. All we know is that he dresses in really, really expensive clothing and eats a lot of good food. Likewise, no virtue, piety, or good deed of Lazarus is described.

Rather, the parable explicitly explains their fate by pointing out that in their earthly lives, the rich man received his good things (which led to hell) and Lazarus received his bad things (which led to Paradise).

Some of the dangers of focusing too much on the future life is that we either neglect the present life as irrelevant, because we look forward to spending an eternity with God; or we disregard that future life because it is far away and may not even be there.

Unlike God, human beings have a beginning – it’s when God gives us life. But like Him, through His grace, once we begin to live, we live forever. No matter how long we get to live in this earthly life, be it one minute or one hundred years, this life is already part of our eternity.

When a person dies, the body may go through the natural cycle of decay, but our soul, our life, goes on, keeps on existing, keeps on living. Therefore, because of Christ’s victory on the Cross, our physical death is neither the beginning, nor an end of anything. Our life continues forever.

The lives of Lazarus and the rich man continued after their deaths. And they continued on a course that was set by their lives in this world. They continued on a course that they themselves set in their earthly lives.

And this is the main point of this parable. How I live now, in the present, today, determines not only my tomorrow, but my eternity.

The rich man ended up in hades not because he was a good guy who made some bad choices. Rather, he’s there because of who he had become as a result of his choices. Same with Lazarus. He wasn’t a bad guy who did something good and was carried by the angels after death.

As a little background, Jesus told this parable to the Pharisees, after talking to them about their love of money, their love of reputation, and their love of appearance before others.
The rich man had all the things he really, really wanted – money, reputation, and good appearance before his friends.

In our present-day Western society, if we really, really want something and if we are willing to sacrifice everything for it, there’s a good chance we’ll get it. Right? What’s the mantra these days? – put your mind to it, work hard, and success will come. Or something like that.

Is it wrong to desire a successful and good-paying career, a nice house, or a decent car? No, of course not. But what kind of choices am I willing to make to get what I really, really want? How much am I ready to sacrifice?

The answers to these question are important because my choices now set me on a course that will continue forever.

The rich man must’ve felt really good about his choices and his life. I mean, he had a party every single day. And God knows how much he had to sacrifice to get what he really, really wanted. We do not hear anything about his wife or kids, for instance.

His life continued on the course that he himself set in this earthly life. His life did not change after he died, it continued, forever. So how does a life of lavishness continue with torments in hell? How is it even the same?

It depends on how much we are ready to sacrifice and to whom we are willing to make these sacrifices; how much are we willing to sell out? To get anywhere in life, we need to sacrifice something. To get to church on Sunday we need to sacrifice an hour or two of sleep; we need to sacrifice breakfast; and in present conditions, we need to sacrifice fear of covid-19.

To get a successful and well-paying career, we need to sacrifice a lot of sleepless nights of studying; we need to sacrifice our pride to start at the bottom and climb up the career ladder; perhaps we even need to sacrifice our health to get a career we really, really want.

You get the point, to get somewhere or to get something, we need to sacrifice a lot, if not everything. It’s in this process of sacrificing that we run a risk of neglecting those who might give us the real meaning to life; a life that, as I said, continues unto ages of ages.

For the rich man, the person who could’ve given him the meaning to his rich and awesome life was Lazarus. All that Lazarus really, really wanted were some scraps of food that would be thrown away anyway. Was it a big deal? Would he have to sacrifice a lot to feed Lazarus?

In our pursuit of the things we really, really want, we can become numb to those around us. Christ never says that wealth is bad in and of itself. But He does say that wealth is the most serious temptation that blinds us.

That’s why Christians, from very early on, probably from the beginning, who had been richly blessed in this life, saw a dilemma in their life. And wealth does not have to be the only form of this rich blessing. A lot of us are richly blessed with many talents that can and should be used appropriately.

In order to ensure that their rich blessings don’t set their life on the wrong course, Christians have always practiced alms giving or charity. Saint John Chrysostom once said that “the rich exist for the sake of the poor. And the poor exist for the salvation of the rich.”

We practice alms giving throughout the year, but it is amplified during the four main fasting periods. And we have one coming up very soon – the Advent, the Nativity Fast. So, if God has blessed you with something you really, really wanted, figure out a way to use your blessing charitably. There’s bound to be a Lazarus laying under our gate.

We do not need to focus on some future life to keep us in check, it will come when it will come. But we do try to figure out a way to use our God-given blessings today, to set our life on a Godly course today, so that what we really, really want won’t blind us to those who really, really need us.

To God, the Giver of all good things, we give all glory, honor, and worship, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Amen.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016

    Categories

    All
    9/11
    Abortion
    Adam's Rib
    Addiction
    Advent
    Akathist
    AmazonSmile
    American Saints
    Anaphora
    Announcement
    Annual Report
    Annunciation
    Apostles Fast
    Archbp Dmitri Royster
    Ark Of Salvation
    Asceticism
    Baptism
    Baptismal Liturgy
    Beheading Of Saint John
    Be Still
    Bible
    Bible Study
    Bishop
    Calendar
    Canaanite Woman
    Children And Life
    Christian Burial
    Christianity
    Christ Is Risen!
    Christmas
    Christmas Sermon
    Clay In The Hands Of God
    Clean And Unclean
    Coming Home
    Compassion
    Conception Of The Theotokos
    Confession
    Conform To Christ
    Conversion Story
    Converts
    Coronavirus
    Courage
    Creation
    Creed
    Cross
    Death
    Deny Yourself
    Depression
    Division Vs Unity
    Donate
    Donations
    Dormition
    Dormition Fast
    Doubting Thomas
    Drug Of The 21st Century
    Elected By God
    Eve
    Faith
    Fasting
    Father Alexander Schmemann
    Father Andrew Stephen Damick
    Father Chad Hatfield
    Father Lawrence Farley
    Father's Day
    Father Sergei Kosich
    Father Stephen Freeman
    Father Thomas Hopko
    First Light
    Forgiveness
    Forgiveness Sunday
    Foundations
    Freedom In Christ
    Fullness Of Faith
    Funeral
    God's Invitation
    Gospel
    Grace Of Christ
    Great Flood
    Great Lent
    Grief
    Halloween
    Health & Happiness
    Help Wanted
    Hollywood
    Holy Friday
    Humility
    Icon Of Nativity
    Iconography
    Infant Baptism
    Interview
    Jesus Christ
    Journey
    Joy
    Keeping Kids Christian
    Kids And Faith
    Kids And Porn
    Kids Vs Technology
    Kiss Of Peace
    Kitchen Upgrades
    Knowing God
    Lamb Of God
    Lesson
    Life After Death
    Liturgical Commentary
    Liturgical Year
    Liturgy
    Living Together
    Lost Sheep
    Love
    Love Your Neighbor
    Maintenance
    Marked By God
    Marriage
    Mary
    Memory Eternal
    Mission Of A Parish
    Mission Of Orthodoxy
    Moral Compass
    Nativity Fast
    Nativity Of Christ
    Nativity Of Saint John The Baptist
    Nativity Of The Theotokos
    Newsletter
    New Testament
    New Year
    New Year Resolutions
    Normal?
    No War
    Nudity And Movies
    Orthodox Christianity
    Orthodox Church
    Orthodox Community
    Orthodox History In America
    Orthodox Saints
    Orthodox Wedding
    Orthodoxy & Catholicism
    Orthodoxy In America
    Orthodoxy Is Life
    Orthodoxy Is Not Religion
    Orthodoxy & Lutheranism
    Orthodoxy & Protestantism
    Paralytic
    Pascha
    Patience
    Patron Feast Day
    PayPal
    Pictures
    Pilgrimage
    Podcast
    Polemics
    Porn
    Porn And Brain
    Porn Is A Lie
    Porn Kills Love
    Power In Weakness
    Pray At Home
    Prayer
    Prayer Of St Ephraim
    Prayer Rule
    Prayers To The Theotokos
    Procession
    Pro-life
    Publican And Pharisee
    Reading Bible
    Relics
    Religion
    Repentance
    Resist Porn
    Royal Priesthood
    Sacraments
    Sacred Space
    Saint Alexander Hotovitzky
    Saint Alexis Toth
    Saint Herman Of Alaska
    Saint Innocent Of Moscow
    Saint James The Brother Of The Lord
    Saint John Chrysostom
    Saint John The Baptist
    Saint Juvenaly
    Saint Nicholas
    Saint Patrick Of Ireland
    Saint Peter The Aleut
    Saint Raphael Of Brooklyn
    Saints Peter And Fevronia
    Saint Theophan The Recluse
    Saint Thomas Sunday
    Saint Tikhon Of Moscow
    Salvation
    Sanctity Of Life
    Seal Of The Holy Spirit
    Search For Christ
    Self-care
    Sermon
    Seventh Day
    Sexual Revolution
    Sharing Faith
    Silence
    Sin
    Skillful Children
    Sower
    Sunday Of Orthodoxy
    Sunday Of The Blind Man
    Sun Of Righteousness
    Teaching The Faith
    Telling The Truth
    Temple Of God
    Temptation
    Thanksgiving
    Theophany
    Theotokos
    Thorn In Flesh
    Tolerance
    Tree Of Life
    Triumph Of Orthodoxy
    Unchangeable Christianity
    Unity
    Weakness
    Why Confess To A Priest
    Woman
    Words
    Youth Ministry
    Zacchaeus
    Антоний Сурожский
    Архим. Ианнуарий Ивлиев
    Вера и знание
    Воспитание
    Дети
    Иоанн Златоуст
    Исповедь
    Молитва
    Новый Год
    о. Александр Шмеман
    о. Ианнуарий Ивлиев
    Пасха
    Подготовка к исповеди
    Подготовка к Причастию
    Подготовка к Рождеству
    Пост
    Причастие
    Проповедь
    Проповедь
    Пятидесятница
    Рождественский Пост
    Рождество
    Современное поколение
    Троица
    Христос Воскресе!

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016

Picture

Jesus said to the crowds about John, “I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John the Baptist.” (Luke 7:28)


Address

29 Weaver Street
​Little Falls, NJ 07424

Email

StJohn.Singac@gmail.com

Telephone

(973) 256-0314

Join our mailing list

* indicates required
Picture
Picture
Picture

Search our website

  • Home
  • Orthodox Christian Faith
    • What we believe
  • Parish
    • Our Patron Saint - Saint John
    • Our History >
      • Where we were and where we are...
      • "Remember your leaders..." (Hebrews 13:7)
      • What's in the name?
    • Administration
    • Saint John's Faith Formation: Christian Education
    • Chapel
    • Become a member!
    • Parish Library
    • Service request form
    • Donate
  • News
    • Sermons & Articles
    • Pictures & Videos
    • Weekly e-Bulletin
    • Quarterly Newsletter
    • Friends & Neighbors
    • Looking Ahead to Next Sunday (LANS) [archived]
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Useful Links
    • Choose Life!
    • Online Christian Bookstores >
      • St Vladimir's Seminary Press
      • St Tikhon's Seminary Press
      • Holy Trinity Bookstore, Jordanville
      • Eighth Day Books
      • Hermitage of the Holy Cross Monastery, WV
      • Nevsky's Books
      • Fr Daniel Sysoev Bookstore
      • Издательство Московской Патриархии
      • Магазин Сретенского Монастыря, Москва
      • Православный Книжный Магазин
    • Orthodox Intro
    • Orthodox Christian Radio