Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

Sacred Lessons
1 October 2023
18th Sunday After Pentecost – 2nd Sunday of St Luke

By the Grace of God Do unto Others

Feast of the Holy Protection of our Lady, Theotokos
[Church of Greece celebrates this Feast on 28 October]

Compiled, Adapted, Edited & Printed

By Marguerite Paizis
Archondissa & Teacher by Divine Grace
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
Archdiocese of Good Hope
Holy Orthodox Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God
Port Elizabeth, Republic of South Africa

marguerite.paizis@gmail.com
or download directly from
Marguerite Paizis on Scribd – www.scribd.com/writers4574

Re-edited & Published - 19 September 2023

Resurrection Gospel 6: Luke 24: 36 – 53
2 Corinthians 6 : 16 – 7: 1
Luke 6 : 31 – 36

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 Elder Charalambos of Dionysiou: “… Do you want me to tell you how
we, who are illiterate, read the Scriptures? After I have prayed for
five or six hours, I then I read the Scriptures, and for preference the
Resurrection Gospel 6: Luke 24: 36 – 53 Gospels. I can assure you that my mind opens so much, I
understand so clearly, that I am overcome with emotion. I put
R ESURREC TION G OSPEL 6: L UKE 24:36 - 53
aside the Book and am moved to tears for a long period of time…”
Our Lord Jesus Appears to the Apostles & Ascends to Heaven
St Sophrony of Essex: “… each of us should have the Love that a
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Ἀναστὰς ὁ At that time, Jesus, Resurrected mother has. Even if her children rebel, she still Loves all of them!”
᾿Ιησοῦς ἐκ νεκρῶν, ἔστη ἐν from the dead, stood in the
midst of His Disciples, and said St Paisios of Mount Athos: “… Do not scorn any Virtue, especially
μέσῳ τῶν Μαθητῶν Αὐτοῦ, καὶ Justice and Mercy. At any given time, we can be Sanctified by the
λέγει αὐτοῖς· “Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν!” to them: “Peace to you!”
way we handle anything at all. Stick to it!”
Πτοηθέντες δὲ καὶ ἔμφοβοι Terrified and afraid, they thought St Joseph the Hesychast: “… Avoid bad thoughts as if they were
γενόμενοι ἐδόκουν πνεῦμα they had seen a spirit. flames! Pay absolutely no attention to them, so that do not
θεωρεῖν. consume you!”
Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· “Τί And He said to them: “Why are you St Theophan the Recluse: “… Our inclination to sin is not yet
τεταραγμένοι ἐστέ? Καὶ διατί troubled? And why do doubts invincible. It becomes invincible from the moment our soul begins
διαλογισμοὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν ἐν arise in your heart? Behold My to study carefully and persistently how to satisfy its passion…”
Hands and My Feet – for it is I,
ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν? Ἴδετε τὰς St John Chrysostom: “… An Ascetic Effort that is carried out in
Myself. Touch Me and see, for
Χεῖράς Μου καὶ τοὺς Πόδας accordance with the Law makes us Merciful, Restrained, Modest,
a spirit does not have flesh and
Μου, ὅτι αὐτὸς Ἐγώ Εἰμι· bones as you can see I have.” able to control anger, tame our desires, give alms, be kind to others
Ψηλαφήσατέ Με καὶ ἴδετε· ὅτι and to exercise every Holy Virtue…”
πνεῦμα σάρκα καὶ ὀστέα οὐκ St Paisios the Athonite: “…If ever you want to spread the word about
ἔχει, καθὼς Ἐμὲ θεωρεῖτε something, get hold of those who gossip, supposedly tell them ‘a
ἔχοντα.” secret,’ and ask that the ‘secret’ should remain strictly between the
Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν, ἐπέδειξεν Αὐτοῖς And when He had said this, He two of you. That shall be enough for them to go around, telling
everyone, on condition, of course, that ‘… we must keep it to
τὰς Χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς Πόδας. showed them His Hands and His
ourselves!’”
Feet.
Since they still disbelieved St John of the Ladder: “…Even at the Hour of their death, if we see
Ἔτι δὲ ἀπιστούντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ someone sinning, we must not criticise them, not even then, for
τῆς Χαρᾶς, καὶ Θαυμαζόντων, although Joyful and Marvelling,
God’s Verdict is not known to us. Some people have fallen into
He said to them: “Have you any
εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· “Ἔχετέ τι great sins, in the open, but have secretly done far more Good. So
food here?” censorious people are deceived and what they were holding in their
βρώσιμον ἐνθάδε?”
hands, was merely smoke, not the sun!”
Οἱ δὲ ἐπέδωκαν αὐτῷ ἰχθύος ὀπτοῦ They gave Him a piece of broiled
fish and some honeycomb, and St John Chrysostom: “… Savage criticism of others wrecks our soul
μέρος, καὶ ἀπὸ μελισσίου
in their presence He ate it. and sinks us!”
κηρίου, καὶ λαβὼν ἐνώπιον
αὐτῶν ἔφαγεν. St John Chrysostom: “… Hypocrites want to be called ‘Saints,’ and to
be Venerated by everyone as being ‘pious.’ You see their outward
Εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς· “Οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι He said to them:, “These are the appearance and you think that they are doing everything
οὓς ἐλάλησα πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔτι ὢν words that I spoke to you while according to the Will of God, yet their heart is filled with jealousy,
σὺν ὑμῖν, ὅτι δεῖ πληρωθῆναι I was still with you, for guile and every form of evil.”
πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ everything must be fulfilled
that is written in the Law of
νόμῳ Μωσέως καὶ Προφήταις
Moses, and the Prophets, and
καὶ Ψαλμοῖς περὶ Ἐμοῦ.”
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 • However, God our Heavenly Father wants us to be Reconciled, the Psalms, concerning Me,.”
Regenerated and Reborn by means of everything He has Τότε διήνοιξεν αὐτῶν τὸν νοῦν, Then He opened their minds so
provided for our Spiritual Reinstatement as His Beloved People.
τοῦ συνιέναι τὰς Γραφάς· that they might comprehend the
• Being as Merciful as our Lord God is to all mankind, expresses the Scriptures.
Spiritual Perfection, Deification or Theosis for which we ought
to constantly Strive.
Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· “Ὅτι οὕτω And He said to them: “Thus it is
γέγραπται, καὶ οὕτως ἔδει written, and thus it was
• The conditional, prejudicial type of ‘love’ and ‘mercy’ we prefer is
easier, selfish and egocentric, which is utterly unacceptable to παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν, καὶ necessary for the Christ to
God, and therefore, unbeneficial to us for thereby we Condemn Ἀναστῆναι ἐκ νεκρῶν τῇ Τρίτῃ suffer and to Resurrect from
ourselves! Ἡμέρᾳ, καὶ κηρυχθῆναι ἐπὶ τῷ the dead on the Third Day, and
Ὀνόματι Αὐτοῦ Μετάνοιαν, καὶ in His Name, that Repentance
• Our thoughts, words and deeds are measured by how much we
and Remission of sins should be
have been Blessed by God’s Great Mercy and Loving Grace, and Ἂφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν εἰς πάντα τὰ
whether or not we have acted with the same or similar preached to all Nations,
Ἔθνη, ἀρξάμενον ἀπὸ
unconditional Mercy to one another! beginning from Jerusalem.
῾Ιερουσαλήμ.
• Whatever we Hope to receive from our Heavenly Father, we must
grant to each other with Loving Kindness and Generosity, for if “Ὑμεῖς δέ ἐστε Μάρτυρες τούτων. “You are Witnesses of these
we do not act like our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us, we shall Things.
certainly Condemn ourselves both now and forever! “Καὶ ἰδοὺ! Ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὴν “And Behold, I send the Promise of
• We have no excuse that can justify our wilful sins, for our Lord Ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ Πατρός Μου My Father upon you.
has taught us everything essential to our Salvation and Eternal ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς·
Life.
• Every thought, word and deed is returned to us “… a “Ὑμεῖς δὲ καθίσατε ἐν τῇ πόλει “Remain in the city of Jerusalem
hundredfold…” for which we alone are responsible. ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ, ἕως οὗ until you are endued with
• Therefore, being as Merciful as God is to us, especially when it ἐνδύσησθε Δύναμιν ἐξ Ὓψους. Power from on High.”
takes many Prayers and much effort on our part to fulfil His ᾿Εξήγαγε δὲ αὐτοὺς ἔξω ἕως εἰς He led them out as far as Bethany,
Divine Will, we, too shall receive His infinite Divine Love and Βηθανίαν, καὶ ἐπάρας τὰς and lifting up His Hands He
Great Mercy.
Χεῖρας Αὐτοῦ, Εὐλόγησεν Blessed them.
αὐτούς.
The Divinely Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Fathers
Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ Εὐλογεῖν Αὐτὸν And, as He Blessed them, He was
Elder Ephraim of Arizona: “… Pride and egotism caused the First αὐτοὺς, διέστη ἀπ᾿ Αὐτῶν, καὶ parted from them and Ascended
Created to be expelled from God’s Paradise. We have inherited the Ἀνεφέρετο εἰς τὸν Οὐρανόν. into Heaven.
legacy of this egotism and now, to cast it off, we suffer and Struggle
until we are bleeding.” Καὶ αὐτοὶ Προσκυνήσαντες And they Worshipped Him, having
Αὐτὸν, ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς to Jerusalem with Great Joy.
St John Chrysostom: “… The cause of moral lapses is not the nature of
῾Ιερουσαλὴμ μετὰ Χαρᾶς
the temptations but the heedlessness of those who are tempted…”
Μεγάλης.
Elder Charalambos of Dionysiou: “… We say that mental Prayer is for And
all Christians. Mental Prayer is also called ‘the Prayer of the heart.’
Καὶ ἦσαν διαπαντὸς ἐν τῷ Ἱερῷ, they were continually in the
You ask if Prayer spoken aloud can also be called ‘Prayer of the αἰνοῦντες καὶ εὐλογοῦντες τὸν Temple, Praising and Blessing
heart.’ Unless it is Pure and sincere, neither mental nor spoken Θεόν. God.
Prayer can be called ‘Prayer of the heart.’ Ἀμήν. Amen.
Abbot Georgios Kapsanis of Gregoriou: “… When Marriage is no more • “…Jesus, Resurrected from the dead, stood in the midst of His
than a physical and social fact, without becoming a Holy Mystery, - Disciples, and said to them: ‘Peace to you!’…”
that is, without passing into the Church, into the Kingdom of God • The Disciples had gathered together behind locked doors because
and being Transformed – it can neither be Saved nor can it Save!” they feared being arrested and condemned by the Judean and
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 Roman authorities, for being closely linked to the crucified “Jesus
of Nazareth.”
• Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who had been executed by crucifixion, and
buried in a tightly sealed tomb a few days before, suddenly “…
stood in the midst of His Disciples…” despite the doors being
tightly closed and secured.
• He calmly greeted them with His Divine Blessing: “Peace to you!”
which subsequently became our Resurrectional Greeting
throughout all our Holy Services of Praise and Worship: “Irini
Pasi!”
• “…Terrified and afraid, they thought they had seen a spirit...”
• This is a natural human reaction when seeing anything that was
unexpected and extraordinary. Furthermore, superstition causes
overwhelming fear and deception, which is why our Lord’s Divine
Teachings/Truth are so vital to our Spiritual Welfare and
Progress.
 “…And He said to them: ‘Why are you troubled? And why do
doubts arise in your heart? …“
• Our Lord Jesus Christ “…said to them: ‘Why are you troubled? And
why do doubts arise in your heart?” since these are two highly
significant questions addressed to all Christ’s Disciples
throughout the ages.
• If our Faith is firmly rooted in His Divine Truth, we would seldom, if
ever, be troubled by worldly matters and, especially, by
superstitious fears and deceptions.
• Although we must question the authenticity and Truth of so much
that confronts us these days, we should never doubt the
Teachings of our Divine Saviour, His Holy Apostles, and their
successors - all our Divinely Inspired Holy Fathers and Teachers
of the Eastern Orthodox Church, which are extremely carefully
preserved and Lived according to our Lord’s Divine Truth.
• Our Lord asked His Apostles: ‘…Why are you troubled? And why do
doubts arise in your heart?’ because He had repeatedly told them
that He would indeed be Resurrected on the Third Day.
• Obviously they had either forgotten or misunderstood everything He
had taught them previously. Furthermore, no one had ever
survived being crucified and buried. Besides which, the unjust
cruel scourgings He had suffered would have killed an ordinary
human being - certainly after being crucified as well.
• Our Lord then focused His Disciples’ attention on His pierced Hands
and Feet, “…Behold My Hands and My Feet – for it is I, Myself…’
thereby proving that it really was our crucified Saviour Who had
Resurrected from the dead.
• Although our Lord Jesus Christ Appeared in an altered Form, He was
able to show His terrible crucifixion Wounds to His Disciples, in
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• Unconditional Love and Mercy for others might even Save both our
enemies and ourselves from Eternal Condemnation, especially
through our constant, sincere Repentance-Confession and
continuous Prayers.
• As Faithful Disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ we are strictly
forbidden to hate anyone! Ceaseless Prayers are thus essential.
• Hatred of sins but not sinners is allowed, ensuring that we,
ourselves are not guilty of the perceived wickedness we see
reflected in others.
• We are all sinners so we need to pray constantly for one another
out of Love and sincere empathy.
• Sins, errors and flaws we see so clearly in others are usually
reflections of our own wretched condition, so we need to
immediately turn our accusatory thoughts inwards and
quickly Repent our own innumerable sins.
• Consequently, our “… Reward shall be Great…” for we shall
become worthy “… sons of the Most High…” when we regain
our Divine Likeness to our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Nothing can compare to a close, intimate and Sacred Relationship
with the Lord our God.
Before the Fall, our ancient Ancestors, Adam and Eve, had enjoyed
the most Marvellous Relationship with our Lord God, being
able to communicate Face to face, due to their Spiritual Purity
and Perfection. They beheld the created Beauty of everything
that surrounded them, for everything was indeed Perfectly
Good.
• Our Lord God is indeed “… kind to the ungrateful and those who
are evil…” for despite our sinfulness, He Loves us
unconditionally, granting us every means possible to become
Reconciled with Him.
• Through the Holy Mystery of Baptism and Chrismation we are “…
Baptised… Illumined… Chrismated… Sanctified… Washed in the
Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
• Having thus been Vested in “…the Garment of Righteousness…”
and having been Divinely Adopted as the Children “… of the
Most High…” we must now perpetually Struggle against
temptations and grievous passions while Striving with
continuous Repentance, to Live in Christ.
 “…Be Merciful – as your Father also is Merciful!”
• The Divine Agape of our Triune Lord God is bestowed upon His
entire Creation, and especially upon all mankind.
• We were created in the Image and Likeness of our Most Loving and
Merciful God, which was distorted and diminished by the Fall
from Divine Grace by our ancient Forefathers.
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 4. When we have been able to fulfil such Good Deeds, we should
always offer Thanksgiving and Glory to the Lord our God
for His Great Mercy, since He alone provides every necessity
of our existence. God always provides us with enough to
share with others!
 “…And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back,
what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners in
order to receive as much in return!”
• Rather than “lending” we should give whatever others need more
than us, with no expectation of return, for “… freely we have
received…” so just as freely we ought to give others.
• By lending and expecting something in return, once again, is a
merely reciprocal, unbeneficial or worthless gesture that has no
Spiritual Benefit.
• Being sincerely generous to others has its own Spiritual Reward
for we shall likewise be Blessed “… a hundredfold…’ in many
different ways.
• On the contrary, if we have borrowed or received, we must ensure
that we return the generosity either to our benefactor or to
others, thereby showing our Thanksgiving and Glorifying God
for His Great Mercy.
• In this manner, our Blessings are shared and returned.
 “…Love your enemies, and do good, and lend – hoping for nothing
in return! And your Reward shall be great, and you shall be
sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and those
who are evil…”
• This is a summary of our Lord Jesus Christ’s Golden
Commandment.
• “… Love your enemies…” is the most difficult Divine
Commandment yet it is also the Ultimate, Most Sacred Holy
Virtue, for to do so is indeed to have Acquired the All Holy
Likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ, the “Second Adam” and
“the Perfect Man.”
• Having lost our Divine Likeness after the Fall, we now Strive to
regain It according to the New Covenant of Love, which Christ
has taught us.
• The Acquisition of Divine Likeness is our life-long Sacred Quest,
for thereby we shall become as Spiritually Perfect as our
Creator intended us to be when He created us.
• The inclination to avoid, retaliate or avenge – reacting to evil with
evil – exacerbates the hatred, enmity and destruction.
• Like our Lord Jesus Christ, we must Love even those who
persecute, discredit, dishonour, hate, hurt or harm us.
• Acquisition of Love/Agape for Saint or sinner alike shall enable us
to regain our Divine Likeness to Christ.
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order for them to believe everything He and His Holy Prophets
had foretold, concerning His Passion.
• “…Touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as
you can see I have…”
• By inviting them to see, to touch and to examine His crucified Body,
not only did it reassure the frightened and shocked Disciples that
He was not merely an apparition or ghost, but it also confirmed
the Reality of the Divine Truth they had received from Him (and
the Old Covenant Scriptures/Prophets.)
• “… Since they still disbelieved although Joyful and Marvelling, He
said to them: “Have you any food here?”
• Despite being “…Joyful and Marvelling…” some of the Disciples
“…still disbelieved…” so our Lord asked for something to eat – not
because His Resurrected Body needed food, but to prove to those
who were incredulous that He was truly Resurrected in a physical
Body.
• The Resurrection of Christ in His human, physical Body, shows us
that likewise we, too, shall be Resurrected in a physical form at
the General Resurrection on the Eighth Day.
• “…They gave Him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb, and in
their presence He ate it…”
• This was an exceptional moment because the Glorified Body of Christ
needs no food for sustenance.
• According to our Holy Fathers, the Spiritual Significance of the
broiled fish concerns active Holy Virtue, while the honeycomb
signifies the Spiritual Sweetness of Divine Wisdom.
• By Living in Christ, we strive ceaselessly with our thoughts, words
and deeds to acquire Agape – Divine Love - that Perfects us in the
Likeness of God.
• In order to acquire unconditional Love and regain the Likeness of
Christ, we need to actively attain the Holy Virtues that enable us
to make good Spiritual Progress towards our Ultimate Goal –
Eternal Life in the Heavenly Kingdom of Love.
• This requires constant Watchfulness, Self-Examination, Repentance
of sins, and private and Communal Prayers and Worship.
(Continuous thoughts, words and deeds that are according to all
Teachings and Commandments of Christ.)
• When we sincerely seek Divine Truth and Wisdom, God the Holy
Spirit shall Empower and Enable us to Understand and undertake
a fulfilled Life in Christ, which requires utter Humility and
Obedience to His Divine Will.
 “…He said to them:, “These are the words that I spoke to you while
I was still with you, for everything must be fulfilled that is
written in the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, and the Psalms,
concerning Me…”
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 • The Old Covenant Scriptures – “…the Law of Moses, and the
Prophets, and the Psalms …” - contain the important
Commandments and Teachings that prepared the Chosen
People of God – the Israelites - for the Coming of the Great
Messiah.
• As the New Covenant “Israel,” we use these Old Covenant Scriptures -
to Enlighten us about the Commandments and Teachings of God’s
Holy Prophets, which were fulfilled by our Lord Jesus Christ.
• However, as Faithful Disciples of our Lord, we strive to Live
according to the New Covenant of Divine Love by following and
fulfilling the Commandments and Teachings of Christ that are
according to the Will of our Heavenly Father, while being Guided,
Empowered and Enlightened by the Grace of God the Holy Spirit.
• Although we no longer follow all the Old Covenant Laws and health
Rituals, which are fulfilled in Christ, we have to follow the
Divine Commandments God gave to St Moses, the ancient
Patriarch, for as our Lord assured us: “Until Heaven and Earth
pass away, not one iota or tittle of the Law shall pass away by
any means until all is fulfilled…” [Matthew 5:18]
• This confirms that the entire Divine Law is the solid Foundation of
our Lord Jesus Christ’s New Covenant Teachings of Love – Love of
God and Love of one another.
• Our Lord severely warned us: “… whoever, therefore, breaks one of
the least of these Commandments, and teaches others so, shall be
called ‘least’ in the Kingdom of Heaven… unless your
Righteousness exceeds the ‘Righteousness’ of Scribes and Pharisees,
you shall by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven…”
• This means that Righteousness according to Divine Law is a unified
whole. Thus, the observance of all the ‘least’ Commandments
means we must observe the entire Divine Law. On the contrary,
the violation of the smallest or ‘least’ Commandment means we
have violated the entire Divine Law of God.
• Righteousness that leads to Salvation must exceed that of the
hypocritical “Scribes and Pharisees” because theirs was merely an
outward, works-based self-righteousness that Condemned rather
than Blessed them.
• The Righteousness of Salvation is the Communion of our thoughts,
words and deeds in Christ – according to everything our Lord
Jesus taught us and according to His Perfect Example of Words
and Deeds.
• The Righteousness of God means being in a continuous state of
Sacred Communion with Him, which originates with God Himself,
and is accepted by us with sincere Faith, for we receive our Lord
Jesus Christ with Faith in Him and then we Live in Him by that
same profound Faith.
• Faith in God is a Sacred, fully committed Way of Life.
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Condemnation on ourselves, for whatever we think, say or do
to others, we shall receive a hundredfold in return!
• The Goodness, Kindness, Compassion and Love we hope to
receive, begins from within ourselves.
• It begins with our own thoughts, words and deeds, which are like
pebbles tossed into a quiet pond. The ripples spread out,
wider and wider, and we seldom realise what effect it has – to a
greater or lesser degree - on so many other things surrounding
us.
 “…And if you Love those who Love you – what credit is that to you?
For even sinners love those who love them!...”
• Our Lord Jesus Christ is very clear and concise concerning this
Golden Commandment.
• Divine Love embraces all mankind unconditionally – not merely
those who are closest to us or who benefit us.
• Divine Love means that we see the Face of Christ on everyone we
see before us, regarding them with the same Love and respect
with which we would regard our Lord God if He Appeared
before us.
• It is a great Blessing to fulfil this Golden Commandment because it
is extremely difficult for most of us, since we are all
prejudiced, cautious and afraid.
• Any thought, word or deed that does not contribute to the Eternal
Salvation of ourselves and others is of no Spiritual Benefit or
“… credit…”
• Our Lord Jesus has set out the Path of Righteousness for us. It
only requires us to be willing, eager, Humble and Obedient to
the Divine Will of our Heavenly Father.
 “…And if you do good to those who do good to you – what credit is
that to you? For even sinners do the same….”
• Any self-serving or self-gratifying act – any selfishness or
egocentricity – is unbeneficial to our Eternal Salvation, nor is it
an expression of our Love for God and each other.
• If we “… do Good …” to those who are good to us, it is merely
reciprocal and selfish, for it does not challenge our own
Spiritual Strength or weakness.
1. If we favour those who favour us, we do not fulfil the Will of
our Lord God.
2. If we do “Good Deeds” in order to gain recognition, praise or
reward, they are motivated by selfishness and pride rather
than Divine Love/Agape.
3. If we do “Good Deeds” that are motivated by genuine
Compassion, Kindness and Love, without the slightest
prejudice or reluctance, and without expectation of any type
of gratitude, recognition, praise or reward, we shall fulfil
the Golden Commandment.
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 ἁμαρτωλοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσι. that to you? For even sinners do • “The Law, the Prophets and the Psalms” were the three sections of the
the same. Hebrew Scriptures - also called
1. The Pentateuch,
Καὶ ἐὰν δανείζητε παρʼ ὧν ἐλπίζετε “And if you lend to those from 2. The Prophets
ἀπολαβεῖν, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί? whom you hope to receive back, 3. The Writings
Καὶ γὰρ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἁμαρτωλοῖς what credit is that to you? For  “…He opened their minds so that they might comprehend the
δανείζουσιν ἵνα ἀπολάβωσι τὰ even sinners lend to sinners in Scriptures…”
ἴσα! order to receive as much in • Understanding is not merely intellectual, but a full Experiential,
return! Spiritual Understanding. To comprehend and receive the Spiritual
Value of the Scriptures is a Gift of the Risen Lord through the
Πλὴν Ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν “Love your enemies, and do good, Power of God the Holy Spirit.
καὶ ἀγαθοποιεῖτε καὶ δανείζετε and lend – hoping for nothing in  “…And He said to them: “Thus it is written, and thus it was
μηδὲν ἀπελπίζοντες! return! necessary for the Christ to suffer and to Resurrect from the
dead on the Third Day, and in His Name, that Repentance and
Καὶ ἔσται ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολύς, καὶ “And your Reward shall be great,
Remission of sins should be preached to all Nations, beginning
ἔσεσθε υἱοὶ Ὑψίστου, ὅτι Αὐτὸς and you shall be sons of the Most from Jerusalem…”
χρηστός ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοὺς High, for He is kind to the • “…it was necessary for the Christ to suffer … Resurrect … on the
ἀχαρίστους καὶ πονηρούς. ungrateful and those who are Third Day…” because that was the final, ultimate Fulfilment of
evil. the Old Covenant.
Γίνεσθε οὖν Οἰκτίρμονες - καθὼς “Be Merciful – as your Father also is • “…the Christ…” means the Anointed One of God Who is the Great
Divine Messiah/Saviour of all mankind. He is the Eternal, Only
καὶ ὁ Πατὴρ ὑμῶν Οἰκτίρμων Merciful!”
Begotten Word and Son of God our Heavenly Father Who became
ἐστίν! Incarnate as “…the Son of Man…” – our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Christ was the last, greatest and most Pure Blood Offering for the
 “…our Lord Jesus Christ said: “...just as you want others to do to sins of all mankind, not only His Chosen People. He was the
you, you also must do to them…” Offerer, being our only Divine High Priest, and the Offering, the
All Pure Sacrificial Lamb of God.
• This is the “Golden Rule” which is expected of all Faithful
Disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. • After the Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the annunal Blood and
Whole Burnt Offerings of sacrificial animals were no longer
• The Golden Rule or Golden Commandment epitomises
necessary for the Redemption of God’s Chosen People – the Old
Unconditional, Pure and Absolute Divine Love/Agape.
Covenant Israel.
• The Acquisition of Divine Love/Agape is our ultimate Goal, for it
• “… in His Name…” – The Name of our Lord Jesus Christ is
shall make us Spiritually Perfect in the True Likeness of our
synonymous with the Almighty Name of God our Heavenly Father,
Lord Jesus Christ.
for being Co-Equal, He has the Divine Power and Authority to
• It places our desire for Goodness as a basic standard of how we make all Good Things possible.
must treat others.
• “…Repentance and Remission of sins…” is the very Purpose of our
• According to St Cyril of Alexandria, that “… desire for Goodness…” New Covenant with Almighty God, for we must ceaselessly Repent
is the natural law of self-love. our sins in order to receive Divine Forgiveness. Thereby we shall
• Treating others in ways that we ourselves would like to be treated make Good Spiritual Progress towards Eternity.
is the First Step on the Path to the Perfection of Holy Virtue. • After receiving Holy Baptism and Chrismation, our Life in Christ
• This Perfection of Holy Virtue is explained in our Lord’s consists of continuous Repentance in order to acquire the
Commandment: “… Be Merciful – as your Father also is essential Holy Virtues that Perfect us in the Likeness of Christ
Merciful!” Jesus.
• This Sacred Lesson teaches us that the degree – or lack – of how • These Divine Teachings “…should be preached to all Nations,
we treat others shall be our very own Judgement or beginning from Jerusalem...” because the New Covenant of Divine
Love includes all mankind.

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 • “…Repentance and Remission of sins…” are part of the New Covenant
Holy Gospel - the Good News that is to be proclaimed in the Name
of our Lord Jesus Christ “…to all Nations…” throughout the
world.
• Constant Repentance of sins is essential for “…the Remission of
sins…” since, as we still possess free will, we continue being
tempted to commit sin due to our grievous passions.
• “Remission” does not mean that we are Cured of the inclination and
ability to sin.
• Consequently Repentance is an essential life-long Struggle against
temptation and sin, as well as our own grievous passions, while
we simultaneously Strive to acquire Agape/Love – Spiritual
Perfection, Theosis, or Deification – the Restoration of our created
Divine Likeness.
• The New Covenant of Love and the New Israel began in Jerusalem,
after the Ascension of Christ, and the Descent of God the Holy
Spirit on Pentecost Sunday.
• The New Covenant of Love and all Christ’s Teachings and
Commandments was able to spread quickly throughout the vast
Roman Empire and the world due to the relative safety of
travelling by land and sea.
 “… You are Witnesses of these Things…”
• All our Lord’s Apostles and Disciples were first hand Witnesses who
testified to His Divine Truth and Teachings. [John 15 : 27]
• These Faithful Disciples received the Divine Truth directly from the
Eternal Word and Son of God Himself, having been His close
Companions while He Lived in our midst in His human Nature -
unlike the ancient Holy Prophets of God, who interpreted the
Wisdom and Truth of God in a manner that would be understood
and accepted by the Faithful People of God.
• The Words and Deeds of our Lord Jesus proved that Almighty God is
indeed the Personification of unconditional Love, Mercy and
Compassion – not at all a ‘vengeful’ Deity Who severely punished
wrong-doers as portrayed by the ancient Holy Prophets.
 “… I send the Promise of My Father upon you. Remain in the city of
Jerusalem until you are Endued with Power from on High…”
• “…the Promise of My Father…” refers to God the Holy Spirit Who is
our Divine “Comforter,” “the Spirit of Truth” and “Advocate.” He
is the third Person of the One Divine Godhead – the Holy Trinity.
• The Eternal Word and Son of God, was Begotten of God our Heavenly
Father, while God the Holy Spirit Proceeded from God our
Heavenly Father. All three Persons of the one Divine Godhead
always operate in absolute, Perfect Unity and Harmony, according
to the Will of God our Heavenly Father.
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1. we make every effort to avoid sinful temptations and strictly
control our own grievous passions.
2. Reconciling with those whom we have wronged
3. The resolute practise and fulfilment of all Christ’s Teachings
and Commandments
4. Striving to acquire the Holy Virtues by means of our thoughts,
words and deeds
5. Cleaving to our Lord God through unwavering Faith and
heartfelt Prayers.
6. Regular Participation in all essential, Life-sustaining Holy
Mysteries of Repentance-Confession, Eucharist, and Unction.
7. Regular attendance at Church so as to fully participate in the
Holy Services.
• Although these might be difficult for us to fulfil, God the Holy
Spirit Who “…Cleanses us from every stain and Heals our
infirmities…” also Empowers and Enables us to Live in Christ –
to Live a Life of Peace and Reconciliation with Almighty God,
while Struggling and Striving daily to Repent our sins and
become Spiritually Perfected.
• “… the Fear of God…” means that our Love of God is so profound
and sincere, we fear disappointing His Expectations of us, for
whom He has provided every necessity for our daily existence
and our Sacred Life in Christ Jesus.
• When we really Love someone, we do not want to fail them to any
degree, and so we really try hard to do everything possible that
is pleasing to them. Even more so, should we be with regards
to our infinitely Loving and Benevolent Triune Lord God.
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 6 : 31 – 36
The Golden Rule of Christ – Love of Enemies & Mercy to others
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ
“Καθὼς θέλετε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν said: “...just as you want others
οἱ ἄνθρωποι, καὶ ὑμεῖς ποιεῖτε to do to you, you also must do to
αὐτοῖς ὁμοίως. them.
Καὶ εἰ Ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς Ἀγαπῶντας “And if you Love those who Love
ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν Χάρις ἐστί? Καὶ you – what credit is that to you?
γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τοὺς For even sinners love those who
ἀγαπῶντας αὐτοὺς ἀγαπῶσι. love them!
Καὶ ἐὰν ἀγαθοποιῆτε τοὺς “And if you do good to those who
ἀγαθοποιοῦντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν do good to you – what credit is
χάρις ἐστί? Καὶ γὰρ οἱ
2ND LUKE – DO UNTO OTHERS – HOLY PROTECTION – 1 OCT 2023 13
 • We cannot undertake our Sacred Journey to Eternity without the
Guidance and Teachings of our Holy Fathers, and the Loving
Support and Encouragement of our fellow Disciples of Christ.
 “…‘I shall receive you, and I shalt be a Father to you, and you
shall be My Sons and Daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
• During the Holy Mystery of Baptism, we become the adopted
Children of God our Heavenly Father, and Co-Heirs with our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal, Only Begotten Word and Son of
God.
• Thus, as Children of God and “Children of Light” we have to
ceaselessly Strive for Spiritual Perfection by Living in Christ
according to His Teachings, applying them all to our thoughts,
words and deeds, while also Struggling against sin by
constantly Repenting and receiving Forgiveness.
 Isaiah 52:11-12 “… Depart! Depart! Go out from there, and
do not touch an unclean thing! Separate yourselves, O you who
carry the Vessels of the Lord, for you shall not go forth with
tumult, nor shall you go by flight, for the Lord shalt go before
you, and the Lord God of Israel shalt gather you…”
 Ezekiel 20 : 34 & 41: “… I shalt lead you out from the peoples
and shalt receive you from the lands where you were scattered,
and with a Mighty hand, with a high Arm, and with anger
poured out… I shalt receive you as a Fragrant Aroma when I
lead you out from the peoples, and receive you from the lands
where you were scattered, and I shalt be Sanctified among you
before the eyes of the Nations.”
 2 Samuel 7: 14 “… I shalt be a Father to him, and He shalt be
to Me a Son. And if he commits iniquity, I shall chasten him
with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men…”
 “…Since we have these Promises, Beloved, let us Cleanse ourselves
from every defilement of body and spirit, and make Holiness
Perfect in the Fear of God.”
• An escape from “…defilement of body and spirit/soul…” requires
more than merely thinking Repentant thoughts, for we are
enmeshed in Spiritual Warfare, entrenched in our habitual sins.
• Often, Spiritual Darkness becomes imprinted in our body and soul
so that even our free will is bypassed and we automatically
commit varying degrees of sin.
• In order to “… Cleanse ourselves…” means that by the Divine
Promises of our Lord God, we commit ourselves to a Sustained
Struggle and Striving for “… Holiness…”
• This Cleansing includes genuine Sorrow for the sins we have
committed, and a determination never to repeat them – sincere
Repentance and Confession.
• It means
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•Our Lord Jesus Christ made it very clear that He would send God the
Holy Spirit to continue to Guide, Enlighten, Enable and Empower
us so that we can fulfil our own Sacred Duties and Mission.
 John 15 : 26 - 27 – “… when the Helper comes, Whom I shalt send
to you from the Father – the Spirit of Truth Who Proceeds from the
Father – He shall Testify of Me. And you also shall bear Witness
because you have been with Me from the beginning…”
• The blasphemous ‘filioque’ is probably due to confusion and
misunderstanding of these Divine Truths.
• Christ instructed His Disciples to wait in Jerusalem because their
Divine Mission could only be accomplished with the Enabling
Divine Power of God the Holy Spirit.
• “…until you are Endued with Power from on High…” referred to His
Holy Apostles being filled with the Divine Grace of God the Holy
Spirit, which occurred at Pentecost and which continues to this
day – enabling ordinary, sometimes uneducated and even
illiterate, people to Teach and Guide others in God’s Perfect
Truth. [Acts 1:8, 2:2-4]
• St Luke ended his Holy Gospel with the reference to “…the Promise of
My Father..” and began his Book of the Acts of Apostles with the
fulfilment of the “…Promise of My Father.”
 “…He led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up His Hands, He
Blessed them. And, as He Blessed them, He was parted from them
and Ascended into Heaven…”
• Only St Luke recorded the Events of the Ascension of Christ into
Heaven.
• The Ascension signifies the Full Glorification and Lordship over all of
Jesus Christ: He is ‘Pantokrator’ - the All-ruling Christ, sharing
equal Glory, Authority, and Honour with God the Father and God
the Holy Spirit.
• The Ascension is as great a Divine Mystery as the Resurrection, and
should not be understood simply in terms of time and space.
• The Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ is Eternally Enthroned, sharing
equally the ruling Power of God our Heavenly Father, together
with God the Life-giving, All-Holy Spirit.
 “…And they Worshipped Him, having returned to Jerusalem with
Great Joy. And they were continually in the Temple, Praising and
Blessing God.”
• The Disciples Worshipped our Lord Jesus Christ because His
Resurrection and Ascension entirely expose and confirm His True
Divine Nature.
• The Disciples continued to gather together, Praising and Blessing
God for the Gifts of Salvation we receive by Living in God the Son.
• Joy dominates our Life through the Renewing Experience of His
Glorious Resurrection and Ascension.
2ND LUKE – DO UNTO OTHERS – HOLY PROTECTION – 1 OCT 2023 9
  Leviticus 26:12 “… I shall walk among you and be your God, and
you shall be My People…”

The Second Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 6:16–7:1 Jeremiah 38:31-33 “…Behold, days are coming, saith the Lord,
when I shalt make a New Covenant with the House of Israel
We are the Living Temples of God and the House of Judah, not according to the Covenant I made
with their Fathers in the day I took hold of their hand to bring
Ἀδελφοί, ὑμεῖς ἐστε Ναὸς Θεοῦ Brethren, …you are the Temples of them out of the Land of Egypt, for they did not abide in My
Ζῶντος, καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς the Living God, as God said: ‘I Covenant, and I disregarded them,’ said the ord. ‘For this is
“Ὄτι ἐνοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ shalt live in them and move the Covenant I shalt make with the House of Israel after those
days, ‘ saith the Lord. ‘I shalt surely put My Laws into their
ἐμπεριπατήσω, καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτῶν among them, and I shalt be their
mind and write them on their heart. I shalt be as God to them,
Θεός, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μοι God, and they shall be My People. and they shalt be as My People…”
λαός. • The implanting of the New Covenant – the Law in the heart –
Διὸ ἐξέλθετε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ‘Wherefore, come out from them, was clearly effected with the Coming of Christ our Lord.
ἀφορίσθητε, λέγει Κύριος, καὶ and be separate from them, says  2 Corinthians 3:3 “… clearly you are an Epistle of Christ,
ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε, the Lord, and touch nothing Ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the
Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh – that
unclean.
is, of the heart.”
Κἀγὼ εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἔσομαι ‘I shall receive you, and I shalt be a  Hebrews 10: 15 – 18 “… the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us,
ὑμῖν εἰς Πατέρα, καὶ ὑμεῖς Father to you, and you shall be for after He had said before: ‘This is the Covenant that I shall
ἔσεσθέ μοι εἰς υἱοὺς καὶ My Sons and Daughters,’ says make with them after those days, saith the Lord. I shalt put
θυγατέρας, λέγει Κύριος my Laws into the heart, and in the mind I shalt write them.
the Lord Almighty.”
Then He adds: ‘Their sins and the lawless deeds I shalt
Παντοκράτωρ. remember no more.’ Now, where there is Remission of these,
Ταύτας οὖν ἔχοντες τὰς Since we have these Promises, there is no longer an Offering for sin…”
Ἐπαγγελίας, Ἀγαπητοί, Beloved, let us Cleanse ourselves  Ezekiel 37:27-28 “…My Tabernacle shalt be among them,
καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ from every defilement of body and I shalt be their God, and they shalt be My People. Then
παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ the Nations shalt know that I Am the Lord Who Sanctifies
and spirit, and make Holiness them, when My Sanctuary is among them forever…”
πνεύματος, ἐπιτελοῦντες Perfect in the Fear of God.
ἁγιωσύνην ἐν Φόβῳ Θεοῦ.  “…Wherefore, come out from them, and be separate from them,
says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean…”
 “…you are the Temples of the Living God, as God said: ‘I shalt Live in • Only by means of our ceaseless Struggles and Strivings do we
them and move among them, and I shalt be their God, and they become worthy Co-Heirs and Citizens of God our Heavenly
shall be My People…” Father’s Kingdom of Love.
• Our mortal body is Sacred, for through the Holy Mysteries of • We must ceaselessly Repent our sins against God, against each
Baptism, Chrismation, Unction and Eucharist, we have been and other and against ourselves so that we become Spiritually
are being Sanctified, so that we may truly become Like Christ Strengthened and able to make good Progress towards Eternal
our Lord in Whose Perfect Image and Likeness He created us. Life.
• At the moment of our physical conception, God breathes His Life • Although during this short preparatory period we have to live in
into us, which is our immortal soul. From that very moment corrupt societies, we must learn how to avoid the temptations,
we yearn to return to God. deceptions and sinful traps that lure us away from God and His
• Consequently, our lifespan consists of Spiritual Life and Spiritual Divine Goodness.
Death while we Struggle and Strive. • We need to be Enlightened and Guided by God and His Holy
• Furthermore, our mortal body becomes a Living Temple for God Church, so as to remain Watchful and alert to all potential
the Holy Spirit Who Empowers and Enables us to acquire Holy threats that shall distract, misguide and harm us.
Virtues that make it possible for us to return to our created • It is impossible for us to become Spiritually Strong and Steadfast
state of Spiritual Perfection in the Likeness of Christ. outside the Safe Haven of Christ’s Holy Church.
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