Sunday, February 13, 2022
Saint Sergius Chapel, Syosset, NY
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Today we have heard the seemingly straightforward but spiritually powerful parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. On the surface, the parable simply describes two men who went up to the temple to pray. The one, a Pharisee, exalted himself and focused on all the ways that he had fulfilled the law, also condemning others by claiming that he was not like extortioners, adulterers, or even the publican who stood afar off. The other, a Publican or tax-collector, did not even dare to look up to heaven but humbled himself by beating his breast and said: “God me merciful to me a sinner..”
This simple parable, in many ways, strikes at the core of the spiritual life, of our coming efforts during Great Lent, and of our lives as Christians. The parable reminds us that, even though each of us is a sinner, each of us is imperfect, each of us is unworthy of God’s love, there is hope to be found in Jesus Christ. The parable does not speak to the actions of the Pharisee, which surely were very good actions: praying, fasting, and tithing. Rather it is the inner disposition of his heart that is the focus, just as the actions of the publican (his work as a tax collector) are not what are being pointed out but rather the inner disposition of his heart.
This is something that we all ought to strive for: to do good, certainly, but also to develop a good disposition of our heart towards both the things we do that perhaps we are not proud of, as well as those things we do that we find are pleasing to the Lord.
Today, we are saying goodbye to two individuals who exemplify this humble love of Christ and the Church, David and Katherine Linke. I would ask you to come forward at this time.
David and Katherine,
We come to something of a bittersweet moment in the life of the chancery and Saint Sergius Chapel. We certainly rejoice in David’s retirement and your decision to relocate to warmer climates to be closer to your family. But at the same time our entire community shares a sense of loss in seeing you depart from the chapel community which you have been such an integral part of for so many years.
This has always been something of a transient community, with people coming and going both in terms of chancery staff but also in terms of parishioners. The two of you have been a constant help here at the chapel in many ways and we are grateful to God for your faithfulness and support of the community, which gives expression to your love for God and for the Church.
You have both helped in the chapel, bringing and arranging flowers, cleaning before and after services, baking prosphora.
You have both served honorably in the temple, Katherine offering your voice in the choir and David by assisting with various liturgical actions.
We have all enjoyed your cooking and baking, especially your delicious Lenten cookies.
You have spent countless hours preparing for the services, getting the music together (which is a never-ending task),
You have been a consistent help to me personally in taking care of Max during my numerous days of travel.
You have cared for the members of this community, in particular we are grateful for the love and support you offered to Father Basil Summer.
In these and many other ways, you have indeed shown yourselves to be faithful and humble servants. And just as we heard today in the parable that those who humble themselves will be exalted, so we would like to recognize your humble service by exalting you a little bit and bestowing upon you the order of Saint Innocent, bronze class, as an expression of gratitude from the entire Church.