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Blowin’ Bubbles

July 23, 2023

Spending my time recuperating from hernia surgery this week, I was able to instruct my mind that I really had no tasks to accomplish this week. The two youngest grandkids were over Monday and Tuesday as their parents were at work and I spent more time interacting with them, not feeling that there was somewhere else I needed to be or things that I needed to do. Of all the activities they chose to spend time doing while they were over, I would have to say that playing with bubbles was the most enjoyed thing they did. The air temperature was just about right and the breeze was gentle enough to carry the bubbles to and fro and smiles and giggles were abundant. “Pop, we want more bubbles!”

Glory to God that I was able to have and appreciate this special time! My days are usually systematically outlined by that soft complex tissue mass in between my ears, and that is how I came ever so slowly as a convert into the true church. And rest assured that Orthodoxy handles that type of reasoning and examination very well but at some point I needed to let go and with faith draw near. For me, that means not having to methodically scrutinize every move and discipline but with faith like a child, draw near. The great convert gospel writer Luke records our Lord saying: “Verily I say to you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child in no wise shall enter into it.”[Lk. 18:17] St. Theophylact, Archbishop of Orchid and Bulgaria explains: “the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who have simplicity, guilelessness, and innocence”. (The Explanation of Blessed Theophylact, pg 165)

So why do I waste so much time trying to justify myself with the church teachings? We heard in the Epistle this morning a quote from the Prophet Isaiah: “For it hath been written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will set at nought the comprehension of the intelligent.”(Isaiah 29:14) St. John Chrysostom preached these words: “For he cast away Plato, not by means of a more wise philosopher, but by means of an unlearned fisherman. For thus the defeat became greater, and the victory more splendid.” [Hom. 4, P.G. 61:25-27 (cols. 32, 33).]

Preparation begins with the reading of the pre-communion prayers and self-examination of missing the mark this past week. Starting off your morning without the distractions of the world’s noise and attempts at music. And then as we near the temple, reciting the Jesus prayer over and over again. Venerating the icons and after that at some point we all need to quit just going through the motions and take time to smell the incense, hear the chant and bells and be transported effortlessly, like a bubble rising and falling with the gentle breeze, to the safe holy place, where we are known and loved. Do not limit yourselves with an agenda but come today to experience the Uncreated, the Unlimited, and the Great Mystery. “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”(Ps 45:11)

Fr. Gabriel Weller 7-23-2023

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Blowin’ Bubbles

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