What a blessed week we had with the visit of the Most Precious Myrrh-Streaming Icon from Hawaii. People traveled from over 3 hours to see Her, to kiss Her, and to lay their burden upon Her chest. And our Mother came to embrace us here at Holy Myrrhbearers and strengthen us as we push forward toward our church consecration. And as we push forward in loving each other as much as She loves us!!
As I read the Gospel for today, I could I not stop thinking of Her? “Ye are the light of the world. A city situated on the top of a mountain cannot be hid. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under the bushel, but upon the lampstand, and it giveth light to all those in the house.” [Mt. 5:14-15] And she continues to shine, shine, shine. An evangelist preacher many years ago told me:”if you are on fire for Jesus, people will come from miles around just to watch you burn!” And indeed they did! She is a beacon of hope for us all, even those who push themselves away like a teenager from her nurturing love.
"Blessed art thou among women..." (St. Luke 1: 40-42) The Fathers of the Orthodox Church teach that the Mother of God was born with ancestral sin as we all are, but through her great personal struggle and the grace of God she was able to reach the state that Adam had before the Fall, and then even higher, higher than the angels.
And then I take a moment of self inventory of my sinfulness, as I return to the Gospel reading today: 17“Do not begin to think that I came to abolish the law or the prophets; I came not to abolish, but to fulfill…. 19“Whosoever then shall break one of the least of these commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whosoever shall do and teach them, this one shall be called great in the kingdom of the heavens. [Mt. 5:17&19]
This week as we prepared for this monumental event, we had many people come and help clean the church in preparation of the Most Holy Theotokos arrival. I had been noticing the layers of dust on the light bulbs on the chandeliers and so I carried in a ladder and dusted them off as well. It is a little harder for the light to shine through layers of dust and dirt, isn’t it?
And so it is with our light, allowing the commandments to become only suggestions, allowing our short time here to chase the dollar instead of seeking Christ with all of our might, allowing hate and dislike to cast darkness over our hearts, allowing love of self to add layers of dust and dirt upon our light. We can’t love light if we love darkness can we? Well there is darkness in the bottle of booze and in the things we are smoking. There is darkness in some of the things we watch and read. There is darkness in our thirst for riches. There is darkness in our self-absorbed vanity and tattoos. Why are we filling our temples with smut and filth? We all know what needs to be done. It’s time for a house cleaning. It’s time for change! We need to get our temple in order, and get the dust off our chandeliers!
I do not know what all of the struggles and challenges that have you tumbling around like you are in a wash machine, on the heavy duty cycle, but I do know the answer! Set yourself free so that your light might shine and guide others unto salvation. Become that beacon of hope here in Cross Keys and everywhere He places you! And as St. Mathew records: “Thus, let your light shine before men, that they might see your good works, and might glorify your Father Who is in the heavens. (Matt 5:16)
Fr. Gabriel Weller 9-7-2025
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