Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Dear to Christ you who put on Christ in baptism,
I greet you during this challenging times and together we will cry to Christ: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
In the Gospel of this Sunday we read about the 10 lepers asking Christ for mercy by healing them from their leprosy. All 10 were healed but only one went back to thank Jesus for His healing. How can we live a life of “gratitude” in good times and in bad times? Whitney Hopler writes in “5 ways to develop a life of gratitude no matter what”, she says that 1. Look beyond your circumstances to God’s presence, 2. Develop daily rituals that help you notice God’s work in your life, 3.Keep souvenirs of past times when God has answered your prayers, 4. Learn how to be content in any kind of circumstances, she writes: “The more you develop an attitude of contentment, the less changing circumstances will affect your emotional stability. Learning to be content – no matter what’s happening in your life – helps you learn to be grateful in any situation because you’re acknowledging that God will accomplish good purposes even through the bad circumstances in your life. The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11: “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Humble yourself to absorb the reality that everything you have – and even the fact that you exist at all – is because of God’s generosity. While God loves you completely, he owes you nothing. Get rid of an entitlement attitude and simply receive the blessings God chooses to send you as the pure gifts that they are. Choose to appreciate whatever you have – either a lot or a little – at any given time.”, 5. Pay your blessings forward by giving to others in need.”. (Article taken from crosswalk.com)
Many of our Archdiocese churches have reported increase in their income during this pandemic, increase in their financial support from their parishioners, because their members responded with gratitude to their church needs. Don’t forget to support your church of St. George.
Father has suspended all house blessings in response to the government request “to stay home”.
Liturgy and other services will continue as usual with the following persons only in the church, Father, the chanters, and those who serve in the altar. The Church will remain closed for the time being for the general public to follow the government order “to stay home”.
The Ladies society are planning a zoom education get together on Sunday January 31st at 7 PM, open to everyone on “A Parent Survival Guide” presented by Annalisa Boyd.
Happy Feast Day to all who are called Anthony.
Fr. Philip LeMasters writes: “Maybe this man was so thankful precisely because he had learned not to expect compassion from anyone and that he could take no blessing for granted. He surely felt out of place walking with Jewish lepers to the temple in Jerusalem, for that is not where the Samaritans worshiped and presumably he would not have been welcome there. Nonetheless, he obeyed the Lord’s command and was healed. And he alone took the time and effort to return to thank the One who had changed his life.”
Even in the midst of a pandemic we are called to live with “GRATITUDE” to God for all His blessings.
In the merciful God,
Rev. Fr. Dr. George Dahdouh, Pastor
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
9116 Bayview Ave.,
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3M9
Office: 905/731-7210, Cell in case of Emergency: 416/937-6301
~Pastor’s Message of January 17, 2021~