Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

Sacred Lessons
By the Grace of God 8 October 2023
19th Sunday After Pentecost – 3rd Sunday of St Luke
Compiled, Adapted, Edited & Printed
The Widow of Nain’s Son
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 - 21 September 2023

Resurrection Gospel 7: John 20 : 1 - 10

2 Corinthians 9 : 6 – 11
Luke 7 : 11 – 16

16. 3RD SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE WIDOW OF NAIN – 8 OCTOBER 2023

 Elder Georgios, Abbot, St Grigoriou Monastery: “… We welcome the
Loving Kindness and Great Mercy of the Holy Trinity, and, in
return, offer a heart that is continuously Repenting, Thanking,
Resurrection Gospel 7 : John 20 : 1 – 10 Glorifying and crying out for our Lord. It is always seeking new
ways to express our Love and finds no repose except when it is
St Peter & St John Witness The Empty Tomb Of Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ relieved of anything and everything that is not God, so that we can
give ourselves only to God and His Christ…”
Τῇ μιᾷ τῶν Σαββάτων, Μαρία ἡ On the first day after Sabbath.
St Tikhon of Zadonsk: “… As often as we feel in our heart the
Μαγδαληνὴ ἔρχεται πρωῒ, Mary of Magdala went early,
Sweetness of Love for God, so often are we flooded with Joy. Just as
σκοτίας ἔτι οὔσης, εἰς τὸ while it was still dark, to the honey is a joy to taste, so Love for God brings Joy to our heart, for
Μνημεῖον, καὶ βλέπει τὸν λίθον Sepulchre, and saw that the we ‘…taste and see how Good God is…’” [Psalm 33:9}
ἠρμένον ἐκ τοῦ Μνημείου. stone had been rolled away from
St Nektarios of Pentapolis: “… Our Aim in life is to become Perfect
the Sepulchre. and Holy. To show ourselves to be Children of God and Inheritors
Τρέχει οὖν, καὶ ἔρχεται πρὸς Hastily, she went to Simon Peter of His Heavenly Kingdom. We should always be careful lest, for the
Σίμωνα Πέτρον, καὶ πρὸς τὸν sake of this present life, we are deprived of the future Eternal Life.
and the other Disciple, Beloved
In case, because of the carew and concerns of life, we neglect the
ἄλλον Μαθητὴν, ὃν Ἐφίλει ὁ of Jesus, and said to them: Aim of our Life. Fasting, Vigils and Prayer do not of themselves
᾿Ιησοῦς, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· “They have taken the Lord out of bring the desired Fruits, because they are not the Aim of our Life.
“Ἦραν τὸν Κύριον ἐκ τοῦ the Tomb, and we do not know They are the means whereby we achieve our Aim…”
Μνημείου, καὶ οὐκ οἴδαμεν ποῦ where they have laid Him!” Archimandrite Georgios, Abbot, St Gregoriou Monastery: “…Worship
ἔθηκαν Αὐτόν!” is not restricted to certain times and places for Prayer – Matins,
Ἐξῆλθεν οὖν ὁ Πέτρος καὶ ὁ ἄλλος Vespers, Divine Liturgy, etc. The particular times for Prayers are a
Going out, Peter and the other
starting point, from which our soul sets out to Transform the whole
Μαθητὴς, καὶ ἤρχοντο εἰς τὸ Disciple, both hastened to the of our Life into Worship of God and Communion with Him…”
Μνημεῖον. Sepulchre.
Monk Moses of Mount Athos: “… The centre of the Christian Message
Ἔτρεχον δὲ οἱ δύο ὁμοῦ· καὶ ὁ They hurried together, and the and the centre of Divine Worship is our Lord’s Resurrection. The
ἄλλος Μαθητὴς προέδραμε other Disciple outran Peter and Message and Worship of His Holy Church are Testimony to the
τάχιον τοῦ Πέτρου, καὶ ἦλθε got to the Tomb first.
Resurrection. Orthodoxy is not an ‘ideological system’ but a Divine
πρῶτος εἰς τὸ Μνημεῖον, Message concerning Events, Experiences and Joyful Truths…”

Kαὶ παρακύψας, βλέπει κείμενα τὰ And, stooping down, he looked in St Cyril of Jerusalem: “…sin is not an enemy that attacks us from
without. It is an evil that sprouts and grows within us. ‘Look with
ὀθόνια· οὐ μέντοι εἰσῆλθεν. and saw the linen cloths lying
Prudence…’ and we shall not feel any vile desire. Remember the
there, but he did not enter. coming Judgement and we shall never be overcome by fornication,
Ἔρχεται οὖν Σίμων Πέτρος Simon Peter arrived after him, and adultery envy or any other iniquity. But if we forget God then we
shall immediately begin to have wicked thought and act
ἀκολουθῶν αὐτῷ, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν went into the Sepulchre.
iniquitously!”
εἰς τὸ Μνημεῖον.
Elder Hieronymos of Aegina: “…Love Prayer. There was someone
Kαὶ θεωρεῖ τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα. And lying there were the linen who prayed all night. The words of the Prayer cam to him one
cloths. after the other, with no difficulty…”
Kαὶ τὸ Σουδάριον, ὃ ἦν ἐπὶ τῆς And the Soudarion that had been Elder Joseph Vatopaidinos: “… Some people can talk about their sins
Κεφαλῆς Αὐτοῦ, οὐ μετὰ τῶν wrapped around His Head, was and be proud, while others can talk about their Virtues and be
ὀθονίων κείμενον, ἀλλὰ not lying with the linen cloths, Humble. We should be Humble, but not falsely so. False Humility is
ἐντετυλιγμένον εἰς ἕνα τόπον. a trap of the devil that bring despair and inertia, whereas real
but folded in one place.
Humility bring Hope and the observation of Christ’s Commands.
Τότε οὖν εἰσῆλθε καὶ ὁ ἄλλος Then the other Disciple, who had Nobody becomes a Christian through idleness. It needs a lot of
Μαθητὴς ὁ ἐλθὼν πρῶτος εἰς τὸ arrived first, also went into the work.

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 Μνημεῖον, καὶ εἶδε, καὶ Sepulchre, and saw, and
Ἐπίστευσεν· Believed.

The Divinely Inspired Wisdom of our Holy Fathers Οὐδέπω γὰρ ᾔδεισαν τὴν Γραφὴν For as yet they did not know the
ὅτι δεῖ Αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν Scriptures - that He must Rise
St Dimitri of Rostov: “… Pride is a monster with many heads that Ἀναστῆναι. again from the dead.
secrete in its entrails all the passions and all the wickedness. It is
pride that begets anger, judgemetalism, malice, hypocrisy, Ἀπῆλθον οὖν πάλιν πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς Then to their own homes the
callousness, blasphemy, belittlement and denigration of others, οἱ Μαθηταί. .Disciples returned.
stubbonness, bluster and disobedience to God’s Laws. Indeed, in the
end, it leads to total lack of Belief, an alliance with the demons and
derangement…”  “On the first day after Sabbath. Mary of Magdala went early,
Monk Moses of Mount Athos: “… we know full well that we shall die while it was still dark, to the Sepulchre, and saw that the stone
one day. Yet we live and function and think as if we are immortal had been rolled away from the Sepulchre…”
here on Earth! We do not want to bring our bind to bear on Death • The first day after Sabbath is Sunday - the first day of the week.
at all. One of the rarest dreams we have while we are asleep is to Sunday is “The Lord’s Day” because it is dedicated to the Glorious
see ourselves dead. We all have a biological expiry date! Of course, Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ – “The Living Monument” of
we were not created to die. Death came into our world after sin…” our New Covenant Faith according to St Athanasios.
On Sunday we rest from all unnecessary, mundane labours in order
St Porphyrios Kavsoklyvitis: “… Enjoy everything around us. It all to gather together in communal Prayer and Worship, which
teaches us and leads us to God. All the things around us are nurtures, prepares and strengthens us for the week. Labours of
droplets of God’s infinite Love. Animate and inanimate, plants and Love – Acts of Kindness and Compassion - ought to be fulfilled
animals, birds and mountains, sea and sunsets, as well as the starry whereby we express our Love for God and our fellow mankind.
nights. These are little Loves, through which we reach the Great Sunday, which begins at sunset on Saturday, is by no means the New
Love – our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.” Covenant “Sabbath” because the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus
Christ transformed time, marking Sunday as both the first day of
Elder Ephraim Vatopaidinos: “… According to St Gregory the
the week - symbolising the first day of Creation - and “the Eighth
Theologian, even the opponent – the enemy – admires Virtue.
Day” - the beginning of Eternity when the General Resurrection
Those who are Virtuous in practise and not merely pontificators or
and Final Judgement shall occur.
moralizers are impressive in their demeanour and integrity and
Saturday is the Old Covenant Sabbath Day of rest. It is the New
inspire other to imitate them…”
Covenant Memorial Day when we commemorate our beloved
St Nektarios of Pentapolis & Aegina: “… Adorn your Lamps with Reposed Brethren in Christ during the Holy Services, and keeping
Virtues. Strive to expel the grievous passion of the soul. Cleanse our own eventual Repose in mind, we prepare ourselves
your heart of all defilement and keep it Pure, so that the Lord can physically and spiritually for the Holy Mystery of
come and Dwell within you, and that the Holy Spirit can inundate Communion/Eucharist by Fasting, Self-examination, Repentance
you with Divine Gifts. Let this be the whole of your concern and and Prayer.
occupation. Let this be your Aim and ceaseless Desire. Pray to God Since so few attend the Saturday Holy Services, the Trisagion for the
for It. Reposed usually is held immediately after the completion of the
Sunday Divine Liturgy.
St John Chrysostom: “…Just as those who do not feel any burden on • St Mary of Magdala was a mature, pious and independently wealthy
their conscience should come to Holy Communion every day, so woman who became a close companion of our Lady and the other
those who ae laden down with sins, and have not Repented should Faithful Disciples of Christ.
not Partake even at a Feast. So I am asking you all again: Do not Because she was profoundly Faithful to the Old Covenant, the evil
come to the Holy Mysteries unprepared and just because the Feast one had mistaken her for the Mother of the anticipated Great
calls for it. If you decide to participate in the Divine Liturgy and to Messiah, and had possessed her with seven demonic spirits, that
Partake of Holy Eucharist, Cleanse yourselves thoroughly, days were exorcised by Christ.
beforehand, with Repentance, Prayer, Almsgiving and concern for Being older and more courageous than the other Disciples, she seems
Spiritual Matters…” to have acted as their spokesman.

14. 3RD SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE WIDOW OF NAIN – 8 OCTOBER 2023 3RD SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE WIDOW OF NAIN – 8 OCTOBER 2023 3.
 Magdala was an ancient Judean city on the shore of the Sea of 3. St Lazaros of Bethany, who had been dead for four days and
Galilee, 3 miles north of Tiberias. whose body had already begun to decompose. [John 11: 1 – 44]
.

 “…Hastily, she went to Simon Peter and the other Disciple, • These three deaths and [temporary] Resurrections from the dead,
Beloved of Jesus, and said to them: “They have taken the Lord out confirmed the Divine Promise given to St Ezekiel, the Holy
of the Tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him!” Prophet of God, that our Lord God would open the
graves/tombs and raise/Resurrect all those who had died.
• Although St John did not mention the other seven Holy Myrrh- [Ezekiel 37: 1 – 14]
bearers, including our Lady, Theotokos, St Mary Magdalene’s use
of the word “we” indicated that they had also been present and • Many people have exercised authority over the living but only the
had witnessed the opened, Empty Tomb and heard the Glorious Divine Son of God – our Lord Jesus Christ – “… has Power over
Annunciation of the Angel that Christ is Risen. both the Living and the Dead…” [Orthodox Funeral Service]
• Being shocked and confused by their Extraordinary Experience, the • While our Lord Jesu Christ has Divine Power and Authority
Holy Myrrhbearers could not fully perceive the Glorious Tidings through His Word alone, in the account of the Widow of Nain’s
of the Holy Angel of God, nor comprehend everything they had son, He touched the bier/coffin to show that His entire
seen. Incarnate Body is Life-giving.
 “…Peter and the other Disciple… hastened to the Sepulchre… • This Miraculous Even also prefigured our Lord Jesus Christ’s own
the other Disciple outran Peter and got to the Tomb first… Glorious Resurrection.
stooping down, he looked in and saw the linen cloths … but he • According to St Ambrose of Milan: “Just as our Ever Blessed Lady,
did not enter. Simon Peter arrived after him, and went into Theotokos, would weep for our Lord Jesus Christ at the Cross,
the Sepulchre…”. Her tears would be turned to Joy by His Resurrection, here, too,
• The “Beloved Disciple” was St John the Evangelist and Apostle, who the Widow of Nain’s only son was Raised from the dead, thereby
grew up close to our Lord Jesus Christ to Whom he was utterly putting an end to her weeping…”
devoted. He was younger than St Simon Peter so he arrived at the  Fear seized them all, and they Glorified God, saying: “A Great
Tomb before him. Prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has Visited His People!”
• However, either out of awe or fear, or respect for Judaic Law, he did • “…fear seized… the people who witnessed the dead man, who was
not enter the Tomb initially. But the Wonder and Joy of our about to be buried, being brought back to life, which is an
Lord’s Resurrection made him brave enough to enter as a fourth understandable reaction to such a Divine Miracle.
Witness of Almighty God’s Divine Truth.
• However, perhaps others were also fearful because of how they
• St Peter, true to his impulsive character, boldly entered the Tomb, had treated the Widow of Nain after the death of her son.
and saw the abandoned shroud and burial cloths.
• Those who realised that only God has Power over life and death,
• After Christ’s Resurrection in His human Nature, His burial shroud “… Glorified God…” by exclaiming: “…’A Great Prophet has
and wrappings would never be needed again. arisen among us!’ and ‘God has Visited His People!’…”
• This was unlike St Lazaros who emerged from his tomb with his • Some of them might have realised that our Lord Jesus Christ was a
burial wrappings intact after being four days dead and beginning most Extraordinary and Unique ‘Holy Prophet of God’ while
to decompose, thereby indicating that he would eventually others may have acknowledged Him as being the long-awaited
Repose again before being Resurrected into Eternal Life. Divine Messiah/Saviour.
• As St St Gregory Palamas pointed out, the hardened “shell” of the • No matter how the people reacted to what had occurred right
Funeral Wrappings of Christ, were left like an ‘empty cocoon’, before them, they certainly must have comprehended that our
because “100 pounds of Aloe” combined with the linen strips Lord Jesus Christ was Someone of extreme and extraordinary
would have hardened in no time into a solid “casket” making it importance.
impossible to remove Christ’s Body without damaging them.
• Unfortunately, this only made His enemies all the more
• Mysteriously, the Face Cloth that was always placed over the face of a determined to slander and destroy Him and His Faithful
corpse before being wrapped with treated linen strips, was neatly Disciples.
folded and placed to one side.
• It would be humanly impossible to remove the Facecloth or
Soudarion without tearing the Burial Cloths apart.

4. 3RD SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE WIDOW OF NAIN – 8 OCTOBER 2023 3RD SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE WIDOW OF NAIN – 8 OCTOBER 2023 13.
 • Our Lord Jesus instantly knowing her entire circumstances, “… • Furthermore, the fact that the Cloth was neatly folded and laid to
had Compassion for her…” one side of the burial shelf, clearly indicates a Great Divine
• He “…said to her: ‘Do not weep’…” because He was about to Mystery or Miracle had occurred.
change her tears of utter bereavement and loss to Great Joy, as • This obviously indicated that our Lord Jesus’ Body was Truly
only our Lord God can do, even when everything overwhelms Resurrected and not stolen by grave-robbers, nor anyone else, as
and defeats us. St Mary Magdalene had at first thought.
 “…And he went and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still.
T H E H OLY M ANDY L ION – “N OT M ADE BY H AND S ”
And He said: “Young man, I say to thee, arise!” And the dead
The negative photographic Image of Our Lord’s
man sat up and began to speak. And He gave him to his Face is imprinted upon the inner Face Cloth
mother…” (and the Shroud,)
• Our Lord Jesus Christ “… touched the bier, and the bearers stood The image of our crucified Lord’s Face is known as
“the Mandelion,’ and is sometimes depicted
still…” which shows the powerful effect of a Divine Encounter upon the Iconostasis above the Royal Gates,
with our Lord God Whose very Presence changes everything with two Angels holding It aloft.
from bad, sorrowful and threatening, to Great Joy, Love and It was the first Holy Icon of our Lord Jesus
Peace. Christ and innumerable copies of it are
entitled “Not Made By Hands.”
• Our Lord Jesus spoke directly to Widow’s Son: “…’Young man, I Faith in Christ’s Resurrection began to take hold in
say to thee, arise!’…” and immediately he “… sat up and began the Disciples’ hearts when they saw the Empty
to speak…” having been fully Restored to life – unharmed and Tomb and the mysteriously abandoned, empty
completely Healed from whatever had afflicted him and caused burial wrappings – and no doubt, the negative
image of our Lord upon the Face Cloth and
his death.
Shroud.
• Our Lord Jesus Christ is truly our Divine Creator and Saviour, Who The 14 foot long Shroud of Christ and His Holy
Loves us and hast such Great Compassion and Mercy for us. Facecloth or Napkin was preserved by the Holy
Eastern Orthodox Church in Constantinople, having been transferred from Jerusalem to
• That infinite Divine Love of God Delivers us time and again Edessa and then to Constantinople.
throughout our lifespan – every day - which all too often, we We commemorate the Translations of these most precious Holy Relics at least twice a
take for granted, we forget, or we fail to offer our sincere year.
gratitude at the end of each day. (The western churches erroneously refers to them as “The Veronica” and “The Shroud
of Turin.”)
• In all our Holy Services at Church, we are reminded of how much
we depend on God, simply to survive each day of our short
lifespan. This is the reason for our Communal Worship, in St Simon Peter and St John the Beloved Disciple, Holy Apostles of Christ – saw the
which we must all participate. Face Cloth or Soudarion (also referred to as the Holy Mandylion or Holy Napkin)
• Once again, as He had done when her son had been born, our upon which was imprinted a Miraculous and Mysterious Image of our Resurrected
Lord’s Face. It had covered our Lord’s Face prior to being encased by the burial
Lord God “…gave him to his mother…” and she Joyfully wrappings, which were then hardened and preserved by 100 pounds of bitter aloes!
received her beloved child, who was safely Delivered – alive and In fact it is a clear, negative photographic Image that His Apostles and His Disciples
well - by the Loving Grace and Mercy of our Lord God. immediately recognised!
The Face Cloth had been left neatly folded and placed to one side on the ledge upon
• Only God know whether or not to Deliver our Beloved family and which the Precious Body of our Lord had been laid, while the hardened, protective
friends from Death. And certainly, those of us who have tasted shell-like grave cloths and long fine linen Shroud lay where tbey had fallen off our
Death, are forever Transformed by our Experience, and Risen Saviour Who would never again need them, having been Eternally
especially by our close Encounter with our Most Loving and Resurrected.
Benevolent Lord God. Hebrew custom forbade the removal of anything from tombs, yet these abandoned
burial cloths were so extraordinary that the Apostles took them away with them.
• This Miraculous Event was one of three that were recorded in the The King of Edessa, Abgar, suffered from a devastating disease and, having heard of
Holy Gospels, although there were many more that were never the great Powers and Teachings of Christ, had sent a messenger to Jerusalem to
mentioned: find Him and beg Him to go to Edessa to heal him.
However, Christ’s Great Passion and Glorious Resurrection had occurred.
1. The daughter of Jairus, who had died a very short while before
Some time later, His Holy Apostles took the Miraculous Holy Shroud to Edessa, since it
Christ arrived at their home. [Mark 5:21 -43; Matthew 9 : 18- proved to have Life-giving and Healing Power, having been Sanctifed by contact
26; Luke 8:41-56] with the Divine Body and Blood of our Lord God.
2. The Widow of Nain’s son, who had died a few hours before. [Luke
7:11 – 15]
12. 3 R D
SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE WIDOW OF NAIN – 8 OCTOBER 2023 3RD SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE WIDOW OF NAIN – 8 OCTOBER 2023 5.
 The fourteen foot long Shroud was folded in such a manner that only the Face of Since his Holy Gospel was written for the Gentile Disciples of Christ, he
Christ was seen. It was wrapped in the most expensive material made for King emphasised more than the other Evangelists the great challenges of their
Abgar, with a circular hole exposing the Face of Christ. Sacred Mission and Evangelisation of the known world.
Later, when copies were made by initial Iconographers, the circle, the pattern of the St Luke described the Salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ as being “… a Light to
surrounding material, the folds of the Shroud and various other details were bring [Divine] Revelation to the Gentiles…” and noted at the end of his Holy
depicted, some of which have been continued by Orthodox Iconographers Gospel, our Resurrected Lord Jesus’ Instructions to all His Faithful Disciples
throughout the ages. to Preach Repentance and Forgiveness of sins “… to all Nations…” [Luke 2:32 &
The Eastern Orthodox Church has at least two Feast Days commemorating the Holy 24:47]
Shroud and Mandylion of Christ – concerning its return to Jerusalem from Edessa
and its transfer to Constantinople.
During the devastating destruction and pillaging of Constantinople by the ungodly  At that time, our Lord Jesus went to a city called ‘Nain.’ And His
Fourth Crusaders the Mandylion and Shroud were stolen and re-appeared centuries Disciples and a great multitude went with Him.
later in Turin, Italy.
Prior to the destruction of Constantinople, the Shroud was elevated and shown to the • “… a city called ‘Nain’…” was located 8 miles/12.87 kilometres
Faithful on every Friday in the magnificent Agia Sophia Cathedral. South East of Nazareth, in lower Galilee. It was 25 miles/40
Both Holy Relics were well known to all Faithful Orthodox Christians throughout the kilometres from Capernaum. It was named ‘Nain,’ referring to
centuries and Holy Icons of Christ – copies of these Divine Images – are entitled: its beauty and pleasantness for it was situated on a site that
“Not Made By Hands” - “The Holy Napkin” or “The Mandylion”
had an extensive view across the plains to Carmel, over the
Nazareth hills and past Tabor where the white, snow-covered
peaks of Mount Hermon glistened in the sunlight. To the South
are the heights of Gilboa, and Samaria.
• “…His Disciples and a great multitude…” had accompanied our
Lord Jesus as they walked to Nain from Capernaum.
• His Disciples and several of their family members always followed
our Lord to wherever He went, and along the way, inevitably
others joined them to listen to the Words of our Divine Saviour.
• Due to the many dangers that often lurked along the roads, people
usually travelled together.
 As He drew near to the gate of the city, behold! A man who had
died was being carried out – the only son of his mother, and she
was a widow - and a large crowd from the city was with her.
According to the Old Covenant Laws, those who had died were to
The Second Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians 9 : 6 – 11 •
be buried before sunset on the day of their death.
Ἀδελφοί, ὁ σπείρων φειδομένως, Brethren, he who sows sparingly • Widows and orphans who had no male relative to protect and take
care of them, were usually evicted from their homes, and left
φειδομένως καὶ θερίσει, καὶ ὁ shall also reap sparingly, and he
utterly destitute and homeless.
σπείρων ἐπʼ εὐλογίαις ἐπʼ who sows bountifully shall also
• St Luke pointed out that the “… man who had died…” was “… the
εὐλογίαις καὶ θερίσει. reap bountifully. only son of his mother, and she was a widow…” which meant
Ἕκαστος καθὼς προαιρεῖται τῇ Each one must do as he intends to that she would have been cast out of her house immediately
καρδίᾳ, μὴ ἐκ λύπης ἢ ἐξ after the burial of her only male relative.
do, not reluctantly nor under
ἀνάγκης· ἱλαρὸν γὰρ δότην compulsion, for a cheerful giver • On the very same day that she lost her beloved child, she also lost
everything they had possessed.
Ἀγαπᾷ ὁ Θεός. God Loves.
• “… a large crowd… was with her…” some of whom may have
Δυνατὸς δὲ ὁ Θεὸς πᾶσαν Χάριν God is able to provide you with mourned the death of the widow’s son, and felt great sympathy
περισσεῦσαι εἰς ὑμᾶς, ἵνα ἐν every Blessing in abundance, so for the widow, but most of whom were there to ensure that she
παντὶ πάντοτε πᾶσαν that you may always have could not return to their family property.
αὐτάρκειαν ἔχοντες περισσεύητε enough of everything and may  And when our Lord saw her, he had Compassion for her and said
εἰς πᾶν Ἔργον Ἀγαθόν, provide in abundance for every to her: “Do not weep.”

6. 3RD SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE WIDOW OF NAIN – 8 OCTOBER 2023 3RD SUNDAY OF ST LUKE – THE WIDOW OF NAIN – 8 OCTOBER 2023 11.
 Good Work.
Καθὼς γέγραπται· ‘’Εσκόρπισεν, As it is written: ‘He scatters
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke 7 : 11 – 16 ἔδωκε τοῖς πένησιν, ἡ abroad. He gives to the poor.
Δικαιοσύνη Αὐτοῦ μένει εἰς τὸν His Righteousness endures
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐπορεύετο ὁ At that time, our Lord Jesus went αἰῶνα.’ forever.’
Ἰησοῦς εἰς πόλιν καλουμένην to a city called ‘Nain.’ Ὁ δὲ ἐπιχορηγῶν σπέρμα τῷ He Who supplies seed to the sower
Ναΐν· σπείροντι καὶ ἄρτον εἰς βρῶσιν and bread for food shall supply
Καὶ συνεπορεύοντο αὐτῷ οἱ And His Disciples and a great χορηγήσαι καὶ πληθύναι τὸν and multiply your resources and
Μαθηταὶ Αὐτοῦ ἱκανοὶ καὶ multitude went with Him. σπόρον ὑμῶν καὶ αὐξήσει τὰ increase the Harvest of your
ὄχλος πολύς. γενήματα τῆς Δικαιοσύνης Righteousness.
ὑμῶν·
Ὡς δὲ ἤγγισε τῇ πύλῃ τῆς πόλεως, As He drew near to the gate of the
καὶ ἰδοὺ! Ἐξεκομίζετο τεθνηκὼς city, behold! A man who had Ἐν παντὶ πλουτιζόμενοι εἰς πᾶσαν You shall be Enriched in every way
υἱὸς μονογενὴς τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ, died was being carried out – the ἁπλότητα, ἥτις κατεργάζεται διʼ for great generosity, which,
καὶ αὕτη ἦν χήρα, καὶ ὄχλος τῆς only son of his mother, and she ἡμῶν Εὐχαριστίαν τῷ Θεῷ. through us, shall produce
πόλεως ἱκανὸς ἦν σὺν αὐτῇ. was a widow, and a large crowd Thanksgiving to God.
from the city was with her.
Καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὴν Ὁ Κύριος And when our Lord saw her, he had  “…he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who
Ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπʼ αὐτῇ καὶ Compassion for her and said to sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully…”
εἶπεν αὐτῇ· “Μὴ κλαῖε·” her: “Do not weep.” • This is St Paul’s landmark teaching on the Sacred Stewardship of
all Faithful Disciples of Christ.
Καὶ προσελθὼν ἥψατο τῆς σοροῦ, And he went and touched the bier,
οἱ δὲ βαστάζοντες ἔστησαν, • The metaphor concerns sowing Spiritual Seeds, which takes more
and the bearers stood still.
effort and understanding, and has a longer lasting effect, and
Καὶ εἶπε· “Νεανίσκε, Σοὶ λέγω, And He said: “Young man, I say to far greater Benefit to all concerned, rather than simply
ἐγέρθητι.” thee, arise!” donating financial aid to the needy,
Καὶ ἀνεκάθισεν ὁ νεκρὸς καὶ And the dead man sat up and • The Spiritual Seed that we must all sow, comes from God Himself.
ἤρξατο λαλεῖν, began to speak.
• When we take the time to share our Spiritual Knowledge and Faith
with others, we, too, receive great Blessings from God.
Καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὸν τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ. And He gave him to his mother. • Although it is easier to give money to the needy, the donations of
Ἔλαβε δὲ φόβος πάντας, καὶ Fear seized them all, and they worldly wealth and possessions are temporary and corruptible
because they are unbeneficial to our Eternal Salvation.
Ἐδόξαζον τὸν Θεόν, λέγοντες Glorified God, saying: “A Great
“Ὄτι Προφήτης μέγας ἠγήγερται • St Paul referred to the need for constant Spiritual Labours –
Prophet has arisen among us!”
planting Spiritual Seeds that must be constantly cultivated and
ἐν ἡμῖν!” καὶ “Ὄτι ἐπεσκέψατο ὁ and “God has Visited His People!” steadfastly nurtured in order to become a Bountiful Harvest for
Θεὸς τὸν Λαὸν Αὐτοῦ!” our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom of Love.
St Luke was a Gentile Physician of Antioch and after his Conversion accompanied  “…Each one must do as he intends to do, not reluctantly nor
St Paul as he travelled along the coast of Asia Minor on his way to Jerusalem. under compulsion, for a cheerful giver God Loves.”
In his preface to his Holy Gospel, St Luke indicated that he had received his
knowledge from various other written sources, although some scholars • We must act with good intentions if we are to fulfil the Will of our
believed St Luke had used St Mark as a source of his knowledge. Heavenly Father.
The Holy Gospel According to St Luke was written circa 70 – 80 either in Greece • Whatever we do for others must be wholeheartedly, sincerely and
or in Asia Minor. St Luke is regarded as an ‘historian’ because he dated
with every effort, for thereby we share our abundant Blessings
Biblical Events by referencing secular history.
that we have received from God.

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 • When we are motivated by genuine Compassion and Love for • Everything that is impoverished, needy, afflicted, difficult and
others, we become “… cheerful givers…” whom God Loves and sorrowful test and measure our Love for God and for our
shall Bless even more abundantly. fellow mankind.
• However, if we do Good Deeds “… reluctantly or under • These also are meant to Strengthen our Immortal soul, so that by
compulsion…” our efforts become merely empty gestures that controlling the selfish demands and desires of our flesh by
have no mutual Benefit. applying Christ’s Teachings to our thoughts, words and deeds,
• When we do anything with a lack of enthusiasm or as cheaply as we can regain our Divine Likeness.
possible - in a begrudging or miserly manner - or for  “…He Who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food shall
vainglory, we shall miss out on the great Joy of giving supply and multiply your resources and increase the Harvest of
generously with a warm and loving heart that is returned ‘a your Righteousness. You shall be Enriched in every way for
hundredfold’ in many different ways. great generosity, which, through us, shall produce Thanksgiving
 “…God is able to provide you with every Blessing in abundance, so to God…”
that you may always have enough of everything and may • The more generously we give to others – time, effort and resources
provide in abundance for every Good Work…” – the more abundantly are we Blessed by the Lord our God.
• Throughout our lifespan, God always provides us with every • Everything we do is motivated from within us, thus revealing our
necessity to sustain us. true Spiritual Condition, which shall either Bless us abundantly
• Our Lord Jesus told us that “…the poor shall always be with us…” – “… increase the Harvest of [our] Righteousness…” - or
because we are constantly tested and measured according to eventually Condemn us.
our Love, Mercy and Compassion for them. • We have no excuse for failing to fulfil the Divine Will of our
• During the Holy Mystery of Betrothal and Marriage, Prayers for the Heavenly Father, because He “… shall supply and multiply [our]
Bridal Couple, include Entreaties for God’s Great Mercy to resources…” as generously as we provide assistance to others.
provide them with Abundant Blessings so that they can share • When we are Blessed with more than we actually need, we are
them with others, especially those who are impoverished or in expected to share it with those who need assistance, for we “…
need of assistance. shall be Enriched in every way for [our] great generosity…”
• No matter how much or how little we have, we are always able to • Attendance at the Divine Liturgies are also necessary for us all so
share our Blessings with others. that being gathered together- at least once a week - we can
• To fulfil the Divine Commandment concerning Good Works, we offer our Communal Worship, Praise, Thanksgiving, Honour
must be eager and willing to spend time and every effort to do and Glory to our Triune God, Who bestows these infinite
so. Blessing upon us all, even though we are such habitual and
 As it is written: ‘He disperses abroad. He gives to the poor. His ungrateful sinners.
Righteousness endures forever.’ [Psalm 111/112:9] • “…through us, shall produce Thanksgiving to God…” refers to the
• “… He disperses abroad…” refers to our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Apostles of Christ and their worthy successors
Holy, Universal Church. throughout the ages, who have taught us, guided us and led us
according to the Divine Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ, for
• Christ our Lord has granted the Divine Gift of His Righteousness which we are all Eternally Grateful – particularly when we really
to His Church – to all His Faithful Disciples, whom He has begin to comprehend the magnificence of our True Faith and
taught how to Live according to His own Perfect Life and the incalculable Spiritual Heritage we have been granted.
Righteousness.
• We “… put on Christ…” when we are Baptised and Chrismated, like
a “…Garment of Righteousness…” and then for the rest of our
short, preparatory lifespan, we Struggle and Strive ceaselessly
to “… Live in Christ…” in order to become worthy Children of
our Heavenly Father, Righteous Citizens and Co-Heirs of His
Eternal, Heavenly Kingdom of Love.
• We are all Spiritually Impoverished, but become Enriched with our
Lord’s Love, Truth and Great Mercy, which is indeed Priceless!

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