Day 24

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night; for it is written, ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter declared to him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the Disciples. Matthew 26:30-35 (From the Gospel of the Vesperal Liturgy on Holy Thursday Morning)

Much is being said about what is taking place in Orthodox churches all over the world in the midst of the current pandemic. From blog posts to Facebook posts, people are praising or condemning the Churches decision to ask the faithful to remain home so that the risk of spreading this virus is minimized.

As I read today’s scripture passage, I couldn’t help but think about many of these things that I have read over the last week or so. The most vehement have argued that the Church is either denying God, or is capitulating to society. They argue that the live streaming of services and the virtual classes and Church Schools are not the same.

And you know what? They are right!

But we must understand something else as well. While a streaming service is not the same as being in Church, it most certainly can be as powerful, meaningful and spiritually beneficial.

The real danger that we must face right now is, in a fashion, the same danger the Disciples faced in the scripture passage above. Things have changed for us, just as things were about to change for the Disciples. Christ tells them that they are going to fall away because of Him that night. They all denied that it would happen, Peter most of all. But it did happen.

As we navigate our way through this pandemic and the restrictions that are placed on us, how are we going to respond?

Following the directives of health professionals and political leaders to minimize the spread of disease is certainly not falling away. I read an online post this morning about a time in the history of the Church when all public Churches were ordered closed, to try and destroy Christianity. As the leader who ordered the closure walked through the streets, he heard singing, Church singing, coming from all the houses. He lamented and said that by closing a Church in each neighborhood, he had created a Church in every home.

This is the challenge that is before us right now: to create a Church in our homes. As the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy is streamed live this evening from our parish and so many others, you have the opportunity to “go to Church”. You have the opportunity to worship with each other, not only with our parish family, but with people from all over the world. It is an amazing and powerful witness.

Today’s scripture passage makes mention of Peter and the cock crowing. As a Priest, every time I read that passage of scripture at the service of the Passion Gospels on Holy Thursday, I get goose bumps. Why, because I feel convicted by that passage. I think back on how many times the cock has crowed for me.

Tonight you have an opportunity to witness to your faith, to what you believe. Turn off the television, stop binge watching that show. Gather around your computer or device and worship. You don’t need a service book to worship. If you regularly come to Pre-Sanctified, you know the service well enough…sing along. If this is your first time, simply pray and listen to the beautiful prayers and chants of this Liturgy.

Tonight, let your home be your Church!

In Christ

Fr. David