On the seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Matthew Howell preaches during a power outage and tells another story from the road trip his family took earlier in the summer. He shares about how his family spontaneously stopped at Dunkley Lumber mill in British Columbia, Canada and received hospitality as if they were part of the company’s family. He poses the question, “Why did we receive better hospitality from a lumber mill than we did from some parishes?” He claims that people come to Orthodox churches for many reasons, but most stay because of the relationships they form when they get there. He uses Romans 15:7 as an anchor to talk about how we can be more welcoming to guests who come to the Orthodox Church, tells a horror story about how someone left the parish ten years ago because nobody would talk to him, and shares other examples of hospitality from St. John the Merciful OCA Mission in Kissimmee, Florida.
Romans 15:1-7
Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Matthew 9:27-35
At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, “See that no one knows it.” But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.