Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Last week in the Gospel reading we heard how important, how essential it is to firstly serve Christ and only afterwards to think about our worldly cares. The person who lives in such a manner will never be abandoned by God, as Christ Himself told us last Sunday. But is this all possible?

The spiritual meaning of today’s Gospel reading is closely tied to last week’s. At first glance, it may seem that nothing of much interest or importance happens in this reading. Christ calls His disciples and they follow Him.

St. John Chrysostom points to the great faith that these four apostles had (the brothers Andrew and Peter, and the other pair of brothers, James and John the sons of Zebedee). Although they had some knowledge of Jesus and had heard the witness of John the Baptist concerning Him, they were not as yet His permanent disciples (you can read about these first encounters in John 2: 35-42). Andrew and Peter had spent some time with Christ, but afterwards returned to their boat and their nets. James and John had only heard of Him. At that moment not much was known about Jesus, but despite this, the apostles left everything – their boats, their worn-out nets, their aged father – and followed Christ, becoming His constant companions, students and friends. They placed Christ above their work, their property and their parents. In such a way, today’s Gospel answers the question: is it truly possible to leave everything and follow Christ? The apostles answer with their action: yes!

Take note how calmly and softly Christ calls His disciples. He doesn’t force, or coerce; He doesn’t perform miracles, doesn’t even teach all that much. The apostles first came, but then left and Christ does nothing to stop them. Some time passes and He calls them again, but this time they bind themselves to Him. He in no way tramples on their free choice, their free will, but waits for them to surrender themselves to Him. John Chrysostom says, "This is the best method of fishing."

Today we also mark an interesting feastday – the feastday of all Russian saints. This day was instituted in the not-so-distant year 1918. The reason for the institution of this feastday was not simply to glorify and honour all the Russian saints, but to unify and join together the Russian people around their Church and their common spiritual heritage. It goes without saying that in the difficult days of the revolution and civil war, when Russian Orthodox people were divided against each other, it was necessary for the Church to remind everyone that they are brothers and sisters in Christ. Unfortunately, unity and peace in Christ were not found and all the peoples of the former Russian Empire and the Russian Church suffered great misfortunes.

Dear brothers and sisters, let’s strive to emulate the faith and zeal of the holy apostles and all the Russian saints. Let’s place Christ first in our lives. Let’s not forget that, like the apostles, we are called to witness to the crucified and resurrected Christ and in such a way to spread our faith. How many of our relatives and friends have left the Church or as have not yet felt the warmth of our Saviour? How we would like to bring them into our Church family, but all of our efforts only annoy them. Let’s remember the words of Chrysostom that the best way to fish is the calm and soft method. Let’s speak and teach less. Let’s not show our piety and righteousness so obviously. Perhaps in such a manner we will finally fill our nets with human souls and bring them into the ship of the Church.

priest Alexis