Fr Luke Palumbis' Blog
We Are Here!
Today we begin events in recognition and celebration of the historic gifting of the relic of Saint Basil the Great, to Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Christian Church, in Stockton, CA. I pray that many and diverse people from around our local region make the effort to attend one, or all of these events, which offer a historic magnitude beyond familiar scale. View our schedule of events and plan your weekend with your family at Saint Basil’s!
6 Days to Go!
Did you know that the tradition of relics is rooted in the Bible? Read 2 Kings 13:21 and witness the miraculous presence of relics via the Prophet Elisha’s bones. Read Acts 19:11,12 and witness the experience of secondary relics bringing healing into the world, through the Apostle Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons! The Christian Church has maintained a witness to the experience of relics found in Holy Scripture—experience it by being a part of the Road to the Relic Events at Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Christian Church in Stockton, CA!
Next Thursday, June 11th, Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church will begin offering events in honor of the historic gifting of the relic of Saint Basil the Great, to the parish of Saint Basil, taking place on June 14th. See a schedule of events and plan your weekend around this blessed piece of living Christian history.
Unknowingly, Tiller Confirms Abortion as a Moral Issue
Dr. Tiller, a recently murdered abortion doctor, speaks in this audio clip about the process of late term abortion, initiated with the administering of a shot to kill the baby, the process of removing the dead baby, and a ‘closure process’ offered to the woman who aborted her child.
After listening to this audio clip, I could not help feeling dirty—at a level that far surpassed how I feel about any other political issue. Herein lies the point at a gut level; although it is publicized as one, abortion is not a political issue, it is a moral issue. How sad it is that politicians and special interest groups have politicized this issue, manipulating masses through moral spin to seek political gain. Current political rhetoric offers more padding to this abuse by commonly stating that there is ‘common ground between ‘pro-life’ and ‘pro-choice’ groups in that both seek to lower the number of abortions in America.’ Imagine for a moment that this was true, I feel safe in assuming that the number of abortions would significantly decrease each year, if the amount of time, effort and money dedicated to this as a political issue, were dedicated to abortion as a moral issue! Rather, non-profit and faith-based groups spend time and money helping to pick-up the pieces through counseling and support groups for mothers who aborted their children. A novel idea would be to channel the funds to these groups at the front-end of the equation, where through education and counseling, less woman would be willing to abort their children, or place themselves in positions of becoming pregnant when they are not prepared.
The third part of Tiller’s process, which offers an experience of closure to the mother who chose to abort her child, was chilling. Family pictures, snippets of hair, baptismal certificates! If any of these things were truly of value to the mother, than she would value the life of the child. Although these experiences may very well address the initial sting of a woman who emotionally and spiritually is already bankrupt, they will do nothing when somewhere down the road the sobering reality sets in that she chose to murder her child. This is a reality that is supported by any rational psychological study, thousands of abortion support groups, and faith-based leaders who all work prayerfully to lead these women on a path of healing from this horrific experience.
Tiller’s recent murder is unacceptable, and does nothing to end the practice of abortion. TIller was not the alpha and omega of abortion, he was simply a reflection of societal moral decay, which is the alpha of abortion. Yes, abortions have taken place long before these post-modern times; however, until abortion was used as a tool for political gain, it was never promoted as something healthy and a God-given right! If moral decay is the alpha, let us work to make moral restoration the omega. If you truly care about the moral issue of abortion, contact your local faith-based leader and ask how you may be involved! Spiritual children, trust me! As in many cases, the answer and the movement will not come from above in the social structure—it will be grass-roots efforts that truly address the moral issue of abortion, and reintroduce morality into the hearts and lives of people!
May our Lord have mercy upon all those who have been affected by abortion, and may He grant peace to the millions of innocent souls who have been murdered.
America in the Book of Revelation?
Ever actually read the Book of Revelation? ..or, like most, have you just heard it referred to by people who claim to have read it, and incorrectly refer to it as Revelations (note: singular vs plural)? If you are willing to read this dynamic, apocalyptic parable in Scripture, take special notice of the ‘Church in Laodicea’ and think if this reminds you of American culture—wishy-washy, unwilling to take a stand, and almost void of truth—as all has become subjective and relative to individualized standards and agendas. Beware of the current “American (and other ‘progressive’ countries) Religion,” of RELATIVISM! Relativism voids the presence of truth - the refusal to recognize truth, which exists whether one chooses to recognize it or not, is the blocking out of light (John 3:21), which is a scary prospect! Jesus Christ is the truth and the light - and it is ever apparent that He does not fit in the ‘progressive agenda,’ unless He somehow buys votes! May He have mercy on us, as our arrogance breeds our refusal to recognize that He is eternal and our society is not. Lord have mercy!
9 Days to Go!
In 9 days the Saint Basil community will begin offering events in celebration of the reception of the relic of Saint Basil the Great (June 14).
Did you know… Saint Basil’s older sister Saint Macrina, was a major inspiration in his commitment to Christ, leading him through example in a life of holiness, and the experience of communal monasticism! Without Saint Macrina, there very well may not have been a Saint Basil!
Who are you inspiring through your example of Christian pilgrimage?
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