The Bible tells us that we can expect to live between 70 to 80 years (Psalm 90:10), which isn’t far off for the current average life expectancy in the United States of almost 79 years.  While that may sound like a long time, considering that you will be dead much longer than you will be alive, the time we spend alive on earth is extremely short.  And this is one of the important points of today’s parable that Jesus is trying to drive home.  For as the rich man is sitting back comfortable in the thought that he will spend a long time enjoying his riches, the Lord declares: “’Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’” (v. 20). Then all the rich man’s hopes, and dreams of an early comfortable retirement will come to an abrupt end—quite literally overnight.

“…We are offered these reminders and opportunities during Advent, not because they are “things that Father wants to add to my already full plate…”, but because re-establishing that relationship with God is what the Church is!  This is a place for all of us to learn how to fast, to learn how to transform ourselves, and to learn how to pray and come into the Divine Presence.”

This homily was given by Fr. Gabriel during the Baptismal Divine Liturgy of a very special little 6 year old named Eliana, who despite her struggles with cerebral palsy, has faithfully been showing others what an authentic love for Christ and His Church looks like.

This same power and miracle is available to us here today! Regardless of how we individually have lived our lives in the past, how many times we have missed the mark, how often we have spent our lives in darkness…we are reminded today that all it takes is one moment, one Divine Liturgy, one word from THE Word, to penetrate the soil of our existence, so that we can bear Divine Fruit to others.  

As Orthodox Christians, there is no greater gift that we can give to our children than the experience of the Faith and of Christ. Regular participation in the Divine Services, whether we think that they are paying attention or not, is an absolute necessity! I cringe when I think of the world that our children are growing up into, which seems to become more backwards as the weeks go by!