From the Parish Priest – Fr. Romey Rosco
In the coal mines of Pennsylvania, mules were used underground to pull the heavy cars to the elevator. These animals lived most of their lives in the darkness of those mines. But on Sunday mornings, those mules were led out into the sunlight so that they would not go blind in the darkness below.
Is this not true of man also? If he does not take his eyes off the ground and raise them up to heaven regularly (at least once a week), his soul will become blinded to God’s will, and he will lose his spiritual usefulness.
By virtue of Divine authority, we Christians are obliged to cease our work and recreation and attend the Church services on Sunday to worship God so that He may refresh and inspire us. Why Sunday? Because this is the Lord’s Day. On this day our Lord rose from the dead. It is the Christian “Sabbath Day.” “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy” is a commandment given us by God Himself.
Excuses such as it is too hot, too cold, or I was tired, or I could worship God watching TV or by myself or in my back yard, are just that: excuses – excuses that blind us to the Truth about our existence and our rightful relationship with God.
The Christian’s first duty is not to himself and his own physical desires, but to God. The surest way to lose one’s relationship with Him is to neglect going to church on the Sabbath.
As a man lives, so will he die. And as he dies, so will he spend eternity. Eternity begins here and now.
If we don’t wish to enjoy God’s Light in this life, what will we have in the next?
From The Weekly Bulletin, Vol. XXVII No. 23, 4 June 2000
Sts. Peter & Paul Romanian Orthodox Church, Dearborn Heights MI
