Respond to Responsibility - Fr. Ernesto - July 4, 2021

Today in the United States of America we are celebrating Independence Day. We are grateful for the religious freedom, that has been defended by so many and guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. As Orthodox Christians and citizens of the United States there comes a responsibility to participate in public life and to have an influence toward justice and equality. Father Ernesto shares with us his love for our parish and how it exemplifies America, because it has welcomed so many people from different backgrounds. As American citizens we often disagree and have differing views, but as Orthodox Christians we are united by family, faith and the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. In today’s Gospel lesson taken from Matthew 4:18-23 Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James and John to make them fishers of men. Jesus recognizes in these two sets of brothers a willingness to respond to the responsibility previously given and He gives them more. As Orthodox Christians, we should ask ourselves are we responding to the responsibility that God has given us and are we ready to take on more responsibility?