Sharing Light and Love - Fr. Dn. Tikhon - July 19, 2020

Today in the Orthodox Church we commemorate the Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council. This is one of seven ecumenical councils the Church recognizes that laid the foundation for believers in acknowledging who God is and how He is to be worshipped. Father Deacon Tikhon reminds us that these councils were not without controversy, and despite human shortcomings the Holy Spirit has guided the Church for centuries. The Gospel reading for the day comes to us from Matthew 5:14-19. These verses are taken from Christ’s longest discourse in the Gospels, known as the Sermon on the Mount. Christ is speaking directly to His disciples, who represent the Church, and He shares with them and us a broad range of His teachings. Jesus tell us that we are the light of the world and our actions speak louder than words. As Orthodox Christians we are to be the Church, filled with love for God which overflows to those whom we serve. If we humbly seek God first in our lives we can be transformed and love others and share His light to the world.