The Household of God

Our host parish in Tarpon Springs was in the throngs of a doubleheader hurricane in the past three weeks. At one point I was forced to evacuate my home with my family for a safer place to ‘ride out the storm’ before returning home. Leaving, wondering if you will return is emotional.

Returning home is an altogether different emotion. At first you feel relieved ‘everything’ is still where you left it. Then you realize none of it really matters. You left it behind knowing you may never see it again. We left picture albums and memories behind, thankful to see them again.

This makes today’s reading from Saint Paul poignant for me. It reinforces that this life is only temporary. We are the ones who are ‘here today and gone tomorrow’. Our real home is with the Lord. It was no coincidence that I visited the Cathedral prior to my house after the storm passed.

Brethren, you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles — assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace which was given me by the working of his power.

Ephesians 2:19-22;3:1-7

Being a member of the household of God means something more than just a building where Divine Liturgy takes place. It means having a place to belong. It means having a place to return to after a storm in your life. It means having a family that will not walk away from us in trials.

So, I try to take a few minutes every day to read about the saints of the day. Today’s technology makes it easier than when I was younger. I just open my smartphone app and the daily readings and saints ‘pop up’ for my inspiration. They inspire me every day. They are my family.

Our host parish of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs has a great protector. Saint Nicholas watches over our town of fishermen and spongers as our patron saint. He has been protecting our city for more than a century. We call on him during every storm.

God has many ways to strengthen His people. He established His Church to be His presence in the world among His Household. His Saints, His Clergy, His Laity, all are part of one family, one household of God. Through His Church God watches over us and guides us to Himself.

Even when we walk away temporarily, He always welcomes us home, no matter how long we may be away. Once you are part of the Household of God, you are part of His Body forever. If you are reading this and thinking of ‘coming back’ home, everything is here where you left it.

If you know of someone that has walked away, no matter how long ago, today is the day you can reach out and invite that person home. The storm is over, and it is safe to return. God will welcome everyone back home.