I Have No Man

For me, this has always been one of the saddest passages in the Bible. This brief statement spoke vol-umes about a man lost and forlorn in a lonely crowd. These sad and tragic words were uttered by a man who had an infirmity for 38 years. Given the high infant mortality and short life expectancy of that time period, this might as well have been a life time. Imagine for a moment: a life of infirmity in a harsh environment with no modern medicine or modern comforts. He must have suffered so much for so long and squandered all he had just to try to get better, only to no avail. In the end, he was destitute, pathetic, unwanted and unclaimed, reduced to begging with only the bleak prospect of mere survival. Worst of all, he was alone. He had no family, friends, society, government, anyone, or anything for that matter, to help him. His simple, concise statement to Jesus encapsulated it all and crystallized his utter sense of loneliness, alienation, marginalization, aban-donment, hopelessness, and despair. He had no one. "Sir, I have no man." No one to help him. No one just to give him a push to get him into the water as it was stirred so that he may have some small measure of hope for cleansing, refreshment, comfort, and solace--if not the healing he so desperately sought. In those times, people thought that if you had such a malady, you should be avoided, for it was a mani-festation of sin, uncleanness, and divine disfavor. As unclean, you were to be shunned and avoided so as not to be contaminated or tainted, even by association. Yet, ironically, he was not alone. He had many nearby who shared his condition and his predicament. Most im-portant of all, he had a Man. He had Jesus, nearby and present, Who is THE MAN, Whose Name means God Saves, and Who shares everything we suffer and feel as the One Who shares our Human Nature, as the Perfect Man, and Who has all the Compassion, Mercy, and Love to share infinitely and Personally, as the Only

Compassionate, Merciful, Loving, Omnipresent God. He gives all these to us, as the Giver of Life. As God and Creator, there are no limits, and Jesus has the power to deliver the man from his condi-tion and save him as our Deliverer and Saviour from his predicament. The paralytic may be bound by his mala-dy, but Jesus is Boundless. As Infinite and Eternal, Je-sus, THE MAN, can liberate Him. As the True Physi-cian of Soul and Body, Jesus can totally, completely, and perfectly heal him. As the Friend of Man (O Philan-thropos), the paralytic not only had a man; he had a Friend. Unbeknownst to him, the paralytic had the Omnipresent One present, in his midst, with His heal-ing, transforming, Sacramental Presence. As God, Jesus could not only heal him totally, but Jesus could forgive his sins and deliver him from corruption, decay, and death. As God and Man, Jesus could not just heal him for now; Jesus could heal him for eternity. As the Creator of Life, Jesus could grant him a new life and a new beginning as a new creation in Him. At Jesus' Word, as the Eternal Word that brought the universe into being, Jesus could grant him a new life and a new beginning, but this time not just for 38 years ( an ostensible life time), but for eternity; for as God, He can grant life and eternity, Being Himself The Life and Eternal. With Christ, there is forgiveness, healing, rec-onciliation, restoration, renewal, life, and eternal salva-tion. With Christ our God, there is everything--and infinitely more--than our created and limited mind could possibly imagine. With Christ there is authentici-ty, identity, community, inheritance, and destiny. The most important relationship, and the only relationship that will save us, the only relationship that is eternal, is our relationship with our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ. Physicians could not heal, and the law could not save the paralytic. Those he had, and they were as feeble and impotent as the lamentable throngs that surround-ed the pool, but nearby, and present and at hand, was THE MAN Who alone could save him, THE VERY

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Weekly Pew Bulletin Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Office: 727-799-4605 Clearwater, Florida Fax: 727-799-9173 Rev. James T. Paris, Proistamenos office@htclearwater.com Rev. Andrew J. Pavlakos, Assistant Priest www.htclearwater.com Fourth Sunday of the Paschal Season-The Paralytic ^Akakios the Martyr; ^Kodratos the Martyr

Weekly Pew Bulletin

MAN to Whom he uttered: "I have no man." As he uttered, "I have no man," he must have heard the divine Voice internally echoing through his very being the following words: "Behold, the MAN!" Je-sus would fulfill the law and the prophets and fulfill all things in Him. The five porches symbolized the Five Books of Moses (The Pentateuch), the law, which could not save. The law was incomplete. It kept the people together and led them to Jesus Who would take them to the true Promised Land. The pool was where they washed the lambs for the sacrifice. Jesus was the true Sacrificial Lamb that washes and takes away the sins of the world. The lame, blind, deaf, and dumb came to be cured one person at a time through the media-tion of an angel for a physical and temporal healing. The Pool of Be-thesda, a place of miracles, was transcended by the Man of miracles Who heals all persons, at any time, for eternity, without angelic, or any mediation. The waters would point to baptism symbolizing death, burial, and resurrection--a new birth from above in spirit (not flesh) for eternity. The Old Israel passed through the waters of the Red Sea to the other side on their journey to an earthly Promised Land with Joshua the Son of Nun; the New Israel will pass through the waters of baptism to the other side on their journey to the heavenly Prom-ised Land with Jesus the Son of God. As Moses brought the People of God out Egypt and led them to the Promised Land, so the Law kept them together and led them to Grace and Light in Jesus Christ. The Law had served its purpose, but it had been eclipsed. There was now a new Dawn and a New Beginning in Jesus Christ Who was foretold, and now beheld by the paralytic, who was raised up a new man at the Word of God Who created the universe with His echoing Word and gave the paralytic a new beginning with His abiding Word. Though the world seems to abandon you, and others disap-point you, with Christ, you will overcome all things. For Christ is God, and God is Love, and Love is His Gift to you and me, to endure all things, and prevail in all things, for with God there are no limits, and there is no end. With Him, the laws of nature and mathematics are overcome, and with Him, we are victorious in all things, even over death, which He has abolished by His own death for us; abide in His Presence, and know and feel that He has transformed the suffering of our human nature into divine glorification by His own Voluntary suffering, our humiliation into His exaltation, and our burial into His Resurrection. Ultimately, this is His Will for us: Eternal Salvation. This is why He has come. Thus, unlike those who have no faith, we are not alone. We are not alone in a lonely crowd of spiritual invalids waiting for others to help us. We have THE MAN, The One True God, Jesus Christ, Who raised the paralytic from his bed, Resurrected from the Dead, raises those who believe in Him from their condition and suffering, and even from death, for He is the Resurrection and the Life, Christ our God. To Him be due all Glory, Honour, and Worship, forever and ever. Amen. Yours in our Risen Lord and Saviour, ^Father Jim

Fifth Eothinon Gospel Luke 24:13-35 O how wise are your judgements, O Christ! How was it that to Peter You granted to understand Your resur-rection by the grave clothes alone whereas to Luke and Cleopas You spoke as You walked with them, and in speaking did not immediately re-veal yourself? And for this reason You were upbraided as the only visi-tor to Jerusalem who was unaware of what had happened there in those days. Then You, who arrange every-thing for the benefit of Your crea-ture, interpreted the prophecies con-cerning You, and when You blessed the bread they recognized You. Even before this, their hearts were burning in recognition of You. Then to the Disciples, who were gathered togeth-er, at once they clearly proclaimed Your resurrection; by which have mercy on us. Apolytikion of Pascha Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. Entrance Hymn for Pascha Bless God in the churches, the Lord from the fountains of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, who arose from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia. Third Tone Apolytikion Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the mighty power of His arm. He has trampled down death by death, be-coming the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of hell and has granted to all the world His great mercy. (p. 107 of Hymnal)

Fr. Jim’s Message (continued)

Sunday, May 7, 2017 This Week’s Events

Our 2017 Stewardship Progress Goal:$445,000-Received:$173,763-Remaining: $271,237

Per Family Per Month Remaining $74 Please help our community reach its stewardship goal by ful-filling your pledge, increasing your pledge, or making a pledge.

Thank you!

Sunday, May 7-Sunday of the Paralytic 8:45am Orthros (Matins) 10:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Church School 11:00am Adult Religious Education Class 12:00pm Patriarchate Lecture and Luncheon

The Eradication of Our People by Turkey 12:00pm GOYA Meeting 12:00pm Jr. Hellas Dancers 1:00pm Tampa Bay Rays - Greek Heritage Day Monday, May 8-St. John the Teheologian 10:00am Divine Liturgy (Chapel) 5:00pm Greek School 6:50pm Greek School Adults Tuesday, May 9 6:30pm Speaker for Daughters of Penelope 7:00pm AHEPA Meeting 7:00pm Daughters of Penelope Wednesday, May 10-Mid-Pentecost 9:00am Orthros (Chapel) 10:00am Divine Liturgy (Chapel) 11:00am Sewing Group 5:00pm Adult Basketball 5:00pm Property Management Board Meeting Sunday, May 14-Sunday of the Samaritan Woman GOYA Election Applications Due 8:45am Orthros (Matins) 10:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Church School 11:00am Adult Religious Education Class 12:00pm Mother's Day Cake Reception

Today During Coffee Hour Capital Campaign Information; Welcome Table

The Τροπάριον of our Church Blessed are You, O Christ our God. You made wise men of poor fishermen, by sending down upon them Your Holy Spirit, and through them, You caught the whole world. O Lover of mankind, Glory to You. (p. 172 of Hymnal) Kontakion for Pascha Into the grave You descended Immortal One, yet You destroyed the power of Hades, and as victor you arose, O Christ our God; You proclaimed to the myrrh bearing women a greeting of joy, You brought peace to Your holy Apostles, and to the fallen You granted resurrection. (p. 275 of Hymnal) Epistle: Paralytic Acts 9:32-42 (p. 84 of Liturgy Book) Gospel: Paralytic John 5: 1-15 (p. 171 of Liturgy Book) Megalynarion The angel cried out to the woman full of grace: "Rejoice, O pure Virgin! Again I say, rejoice! For your Son is Risen from the tomb on the third day. Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you. Exult and be glad, O Zion. Be radiant, pure Theotokos, in the resurrection of your Son!" (p. 305 of Hymnal) Communion Hymn Receive the Body of Christ; drink from the Font of Immortality. (3x) (p. 318 of Liturgy Hymnal)

Post Communion Hymn Christ is Risen…

Creed in English

^ Memorial

2 Years Charlene Constantine

May her memory be eternal.

Visit Our Parish Website www.htclearwater.com

Prayers for those in Need To have a name added to the prayer list, please contact Esther Tsikos (727) 736-3409 or email her at esthertsikos@tampabay.rr.com. Please pray for the following people: Ryan, Athena, Peter, George, Anna, Margaret, Demetrios, Steve, Theodore.

Holy Trinity Greek School End of Year Ceremony

Αγίας Τριάδας Ελληνικού Σχολείου Τελετή Αποφοίτησης

You are invited to attend our Graduation

and Awards Ceremony

When: Monday, May 15, 2017 Time: 5:30pm

Where: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church(gym)

WE WILL BE AWARDING 3 STUDENTS IN

EACH CLASS FOR: HIGHEST ACHIEVE-MENT, MOST IMPROVED, EXCELLENT

ATTENDANCE

CELEBRATING STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM KINDERGARTEN!

LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL FOLLOW OUTSIDE IN THE COURTYARD SPON-

SORED BY OUR PTO.

We are so proud of our students! Class of 2017

John Zavitsanos is an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, he serves on the National Council of the Order of St. Andrew, a member of the Par-ish Council of the Annuncia-tion Cathedral in Houston, Texas. He is by profession a lawyer.

The Eradication of Our People by Turkey over the Past 100 Years

Free and Open Lecture

Sunday, May 7

Matheos Hall

Following Divine Liturgy

A light lunch will be served to those who attend the lecture.

Sponsored by the Archons of Tampa Bay and Holy Trinity.