St Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church

What’s the first Bible story you ever heard? Maybe it was the parable of the Good Samaritan. Do you remember the story? A man was on a trip, and some robbers beat him up, stole his things, and left him there. Two people went by—and they were people you’d expect to help— but they ignored him. Finally a third person came. Even though he was a foreigner and a stranger from Samaria, he did everything he could to help the poor, beaten-up man. This Samaritan saved his life!

Do you know your neighbours? Sometimes we do, and sometimes we might not. In the story today, Jesus tells somebody to, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself”! The man answered Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”

Yes, who are our neighbours? Our neighbour is anybody we run into during the day. Sometimes we expect to run into somebody who needs our help, like a friend at school who always asks you for help. Sometimes it’s a surprise! But God wants us to be like the Good Samaritan. He wants us to help anybody who comes our way. Sometimes we help by praying for somebody. Sometimes we help by giving money or food. Sometimes we help by giving somebody our time. When somebody needs our help, let’s ask God to show us the best way. Can you remember that?

Presvytera Alexandra Houck, myocn

Did you know God has some special helpers? They’re called angels! The word “angel” means messenger, because God sends them to give messages to us on earth!

Lots of people say they believe in angels—even people who don’t believe in God. But we’ve all seen pictures of cute little angels flying around with little wings, playing the trumpet or harp. Let’s find out what angels really are!

God has lots of different kinds of angels. They serve God. They follow Him and do things for Him. They don’t have bodies like we do, and they are invisible. The different angels all have different jobs. Some try to help us to have more love for God. Some try to help us learn more about God. Some try to help us be better people—to remember God’s rules and to do them.

Archangels tell good news. Remember Gabriel, who told Mary she was going to have a baby? He is an archangel. In the liturgy, if you listen closely, you will hear about some other angels, the cherubim and seraphim. They bring us wisdom and love. Each one of us also has a guardian angel who protects us. You can pray to your guardian angel! Ask him to watch over you at school, at home, when you’re playing and even sleeping! Ask your parents to find the “Prayer to Your Guardian Angel” for you—in a prayer book or on the internet.

Presvytera Alexandra Houck, myocn

Can you think of a time you got hurt? Maybe your father or mother gave you a hug and you felt better! In today’s Gospel reading, we hear about how Jesus touched people – and they felt better too! We hear about two miracles that our Lord did to heal people. In the first story, a girl had even died. Her father found Jesus and said, “Come and lay your hand on her and she will live.” Our Lord did just that. He touched the girl, and she did live. He made her better. In the other miracle, a woman had been sick for 12 years. She looked for Jesus too and said, “If I only touch His cloak, I will be made well.” And Jesus made her better too! When we read the Bible, we can find lots of other miracles that our Lord did. Lots of times, he touched the sick person, and healed him or her. He touched them, and they got better.

God wants us to get close to Him. He lets us touch Him and taste even His Body and Blood in Holy Communion. When we receive Holy Communion, we can get better too. Jesus can make us better when our bodies are sick. Our Lord can also make us better when we feel like we are far away from Him, and when we do the wrong thing. God wants to help us and heal us. Let’s come close to Christ, just like the two people in the miracle stories today!

Presvytera Alexandra Houck, myocn