Beloved and children and co-workers in the Lord,

We come to your table today, with a heart filled with emotion.  As Ecumenical Patriarch, we have traveled the world meeting with heads of state and the powers of this realm; yet in your faces this evening, we behold the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  We have prayed and celebrated the love of God in so many churches; but here, with all of you, we feel the dwelling place of God, we see the children of His Kingdom and behold His love.

Our Lord Jesus Christ repeatedly stressed deeds of love and indeed taught that we would be judged by them on the future Day of Judgment.  By your deeds, you, who are co-workers in this ministry which you have graced with the name of Martha (who was “deeply involved in her serving”).  You have shown to all the world that the good portion is to hear the word of the Lord, and to perform that same word.  On that point, those good Samaritans chose the good portion, for they heard the word of God and eagerly performed it.

Here tonight, in the midst of all of you, we behold the one thing needful.  You are genuine love.  You are hope.  You are treasure more precious than any gold or silver.   You are God’s gift to us, and it is not we who minister to you, but you who minister to us, and we give thanks to the Lord on your behalf.

The Lord said through the Apostle Paul that even if we should gain the whole world, and possess all knowledge and all wisdom, and speak with all eloquence and forget genuine love, we are nothing (I Corinthians 13:1-4).   Mutual love is what gives the promise of Resurrection, of life and of victory over death (cf. John 11:25).   Martha received this promise because of her great love for her brother, Lazaros.

Our heart is filled with love for you this evening, and we bless you from the depths of our heart in love and hope for the future.  For where there is love of this kind, there is surely hope.

May we all find though the mercy and love that we share this evening, the love and infinite mercy of Christ in our lives, this day and forever.  Amen.