The Importance of Prayer

Last month I wrote about The Importance of Bible Study from within the Orthodox Christian point of view. But the study of the Holy Scriptures, while being central to our Christian life, is not to be to the exclusion of other Christian disciplines. In fact the Church teaches that reading the Holy Scriptures should be experienced within the context of prayer.

Prayer is a very broad term that refers to a wide range of religious communication. As a matter of fact, prayer is nothing more than communication with another being, Divine or human. We can, and should, pray directly to God, while we can, and should, pray also to the Saints and our departed ancestors. PRAYER IS NOT WORSHIP, although it can be that too when it is directed toward God.

From the Orthodox Christian point of view, we exist as a community of believers sharing our lives together as we grow closer to Jesus Christ. Prayer plays a vital role in this process of communal spiritual growth. Here are three examples of prayer.

Intercessory Prayer – This is praying for each other to God for health and salvation and other human needs. In times of trouble, we are often called upon to “pray for one another,” (James 5.16) as an expression of love for our fellow human beings. As Orthodox Christians, this most normally takes the form of “Prayer Lists” where we ask God to bless our family and friends BY NAME. With intercessory prayer, it is not necessary to itemize the list of needs for our family since, “We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8.26) The simple of act of asking God to bless our friends and family is sufficient.

Supplication Prayer – This is praying to the Theotokos and the Saints, or even our departed family members, to offer their intercessory prayer to God for our friends and family. This prayer is most commonly expressed in services like the Paraklesis to the Theotokos (or other Saints) when we ask her to pray to God for our salvation. We could also consider this the same as calling a friend and asking them to pray for someone. The Saints are our friends and family too and should be included in those we ask to include us in their prayers. This does not replace prayer directly to God; it merely increases those who are praying to Him for our needs.

Thanksgiving Prayer – We grow up being reminded to always say ‘thank you’ when we receive something. We receive blessings every day from God and we should thank Him. In the Divine Liturgy we even thank Him for “blessings seen and unseen,” since our pride can, and does, so often blind us to the blessings God has given to us. We should include this type of prayer EVERY DAY in our daily devotions.

There are other types of prayer: confession, adoration, and mediation on God for example. Notice I did not include anything about prayer for OUR needs or OURselves. It isn’t that we should not also take our needs to God; WE SHOULD. But when it comes to our needs, the most important prayer is, “Lord, have mercy.” The need for God’s mercy in our life is never-ending.

As we enter the Holy season of Great Lent this month, I invite you to take time every day to include these types of prayer into your life. Feel free to send me your prayer list and I will include your family and friends in my daily prayers for Great Lent. In return, check with your local Church for their prayer list. MOST Churches publish a list of names in the community of people in need of prayers. Please include these names in your personal prayers to God. In this way, YOU are praying for their needs, and THEY are praying for your needs, and together WE are all praying for one another.

The Triodion – A Time of Reflection

Each year the Church enters a period known as The Triodion (or PreLent) just before the Great Fast. The four Sundays of the Triodion are meant to create in us a desire to correct our sinfulness and seek Christ in our Lenten Journey. We can look at the Triodion as a time for “Spiritual Self-Assessment” or “Self-Evaluation” as we prepare to embark upon the Great Fast.

The first Sunday of the Triodion, the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, is focused upon humility and the mercy of God. Only when we are humble enough to acknowledge that we are sinners, are we strong enough to seek mercy from God. Jesus said, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18.14)

The Pharisee (the supposed religious elite) said, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men – extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.” (Luke 18.12) It is unlikely that he would spend the Great Fast working to improve himself since he already thinks he’s perfect. No one is sinless except for God. Period! Whether we sin so-called “small” sins or “big” sins we still sin and until we can accept that reality, we are not likely to seek God’s mercy in our lives. And if we don’t seek His mercy He can’t give us mercy, not because He doesn’t want to, but because we haven’t asked. God doesn’t force anything upon us, even mercy!

It was the Publican (the sinner) who said, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18.13) And he was blessed by God. Great Lent is a period of intense spiritual preparation and discipline as both an offering to God and as a confession of our sinfulness. I invite you this year to assess your spiritual life and come to terms with your sinfulness. And then ask for mercy, and be blessed by God.

Sometimes We Just Have to Put Away our Ego

When the Canaanite Woman begged the Lord for mercy, she was rebuffed by Christ. “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 15.24) She was not of the house Israel, but she insisted on begging the Lord, saying, “Lord, help me!” (Matthew 15.25) Again the Lord rebuffed her saying, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” (Matthew 15.26) And still the woman did not retreat from her mission to obtain mercy from God.

When it comes to obtaining mercy from God, sometimes we need to show a little patience and humility. It would have been easier, in terms of her ego, for the woman to huff and puff and stomp her feet as she walked away, most likely complaining about how the Lord didn’t give her what she demanded. But her faith was stronger than her ego. Jesus said, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” (Matthew 15.28) But what was her desire?

The woman desired mercy from God, nothing more, nothing less. She didn’t demand healing, nor did she demand special treatment from God, just mercy. What did God desire from her? He desired faith, faith strong enough to defeat her ego. The Lord knows everything, so why did He demand she be so humiliated publically? This was not for her salvation, but for our salvation. Knowing her faith, God allowed her to teach us that, sometimes we just have to put away our ego and allow our Faith to guide us.

What are You Doing with What God has Given You?

Each of us has received gifts from God for the glory of His Kingdom and the work of His Church. Many of us waste time, either in fear or selfishness, when we keep these gifts hidden from others. The servants who use the gifts God has given for the glory of God and the good of others are blessed by God and invited to “enter into the joy of the Lord,” in the Kingdom to come.  God has given YOU gifts and is waiting for YOU to do something good with those gifts. So……what are YOU doing with the gifts God has given you?

 

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Did He Just Call Me a Sinner?

Jesus’ commandment to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” is more than just a commandment to treat others the same way we would treat ourselves. It is a challenge for us to see others as we see ourselves. In fact, we are called to see ourselves just as we see others, as sinners. The difficult part is to admit that, first and foremost, we are not better than anyone else; as Saint Paul teaches, we are all fallen short of the glory of God. If all fall short, then all are sinners. And if all are sinners, that includes us…

 

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The Complaint of Christ

Το Παράπονο του Χριστού The Complaint of Christ

Με ονομάζετε Κύριον, αλλἀ δεν με υπακοὐετε.

            You call Lord, but you do not obey me.

Με ονομάζετε Φως, αλλἀ δεν με βλέπετε.

            You call me Light, but you do see me.

Με ονομάζετε Οδόν, αλλἀ δεν με ακολουθείτε.

            You call me The Way, but you do not follow me.

Με ονομάζετε Ζωήν, αλλά δεν με επιθυμείτε.

                You call me Life, but you do desire me.

Με ονομάζετε Σοφίαν, αλλά δεν με συμβουλεύεσθε.

                You call me Wisdom, but you do not consult me.

Με ονομάζετε Αλήθειαν, αλλά δεν με πιστεύετε.

                You call me Truth, but you do believe me.

Με ονομάζετε Παντοδύναμον, αλλἀ δεν με εμπιστεύεσθε.

            You call me All-Mighty, but you do not confide in me.

Με ονομάζετε Δίκαιον, αλλἀ δεν με φοβείσθε.

            You call me Righteous, but you do not respect me.

Με ονομάζετε Πατέρα, αλλά δεν γίνεσθε παιδιά μου.

                You call me Father, but you do not become me children.

Με ονομάζετε Σωτήρα, αλλά δεν θέλετε την σωτηρία σας.

                You call me Savior, but you do not want your salvation.

Loving Our Neighbor IS Loving God

When the Lord is asked to cite the greatest commandment, He says, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is this is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22.37-39) The Lord makes no distinction between loving God and loving our neighbor AS OURSELVES.

St John Chrysostom challenges us to love our neighbor, not just as much as we would love ourselves, but AS IF there is no difference between us and our neighbor. From this point of view, we can see the connection between loving God and loving our neighbor. If we are willing to consider our neighbor as being no different than we are, then we acknowledge that each human being is made in the image of God and, as St Paul says, “that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3.23)

It becomes impossible for us to sin against another human being if we see their sin as no worse than our sin. If becomes impossible for us to be jealous of another’s blessing if we see their blessing as no greater than our blessing. It becomes impossible for us to hate another human being when we see ourselves in the mirror.

But it becomes possible to see God and appreciate His mercy and love for each human being, including us. It becomes possible to look past the short-comings of others, when we know our own short-comings are just as great. It becomes possible to love God when we love each other with equal fervor.

Do You Want to See Jesus?

When Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, he made plans to run ahead and climb a tree. Jesus rewarded Zacchaeus by saying, “I must stay at your house. For today salvation has come to this house.” If you want to see Jesus, what plans are you willing to put into action? We plan for so many events and activities in our lives, and yet most of us never plan our day around seeing Jesus. Make this New Year different, and incorporate your Church calendar into your daily routine. If you are planning your menu, check for fasting days. If you’re planning a special evening, make sure your Church isn’t planning an evening Liturgy. Incorporate the Church calendar into your plans, and make your plans include seeing Jesus and salvation will come to your house.

 

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So Many Plans....

Many of us are over scheduled and under inspired. We spend much of our time, especially if we are parents, constantly on the go, and when we get to where we’re going, we realize we’re only there until we leave for another appointment. Many parents compare their lives to that of “taxi cab drivers” for their children’s busy schedules. And these schedules are only possible because we make big elaborate calendars and plan every minute of each day to “fit it all in.”

A couple of years ago I was gathered with many of our parents and we identified almost 30 different activities that required our time or our children’s time each week. There is no doubt we live in a very busy world. I’m sure most would agree we are over-programmed as families. That is what makes this week’s Gospel message so important for us.

The Gospel tells us of a short man named Zacchaeus who “sought to see who Jesus was.” (Luke 19.3) Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector so he was a very busy man going from house to house collecting taxes. In order for him to get everything done in his world, I’m sure he would have to keep a very particular schedule. This is why, when he sought to see who Jesus was, he “ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was to pass that way.” (Luke 19.4) Zacchaeus was able to take advantage of his planning so he would not miss seeing Christ. And he was rewarded by Jesus who said, “Zacchaeus, make hast and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” (Luke 19.5)

When we make plans to seek Jesus and put those plans into action, we will also be blessed by God. We should learn a lesson from Zacchaeus and use some of our master calendar abilities and make time for Jesus every day even if that means climbing a tree. If we want to see Jesus, then we will do whatever it takes to fit it into our daily and schedule. At least then we will finally be inspired by the time we spend with Jesus.

Transfiguration Radio Announces New Programming Schedule

HERE IT IS......Our new programming schedule will begin streaming Friday, January 25, 2013.  We pray this ministry is an inspiration to you and your friends. We pray this new programming schedule will better reach our faithful and loyal listeners, now nearing 1,000 from more than 60 countries.

 

Transfiguration Radio NEW Daily Programming Schedule

 

MIDNIGHT-6am – Orthodox Christian Talk Radio

6:00am – Last Week’s Sermon from Florence, SC

6:30am – Come Receive the Light Radio Program Archive

7:00am – Children’s Music Hour

8:00am – Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

9:30am til NOON – Orthodox Christian Sacred Music from the around the world

NOON – This week’s Sermon from Florence, SC

12:30pm - Come Receive the Light Radio Program Archive

1:00-3:00pm – Contemporary Christian Music

3:00-6:00pm – Orthodox Christian Talk Radio

6:00pm – Great Vespers

7:00pm – This week’s Sermon from Florence, SC

7:30pm - Come Receive the Light Radio Program Archive

8:00pm – Instrumental Music

9:00 til MIDNIGHT Contemporary Christian Music

Unalienable Rights? Who Says?

Since this week is Inaugural Week and we have all been on a political “high”, I have a question

If the following is true....

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Then how is it the government can take these rights away and often does? Unalienable is defined, “not to be separated, given away, or taken away.” And YET the Government separates, gives away and takes away each of these at certain times. There seems to be a conflict between “who” grants these rights and who defends them.

The Declaration of Independence continues…

“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…” How is it the government has the right to separate the governed from the rights they are supposed to protect? The only thing in my mind that would allow for this is two…

A.      The Government considers itself equal to the “Creator” who first endowed these rights, or…

B.      The governed must consent to the separation

But therein is the problem that I have with these options. Only the one who endows the right can grant permission to others to eliminate the right. This means that option “B” is not permissible. That would leave option “A” causing the government to be equal to the Creator but there can be only one Creator and only one defender. So where does this leave us?

The writers of the Declaration of Independence invoked a concept of “Creator” but left it to later generations to define “who” or “what” created the rights. It seems obvious, to me anyway, that the Government considers itself as the Creator of Rights and therefore has the authority to separate the governed from the rights IT bestows. If it were any other way, the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution would have no need to define the rights in the first place. Only the one who grants rights has the need to define said rights….

I believe we live in the greatest nation in the world. I DON’T believe it is a Christian nation, nor do I think it ever was. At best I think our founders were deists. That being said, our Christian vocation to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, body and strength and our neighbor as ourselves creates a great opportunity for us to express the free will that is indeed granted by God. Each human being, citizen or not, has the free will to follow Jesus Christ or not. Each human being, citizen or not, has the free will to live a Christian life or not. Since God grants this free will “right” who are we to take that right away?

But who are “you” to take MY free will away to worship God, to proclaim Him, and to serve Him as He commands?

What are You Looking for in Life?

 

Everyone is blessed when they approach God, but not everyone recognizes that those blessings actually come from God. In the Gospel story of the Healing of the Ten Lepers, we see ten men healed but only one saw God in that healing. Our challenge to rethink the way we look at God includes the way we look at blessings in our life. When we look for healing, we receive healing but nothing more. When we look for Christ we are healed but we receive salvation. Are you saved in the blessing you receive or are you only blessed? What you receive depends upon what you seek.

 

 

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Make plans to be in Church

Divine Liturgy begins at 10am. That's only 10 hours from now.....if you don't make plans to be in Church, the chances are less that you will wake up early enough to be there when it starts. We will continue our theme of changing the way we look at life as Greek Orthodox Christians. Join us and change the way you look at Sunday morning....

Sometimes We Just Don’t Recognize God When We See Him

The Gospel tells a story of Ten Lepers who approached Jesus for healing. “And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.” (Luke 17.14) In the moment they left Jesus, following His command to go show themselves to the priests, they were totally healed of their disease. You might think that they would at least thank Him, but only “one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks.” (Luke 17.15-16) But the remaining nine went on their way, presumable to the show themselves to the priests.

 

These nine men, although they considered Jesus strong enough to heal them, did not consider Him worthy to their gratitude. These nine men, who were so interested in being healed, forgot to look at Christ with their hearts and recognize Him as God. These nine men were seeking healing and they received it from God Himself but they didn’t recognize Him.

 

One foreigner, a Samaritan, was seeking God in his heart and realized it was God who healed him. Jesus said, “Were there not any found who turned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17.18) One foreigner, had faith enough to see God, while the other nine saw only their own bodies.

 

God blesses all ten lepers, as He blesses each of us, but only those who are looking for God in their heart will recognize Him. Are you looking for Him?

What are YOU Going to Change About Yourself to Get into Heaven?

When Jesus began His teaching ministry with the words, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” He was calling us to change the way we look at the world and consider the life of Orthodox Christianity. The only way for us to enter the kingdom of heaven is to change the way we look at life. Christ’s call to repentance is a call to first and foremost acknowledge that we must change something about ourselves.

 

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Jesus’ First Public Words

Throughout schools and colleges, teachers offer advice to public speakers about how to grab the attention of their listeners. According to popular logic, if a speaker wants others to listen to a message that might not be well received, he must first speak kindly and praise his listeners in order to coax their attention a bit longer. The last thing a public speaker is “supposed” to do according to popular logic is challenge his listeners’ way of life and moral standing.

But that is exactly what Jesus Christ did as He began His public ministry. We hear in the Gospel, “Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” (Matthew 4.17) Jesus was not known for breaking with custom as He was a devout follower of the Law even condescending to be circumcised and live as a human being. But when it came to waking the people from their sleep so they might be saved, He wasted no time calling them to repent and return to a Godly life.

The same words are important for us today. Our contemporary society is living in spiritual darkness where shootings and other forms of violence fill news reports and blogs. Maybe it’s time for Jesus’ first public words to make their appearance again. Maybe it’s time we look at ourselves and seek the kingdom of heaven rather than the kingdom of the flesh. Maybe it’s time we return to a Godly life rather than a life dedicated to meeting our selfish desires. Maybe it’s time for us to repent…Jesus thought so.

The Importance of Bible Study

As Greek Orthodox Christians, one thing we are severely lacking in America is the study of the Holy Scriptures. Many of us have grown up thinking, “Bible study is for Protestants,” but nothing can be further from the truth. In the 8^th Century Saint John of Damascus wrote, “For like a tree which is planted near the running waters, so does the souls watered by sacred Scripture also grow fat and bear fruit in due season, which is the Orthodox Faith.”

So let us knock at the very beautiful paradise of the Scriptures, the fragrant, most sweet and lovely paradise which fills our ears with the varied songs of inspired spiritual birds, which touches our heart, comforting it when grieving, calming it when angry, and filling it with everlasting joy, and which lifts our mind onto the back of the sacred dove, gleaming with gold and most brilliant, who bears us with his most bright wings to the only-begotten Son and heir of the Husbandman of the spiritual vineyard and through Him on to the Father of lights. Let us not knock casually, but with eagerness and persistence, and let us not lose heart while knocking, for so it will be opened to us. Should we read once and then a second time and still not understand what we are reading, let us not be discouraged. Rather, let us persist, let us meditate and inquire, for it is written, “Ask thy father, and he will declare to you; thy elders and they will tell you.” (Deuteronomy 32.7) For not all have knowledge. From the fountain of paradise let us draw ever flowing and most pure waters springing up into life everlasting. Let us revel in them, let us revel greedily in them to satiety, for they contain the grace which cannot be exhausted. (Orthodox Faith, Book 4, Chapter 17)

The reading of the Holy Scriptures should be both an inspiration for our daily struggles and a roadmap to encounter God and understanding His Gospel, His Saving Plan, for us. But in a world of more than 25,000 denominations of Christianity, there exists a plethora of interpretations of the same Holy Scriptures. If you think all Christians think the same thing about God, just ask one!

This is why St John invoked the Jewish Law when he said, “For not all have knowledge.” Since the reading of Holy Scripture is supposed to lead us to God, Saint John knew how dangerous it would be if the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures was left to free thinkers rather than the Holy Tradition of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Put in a contemporary context, there is One Gospel; how can there be 25,000 different answers to understanding God’s single message? Putting is simply; it’s impossible.

This is not a new challenge for the Church. When St Philip questioned the Ethiopian Eunuch if he understood the Holy Scriptures, the Eunuch said, “How can I, unless someone guides me.” (Acts 8.31) Since ancient times, it was understood that we were not free to interpret the Holy Scriptures, since they were created from within the Church, and they should be interpreted from within the Church.

So this is why, especially in America where our Holy Orthodox Faith is not taught in schools, the Church offers Bible study programs. The programs are not so we Orthodox look more appealing to Protestants, but so that we Orthodox can properly understand the Truth about God and His Holy Gospel as, “once and for all delivered to the Saints.” (Jude 1.3)

Bible study meets each week on Wednesdays at 7pm and Thursdays at 10am. Consider the importance of properly understanding God’s plan for your eternal future and “set time aside” for proper Orthodox Bible study. Your soul “will grow fat and bear fruit in due season,” but only if it is planted deeply in Holy Scripture.

Revealed! Re-created! Restored!

The celebration of Epiphany, also known as Theophany, is the culmination of the Feast of Christmas. In celebrating the Baptism of Jesus Christ, we celebrate the Holy Trinity revealed, our humanity recreated, and our nature restored. In the Baptism of Jesus Christ, we are called to reflect upon our own Baptism and rededicate our lives to God. We are called to a deeper relationship with Him as we remember how God united us to Himself in His and our Baptism.

 

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Questions and Answers

On occasion, we take the opportunity for questions and answers. Topics included in this special edition of Be Transfigured! include fasting and confession.

 

Why do we need to fast for Christmas?

Do pregnant women have to fast?

Is it required to fast on Saturday before receiving Holy Communion?

When do we need to begin fasting for an evening Liturgy?

Do we need Holy Confession before receiving Holy Communion?

 

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The Suffering of Innocents Needs to End

Each year on the Sunday following Christmas, the Orthodox Church commemorates the killing by King Herod of the innocent children while he searched for the new-born Christ. It is a pain we know too well lately with the recent tragedy in Sandy Hook Elementary School. But it is also a pain most Americans choose to ignore as millions of unborn infants are aborted each year.

 

The Gospel tells, “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.” (Matthew 2.18) And yet today, there is little or no wailing for the innocents that continue to suffer in our society at the hands of others. While many are in fact killed, others go without proper food and clothing, others go without a roof over their heads, and still others go without proper medication for illnesses otherwise easily cured.

 

As we celebrate the health and good fortune of our families this year during Christmas and look forward to the coming year, I pray we can commit to work toward the end of such innocent suffering in our society. It begins when our hearts are burning with pain for these suffering children. It will continue when our pain causes us to act for the good of the innocent children of our society.

 

There was no comfort for the mothers when thousands of innocent children were killed in search of Christ. We must not allow any more innocent children to suffer just because we are no longer in search of Christ to transform our hearts. Together we can dedicate the coming New Year as the year to inviting Christ to burn in our hearts and cause us to act to save the innocents. Their suffering will only end when our hearts burn.