Sin is not of God

There are many times I hear people disregard the danger of sin, or even brush off sin as so common that it isn’t even worth trying to avoid. Statements such as, “Everyone sins,” or “I’m not a saint” are used to explain away sinful behavior all the time. But if you consider today’s Epistle Reading, maybe we would have a different perspective.

St. John's First Universal Letter 3:9-22 (RSV) - BRETHREN, no one born of God commits sin; for God's nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God. By this it may be seen who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother. For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, and not be like Cain who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not wonder, brethren, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. Any one who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But if any one has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask.

If committing sin makes us a child of the devil, then we would NEVER brush off the chance to avoid sin. This year during Great Lent, take the chance to fight against sin. You may not always be successful, but at least you’ll be trying.

Before it’s Too Late

As we begin our second week of the Triodion, the Church brings our mind to the coming end. Most of us live as if there will be no end, or at least that the end won’t be coming any time soon. The Church however is constantly reminding us that we must be prepared for the end which can come at any time. We will sing the hymn, “Behold the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night, and blessed is he who He finds being vigilant.” (Holy Week Bridegroom Matins) Young people have a long history of acting indestructible by performing death-defying acts. But much worse than our physical danger is the risk we place our souls when we ignore the coming end. Consider today’s Epistle Reading:

St. John's First Universal Letter 2:18-29; 3:1-8 (RSV) - Brethren, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come; therefore we know that it is the last hour.  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us.  But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all know that I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and know that no lie is of the truth.  Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?  This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.  No one who denies the Son has the Father.  He who confesses the Son has the Father also.  Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you.  If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father.  And this is what he has promised us, eternal life. I write this to you about those who would deceive you; but the anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that any one should teach you; as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.  If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that every one who does right is born of him. See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.  The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Every one who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.  You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.  No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him.  Little children, let no one deceive you.  He who does right is righteous, as he is righteous.  He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning.  The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

Yesterday the Church reminded us of the Parable of the Prodigal Son who had wasted everything. He finally came to his senses realizing the seriousness of his situation. He was able to return home before it was too late. Will you?

Go Nowhere Except Where I tell You

I read a book a few years ago which has helped me, even though the book is not a spiritual book, to confirm just how serious our spiritual warfare is for our times. In the book, “Generation Me” the author details her understanding about social trends in America today. She writes from within the generation about which she evaluates. I personally recommend the book. It came to my mind today in connection to today’s Gospel Reading:

Matthew 10:1, 5-8 (RSV) - At that time, Jesus called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity.  These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.  You received without paying, give without pay."

There is a portion of the book in which the author comments that even our so-called service hours, so much of which is mandated by school during formative years, is self-serving to the point that I would suggest brings no spiritual benefit at all. If in our service to others we only serve where WE WANT to serve, then we are quite frankly being served rather than serving.

When you consider that Christ commanded the disciples “Go nowhere...[except where I tell you]” He is reminding us that when it is only when we serve truly sacrificially that we gain any spiritual benefit. God knows who is prepared to hear His words and who will reject them. God knows who is willing to follow Him and who will walk away.

Where does that leave us today at the end of the first week of the Triodion? Great Lent will only be a blessing to us if we are able to get over ourselves. Tomorrow we will hear the Parable of the Prodigal Son. It was only when the Prodigal Son finally got over himself that he was able to return and be welcomed back by the father. It was exactly because the so-called loyal son couldn’t get over himself that he was unable to experience the blessings of the Father.

Heaven isn’t about loyalty

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son Jesus tells us a story of two sons, one loyal and the other not. The not-so-loyal son, thinking he was deserving of his inheritance early, spent everything he had on harlots and sinful living. The loyal son remained at home with their father and maintained the family business. The not-so-loyal son found himself broke and hungry with nothing to call his own. The loyal son had the family wealth at his fingertips whenever he desired. After a long separation, the three were reunited. The not-so-loyal son was comforted by the father while the loyal son found himself suffering with anger.

What was the difference? Both sons were loved by the father, but only one experienced his love as comfort. When the not-so-loyal son returned to his father to become a servant, the father was willing to forget his sins and selfishness and welcome him home again. The father never once stopped waiting for his son to return, and the son felt the father’s love deep in his heart. The loyal son, though he never left the father, refused to experience the father’s love as comfort. Instead he could only resent his brother for returning home as if nothing had happened. The father never stopped sharing everything he had with the loyal son, but the loyal son never accepted his father’s love.

The difference was love. Without love the son’s loyalty was nothing more than a job. Without love the father may have forgiven the son, but would never have welcomed him home. Without love both sons would be left out in the cold, but with love both sons had the potential of being comforted by the father. Love makes all the difference.

The Orthodox Church teaches that this parable is about our reality of being loved by God. If we experience God’s love as comfort, we will be in heaven. If we experience God’s love as a burden and unfair as the loyal so experienced, we will be in hell. Heaven and hell won’t be about whether or not we sinned. Heaven and hell will be about how we experience God’s love.

Do you want to be in heaven? Then you must learn the lesson of love. Love isn’t about loyalty and obligation. Love is about forgiveness and repentance. As we continue our preparations for Great Lent, the Church invites us to choose to experience God’s love for what He intends. God loves every one of us, loyal or not. It is our choice how we experience His love.

A Spiritual Journey

The period known as Triodion begins the annual journey as Orthodox Christians. It isn’t a journey to the beach or the ocean, but a spiritual journey during which we are invited by the Church to change our lives and live in Christ. The Orthodox Christian life isn’t just a series of rules which must be followed because they are rules. The life of the Church is about changing our lives and changing the way we view our relationship with God. We are much further from God than we think. The first Sunday of the Triodion, the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, sets us on our way with a reminder....the rules don’t get you to heaven. Our opportunity this year is to reconsider our life and follow the example of the tax collector. We are far away from God and we need His mercy in our life.

A Journey

Today we begin a journey. I wouldn’t call it a new journey since we take this journey every year, but a journey to a new place. Today we begin a special season the Church calls the “Triodion” and it is a journey to Great Lent. Beginning today, the Church invites us to consider the condition of our soul as we take this spiritual journey. The Church invites us to consider first if we want to join Christ in heaven, and second if we are willing to take the necessary action required of a believer in Jesus Christ. This journey is a three week (four Sunday) journey toward Pascha.

Our first stop along the journey today is the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, through which the Church calls us to humble prayer. “God be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18.13) In this Parable our Lord compares two well known realities of people. One humble; the other not. One knew, and followed all the religious rules; the other not. One saved; the other not. Through this comparison the Tridion prepares us for Great Lent by asking us to look inside our heart with tough questions.

Do we think we are better than others?

Do we think our sins are less important than others?

Do we think lives are better examples of holiness than others?

Do we think our sins separate us from God?

Do we think our sins have control over our future?

Do we think our sins need to be forgiven by God?

How you answer these questions will affect the way you spend the next several weeks between now and Pascha. If you answer by comparing yourself to how others are so much worse and act so much worse than you, then you will lose the opportunity that awaits you on this year’s journey. If you answer by saying how your life is so much better than others, then you will lose the opportunity the Church offers you on this year’s journey. If you already think you’re holy, then you have already lost the chance to grow closer to God during this year’s journey.

If on the other hand you realize that your life isn’t as close to God as you originally thought, or that you wouldn’t dare to even look up to heaven for fear He may see into your heart, then lucky for you, this year’s journey will be just in time. CONGRATULATIONS! You have already learned the lesson of true Christian humility. If you are willing to accept that you are a sinner that needs to repent (change your way of viewing the world) then you have already won the battle to invite God to life in your heart.

This year’s journey is familiar because you are invited to travel each year, but have you ever accepted the Church’s invitation to join her on the path to Pascha? Have you ever accepted that, despite or how good you may think you already are or how sinless you may think you already are, we all have a long way to go to become like God.

Get Justice for me from my adversary

As we prepare for the beginning of the Triodion, which begins tomorrow, I wanted to spend a few moments on our relationship with each other and God. If we are going to benefit at all from the coming season of Triodion and Great Lent, then we best consider what God is REALLY offering to us. When we hear the Holy Scriptures we must remember they are never JUST stories. They are life. Consider today’s Gospel reading:

"There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. "Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' "And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 'yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' " Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18.2-8)

For us to receive the full benefit of the Triodion and Great Lent, we need to understand what type of justice and adversary Jesus is speaking about in this parable.

Let’s start with adversary. Our only real adversary in life is the devil who never stops trying to distract us from God. He will never stop trying to temp us into falling away from faith. He will never stop trying to confuse us with his trickery. He isn’t known as “ο πονηρός – the cunning one” for nothing. He is our true adversary. All others we encounter are brothers and sisters many of whom the devil has tricked into fighting against us. We may “feel” their attacks but it helps to remember the words of Psalm 50 “Against You, You only have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Your sight” If our sin is only against God, then everyone else’s sin is also only against God. We may fell the physical affect of the sin, but that is because someone else fell to temptation. The real adversary is the devil and today’s parable is a promise that God will “avenge” us “speedily....but will He really find faith on the earth?”

Now let’s look at justice. If we aren’t supposed to look at our brothers and sisters as the adversary, then what sort of justice is Jesus talking about? Normally we think of justice as punishment being handed down from a court bench. We often demand justice for victims of crimes. Since the adversary is the devil, what sort of justice could God have planned? God came that “you may have life” (John 20.31) but the devil wants you to die. It all goes back to Genesis. Knowing that God had warned Adam and Eve that death would follow if they ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, the devil said to Eve, “You shall not die.” (Genesis 3.4) WE WERE TRICKED into believing we wouldn’t die.

The same thing takes place every time we are confronted with temptation. We are tricked into thinking our actions cannot hurt us. But they often cause us great pain, both physical and spiritual. Our annual journey through the Triodion and Great Lent is an opportunity to refocus our attention on God rather than ourselves.  The sort of faith that God wants to see in us when He returns is our desire to live rather than die. But the life God desires for us, the sort of faith He expects from us, is not about earthly life which is focused upon our pleasure, but heavenly life which is focused on God.

If we are willing and able to journey through the Triodion and Great Lent with this understanding, the many parables and teachings the Church brings to our attention will bring us closer to God. As we grow closer to God, the devil will lose more and more. He won’t stop trying, so we can’t stop fighting, but the devil will lose this battle. We will get justice. Have a blessed journey.

Today’s Award for “Best Supporting Actor” goes to....

Throughout the year the Church celebrates many feasts. These feasts commemorate the life of Christ, the life of the Panagia (Mother of God), the lives of the Saints, and even Church history. In many cases, such as yesterday’s feast of the Presentation of Christ, there are one or more “key players” the Church honors with additional feast day celebrations. Today is an example.

Besides Christ, the key player in yesterday’s feast was Saint Symeon who was seeking Christ. It was Saint Symeon who the Holy Spirit inspired to proclaim the infant Jesus as Messiah. It was Saint Symeon who gave us the beautiful prayer...

"Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."

You can find many of these types of feasts on the Church Calendar if you look for them. Take a moment today and look through your Church Calendar. Read the Scriptures readings for the Feastdays and then look for the Saints who are commemorated on the day following the Feast. Look for Saint John the Baptist following Epiphany, the Theotokos following Christmas, Archangel Gabriel following the Annunciation and more.

Today we award the “Best Supporting Actor” to Saint Symeon, a righteous and devout man who was seeking Christ.

What are you waiting for?

Today is Groundhog Day and many awake from sleep scurrying to hear whether or not Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow. According to legend, if he exits his burrow and sees his shadow we can expect six more weeks of winter. While not scientific, thousands gather around his burrow and wait....and wait...surrounded by newscasters and smart phone camera. The anticipation can I’m sure be riveting. It made me think....what are we waiting for?

Today is also, and arguably more importantly, the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. The Temple Priest Symeon was told by God that he would not die before he set his eyes on “the Lord’s Christ.” The Gospel tells us that St Symeon as a righteous and devout man who was waiting for the Messiah. Here is the entire passage...

Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-40 (RSV) - At that time, the parents brought the child Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons."  Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Symeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Symeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."  And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four.  She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.  And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.  And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.  And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

There is a great difference between waiting for a silly groundhog and Christ. On the one hand the results of Punxsutawwney’s shadow, or lack thereof, brings anxiety to millions who live in cold climates. On the other hand, setting our eyes upon Christ brings comfort to those who await His presence. Of course we are still waiting, but not our wait is comforted by the words of God. “Fear not for I am with you.” (Genesis 26.24) We wait for the return of Christ to bring us home to paradise.

I suppose somewhere there is a connection between Groundhog Day and the Feast of the Presentation. We’re both waiting for some good news. The difference is.....Groundhog Day is a marketing scam to draw millions of tourism dollars to a small town in Pennsylvania. The Feast of the Presentation of Christ is not a marketing scam. It is a real joyful reminder that God has come to rescue His children. The wait is over....He has come.

Authority to not be hurt

Throughout my years of ministry I have met many Christians, Orthodox and non-Orthodox, who expend a great deal of energy attempting to avoid struggle. In most of these cases people have been consumed with a certain level of self-pity because there exists something or someone that would dare to attack them. The belief was always that if we confess God then we wouldn’t suffer. Nothing can be further from the truth. Consider today’s Gospel Reading.

Luke 10:19-21 (RSV) - The Lord said to his disciples, "Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will."

There are two ways to read God’s promise of this authority. Either the serpents and scorpions won’t attack you, which is what many Christians mistakenly believe, or the serpents and scorpions can’t hurt you no matter how many times they bite and sting you. The main reason for many who are consumed with self-pity is because of how they choose to interpret this authority.

If we read this passage as a promise from God that nothing will attack us, and that we will never feel pain, we run the risk of losing our faith in God because the realty of pain and suffering is obvious. If on the other hand we read this passage as a promise from God that nothing can hurt our chances of entering heaven, then even when we are bitten and stung and attacked, we will rejoice that God has open heaven to us and welcomed us in as citizens of paradise.

It’s all in how you read. I invite you to dwell not upon the pain of the attack, but on the promise of heaven. The pain will fade away and eventually you will be left only with what is in your heart. If your heart is consumed with self-pity and anger toward God, then that will be what is left in your heart when the pain dissipates. We call that hell. If your heart is consumed with thankfulness that God has open the doors of paradise to you, then that will be what is left in your heart when the pain ends. We call that heaven. God has already given you that authority....the authority not to be hurt. Will you use your authority?

For the Lost

The story of the Canaanite Woman found in Matthew 15.21-28 is often misunderstood and rarely seen for its beauty in helping Christians reach out to others. Most of us spend most of our time focusing on our agenda and our needs to the point that we sometimes even resent when other’s needs seem to take attention away from our time with God and His Church. Christ’s refusal at first to respond to the requests of the woman even comparing her to a little dog. What we often miss is the opportunity to remember that Christ came for the lost, and while we have many needs as Christians, we are no longer lost when we are in the Church. He will still bless us. Our next step is for us to open our hearts and eyes to the lost and invite them in to receive Christ’s healing and blessings.

Get Ready for Lent

Great Lent is only a few weeks away and the Triodion begins next week. Today is the commemoration of Saint Ephraim the Syrian who is known for a Lenten prayer which Orthodox Christians pray throughout Great Lent. I am sharing this today, so you can print it and place it with your icons now. That way you’ll be prepared for Great Lent when it arrives at the end of February.

Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian

Lord and Master of my life, take away from me the spirit of laziness, idle curiosity, lust for power and vain talk

(full prostration)

But give me the spirit of moderation, humility, patience and love

(full prostration)

Yes, Lord and King grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters

(full prostration)

For you are blessed unto the ages of ages, Amen

Abundant Life

There are many churches that preach what is known as the prosperity gospel. The basic premise is that faithful believers in Jesus Christ will be rewarded with material blessings. The more you believe; the more you are blessed. Many prosperity gospel preachers use the Holy Scriptures as “proof” of their agenda. Today is one of those readings...

Gospel Reading: John 10:9-16 (RSV) - The Lord said, "I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.  I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep.  I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd."

When God promises that we will have life “and have it abundantly” it is easy to misconstrue His promise. Here in America, abundant life implies wealth and material amenities such as extra cars, flat screen TVs and boats, among other things. But for believers, an abundant life is more about spiritual abundance rather than material abundance. An abundant life is about heaven rather than earth.

Why else would our Lord say, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6.19-21) By this it is clear that abundant life is not about material prosperity but prospering in heaven.  Just something to think about mid-week.

Political Banter

With all the political rancor over the past few days, today’s reading from Saint Paul can go a long way toward healing our nations wounds.

St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2 (RSV) - Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.  Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.  Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted.  Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

If we really wanted to help others, we would bear their burdens and stop attacking their weakness. Just a thought for this week’s hot political banter. 

Living God’s Way rather than Our Way

I was having a conversation today on a variety of topics which related to how the Church views different moral challenges in our society. Among other topics the issue of a “list of rights and wrongs” was mentioned as if the Church life could somehow be boiled down to what we as Christians are “allowed” or “not allowed” to do before we were accused of sinning. I was reminded of how the ancient Jews had confused the Law as “nothing more” than a list of do’s and don’ts as opposed to a way of life designed to follow God.  Consider today’s  Gospel Reading:

Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-5 (RSV) - At that time, Jesus was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain.  And the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?"  And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?"  And he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; so the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath." Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand.  And they watched him, to see whether he would heal him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him.  And he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come here."  And he said to them, "Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?"  But they were silent.  And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, "Stretch it out," and his hand was restored.

The Ancient Jews were unable to see past the letter of the Law and therefore could not recognize Christ. I don’t think it is a coincidence that today there are many who can’t see Christ for the same reasons. Until the Church is able to express that our way of life isn’t about a list of do’s and don’ts we will never  inspire people to follow Christ.

Life isn’t about what we can and can’t do, but whether or not we want to be in union with God. If we want union, then we stand a better chance of living the life rather than the law. Orthodoxy is a way of life. When we dwell on the do’s and don’ts we focus on how we are “not allowed to do what we want,” and we will stop at nothing trying to convince others of our right to do what we want. It was the mistake that Eve made when confronted by the serpent. Orthodoxy is God’s gift to guide us back to living His way rather than our way.

What is Your Plan for Salvation?

In just two weeks we will again begin a spiritual journey as Orthodox Christians. Our annual journey toward Pascha will begin February 5^th and come to a grand conclusion on Sunday, April 16^th when we will celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. But long before we can celebrate we have some preparations to focus on. Long before we can see the Lord on Pascha we need to get ourselves ready today. If we want to see Lord, we need to plan ahead.

With Christmas and Epiphany in our rearview mirror, today the Church gives us a glimpse of what is to come. Today the Church draws our attention to a short man who “sought to see who Jesus was.” (Luke 19.3) We know him as Zacchaeus a rich tax collector who climbed a tree to see Jesus because he was short. This Gospel is read each year two weeks before the Triodion begins. When you hear about Zacchaeus, you know the Triodion and Great Lent is just around the corner. But it is never just a story. The Church invites us to learn from Zacchaeus for our journey that is about to begin. What are we asked to learn?

• Zacchaeus was a sinner and was lost.
• Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus.
• Zacchaeus planned in advance to see Jesus.
• Zacchaeus put his plan into action to see Jesus.
• Zacchaeus saw Jesus.
• Zacchaeus heard Jesus call out to him.
• Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus into his home.
• Zacchaeus gave half of his wealth to the poor.
• Zacchaeus repaid all the people he stole money from by four times.
• Jesus came to save the lost.
• Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house.”
• The crowd didn’t want Jesus to visit Zacchaeus.

With the Triodion only two weeks away and Great Lent, I invite you to replace the name “Zacchaeus” with your name. Then go back and read the story and ask yourself...

• What is my plan to be saved by God?
• How will I put my plan into action?
• How will I welcome God into my heart and home?
• How will I repent for my sins?
• How will I respond when the crowd doesn’t want me to see Jesus?

Remember....

• The Church is the Body of Christ.
• The Church is here to help you answer these questions.
• Trust the Church.

Only Some will be Saved

When Ten Lepers (Luke 17.12-19) approached Christ and begged for help, they were told to return to the priests and show themselves. As they turned, they were instantly healed, but only one returned to Christ to thank Him and worship Him. All nine were healed, but only was saved when Christ said, “Your faith has saved you.” (Luke 17.19) When we ask for God’s blessings and then do not return to Him to properly give thanks, we turn our back on Him and go about our day, we are no better than the nine. They should have known better. We should know better. There is a proper way to thank God, through proper preparation and participation in the Divine Liturgy which includes receiving Holy Communion every Sunday. If we come to Church and return home without receiving Holy Communion, then we are no better than the other nine. When Jesus asks “where are the others,” He is speaking about us!

When You Thank God

It happens all the time. You realize that you need God for something so you call out to Him in your prayers for that one moment of mercy. You pray that He would look at you and cause your trouble to fade into the distance, and for a brief moment you forget your struggle. For that brief moment, your life is totally in focus and all you realize God has never forgotten you. You smile to yourself knowing how much God loves you, and you have two choices.

At that moment when everything is perfectly clear, you feel empowered by God’s blessing and you “charge full steam ahead” with your plans for the future. You forget that just moments ago you were calling out to God for mercy. You forget that just moments ago you weren’t sure where your life would end up. You forget that moments ago all you could think about was the struggle that consumed you. You forget that it was God that blessed you.

or...

At that moment when everything is perfectly clear, you suddenly realize that it wasn’t an accident that you can see clearly. You suddenly realize that just moments ago you didn’t know how you would solve the problems that consume you. You suddenly realize that just moment ago you were calling on God. You suddenly realize that God has blessed you.

There isn’t much difference between forgetting that God blessed you, and realizing just how much He has blessed you because He blesses you whether or not you remember Him. He blesses you whether or not you give Him credit. He blesses you whether or not you return to thank Him. But when you thank Him, you get an additional blessing. When you thank Him you are made well; you are healed from what really affects you.

When you thank God, rather than just receiving His blessing and going about your day, you are raised up to heaven to participate in God’s great joy. When thank God, you are able to continue on your journey to heaven free from the burden and temptations of the world. When you thank God, you are no longer a foreigner, but a member of God’s family, His chosen people.

Today I want you to know that God has reached out and healed you just because you asked. You now have two choices. When you go home, will you forget that it was God had made everything clear, or will you realize how much God loves you? Will you charge ahead or thank God? It is your choice to make, but you should remember that it is only those who remember to thank Him who are made well. It is only those who return to God after He blesses who hear the word, “Your faith has made you well.” 

Temptation Never Stops

Today is what the Orthodox Church refers to as the “Leavetaking” of the Feast of Theophany. This means today is the conclusion to the celebration by the Church of the baptism of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. As part of this closing of the feast, the Church returns to the Scripture readings which were read during the Feastday celebrations. Here is today’s Gospel according to Luke 4:1-15 (RSV)

At that time Jesus returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit for forty days in the wilderness, tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command the stone to become bread." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'" And the devil took him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I will give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it shall all be yours." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" And he took him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for it is written, 'He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and a report concerning him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

We all know the world can be filled with temptation and struggle. We all know that every day is a choice to either follow the Lord or follow satan. And we “should” know that satan will never give up trying to get us to bow down to him rather than to the Lord. As today’s reading reminds us, he doesn’t even stop at Christ Who is God Himself. What makes us think we will ever escape his temptations? Remember the warning that Christ gave to His disciples. “Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.” (John 13.16) If we are Disciples of Christ, then we are His servants. If we are His servants, we are not greater than Him who sent us.

Next time you feel the temptation to abandon Christ, not only should you fight it, but you should accept it as a badge of honor that you are on the right path toward following Christ. If you had already abandoned God, the devil would be trying so hard!

When You Thank God

It happens all the time. You realize that you need God for something so you call out to Him in your prayers for that one moment of mercy. You pray that He would look at you and cause your trouble to fade into the distance, and for a brief moment you forget your struggle. For that brief moment, your life is totally in focus and all you realize God has never forgotten you. You smile to yourself knowing how much God loves you, and you have two choices.

At that moment when everything is perfectly clear, you feel empowered by God’s blessing and you “charge full steam ahead” with your plans for the future. You forget that just moments ago you were calling out to God for mercy. You forget that just moments ago you weren’t sure where your life would end up. You forget that moments ago all you could think about was the struggle that consumed you. You forget that it was God that blessed you.

or...

At that moment when everything is perfectly clear, you suddenly realize that it wasn’t an accident that you can see clearly. You suddenly realize that just moments ago you didn’t know how you would solve the problems that consume you. You suddenly realize that just moment ago you were calling on God. You suddenly realize that God has blessed you.

There isn’t much difference between forgetting that God blessed you, and realizing just how much He has blessed you because He blesses you whether or not you remember Him. He blesses you whether or not you give Him credit. He blesses you whether or not you return to thank Him. But when you thank Him, you get an additional blessing. When you thank Him you are made well; you are healed from what really affects you.

When you thank God, rather than just receiving His blessing and going about your day, you are raised up to heaven to participate in God’s great joy. When thank God, you are able to continue on your journey to heaven free from the burden and temptations of the world. When you thank God, you are no longer a foreigner, but a member of God’s family, His chosen people.

Today I want you to know that God has reached out and healed you just because you asked. You now have two choices. When you go home, will you forget that it was God had made everything clear, or will you realize how much God loves you? Will you charge ahead or thank God? It is your choice to make, but you should remember that it is only those who remember to thank Him who are made well. It is only those who return to God after He blesses who hear the word, “Your faith has made you well.”