Be Worthy of God

Gospel Reading: Matthew 10:37-42, 11:1 (RSV) - The Lord said, "He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Have you ever wondered why the Orthodox Christian Life is “set up” the way it is? Why do Orthodox Christians fast and go to Church what seems like ALL THE TIME? Why does the Church place so much attention on Divine Worship and adoring God? In our contemporary ‘protestantized’ world, Orthodox Christianity is accused of empty traditions and unnecessarily grand buildings, and yet it was the Orthodox Church that was established by the Apostles. The SAME Apostles who heard the teachings of Christ in today’s Gospel lesson established our Orthodox Christian way of life, so there has to be some benefit to how we live. So what could it be?

It’s worth considering the spiritual value of the way of life established by the Holy Apostles. Prayer, fasting, almsgiving, the Mysteries (Sacraments), Holy Water blessings, house blessings, crop blessings, blessings of all sorts....ALL given to us to help us be worthy of God. If you want to be worthy of God give the Orthodox Christian Way of Life a try. It does help. Contact an Orthodox Christian Priest near you and ask for a meeting to discuss your spiritual journey. You’ll be on the right sooner than later.