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.” 

Become an Apostle of Christ

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' 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 after Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10.34-38

These words of Jesus have always been a challenge to us as Christians. We desire peace. We pray for peace at every Divine Liturgy. When loved ones die we hope they rest in peace. Jesus gives us peace (see John 20.19) So why does He also tell us He did not come to bring peace but a sword? I think the answer rests partially in today’s Epistle Reading:

St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16 (RSV) - BRETHREN, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

The truth is the devil has a stronghold on the entire earth. He has been given authority, although only temporarily, by God to rule here. So when Jesus came to usher in the end of the devil’s reign, the devil upped his anti, so to speak, and increases the temptations and burdens on the earth. Our job as Christians is to choose Christ Who is at war with the devil. The devil will not win, but he plans to take down as many of us as he can in the meantime.

To those who side with the devil we must seem a strange sort of person. As followers of Christ, we choose to ignore riches (or at least we should), we choose to welcome the stranger, we choose to place the needs of others above our own desires (or at least we should). All of these behaviors, as Saint Paul admits in today’s Epistle, are a true struggle for the Christian, but our Lord said, if we love the worldly things more than Him, we are not worthy of Him. If we choose to side with the devil and refuse to embrace our struggle against the devil, we refuse our cross, we are not worthy of God.

Tomorrow begins the Feast of Theophany. It is a day of strict fasting following a period of no fasting to celebrate Christmas. I urge you to embrace the call of Christ, and become His apostle. Don’t panic when you feel the sword for your faith. Jesus already won the war. He will comfort and rescue you from the battle.

Test God

Today is the Feast of the Prophet Malachi. You might want to call him the “patron saint” of stewardship committees. As we begin our new year, I invite you to consider the words of Malachi 3.10-12 and be inspired to trust God enough to tithe to His Church. Just imagine the great works your Church could accomplish in mission if we trusted Him enough....

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the LORD of hosts; "And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land," Says the LORD of hosts. – Malachi 3.10-12

From Darkness to Light

In just a few days the Orthodox Church will celebrate the Feast of Theophany, often also called the Feast of Lights. In today’s Gospel reading we hear about a man who came to Jesus in the dark. He came because he was seeking the Kingdom. As Nikodemos encountered Jesus and had a dialogue with Him, he was being led from darkness to Light. Consider today’s reading:

Gospel Reading: John 3:1-15 (RSV) - At that time, there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nikodemos, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nikodemos said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' The Spirit blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, and you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nikodemos said to him, "How can this be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."

The comparison between darkness and light is common the Scriptures. The darkness represents the world and light represents God and heaven. The only way to make it out of the darkness is to have an encounter with God. Light shines in darkness and exposes truth. As the Church today begins the celebration of the Feast of Theophany, the Feast of Lights, I invite you to consider whether you desire to remain in darkness or desire to journey toward the Light. 

Greed Always Hurts the Innocent

Since the first days on earth humanity has been plagued with the danger of greed. Adam and Eve expressed their greed when they ate the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, because they were convinced they deserved something that God had told them was bad for them. Their children, beginning with Cain and Abel were born into a harsh life of struggle and pain because of the greed of their parents. It was because of greed our ancestors constructed the Tower of Babel to “reach to heaven; and let us make a name for ourselves.” (Genesis 11.4) It was because of greed that Abram took Hagar to bear children rather than Sarah. They disobeyed God’s desire and the innocent child of Hagar was forced to flee for their safety. Around Christmas each year we hear of another horrific example of greed. It was because of greed that Herod slaughtered over 14,000 innocent children in an attempt to kill the newborn Christ. Throughout the centuries greed has been at the center of every political conflict between nations and tribes, and the innocent always suffer. And today the world continues to its assault upon children in the name “reproductive freedom” by aborting hundreds of thousands of innocent children each year.

This week the Lord gives us a fresh chance at a better way. While Herod was trying to trick the Magi into revealing where Christ was to be found, the angels of God instructed the shepherds to go home a different way. The shepherds were rewarded for their love and obedience to God and they returned home “glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.” (Luke 2.20) The shepherds revealed their humility rather than greed. It was because of their humility that Herod was unable to kill Jesus as an infant, and His Mother and Joseph were able to bring Him to the Temple on the Eighth Day according to the Law to be circumcised and receive the name “Jesus” as was commanded by God. It was because of humility that Mary and Joseph “returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him,” (Luke 2.46) because they had left Him behind at Passover. Humility always brings comfort. It is the opposite of greed.

The past two weeks have been filled with opportunities to expresses either greed or humility. Constant advertisements and sales attempt to feed greed and convince you to purchase more gifts and spend more money than you have. Some families spend so much on Christmas they struggle to pay regular utility bills. It is because of greed that Christmas drives many into depression and loneliness. Every time we want more of something we do not have, even if that “something” is a good thing, we risk the danger of greed. How do we attempt to recover from Christmas greed? We pack into the mall for the ‘after Christmas sales’ and return lines to exchange the gift we received for the gift we ‘really wanted’ in the first place, never thinking how the feelings of the person who gave us the gift in the first place might feel if we rejected their gift.

The gift of Christmas isn’t under a decorated tree. The gift of Christmas is God Himself, Who came to be one of us so that we could be freed from the constant battle between greed and humility. The gift of Christmas is freedom from sales and special offers at department stores. The gift of Christmas is a life lived in unity with God as He originally intended. But the only way we can receive the gift is to choose humility rather than greed. Greed, just like it has for centuries before, will always lead us away from God’s desire for us. Greed will always bring pain and suffering the innocent lives that surround us.

Today is New Year’s Day, the day we all make ‘resolutions’ to live better lives. This year we can resolve to live humble lives rather than suffer through greed. This year can be different. As Jesus said to Mary and Joseph, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2.49) His Father’s business is our freedom from sin and greed. This year should be the year we are also about the Father’s business.